“I guess. But…I work with Brady and I’m going to see him around here. I don’t want it to be awkward and I certainly don’t want to have to change my schedule to avoid him.” She sighed. “He really is a nice guy but his timing really sucks.”
Natalie wasn’t so sure about that. She looked over her shoulder toward where Brady and Harper had disappeared to and wondered what was going on and why they hadn’t come out yet. She bit her lip and contemplated telling Julianne her theory…
“Poor guy,” Julianne said. “I hope this doesn’t break his heart.”
Yeah, they needed to change the subject. Fast.
“Have you ever had angry makeup sex with Gavin on the kitchen counter?”
****
Harper stormed into the ladies room and fought the urge to cry.
And scream.
When the door opened behind her, she knew it was going to be Natalie. “I’m fine, Nat,” she began. But when she turned around, she gasped.
Brady.
Shit.
“What…I mean…I thought you were Natalie.”
“Yeah. I got that,” he said, but he didn’t come any closer. “You okay?”
Oh, God. He had to witness yet another interaction with her mother. “I’ll be fine,” she lied.
His expression showed that he didn’t believe her. “Mothers have a way of doing that. You’re not alone.”
All she could do was stare at him.
“I get a daily lecture from my mother about shit that happened years ago,” he went on. “Stuff that doesn’t mean anything anymore, but she just likes to keep bringing it up – like every night at dinner and first thing every damn morning. Sometimes a guy needs at least one cup of coffee in him before he hears what a disappointment he is,” he said with a small laugh.
Wait…was he telling her he lived with his mother? Unable to look at him, she turned away. This was her life…she was attracted to all the wrong men all the time and maybe this was just confirmation that she needed to just give up and be done with dating. She could get a cat. Or ten of them. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Brady’s hand on her shoulder startled her. She looked over her shoulder at him and saw concern etched all over his handsome face.
Damn him for being so good-looking!
Slowly, he turned her around to face him. “All I’m saying is…I get it.”
She shook her head. “You really don’t. But I appreciate the effort,” she said quietly.
They stood there facing each other – Brady’s hands still on her shoulders and they felt really good there. And she knew they’d feel good on other parts of her body too.
Maybe this was the wrong time – especially considering the circumstances – but right now, she just needed…wanted…
Brady must have read her mind because he lowered his head just as she ran her hands up his arms and went up on her tiptoes.
It was the softest kiss she’d ever experienced. Whether he was afraid to spook her or what, she didn’t know. All she knew was that it felt…good. Nice.
And totally not what she wanted right now.
There was a time and place for good and nice, and that time wasn’t here and now.
Pressing in closer, her nails dug into his arms and…wow. They felt amazing. Better than she thought they would. And she let her tongue trace his lower lip to let him know she wanted entry. She wanted more.
And man, did he deliver.
Brady wrapped his arms around her as his tongue tangled with hers and he deepened the kiss. It was so…carnal. Sexy. And consuming. The man had definite skills, she thought. She’d been kissed before, but never quite like this. This kiss was pure sex and left her panting and wanting more. She ran her hands up to his shoulders and into his hair and tugged it. She raked her nails along his scalp and wanted to climb him like a tree.
And just as she lifted her leg to wrap it around him, Brady pulled back.
“Damn, Harper.”
Yeah...damn. She looked up at him and had to force herself to step away. That kiss was...damn.
Brady’s big, rough hand came up and gently cupped her cheek, caressed her skin. She didn’t think such callused skin could feel so good and yet...it did. She had to force herself to remember all the reasons why this was wrong.
Taking a shaky step back, she said, “That can’t happen again.”
He had the nerve to look mildly amused. “Oh really?”
She nodded. Vigorously. “Really.”
Brady took a step toward her. “And why not?”
And she took another step back. “Because you’re my deal breaker.”
He didn’t take another step. “Um...yeah. I don’t know what that means.”
She let out a ragged sigh. “It means you’re all the things on my list that are deal breakers!” she said with annoyance. “And that’s why we can’t do...this again.”
“Let me get this straight, you have a list of deal breakers?”
She nodded.
“About men?”
She nodded again.
“And I’m all the things on said list.”
When he said it, it sounded kind of stupid. Still, she forced herself to nod. “That’s right.”
He studied her for a minute, rubbing his stubbled chin. “Care to tell me what’s on this list?”
Ugh. Did she really want to go there? “I don’t think that’s important.”
Now he took a step toward her. “I think it is,” he countered. “If you’re going to kiss me like that and then tell me we can’t do it again because of some list, I think I’m entitled to know what’s on it.”
“Fine,” she said but held her hand out in front of her. “But you have to...just stay over there. Don’t…”
“Get close to you?” he asked mildly, that amused look back on his face. “What’s the matter, babe? Do I make you nervous?”
“Okay, that right there?” she said quickly. “That is a deal breaker!”
He looked beyond confused. “What right where?”
“The ‘babe’ thing,” she said firmly. “I hate that.”
Eyes wide, Brady crossed his massive arms over his chest. “Go on.”
“And the sports thing,” she continued. “I hate sports.”
He nodded but stayed quiet.
“And you’re built like...well...look at you! You’re all muscles!”
Looking at his arms, he asked, “And that’s a bad thing? A deal breaker?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, it is. I don’t find all…” She motioned to his arms. “I don’t find it attractive.”
He leaned in close. “I disagree. Two minutes ago, you were stroking them and squeezing them and clawing at them. You seemed to like them just fine.”
“It was the heat of the moment,” she argued.
He sighed loudly. “Okay, fine. What else?”
What else was there? She wondered, thinking back to the list she’d rattled off that day with the girls. “And you live with your mom!” Ha! She remembered!
“Only because my roof is being replaced and I can’t live at my house!” he yelled. “Jesus, Harper! It’s not like I’m still living at home in the basement! It’s a temporary thing for the week!”
Oh, okay. He had her there.
Raking a hand through his hair in frustration, he took a step away from her and paced. “Anything else?”
“Um…” At this point, she was a little nervous about going on.
“Harper?” he snapped. “Anything else I’m being condemned for? I’d kind of like to know.”
Sure, leave it to her to save the most ridiculous for last. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Uh…what kind of music do you listen to?”
Brady stopped pacing and looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
And really, to still be having this conversation proved that she kind of had.
“Music,” he stated.
She nodded.
“I like rock. Classic rock. I grew up
listening to Rush and Aerosmith and the Stones. It may not be what’s popular right now,” he said defensively, “but it’s what I like. Why? Am I supposed to like country music or maybe Adele?”
She shook her head.
“So? What’s the deal breaker for music?”
“Rap,” she said quietly.
He let out a snort of disgust. “I guess I answered correctly for at least one damn thing.”
Yeah. Lucky her, she thought miserably.
Still, the rest of the list spoke for itself. And it didn’t matter how sexy he was or how great he kissed...this was what was wrong with her! This overwhelming feeling of lust! It always got her into trouble and she needed to just...ignore it. Refuse to give in to it. And just...Gah!
“I need to go,” she said and turned to pick up her purse. She bent over and heard Brady’s sharp intake of breath.
“Damn, Harper…”
That was the second time he’d said that in as many minutes. Slowly, she straightened and looked at him. This time when he closed the distance between them, she couldn’t make herself move away.
“Do you have any idea how fucking hot you are?” he asked. “From this beautiful face to your soft skin and that incredible ass?”
Wait, her ass was incredible? This was brand-new information! She had to fight the urge to glance back at her reflection and check it out. Normally, she avoided looking at it because she thought it was too big, but…
He stared down at her and she felt intimidated and excited and...so turned on she thought she’d burst into flames. Those clear blue eyes were so intense and all she wanted to do was lean in and rub up against him.
“Don’t go,” he said gruffly.
She had to go. She knew she did. No good could come of this.
Okay, some good could come of this…
If that kiss was anything to go by, a whole lot of good could come of this.
“Harper…”
No! She had to be firm. Be strong. “I... I can’t, Brady. I’m sorry.”
But he wasn’t deterred. Reaching up, he stroked her cheek again. “What if I promise to never say ‘babe’ again?”
She couldn’t help but laugh at that. Shaking her head, she looked up at him. “Please understand…”
“I can live without football,” he said, lowering his head just a little. “And if I really have to watch it, I’ll do it at a friend’s house or when you’re not around.”
“Brady…”
“I’m moving back into my house next week. I’d move back in tonight if I thought I could, but...you know...it’s raining.”
She could actually hear it beating down on the roof now.
“And rap was never my thing. I swear. I couldn’t name one rapper to you right now, even if I had a gun to my head.”
“You’re crazy. You know that, right?”
“Yeah. Crazy about you, Harper.”
Oh, he was tearing down all of her defenses and it was getting harder and harder to just walk away. She already knew she didn’t want to, but it was a matter of needing to – for her own well-being. She couldn’t allow herself to fall this hard, this fast for someone like Brady. It was doomed to fail.
“Brady, you know my history with men. Hell, you heard my mom’s whole commentary about it,” she said, still hating how her own mother always found it necessary to blurt that sort of thing out in front of complete strangers. “I’m not good at…”
His grip on her face tightened slightly. “Yeah, I know your history and it doesn’t mean shit to me. If it would make you feel better, I’d fly us to Vegas tonight and marry you just to take that whole issue off the table.”
Her heart kicked hard in her chest.
He’d marry her.
Tonight.
“Or if that freaks you out, I’d sign a contract stating never to ask you to marry me,” he said, his voice soft, comforting.
She had to remind herself to breathe. This was too…intense.
“For what it’s worth, those other guys? The ones you were engaged to? They were assholes. If they were willing to let you go, then the fault was with them, not you. And if you ask me, you’re better off without them. And not just because it means that you’re here with me, but because you deserve better than what they had to offer. And if they didn’t fight for you, or come back and beg you to be with them, then that’s on them.”
“You...you really think so?”
“Baby, I know so,” he said softly. Then he grinned. “Um...where do you stand on baby? Is it too much like babe?”
And then her decision was made for her. She flung herself into his arms and kissed him.
****
Julianne sagged with relief when she heard a door open and close; Harper was coming out. She couldn’t wait to tell her about…
All conscious thought stopped when she spotted Harper and Brady with their arms around each other as they came into view. Beside her, Natalie cleared her throat before jumping up.
“There you are!” she said cheerily. “Feeling better?”
Harper smiled and then looked up at Brady, who was looking down at her with his own smile. “Yeah. I’m feeling much better.”
What. The. Hell.
Julianne got to her feet and walked over to them. “What’s going on?” she asked and realized it sounded a little harsh. “I mean…um…you two look cozy.” Ugh. Did she really just say that?
Harper blushed. Blushed! Her sister never blushed. Like ever.
“I was really ticked off at Mom – again – and Brady came back and…calmed me down.”
Then she did it again – the blushing – and Brady looked positively smitten by it. “Oh, he did, did he?”
Harper looked at her strangely and Julianne didn’t know why she was getting herself all freaked out. After all, if she had misread the situation with Brady – which she clearly had – then that meant everything was fine. No need to get weird or start avoiding him. This was a good thing. No, a great thing. It was…
Annoying as hell.
How could he not have been hitting on me? She thought furiously to herself. How could she have misread that so badly?
“Yeah, he did,” Harper replied and cut off Julianne’s crazy train of thought. “I’m not saying that I’m ready to go and confront her, but…I’m also not ready to burst into tears anymore either.”
“Good for you!” Natalie said excitedly.
“So where is she? Is she gone?” Harper asked as she looked around the space.
“Oh you would have been so proud of us,” Natalie bragged. “Jules and I totally put your mom in her place and I have to admit, it felt really good!”
“Wait…you put my mom in her place?”
Natalie nodded. “Julianne started it and then got frustrated and I just…I couldn’t help myself…I jumped in.”
Harper looked at her sister for confirmation and Julianne nodded. “It was kind of great. I almost wished I had thought to film it so you could watch it later.”
They all laughed and then Julianne repeated all the things Natalie said.
“Oh my God, that’s awesome!” Harper said with a huge smile. “I…I can’t believe you did that, Natalie. Wow. Thank you!” And then she reached out and hugged her and Julianne almost felt herself tearing up. Her sister and her best friend were finally getting along, bonding. This could be one less source of stress on her plate.
“It’s what friends do,” Natalie said softly.
The two grinned at each other and it was a good moment. No, a great moment. “So…um…what about the two of you?” Julianne asked and immediately hated herself for doing it. She motioned to Harper and Brady. “What’s going on there?”
“I asked your sister out,” Brady said as he grinned down at Harper again. “She kind of turned me down because of some deal breaker list.”
Julianne groaned. “Not the list…that is so stupid! Harper…”
“No, no, no…the list was completely legit,” Brady countered. “And no doubt
she has her reasons for it. But we talked about it and I think I made a good case for myself.”
And there was that blush again.
“So if it’s all right with the two of you,” Harper said to her sister and Natalie, “you guys can do your workout on your own. Brady and I are going out to grab something to eat.” And with a fun little wave, the two of them walked away.
Julianne felt unsettled as she watched her sister walk away. Could she really have misread the situation so badly? And why? Why had her first instinct been to believe that Brady was interested in her? Was she that desperate or needy for attention that her mind instantly went in that direction.
And Julianne wasn’t sure if she was happy for her sister or sad for herself.
Eight
Late Sunday afternoon, Kayla walked through her apartment door and dropped everything on the floor. Be it ever so humble and all that crap, she thought to herself. But truly, it was good to be home.
Stepping over her bags, she walked into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of water. It had been a good trip. Not great, but good. The weather had been perfect; she met some really cool people and knew she got some amazing shots. And as soon as she took a little time to unwind, she was going to upload them to her computer and start looking them over. But first, she wanted a hot shower and to call in an order for Chinese food and maybe call Julianne and see if she missed anything exciting while she was gone.
Maybe she should do that first…
Walking toward her bedroom, she opted for her shower first and it felt glorious. The hotel she’d stayed in all week was your average chain hotel and it had weak shower pressure. When she stepped under her own heavy duty showerhead, it was almost orgasmic.
As she lathered up her hair, she thought about the shots she had taken and mentally made a list of the ones she knew she wanted to play around with and submit to Adam. There had been a lot of daylight hours when she had nothing to do so she played tourist and took pictures for her own pleasure. While she took taking them, she thought about how she’d want to print and mat them. There were a couple of shots she wanted to hang right here in her apartment, but there were quite a few she was considering taking to a local gallery to see about displaying them there.
By the time she was done, Kayla felt good about the work she’d done over the last week. It would fulfill her commitment to Adam and the magazine, and potentially lead her to some freelance sales as well.
The Bridal Squad Page 14