by Lexi Post
“Braeden, is something wrong?”
He gazed down at her. She was nothing like the girls in high school, or any of the women afterward. He cupped her cheek. “Sorry, just bad memories of my younger days. All best forgotten.”
She laid her hand over his. “Mama says the best way to bury old memories is to replace them with new ones.”
“Your mother is a wise woman.” He smirked, more than willing to kiss away his past.
“So first you must tell me your bad memory.”
“Huh?”
Kat pulled his hand away from her face and took his other hand. “First, you must tell me your bad memory.”
Not exactly what he’d planned, nor something he wished to do. “I’d rather not.”
“Uh-huh. You have to now. It stepped up and interrupted us, so you have to let it out. What was the memory?”
“Damn, but you’re stubborn.”
“Yes, I am. I’m also persistent, patient and headstrong, according to my papa, but you still have to tell me your memory.”
“All right, all right.” He pulled away from her and leaned back against the variegated brick wall of the church. “The way we hid from Irwin reminded me of something we would do in high school. You know, how as teenage couples we would hide from teachers, parents, basically any adult so we could make out.”
“And…”
He ran his hand through his hair. Her father was right. She was persistent. “I did it with my last high-school girlfriend.” He paused and studied her. She stood with her hands on her hips and no expression at all on her face.
The only person he’d ever told was his best friend Reed, but not even he would remember now. Shit. He moved his gaze to the gravestones. He didn’t want to admit he’d lost control of his strength or that he would need more lessons on control before he got it through his thick skull.
“I went too far, got too excited.” He couldn’t look at Kat. “I left bruises on her arms from holding her too tight. I didn’t mean to, but my damn strength. I didn’t know how to hold it back. The next day she broke up with me and told everyone about it. I never had another date in school. The girls were afraid of me.” He ran his hand through his hair, irritated that he had to relive his first embarrassment. “After that I didn’t have time for dating anyway. I was too busy fighting all the guys who thought they had to prove themselves against me. The more I defended myself, the more black eyes and broken bones showed up at school.”
He laughed, the sound coming out anguished even to his own ears. “I tried not working out, but my muscles would burn until I couldn’t take the pain.”
That was when his frustration had turned real because he’d needed a job just so he could pay for a gym membership. Working out in the school gym had become too uncomfortable.
He couldn’t even imagine what Kat must think of his lack of control in high school.
“Braeden, look at me.” Her voice was soft, cajoling.
He squeezed his fists again and forced himself to meet her gaze. Her honest eyes held sympathy and…anger?
“You were young.” She stepped closer to him. “Your classmates couldn’t see what you would become, what I saw when I first met you. That you’re a gentle, caring, dedicated man who would never hurt those he cared about and who would do anything for his family no matter how much he didn’t want to.”
He smirked at his original disinterest in playing the Headless Horseman.
“I also quickly learned you’re charming, helpful and kind.” She laid her hand over his heart.
He took a deep breath as the warmth of her palm relaxed him. “I think you may be romanticizing me a bit.”
“Oh no, I also discovered you’re impatient, too attached to your technology and pushy.”
“Pushy? Me?”
At her nod, he grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, setting her against the church wall carefully.
“Braeden.” Despite her surprise, the huskiness of her voice gave her excitement away.
He grinned. “What about how strong and handsome I am? And don’t forget I’m an amazing lover.”
She rolled her eyes. “Are you? Hmm, I think I did forget that.”
“Then let me help you remember.”
Kat gasped as Braeden pulled her hands above her head and pushed his hardened cock against her stomach. Before she could close her mouth, his had claimed hers. His tongue explored as he nudged her legs apart.
Tight circles of excitement buzzed deep inside her, causing her to melt against him. She wanted to erase his bad memory, but he’d taken over. She couldn’t even touch him. She moaned in frustration.
He abandoned her mouth to spread kisses along her jaw. “Do you want me, Kat?”
“Yes.” She tried to wriggle her hands free, but he held them tight.
“Why?” He spoke against the side of her neck. “Why do you want me to suck upon your nipples until they are hard and erect? Why do you want to feel me slide in and out of your tight pussy? Why do you want me to circle your clit with my fingers until you scream in ecstasy?”
Her brain tried to function, but his attention to her bare skin just above her neckline had her body demanding her thoughts. There was only one answer that came to her. “Because I trust you with my body.”
Braeden stilled. He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. The uncertainty in his gaze had her heart breaking for him.
“I trust you, Braeden Van Brunt, more than I have trusted anyone in over four years.”
His gaze shifted away, but not before she caught a glimpse of stark loneliness. She wanted to touch him, reassure him. Her excitement calmed beneath the sorrow of his life.
He took a deep breath and finally returned his gaze to her. He opened his mouth, but closed it again. Releasing her hands, he let his head drop.
She cupped his face. “You’re very special to me. I like holding your hand, talking to you, listening to your laugh. I also like arguing with you and pushing you to do what I want.”
He studied her.
She let her hands fall to his sides and linked them with his. “If you’re looking for a sign that I lie, you will not find it. I tell the truth, even if it’s not comfortable. In this case, it isn’t comfortable. That I like you is a problem.”
His interest was finally caught and one eyebrow rose. “It’s a problem that you like me?”
She nodded. If he only knew. “But I can’t help it.”
“I think I like being a problem for you.”
“Of course you do. Heaven forbid you should be easy. No, you have to waltz into my life when I least expect it. When I have so much—”
His mouth stopped her tirade as he pulled her tight against him.
She sensed the change in him. The kiss was gentle and the pressure of his hand upon her back was to hold her close, not to grind into her. She kissed him back, letting her new feelings for him show, pushing away the certainty that she was bound for heartbreak again. She might trust him with her body, but not with her heart.
Braeden broke their kiss and stroked the errant strands of hair from her face. “You’re one of a kind, Katrina Van Tassel.”
She smirked. “That’s what my papa says.”
“Hmm, I think I would like to meet your father. Does he live nearby?”
A cloud flitted over the sun at that moment and she shivered at the change in temperature, ignoring his question. “It’s getting late. We have to get back to the inn.”
He stared hard at her. “Why won’t you tell me where you live? You said you would when we were alone.” He paused and looked around. “From what I can see, we are…no, maybe we aren’t.”
Kat looked toward the path. She’d know that stride anywhere. “Jurgen.”
“That man is like a dog with a bone.” Braeden pulled her back into his embrace. “Kiss me.”
“But Jurgen.”
He grinned. “Exactly.”
Maybe she could finally show Jurgen she had no feelings for him. Looping
her arms around Braeden’s neck, she pulled his head down for a kiss. Gently, she nudged his lips open so she could taste him. He tasted of the sweets they had in town. He let her lead the kiss, wrapping his arms lightly about her.
She played with the silky hair at the nape of his neck while her tongue licked along his teeth. She pulled back a bit to nip at his lips before moving back in to taste him thoroughly.
He growled low in his throat as his arms tightened around her and his tongue moved into her mouth. He bent her backward, cradling her head in his hand as he crushed her breasts against his chest.
“Ow!” He broke their contact, straightening.
She opened her eyes to find Jurgen standing nearby, grinning. “Jurgen! What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
She looked at Braeden. “What happened?”
“Something hit me. Hard.”
She spun on Jurgen. “What did you hit him with?”
“I didn’t hit him with anything. Maybe it was an acorn.”
She scowled at him. Jurgen was known for his ability to knock bottles from a log with his aim. She didn’t doubt for a minute he’d thrown a rock at Braeden. “Why are you here, besides to bother me?”
“I came to walk you back. Your mother needs help and it is your inn.” He reached out to grab her arm, but Braeden was faster and caught his wrist.
“I think Kat can walk back to the village without your help.”
Jurgen tried to twist away but Braeden’s grip was immovable. She watched the power struggle between the two men. It was clear Jurgen didn’t stand a chance. That had to be a new experience for him. He had been second in strength only to Brom.
“Kat! You have to see this.” Max ran down the path toward them.
Kat looked at Braeden and he released Jurgen before Max came close enough to witness the animosity between them.
She brushed ahead of them. “What is it, Max?”
The young man’s eyes glowed. “Look what Stephen gave me. It has books in it. Hundreds of them. It’s like those computers I told you about, only smaller.”
Braeden turned his back on Jurgen and approached. “Ah, that is an electronic reader. Have you never seen one before?”
Kat raised her brow at Max to remind him he was with a Newtimer. He took on an air of knowing. “Of course I have, but I have never owned one. He actually gave it to me. He said he knew my birthday was coming. I didn’t tell him either.”
“Did you say Stephen, as in my brother?”
Max nodded.
“My brother is here?”
Worried, Kat laid her hand on his arm. “Isn’t he well enough to attend?”
“Yes, but he asked me to ride tomorrow night because he wouldn’t be here. Something must be wrong.”
“Not necessarily.” Kat squeezed. “Stephen often brings his family to the festival.”
Jurgen stepped forward. “Perhaps he wants to make sure you are playing the role correctly.”
Kat frowned at him. “Well, whatever the reason, we won’t find out standing here. We better get back.” She turned her attention to Max. The device would be an issue. They prided themselves on keeping the old ways. “Max, why don’t you come by later and show me how your reader works.”
He glanced at Braeden before answering. “My grandmother wants me to stay home tonight. She says she gets lonely with me gone all weekend. I’ll come by tomorrow.”
Kat nodded and Max turned, striding down the path back to the village. Suddenly, he stopped and yelled back, “Oh Jurgen, the widow Addens was looking for you. Something about a hope chest.”
Jurgen nodded, but then he looked at them pointedly. “Don’t forget your mother.” He sent a final scowl at Braeden before following Max toward the village.
She faced Braeden. “Are you all right?”
His angry glare at Jurgen turned toward her, then softened. “No, I’m getting a splitting headache. I wonder if that was his intention.”
“What do you mean?”
He hooked her arm within his. “Maybe he hoped if I had a headache, I wouldn’t want you in my bed.”
“Oh.”
“But I just plan on having you kiss it and make it all better.” He wiggled his brows to punctuate his idea.
Kat laughed.
* * * * *
Braeden silently cursed but returned his gaze to Stephen. “Here comes another one.”
“Now you’re full of shit.” Stephen took a sip of his wine as they sat at the bar in Tarrytown, Marilyn having taken the children upstairs to bed.
A young man in designer jeans and a collared shirt stopped at their table. “Hey, I saw you looking at my date. You keep your eyes to yourself, you understand?”
Braeden sighed. “I do. I apologize.”
The man’s own eyes widened in surprise. “You apologize?”
“I do.”
“Well, good.” The twenty-something tried to look intimidating. “You need to be more respectful.”
“Thank you, I will.”
The man opened his mouth, but smartly turned and went back to the table with his girlfriend. Braeden hadn’t even noticed her before.
Stephen frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it had become so obnoxious.”
Braeden shrugged. “It’s getting worse. I can’t even fill my car with gas without someone confronting me or asking me to lift something for them.”
“But you can come to our house more often. The kids love seeing you.”
“I know. I just don’t want to screw anything up. Last time I was outside with them, I felt like I was going to snap the rope that held their fort up. I could so easily break one of their toys or even a limb.” He ran his hand through his hair as he voiced one of his worst nightmares. “But it’s different around Katrina. I don’t even think about being careful with her, it just comes naturally.”
Stephen grinned. “I’m thrilled to hear that.”
“So why did you really come to the festival, Stephen?”
His brother looked uncomfortable. “I got a call from Reed’s doctor today. They tried to call you, but apparently you couldn’t be reached.”
Every muscle in Braeden’s body tightened. “What did he say?”
“He gave Reed the approval to get his own apartment.”
“Holy shit. How can that be? Is he that much improved? Has he…remembered anything?”
Stephen took another swallow of wine then stared at his glass. “The doctor didn’t mention his memory, but he did say Reed is more than capable of living on his own, can even get a job. Whether he has remembered the accident or what happened before doesn’t impede his progress toward living life now.”
Joy conflicted with fear in Braeden’s gut. For almost ten years, he’d hoped Reed would get better despite the prognosis. He’d paid the specialists to provide the very best care, and now it was happening.
“Reed wants you to help him pick out his apartment.”
“What? Why? Why me?”
Stephen shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because he looks at you like a big brother. You may only visit him twice a year, but your emails must make him feel closer to you than anyone else. Or maybe, unconsciously, he senses the bond you two had, and in his heart he knows you were, you are, his best friend.”
Braeden wanted to do nothing more than celebrate his friend’s improvement, but in his gut he feared the day Reed remembered how he was injured in the first place. If it hadn’t been for Braeden’s ridiculous strength and the wrong woman, Reed would have been living a normal life all along. Braeden picked up his beer. “To Reed and a successful transition to independence.”
“To Reed.”
They clinked wineglass to beer bottle and swallowed. “Thank you for coming to the festival just to let me know.”
“Oh, I didn’t come here just to let you know that. There was no rush. I just had to see for myself that you and Kat were an item, and my little brother was actually being seen in public.”
He grinned
. Stephen was full of shit. He knew exactly how important the news was. “Damn. Here comes another one.”
Stephen glanced over his shoulder. “This is crazy. Have you asked Dad if he had this problem?”
“Yes. He said he did and it lasted until he married Mom.”
“Then you better settle down soon. Here, this is the key to your room.”
Braeden put down his empty beer bottle. “What room?”
“I hope you don’t mind, but we booked you a room. I figured you probably forgot again.”
More like strategically forgot, on purpose. “Great, thanks.”
“No problem.”
Braeden grabbed the key before the hefty man in leather chaps and jacket could get too close, and headed for the elevators.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” Stephen yelled behind him.
He didn’t turn around. He just waved and continued on, in no hurry to prove he was stronger than everyone…again. Once in the elevator by himself, he looked at the key number and hit the fourth-floor button. Tonight he should have been enjoying Kat’s body. Instead, he was in this sterile hotel with his family. He grinned. Stephen’s kids were getting older and at the age where conversation with them could be fun. It was good to see them. Still…
As he inserted the key card into the door, his cell rang. It was strange to have it working so close to Sleepy Hollow.
It was Stephen. “Hey, you know that man in leathers who was walking toward us before you left?”
“Yeah.”
“He was wondering if you could give him a hand with his motorcycle. It broke down and he needs to get it lifted into the bed of his friend’s truck. Are you game?”
Braeden sighed. “Sure. I’ll be right down. I just have to make a quick call first.”
“Great. We’ll meet you in the lobby.”
Stepping into his room, Braeden hung up his cell and picked up the house phone. “Hi. I’ll be checking out tomorrow. Please cancel my remaining reservation.”
* * * * *
Kat pulled two split logs from the pile Braeden had made and brought them into the kitchen, dropping them in the wood box. She’d need a few more for making the apple pie for Dame Van Brunt. The woman’s appetite was returning and soon she would be back on her feet, fending for herself.