by Marilyn Lee
He inhaled and shook his head. "There won't be anyone there but you and me."
"What about her and her picture?"
"I removed her pictures."
"Oh, Brandon." She took his hand from her cheek and squeezed it. "You did?"
"Yes."
"For me?"
"For you, Carae."
"What did you do with...them?" She frowned. "I only saw...there was more than one?"
He nodded. "There was a second one in my New York apartment."
"Oh. Of course. Well, I hope you didn't misunderstand and do something drastic with them because that's not what I wanted or expected."
"Drastic?"
"Yes. You know...tear them up or destroy them. That's not what I wanted, Brandon."
Her words touched him. "Layton and Tempest hung one in their family room."
"And the other one?"
"Bancroft has it in his den. He and she were close."
"Are you all right with that?"
He shrugged. "I wasn't. However, everyone kept telling me it was time. Still, I didn't want to hear it."
"What happened? Did she ask you to move them?"
He frowned. "She? She who?"
"Rissa."
"She's dead, Carae."
"I know, but hasn't she ever...come to you in a vision?"
"No. She hasn't. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. You sound as if you had a perfect relationship and—"
"It wasn't perfect but it was as close as I'd ever been to romantic perfection at the time. And I...but now it's time to move on. I realized I had to remove her pictures because having them hanging in my bedrooms no longer worked for me because it didn't work for you. I wanted to show you that I was serious about wanting a relationship with you."
"Oh, Brandon. You have no idea how glad I am to hear that."
"I will if you tell me."
"I will...but not now. Now I just want to absorb and relish the fact that you pursued me this time."
"Why not pack a bag and you can absorb and relish it all weekend?"
"Let's stick to the plan. Dinner, talk, and then you bring me home."
He offered her his arm.
She pushed hers through his and he walked her across the street to his vehicle, helped her in, and then slipped in beside her. Then, instead of starting the engine and pulling into traffic, he sat staring at her profile until she turned to look and then slowly smile at him.
He leaned over and kissed the side of her neck and ear. "I've missed you."
She rubbed her cheek against his before sitting back against her seat. "Then why did it take so long for you to do this?"
"I think your memory must be playing tricks on you. I've spent the last three plus weeks having you hang up on me—on the rare occasions that you actually answered my call."
"I had my reasons."
"What were they?"
She shook her head. "I'll tell you later. Right now I need to call Jim."
"Why?"
"So he won't worry."
He started the car and drove off. "You told me your physical relationship with him was over."
"And it is."
"You were kissing him on the sidewalk for all the world to see, Carae."
"He kissed me. See the difference?"
"No. I don't."
"And neither did I when you were claiming other women were the ones doing the kissing."
"You should know by now that I have zero interest in any other woman, Carae."
"I'm glad to hear it, Brandon."
"Aren't you going to reciprocate?"
"No. I'm not."
"Why not?"
"Considering how you made me chase you, I think a little groveling is long overdue."
"As it happens, Carae, I'm more than willing to do that."
"And I'm more than willing to have you do it," she said, sounding amused. "But first I want to take you out to dinner."
"I'm flattered."
"You should be. In some ways I'm very old-fashioned. I don't spend my hard earned money taking every Tom, Dick, or Harry out who winks at me."
"Too bad for them and lucky for me. Where are you taking me?"
"To Joni's." She said of one of Philadelphia's most expensive restaurants. "Interested?"
"Joni's? Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Have you eaten there before?"
"Yes. Once. I loved the fact that some people were dressed to kill while others were stupid casual in jeans and a pullover."
"Do you have reservations?"
"Not exactly."
"Maybe I can help. Both Layton and Randall have standing reservations there. Let me call Randall to see if he's using his."
"Great. While you do, I'll call Jim."
He activated his Bluetooth and called Randall. "I need a favor."
"Name it, Hawk."
"If you're not using your reservations to Joni's, I'd like to use it tonight."
"With Carae?"
"Yes."
"You're welcome to it. Good luck."
"Thanks." He glanced at Carae. "I have a feeling I'm going to need it. Give Benai and Randy my love," he said of Randall's wife and son.
"I will."
He ended the call and listened to Carae, still talking.
"Yes...I know, Jim. Yes. I'm sure. I'm fine. Don't worry. Go out and enjoy your Friday night. I'm going to enjoy mine. Yes..." She turned to smile at Brandon before speaking again. "With him...me too."
"We can use Randall and Benai's reservations," he said when she'd ended her call.
"Great. I'm looking forward to taking you out to dinner."
"I'm flattered, Carae, but I'd be just as happy to go somewhere less expensive."
"No. That's where I'm taking you."
"Okay. Joni's here we come."
"You know what I'd like?"
"What would you like, Carae?"
"Sing to me, sweetie."
"What would you like to hear?"
"Anything you want to sing."
He started his m3p player. After several moments If You Were Mine started. He sang along with it.
"Oh, Brandon, you have a...when you sing to me, you send chills all through me."
"Hmm. That sounds like a condition you should give some attention to. It sounds unpleasant."
She laughed. "Would I be giving away too much if I said that I missed you too?"
He sighed in relief, but kept his gaze on the road ahead. "Does this mean you've forgiven me for that night and—"
"I already did that, Brandon."
"The last time we saw each other you said—"
"I was upset. Now I'm just happy to see you."
"And ready to give me another chance to make a better second impression than the bad first one I made?"
"You didn't make a bad first impression, Brandon."
"But I made a bad last one?"
She sighed. "We need to talk."
"You have my undivided attention."
"Not now. Not tonight. Tonight and this weekend, I just want to get to know you better."
"I hope you mean in the biblical sense."
"I'm not sure what I mean."
Damn. Just when he was ready to blow a gasket, she decided she wasn't sure she wanted a physical relationship. He thought of the kiss between her and her so-called ex-boyfriend. Maybe she just didn't want one with him. "Do you want it with him?"
"If by him you mean Jim, then no. I don't. I told you our physical relationship was over."
"Then why were you kissing?"
"I was feeling a little down. He's my friend—"
"I have female friends that I don't go around trading spit with in public."
She shrugged. "He's a guy."
"Meaning what?"
"He tends to equate comfort with sex. I was upset so he kissed me in an effort to comfort me."
"And were you comforted?"
"Yes, but it was just comfort he was offering, Brandon. We'
re the best of friends, but not lovers."
"Does he know that?"
"Of course he does."
"Then he'd do well to keep his lips to himself or at least off you."
"And if he doesn't?"
"He just might slip and break his damned neck."
"Are you threatening him?"
Damn right. "No. Of course not."
"Good because outside of my sister, he's my best friend. Threatening him will get you nowhere with me."
"Understood. Why were you upset?"
"I suppose you'd like me to say because of the state of our relationship or the lack of a relationship."
"Yeah. I would like you to say that. Would it be true?"
"It's complicated."
"I believe I've told you that I can multitask. I can also do complicated."
"I need some time to decide what I want to do. Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure. What would you like to talk about?"
"Actually, I'd love to have you sing to me again."
"What shall it be this time?"
"If You Were Mine," she said.
"I just sang that."
"I can never hear it too much."
So he sang it to her again.
Chapter Eight
Sitting in the dimly lit car listening to Brandon sing about what life would be like if she were his, Carae struggled with the urge to admit why she'd refused to talk to or see him. But if she did that, she wasn't sure how he'd react or even if he weren't still in love with his Rissa. Yes, he'd removed her pictures from his apartments. Removing them from his heart probably wouldn't be so easy.
When they arrived, he helped her out of the car and took her hand in his. He kissed her fingers before retaining her hand.
Inside the restaurant, once they'd ordered, he reached across the table to reclaim her hand. "How have you been?"
She shook her head. "I'm not sure. What about you?"
"Me? I've spent the last three weeks sending flowers and been either hung up on or ignored. I've enjoyed much better weeks, as you might imagine. In short, I've been downright miserable."
"Have you been miserable alone or did you have company?"
"If that's your charming way of asking if I've been dating, then the answer is no. And you?"
She shrugged. "I might have been out a few times during the first two weeks or so."
"I see and did you enjoy yourself?"
"Not so you'd notice."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Charming."
He squeezed her hand. "You can hardly expect me to want you to enjoy yourself with other men, Carae."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to make of you, Brandon. I don't know what you want from me."
"At the moment, I think you do."
She tugged at her hand until he released it. "Is that all you want?"
"If it were, I know several women who would be willing to accommodate me."
"I'll just bet you do."
"But I haven't been with any of them. I wasn't even tempted. When I wasn't working, I've spent most of my time trying to come up with a plan to get you to see me again. When I say I really missed you, I mean it." He extended his hand again.
She placed her hand in his.
"Tell me about Caren."
She smiled. "A sure way to get on my good side is to show interest in her. She's incredibly smart, funny, generous, and so in my corner. I've always called her my personal cheerleader. And of course, she's very attractive."
"I'll just bet she is."
"And according to her, I'm the greatest thing since the invention of fire."
He smiled. "She sounds as supportive as Bancroft is."
"She is and I miss her so much. We talk at least once a week, but it's not the same as seeing her in person and crying on her shoulder when I need to. And right now, I need her support and her real shoulder more than ever."
"Why do you need her more now than ever, Carae?"
She shrugged. "Because I obviously like you a lot more than you do me."
"Why do I get the feeling that you're not being completely honest with me?"
"Probably because I'm not, but that's all I'm prepared to say now."
"What can I do to help?"
"You can promise not to invade my thoughts in an effort to force a confidence I'm not ready to share with you."
"I wish you felt comfortable enough with me to confide in me."
She resisted the urge to point out she felt the same way about his refusal to even discuss his relationship with Rissa.
"However, you have my promise not to intrude on your thoughts, Carae. You also have my assurance that you're vastly underestimating my interest if you think all I want from you is sex." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. "I want a lot more than that, but I just need a little time to..."
"To what? It's been over two months since we met and—"
"And that's not a lot of time to..."
"Let go of the old for the new?"
He sighed and nodded. "Yes."
The waiter approached with their first course.
He released her hand and she picked up her fork.
"Do you still love her?" She asked, pushing her plate aside after only a few bites of food.
He sighed and put his fork down. "I'm not sure what I feel anymore, Carae. That's why I need your patience and understanding. What are my chances of getting them?"
She shrugged. "Considering how darn cute you are? Fair to middling."
"I was hoping for better odds, but I'll take them."
"Good. Now can we lighten the mood? Let's talk about your nephews and nieces."
He smiled. "Layton and Tempest have twins, with another set on the way. Randall and Benai have a son. Peyton and Avanti have a daughter. All three of my sisters-in-law are currently pregnant again, making my brothers very happy men.
"They are all great kids and I really enjoy being an uncle more than I thought I would. Having so many small people always be so damned happy to see me whenever I show up, helps keep me grounded."
"Who are your favorites?"
"Favorites? I don't have favorites," he said so quickly she knew that he did but didn't want to admit it.
"I'll bet you do," she said and they began a good natured argument that lasted until the waiter placed the bill on a tray by her elbow. She picked it up, blinked, and then stared at him.
He arched a brow. "Problem?"
"No. No...well, not unless you count the fact that I don't have enough on my... I don't recall prices being this...Can you lend me some money?"
He reached across to lift the bill from the tray, glanced at it, and then reached in his pocket for his credit card. He motioned for the waiter and handed him the tray with his credit card on top of the bill. "Didn't you notice the prices when we ordered?" He asked when they were alone again.
"I had other things on my mind."
He arched a brow. "Things important enough to make you blind and force me to spend money I hadn't planned to?"
His reaction dismayed her. "I'll pay you back," she promised.
"When?"
She blinked, surprised by the question. "When?"
"Yes, Carae. When will you pay me back? Before or after I have to pay this unnecessary bill?"
"Soon. When I get paid."
"And when will that be?"
She shook her head, confused and annoyed by his insistence. "Next Friday, but honestly, Brandon, I didn't expect you to be so..."
"So what?"
"So damned pushy about getting paid back."
"Didn't you?"
"No! Didn't anyone ever tell you that stinginess in a man is a very unattractive quality?"
"Really?" He laughed. "Don't look so dismayed, Carae. You really should learn to take a joke."
"You mean you were joking?"
"Of course I was. I believe I've already told you that I have and make an almost obscene amount of money. I'm more th
an happy to share a sizable portion of it with you."
"Oh. Oh," she said, relieved. "For a moment, I thought..."
"That I was a cheapskate?"
"Sort of."
"I told you that you could have anything I had and I meant it. However, for future reference, Carae, when you ask a man out, you're actually expected to be able to pick up the tab. So you might want to pick the restaurant a bit more carefully the next time."
She moistened her lips, met his gaze, and then laughed. "I have news for you, buddy. If we actually end up having dinner out again, you're paying. Period."
"That would be my pleasure."
She smiled at him, met his warm, dark gaze, and felt her heart thump at the intimate look in his eyes.
"Are you ready to leave?"
"In a moment. I need to refresh my makeup."
He nodded and rose as she stood up.
When she returned, they left the restaurant, hand in hand. Once they were seated inside his car, he leaned over and pressed a warm, moist kiss against her neck.
She trembled and turned her head so that her lips brushed against his.
He cupped a hand on the back of her neck and kissed her slowly.
Feeling his insistent lips brushing so deliciously against hers, her stomach muscles tightened. Inhaling slowly, she reluctantly tore her mouth away from his.
He pressed a quick kiss against her neck before settling in his seat and starting the car.
They made the drive to his place in relative silence because he didn't seem to want to talk and she felt too conflicted. You know what he wants and that the moment you're alone, he's going to be all over you. And you know he's going to want to take you raw.
Raw. The memory of how big and hard he was and feeling him sliding so deep inside her made her wet and eager to experience sex with him when he was awake and intent on pleasing her. Allowing him inside her without protection again would be totally irresponsible—if the damage hadn't already been done. And if she hadn't already allowed one window of opportunity to do something about it to close.
That still doesn't mean you should toss all common sense aside and allow him to treat you like an easy lay. If you do, you're going to end up in love with a man who's not sure if he's even capable of loving you.
When they arrived at his unit, there was an elaborate vase of flowers outside the door. He picked them up and handed them to her.
"They're beautiful," she said and walked inside in front of him when he opened the door. She placed the vase on the foyer table. "Thank you."