Her Protector: A Braxton Brothers Romance
Page 15
Layla glared at him and then turned to her suitcase. She hated the way he teased her. “Yes. Just a few more pieces.”
James wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He pressed his lips to the top of her head and sighed. “I’m sad to leave, but I’m grateful I get to go back with you.”
Layla nodded as her hand instinctively rested on her stomach. “Maybe we can come back…permanently?”
James glanced down at her. “Whoa. Have you turned into a Honey Grove girl?”
Layla shrugged. “Maybe?”
James turned until he was facing her, cupped both of her cheeks with his hands and gently pressed his lips to hers. Then he pulled back. “That’s probably the sexiest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Layla widened her eyes. “Really? I’m sure I could think of sexier.”
James pressed his finger to her lips. “Later, my love. Once there’s a ring on that finger you can tell me everything you’ve ever wanted to say.”
He fiddled with the fourth finger on her left hand.
“Really?” she asked with her voice full of hope.
James nodded and then his expression softened. “We need to tell Juan first. About you and me. And the baby. Then we can make it official.”
Layla’s stomach twisted as she nodded. She knew that was something she needed to face. She just wasn’t sure she was strong enough. “I know,” she whispered.
James leaned in and rested his forehead on hers. “It’s only right. But I’ll be here with you.”
Layla chewed her lip as she nodded. “I know. And I’m grateful for that.”
James pulled her close and pressed his lips to her forehead. Then he sighed as he leaned back and smiled. “Is I wrong that I enjoyed that you didn’t fight me when I said it was official?”
Layla smiled. She couldn’t help the sheer joy she felt as James’s words settled around her. “Are you sure you want to board this crazy train?” she asked as she stepped back and waved her hand toward her body.
James studied her and then smiled. “How about this crazy train and I make a life in Honey Grove? Dad has a place for me in the construction business, and this town is in dire need of a bridal shop.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Layla dropped her jaw. “Shut up. Seriously? You think?” Her heart began to race as she thought about it. Could it be true? Was this really her life?
James pulled her close, but Layla took it one step further. She leapt into his arms. Thankfully, James seemed to anticipate what she was going to do and caught her. Layla wrapped her legs around his waist. Her lips found his, and she kissed him with as much passion as she could muster.
James pulled back to study her. “Is that a yes?”
Layla nodded her head vigorously. “That’s a yes times infinity.”
James slowly set her down and then brought his hands back up to her face. He pressed his lips to hers again, this time gentler.
He pulled back and held her gaze. “I love you, Layla.”
Layla couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips. “I love you too, James Braxton.”
Epilogue
Jackson Braxton
Jackson Braxton sat as his desk, staring at the invitation in front of him. The cream-colored paper accented the gold filigree as is swirled and curved around the words:
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Mr. Jonathan Braxton
To
Ms. Tiffany Sounders
His eyes scanned the rest of the invitation, including the date, time, and location. Sunset. On the beach. Honey Grove, SC.
His hometown.
He swallowed as Isabel Andrew’s face flashed in his mind.
He’d left her all those years ago, and yet, she was the one woman he’d never been able to forget.
Maybe that was why he’d stayed away. Maybe she was why the thought of returning home for his brother’s wedding had his stomach all tied in knots.
Which was strange. As the youngest advertising executive at Harper’s Advertising Inc, one would have thought he’d developed nerves of steel from working harder than anyone else around him.
But one thought of Isabel, one pesky memory, and his whole hard exterior came crashing down.
He folded the invitation and slipped it into his drawer just as Journey, his assistant, came walking in. Her gaze flicked down to the paper, and Jackson slammed the drawer shut before she could get a good look. Her eyebrows rose as she glanced back up at him.
Jackson leaned forward on his elbows. “What do you need?” he asked.
Journey’s lips were tipped up in an annoying smile, but Jackson decided to ignore it.
“Phone call. It’s your sister.”
Jackson glanced over to the blinking button on his phone. He nodded and Journey slipped back out of the room.
It was just Jenna. He could handle Jenna. After all, out of everyone, she’d understand why he couldn’t go back to Honey Grove. She’d had a front seat to his relationship and breakup with Isabel.
“Hey, sis,” he said after he grabbed the receiver and pressed it to his ear.
“Jackson?” The noise around Jenna was making her shout.
Jackson pulled the phone back. “Where are you?” he asked.
There was some soft excuse me’s and a few seconds later, the noise stopped. “Is that better?” she asked.
Jackson nodded. “Yes.”
She sighed. “How’s it going?”
Jackson glanced up at his clock. He really didn’t have time for chitchat. “Great. What’s up?”
She clicked her tongue a few times. “Always the conversationalist, I see,” she teased.
Jackson blew out his breath and leaned back in his chair. Jenna didn’t deserve his wrath. His feelings about his past and his hometown were his problem. No one else’s.
“Sorry. I’m just busy.”
Jenna chuckled. It was soft and familiar. “I know. I’m guessing you got Jonathan’s invitation?”
Jackson grunted a yes.
“What are you thinking?”
Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose. “You know,” he said. Maybe he was a coward, but he really didn’t want to speak the words out loud.
“Right. Well, I’m calling to beg you to come. It’ll be fun. Besides, Isabel is getting married. I’m sure she’s moved on. If anything, she’ll probably thank you.”
Jackson sat up straighter in his chair. “She’s what?”
Jenna hesitated, her silence almost deafening him. “I thought you knew.”
A fire burned in the pit of his stomach. One that he knew shouldn’t be there, but it was, nonetheless.
“To who?”
“I don’t know. Some investor who’s in Honey Grove to build up the city.”
Jackson stood, pushing his chair back. He turned to face his window and stare out at the city below him. As much as he wanted to go and see his brother and his family—and see the man Isabel’s father deemed worthy to marry her—he wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
“Jen, I’m not sure.”
She chuckled. “Come. Be my plus one. Brett dumped me. I’m all alone, and I need a wingman if I’m going to survive Mom’s questions. Why aren’t you married? You need to give me grandbabies.” She sighed.
Jackson laughed at her impersonation.
“Thankfully, Layla’s about to pop, and Jordan is there now. That should help keep her occupied for a while. But I need you. Please?”
Jackson turned and pulled out the invitation. “You really want me to come?” he asked.
“I’m literally pleading with you. Yes, I really want you to come.”
Jackson smoothed out the crease in the invitation and set it on his keyboard. He sighed, knowing that he might regret what he was about to say.
“All right. I’ll come. I’ll see you in Honey Grove in two weeks.”
Jenna squealed. “You won’t regret it!” she sang.
They said their goodbyes and Jackso
n hung up. He stared down at the two little words that had his stomach in knots.
Honey Grove.
He was going home.
***
Thank you for devouring Her Protector. I really hope you are enjoying the journey the Braxton family is taking.
Next up is Jackson Braxton’s return home where his ex Isabel is living. There’s a marriage and old feelings…
Everything that makes a FABULOUS romance!
Grab it HERE on Amazon!
And if you haven’t yet read Josh or Jonathan’s romance, make sure you head over to grab each of them.
Josh and Beth’s Romance: Her Boss
Jonathan and Tiffany’s Romance: Her Best Friend
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She's an IRS auditor desperate to prove herself.
He's a cowboy trying to hold onto his ranch.
Love was not on the agenda.
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About the Author
Anne-Marie Meyer lives in MN with her husband, four boys, and baby girl. She loves romantic movies and believes that there is a FRIENDS quote for just about every aspect of life.
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