Making You Mine – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  “You wouldn’t dare. If I don’t see you before you take off, have fun at the ball,” Presley said. “I want pictures of you in that dress.”

  “She looks hot in it,” Becca said.

  “Thanks. I cannot wait to see Knox in his tux. Correction, I can’t wait to see him out of it!”

  Presley laughed. “She is really gone over him, isn’t she, Bec?”

  “You should have seen her staring off into space daydreaming about him earlier.” Becca lowered her voice and said, “It was kind of unnerving seeing Miss Large and In Charge all moony over a guy.”

  Aubrey headed for her office and said, “Aaaand you’re fired again!”

  “You can’t fire me,” Becca called after her. “You love me!”

  KNOX PARKED BEHIND the Ladies Who Write offices while speaking through his Bluetooth, leaving a message for Landon. “Hey, it’s me again. I know we’re scheduled to talk before the shindig tomorrow night, but if you’re around, I’d like to touch base before we get to town. Call me.” He ended the call, grabbed the gifts he’d bought for Aubrey, and headed into the building to surprise her. He hadn’t told her his meeting had been canceled at the last minute and he’d caught an earlier flight.

  His pulse raced as he rode the elevator up to her office. When he stepped off, the receptionist smiled and he held a finger in front of his lips as he approached the desk, silencing her just in case Aubrey was nearby.

  He leaned on the desk and said, “I want to surprise Aubrey. Is she around?”

  “Yes, Mr. Bentley. Should I tell Becca you’re heading back?”

  “No, thank you. I can handle Becca.”

  He headed for Aubrey’s office, hoping she didn’t have any meetings planned for the rest of the afternoon. He wanted nothing more than to steal her away for an evening alone before spending the weekend bombarded with family and two hundred of his parents’ associates.

  Becca wasn’t at her desk. As Knox neared Aubrey’s office he heard her and Becca talking. His drew in a deep breath, telling himself to calm the hell down, and stepped into the doorway. “Knock, knock, beautiful.”

  “Knox!” Aubrey shot to her feet, looking sexy in a tight black skirt and low-cut blouse.

  “Hey, handsome,” Becca said as she sauntered toward the door. “I’m pretty sure it’s not good boyfriend etiquette to call me beautiful in front of your lady, but…” She nudged him farther into the office and said, “I’ll just close this for you on my way out.”

  As she pulled the door closed, Aubrey raced across the room in her sky-high heels and leaped into his arms. “You’re early!” Kiss, kiss. “You ruined your surprise.” Kiss, kiss.

  “Want me to leave?” he asked, his words getting lost in another kiss.

  “No! Lock the door!”

  He reached behind him and locked the door, and Aubrey took his hand, dragging him toward a door behind her desk.

  “Where are we going? I brought you a present.”

  “You’re my present,” she said as she led him into another room with a couch and a coffee table and closed the door behind them. “This is my dressing room. There’s a bathroom through there.” She pointed to another door on the far wall.

  “God, I missed you.”

  He dropped the gift bag and reached for her, pouring all his pent-up passion into their hungry kisses. They tore at each other’s clothes, sending their shirts flying through the air. His pants puddled at his feet, and he ground out, “Can’t wait!”

  He hoisted her skirt up, grabbed her panties between his fists, and tore them in half. They sailed to the floor as he lifted her into his arms and lowered her onto his throbbing cock.

  “Oh God, yes—”

  Her words were muffled by the urgent crush of his lips as he pounded into her. He held her ass, helping her move in sync to his efforts. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her slick sex tightened around him, drawing his release closer to the surface.

  “Don’t stop,” she pleaded.

  “Never.”

  He sank his teeth into her neck and teased her bottom, knowing just how to make her lose her mind. She cried out, and their mouths slammed together as they surrendered to their passion, and he followed her over the edge, loving her through his own spectacular release. He leaned back against the door, holding her as their bodies jerked with aftershocks. She rested her cheek on his shoulder, and he kissed her softly, both of them breathing heavily.

  “I didn’t expect that,” he confessed.

  “Everything about us is unexpected.” She nuzzled against his neck and whispered, “I missed you.”

  “Yeah, this was tougher than when I was in Belize. Crazy.” He felt her smile against his neck and said, “The best kind of crazy there is.”

  Sometime later, after their hearts stopped hammering and their legs were no longer numb, they got cleaned up, righted their clothes, and he gathered her in his arms, kissing her slowly and sensually, savoring every second.

  “Let’s try this again,” he said softly. “Hi, beautiful. I brought you a present, but what was that you said about ruining a surprise? Because trust me, you surprised the hell out of me.”

  Her lips curved up in the sweetest smile, sending his heart into palpitations again. Damn, he loved her.

  “I was going to leave early and make you dinner.”

  “Look at you, going all domestic.” He kissed her again and said, “I’d say I’m sorry for showing up early, but I’m not. I look forward to eating a home-cooked meal from my favorite girl. Now it’s my turn.” He reached into the bag and handed her the gift box. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart.”

  “You didn’t need to buy me a gift.”

  “I had it made just for you.”

  She slid the pink ribbons off and lifted the lid, smiling at the football jersey with BENTLEY printed across the back. Her eyes darted up to his. She went up on her toes and kissed him. “My favorite team. Thank you.”

  “I can’t have you wearing some other dude’s jersey on game days.”

  “You are so possessive.” She ran her fingers over the jersey and said, “I like that about you, but only because I’m the same way. Only your jersey would say Taken by Aubrey Stewart, because I want those ogling bitches to know how lucky I am.”

  “God, I adore you.” He pulled her closer, kissing her deeply.

  She took the jersey out of the box and her real gift tumbled out. “Oh!” She bent to retrieve the small gift box, eyeing him as she rose to her feet. “What have you done?” She opened the gift, and the breath rushed from her lungs. “Oh, Knox…This is gorgeous.”

  He lifted the diamond bracelet with a gold heart-shaped lock charm from the box and hooked it around her wrist. “You deserve the world, Wattsy, and I’m going to make sure you get it. But first…” He reached into his pocket and handed her another small box.

  “Knox. You’ve given me so much already.”

  “That’s for you to give me, because I’m a selfish dude like that.”

  She laughed and said, “Oh, okay. Knoxy boy, this is for you. I hope you love it.”

  “Oh, I will.” He opened the box and held up a silver necklace with a key hanging from it. “You just gave me the key to your heart. Now you’re stuck with me.”

  As he lowered his lips to hers she whispered, “You never needed a key. You’ve had my heart all along.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  BY LATE SATURDAY afternoon the inn was bustling with preparations for the evening’s party. Guests arrived throughout the day in limousines and expensive sedans, vying for face time with the two discreet society-page photographers, the only media allowed to attend. Aubrey was used to black-tie affairs, but now she understood the difference between the events she’d attended and Knox’s parents’ ball. The air of entitlement and importance filling the inn was more oppressive than the norm and vastly different from the serenity of Aubrey’s first visit to the Monroe House.

  She hadn’t expected to see his parents before the ev
ent, assuming they would be busy with preparations and visitors, but they’d surprised her and Knox by greeting them at the doors with warm embraces and genuine, heartfelt appreciation. Aubrey and Paige had been texting all morning, excited to see each other again and attend the fabulous event. Aubrey assumed it was Paige who had tipped her parents off to her and Knox’s time of arrival—and she loved Paige even more for it. Seeing Knox and his parents making strides toward being a true family made Aubrey all kinds of happy.

  Lately, happy had taken on a new meaning for Aubrey. She glanced at Knox in the bathroom mirror in their luxurious suite as they got ready for the party and thought, That’s all because of you. Before Knox had inserted himself into her daily life, she thought being one of the world’s most successful female business owners and all that entailed had given her happiness. Now she realized there were many types of happiness. There was the sense of accomplishment and pride she took from her LWW success and then there was the happiness she enjoyed from being with her family and friends. But she hadn’t allowed herself to explore this other thing she’d tried so hard to ignore, when she’d unknowingly tried to fill her undiscovered emptiness with work. When she’d forced herself to believe the feelings she’d been tamping down and the man who earned them could only lead to unnecessary drama.

  She watched Knox’s big fingers fumbling with the tiny buttons on his tuxedo shirt, his bow tie loose around the collar.

  He looked into the mirror, catching her staring, and said, “What?”

  Everything, was on the tip of her tongue. So were the three words she’d been holding back. She stepped closer in her heels and glittery silver flapper dress and gently moved his hands so she could do the buttons for him. She’d always known she was into Knox in a big way, but what she felt for him now obliterated every definition of the word big. She glanced at her beautiful bracelet shimmering in the bright lights and then at the silver key hanging around his neck. Knox wasn’t the type of man to which a woman could just blurt out I love you. It was too important of a confession, and simply saying what she felt wasn’t enough. She wanted to show him in a way that would let him know he was as special to her as he made her feel to him. She wanted to do something that he would know she’d never do for anyone else.

  “Did I mention how hot you look tonight?” he asked in a low voice, his hand resting on the curve of her hip.

  “Only five times, but who’s counting?”

  “Well, it’s true. Thank God you’re my date, because if you weren’t I’d have to steal you away from whoever you were here with, and that would just be embarrassing for that dude.”

  “That fictional dude,” she reminded him. “Were you always this cocky?”

  “You say cocky; I say charming.” He pressed his hand over hers and said, “Thank you for making me come to this party. It was the right thing to do.”

  She smiled, glad he felt that way, too. “I’m glad we’re here.”

  “Do you still want to talk to Landon before the party?”

  She’d gotten so lost in her thoughts, she’d almost forgotten she’d mentioned wanting to speak with his brother. She did want to speak with him to give him her best sales pitch, to ease his worries about the media, and have a chance to overcome any other objections he might have. That conversation should be the most important thing on her plate today. But it no longer was.

  “Actually,” she said as an idea came to her, “I want to talk to Landon, but I just remembered something else I need to take care of first. I need to find Paige.”

  She finished buttoning his shirt and grabbed her headpiece. She rushed out of the bathroom hurriedly placing the ornate silver headband with leaf and pearl accents atop the professionally styled finger waves she’d had done earlier with Paige at the inn’s salon.

  He followed her through the bedroom. “I’ll come with you. We have about an hour, and I was hoping to talk with you about something before the party.”

  “No!” she said, reaching for the door. “I need to do this alone. It’s a girl thing. I’ll meet you downstairs before the party and we can talk then.” Her heart raced as she pulled open the door, took one last look at the man who had conquered her heart, and knew in that moment that nothing she’d ever done in her life was as important as what she was about to do. More determined than ever, she stepped into the hall and took off running for the stairs.

  A couple came out of a neighboring suite, and Aubrey slowed to a fast walk as she passed. She descended the stairs and navigated through the crowded lobby and busy restaurant, trying to act like her heart wasn’t slamming inside her chest. She pushed through the kitchen doors, hit with the shock of seeing three times as many people as the last time she’d been there working at various stations. Every surface was covered with food and utensils, as the white-coated staff prepared for the party. Steam rose from the stoves; dishes were set into ovens and pushed across counters. And there she stood, frozen like a mannequin, wondering what the heck she’d been thinking.

  “Coming through,” a man carrying a large tray of dishes said as he came through the doors and pushed past her.

  Her heart took a nosedive, her romantic plans squashed.

  Maybe she could borrow a car and see if Joyce could help her. That would take even more time, and she barely had enough as it was. Knox had done so much for her. Everything he said and did showed her his true feelings. Now it was his turn, and she’d be damned if a busy night would stop her from showing him exactly what he meant to her.

  She squared her shoulders, scanning the room for Clyde. Her eyes locked on the big man, barking orders to the people around him like a military commander coordinating a mission, precise and confident. She closed the distance between them and waited for him to finish.

  “Excuse me, Clyde?”

  He smiled as if he weren’t doing a million things at once and said, “Aubrey, you look lovely. How are you?”

  “Fine, thank you. I’m sorry to bother you, but I need a big favor.” She followed him as he headed across the kitchen to two women who were chopping vegetables and waited while he gave more orders.

  On the move again, he said, “A favor?”

  “Yes. I need a place to bake something. Just a corner of a counter, or a chair, or a cardboard box where I can set the bowls down as I mix the ingredients. Heck, I’ll do it on the floor if I need to, please.”

  He chuckled. “There will be no floor cooking in my kitchen. Come.” He walked around three men who were cutting meat to the counter behind them and began shifting dishes. “Stephen, clear this area, please. Thank you.”

  The tall, slender man he’d spoken to said, “Yes, sir,” and helped him clear the area.

  “Thank you. Thank you so much. I…um…” God, this is so embarrassing. “May I please borrow a phone for just a few minutes, a piece of paper, and pen or a pencil?”

  Clyde’s thick brows rose in amusement. “Of course.” He nodded toward the far wall, on which hung a phone, and beside it, a clipboard with a pen dangling from a tether.

  She threw her arms around his neck and said, “Thank you!”

  As Clyde went back to preparing for a scrumptious night, Aubrey retrieved the clipboard and made her call. “Mom? I need Grandma’s love cookie recipe, fast, please.”

  “EXCUSE ME,” KNOX said as he moved between two couples, making his way out of the hallway that led to the executive offices and toward the ballroom in search of Landon. He wanted to talk with him before Aubrey got to him. He’d tried to text him, but his text had gone unanswered. He should have known his oh so perfect brother wouldn’t think of carrying a phone to an event such as this.

  “There you are!” Paige said as she emerged from the crowd. She touched Knox’s arm and said, “You sure do clean up well, big brother.”

  His gaze swept down her floor-length beaded lavender-gray gown with capped sleeves and a neckline that plunged nearly to her belly button. “Not quite as well as you do. You look stunning, but why don’t you go put somethin
g on under the top of that dress.”

  “Not a chance. This is pure Gatsby style.” She looked around and said, “Where’s Aubrey?”

  “I thought she was with you.”

  Paige shook her head. “I haven’t seen her since we got our hair done.”

  “She said she needed to find you to do girl things.”

  “I was down at the house for a while. Maybe she looked for me then? Want me to help you look for her?”

  “It’s okay. I’ll find her. Have you seen Landon?”

  “Mm-hm. He and Dad were in the hall by the side entrance to the ballroom a few minutes ago.”

  Her gaze slipped over Knox’s shoulder, lighting up like she’d seen Zac Efron or Duncan Raz. He turned just in time to see a bearded, bespectacled photographer’s lips curve up in an interested smile aimed directly at his sister. Knox ground his teeth together, wishing Paige would cover herself up. Would he ever get used to his baby sister being an adult woman?

  The photographer stepped beside Paige and put a hand on her lower back. His light brown hair was cut close on the sides, longer on top, and slicked back in a trendy style. He wore a crisp white shirt, a gray-pinstriped vest, slacks, and a dark purple bow tie. Were those tattoos peeking out from beneath his collar?

  “Hello, beautiful,” the photographer said.

  “Oh, Hawk.” Paige blushed. “Have you met my brother Knox? Knox, this is Hawk Pennington.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Knox offered a hand and was met with a firm handshake.

  “May I take a photograph of the two of you?” Hawk asked.

  “Yes, please.” Paige moved beside Knox, smiling as Hawk took several pictures.

  “Thank you,” he said to Paige, holding her gaze a little too long. “Enjoy the party,” he said to Knox. Then his gaze shifted to Paige again, and he said, “Maybe I’ll see you later?” earning another blush that made Knox’s blood simmer.

  Paige sighed as the guy walked away.

  “A little informal, isn’t he?” Knox said quietly.

  “Shut it, Knox,” she said sternly. “He’s an incredible photographer. We were lucky to get him.”