“Yeah.”
“No. Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know, something in your voice.” How did she feel like she knew him so well if they weren’t even dating?
He held on tighter to her hand. “I don’t know Hazel, but I’ve heard she’s even more feisty than you.”
“You’re worried about whether or not she’ll like you,” Claire guessed.
Brig shrugged, not admitting to anything, but the corner of his lip turned up in a teasing smile.
“Do you want to see Ema, Shelby, Aunt Genny, and Nellie right now?” Knox asked as he idled to a stop in front of a three-story mansion that melded English Tudor and Southern comfort perfectly.
“My head is kind of pounding.” Claire felt like she was rejecting this man’s family. Her head actually felt all right, but she didn’t want to have to talk to more people she couldn’t remember right now. “Can I get settled in my room and see them all tomorrow?”
“Sure.” Knox didn’t act upset about her lackluster response to seeing his family. It was a relief he wasn’t the easily offended type. He drove around the side of the mansion and pulled up to another home that was almost as big as the main house with the same stone exterior.
“This place is huge,” she whispered to Brig.
“Knox doesn’t do anything halfway.” He opened the door and slid out, clinging to her hand and assisting her from the vehicle. It was like he couldn’t stand to release her hand, and it was endearing that he was worried about her sister’s opinion of him.
Knox walked around to meet them. “You two good?” He sort of grunted the words out. He seemed like the ultimate tough guy.
Brig nodded. “I’ll get her settled.” He looked down at Claire. “Hazel’s going to go by your condo and get you clothes and whatever else you might need.”
“Okay.” She shook her head, trying to remember something. Her phone. That would help. “Do you know where my phone is?”
“I wonder if you lost it in the accident.”
“I’ll check into it.” Knox volunteered. “Some of your other clients aren’t as easygoing as I am.” He gave her half a grin, and she felt like, given enough time, they might be friends. Knox would be fun to tease if she knew him better.
Claire smiled back but then panic rushed over her. She could remember her office and working long hours, but she couldn’t remember who her current clients were or what negotiations she was working on. What if she messed up someone’s career with not being able to remember? “Am I going to mess them all up?”
“We’re in the regular season,” Knox said. “Contract negotiations take place January through June.”
She knew that. “So you’re saying I won’t destroy anyone’s livelihood being out of it right now?”
“You’re mostly working on sponsorships and public image and crap like that. I’ll text your assistant Julia and have her inform your clients that you’ve been in an accident.” Knox gave her another smile, which seemed to be a huge effort for him, and then climbed back in his Lexus.
She watched him drive back to the main house and could feel Brig watching her. “What month is it?”
“It’s October.”
Claire hated that she didn’t even know that. It was beautiful outside this afternoon, probably seventy. A perfect fall afternoon in Texas.
Brig released her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Your head’s hurting pretty bad? I can get you some more medicine.”
She shook her head and bit at her lip. “The head’s still attached, and it was really more of an excuse. I don’t want to meet anybody else right now. I hate not knowing who anyone is and feeling like I’m off my game.”
Brig nodded. “I can understand that. Do you want to get settled in your room? I can leave you alone if you want.”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
He smiled, his blue eyes filling with relief. “I don’t want to leave you either.”
“All righty then. It’s too pretty to be inside. Can we go for a walk around this awesome property?” She looked to the main house. “Or will Knox and his family be watching and think I’m a jerk to not want to meet them?”
He chuckled. “I’m the one who monitors cameras, not them.” He glanced down at her bare feet. “But you don’t have any shoes. Do you want to wait until Hazel comes with clothes?”
“No. We can walk on the grass. It looks soft.”
“Anything you want, Claire.”
She glanced sharply up at him. “I get the feeling you say that to me a lot.”
“I wish.”
“What do you mean?”
He pushed out a breath and glanced at her, looking different from the determined man who had guided her out of the hospital. “I wish we were closer than we actually are.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she walked off the warm pavement of the driveway and toward the long stretch of grass. Brig caught her quickly and stayed close by her side. He didn’t say anything, which she really appreciated. Right now, she needed to take all this information slowly. Her mind was spinning like the Tilt-a-Whirl, and it was making her disoriented. Luckily, she didn’t feel nauseated like she would on the amusement park ride.
As they slowly approached a lake, she studied the smooth, glassy water and the sun glistening off it. She kept walking along the soft grass by the edge of the lake. Everything was so well-maintained she didn’t even need shoes.
“So you already admitted we’re not engaged.” Three years. What else did she need to know?
“Only in my dreams.”
She couldn’t help but smile at that. He was confident, tough, and all military-like, but he was trying to flirt with her. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t all over him. They definitely had chemistry and a connection. He was a successful guy, head of security for this impressive property. He seemed kind and attentive to her. What was her hang-up, she wondered.
“Are we even dating?”
Brig paused and then shook his head no.
“But you … like me a lot?”
Brig grinned and looked almost fearful of how she would respond. “A lot is an understatement.” He admitted it quickly before ducking his head and staring at the lake.
Claire’s heartrate increased. She stopped walking and turned to him. He paused too. “Then why aren’t we dating?”
Brig elevated his broad shoulders. “Knox claims it’s related to Peyton dying.”
That hit her like a stab with an ice pick. Peyton. He’d been so good to her. How had she forgotten about him so easily?
“All I know is you flirt with me a lot, but anytime I try to ask you out, you’re an expert at changing the subject.”
Claire liked the thought of flirting with him, but couldn’t understand why she evaded going out with him. She also wondered why Peyton being gone didn’t hurt as much as it should. Maybe her subconscious somehow knew that she had healed from it? She felt more guilt than anything as she thought of Peyton. He’d been a great guy who treated her like gold and she hadn’t fully returned that devotion.
“I wonder if I felt guilty because I’m so attracted to you when I should have been mourning Peyton.”
Brig’s eyebrows rose. “You are attracted to me?”
Claire’s face filled with heat, and she was sure he could see how red it was. Was she not supposed to admit this? Would the version of her that remembered everything be unhappy she’d confessed the pull she felt to Brig? “Well, this just got awkward.” She walked swiftly away from him toward the trees at the edge of the lake. She didn’t make it two feet before he was by her side.
“I don’t want you to be awkward around me.”
Claire whirled on him. “What do you want?”
He stopped before he plowed her over. He was quick for such a large man. “You … I mean, I want to be there for you.”
He said the words so fast it was like he’d been waiting to say them for a long time.
“How long have you had a crush on me?” She bit at her tongue. Stop asking these dumb questions. She should be figuring out how she felt about Peyton being gone, preparing herself to ask her sister a million questions, and trying to get her memory back so she didn’t fail all of her big-name clients. Instead, she just wanted to flirt with the handsome security guy.
“A couple years now.”
“Sheesh. And I’ve just played hard to get?”
He shrugged. “You were getting over Peyton.”
“Yet I flirted with you?” Her cheeks were flaming red again. She shook her head and turned away.
Brig’s hand on her arm stopped her. “Claire.”
His warm touch seared through her. Had she felt overcome by guilt for wanting to be with Brig when she was supposed to be mourning Peyton?
“I don’t think you were ever unfaithful to Peyton’s memory.”
She took in a long breath then pushed it out. She needed more answers. “So he’s been gone for how long now?”
“I think over three years.” He flicked his thumb against his leg.
“You think?”
“Even though I wish it weren’t true, it’s not like we’re close, Claire. You come to visit Knox and Ema. I flirt with you, try to ask you out, and you shoot me down.”
Claire folded her arms around her stomach. “Am I just a hard-hearted harbinger of haggis?”
Brig grunted out a surprised laugh. “What does that mean?”
“I think it’s from a movie or something.” She couldn’t resist returning his smile. “Do I treat you nicely?”
He nodded. “You’re a tough business lady, and you’re funny and full of sass, but you have a very kind heart.”
Claire’s whole body warmed at his words. She liked the image he had of her. Their gazes held for a few seconds. It was intimate and tender and brought more heat to her cheeks. When she couldn’t take it any longer, she turned and started walking along the edge of the lake. She studied the calm blue lake and the trees beyond. It was a beautiful spot. She was so focused on taking it all in that she didn’t realize she was putting her foot down on a jagged rock.
“Ouch!” Claire exclaimed, pulling her foot up.
Brig wrapped an arm around her waist to support her, but all it really did was make her hot all over. “You okay?”
“I just stepped on a rock.” She lifted her foot up.
Brig steadied her as he inspected her foot. She was embarrassed when she couldn’t see anything but a red mark.
“It’s fine,” she said.
Ignoring her assurances, Brig swept her off of feet and into his arms.
“Whoa, Nellie.” Claire exclaimed.
Brig laughed. “You and your expressions.”
“What are you doing?” She wrapped her arms around his neck for stability. Their faces were so close, mere inches apart. He smelled really good, all musky and manly.
“I don’t want you hurt anymore today.”
“You’re blaming yourself for my accident this morning. Please don’t.”
He swallowed, and his blue eyes were steady on hers. “I don’t know if I can stop. I care far too much for you Claire, and to see you unconscious on the road ...” He shook his head. “It about killed me.”
Claire wondered how in the world she had resisted this man who was so obviously smitten with her. She needed to press him, get more answers. “So you’re this ultra-hot, obviously with-it military slash security guy, and for some reason, you weren’t irresistible to the former Claire?”
He grinned. “I’m sure I was. Former Claire just wouldn’t admit it.”
She loved his confidence. “Maybe former Claire was too driven by her work and couldn’t let herself relax and have fun with the fine-looking military guy.”
His cheek crinkled, and it was all she could to not touch it then run her fingers through his sexy, gray hair. Would it be soft or stiff?
“Maybe.”
“I guess someday my memory will return. Then we’ll find out the truth.” She bit at her lip.
Brig turned very serious as he stared at her. “Until then, will you let me take care of you?”
“Do I need a caretaker?” She tried to tease him.
“I doubt it. You’re pretty tough. But I wish you needed me.”
Claire was surprised again by how boldly he shared his feelings for her. She was in an odd spot with no memory of the past three years, but she didn’t have it in her to tell him no. Apparently, in her right mind she’d told him no a lot. She imagined most women would be throwing themselves at this guy. Hot jealousy raced through her as she pictured that. The headache she’d claimed to have earlier started manifesting itself in her forehead. “What day is it?”
“Thursday.”
“How about I give you the weekend? Hopefully, my memory will come back sometime soon. I’ll let you woo me until Sunday night. Monday morning, I’m going back to work and taking my life back, regardless of whether or not my memory of the last three years resurfaces.”
Brig pressed his lips together and nodded. “I’ll take any time you’ll give me.”
“Consider yourself lucky to have four days,” she said teasingly. Four days alone with him sounded like bliss.
“I do, but it’s only three full days. It’s already Thursday afternoon.”
“Guess you’d better be a fast mover.”
He smirked. “Sadly, I’m not.” His eyes swept over her face, and Claire wondered if he would kiss her. She would definitely be willing to give his lips a go. How had she resisted him? Was it all tied up with Peyton? She had no idea, and she would give up all her Kate Spades and Manolo Blahniks to get her memory back.
Brig gave her a soft smile and started walking back to the guest house. “Let’s get you some dinner and into bed.”
She was exhausted, but being cradled in Brig’s arms as he carried her across the grass kept her wide awake. She hated the unknown, but Brig made her feel so safe it outweighed any fear. He seemed confident and capable enough to take care of her, yet humble enough to admit they weren’t dating even though he wanted to be. She liked him. Cuddling in close, she laid her head against the bulging muscles in his chest. “You have a very nice chest. I commend you on it.”
Brig chuckled, and she could feel it against her cheek. “Thank you.”
“And nice shoulders and nice arms and nice … other parts of your body.”
Brig’s laughter sounded a little embarrassed. Claire wondered if she embarrassed him regularly. She looked forward to finding out over the next three days.
Chapter Four
Brig told her a lot of backstory about Knox, his fiancée Ema, and his daughter Shelby as they ate a delicious dinner of chili, cornbread, and salad in the guesthouse kitchen. Apparently, Knox had been under Brig’s command in the Army, and Knox’s platoon had unearthed a land mine. His best friend Tyler had been one of those killed. Tyler had given Knox his daughter Shelby and his fortune. Last June, Knox had met Ema, and the unfriendly beast had fallen in love. Brig claimed it had softened Knox a lot. Claire wondered how intimidating he’d been before because he was still a formidable force.
They seemed to have the house to themselves. Brig explained the horse guy John and the cook and head housekeeper Nellie usually only came to the house to sleep.
A banging on the front door interrupted their meal. Brig jumped to his feet and hurried through the spacious kitchen and living area and into the front entry. A few seconds later, Hazel burst into the room. “Claire.” She practically shrieked.
Claire stood, and as quickly as she could move with her head still achy, she met her sister halfway across the wood floor. Hazel’s face was fuller than Claire remembered. It made sense. After all, her sister had a baby! As Hazel grabbed her in a fierce hug, Claire felt the comfort of home. It had always been the two of them. First protecting each other from their abusive parents and then staying close in foster homes until they both aged out. They’d been a year apart in school and ha
d been able to secure scholarships at Texas A&M. Between working nights and financial aid, they’d both graduated with master’s degrees. It was all rushing back to Claire as she clung to her sister—all the times she’d protected Hazel as a child and teenager. How hard she’d worked to succeed at her career to make sure they never went without again. Hazel finding Lowell and falling in love. Claire thinking she’d found love with Peyton. She found herself pulling memories to test which ones she still had.
Hazel pulled back and wiped at her tears, laughing. “I don’t know why I’m crying. You’re the poor sap who can’t remember who she is.”
Claire loved her so much. “It’s actually rocking fun. I can pretend to be anyone I want to be, and this beautiful man says he’s going to marry me.” She winked at Brig to show she was teasing.
Hazel pumped her eyebrows and gave Brig a thumbs up. “You’re living the dream, baby.” She clung to Claire’s arm and dragged her toward the couch. “Sit and spill all the juicy details of how this hot guy rescued you. I bet the hospital romance was fun.” She clucked her tongue. “Nothing sexier than oxygen tubes and catheters.”
Brig watched the two of them like they were sheer entertainment.
Claire laughed. It was always like this with her and Hazel. They’d gone through a hellish childhood together, but instead of focusing on that, they teased and kept it light.
Hazel plunked down on the couch, pulling Claire with her. She patted the spot next to her. “Come chat with us.” She demanded, glancing up at Brig. “I want to get to know the guy who thawed my sister’s heart of ice. You know she starred in Frozen, right? Don’t let the dark hair fool you. I’m the adorable, sweet, fun Anna. She’s the Ice Queen Elsa.”
Brig pressed his lips together but not before the laughter spilled out.
“Oh yeah, laugh for her,” Claire said. “Mr. Military has been all tough and unbending with me, but sweet Anna gets him to laugh.”
Brig shook his head and sat in the overstuffed chair closest to Claire’s side of the couch. “Are you two always like this?”
“For sure,” Hazel said. “Poor Claire’s been in my shadow her entire life. Always the Hazel-maid but never the Hazel.”
The Irresistible Groom: Texas Titan Romances Page 3
