“He wasn’t there. He left to check on a job in Camas.” I took a sip of coffee. “She told me they had been together on Sunday.”
Kara frowned. “Shit…”
I nodded.
“But technically that was before you.”
“Yet he said they were done,” I said, a little pissed off that she was playing devil’s advocate. “That they’d been broken up for months.”
She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “I mean, I understand it’s going to take time for you to trust anyone again…but don’t let her stop you from going after what you want.”
“But what is it that I want? I was in a seven-year relationship with a guy that I thought I would marry. He was screwing around on me for months before I discovered it.” I ran a hand down my face. “It’s not easy for me to trust. I don’t know if it will ever be easy for me to trust anyone again.”
“Consider this…what if she told you that because she knew you were a threat, and she knew you’d be pissed off?”
As much as I wanted to believe that, I also knew men. And given Brax’s reputation, Heather was probably telling the truth. “Do you know of any nice guys?”
She seemed to seriously contemplate the question. “My brother has a cousin who works in stocks and bonds…but he’s no Brax Mitchell.”
Therein lay the problem. I needed to stay single and be single.
My phone pinged, signaling a text.
I looked down. It was from Brax.
WHERE ARE YOU?
“It’s him, isn’t it?” Kara asked, a smug expression on her face.
I nodded, surprised at how relieved I felt considering how angry I was.
AT A FRIEND’S HOUSE. I’LL BE HOME SOON.
WHICH FRIEND?
I smirked and debated on whether or not to answer right away. Ultimately, I answered. KARA.
Kara laughed. “If you want my suggestion, and I have to believe that’s why you’re here—then say nothing. Play it out, have fun, but don’t let your heart get stepped on.”
I’d only been in love once before, and I’d given my heart and virginity to that man. I didn’t give it up lightly and when I did, I gave a piece of myself to that person. Like it or not, I had taken that step when I’d slept with Brax. “Okay, I might just do that.”
Kara clapped her hands together. “Yes! Hey, who knows, you could be the one that sticks for him. The one woman who will make him an honest man.”
Yeah, I wished. “He’s twenty-two. I seriously doubt he’s going to settle down at such a young age.”
“I was married at nineteen, and you weren’t much older when you got engaged.”
Point taken.
“And look at your brother.” She leaned back in the chair, tilting it on two legs. “He’s been with the same chick forever.”
That was true.
“Enjoy the rebound, Mandy. Think of what you’ve been through. How many girls would love to be in your shoes—having crazy good sex with a hot guy who makes you feel beautiful and desirable?” She flashed a wicked grin. “Think of what ol’ Rick would say right now.”
“His name was Ross.”
She rolled her eyes. “What would Ross say and think if he could see you now?”
Whether I chose to admit it or not, there was a part of me that felt a certain level of satisfaction being with Brax, especially considering how broken I had been after leaving Arizona.
“You want me to drive you home…especially since your bad boy is waiting for you?”
“No, but thanks.”
She gave me a conspiratorial wink. “Let him wait a bit, huh?”
I nodded. I said my goodbyes to the kids and jogged toward my house. Kara was right. I deserved to be happy, and if that happiness came by sleeping with a twenty-two-year-old heartbreaker, then so be it. A rebound, maybe that’s all Brax was. Maybe that’s exactly how I had to look at this relationship—a no-strings-attached affair with zero commitment. If I could guard my heart against getting hurt, then it was a win-win, right?
I picked up my pace, my heart pounding with each stride down the sidewalk of my hometown, the memory of Heather’s visit replaying in my mind. I wish the mental images would go away.
As much as I tried to act like I was footloose and fancy free about it all, I realized I wasn’t. My heart had already started to get involved. I wasn’t the one-night stand type. Maybe it had happened the second I had opened the door and seen him for the first time in over a decade.
Shit!
Cranking the volume higher on my iPhone, I picked up the pace.
With my heart racing, I turned the corner into my driveway and stopped short when I saw the object of my desire sitting in the rocking chair on my front porch.
CHAPTER 9
Amanda
Damn, he looked good. The navy t-shirt clung to Brax’s muscular body, his dark hair a bit unruly, like he’d run his fingers through it in frustration.
Was he frustrated?
Hesitating for only a moment, I took off the earbuds and walked toward him, wishing he wasn’t so gorgeous as I wiped a hand over my sweat-drenched forehead. “Hey.”
“I thought I’d better stay out here just in case you decided to run right by,” he said, the side of his mouth lifting in a tentative smile. “Mandy, Heather told me she dropped by my house.”
I forced a smile I didn’t feel. If Heather was such a stalker, then why didn’t he block her calls? “You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
We were only three feet from each other. He reached out and took my hand, and I nearly pulled away but stopped myself short of doing so.
“I do have to explain.” He took another step forward. “Amanda, I swear that I’m not seeing Heather. The only reason I spoke with her this week was because she wouldn’t leave me alone. She was dropping by my jobs and it was getting out of control. I’d hoped that having a face-to-face would drive the point home that we were finished. She came up to me, put her arms around my waist, and kissed me. I told her we were finished, and I walked away. That was it.” He sighed heavily. “Trust me, Amanda.”
The truth was…I didn’t know how to trust. And given his reputation, he probably wasn’t the best choice for a committed relationship. But I wasn’t looking for that, was I? No, I was rebounding and I would have the time of my life.
Ross had seen to that. As much as I wanted to pretend that I could be in a relationship, I’m not sure if I would ever stop looking over my shoulder or becoming paranoid that someone, particularly someone younger and prettier than me, would win my man’s heart. “I want to trust you.”
“Let me prove myself to you.” He sounded desperate. “I don’t want anyone else.”
“I understand,” I said, all the anxiety I’d been feeling since Heather had shown up at his door fading away. “You can’t erase your past any more than I can erase mine.”
I took the steps that separated us, feeling silly for having drawn a conclusion before even asking him. “I’m glad you came over.”
He flashed a relieved smile as his arms wrapped around me, his hands cupping my ass. “How about if we take the day off from renovating and go to the lake for the day? We’ll bring a blanket, pick up some chicken on the way, maybe a couple of inner tubes.”
I laughed under my breath and kissed him gently. “Are you sure you want to go to the lake? I can think of things we can do here.”
The sides of his mouth lifted in a sexy smile. “Watch it, I might just throw you over my shoulder and march into that house and make love to you nonstop.”
“What’s stopping you?” I asked under my breath, kissing him again.
Before I could blink, he flung me over his shoulder, my face level with his tight ass as he strode toward the front door and nudged it open with his knee. His boots echoed on the new flooring as he entered my room. With a firm slap on my ass, he flung me onto the bed and started to rapidly undress. While I watched, I took off my shirt, shorts, and panties and lay
back on my elbows. “I should shower,” I said half-heartedly, watching him step out of his pants and underwear. “I’m all sweaty from my run.”
“I like you this way,” he said, his husky voice making me want him even more. “Perspiration clinging to your gorgeous skin. It makes me want to lick you from head to toe.”
And boy, did he know how to lick. I smiled, my gaze sliding from his to the dark nest of curls and the hard length of cock that throbbed and pulsed beneath. I pulled him down beside me and kissed each nipple, laving each, biting gently, before moving further down. He actually trembled as I kissed his navel, then moved down to take his cock into my mouth. Swirling my tongue along the ridge, I took him deeper, noting the way his fingers curled on my shoulders. Stroking his thighs with my fingers, I found the tiny patch on his scrotum that made his breath quicken and his hands on my shoulders tighten further.
He grew longer and thicker with each stroke of my tongue. I looked up to find him watching me, his thick-lashed emerald eyes so dark, so sensual, it made me slick with desire.
Strong fingers tightened on my shoulder, stopping my motion.
“Give me a second.”
I smiled inwardly.
Bending his head, he kissed my breast, teasing the nipple. He touched my sex, inserting one finger, then two. His thumb brushed over my clit, drawing little circles around the sensitive bud while pumping his fingers in and out of me.
His cock nudged my opening. “You’re so wet,” he said against my ear.
The hair on my arms stood on end at the husky tone of his voice.
“I want you inside me.”
He slid into me with a groan.
I closed my eyes, savoring the delicious feel of him.
His warm lips touched my shoulder. “You feel so good.”
Pleased at the declaration, I slid my hands down his rock hard body, my nails grazing his tanned skin.
Within minutes we came together and he fell on me, rolling me with him onto our sides. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
It was the second time he had said that, and I admit I liked hearing it. I don’t think I’d ever get enough of him either, but I stopped short of telling him that.
I walked toward the master bath, completely naked. “Care to join me?” I asked over my shoulder, my gaze shifting over his body before entering the bathroom and turning on the shower.
“Sweet Jesus,” I heard him say under his breath as he scrambled off the bed.
With a wide grin on my lips, I stepped into the shower.
* * *
Brax
I was having a really hard time focusing on the world around me, especially since Amanda was easing into the lake, her firm butt highlighted in her black and raspberry pink swimsuit.
Although it was hot outside, the lake was still a bit chilly. She kept glancing back at me with eyes wide. It was our second excursion to the lake. The first had been interrupted by a thunderstorm that had come in from the coast.
Today we’d come out on the Harley, and I’d savored having her hold onto me tight as I maneuvered the winding roads.
Throughout the past week, after spending every day and all but one night with her, I was hooked. Toast. Game over. I had so many thoughts racing in my head, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to share those thoughts with her. I considered her my girlfriend, but she hadn’t said anything to Toby yet. I was giving her the lead, wanting her to be comfortable and at ease with telling her family and friends.
Normally I would talk to Toby about it, and yet how could I? This was his sister we were talking about, a sister who had been treated horribly by her ex. He had laughingly said over pizza the other evening that he might set her up with Marie’s brother. I’d clenched my teeth so tightly together, I think I heard one of them crack.
I had to believe that even if she had the opportunity to date someone else that she would choose not to.
Yet what did I know…unless I just came out and asked her?
I sat back on my elbows, a satisfied grin on my face as I watched the woman who had come storming back into my life take a few more steps into the lake.
“It’s freezing,” she said, looking at me over her shoulder as she took another step into the cold water. “Come in with me.”
Doing as asked, I walked up behind her, slid my arms around her, and held her tight.
With a throaty moan, she rested her head back against my shoulder.
“Are you coming over tonight?” I asked, my heart rate accelerating as she looked up at me with a smile.
“That depends. Are you cooking?”
I kissed the top of her head. “I suppose I could whip something up.”
“You know, a girl could get used to this.” She kissed me, then took a step forward and dove under the water.
My heart missed a beat, and I followed her into the water and caught her around the waist. I was tall enough that the water was still at chest level, but she had to tread water to stay afloat.
I reached out and pulled her to me. Her legs fastened around my waist, her arms around my shoulders.
My hands cupped her butt.
The old couple who had been on the shore were no doubt getting a show, but what they couldn’t see they would have to imagine.
She stared at me for a few long moments, her beautiful blue eyes sliding downward. “How can I resist you?”
With her hair slicked back off her face, her features were much more delicate, almost fragile. My fingers slipped along her jaw then passed over her lips. I could hardly believe that this incredible woman was mine. At eight, I had thought I loved her, but what I felt then was nothing compared to what I felt now. I loved Amanda Hathaway, and I didn’t know how to tell her. Blurting it out didn’t seem like the right thing to do, and saying it right after making love didn’t seem appropriate either. The words caught in my throat, and I hesitated. Everything I was experiencing was new to me. I didn’t know how to say what I felt. Did I put myself out there and take a chance at being rejected?
What if she didn’t respond, or what if she was shocked or even turned off?
All my life I’d had a hard time expressing my emotions, and now when it was most important to say what I felt, I was at a loss as to how to say it. I wanted her with a desperation that scared me.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, resting her forehead against mine.
I pulled her tighter to me, wanting her to feel what she did to me. Her lips curved into a sultry smile as she felt the evidence of my desire.
“I feel what you’re thinking,” she said with a deep-throated moan that made me even harder. “But what else are you thinking?”
Her cheeks were a soft shade of pink, and tiny freckles were sprinkled across the bridge of her nose. “That I can’t wait until we’re home and I have you in bed.”
I clearly saw the hesitation in her eyes and feared that I was moving way too fast. Hell, I didn’t want to scare her.
I saw her glance over her shoulder then scan the area. She looked at me with a wicked smile. Her hand slipped beneath the waist of my board shorts, her fingers curled around my cock, stroking me from root to tip.
“Mandy,” I said in warning, lifting her in my arms and carrying her from the water toward a grove of trees, hidden away from anyone that came to the park.
Water beaded her golden skin. My heart pumped wildly against my chest as she slid her bikini bottoms off and turned around, bottom lifted high.
Rock hard, I slid inside her and reached up and eased my hands inside her bikini top then cupped her firm breasts, teasing the rigid nipples with forefinger and thumb.
She rolled her hips in a way that made me even harder. Pinching her nipples lightly, I increased the tempo until I felt her tight channel squeeze my cock.
I eased her onto her knees before I thrust hard, in and out. I pulled out, the tip of my cock at her hot center. She opened her eyes, her breathing ragged, her chest rising and falling with the effort.
Still trembling, I fell beside her, loving the feel of her body intertwined with my own.
“I love you, Brax,” she whispered against my neck, her hands running up and down my back.
I went still. Had she just said what I thought she’d said?
She started to pull away, but I held her fast. She had tucked her chin, but I reached out and lifted it. Her eyes searched mine, and I could see fear there.
“I love you, too, Mandy.”
The sides of her mouth lifted in a smile.
“Do you mean it?”
I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her gently. “I always have, and I always will.”
CHAPTER 10
Amanda
Toby walked in on me and Brax making out in my kitchen.
It was inevitable. I had known that, and so I had expected the worst—for him to freak out and tell Brax that he couldn’t date me.
Instead, Toby stood watching us, his gaze shifting between us until he focused on Brax. “You hurt her, and I’ll fucking kill you. Do you understand?” His voice held an intensity I had never before heard. “She’s my sister.”
“I understand,” Brax replied. “I’ll treat her like gold. I swear.”
“Dude, you’d better.” Toby nodded and walked out of the house.
“Well, that went relatively well,” I said, though Brax had seemed a little surprised by Toby’s intensity. I think he’d been torn and wanted to go after him, but instead he stayed with me and spent the night.
Now, as I arrived at my parents’ house the following day, I once again read the frantic text from my mother.
COME OVER. WE NEED TO TALK.
Apparently Toby had told her about me and Brax.
I had known this moment would come. I guess I had just hoped to keep it secret a while longer.
The front door was already open, and I pushed the creaky screen door and entered. They never had an air-conditioner installed and instead preferred the “open-air method” of keeping the house cool.
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