Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Brodie watched Cerise and Finn as they walked away. He had to stop himself from following them.
“You’ve got it bad, haven’t you?”
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Nadia smiling up at him. He plopped down on the wooden log she and Cerise had been sitting on. “Yep.”
He could’ve said something else to put her off, but why bother when it was the truth? He did have it bad for Cerise. Sitting with Finn and helping him make s’mores had been the highlight of his night. At least, so far.
“You need to tread carefully with her. She’s not as confident as she acts.”
“I know.”
“What do you think about her adopting Finn?” Nadia asked, her eyes scanning the area for Mitch.
“He’s over there, talking to his parents.” He pointed to just beyond the fire. “And I’m all for Cerise adopting Finn. I think they’re perfect for each other.”
As if aware of Nadia’s scrutiny, Mitch looked over to where they sat. Brodie saw the way Mitch’s features softened and he winked at her. Beside him, Nadia sighed. That was what Brodie wanted, and hoped he could have it with Cerise—if she’d let him.
Happy that her fiancé was okay, Nadia redirected her attention to back to him. “And what about you. What do you think of Cerise?”
“I like her—a lot. I’m going to do everything possible to support her through the adoption process. I can picture my future with her. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.”
The words should’ve scared him, but instead of wanting to run away, he wanted to run toward her.
“I’m sure it will be easier to adopt as a couple. Have you thought of that?”
“Yes.” He didn’t want to say anymore. It wasn’t up to him to tell Cerise’s best friend what she’d decided or wanted to do. Or the fact that they’d gone to Daphne as a united front and it hadn’t turned out quite the way either one of them had wanted to.
Mitch walked up to them and Nadia immediately stood. Mitch wrapped his arms around his fiancé. “Are you giving Brodie a hard time, Boston?”
Nadia patted his hands. “Nope, just asking him about his intentions toward my friend.”
“This isn’t the eighteenth century.”
“I know that, but Cerise is like my sister, and she doesn’t have any family to look out for her.”
“Well, I don’t think you need to worry, Brodie’s not going to do anything to hurt Cerise, are you?” Mitch’s voice may have sounded casual, but his eyes had narrowed in a protective, big brother, don’t mess with my sister kind of way.
It warmed him to know that Cerise had Nadia and Mitch on her side, but neither one of them needed to worry.
Brodie stood. “No, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. In fact, if anything happened to her, I’m not sure what I’d do.”
“See, Boston, you have nothing to be concerned about.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” Nadia murmured, a big smile played across her face. It shouldn’t matter that he had her approval, but to him it did.
“This might be of interest to you, Brodie.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Mom and Dad said that the Crabtrees are looking at selling their ranch. Seems their daughter’s husband got a new job in Atlanta a few months ago. They’re missing them and their grandchildren, so they’re thinking of joining them there. Would be a quick sale too.”
Brodie’s mind turned over the possibilities this information represented.
Was it too soon to get his own place? The Crabtree property abutted the Alexander Dude Ranch on the west side.
It wasn’t as huge as the Alexanders’ and Mitch’s parents had even purchased some of their land when their daughter had married a man who wasn’t interested in ranching.
They only ran a few hundred head of cattle.
It was probably the perfect size for him.
“Anything I need to know about the land, their cattle, etc.?”
“Not sure, but Dad would be happy to talk to you about it.”
“Your dad would be happy to talk about what?” Cerise asked as she came up to them.
Immediately, Brodie slung an arm over her shoulder and pulled her in tight. Desire slammed into him at the contact and the way Cerise all but melted into his side. “Mitch was telling me about a property that could be coming up on the market soon.”
“You’re thinking of buying it?” she asked, her nose screwed up in a cute way, as if the thought surprised her. He’d told her about his idea of getting a small place sometime in the future, hadn’t he? He was pretty sure he had.
“Thinking about it, yeah. I’ll need to look into things.”
“As I said, Dice, Dad will answer any questions and the Crabtrees are as honest as the day is long.”
“Thanks. I’ll definitely come see him.”
“Okay, well it’s time we went home. Good to see you both.” Nadia grabbed Cerise and pulled her tight for a hug. He didn’t like not having her at his side, but he wouldn’t begrudge her a hug with her best friend.
Nadia whispered something in her friend’s ear and Cerise’s eyes widened. What the hell had she said to cause that type of reaction?
“Have fun, you two?” Nadia wiggled her fingers as they walked away. “Don’t do anything we won’t be doing tonight.”
“Nads. You’re terrible. It’s lucky I love you,” Cerise admonished.
“Your life would be boring without me,” she threw over her shoulder as the couple disappeared into the house.
“I think it’s the other way around, but whatever.”
“Not sure she can hear you.” Brodie said and pulled her close to him again. “Did Finn get off okay?”
Cerise wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. He closed his eyes as he placed his cheek against her head, little wisps of her hair tickling his nose. He had her in his arms and that was all that mattered. “Yep, he was jumping out of his skin with excitement.”
“That’s good. He needs happiness in his life.”
“I’m sure it’s a combination of all the s’mores you fed him and him looking forward to the sleepover.”
“He only had two and I’m pretty sure more ended up on the ground than in his mouth.” Brodie straightened but kept her close to his body. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yep, it’s been fun. Thanks for inviting us.”
“Always, Sparkles.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.
It was only supposed to be a brief touch, but like every time he kissed her, the need to be closer to her overwhelmed him.
He adjusted his hold on her so he could deepen the kiss.
Her body molded to his as if she was made for him.
The desire to consume her and make her his overwhelmed him and the only thing he could think of was being able to touch her skin to skin. Find out all the places that were sensitive. His place was a lot closer than hers.
Breaking the kiss, he hooked a finger under her chin and lifted it so that their eyes met. “Come back to my place, Sparkles. I need you.”
Her smile was brighter than the bonfire they’d been around all night. “Yes.”
Relief swept through him and he hadn’t been aware of how much he wanted her to say yes.
Together they headed for the main house, stopping briefly to thank Mitch’s parents for the party.
Brodie would talk to them in a couple of days about the Crabtree property.
If for some reason, it got sold before he could speak to them about it, then it wasn’t meant to be.
The trip to his small cabin didn’t take long, but when he opened the door and ushered Cerise inside, nerves assailed him.
Every other time he’d taken a woman to his bed, he hadn’t been as nervous as he was right this second.
Even when he’d lost his virginity, his stomach hadn’t churned in anticipation like it was presently.
His first time had been more fumbling and learning than perfection, but he wanted to do everything right with Cerise.
She was that important to him.
Cerise watched the play of emotions across Brodie’s face. Was he having second thoughts now that they were in his home? The excitement she’d seen shining in his eyes when they’d walked in was now missing, and his mouth was turned down in the corners and his brow furrowed.
Well, no way was she going to have him think she didn’t want to be here with him. She reached up and smoothed the lines of worry away. “I want this, Brodie. I want you.”
His arms wrapped around her tighter than they ever had before. “I know. I just want . . . I don’t . . .” Plastered against his body, she felt the long inhalation and exhalation from him. “You mean the world to me, Sparkles. And it’s happened so fast, I’m still spinning.”
Beneath his declaration she could see that he was nervous about disappointing her. If anyone had to be nervous, it should be her. She had scars now on her body. Scars from the scariest time of her life, and Brodie would be the first one to see them. “Show me, Brodie.”
With those three simple words it was like she’d banished any doubts he had because his mouth crashed down on hers. Their lips danced together and, when he lifted her, she tightened her hold on him.
She was aware of them moving through the small space. Aware of Brodie shouldering open a partly closed door. Then there was the softness of a mattress beneath her as he laid her gently on his bed. The scent of lemon and pine filled the air. Scents she associated with Brodie.
His hands trailed down her body until they reached her knee-high boots, and he proceeded to unzip them and pull them from her legs.
He removed her socks next. Every step was accompanied by soft caresses on the back of her legs.
Her bare ankles. Such simple touches, but they set her aflame like no other touch had been able to do.
Wanting to see him, she sat up and pushed his jacket off his shoulders, admiring the breadth of them.
Knowing that he came about his muscles honestly and not in a gym was arousing.
She could picture him, sweat dripping between his shoulder blades, as he brushed a horse down after a vigorous ride.
Or from swinging an axe as he chopped wood to add to the open fire that kept them warm.