Brett pulled Sophie closer, and when he gazed into her eyes, the joy in his made her stomach tumble. He kissed her cheek, smiling down at her, and said, “If you’re lucky enough to get a woman like my Sophie, you’ll want to do anything you can to see her smile.”
Chapter Eleven
“I’M BEGINNING TO think you’re more of a planner than I gave you credit for. Did you plan on turning my world upside down day after day?” Sophie asked as the plane took off.
“You know me better than that.” He gave her a quick kiss and said, “I’m not big on planning.”
“You planned the movie and the wine.” Thinking of the condoms he’d brought over, she said, “And you planned ahead with that special package you brought to my apartment the other night.”
“As I remember, that one pissed you off.”
“True,” she admitted, and lowered her voice to a whisper. “But only because I didn’t want to be your booty call.”
He threaded his fingers into her hair, drawing her closer. “What do you want to be, sexy girl? Because you’ve got me hooked, and I’m falling hard.”
“You do everything hard,” she teased, trying to calm her racing heart.
“That’s not an answer.” He set his hand on her knee, stopping it from nervously bouncing, and his lips tipped up in the cocky smile that made her swoon. “What do you want to be, Soph?”
She gazed into his eyes, trying to stop the answer that vied for release, or at least temper it and make it less scary, but it was no use. When she opened her mouth, “Yours,” came out.
The emotions in his eyes made her chest feel full, and when he took her in a series of slow, sensual kisses, she thought it might burst.
“Then be mine, baby. I want to be yours. No more what ifs. Well, other than what if I want to kiss you like that when we’re with your parents?”
“Mm. I like that what if. Didn’t I tell you about my ridiculously close family? They’ll love seeing us kiss.” She laced their fingers together, wondering what Brett would think of her family and her life back home, which was so different from his.
“No, but that’s a good thing, because not kissing you would be incredibly difficult.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that, but you should prepare yourself for their anniversary party. My grandmother, Nana, believes life should be celebrated. She throws a party for every anniversary, birthday, every holiday. Nearly the whole town shows up for my grandparents’ celebrations. And you know all that ‘like mother like daughter’ stuff? My mom and my younger sister, Lindsay, are the same way. I’m more like my father. I love going to the celebrations, but I’m not the party planner. Lindsay is a real party planner and photographer. She handles family events. Weddings, baby showers, birthdays. Also like my grandmother, my mom and sister pretty much say whatever they feel—three no-filter women—and they hug everyone.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad, Soph. What’s your father like?”
“He’s the best father a girl could ask for. He’s supportive and loving. He’s friendly, with a quirky sense of humor, and smart, like you, and a little cautious.” She didn’t tell him that she also thought that was like him, because she didn’t think Brett saw himself as cautious. Then again, he didn’t see himself as a man who could commit. “At least he’s cautious now. According to my mom, he was pretty wild when he was younger.”
He squeezed her hand and said, “Your father sounds like a good man. I look forward to meeting all of them. Is there a hotel close to their house?”
“Hotel? My parents would never let us stay at a hotel. Ridiculously close, remember? We’ll stay in my childhood bedroom.”
His brows went up. “They won’t mind?”
“They’ll probably throw a party. They haven’t seen me with a guy in forever. Oh, that’s the other thing. Nana and Poppi, my grandfather, will probably have some single guy there waiting to meet me. But don’t worry. I texted my mom a few minutes ago to let her know you were coming, and I texted Lindsay. She’ll play interference.”
“I’ll put a stop to the fix-up thing,” he said confidently.
“A little jealous?”
He nuzzled against her neck. “When you’re with the prettiest girl in the world, you get used to the idea that you’ll spend your days glaring at gawking guys. I can handle it.”
“Or, you could just kiss me when you notice someone looking at me.”
“Mm. I see a guy looking at you right now.” He kissed her softly. “Oh, look, there’s another.” He kissed her again, longer this time. When their lips parted he said, “Check out that blond guy leering at you,” and his mouth came hungrily down over hers.
They talked and kissed throughout the flight. Sophie showed him pictures of her family so he could recognize them. The flight was quick and uneventful—other than Brett suggesting several times that they join the mile-high club—as was the drive into Oak Falls. Sophie hadn’t thought she’d be nervous about introducing Brett to her family, but as they drove down the street on which she’d grown up, her nerves prickled. He parked in front of her parents’ two-story farmhouse and placed his hand on her leg, which she hadn’t realized was bouncing.
“Second thoughts about inviting me?”
“No. Just a little nervous. My family can be overwhelming.”
“My father’s an asshole. I’ve got you beat.”
She’d met his father. Gerard Bad was stern and appeared perpetually unhappy, but he was also a powerful attorney, and Sophie didn’t think he could be a total asshole, considering he’d raised Brett and his brothers, who were all impressive, confident men.
“I didn’t really think about how big this was,” she admitted. “My mom and grandmother will probably make our relationship out to be much more than it is.”
“As long as they’re not marrying us off, I’m good, babe.” He leaned closer and said, “I told you I’m falling for you. I’m in, Soph. I’m not going to get scared off.”
Her thoughts got caught on the not-marrying-us-off part. The legal girl inside her noted that his statement conflicted with the not-going-to-get-scared-off part. She knew she was getting miles ahead of herself, but a sad pang accompanied the reminder that Brett wasn’t looking for the same happily-ever-after as she was. That was the planner in her coming out. The side of her who liked to know where she was headed. She wasn’t going to let that side of herself rock her happy boat this weekend, especially after how far she and Brett had come as a couple. Her mother’s favorite saying came back to her—Love doesn’t come with an agenda. It breaks all the rules, and that’s what makes it so wonderful.
“Hey, Soph? You okay?”
She must have zoned out. “Yeah. Sorry. I’m good.”
They both glanced up at the house. Gold and white balloons danced from the railings of the wraparound porch. A long banner was strung above the wide front steps that read, HAPPY 50TH, NINA AND PETE! In the side yard, a group of children kicked a ball, and just beyond adults mingled. Sophie could see some of the rectangular wooden tables her grandfather and father had built years ago.
It felt good to be home.
“The party already started?” Brett asked. “Why didn’t you come last night?”
“It’s a come-when-you-can party. It started at breakfast and it’ll go into the evening, but by the time I got off work last night and made the flight and the drive, it would have been really late. It’s easier, and less stressful, to come today and not have to worry about getting held up at the office and having to reschedule my flight.”
“Ah, my little planner. How on earth do you put up with me?”
She glanced down at his hand on her knee. “Know what’s funny? Your inability to plan doesn’t drive me as crazy as you’d think. I mean, it did at first, but since the night of the comedy show, when you told me you wanted only me, it’s become part of your charm.”
“Then tell me this. How did I get lucky enough for you to agree to spend one night with me?”
“One night? What about all the other nights?”
Wickedness simmered in his eyes. “Baby, come on. How could you resist more after one night with all this?” He motioned toward his body.
They both laughed, and he gave her a quick kiss before climbing from the car and coming around to help her out. Children’s voices and the familiar sounds of celebrations surrounded them as Brett grabbed their luggage from the trunk. She spotted Lindsay and her mother heading their way.
Brett hiked their bags over his shoulder and walked slowly, purposefully, toward her, his gaze piercing the distance between them. How did he go from joking to holy-moly hot in only one second?
He placed his hand on her hip and said, “I hope you packed those slinky little cutoffs.”
“I wear them all the time when I’m home.”
“They won’t be on for long.”
SOPHIE WAS ADORABLE, trying to blink away the desire in her eyes and school her expression as her mother and sister approached. Brett was surprised he wasn’t a nervous wreck as they took their relationship to this new level, but when he took in her mother’s bright, friendly smile, it was easy to see where Sophie got her effervescence. While Sophie had womanly curves Brett worshipped, her mother was tall and lean, like Lindsay, and looked closer to forty than fifty, with long dirty-blond hair a few shades darker than Lindsay’s. He tried to read the smiles passing between Sophie and Lindsay, but he had a feeling the sisters shared a secret language all their own.
“There’s my sweet baby girl and her new beau.” Sophie’s mother embraced her and planted a kiss on her cheek. She turned open arms to Brett and said, “Hello, handsome. I’m Angel, and I’m so glad to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” he said as he hugged her.
Lindsay lifted the camera that hung around her neck and took pictures of the two of them. She said something quietly to Sophie, and they both giggled. Lindsay pushed her camera strap over her shoulder and opened her arms. “Come on in here, handsome beau.” She was a blond sprite, and obviously shared Sophie’s sass.
“Brett, this is Lindsay.” Sophie pulled the back of Lindsay’s peach sweater, prying her from his body. “We also call her Brat.”
Lindsay made a show of dramatically flipping her hair over her shoulder and flashed a cheesy smile. “Brat Roberts at your service.”
“We’ll get along just fine,” Brett said as he reached for Sophie’s hand. “I’m the brat in my family, too.”
Lindsay took a few pictures of him and Sophie and said, “Brats rule. And just so you know, Sophie’s probably into you because of that nickname. She loves me, so think of that every time she puts those lips on you.”
“Lindsay!” Sophie went up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Told you she was a brat.”
Her sister could make fun all she wanted if it earned him more of Sophie’s kisses.
“Okay, girls. Come on,” Angel said. “Let’s get Sophie and Brett’s stuff put away so we can torture him with the rest of the family.”
“Nana’s in prime shape today,” Lindsay said. “She’ll be pinching Brett all over.”
“Pinching?” He arched a brow, and the three women laughed.
What had he gotten himself into?
“Don’t worry. She’s harmless. Still madly in love after fifty years,” Angel said as they climbed the porch steps.
“Angel?” a brunette called from the side yard, waving her phone. “My sister is on the line and wants to chat with you.” Her eyes drifted to Sophie, then to Brett, where they lingered a beat too long as she stood up a little taller and thrust out her chest. “Welcome home, Sophie! Who’s this hot hunk of handsomeness?”
Brett squeezed Sophie’s hand.
“He’s spoken for, Sable,” Lindsay informed her.
Angel patted Brett’s arm as she walked by and said, “This is Sophie’s boyfriend, Brett Bad. Brett, this is Sable Montgomery.”
“Awesome name, dude,” Sable said.
“Thank you,” he said with a friendly smile. “You’re related to Grace?”
“Her sister,” Sophie said as Sable handed the phone to Angel. “Sable, we just got in and need to put our stuff inside.”
“Stand together,” Lindsay said to Brett and Sophie. “I want one more pic for Nana’s album, and then I’ll get out of your hair, too.”
“When you’re done making out, come out back and hang with us,” Sable said.
“It’ll be hours,” Sophie called out as she tucked her arm around Brett and smiled for the camera. “Get used to this, Brett. Linds is going to drive you crazy with her camera, and complaining will only egg her on. It’s easier just to go with it until she gets bored and finds someone else to look at.”
He loved seeing this carefree side of Sophie, and he liked her outgoing family and friends.
“It doesn’t take me long to move on,” Lindsay said as she lifted her camera and took another picture. “Okay, go make out for hours, but remember to lock your door or you’re liable to have visitors.”
Visitors?
As Lindsay went after Sable, Sophie leaned against Brett and said, “Feeling boxed in yet?”
“Baby, I’m not sure about pinching and visitors, but how can I feel boxed in when the box has a hundred different entrances? I have a feeling I’ll need to take notes to keep up with you guys.”
“That’s good, right?” she asked as they stepped inside.
He answered her with a kiss.
Sophie’s parents’ house had the same country-chic, homespun feel as Sophie’s apartment, decorated in creams and white, accented with several hues of pink, peach, and brown. The sofas looked well loved, with indentations proving they weren’t just for show. Vases of fresh flowers decorated the mantel and end tables, and happy memories emanated from pictures on every wall. He felt like he’d walked into a warm hug, and it hit him like a bullet to the heart. His mother’s house would probably feel the same if she’d moved after his father left. But she’d stayed in his childhood home, and it was riddled with too many painful memories to alleviate the discomfort.
He followed Sophie up the steps, taking in the photographs hanging on the wall. Two little girls, one blond, one brunette, with big blue eyes and pigtails, smiled at the camera in their pink frilly dresses and shiny white shoes. He’d know Sophie’s smile anywhere, and the glimmer of mischief in Lindsay’s eyes was hard to miss. In the picture beside it, the girls stood in a pumpkin patch making faces at the camera. Above that picture was one of Sophie and a boy. They couldn’t have been more than ten or twelve years old, standing barefoot in a creek, eyes closed, lips touching. It was the type of picture that caused women to swoon, like the images he’d seen on black-and-white greeting cards. He wondered who the lucky boy was and how special he was to Sophie now for that picture to be hanging on their wall. But there were so many pictures of Sophie with her arms around girls and boys who could have been friends or family, it didn’t seem out of place. He stopped to admire a picture of Sophie and her father standing beneath a sparkly sign that read 7TH GRADE FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE. She wore a navy dress, and he looked handsome in a dark suit with a navy tie. In another frozen memory, Sophie wore a short pink dress and a pretty corsage on her wrist and stood between a handsome boy and her parents. Brett was torn between the jealousy of wanting to be the boy who had been there with her and happiness that she’d had a night worthy of her dazzling smile.
“That’s Shane Jericho,” Sophie said casually. “He might be here later, and his brother Justus—we call him JJ—is bartending for the party. You can’t miss them. They wear cowboy hats day and night. Even their sister, Trixie, wears one most of the time.”
“You keep up with your old boyfriends?”
“Our town is about as big as my fist. I don’t have much choice. But Shane wasn’t a boyfriend. He was just a friend.”
They made their way to her bedroom, and he set their bags down by the door. He wasn’t surprised to see white furniture, a pin
k bedspread, and a beautiful picture window overlooking the backyard. There were several pictures stuck in the frame of the mirror above her dresser of her and Grace, Lindsay, and groups of friends. His heart warmed with the realization that Sophie must have had a charmed childhood.
She dropped her purse on the bed and wound her arms around his neck. “You’ll be the first guy to share this bed with me.”
“Your bed’s pretty small. I might have to sleep really close to you.”
“That’s the plan,” she whispered.
He gathered her in his arms and gazed into her happy eyes. “Thank you for letting me come with you. I should have offered right away.”
“Nope. That’s not how my guy works. My guy needs time to process things, to figure out what he really wants. I get that, and you’re here now, which is all that matters.”
“I really want you, Soph. I hope you know that above all else.” He kissed her then, pouring his whole heart into it and hoping she knew he meant every word he said. He wasn’t running, and he wasn’t restless. He was exactly where he was supposed to be.
Chapter Twelve
AFTER NOT NEARLY enough toe-curling kisses, Sophie and Brett forced themselves to stop making out and went to join the party. Sophie had a feeling she’d spend the next twenty-four hours hot, bothered, and flustered—and she wouldn’t mind it one bit!
As they stepped outside, Brett said, “Wow,” under his breath.
Even though it was daytime, lights were strewn above the patio, which was lined with buffet tables that were covered with dishes overflowing with food and decorated with gold and white streamers and balloons. The rectangular wooden tables her father and grandfather had built were lined up, creating a U shape around the middle of the expansive yard, above which more lights were strung from tree to tree, meeting in the middle, where the grass was mowed extra low to serve as a dance floor.
“Is that Axsel, the lead guitarist for Inferno?” Brett motioned toward Sable’s brother, playing his guitar beneath the big oak tree where a swing had hung when she was young.
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