As he looked at her now, flashing her radiant smile at that fucking cowboy, he accepted the truth he’d spent years trying to deny. Carly Dylan hadn’t just captured his heart when they were kids. She’d claimed his entire being—mind, body, and soul—and she’d own them until long after the day he took his last breath.
CARLY HAD BEEN given months to prepare for seeing Zev again, and she’d used her time wisely, coming up with a solid plan where she’d act confident and unfazed by his presence. A plan that would allow her to make it through the evening with her self-respect intact and her panties in place. She’d practiced with her employee and bestie, Birdie Whiskey, until small talk and confident mannerisms were rote. She’d trained herself not to play with her earring, which Zev had always called her tell because she only did it when she was skating around the truth. She’d even dressed the part in a peach wraparound dress Birdie had helped her pick out. Birdie said it exuded class and sophistication with just enough sex appeal to make any man lose his mind. But Carly’s carefully constructed plan had gone to shit when she’d walked around the corner of the inn and had come face-to-face with the man whose younger self had been her first everything—crush, kiss, intimate touch…The man she’d once planned to marry.
The man who shredded my heart into a million pieces.
Twice.
The second time had been unknowingly, but still…
Cutter nudged Carly’s arm, jerking her from her thoughts. She must have zoned out while Jax and Jillian were talking because they were all looking at her expectantly, and she had no idea what she’d missed.
“You holding up okay?” Cutter asked.
She had known the cocky cowboy for years. Cutter was the barn manager for the Woodlands dude ranch, owned by Wes Braden and Chip Shelton, two of their friends. She’d met them all through Treat Braden, a real estate mogul who she’d later learned was a second cousin to Zev. Treat and his now-wife, Max, had wandered into her aunt’s chocolate shop in Allure, Colorado, when Carly had been working. Once she’d connected the familial dots, she was glad she’d never said anything to him about having dated Zev. Outside of her friends and family in Pleasant Hill, she’d never confided in anyone but Birdie, Charlotte, and Cutter about her history with Zev after her best friend, Tory, had been killed. And other than confiding in a therapist, she’d never said a word to anyone about having run into him in Mexico. She’d been lucky to have been embraced by so many wonderful people when she’d moved to Colorado the summer after their encounter in Mexico. It had made her painful transition a little easier, even though it had taken a long time before she’d found her footing and had truly begun building a life there.
“She’s fine. She’s just in shock from seeing my brother again,” Jillian said. Tory and Carly had been like sisters to Jillian, and she’d been torn up by Tory’s death and Carly and Zev’s breakup, too.
Zev’s family had tried their best to help Carly through the tragic loss of her best friend and the breakup, but it had been too painful to be near them, and she’d eventually pulled away. She hadn’t seen them in years, and then last summer she’d run into Beau and Charlotte when she was home visiting her parents, and they’d realized they didn’t live far from each other in Colorado. It had been weird at first, seeing Beau so in love with someone other than Tory, but Carly had really liked Charlotte, and she’d pushed those memories away for fear that they might hinder their friendship. They’d become close friends, and she was happy for them. Even though she was nervous about seeing Zev, when they had asked her to cater the wedding, there was no way she was going to let them down.
Now, with her stomach in knots, she was questioning that decision.
Jillian waggled her brows and said, “Or maybe Carly’s daydreaming about Zev.” She was just as feisty and pushy as always.
“I am not,” Carly insisted, despite the fact that her body had been humming since she’d first seen him, and she could barely look at him without going weak in the knees.
Jax, the most even-keeled of Zev’s brothers, said, “That’s his loss, Carly. I’m sorry for what he put you through.”
“Thanks, Jax.”
“I’m sorry for what happened, too,” Jillian said. “That was a horrible time for everyone, but it was a long time ago. Zev is a different person now, and you guys were great together.” She tucked her burgundy hair behind her ear, gazing across the tent at Zev. “Just look at him. He doesn’t even look like he did when you two were together. He has an edge to him now. I think his longer hair fits his mysterious image. Don’t you think, Car?”
Like metal to magnet, Carly’s eyes found Zev. She’d been stealing glances at him throughout the evening, trying to puzzle together the lanky teen she’d known with the gorgeous man before her, sporting chiseled, rugged features and thick scruff.
“Yes,” Carly said too breathily, and quickly schooled her tone. “I mean, it’s fine. Whatever. He always had good hair.” Even as a kid he’d worn his hair shaggier than his brothers. She used to love to run her fingers through it. Her hands itched with the desire to touch it again, and frustration stacked up inside her. “Why are you pushing him on me, Jilly? You know how he hurt me.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it,” Jillian said. “You two are like two sides of the same coin.”
“I’m over him. Tell her, Cutter. Tell her I’m over him.”
Cutter put his arm around Carly and said, “She swears she’s over him.”
“Seriously?” Carly glowered at him. “After all the times I’ve had your back, that’s how you’re going to play this?”
Jillian answered before Cutter could. “It doesn’t matter what you’ve told him. The electricity zinging between you two could light this tent on fire.”
“She’s right, Carly, but you know I’ve got your back.” Cutter looked at Jax and Jillian and said, “I know Zev’s your brother, but if he stirs up trouble with Carly, he’ll have me to deal with.” He glanced in Zev’s direction and said, “Although he looks nice enough.”
He looks like the guy who ruined years of my life, and still manages to make my stupid heart race.
“He’s more than nice enough,” Jillian said protectively. “Zev’s a good person.”
“I didn’t say he’s not. I said he’d have me to deal with if he messes with Carly,” Cutter clarified.
“While you two debate the values of Zev, this good guy is going to grab one of Morgyn’s hot sisters for a dance. It looks like Pepper and Amber are free.” Jax looked at Cutter and said, “What do you say? You want to ask one of them to dance?”
“I’m always up for dancing with a fine woman,” Cutter said with a smirk.
Carly rolled her eyes.
“Wait,” Jillian said. “The only single guys here that I’m not related to are Cutter and Duncan, and I’m not dancing with Duncan.” She took Cutter’s hand, and Cutter looked at her lasciviously. “Get those dirty thoughts out of your head, cowboy. You’re getting to dance with me, and that’s it.”
“Stronger women than you have said the same thing and ended up warming my mattress,” Cutter said.
“That stops now, cowboy,” Jax warned as they walked away, leaving Carly alone.
The Bradens had a huge extended family, with cousins in several states, and many of them were there celebrating. Carly was literally surrounded by throngs of hot single men, and she couldn’t stop thinking about the only one she shouldn’t want. She fought the urge to steal another glance at Zev, but the pull was too strong, and her eyes darted in his direction.
Her breath caught in her throat. Zev was looking right at her as he set a bottle on a table and headed her way.
Shitshitshit.
She frantically looked around for someplace to hide or a group to get lost in. But her head was spinning, and almost everyone was dancing, so she made a beeline for her safety zone—the dessert table—the one place that could always occupy her mind. She had been catering desserts for events like this for years. She knew how to
look busy. But as she stood before the table staring at the chocolate treats she’d made, the only things in her mind were the echo of her heart pounding against her ribs and the mantra breathe, breathe, breathe.
She felt Zev’s presence before he stepped beside her. It had always been that way. He was an enigma, a force in and of himself that made the air sizzle and the universe seem to hold its breath. She stared straight ahead as he came to her side, sending goose bumps chasing up her flesh. Breathe, breathe, breathe. Holy cow, breathing was a bad idea. He smelled musky and rugged, not so different than he had as a teenager, but definitely more potent.
He plucked a chocolate truffle from the table, and his sleeve inched up his arm, revealing several braided and beaded leather bracelets. Why did that make him even hotter?
“Too bad they don’t have boxes of sugary cereals, huh, Carls?”
His rich, deep voice sent rivers of heat through her, but it was his mentioning their shared love of cereal that had her heart softening. That was one of their things, mixing boxes of cereal and taking them to one of their special places to eat dinner. They’d had so many things. They used to make up stories in response to each other’s questions and sneak out at night to make out, make love, or go on adventures. They’d had their songs, their dreams, and their dares. She’d really loved their silly dares.
She inhaled deeply, steeling herself against the years they’d spent as a couple and reminding herself of her plan. She could do this. She would do this. Even if she couldn’t look at him.
She stood up a little straighter, pretending to look over the desserts, and in her most confident voice, she said, “I haven’t had cereal since I was a teenager.”
“Aw, come on. You’d never give up Lucky Charms or Froot Loops.”
Her stomach knotted with memories of her and Zev collecting the plastic prizes they’d found in the cereal boxes and trading them like gold. Her favorites had been a pink plastic ring with a star on top and a yellow plastic treasure chest she’d traded him for spinning tops. A few weeks later he’d asked her to be his girlfriend, and she’d given him her answer the next night. She’d written yes on a piece of paper, put it in the treasure chest, and had left it on his windowsill. When he’d found it, he’d said to keep the ring safe because one day he would give it to her while he was down on one knee. It had all seemed so real in seventh grade. She’d been heartbroken years later when she’d looked for the ring and realized she’d lost it. On the heels of that memory came another, of planning their matching tattoos of the Lucky Charms marshmallows when they were in college. They were supposed to get them the summer after their freshman year, right before they were supposed to leave together for a trip to Silver Island, where they were going to rent a cottage and a boat to search for Garrick “One-Leg” Clegg’s ship, the Pride. They’d had so many dreams for their future, including living out of a van with so few worldly possessions they could fit them in backpacks.
But when Tory was killed, Carly had lost both of her best friends and all of their shared dreams.
She shoved those thoughts down deep and said, “Actually, I have given them up. There’s a lot you don’t know about me. I’m not the same girl I used to be.” She risked a glance, and Zev’s lips curved up in the charming, seductive smile that had always reeled her in. Her stomach flip-flopped.
No!
No flip-flopping!
His eyes slid down her length, leaving a titillating trail of pinpricks in its wake. Damn him.
“You’re right, Carls. There’s nothing girlish about you anymore. You’re all woman, and you are exquisite.” He popped the truffle in his mouth, eating it slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “This chocolate is amazing, but I still don’t believe you gave up cereal.”
She nervously crossed and uncrossed her arms. “Believe it. I’m into chocolate now. I run a chocolate shop in Allure called Divine Intervention. I made that truffle you just ate.”
“Really? Your aunt’s place?”
She couldn’t believe he remembered. She used to visit her aunt Marie in the summers. Marie wasn’t a blood relative. She had been Carly’s mother’s best friend since childhood, but to Carly she’d always been Aunt Marie.
“Yes, Marie’s place,” she said.
“Cool. And I see you’re into cowboys these days.”
Cowboys? Oh my gosh. Cutter! In a split second she decided to use his misunderstanding to her advantage. “Yup. Cutter’s my boyfriend. He’s great, super nice, and he loves chocolate.” Ramble much? He loves chocolate? Ugh…
Zev’s eyes shifted to the side of her head, his lips curving up in a knowing grin. She realized she was playing with her earring and quickly dropped her hand, silently chiding herself. So much for practice makes perfect.
“You might want to rein in your boyfriend before Sable has her way with him.” He snagged another chocolate and popped it into his mouth.
She looked at the dance floor. Cutter was dirty dancing with Sable. Where the hell was Jillian? Thinking fast, she said, “We have an open relationship. He’s just one of my boyfriends.”
Zev arched a brow. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” She lifted her hand toward her earring and quickly dropped it again. Why did he make her so nervous? She squared her shoulders and said, “I told you I’ve changed.”
“I guess that means your evenings are spoken for?”
“Definitely. For weeks,” she added for good measure, but the lie was accompanied by a pang of heartache. Her evenings were mostly spent watching documentaries about marine and land archaeology, the things she loved but had given up. But she wasn’t about to let him know that. “I’m busy all the time. Out practically every night. You know me, Good-Time Carly.”
Zev stepped closer, stealing the oxygen from the entire tent. “That’s too bad, Carls. I’m staying at the inn for a week, watching the animals for Beau, and I was hoping we might be able to catch up.”
She swallowed hard. The last time they’d caught up, she’d ended up with a lot more than just a broken heart.
“Maybe I should dare you to get out of one of those dates so we can spend time together.” He leaned in so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath as he said, “You never were able to resist a dare.”
She put her hand on the table to combat her weakening knees.
Zev glanced at her hand on the table, and a slow grin curved his lips. His dark eyes met hers, and he said, “Maybe that adventurous girl is still in there after all.”
He leaned closer, his chest pressing against her as he whispered in her ear, “I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry. I hurt me, too.” He touched his lips to her cheek in a tender kiss, then turned and walked away, leaving her with a bone-deep ache as she fought the urge to run after him.
Chapter Two
LATER THAT EVENING, twinkling lights and the flames from the bonfire illuminated the patio of the inn. The reception had ended more than an hour ago and most of the guests had left, but Zev’s family, along with the Montgomerys and a few of Charlotte’s closest girlfriends, were staying at the inn and leaving in the morning. They’d changed out of their dress clothes, and several of them were hanging out by the fire. The din of laughter and voices hung in the air, but thanks to heartbreakingly beautiful Carly, Zev was so fucking confused, he needed a few minutes alone to try to clear his head.
He paced the lawn, unable to stop thinking about her. After they’d talked at the dessert table, she’d avoided him for the rest of the reception and then she’d left with Cutter as soon as the cake was cut. Despite her play-with-her-earring fibs and that strong facade she’d put on, he’d seen the truth. With a cowboy by her side or not, the sparks between them were still there, and they were hotter than ever. In those short minutes they’d talked, desire and memories had blazed through him, unearthing the well of emotions he’d spent years burying. It had taken all of his control not to sweep her into his arms, kiss that sexy spray of freckles across her nose like he used to, and then take her i
n the kiss he’d longed for since he’d left Pleasant Hill and try to erase their years apart.
As teenagers they’d been able to overcome just about any obstacle. But curfews, fights with parents, and boredom were nothing compared to the tragedy that had turned their lives upside down. He’d believed leaving town would save Carly from being sucked into the depths of guilt and despair that had consumed him after Tory’s death. After years spent wondering if he’d made a mistake, he needed to find out once and for all if she still felt for him what he’d never stopped feeling for her.
“Come on, Zev!” Jillian waved him over to the bonfire. “We’re toasting Knox and Aubrey’s engagement!” Graham’s business partner, Knox Bentley, had proposed to his girlfriend, Charlotte’s best friend, Aubrey Stewart, only moments before the beginning of Beau and Charlotte’s wedding.
Zev knew Jillian would pester him until he joined them, so he tried to push thoughts of Carly away and headed over to the patio as his brothers opened bottles of champagne. Cheers rang out as they filled glasses and passed them out. Rather than joining Jillian and his boisterous brothers, who had been needling him about Carly all evening, Zev hung back by Pepper, Sable’s sweet fraternal twin. Pepper handed him a glass of champagne, looking beautiful in a pair of jeans and a cute blue top.
“Thanks, Pep,” Zev said as Charlotte began a toast.
“Everyone knows that Aubrey and I grew up together in Port Hudson.” Charlotte beamed at Aubrey, who was as tall and blond as Charlotte was petite and brunette, and said, “Aubrey knows all my secrets.”
Searching for Love (The Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill - Oak Falls) Book 6) Page 2