“Brooklyn may have heard your words, but she didn’t fully accept them.”
“How do you know?” Derek asked, baffled by Kiera’s correct assessment.
“I kind of experienced the same thing with Gray. When you’ve been friends with someone for a long time, it’s hard to let the relationship change. Scary too. If things don’t work out, you’ve damaged or perhaps even ended the friendship you did have.” Kiera looked at Gray and then him again. “Maybe it’s different for a guy.”
Brooklyn had made a similar statement. Coming from someone else somehow made the words even more profound. And he realized just how much harder he might have to work to drive away her fears.
***
A few hours later, he rode the elevator down, annoyed with himself. Since she’d left him the previous night, he craved her company again. Wanted her wrapped in his arms and her lips near his. He could’ve spent several hours with her tonight. Instead, he’d sent her off to the spa and visited with his brother and his fiancée. Not necessarily the smartest idea he’d ever had. Now he’d get maybe an hour with her if he was lucky. Then tomorrow he’d be in court all day again while she was at the office. Spending any time with her tomorrow night was out too. He’d promised to meet Colton for a round of golf after work. They’d already rescheduled twice. He didn’t want to cancel on the guy again.
Yep, not your brightest moment. If it made her happy though, it’d be worth it. Especially if it left her receptive to the proposition he had for her.
She greeted him at the door in shorts and a snug-fitting tank top, letting him know she’d changed the moment she walked in. Before he uttered a word, she hugged him and he noticed her usual citrus scent was missing. Instead, she smelled a bit like coconut oil. Then he no longer noticed her scent as she pressed her open mouth against his.
He took advantage of the situation. Using his foot, he nudged the door shut and walked them toward the living room, never letting his lips leave hers. When they reached the sofa, he sat, bringing her down on his lap.
“I can handle a greeting like this every time I come by,” he said, pulling away so he could see her. “I missed you.” He worked to pull the messy bun from her hair. When he got it undone, he ran his fingers through the soft strands and spread them over her shoulders.
“Missed you too.” She kissed him again. “I considered skipping the manicure so I could get home sooner.”
It didn’t escape him that tonight was the first time she’d kissed him rather than the other way around.
“I know you don’t love me quite enough to skip a manicure,” he teased, hoping she’d finally tell him she loved him too. She’d hinted at it, but not spoken the words.
“I couldn’t get myself to leave. The whole evening was wonderful. I’ve never been so relaxed. I’m going to make another appointment. Maybe for next month.”
He ignored the sting in his chest when she still held back the words he wanted. “Glad you enjoyed it. I noticed on their website they do a couples’ massage. Maybe we should schedule one.”
“Would you want to? I think it would be fun.”
“Make us an appointment. Or I can. Either works.” He pictured her lying facedown, her skin glistening with oil, only in his vision a stranger wasn’t the one with their hands on her body. He was. “I’m always willing to give you a full body massage too.” He ran his hand up her thigh and just under the hem of her shorts. “You might be surprised how good I am at it.”
Her tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip. At the same time, her hand came down on top of his, making it difficult for him to move it any higher. “I’ll take you up on your offer soon. But not tonight.”
He sensed she wasn’t talking about massaging. Still he asked, “Will you return the favor?”
Brooklyn’s other hand rubbed his neck and dipped inside the collar. “Definitely.”
His brain conjured up the image of Brooklyn running her hands across his skin and he wished he had on a loose pair of sweats rather than jeans.
“Thank you for tonight. Part of me wishes you hadn’t done it because now I’m going to want to go all the time. It was as amazing as the reviews say.”
“No need to thank me. I want to pamper and spoil you.” He meant it too. He’d bought gifts for girlfriends in the past and taken them on vacations, but he’d done it more because they’d expected it, not because he’d wanted to make them happy or spoil them in any way.
She leaned in closer and placed a whisper of a kiss on his neck. “I wish we could spend time together tomorrow.”
“If you want, I’ll reschedule my golf game. Colton wouldn’t hesitate to do the same if he had a beautiful woman asking to spend time with him.” After he said the words, he realized she must mean something else, because she didn’t know his plans.
“No need. I won’t be around anyway. Trevor called and asked me to meet him after work.”
“What the—” He bit down on the inside of his mouth. Damn it. He’d told her she could keep her promise and continue to see Trevor while he worked on convincing her that his feelings were genuine. After the way she’d responded to him yesterday, he’d believed she wouldn’t do it. And what about the way she’d greeted him tonight? “How can you—” he started, then stopped and looked away from her. “Never mind.”
The fingers rubbing his neck stopped moving, and she turned his face back toward hers. “It’s not what you think. I’m going to tell him I can’t see him anymore. You don’t like him, but he’s a nice guy. He deserves a face-to-face conversation, not a phone call.”
She brushed some hair away from his ear, the intimate gesture brushing away some of his anger.
“If you say so.” If they’d been in a relationship, he might agree. They hadn’t. All they’d done was share a couple meals and some phone conversations. But if Brooklyn believed it was the best way to handle the situation, he’d leave it. “Since we both have plans already, looks like tomorrow is out. How about I pick you up in the morning and we drive in together. Your car isn’t here anyway. And it’ll give us a little time together.” Since the limo had picked her up at work and then brought her home after the spa, her own car remained in the parking garage near the office.
“Huh, forgot about my car. I don’t know how. Anyway, sounds perfect. If you want, get here early and I’ll make you breakfast. Something besides cold cereal or whatever else you eat when you don’t stop at Gray or Trent’s before work.”
“Hey, I can make an omelet or pancakes if I want to.” Just because he opted to eat something out of a box or grab something with a family member didn’t mean he couldn’t take care of himself.
“Sure you can.”
“How about I prove it to you this weekend? Let’s take the Affinity down to the Cape and stay the weekend at my dad’s beach house. No one else will be around. I’ll cook you every meal if you want. Even serve you in bed. You can consider me your own personal servant for the weekend.”
She shifted on his lap and touched the bridge of her nose. When her finger landed on skin and not eyeglasses, she dropped her hand on top of his again. “When you put it like that, how can I refuse?”
“Pack the new swimsuit. If I see the one you wore on Sunday or something similar, it might have an unfortunate accident and disappear.”
Brooklyn sighed in defeat. “Not getting out of wearing it, am I?”
“Nope. But nothing says you have to keep it on. The beach on the property is private. No one will see you. If you want to relax naked, I won’t complain.” He hoped to see her both in and out of her new swimsuit during their mini getaway.
“No way, buster. I don’t care how secluded the area, I am not lying around with nothing on. The silly bikini is bad enough.”
He pulled his hand out from under hers and ran it up her side until it cupped her breast. “Whatever you say.” Eventually she’d get comfortable enough to be naked around him. He just needed to help her get there. Something he would enjoy doing every step of the
way. “But feel free to change your mind at any time.”
Chapter 10
Derek walked inside and handed her a paper cup from the café down the street. “Why haven’t I been coming here for breakfast every day?”
Brooklyn took a sip; vanilla latte with 2 percent milk and extra sugar. “Because I usually go in to work early, which is why Max likes me more than you.”
“Max Hale likes you more because you’re a woman. He likes all the women in the office more. What smells so good?”
“Waffles and bacon.”
“Bacon too. God, I love you.” He kissed her hard on the mouth and pulled her toward the kitchen.
He’d said the words a bunch of times now, but her stomach still did a backflip each time she heard him.
“Both Trent and Addie detest bacon and never cook it. Gray prefers ham, so they usually have it instead. Can I help with anything?”
Breakfast was covered. She’d done everything including slicing up fresh strawberries. But there was something he could do for her. “One thing.”
Since she no longer had to pretend not to notice how good he looked, she let her eyes roam across his body. Thanks to all the time they’d spent on the beach and in the water, she knew just what his dark gray suit hid. In her mind, she pictured peeling off his white shirt. Her fingertips tingled as in her vision they passed over his defined pecs and down his six-pack abs. Her imagination had her reaching his waistband and pulling apart his belt. Her mouth grew dry at the mere thought.
“What’s that?”
His question broke Brooklyn free from her fantasy and heat flared on her cheeks. “A kiss. And not like the one you gave me when you walked in.” He’d dropped a kiss on her so fast, she’d barely felt his lips on hers.
“I’m warning you. If I kiss you the way I want, we might both be late to the office.”
Well, she was always early. If she came in a few minutes late today, it wouldn’t be the end of her career. “I’ll risk it.”
Derek advanced on her, reminding her of a predator stalking its prey. When he reached her, he pulled her close, his hands spanning her back. Then his open mouth came down on hers, hot and demanding, taking her breath away.
The guy had a doctorate in kissing or something. Each time they kissed it was a little different, as if each one they shared was their first one. Now was no exception and she hung on tight, afraid her legs might decide to give out.
Gradually the kiss turned less possessive and became gentler. Not that it made any difference to her legs or the rest of her body. Her breasts continued to tingle, her nipples wanting his lips on them again, and other parts of her body ached for him to finally touch them.
After what seemed an eternity, he pulled his mouth away and met her gaze. His famous Sherbrooke blue eyes were a shade darker with desire and she gave herself a mental shake at the sight. Never would she have believed she could rouse passion in Derek. The evidence was right before her, staring her in the eyes as well as pressing against her abdomen. He wanted her. If she gave him the okay, he’d make love to her before they left.
“We have to stop now, because otherwise, I won’t be able to,” he said, his voice low and husky. “I’m expected in court this morning. Can’t—” he paused and nipped the frantic pulse in her neck “—be late.” He took a step back. “Wish I had gotten here earlier.”
“Next time.” Her voice shook. With each day and every kiss, they were moving closer to making love, something she’d never done. Her body was more than ready and willing. Her head was a little slower to catch up. Once they became intimate, there really would be no going back to just being friends if things didn’t work out.
“Let’s eat.” She forced her jelly legs to move. “Have a seat. At least this morning I’ll treat you like a guest and serve.”
Derek didn’t argue.
“I have both blueberry syrup and maple; which do you want?” She removed the fresh strawberries from the refrigerator and spotted the whipped cream. “I have whipped cream too.”
“Mmm, I’d love some whipped cream this morning, but not on my waffles.” He winked at her.
She squeezed her thighs together as the ache between her legs intensified. “This morning you’ll have to settle for on your waffles. Court, remember?”
“You’re what my grandmother would call a killjoy.” He acted put out. “But fine. If you’re going to be that way, I’ll have just the maple syrup with my breakfast. At least for today. This weekend is another story. ”
***
She shifted on the barstool. She should have packed a change of clothes this morning. Her suit stood out like a beacon among the sundresses and capris. Already she felt as if she’d consumed a gallon of espresso on an empty stomach. Standing out from the other women in the restaurant only made it worse.
Where are you, Trevor? Brooklyn glanced at her watch for the third time in the past ten minutes. They’d agreed to meet at six o’clock. Restless sitting around at work, she’d arrived at the Blue Lantern a few minutes early and taken a seat at the bar. Now it was almost six thirty. She hoped nothing had happened to him. He’d always been on time for past engagements, and he seemed like the type to call if he was running late. She had her phone, and it hadn’t rung all day.
“Would you like another Pinot Grigio?” the bartender asked, stopping near her again.
“Sure. Thank you.” She stood out enough sitting at the bar in her suit. At least if she had a drink in her hand, she’d blend in a little better.
When the bartender left, she went back to watching everyone who entered. Finally she spotted Trevor at the hostess station. Together they approached her. With each step they took, her heart beat faster. Telling him she could no longer see him was the right thing to do. Even if things with Derek went down the drain, there was no future for her and Trevor regardless of what her dad wanted. Dragging it out to avoid a confrontation with him wasn’t fair to anyone, especially Trevor. Still, the idea of saying the words made her want to run the other way.
Trevor stopped and kissed her cheek then held out his hand. “Did you get my message? You didn’t answer when I called. Traffic was heavier than I expected coming back from the airport.”
She released his hand when her feet touched the floor and grabbed her wine. If he noticed she didn’t want any physical contact, he ignored it, because as the hostess led them out to the deck, he placed a hand on her lower back. Not wanting to cause a scene, she pretended it wasn’t there and kept on walking. “My phone never rang. Why were you there?”
“Dropping Katelyn off. She’s off to California for two weeks with Heather and her family. It was a last-minute trip, and she begged her mom and me to let her go.”
While Trevor spoke, she pulled her smartphone out. Sure enough, she’d turned the ringer off somehow and had some voice mail messages as well as a text message. “I was out there recently for my sister’s wedding.”
“Haven’t been there in years myself. I much prefer the East Coast.” Trevor took her hand across the table. “I hoped you’d meet Katelyn soon. Guess it’ll have to wait until she comes home.”
Get it over with. Tell him. “About that. We need to talk.”
He squeezed her hand and nodded. “I know you want to wait until we know each other a little better, but I’ve told her about you. She wants to meet you. I thought when she comes back the three of us could spend the day together. Perhaps go on a hike. Katelyn and I still haven’t gotten around to trying it. Or maybe we can visit the amusement park in New Hampshire I told you about.”
Brooklyn snatched her hand away and took a sip of her wine. Time to get down to business, she thought. “Trevor, I didn’t mean we need to talk about your daughter. I mean we need to talk about you and me. This isn’t working. We’re not right for each other.”
“I don’t think we’ve spent enough time together for you to know for certain. Let’s give it another month or so and see. A lot can happen in a month.”
“Time won’t
make a difference, Trevor.”
Behind his glasses, his eyes narrowed. “This is because of Derek. I saw the picture of you two in Newport over the weekend. Helping him at the auction wasn’t your only reason for bidding on him.”
She wasn’t going to share anything about their relationship with Trevor. “It’s not him. Things between you and me wouldn’t have worked out no matter what. You’re nice and we’ve had some enjoyable conversations, but we don’t have much in common. For instance, I love the beach and the water. If I could spend every day there, I would. You told me you hate it. You enjoy Shakespeare and the opera. I’d rather see a movie.”
“We’ll find things we both enjoy. Cultivating a relationship takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Eventually we may grow to love each other.”
He made it sound like he wanted to grow the perfect garden. “True.” She and Derek had been building their relationship for years. Even in the beginning, though, they’d had things in common. “But you need something to start with. We just don’t have it. Wouldn’t you rather be with a woman who’s crazy about you?” She thought of Derek’s surprise the day before. “Someone you want to do special things for because you can? Or someone who does that for you?”
Trevor’s expression remained unchanged. “Like I said, those things take time. No relationship starts out that way. Both my grandparents’ and my parents’ marriages were arranged. They all have strong, loving relationships today.”
Had his parents arranged his first marriage too? If they had, perhaps it explained why it hadn’t lasted. “Maybe for some people arranged relationships work out. But I don’t want to hope love develops. I want it there from the start.”
“Then you won’t give us a little more time?”
Wow, for a university professor, the guy wasn’t the most intelligent. Hadn’t he been listening to her at all? She pulled out whatever patience she had left and tried again. “Trevor, I’m really sorry. I think you’ll meet someone perfect for you, but it’s not me.” And if not, your grandfather will find someone for you.
Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) Page 15
