“Hey,” I say, as though she’s a casual acquaintance I haven’t seen since the last family wedding.
Brooke’s brows draw down, as though she’s annoyed I spoke first. “Hey.”
“So. Um.” I cast around for something to say. What would I talk about if she were only an acquaintance? “I hear you’re running a luxury car business.”
A nod. “I’m part owner now.”
“Cool.” I regard her in true admiration. Brooke has always been smart, capable, astute—and stunning. “I’ve thought about buying a luxury car, like a Bugatti, but you know …” I shrug. I make good commission on the sales deals I grab for my parents’ business, but they won’t make me a billionaire anytime soon.
“Don’t be too sure.” Brooke speaks nonchalantly, but I see her canny inner saleswoman awakening. “Maserati makes some great entry cars that have a ton of amenities. Or you could go for something like a Spider. Or consider a gently owned car—a few dings on the bumper, and purists shun it, but someone who buys it for the hell of it saves a lot of cash.”
“Hmm.” I’d thrown out the idea just to make conversation, but I realize that yes, a fantasy car would be fun to own. My brothers will say I’m compensating for my sucky love life, but they can kiss my ass. “Maybe I’ll check it out.”
Brooke slides her fingers into a minute pocket in her dress where it curves over her hip. I’d never have guessed the dress had a pocket or that anything could have fit inside it.
As I hold my breath, mesmerized by her shapely hip, her fingers come out of the pocket with a card between them.
“Now that I’ve told you what you can do, don’t you dare go to any dealer but mine.” Brooke holds out the card. “You think about it, and come see me.”
Purely for business. I hear that in her voice. I shrug and reach for the card.
When I clasp it between thumb and forefinger, a spark jumps across the cardboard. I swear.
She doesn’t let go. For a moment, we hold the card together. I feel Brooke’s grip through the flimsy card, and the pain in my heart expands to full-blown fire.
Our gazes connect. I see in her eyes the flame that once burned between us like the desert sun in the heart of June.
A swallow traces her throat. I let the corner of my mouth twitch into a half smile.
Brooke quickly releases the card. A cool breeze dances across the courtyard, damping our fires.
“All right then.” Brooke backs away. “Maybe I’ll see you.”
“Maybe you will.” I put plenty of promise into the words.
I like that she shoots me a glance of trepidation before she turns on her spike heel and hurries back into the restaurant.
I flip over the card, which is a dark blue, almost the same color as her dress. On it is a photo of a red Ferrari, with Brooke leaning casually on its fender. The logo Paradise Luxury Cars blazes from the top of the card. Under that is her name: Brooke Marsh, Owner / Manager.
“Maybe you will,” I whisper to her retreating and beautiful back.
The breeze, cooled by the trickling fountain, carries my words into the night.
* * *
Thank you for reading! Don’t miss Austin and Brooke’s story: Never Say Never, Book 3 of the McLaughlin Brothers.
Also by Jennifer Ashley
The McLaughlin Brothers
(Contemporary Romance)
This Changes Everything
Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever
Never Say Never
Give Me One Night
Riding Hard
(Contemporary Romance)
Adam
Grant
Carter
Tyler
Ross
Kyle
Ray
Snowbound in Starlight Bend
Shifters Unbound
(paranormal romance)
Pride Mates
Primal Bonds
Bodyguard
Wild Cat
Hard Mated
Mate Claimed
“Perfect Mate” (novella)
Lone Wolf
Tiger Magic
Feral Heat
Wild Wolf
Bear Attraction
Mate Bond
Lion Eyes
Bad Wolf
Wild Things
White Tiger
Guardian’s Mate
Red Wolf
Midnight Wolf
Tiger Striped
A Shifter Christmas Carol
Iron Master
Shifter Made ("Prequel" short story)
The Mackenzies Series
(Historical Romance)
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
The Duke’s Perfect Wife
A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift
The Seduction of Elliot McBride
The Untamed Mackenzie
The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie
Scandal and the Duchess
Rules for a Proper Governess
The Stolen Mackenzie Bride
A Mackenzie Clan Gathering
Alec Mackenzie’s Art of Seduction
The Devilish Lord Will
A Rogue Meets a Scandalous Lady
A Mackenzie Yuletide
(in print in A Mackenzie Clan Christmas)
Stormwalker
(w/a Allyson James)
Stormwalker
Firewalker
Shadow Walker
“Double Hexed”
Nightwalker
Dreamwalker
Dragon Bites
About the Author
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley has written more than 100 published novels and novellas in romance, urban fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction under the names Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner. Jennifer's books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have earned starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer enjoys playing music (guitar, piano, flute), reading, hiking, and building dollhouse miniatures.
More about Jennifer’s books can be found at
http://www.jenniferashley.com
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http://eepurl.com/47kLL
Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever
McLaughlin Brothers, Book 2
Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Ashley
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All Rights are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.
Cover design by Kim Killion
Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever: McLaughlin Brothers, Book 2 Page 10
