Caught Up In You

by Jules Bennett

“Why would you say that?”

  With a shrug, she said, “Because it’s a weekend. You’re a single guy. Just curious why you’re here.”

  “Because I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

  Cora shivered despite the warm winter evening. He was making this whole not-crossing-the-professional-line thing hard to maintain. Was he trying to get under her skin on purpose? Most likely. Was it working? Absolutely.

  “And you said you needed a friend,” he went on. “I would do the same for any of my friends. Then I’d expect payment in the form of pizza and beer, but since you’re new in town and without a steady income for the next few weeks, I’ll treat this time.”

  This time. He made it sound as if there would be many more times to come. Fine. Pizza and beer worked amongst friends . . . right? So what slot did she place that kiss she was still reeling from?

  Diving back in over and over to relive that kiss wasn’t going to make this situation any easier. Focus.

  “I happen to love pizza, but I don’t have any beer.”

  “Let me take care of everything. But I’d like to take you somewhere.”

  Cora jerked, surprised they weren’t just ordering something in. “I’m not really dressed for an outing and the lunch the other day kind of ruined my mood for going out.”

  “Forget what happened the other day,” he scolded. “And you’re fine for what I have in mind. Just throw some shoes on and I’ll call in our order. What do you like on yours?”

  “Pizza is amazing no matter how it’s served,” she stated. “I can’t remember the last time I had it, actually. Just surprise me.”

  “Go get your shoes and meet me back on the porch.”

  Cora took hold of Heidi and headed back inside. She had no clue why she was so giddy. This wasn’t a date, this wasn’t even close. It was two friends getting together for pizza and beer. Couldn’t get much more casual than that.

  After finding her simple ballet flats right where she left them at the back door, she and Heidi went back through the house, feeling her hand along the hall wall. She wondered where Braxton was taking her, but since she really hadn’t met too many people in town and she was so comfortable with him, she was just excited to be getting out. She grabbed her key from the hook right beside the door.

  “Ready to go?” he asked when she stepped back out onto the porch.

  Cora nodded. “Will I need my purse?”

  “Not tonight.” Braxton brushed by her and pulled the door shut. “I got it.”

  When his hand slid over hers, she jumped. Stupid to be that way, but old habits and all that. Eric never liked Heidi and would often grab her to get her attention. Eric and Braxton were on opposite ends of the male species spectrum.

  And why was she comparing the two? She refused to marry one and the other was her new friend and boss. So, no. No more comparing because both men were off-limits in the personal territory.

  And definitely no comparing of the two men and how differently they kissed her. Nope. Not going there.

  By the time they picked up the pizza and beer, Cora still hadn’t gotten out of him where they were going. But the windows were down, her hair was blowing in the comfortable breeze, and Braxton had cranked up a familiar heavy metal tune . . . her parents would absolutely hate this entire scenario.

  Part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and act on this attraction simply to spite her parents. But she was realistic and she wasn’t vindictive. She liked Braxton so she could never use him in such a catty way and she had more self-respect than that. The next man she got involved with would have nothing to do with her parents’ approval. As of right now, she wasn’t looking for anyone to fulfill her life. She was loving being on her own, loving how independent she could be.

  Ignoring those insecurities was becoming easier. They still hovered in the back of her mind, but she had to take everything one day at a time. And right now, this evening was turning out to be absolutely wonderful.

  “That’s a good look on you,” Braxton commented.

  Cora shoved her hand in her hair to pull it away from her face as she spoke. “What look?”

  “Your hair all wild, your smile. You act like you haven’t a care in the world. Much different from the woman who answered her door earlier.”

  Cora laughed. Yeah, that’s because earlier she was dealing with her past that wouldn’t let go.

  “Maybe it’s the company. You’re really the only friend I have here. Well, I would consider Sophie a friend. She’s gone above and beyond what a Realtor should do.”

  “Soph is pretty awesome,” he agreed. “She’d do anything for you.”

  They drove a bit in silence and Cora found herself remembering what this area looked like. Was it still covered with mossy trees? Were all the old, charming homes adorned with lights and garland? Maybe a Christmas tree in the living room window? When she’d get away to Savannah before she’d lost her sight, she would fantasize about living outside the city and in a beautiful town where ladies wore hats on Sunday and had tea on Saturday. Haven was the perfect Southern town. Small, beautiful, so much to offer tourists who wanted that relaxing vibe and charm.

  Sometimes she’d just get away and drive, trying to figure out where she wanted to be in life. So many women would have loved to have been in her shoes. A guy who wanted to marry her, though they weren’t in love, they were compatible in the workplace. She had all the money she could ever want, homes in Hawaii and Italy, and more chocolate than any woman could ever eat in a lifetime.

  Yet it had all been given to her by her parents. Handed to her without any work on her part and she’d felt so completely empty. While some would think she sounded ungrateful, that wasn’t it at all. That lifestyle of the fast-paced grind with overloaded schedules, boring meetings, multiple deadlines, fake smiles . . . none of that worked for her and she wanted to make her life her own.

  Cora knew her parents loved her in their own way, but they truly had no idea how to express emotions. They’d both been born into money, not that money was a bad thing, but her mother and father were shipped off to boarding schools and rarely spent time with their own parents. Cora had heard enough stories to know that her mom and dad had mirrored upbringings and perhaps that’s why they fit together so well. She just wished they would’ve tried a little harder with her. Surely they realized what they’d missed out on and that a child needed love and attention, not money and objects.

  “What are you thinking?” Braxton asked.

  She didn’t want to get into the whole ordeal spinning around in her mind. “It’s been three years since I drove a car.” She laughed, trying to play off how ridiculous that must sound to him. “I think of the silliest things sometimes. I mean, you want to go somewhere, you hop in your car and go. I miss that sense of being able to go anywhere at any time.”

  Braxton reached over and squeezed her hand. “You’re getting your freedom back,” he told her. “You’ve moved out on your own, you’re going to start working, and you’re doing a damn fine job of being independent. Let’s focus on all of that and the fact we’re about to have an amazing picnic.”

  Braxton let go of her hand and guided the car around a sharp turn. Cora held on to the door and waited for him to tell her where they were. She had a pretty good idea where he’d taken her, but she didn’t want to ruin his fun. “Are we here?”

  “We are.”

  Braxton brought the car to a stop and Cora waited for him to come around. This was one area where she was definitely independent, but she had to admit, she liked having him get her door and escort her. Hey, she was a lady and appreciated a man who treated her as such because he actually cared, not because he thought she was incapable.

  As soon as she stepped out, she inhaled the sweet, familiar fragrance of the olive plant. With one hand holding on to Heidi, Cora extended her other one. “Let me take a bag or something.”

  “I’ve got it all. Will Heidi follow me?”

  “Just keep talking to me an
d she will know we’re together,” Cora commented.

  “I wanted to bring you back to the resort,” he told her as they began walking.

  Her sense of direction was impeccable and they were heading away from the front of the house. What did he have planned?

  “Since everyone is gone, I thought we could sit by the pond and eat our dinner. That way we can talk, relax, and do absolutely nothing at all. Once Bella Vous opens, this opportunity will be gone.”

  The fact he’d put so much thought into this truly amazed her. She was used to the fast-paced lifestyle of the city and forced luncheons with rubbery food posing as a delicacy. Pizza, beer, a good friend, and a breeze by the pond sounded absolutely heavenly. She’d wanted a new, laid-back life and she was well on her way to getting it. This was just another layer in building her confidence. Less to worry about meant she could learn to truly be herself. Adding in some Braxton time on the side was a definite perk she hadn’t expected.

  “Here we are,” he told her. “Let me spread this blanket out.”

  “You carried our food, drinks, and a blanket?”

  Braxton laughed and said nothing because clearly he had done just that. Still, she wished he would’ve let her help him when she’d offered.

  She waited while he situated everything. The breeze kicked up, sending her hair spiraling around her shoulders and tickling her exposed skin. Even the air smelled better here. There was something about being out in the open, not surrounded by buildings and cars and people. Everything about Haven was refreshing and exactly what she needed.

  As for Braxton. Well, she could admit to herself she needed him, but on what level she still wasn’t quite sure. She wasn’t naïve and she couldn’t ignore this pull toward him, but she needed to go slow. As much as she’d love to just let her emotions guide her, she couldn’t risk this new start by getting involved with a guy who was technically her boss. Her sexy, caring, intriguing boss.

  “I’m going to take your hand,” he warned her. “I didn’t want you to jump.”

  Cora had to bite her lip as her eyes started to burn. Why was he so perfect? Why did she have to find him now when she didn’t want anyone, when she wanted to break free and live her life without commitment to anyone? And why did he have to be her boss?

  She knew he was a ladies’ man. She didn’t need to be told. He was sexy, kind, and there wasn’t a woman who wouldn’t take notice. She had no clue what he looked like, but she knew he had a killer body.

  Braxton’s rough palm slid against hers as he led her down onto the blanket. Thankfully, her old dress hit right at her knees so she wasn’t showing too much . . . she hoped.

  Heidi settled in beside Cora, the dog’s fur tickling Cora’s thigh. The breeze continued to toss her hair around her shoulders. Cora grabbed the thick strands and pulled them over one shoulder as she lifted her face to the warm winter air. She slid her feet from her shoes and stretched her legs out in front of her on the thick blanket. With her hands braced behind her, Cora relaxed and enjoyed the fact she had nothing at all to do right now. She didn’t have to dress up, have someone come in and do her makeup so she could be presentable for a business gathering, she didn’t have to pretend to be interested in importing talk, and she didn’t have to play the role of a doting fiancée simply to appease the public.

  Right now she was Cora Buchanan, masseuse. Not Corinne Buchanan, potential CEO of Buchanan Chocolates.

  The scent of pizza had her groaning. “Please tell me there’s a big slice with my name on it.”

  “I got a large,” he chuckled. “There’s about five pieces with your name on them.”

  Cora shook her head. “If I ate five pieces, I’d have to waddle to the car. Two is probably my limit.”

  “I’m going to hand you a treat for Heidi. Hold out your left hand.”

  Shifting, Cora held out her hand. “What did you get Heidi? You didn’t have to do anything special for her. She’s used to being around me at meals. She’s not like typical dogs who beg.”

  Braxton dropped several hard treats into her hand. “I know she’s used to it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get her something. I feed you, I feed her. You guys are a package deal, right?”

  Wow. The man totally got her in ways others didn’t. When she’d first brought Heidi home, her parents hadn’t exactly been welcoming of a dog in their home. Cora had moved back in because the fear of living alone while unable to see had terrified her. She’d been vulnerable and hated that she’d been robbed of her independence.

  In the days when her sight was starting to go, she’d researched how to live with blindness. Counting steps to maneuver around her home, using her other senses to heighten awareness of her surroundings and slowing down. Nothing was rushed anymore, another reason to get out of the city. The country life called to her long ago, so it was only fitting she stay here.

  She had grown so much in the last three years, had pushed her fears aside because she wanted to thrive, she wanted to live. Heidi had helped in the recovery both emotionally and physically.

  Much like her parents, Eric hadn’t been very welcoming of Heidi. But the instant Cora had been matched with Heidi, she’d felt such a connection and that solitary feeling she’d had was gone. Heidi may be just a dog to some, but to Cora she was her friend, her connection to the world.

  She had that same feeling when she was with Braxton. She didn’t have to explain herself, he just knew how to make her feel part of everything going on around her and he completely embraced the fact she and Heidi were a package deal.

  Cora knew she was sliding deeper into a territory she wasn’t ready for and she had a feeling she better hang on tight because this journey wasn’t waiting for her mind to catch up.

  “Yeah,” she replied, gripping the treats. “We’re a team.”

  Cora adjusted so she faced Heidi and hopefully would not make a fool of herself if the emotions became too much to handle. Braxton said all the right things, did all the right things, yet she couldn’t trust her feelings where he was concerned. She wanted to enjoy their time together, keep it simple and not analyze every aspect of their new relationship to death. She’d told him she wanted a friend and that’s exactly what he was doing.

  They ate in silence and Cora wasn’t even the slightest bit embarrassed that she had three pieces. Her maxidress was stretchy and, well . . . she just wanted to.

  Once they were done, Cora crossed her ankles, leaned back on her elbows, and listened as Braxton picked up their mess.

  “Tell me what the evening looks like right now,” she requested. “I know that’s such a silly request, but sometimes, like now, I wish I could see what’s around me.”

  The rustling of the trash stopped. “Trust me. The most beautiful sight right now has nothing to do with the atmosphere around us.”

  Cora’s breath caught as Braxton shifted, the blanket gave a slight pull, and he stomped away. His car door opened, then slammed. She heard him mutter a curse and he clearly was battling some war with himself. Just another thing they had in common.

  Fighting whatever was happening wasn’t working because she couldn’t say no to the man and he couldn’t seem to keep his distance. She had a feeling, sooner rather than later, all of this friction and tension would consume both of them.

  When he settled in beside her, the warmth from his body washed over hers. He sat close; she knew if she reached her hand out he’d be right there. So she remained still and told herself that was the smartest way to go about this.

  “So tell me about Chelsea.” She wanted to stay here, in this moment, but at the same time she balanced a fine line between what was right and what she truly wanted. “From what little I’ve heard about her, she was an amazing woman.”

  “She was,” Braxton agreed softly. “I’ve never met someone with such a free spirit and a love for life. She would sacrifice her own happiness to see someone else smile. She and I had that in common. We were always worrying about everyone else. I always worried for her b
ecause she’d constantly move from one adventure to the next. Sometimes I wondered if she was trying to fill a void left by her biological parents, but she never would open up about them.”

  Cora heard the love in his tone. Selfishly, she found herself wanting someone to speak of her in such an adoring manner. What Braxton and his siblings shared was a beautiful bond. While the guys may have obstacles, they were winning every single day. She wanted to be winning in her life. She wanted to overcome her hurdles and figure out exactly where she was meant to be.

  “Was Chelsea the youngest?” Cora asked.

  “Yes, but she came to live with the Monroes first.”

  Confused, Cora turned her head to face where Braxton sat. “She’s adopted?”

  “We all are,” he replied easily.

  Stunned, Cora tried to process the fact that this set of siblings had a stronger bond than nearly any family she knew. Which just went to prove how dynamic, how strong and determined they were. She was going to love working for them.

  “I didn’t mean to be nosy,” she told him.

  “You’re fine. Everyone in town knows all about the saints who took in four unruly kids. If it weren’t for the Monroes, I have no clue where any of us would be. They put up with a lot of baggage.”

  Cora smiled. “They sound like wonderful people. No wonder you all turned out so well.”

  Braxton shifted on the blanket, his leg brushing hers as he repositioned. The silence stretched between them and Cora had so many questions, but what was appropriate to ask? Yes, she was his employee, but they were already so much more than something so formal.

  “Did you grow up around here?” she asked.

  “About an hour away,” he replied. “I came to the Monroes when I was nine after my mother was killed.”

  Cora gasped. “Oh, Braxton, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

  In an instant, he flattened his hand across her thigh. Tremors shook her at the possessiveness of his grip, the warmth of his already familiar touch.

  “You didn’t do anything,” he stated in that soft, reassuring tone of his. “The memories are always there. Every day I see what my life was, how it all turned, and how I ended up here.”