Chapter 9 #3
He glanced up just as Taylor finished, her eyes flickering open to meet his. She tilted her head, curiosity dancing on her face.
“You prayed,” she said softly, surprised.
Brooks smirked, reaching for his fork.
“Yeah.” Taylor blushed and smiled. This is what he meant about sharing worlds. It could be simple, it could be big. He didn’t care, he just wanted her attention and time.
He hadn't expected her to break him open like this. Brooks was used to bodies, not souls—being the escape, not the sanctuary. But she touched something inside him he thought died with his mama. And that terrified him. If she could get that close, she could leave just as deep a bruise.
She was worth the risk.
As they left the restaurant, Brooks couldn't help but replay the evening's highlights—her eyes closing in pleasure at the first bite of Paella, her laugh deepening with each glass of wine, her fingers lingering against his.
Now, watching her walk ahead to the car, the sway of her hips in that dress tested every bit of his restraint. He'd promised himself he'd take it slow, but watching her ass move like water had him questioning all his good intentions.
“Taylor Bradshaw, that walk should come with a fuckin warning label,” he whispered, his voice rough as he helped her into the car. She looked up at him, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. He shook his head before closing the door.
Taylor settled into the leather seat, mind warm with wine and possibilities.
She couldn't remember feeling this alive in ages.
Brooks had leaned in when she spoke of running the hospital someday, his eyes lighting up at her dream of Rome—unlike Tyree, who'd always been half-present, more interested in his phone or the bottle than her dreams.
Tyree left her waiting. Brooks made her feel like the main event. That was evident. Helen Keller could see that.
She didn’t have to worry about that now, she was riding shotgun with a man who celebrated her without even knowing he needed to. And that was dangerous in all the best ways.
“You always know exactly what to say,” she said softly, watching him slide behind the wheel .
The drive was quiet and comfortable, both of them lost in thought about what this night meant, what it could lead to. Brooks gripped the steering wheel tighter, fighting the urge to rest his hand on her thigh. He knew he’d find some heat there. But he’d meant what he said about taking it slow.
“I had such a good time tonight,” Taylor said softly as they stepped out of the car.
The walk to Taylor’s door felt like sweet torture, Brooks fought the urge to pull her close with every step.
That Tom Ford perfume was doing something to his senses, making him want to bury his face in the crook of her neck and breathe her in.
He envisioned her body melting, morphing to match with his body.
She was the perfect shape, thick in the places that mattered.
But it was her eyes that truly had him mesmerized.
Those warm brown pools held an innocence he’d protect at all costs.
The motion sensor lights clicked on around her, casting a glow over her face, yard and driveway.
She paused, looking around. “Brooks...”
“I couldn’t do that basic ass Ring setup,” he cut in gently. “I had a friend install a full system while we were out. Motion sensors, Flood lights, and cameras covering every angle. Something to help you sleep better at night.”
“I keep expecting simple gestures from you, a bag, a necklace, and you go for gold.” Taylor blinked, taking it all in. She glanced at the small, barely visible cameras, then back at him.
“We grown.” He shrugged. “Why would I get you a bag when you need peace of mind?” He questioned causing her heart rate to slow down .
“I’ll sleep better knowing you’re protected. Everything feeds straight to an app on your phone. The code 0926, the instructions should be inside.”
Taylor exhaled sharply, shaking her head. This was a lot more than she expected, and it wasn’t just the camera or the money he’d spent it was how he moved. He’d decided a long time ago that she was going to be his priority and he hadn’t let up.
“That’s the day you picked me up.”
“Yeah, it could’ve been your birthday, but you pulled a fast one on me. You can change it if you want to.”
“You didn’t have to do all this. I’m starting to say that a lot. But you didn’t. Really.” Her voice was thick with emotion. Brooks was setting the bar so damn high she felt ashamed that she had let Tyree think he was bigger than the program, as he suggested.
“Yeah, I did.” His eyes locked with hers. “Ain’t nothing happening to you if I can help it.”
Without warning, Taylor stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. The gesture caught him off guard and made his heart stutter.
Her scent surrounded him as he slowly brought his hands up to cradle the back of her neck, drawing her closer.
It had been so long since he’d held a woman like this and even longer since he’d wanted to.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his chest, her breath warm through his shirt.
Brooks closed his eyes, she felt so right in his arms, like she was made to fit there. His thumb stroked her neck absently, savoring the softness of her skin. Just friends, he reminded himself. Holding her like this made that promise feel damn near impossible to keep .
Taylor pulled back slightly to look up at him. Even in heels, she barely reached his shoulder. That height difference made him want to lift her up, press her against the door, and do shit to her she’d never experienced. Brooks shut that thought down quickly.
“I mean it,” she said, still close enough that her perfume was making his head spin. “Not just about the security system. Tonight was perfect.”
“Perfect?” He raised an eyebrow, teasing to distract himself from the urge to kiss her.
She smiled that smile that lit up the whole damn night. “Perfect!”
“I’ll take it.” His hands lingered on her waist a moment longer before he forced himself to step back.
“Thank you. For showing me a good time.”
“Hopefully, I get the pleasure of doing it again,” he said, voice dropping in volume.
She turned toward her door, entered the code, but paused, glancing back. He was watching, he always was. She pressed ahead, not sure what else needed to be said.
But as she stepped inside, she froze.
The entryway was softly lit, scattered with carefully placed gifts. Not over the top. Intimate. The kind of thoughtful that knocked the wind out of her.
A sleek black bag from that Millbrook boutique she’d always joked was out of her tax bracket . Spa baskets. Candles from her favorite brand. And then, the small, square box on the entry table. The kind that made her heart skip.
“What is all of this?”
Brooks had followed her to the doorway, one arm braced casually against the frame.
“I couldn’t help but make a big deal about a big day,” he said. “Open it and see.”
Inside the box sat a delicate gold chain with a circular pendant that shimmered like water under moonlight. She tilted it and gasped. Etched into the gold, subtle but clear, was the moon phase from the night she was born.
Not printed. Not trendy. Etched. Custom. Intentional. Brooks.
She opened the folded card propped beside it.
Ain’t had time to get you the moon, so I brought you yours.
—B
“You made this happen tonight?”
“I know people,” he said, brushing off the weight of what he’d done. “Had it engraved while we were eating.”
Taylor held the necklace to her chest like it was holding her together. “Brooks… I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say nothing,” he murmured, stepping forward to lightly touch her arm. “Just wanted you to feel seen. Disappointment ain’t never gon’ be my role in your life.”
She didn’t say thank you. Didn’t say a word. Too overwhelmed to say anything.
She was gonna cry in the shower. She already knew it.
This was panty-dropping behavior, and she needed to be careful. He needed to be careful.
“Get some rest, birthday girl. I’ll check on you in the morning.”
She nodded. He stepped back, eyes never leaving her. For a moment, time just... slowed .
He wanted to ask to come in. He didn’t.
He’d keep applying pressure. Speaking her language. And wait for her to want what he already did.
All of her.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Brooks waited until he heard the lock click, then turned for his car. As he slid into the driver’s seat, he tried to shake off the feeling of her, but her scent still clung to his shirt. Her voice still echoed in his ears. Being ‘just friends’ with Taylor was about to be a real problem.