“What if I didn’t want to bring you back to New York?” He met her gaze with a hint of worry.
She studied him, and then the smile that she’d been fighting to keep hidden, emerged. “You want me to stay here? With you?”
His brow furrowed as he swallowed hard. Then he nodded. “I don’t want to lose you, but being here reminds me of what I need. I’ve run for too long. Honey Grove is my home.”
The butterflies that were racing around in her stomach started dive-bombing her. It scared her to put everything out on the line like this, but she couldn’t deny that it felt good. Maybe she could take this plunge.
She met his gaze and held it, hoping he’d see how she felt about what he said. Then she rose up onto her toes to press her lips against his. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her up against the wall.
She lost herself in kissing him. She allowed her lips, her tongue, every part of her, to tell him just how complete she felt when she was with him.
She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay. With James. With his family. She wanted to live the life she’d convinced herself would never happen.
She wanted a family.
James pulled back to stare down at her. His gaze had turned hazy. It made her giggle.
“Is that a yes?”
Layla nodded, slowly at first and then faster. “Yes, it’s a yes. I don’t want to go back to New York. I want to stay here with you.”
James growled as he leaned in and kissed each of her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, and then her lips once more.
Layla fell into kissing James. This was where she wanted to be, and she couldn’t imagine her life without him. Sure they had secrets that they still needed to talk about, but right now, she wasn’t going to focus on that.
Right now, she was going to be happy.
Chapter Thirteen
It took all of James’s strength to pull away from Layla and rejoin the birthday party. All he wanted to do was wrap her up in his arms and never let her go. He wanted to kiss her forever.
So when she pulled away and said Jordan would be disappointed if they didn’t get back, James protested but finally agreed.
It was pure torture to see her standing off to the side, talking to Beth and Tiffany. All he wanted was to steal her away. To tell her all his secrets and learn hers.
He’d fallen head over heels for this woman, and he wanted to show her that.
“Everything okay?” Jonathan asked.
James jumped and turned to see his brother walk up to him. Not wanting to share what had happened with Layla just moments ago, James forced a relaxed smile and shrugged. “Yep. Why?”
Jonathan’s eyebrows rose above his sunglasses. “You’re creepy-stalking the girl you’re not supposed to be dating.”
Heat rushed to James’s cheeks. He grabbed his water bottle and squeezed it. “No. Just lost in thought, I guess.”
Jonathan chuckled as he grabbed a few chips from the bowl they were standing in front of. “Thoughts of Layla?”
James reached out and shoved his shoulder. “Quiet. You don’t need to get Mom’s hopes up.”
Jonathan returned the shove. “Hate to break it to you, little brother, but Mom’s hopes are already up. Did I tell you she’s planning a triple wedding? Quadruple wedding if she could get Jackson down here.”
“Where is that bum anyway?” James asked, hoping to take the focus off of him.
“Jackson? Who knows. Living the high life in New York?” Jonathan ate a few more chips. “You tell me. Do you see him ever?”
James shook his head. He downed the rest of his water and crumpled the bottle. “I haven’t been in the hanging out mood if you couldn’t tell.” He hated saying that, but it was true. He’d pushed his family away for so long, but now it was time he started trying to come back.
Jonathan’s hand landed on his shoulder. He held it there for a few seconds before he dropped it. “Hey, man. I know things were hard over there, and I know you’ve needed your space. But if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”
It was the second time since James had gotten home that his brother’s voice wasn’t coated in sarcasm. It felt real, what he was offering.
Gratitude rose up inside of him as he nodded. He wasn’t ready to talk about it with family yet, but when he was, Jonathan would be the first he reached out to.
“Thanks, man,” he said.
They stood there in silence for a few more seconds before Jonathan nodded and then called out to Jordan. He grabbed a football and made his way down the beach.
Now alone, James’s gaze found its way back to Layla. She was laughing and moving her hands as she talked. He loved that she’d become so animated around his family. She was letting her guard down and allowing people to care for her. To let him care for her.
It felt so good to love someone again.
Heat pricked at the back of his neck. It wasn’t from the sun or the warm afternoon heat. It was from those four little letters.
Love.
He was very quickly falling in love with Layla. Even though it had been just a few days, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. He couldn’t imagine how he’d survived as long as he had not knowing her. He was completely and irrevocably changed because of her.
His mom entered his line of sight, and James got an idea. He was going to spend the afternoon with his family, celebrating Jordan. But tonight, he was taking Layla out on their first real date, he just needed his mom’s help to do it.
* * *
James had gone on dates before. He’d dated lots of women. But the nerves that plagued his stomach as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror were slowly taking over his resolve.
They’d had an afternoon full of food, games, and lounging in the sun.
James had spent most of that time glancing over at Layla. He’d tried really hard to stay engaged with what was going on around him, but the truth was he just wanted to be with Layla.
Now that he was about to get her alone, he wasn’t sure how he was going to survive this date. He was a wreck, and he was about to expose that side of himself to Layla.
There was a soft knock on the bathroom door. James cleared his throat, glanced at himself in the mirror, and then pulled open the door to find Layla standing on the other side. She glanced up at him shyly as she smiled.
“Any chance we could switch?”
James took the chance and stepped closer to her. The smell of her shampoo and her pure essence was consuming his senses. He leaned in and smiled. “Anything for you.”
Even though he wasn’t touching her, he felt her shiver. A smile spread across his lips. He was enjoying the fact that she was reacting to him just as much as he was reacting to her. He dipped down and gave her a quick kiss on the top of her forehead then slipped past.
Once he was out into the hallway, he turned to give her one last grin.
Layla just rolled her eyes as she shut the bathroom door. James chuckled as he slipped into his bedroom to finish getting ready.
He slipped on his light-blue button-up shirt and tucked it into his dark jeans. He styled his hair and spritzed himself with cologne. He may be a little dressed up for the Italian Shoppe here in Honey Grove, but he was aiming to impress Layla—after all, she was a fashion designer.
After he slipped on his Italian loafers, he grabbed his wallet and keys and headed out of his room. The bathroom and bedroom doors were all shut, so James assumed Layla was still getting ready.
Feeling excited about spending the evening with the woman he loved, he whistled as he bounded down the stairs.
Sondra was standing in the kitchen, not trying very hard to hide her smile.
Scared that he might be giving too much away, James softened his glee as he left the final step. He glanced over at his mom before heading to the fridge to grab some milk.
“Ma,” he said as he found a glass.
Sondra giggled. His mom giggled. “I’m sorry. I’m just so excited for you.”
James sighed. He raised the glass of milk to his lips and drained it. “It’s just dinner.”
Sondra clapped her hands as she turned toward Jimmy, who was sitting at the table and reading the paper. “Did you just take me to dinner?” she asked.
Jimmy glanced over at her. “What?”
“Our first date. Wasn’t it just dinner?”
Jimmy flicked his gaze over at James and then back to his paper. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Sondra sighed as she walked over to swat him with the dish towel. “Yes, you do, you old bear.”
Jimmy grunted but didn’t flinch.
“Your dad came to pick me up. Convinced Grandpa Barnes that it was just a dinner date.” She got a soft, far-off expression on her face. “And look at us now.”
James couldn’t help but smile at his mom. Even though she was acting sappy, his parents’ relationship had always been the poster child for the perfect marriage. They were so in love that people around them couldn’t help but feel hopeful that maybe they could find it too.
The sound of someone at the head of the stairs put James into panic mode. He stepped towards his mom and held up his hands. “Let’s drop it for now?” he asked in a low voice.
Sondra buttoned her lips and nodded.
Grateful that he had that under control, he turned and had his breath taken away.
Layla was descending the stairs in a light-purple summer dress. Her hair was down and fell in cascading waves. Her eyes were soft as she met his gaze.
James was pretty sure his jaw was on the ground as he watched her float over to him.
“You look beautiful,” Sondra said.
James chuckled as he glanced over at his mom, who had tears welling up in her eyes.
Layla smiled. “Thanks, Mrs. Braxton.”
Sondra pressed her fingers to her lips. Jimmy pushed away from the table and stood. He must have decided that it was time to step in. “Come on,” he said, wrapping his arm around Sondra and guiding her out of the kitchen. “You’re going to mess with James’s game.”
Embarrassment coursed through James’s veins as he quickly said, “Thanks, Dad.”
Jimmy raised his hand as they walked into the living room. “Anytime, son.”
Now alone, James sheepishly glanced down at Layla. She looked as if she were fighting a laugh.
“What?” he asked, reaching out to poke her side.
Layla flinched as she raised up her hands. Her laughter was light and melodious. “Nothing.” She glanced up at him. “It’s just nice. Your parents really care about you.”
James looked in the direction of the living room and warmth spread through him. One he’d believed he wouldn’t be able to feel again. Not after his life had been turned upside down.
And he missed it. The closeness that comes from being able to look beyond a broken past and focus on the present. He’d forced himself to remember the pain of losing Clarisa for so long that he’d forgot how to feel happy.
But standing here in his parent’s kitchen with Layla helped him remember how to love. And he wanted to. So much.
He wrapped his arm around Layla’s waist and pulled her close. Her body fit against his like a glove. Like that was the only thing he was meant to do. Love her. Protect her. Give her everything she deserved.
And he would. He would be that man for her.
“Ready for dinner at Honey Grove’s finest?”
Layla rested her head on his shoulder and nodded. “With you? Yes.”
Tingles erupted across James’s skin as he led her through the kitchen and out the back door. When they got to the car, he pulled it open and helped her inside. Once she was situated, he shut the door and then jogged around the hood of the car to the driver’s side.
James tried to keep his attention on the road as they drove the ten minutes to the Italian Shoppe. But it was hard when Layla reached over and entwined her fingers with his. The smoothness of her skin and the warmth of her body was sending his senses haywire. He gripped the steering wheel with his free hand and kept his eyes on the road.
The last thing he needed was to get distracted.
He let out his breath as he pulled into the parking lot. He glanced over at her as he killed the engine. “Hang on,” he said as he opened his door and made his way over to the passenger side.
He pulled on the handle and held out his hand.
“Such a gentleman,” Layla said as she slipped her hand into his and allowed him to help her out.
James didn’t drop her hand as he guided her to the front doors of the restaurant. It surprised him how natural it felt to hold her hand at his side and walk next her. It felt as natural as breathing to pull her closer to him so he could feel her warmth pressed against him.
And the more time he spent with her, the more he was beginning to believe that he was sent to earth for one reason, and that was to love Layla like she deserved to be loved.
When they got inside, James silently praised his mom for making a reservation. It seemed like everyone in the small town wanted Italian food on a Saturday night. All James needed to do was say “Braxton,” and they were whisked away to a table in a small, secluded room. Candles sat in the middle of the table, and their pale light cast a romantic glow.
A champagne bottle sat in a bucket full of ice. James glanced over to Layla to see that her eyes were wide as she glanced around.
“Wow,” she whispered.
James couldn’t help but smile as he guided her over to a chair and pulled it out. Layla sat, and he helped push her chair in. Once she was settled, James moved to the other chair and sat.
Before they could even speak, their waitress came into the room. James had a blink a few times as recognition took over. It was Isabel Andrews.
“Isabel?” he asked, moving to stand.
Isabel’s eyes widened as she glanced up from her pad of paper. “Jim?” she asked as she moved closer.
It was Isabel. “Hey,” he said, giving her a hug.
Isabel laughed as she pulled back. “Now that I think about it, I remember someone saying that the Braxton boys were all coming home.” Her voice drifted off as a hush fell over them.
James gave her a soft smile. Jackson had broken her heart when he left for New York, and he had a sinking suspicion that she was thinking of just that.
Anxious to move their conversation forward, he extended his hand toward Layla. “Layla, this is Isabel Andrews. Isabel, this is Layla.”
Layla stretched out her hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
Isabel shook her hand. “Of course, hello.” Then her gaze fell on James. “I didn’t know you were dating.”
James cleared his throat. He shot Layla an apologetic look. “Sorry. Isabel, I’m spending the weekend with Layla. We haven’t really defined…” He pinched his lips together as regret rushed through him.
Layla just smiled as she nodded. “It’s all new,” she said.
Isabel chuckled as she pulled a pen from behind her ear. “Isn’t it always.” The pale light hit the ring on her left hand just right, causing James to blink.
“Are you engaged?” he asked, then he felt like an idiot.
Isabel twisted the pad of paper so she could look at her ring. “Yeah, I am. His name is Billy.”
James gave her a genuine smile. He hated what his kid brother had done to Isabel and was happy to see she’d moved on. “That’s great.”
Isabel nodded as she readied her pen. “I’m happy.” Then she glanced between them. “Anything I can bring for appetizers?”
Layla shrugged. “Bread?” she asked.
James nodded to Isabel. “Bread would be great.”
Isabel wrote it down and then stuffed the pad into her apron pocket. She moved to open the champagne. After the cork was popped, she offered it over to Layla, who held up her hand.
“I’m okay,” she said, her voice soft.
James nodded as Isabel poured him some. Once his glass was full,
Isabel said she’d be back with their bread and then left the room.
Once they were alone, James glanced back at Layla. She had her hands in her lap and was sitting with an uneasy look on her face. Worried he’d said something to offend her, he leaned in.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Layla jumped slightly and brought her gaze up to meet his. She smiled and grabbed the glass of water on the table. “I’m fine.”
James was beginning to understand Layla’s tells, and the way she kept chewing her lip told him that something was wrong. Maybe it was the fact that he’d hugged Isabel.
“My kid brother is an idiot,” he said.
Layla glanced over at him. “What?”
James waved his hand in the direction that Isabel had disappeared in. “She used to date my kid brother, Jackson. He dumped her and moved to New York. She’s a sweetheart. Way too good for him.”
Layla glanced in the direction he was motioning. Then she moved her gaze back to him. “Oh. That’s too bad.”
James shrugged. “It’s okay. She’s better off without him. He’s always wanted the fancy life. Isabel is more the hometown girl.”
Layla nodded as she fiddled with her napkin. “She seems sweet.”
“She is.”
Silence engulfed the table as they sat there. Not sure where to take the conversation, James began to panic that something was wrong. Maybe it was the drink he’d chosen.
“Do you want some wine? Or a beer?” he asked as he pointed to the champagne. “I took a guess at what you liked.”
Layla stared at the bottle before she shook her head. “I’m not much of a drinker anymore.”
Feeling embarrassed, he moved to take the bottle off the table. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
Layla reached out and rested her hand on his. The warmth that spread through him caused him to pause. “No. Please don’t. It’s nothing like that. It’s just that…” Her voice trailed off as she glanced up to study him.
Then she dropped her hand and pulled it back into her lap. “I just don’t have the stomach for it anymore.”
James nodded as he settled back into his seat. This date wasn’t going like he’d planned. Instead of growing closer, he felt as if they were pulling apart.
Her Protector: A Braxton Brothers Romance Page 12