Finding Forever: Treading Water Series, Book 5

by Force, Marie

  “What?” he asked, sounding indignant.

  “I was just thinking you’re rather confident in your birthday suit, but with good reason.” She dragged a finger over the hills and valleys of his well-defined abdomen, her lips quivering with amusement as she watched his cock come back to life.

  “My mom tells stories about how I ran around buck naked until I was five, and she made me put pants on before I went out to see the horses.”

  Maggie’s heart ached when she realized he’d spoken of his mother in the present tense. “So you’ve always been a shameless exhibitionist, then.”

  “Pretty much. My grandpa used to say I was feral.”

  Maggie laughed. “Let me guess—you took that as a compliment, right?”

  “Is there any other way to take it?”

  “For you, probably not.”

  “I’ve always been happiest outside with the horses.”

  “It must’ve been torture for you to be locked up.”

  “It was. I almost lost my mind the first year. My mom came every week and pleaded with me not to give up, that she was working on her end to get me out of there.”

  “I was wondering…” Maggie thought better of what she was going to say. She’d already asked him to open an old wound. She didn’t want to make the recent loss of his mother even worse than it already was.

  “What are you wondering? You can ask me anything you want.”

  She turned on her side so she could see him better. “About your mom and how things were between you after what happened.”

  “It took a while for us to get back on track. I was very angry with her for a long time, because she knew he was no good and didn’t do something about it sooner.”

  “What did she say to that?”

  “That I was a hundred percent right, and that she should’ve picked me over him, even when he was charming and romancing her. She said my immediate and visceral dislike of him—and his dislike of me—should’ve been a warning, because I liked everyone and everyone liked me. It helped that she completely owned her role in what happened. No one was more heartbroken to see me locked up than she was, especially knowing she’d brought him into our lives and kept him there when she shouldn’t have. She always owned that, and that’s how we were able to put things back together between us. It also helped that she never stopped fighting for me the whole time I was in there.”

  Maggie ran her hand up and down his arm. “You worked hard to put things back together with her, which must’ve made losing her that much more excruciating.”

  “It did,” he said on a long sigh. “The shit that happened years ago didn’t break me, but losing her was almost too much.” He brushed the hair back from her face and ran his fingertips lightly over her cheek. “I should get out of here before we get caught.”

  With the night staff working upstairs where the residents were, the risk of having him in her apartment was minimal. “Not yet. Mitch doesn’t get here until six. But I do need to reset the alarm.” She got up, found her robe on the floor, put it on, used the bathroom and went out to tend to the alarm before getting back in bed with him.

  “Um, you forgot something.”

  “What did I forget?”

  “To take the robe off.” He tugged at it impatiently, like a child trying to get at a coveted Christmas gift.

  Maggie laughed at his impatience and helped to remove the robe.

  He brought her into his warm embrace, with one big hand completely cupping her ass to arrange her where he wanted her. “There. Much better.”

  “Been a long time since I had a sleepover.”

  “How is that possible? You must’ve had all the boyfriends.”

  “Not all. A couple. One in high school, two in college. Nothing much since then.”

  “It’s my good luck that all those other guys missed out. What happened with them?”

  “The high school one ended when I went to college in New York and he went to California. We made it to Christmas of freshman year before we both admitted we had no interest in a long-distance relationship.”

  “Were you heartbroken?”

  “For a few days.”

  Brayden laughed. “Heartless.”

  “I know it sounds that way, but I met someone else a couple of months later, and that lasted awhile. Until he cheated on me with one of my friends.”

  “Ugh. That’s awful.”

  “It was pretty bad. I didn’t date anyone for a long time after that. Senior year, I dated someone I really liked, but we were both so busy with school and work, it just kind of burned out after a while.”

  “He was a fool to let you go.”

  “I know! That’s what I said, too.” Maggie loved the rich, deep sound of his laugh. “What about you and all the girlfriends?”

  “There’s only been one that really mattered, a hundred years ago before the trouble. That was another thing that got lost in the madness.”

  “Did you ever try to find her after you got out?”

  “I looked her up on Facebook and saw that she was seeing someone. She looked happy, so I left it alone.”

  “I’m really sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Wasn’t meant to be. Since I got out, I’ve been focused on school, my career and rebuilding my life. I’ve dated here and there, but it never amounted to anything lasting.”

  “How are you still so amazing after everything you’ve been through? You should be bitter and resentful, and you’re just… You’re not like that at all.”

  “That’s due to a lot of therapy that my mom made sure I got while I was inside and after. She was relentless in her effort to repair the damage in any way she could.”

  “Thank God for that.”

  His hand moved lazily over her back. “She also became a tireless advocate for other kids who got in trouble. In fact, while I was in Key West, I got an email from one of the groups she worked with. They’re planning to honor her as their volunteer of the year at their annual fundraiser, and they want me to come.”

  “Are you going to?”

  “I haven’t responded yet. It’s not until next week.”

  “You should go.”

  “Would you go with me?”

  “If you wanted me to.”

  “I do. I want you to.”

  “Okay.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “I’ll trade you—one fundraiser for another. Jill and I are representing Kate at Buddy’s annual Little Buddy fundraiser the week after next.”

  “That’s sort of an unfair trade. I’ll get to hobnob with celebrities at your thing.”

  “I get the better end of the deal. I’ll get to hobnob with you at yours.”

  Chapter 23

  The next morning, Maggie sent a text to her sisters. I talked to Brayden, and he told me the whole story. I am 1000 percent comfortable with continuing to employ him and see him outside of work. In fact, I think I shall do that as much as I possibly can going forward. All is well. No need to worry, but thanks for caring.

  Jill responded first: Sounds like there might be more to the story than just talking!

  Kate said: I was going to say the same thing! Details! I need details!

  Maggie responded with the hear-no-evil emoji.

  She and Brayden fell into a routine that included afternoons with the kids, regular consultations on the progress of each child, late-afternoon rides on Sunday and Thunder, dinner with the residents and hot, sexy nights in Maggie’s bed. They’d gotten lucky so far and didn’t think anyone else was wise to the fact that he spent every night with her.

  If she’d ever been happier, Maggie couldn’t remember when. Working with Brayden, talking to Brayden, riding with Brayden, laughing with Brayden, loving with Brayden… Her world revolved around him and his around her, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  She rushed through a shower on the night of the fundraiser at which his mother would be honored and dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit that Andi had sent after see
ing it in a store and thinking of her. Thank goodness for relatives with fashion sense, because Maggie’s idea of fashion—especially lately—was denim, flannel and T-shirts.

  The jumpsuit fit like it’d been made for her, Maggie thought as she studied her reflection in a full-length mirror after stepping into the one pair of strappy black heels she’d brought from her life in the city. She’d used the curling iron Kate had lent her to put spiral curls in her long hair and had covered her freckles with enough makeup to make herself presentable.

  A squirt of the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume Jill had given her for Christmas finished off the look. She grabbed a black purse she’d also borrowed from Kate, who’d said to feel free to raid her massive closet for whatever she needed, and a sweater before heading out to meet Brayden.

  Mitch let out a low whistle when she stepped into the kitchen. “You look gorgeous, Maggie.”

  “Aw, thanks. I am capable of dressing up once in a while.”

  “Have a great time tonight. I’m glad you’re going with him.”

  Maggie knew Mitch and Brayden had become friendly, but she wasn’t aware that Mitch had been told where they were going or why. “Me, too.” She walked outside to the parking area behind the stables, where Brayden had asked her to meet him. When she approached his truck, she saw him half in and half out of the passenger seat and walked up behind him, molding her body to his.

  “Maggie?”

  “Who else would it be?” She gave him a light spank on the backside and stepped back to let him out of the truck.

  He stood and turned, starting to say something that died on his lips when he saw her. “Whoa… You look… Wow.”

  Maggie loved the hungry way he looked at her. “So we like the jumpsuit my stepmother sent me?”

  “We like it.” He put an arm around her waist and kissed her. “We like you.”

  “We like you, too,” she said, taking an appreciative look at the tweed blazer he wore with a dress shirt and khakis. “You look very handsome.”

  “I debated the tie.”

  “You’re fine without it.”

  “Oh good. I hate them.” He held out a hand to help her into the passenger side of his truck. “I think it might be clean enough for you. Just barely.”

  “It’s fine. It even smells good.”

  Brayden pointed to the air freshener propped on the dash. “Gas station purchase in honor of our first real date.”

  Giddy with excitement for their first real date, Maggie put on her seat belt and waited for him to get in.

  As he drove the truck around the stable to the driveway, he said, “Um, well…”

  Maggie looked away from him to see what had drawn his attention.

  The residents and staff were gathered in the driveway, waiting to wave them off. Even Derek, the stable manager, was there.

  “Okay, well, this is rather mortifying.”

  Brayden laughed, tooted the horn and waved as he drove past the gathered group.

  “So much for thinking we were getting away with it.”

  “Safe to say the cat’s out of the bag, sweetheart. I think it’s cool they all came out to see us off.”

  “I’m going to stick with mortifying.”

  He reached for her hand and held on as he drove them into town.

  “How’re you feeling about tonight?” Maggie asked as the Nashville skyline came into view.

  “I feel better than I would have if you weren’t with me. We’ll stay for the thing about my mom and then go find something more fun to do.”

  “Please don’t feel like you have to entertain me. This is your mom’s night, and you should take all the time you need there. It’s so great they’re recognizing her this way.” Maggie had read up on the organization online. “And besides, I’m looking forward to meeting the people behind the group and expanding my professional network.”

  “I see how it is,” he said in a teasing tone. “You’re just using me to get in the door.”

  “Exactly.”

  He laughed and brought her hand to his lips. “Thanks again for coming.”

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  “It will be later.” He waggled his brows at her. “You brought a toothbrush, right?”

  “I did. But you’re still not going to tell me why I’m going to need it?”

  “All will be revealed in due time.”

  “I didn’t figure you to be a man of mystery.”

  His sexy smile made her want to release her seat belt and crawl into his lap, regardless of the fact that he was driving. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.”

  This kind of happiness, Maggie was discovering, kept her on edge, wanting more of it while also dreading the possibility of losing what’d taken forever to find. She tightened her hand around his, wanting to hold on to him and everything that came with him.

  He glanced over at her. “You okay?”

  “I’m good.”

  They listened to one of the local country music stations, and when Kate’s number-one hit “I Thought I Knew” came on, Maggie reached over to turn it up.

  “I love this song.”

  “I do, too. She wrote it for Reid the first time they were together.”

  “I can’t believe I’ve actually met her, that I’m dating her sister.”

  “Tell me the truth, is that really why you’re dating me?”

  “You found me out. It’s all about access to your famous sister and her famous friends.”

  “I knew it.”

  He grinned at her, and they sang along to words Maggie had known by heart for years. They took on new meaning now that she’d met Brayden, which made her feel both scared and elated.

  I thought I knew

  what love was,

  but then there was you…

  I thought I knew

  how it would be,

  but now I see,

  And now it’s true…

  I didn’t know

  until there was you…

  Until there was you…

  Until there was you…

  I thought I knew

  And now it’s true…

  I thought I knew

  what peace was,

  then there was you…

  I thought I knew

  what dreams were,

  then there was you…

  I thought I knew

  how it would be,

  but now I see…

  I thought I knew

  what love was,

  but then there was you

  Then there was you…

  “Her voice is just magic,” Brayden said. “I’ve always thought so, from the time she first appeared on the scene. I don’t even like country all that much, but I make an exception for her, Buddy and Taylor. They just do it for me.”

  “Agreed. Country isn’t usually my thing, either, but I do like some of it. I love Martina McBride and Faith Hill, too.”

  “They’re both great, and so is Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw.”

  “I like them, but I’m more of a Coldplay kinda girl at the end of the day.”

  “I saw them in concert a few years ago.”

  “Shut up! I’d love to see them.”

  “They come here every so often. You’ll probably get your chance. What’s your favorite song by them?”

  “It’s a tossup between Fix You, Yellow and Viva La Vida. I love them all.”

  “Those would be my top three, too.”

  After a forty-minute ride into town, made longer by rush-hour traffic, Brayden pulled up to the Hermitage Hotel on 6th Avenue North.

  “I read about this place online,” Maggie said. “Everyone who’s anyone has stayed here—Patsy Cline, President Kennedy, Johnny Cash, Babe Ruth—and it played a big role in the women’s suffrage movement. My sisters love this hotel.”

  “I can’t wait to check it out.”

  A valet parking attendant greeted them, handing Brayden a ticket.

  Brayden gave him a five-dollar bill
. “Thanks.”

  “Give a call to the bell stand thirty minutes before you need it back.”

  “Will do.”

  “Have a nice evening.”

  Brayden took Maggie’s hand and walked inside, where they stopped to admire the gorgeous lobby.

  As she gazed up at the stunning high ceiling with mosaics and glass details, she said, “I’ve got to bring my dad and stepmom here. They’d go crazy over this.”

  “It’s like stepping back in time.”

  “It really is.”

  Maggie took another look around, wanting to commit the details to memory. At the entrance to the ballroom, Brayden gave his name at the reception table set up outside.

  “Oh, Brayden! I’m Justine. We spoke on the phone.” The young woman reached across the table to shake his hand, her gaze traveling the length of him in a way that had Maggie wanting to remind her that he was holding hands with another woman while she checked him out. Fortunately, Justine recovered quickly. “We’re so honored to have you with us tonight.” She handed him badges that had his name and Maggie’s on them. “Your mom was an angel. We all loved her so much.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re seated at the head table at the front. There’s a reserved sign on the table and seating cards for both of you. Do you need help finding it?”

  “I think we can figure it out,” Brayden said. “Thanks again for having us.”

  She gave him a flirty smile. “It’s a pleasure.”

  Maggie wanted to ask if she was for real, but she held her tongue until they were far enough away from the check-in table. “She wanted to come across the table and jump your bones.”

  “I sorta picked up a vibe…”

  Maggie laughed. “It was a vibe, all right. She’ll probably slip you her room key before the night is out.”

  “Not interested.”

  “Good answer.”

  He smiled down at her. In a massive room full of people, he let her know with just a look that she was the only one who mattered. Every time she was with him, she experienced something all new, and now was no different. He held the chair for her and waited until she was settled before sitting next to her. “You want a drink?” He eyed the bar set up on the far side of the room.