by Lori Foster
Dark eyes searched hers. “Okay.”
“Before, I didn’t want attention.” Not from anyone.
His expression softened. “I knew that.”
“Now I want your attention.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “You’ve had it from the second I first saw you.”
Very true and it still amazed her. “Therman assumes that I don’t know how to dress, that I have no style. I didn’t want you to think the same thing.”
That statement brought on a scowl, and when Brodie scowled, he looked downright fierce. The dark hair and eyes, the slight crook in his nose, the shadowed jaw—it gave her shivers, but in a good way.
In her heart, she knew he’d never hurt her.
And that was the most wondrous thing: being able to trust someone else completely, not just in things sexual but in everything. It might spook him if he knew the depth of what she felt, so she didn’t yet share.
She wanted to quietly hold that faith close to her heart and cherish it for as long as possible.
“Therman told you that?”
“Not in so many words.” She soothed him with a soft stroke through his thick hair. In contrast to his heated body, it felt cool sliding through her fingers like silk. He could probably do with a haircut, but she liked it like this, a little long, a little unkempt. “Therman would never deliberately insult me. But he did offer me a new wardrobe for the job. He said Jolene would make the arrangements.”
Brodie gave a low curse. “Guess that was his attempt at being subtle.”
“He meant well.” She traced his stern brows, down the bridge of his very masculine nose, to that firm, sensual mouth. “The problem, of course, was that I’d gone to a lot of trouble choosing clothes that...” Saying it was harder than she’d expected. “Hid me.”
“Didn’t work.” His thumbs drifted back and forth, almost touching the undersides of her breasts. “Not with me.”
No, he’d seen through her right off, but he’d never disparaged her choices.
Fingers spread, he slid a hand over her hip. His gaze never left hers. “Your style turned me on from the get-go. It was this in-your-face attitude.”
“Really?” Her intent had never been to entice.
He nodded solemnly. “You had this whole ‘take me serious or else, because I’m a hard-core professional and I don’t need you ogling my boobs’ vibe going on.”
She laughed. “I guess it was.”
“Confession, Red.” He tugged her down so his mouth could briefly play with hers again. “I ogled anyway.”
“I’m glad you did or we probably wouldn’t be here right now.”
“Here, with you sitting on me looking so smokin’ hot I expect an alarm to go off any minute?”
“Here...” She drew a breath. “With me telling you that I want you.”
His expression stilled, then he murmured, “Thank God,” and reached for her.
“Not just for sex,” she rushed to say. He had to know her intent.
Brodie settled back. “Okay.”
“I want us to have a real relationship.”
He treated her to another endearing smile. “We already do.”
Mary shook her head. “Not just a sexual relationship. Not just a business relationship. I don’t want those to change, but I want us to...well, date. Be a couple.” It sounded so lame now that she tried to explain it out loud. “I like you. A lot.”
Smiling, he started to speak.
Mary smashed her fingers over his mouth, not ready to hear his reaction to her declaration. She’d put him on the spot while also enticing him. Unfair, but she wasn’t sure of another way to do it—mostly because she had zero practice in declaring herself to a man.
“Don’t misunderstand, Brodie. I’m not rushing things. In fact, just the opposite. I want to savor every minute.”
He lifted his brows to encourage her.
“I’m not a shy person.” Surely he’d already noticed that. “You can’t leave home at seventeen and make your own way if you’re shy.” Her fingers against his mouth started to tremble, but she needed to say it all. “You can’t fumble your way through mediocre jobs for much of your adult life, then dare approach Therman Ritter—the Therman Ritter—and declare yourself perfect for a career that’s completely out of your league if you aren’t confident.”
His tongue traced between her fingers, making her pull back with a start.
“I agree you have loads of confidence. In some things.”
How could that quick lick of his tongue be so erotic? It made no sense, except that it was Brodie and he could excite her with a single look. A touch of his wicked tongue and she was a goner.
Mary shook her head. “If you’re talking about the other day when your mother caught us together—”
“I’m a grown man, honey. She doesn’t catch me. She just interrupted.”
“That sounds rude, though, and I can’t imagine your mother being rude.”
He laughed and shook his head. “You’re going to be shocked when you really get to know her.”
Did that mean he wanted a relationship, too? She wasn’t sure of the protocol in these situations, so she hesitated to outright ask.
“I knew as soon as I saw her that she was your mother, so of course I was embarrassed. Anyone would’ve been.”
“I could never be embarrassed for being with you, but I understand why you were. It’s unfamiliar territory.”
“True, but that’s what I need you to understand. I don’t let unfamiliar territory intimidate me. Not for long anyway. Once I decide to do something, I want to do it right.”
“There’s no wrong way—”
Of course there was. Mary leaned down to quiet him with a brief kiss, but Brodie caught her there, and the way he took control of the kiss... She got a little lost in his taste, the heat of him and that indescribable scent that made her forget her own name. By the time she got it together and pulled back, they were both breathing hard and the air had started to simmer.
Steadying herself, Mary braced her hands on his shoulders. While Brodie looked down the neckline of her dress, she concentrated on the point she wanted to make. “Be forewarned. Now that we’re doing this, I won’t hold back.”
“This?” he asked hopefully, lifting his hips and grinding against her.
The pleasure was so sharp that she had to close her eyes a moment. “Yes, that.” She licked her lips and focused. “This. Us?”
“If that’s a question, it shouldn’t be.” He stroked the backs of his fingers along her cheek. “I don’t want anyone but you, remember?”
“I don’t want anyone, either.” It would take a while to get used to being a priority for Brodie, but she liked it. A lot. Now that she had their mutual feelings confirmed, she was ready for the rest. “It’s still new for me. Before I met you, my closest relationship was with Therman.”
“You kept that mostly business.”
Because, until Brodie, she’d been afraid to want anything more. She’d been content to settle on Therman’s respect, and hadn’t wanted to chance losing it. Yes, she was a confident person, but also overly cautious, and that was why she said, “No rushing. No making assumptions, okay?”
He was quiet a moment, his brows slightly drawn, his expression...sympathetic?
Oh no, no, no.
She’d had enough of that in her lifetime. She didn’t want it from Brodie. Verbally stepping away from his disconcerting reaction, she stated, “It’s your family, too.”
“My family?”
“I like them.” Having him like this, half-undressed, under her and agreeable, made it harder to talk. “I want them to like me.”
“They already do.”
“Good.” She didn’t know much longer she could hold out. “When I started the job with Therman, I had no idea w
hat I was doing but I was determined to do my best.” She shifted, moving over his lap, anxious to be done with clothes. “That’s how I feel about your family, especially your mom.”
Suddenly Brodie flipped her, pinning her down with his weight, somehow between her sprawled legs.
From her new position looking up, Mary blinked. “Hey.” He’d done that awfully fast.
“One.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I can’t discuss family when you’re sitting on me and I’m hard.”
“Oh.” Perfect example of things she needed to realize. She wrinkled her nose. “I guess that would be weird.”
“You only need to know that they like you a lot. You don’t need to do anything different for them.”
She doubted that was true, but nodded anyway. “Okay.”
“Two.” He nuzzled her throat, managing to tease a lot of sensitive nerve endings. “Therman is damned lucky to have you.”
“I agree.” She tipped her head to the side to give him better access. “He agrees.”
“Perfect. Then for now, how about we get naked and I’ll show you one of the big benefits of being in a relationship?”
Mary grinned. Even through his jeans, she could feel Brodie’s erection throbbing. “It is rather big, isn’t it?”
He laughed as he pressed his mouth to hers, making it tickle at first, then slowly drawing her into a hot, heated, hungry embrace.
She thought she’d covered all the important points, but if not, it could wait. This, she decided, could not.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
FIVE O’CLOCK ROLLED around and still Brodie didn’t want to leave the bed. Mary slept snuggled against his side, one smooth, pale thigh draped over his hairy leg, one small hand resting on his chest. Knowing he’d exhausted her satisfied him on an elemental level.
After the days apart, she’d come to him looking different, with a specific goal in mind, but in the most important ways she was the same. Thank God. He didn’t want her to change, unless that change included happiness.
With him.
Once I decide to do something, I want to do it right.
He wouldn’t mind waking her and loving her all over again. And again—until she realized that anything and everything between them was right. Her past. Her worries. Her uncertainties.
He could handle all of it. He wanted to handle it.
She didn’t have to be strong with him, but her strength didn’t threaten him, either.
When she felt vulnerable, he’d gladly share his strength.
His family would love her, not only because they loved him, but because she was very lovable.
Even in sleep, her chin looked stubborn, but then, that stubbornness had brought her through a hellish childhood so they could be here now. She’d been so earnest about her intentions, almost like she thought her determination might scare him off.
Not happening.
If she hadn’t added in that part about taking things slow, he probably would’ve declared himself then and there. Hell, he still wanted to. He’d never been in love before and keeping it contained wasn’t easy.
Only for Mary.
Keeping her here in bed for the rest of the night would be perfect...except that Howler would be missing him, and Jack would need to head out. His brother spent most free evenings working on the renovation of his house, which would be easier to do without a ninety-pound dog underfoot.
To wake her, Brodie stroked back her hair. At some point while she’d been riding him with enthusiasm, her topknot had come loose, spilling that gorgeous hair down around her shoulders. The sight of it had damn near made him spill, too.
Mary stirred, her chin lifting, one arm reaching out while she stretched.
So sexy without even realizing it.
Knowing she was more than a handful, he cupped a full pale breast. Her nipples were soft now, pink and pretty.
He brushed his thumb over her. “C’mon, sleepyhead. There’s a big dog missing us.”
Lashes lifted lazily. Her lips curled the smallest bit. “Mmm. Sorry I fell asleep.”
“Don’t be.” Her eyes now were sated, clear of concern. Such distinctive eyes. “Want to see where I’ll build my house?”
That got her a little perkier. Pushing her hair back, she sat up and looked around, as if orienting herself. “We can go now?”
“We’ll get Howler and make a picnic of it. What do you think?”
“I think that’s the most perfect way to end the day.”
It wouldn’t be the end, not if he could help it. He had high hopes of convincing her to stay the night again, but he’d work on that later.
Knowing Jack was waiting, Brodie dressed in his discarded jeans and a clean shirt. He sat on the end of the bed to pull on his shoes while Mary hooked her bra.
Though it seemed a shame to put those beauties away, he enjoyed watching her. “You’re not burnt anymore.”
“I wasn’t burned that much to begin with.” She lifted each breast to settle it in the cups, making his cock twitch with interest. “By the second day it was fine.”
He touched his forehead. “Same here. All gone.”
“Not exactly true.” She pulled her dress over her head and smoothed it down. “I still see some bruising.”
After mussing his hair so it covered his brow, he held out his arms. “Now you don’t.”
“Clever.” She bent at the waist, flipping her hair forward and combing it with her fingers, then twisted it and fastened it with a clip.
She straightened, pulled a few curls loose and headed out of the room.
Fascinated by her process, Brodie followed her. There was a new ease in her gait, a sensual reckoning that before now she’d kept under wraps. Feeling a burst of pride, he watched her step into her sandals and hitch her purse strap over her shoulder.
It occurred to him that she hadn’t carried in a briefcase. It was one the few times he could recall seeing her without it. She did, however, have her phone.
After she checked for messages, she glanced up and caught him watching. “What?”
He hesitated to let business intrude on the personal evening, but he needed to know. “Have you heard anything else from Therman?”
“Yes. He’s come up with a theory about the problems, but it’s a bit complicated, so maybe we should get Howler before I go into it.”
He didn’t want to wait, but knew she was right. In agreement, Brodie took her hand and together they walked the short distance to the office.
Before they ever reached the door, Howler was there watching for them. As soon as he spotted them, he took several berserk spins, blending a bark with a howl for the most dramatic effect.
As they came in, Howler threw himself against Brodie’s legs, almost knocking him over.
Laughing, Brodie dropped to his haunches and allowed the dog to lavish him with love in the form of wet doggy kisses. “Such a good boy,” he said in his baby-dog voice. “Did you miss me? Did you?”
He heard Jack say, “Nauseating, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s sweet.”
“So sweet,” Jack said, “my teeth are hurting.”
Brodie hid his grin. “Calm down, now,” he urged softly, patting Howler until he was no longer so frantic. “That’s a good boy. Easy.” He ran long strokes down his back, from his neck to the base of his tail. “I know, I missed you, too. Shh, shh.”
Calmer now, Howler turned to Mary and demanded equal affection. She didn’t hesitate to give it, hugging Howler’s neck and patting his side.
“Somehow, I don’t believe you were actively missing that horse.” Jack was already on his feet, ready to go, but before he could move away from his desk, Howler charged back to him, sitting down as if waiting and blocking the way.
“Are you kidding me?” Jack asked the dog.
He got a deep “Woof” and a swishing of tail for reply.
Brodie lifted his brows. “What’s this?”
With a huff, Jack opened his desk drawer and pulled out a bag of dog treats. “He stayed at the door watching for you no matter what Charlotte or I did, so I got a bag of treats and tried to get him to refocus.”
“So far, so good,” Brodie said.
“I called him over here, by my desk. Having him at my feet seemed better than letting him act abandoned. But after half an hour, he was back at it, so I called him over again.”
Starting to catch on, Brodie laughed. “He turned it against you, didn’t he?”
Mary tipped her head. “I don’t understand.”
“This.” Jack gestured with the treat, tossed it in the air and Howler snatched it into his great jaws. “Now, watch.”
The dog walked back to the door and sat down.
“He’s done that every thirty minutes or so now. He waits there, looking inconsolable, then walks over for me to reward him. Like I’ve taught him a trick or something.”
“That’s incredibly clever.” Mary turned to the dog. “You’re so smart, aren’t you?”
Still licking his chops, Howler leaned against her and accepted the praise.
“I have to go.” After slapping Brodie on the back, Jack pulled Mary in for a brief, one-armed hug.
Surprise stiffened her spine and widened her eyes, but just as quickly she smiled in delight. Over Jack’s shoulder, she met Brodie’s gaze with a look of wonder.
Jack stepped back. “I’ll see you again soon?”
Actually blushing, she nodded. “Yes.”
With genuine warmth, Jack said, “Glad to hear it.”
They all walked out together, Jack going to his yellow Mustang, Brodie leading Mary and Howler to his red one.
Once they were on their way, Brodie couldn’t resist teasing her. “My family is big on hugging.”
“Jack never hugged me before.”
He shrugged. “We weren’t together before.”
That earned him a blinding smile. “I’ll try to remember.”
On the way to his property, he stopped to pick up food and drinks. A few minutes later, after spreading out a blanket he kept in the truck and leashing Howler to a small tree, he and Mary feasted on fried chicken, biscuits and colas.
