Caught Up In You

by Jules Bennett

  He hadn’t realized how much he wanted that outlet. Rage, frustration, and confusion all boiled deep within him, making for a lethal combo. Liam just happened to be the unfortunate person who crossed his path. But he wouldn’t be like his father. Braxton could control the anger boiling inside.

  “Hit me, then,” Liam stated, holding his hands up and motioning for Braxton to come at him. “Get it out of your system and then you need to figure out what you’re going to do about Cora.”

  “Leave it, Liam. I can handle this.”

  “Maybe so, but now that I’m in town, I’m not going to let you self-destruct like you did last time.” Liam lowered his head, still keeping his eyes on Braxton. “This is more. We both know Cora is special to you. What you and Cora have is nothing compared to Anna. So are you going to go after her or just have her come to work every day and try to avoid her?”

  More like she’d avoid him. She’d done a remarkable job so far in the past few days. Granted, he hadn’t called her. Hell, no. He had his pride. Unfortunately, his pride might get in the way of the best thing that ever happened to him.

  “She kicked me out.” The words tumbled from his mouth before Braxton could hold them in. So much for that pride. “I don’t know what happened at the open house. Before it started she’d agreed to let me take her home, but she left early and by the time I got to her house, she’d decided we were over.”

  “Then make her talk,” Liam demanded. “If she’s worth fighting for, then get off your sorry ass and go do it.”

  “I thought I’d feel sorry for myself for a bit longer.”

  The corners of Liam’s mouth tipped up, the scar running alongside his face shifting with the smile. Without a word he headed into the kitchen. Moments later he returned with a tumbler of bourbon.

  Braxton stared at the glass Liam thrust toward him. “I hadn’t planned on getting drunk. I was thinking I would just sit in the dark and pout like the mature person that I am.”

  With a shrug, Liam downed the amber liquid. He slammed the empty glass onto the coffee table and, with a heavy sigh, sank down on the other end of the couch.

  “Is this the part of the evening when I have to ask you what’s wrong?” Braxton asked as he watched Liam rub his eyes. “Because I’ve got my own shit to deal with, but if you want to unload, feel free.”

  Silence filled the room and Braxton propped his socked feet back up onto the table.

  “I think Macy is going to be a problem.”

  Braxton wasn’t surprised that Liam and Macy were going to be an issue now that Liam was back, but he was stunned that he admitted the fact out loud.

  “You can’t leave us,” Braxton stated. “We need you here.”

  “I’m not leaving,” Liam confirmed, a hint of regret to his tone. “I want to, but I’m not. I owe Chelsea, I owe you and Sophie.”

  “And Zach?”

  Liam hesitated. “I hate owing him anything, but we’re all in this together.”

  “What’s going on with Macy?”

  “Nothing.” The quick reply left no room for argument, almost as if he were trying to convince himself.

  “Then there should be no problem,” Braxton retorted, knowing it would get on Liam’s nerves.

  “She drives me insane with her dates, her flaunting them in my face.”

  Braxton knew now would be the worst time to laugh . . . so he cut loose. “You’re kidding? She doesn’t flaunt them. She dates. You’re just home now and hearing about it.”

  Liam let out a growl and pushed to his feet. Grabbing the tumbler off the table, he stalked back into the kitchen and came back with a full glass . . . and the bottle.

  “How much are you planning on drinking?”

  Liam snorted. “Not enough to dull the ache.”

  “I take it you’re staying here tonight then?” Braxton asked. They were adamant about not drinking and driving—as anyone with common sense should be—but after the accident that caused so much scarring and landed Zach in prison for a year, they always took precautions.

  “I don’t want to talk about Macy or me or what the hell she’s doing right now or who she’s doing it with.” He took a deep drink. “I want to know what you’re going to do to get Cora back. We don’t need that negativity at the resort. Your tension will hurt business.”

  “And that’s all you’re worried about is business?”

  Liam reached over for the bottle, poured himself another dose, and settled back onto the couch. “I might be worried about you, but only because if you’re the reason this resort tanks, Sophie will kill you and then Zach and I will have to dig a hole big enough to bury you.”

  Braxton laughed. They had the oddest ways of communicating love, but it was so evident. The loyalty of the Monroe brothers, the bond they shared was so deep and resilient there was no way anyone or anything could sever it.

  “Her family is loaded.” Braxton crossed his ankles, stared down at his phone one more time, willing it to vibrate. “She withheld that from me, but I get her reasoning. I don’t like it, but I understand.”

  “She’s not Anna.”

  Braxton swallowed, almost wishing he’d started drinking, but he’d done that after Anna. He’d wanted to numb the pain. Right now, he wanted to feel the pain, he wanted to know he was alive and ready to fight, not slink into the depths of a bottle. That would be too easy, too predictable. Not that he’d tell Liam that.

  “I love her,” Braxton said through the lump in his throat. “Damn it, I’ve never loved a woman like this before and she just threw it away.”

  “Then pick it up and take it to her. Where is she now?”

  “Her parents have some major party at the end of the year for employees and their families. It’s tomorrow night. She mentioned going, but she’s been so on the fence about her position in the company, I’m not sure if she went or not.”

  Knowing Cora, she was going to go. Right now she was probably back in Atlanta because she wasn’t home. He’d gone over. Three times.

  “Then that’s where your sorry ass will be tomorrow,” Liam confirmed. “Take today for that pity party you need, and wrap up and pull out your tux because I know you have one.”

  “How do you know?” he asked, thinking to the dry-cleaning bag in the back of his walk-in closet.

  Liam threw him a look and Braxton merely shrugged. In the back of his mind he’d known tomorrow would land him in Atlanta because there was no way he could just take her no for an answer. She loved him, he knew it just as sure as he knew his own feelings, and he wished like hell she’d trusted him enough to explain what had spooked her so much at the open house that she’d felt the need to flee, to cut off their relationship without even one word from him and with little explanation.

  “You need backup tomorrow?” Liam asked, eyeing the bottom of his glass as he swirled around the last bit of remaining liquid.

  Braxton shoved to his feet and blew out a breath, turning his head from side to side to crack the tension from his neck. “I’m a big boy. I can get the girl by myself.”

  Liam glanced up to him and nodded. “Make sure you do. I don’t want to see you like this again.”

  Braxton smiled. “I knew you cared.”

  “Yeah,” he muttered. “I care.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  There were too many people, people she didn’t know and people she did know. Regardless, Cora didn’t want to be here. The fake smiling, the schmoozing, the business talk all as if she were a major part of this company simply because her name was Buchanan.

  “Darling, that emerald-green dress is stunning.”

  Cora stiffened at her mother’s tone behind her. She’d worn the same green dress she’d had on at the open house for Bella Vous, but this time she’d dressed it up with a diamond necklace and diamond earrings, and she’d piled her hair on top of her head. Well, her mother’s assistant had done the hair to make it just perfect and she’d applied more makeup than Cora liked, but here she was all dressed up, weari
ng an outer shell that didn’t suit her.

  Cora tightened her grip on the walking stick, just another prop in this world she wanted desperately to break free from. “Thank you, Mother. I need to get some air. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She didn’t wait for her mom to say anything. Cora carefully made her way through the crowd, tapping the stick as she went. Each rap on the floor seemed to mock her. She didn’t belong here. Yes, she’d been raised in this grand estate, but now that she’d had a taste of freedom, now that she’d settled in Haven, Cora knew Buchanan Chocolates wasn’t her home. Oh, she could run that company from a financial standpoint, which was what she was trained to do, but she knew if she was stuck working in an office for the rest of her life, she’d slowly die.

  As she reached the other side of the ballroom in her parents’ home, she stretched her arm out, feeling for the knob.

  “I’ve got it.”

  Cora froze. Her heart clenched at the familiar voice. The door clicked open, fresh air instantly enveloped her as a hand she’d come so accustomed to settled on the small of her back.

  Once she was ushered outside, Cora knew the rail of the balcony overlooking the backyard wasn’t far. Why was he here? How had he gotten in? So many questions. Fear settled in her stomach. She’d pushed him away and he’d come after her anyway, to her parents’ home during a major event. This all had to mean one thing, but dare she hope?

  As her hand curled around the concrete rail, she stared straight ahead. “What are you doing here, Braxton?”

  “Did you think I’d just let you break things off and not fight for what I want?”

  She sort of hoped he’d make it less painful by letting her go with some of her pride intact. “I think we both got caught up in the intensity of sexual attraction and mistook it for something more. I’m letting you go to save us both heartache down the road.”

  “What about the heartache now?” he asked, his hand settling on top of hers.

  Yeah, the heartache now wasn’t too comfortable, but had she let this go on much longer, the pain would’ve been worse if he opted to leave. Anna had warned her about just how reckless Braxton had become and just how quickly he turned to another woman. Cora couldn’t risk being just another number because at this point her heart had gotten fully involved.

  Cora was near positive he didn’t do anything with Anna like Anna had implied. That wasn’t Braxton’s style. He may have been reckless, he may have enjoyed women, but he was loyal. She didn’t need to ask to know that truth. Even acknowledging Anna’s claim would be a slap to Braxton’s face. Still, it had been a wake-up call for how fast they’d come together, how intense things had gotten. How could she trust his feelings were the same as hers?

  “I won’t have this out here with you,” she told him, turning toward the direction of his voice. “I’ll be back in Haven in a few days and if you still want to talk, we can.”

  “How did you get here?” he asked.

  “My parents sent their driver for me.”

  Because they’d been too busy to come themselves. After the phone calls and the texts from her mother wanting to know where she was, Barbara Buchanan hadn’t been able to tear herself away from party planning to come see where her daughter was living now.

  “Where’s Heidi?”

  “I was asked to keep her outside.” Cora gripped her stick, mentally tossing it over the balcony. “My parents never liked an animal in the house.”

  “Did they ask what you like or do you always bow to their commands?”

  Cora rubbed her forehead and blew out a breath.

  “Cora, darling, is everything all right?”

  Cringing, Cora straightened her back and pasted a smile on her face. “Of course, Mother. This is Braxton Monroe. He and his family are the ones opening the women’s-only resort and spa I was telling you about.”

  “Ah, yes. The one you want to work for.” Her mother’s demeaning tone came across loud and clear.

  “I will be working for them, Mom. Braxton, this is my mother, Barbara Buchanan.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” With a smile to his voice, Cora knew without a doubt he’d be laying on the charm without even trying. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you,” her mother preened. “Cora, dear, you need to get back inside to the guests and Eric was looking for you.”

  “Actually, Cora and I were talking,” Braxton chimed in. “Tell Eric if he wants to talk to Cora, he can come out here.”

  Cora bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cringe at the way Braxton spoke to her mother. Nobody ordered Barbara around like that.

  “Eric is Cora’s fiancé, so if he wants to talk to her, she needs to go inside.”

  Braxton grunted. “Fiancé, huh? Strange since she’s not wearing a ring and I’ve known her nearly a month and she’s not said a word about getting married. Actually, no, I take that back. She informed me she didn’t want to get married.”

  Cora winced. The evening air wasn’t helping her nerves like she’d originally thought. Granted, her nerves were on full alert now and she was even more confused and frustrated than ever.

  “Mr. Monroe—”

  “Enough.” Cora raised her voice, cutting her mother off. “I’m not engaged to Eric. I’m the only one who seems to remember that, but it’s time you understood I’m not marrying him.”

  “Darling, of course you are. Who else is going to take care of you and help with the company? Don’t pull one of your moods now.”

  Her mother’s warning was low, heaven forbid a guest overhear a family squabble. What would that do to the impeccable Buchanan name?

  “Mrs. Buchanan,” Braxton chimed in. “Cora is the most independent woman I know. I’ve no doubt if she wanted to run this company she could do so with the team you already have working there. Adding on someone to keep an eye on her because she cannot see is only proving to her that you don’t believe in her abilities.”

  Her mother’s gasp seemed so loud, though Cora doubted anyone but the three of them heard it. Stunned at Braxton’s words, Cora stood completely still, gripping her cane and wishing she had Heidi at her side.

  “I don’t mean to disrespect you in your own home,” he went on. “But I won’t have anyone talk to Cora in a way that makes her feel less than the amazing woman she is.”

  Cora had to concentrate on keeping a straight face, which was difficult when her chin was starting to quiver and tears burned in her throat.

  “I’m well aware of how amazing my daughter is, Mr. Monroe.”

  “Braxton, please. Formalities aren’t necessary since I’m going to be in Cora’s life for a long time to come.”

  Now Cora’s gasp filled the heavy silence. Was he saying . . . oh, no. Surely he wasn’t. Cora lifted her hand to her head as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Instantly Braxton slid his arm around her waist and Cora couldn’t even resist leaning into him.

  “Oh, there you are,” Cora’s father said, his footsteps scuffing along the concrete floor of the balcony. “Eric and I have been looking all over for you guys.”

  “You must be Cora’s father.” Braxton’s low voice vibrated through his chest, sliding over her. “I’m Braxton Monroe, Cora’s boyfriend.”

  “Boyfriend?” Victor Buchanan’s shock didn’t even compare to what Cora was experiencing. “Monroe . . . Monroe. You’re the family she’s gone to work for?”

  “That’s correct, sir.”

  “This whole scene is absurd,” her mother scolded in that condescending whisper. “We will discuss this later after our guests have left.”

  Braxton’s hand slid gently up and down Cora’s side. “I’m more than happy to stick around and rehash this conversation and clarify any misunderstanding on your end.”

  “Now listen here—”

  “No,” Braxton cut off her father. “I’m here for Cora and judging from what I’ve seen firsthand and what I’ve learned before tonight, I’m the only one with h
er best interests in mind. I’m not leaving unless she’s with me and I understand your need to have her here, so this is where I’ll be as well. Now, tell me where Heidi is so I can get Cora the proper assistance because this cane is absolutely not her.”

  “I don’t know who you think you are,” her father boomed, probably making her mother’s face red with embarrassment. “But you will not come into my house and control my daughter like this.”

  “You’re right,” Braxton agreed. “I won’t control her. You’ve done that enough and I intend to see her happy, living a free life, a life that she chooses, and I promise you that she would rather have her faithful dog at her side. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I want to talk to Cora. I assure you that we will both be here after the party and we can all talk then.”

  Without another word, Braxton held firmly on to her side and guided her back into the noisy ballroom, straight out the other side and into the foyer. It wasn’t until they were back outside via the front of the house that she blew out a breath and willed her knees to remain strong.

  “Where’s Heidi?” he asked once they came to a stop on the wide front porch.

  “She’s with one of the staff. I’m sure she’s out here somewhere because my father told them to see to it that she remained outside.”

  “Stay right here and I’ll find her.”

  Sure. Where else would she go? She’d take this time to get her heart rate back under control and figure out what in the world had gotten into Braxton that he was so determined to prove to her that they belonged together. Didn’t he understand she’d let him go for good reason? Did he not know that having him here, on her turf, only confused her and made her want to go against doing the right thing? Damn it, she could only be so strong before she’d break.

  Braxton Monroe was a man who demanded attention, affection, and loyalty. She wanted to give him all three, but he wasn’t ready. He may think he was, but there was no way. Not after her little run-in with Anna. Cora needed that wake-up call, not that she appreciated it coming in the form of Braxton’s ex, but it had been a necessary evil.