Carter insisted on leaving his phone number and grudgingly thanked him for his help. Finally, with assurances that he would call if anything happened with Alexia, Brant gratefully ended the conversation. He wasn’t used to dealing with emotional people very often, and it was damned exhausting. Suddenly he remembered the day that Emma had faked a crying spell at work to yank his chain and chuckled. God, he missed her so much in that moment that he felt an actual ache in the area of his heart. He was more determined than ever to get things settled here so he could focus his attention back on the little spitfire who was turning his carefully ordered existence on its ass.
“I’m sorry, Brant.” He turned to find Alexia shifting nervously from one foot to the other behind him. “I shouldn’t have put that off on you. It’s just too . . .
hard.” Brant felt a different ache as she started to sob on the last word. This ache he knew was something like heartburn from too much stress. No doubt he had even consumed some type of dairy product without thinking during dinner as well.
“It’s okay, Lex, I managed. Carter seems like a nice guy and he obviously cares about you.”
The tears started falling harder and Brant thought that maybe he should have suggested they talk in the morning and run for the sanctuary of his room. It was probably never smart to mention anything about feelings to an emotional woman.
“He’s . . . great . . . he does . . . love . . . me,” Alexia managed to get out between sobs. Brant pulled a tissue from the box on the bar and then thought better of it and handed her the entire box instead. He patted her back awkwardly and for the second time that day she wrapped her arms around him and cried. He rubbed her back and just let her cry. He had a feeling that the upheaval with Carter was just a small part of the upset. Very little time had passed since she had left rehab, and she was no doubt still trying to come to terms with the daily struggle to stay clean. She was scared to be a burden to Carter, but terrified to be alone. He cursed her parents silently for being so insensitive to what their daughter was going through. She needed them and whether they had intended to or not, they had confirmed in her mind that she was nothing but a burden to those she loved now. Brant felt that if things had
gone better with them, she would have been more willing to listen to Carter and have hope that their relationship could work.
“He does love you,” Brant agreed, “and he’s worried about you.”
She took a moment to dry her eyes before asking, “Will you come sit with me for a while? Maybe we could watch a movie. You’re the only one I feel good around right now.” Brant felt warning bells go off inside of him. He could be her friend, regardless of their history, but he couldn’t be her savior. That job needed to go to the man who loved her. He would have to step carefully, because he didn’t want to drive a wedge between her and Carter.
“Ah, I wish I could. I have some meetings tomorrow.”
She must think you’re an insensitive prick, but it’s for the greater good, right?
“I . . . it’s just that I was away for a few days and now things are really backed up at work.”
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s okay. I grew up with a workaholic father, so I do understand that business usually comes first.” Brant winced, but he didn’t see any other options. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Carter was the man she needed to be her rock now.
“If you’re all right now, I think I’ll head to bed. Do you have everything you need?”
Alexia nodded and turned toward the guest room. Great, Brant thought as he walked toward the master
bedroom at the other end of the house. That was the second time in one day that a woman had looked at him like he was an asshole. First, Emma for having her make dinner reservations and now Alexia. He didn’t seem to be pleasing any of the women in his life and that stung a lot more than it used to.
Suzy looked up from her computer as Emma threw herself in the chair in front of her friend’s desk. Before she was even seated, she moaned to Suzy, “You aren’t going to believe this.”
“Oh, go ahead and try me,” Suzy said with interest.
“I started on the R and R that we talked about last night and I’m pretty sure I got busted on my first mission.”
Suzy waved her hand impatiently as Emma paused to gather her thoughts. “Come on, I’ve got to hear the rest.”
Covering her eyes in shame, Emma admitted, “I decided to do a drive-by of Brant’s house on the way to work. I mean, I don’t know what I thought I would see at eight o’clock in the morning . . . Maybe Brant and Alexia making out in front of the house for everyone to see?”
Looking curious, Suzy asked, “So what did you see?”
“The bumper of Brant’s car,” Emma mumbled.
“Come again?” Suzy asked.
“Brant was pulling out of his driveway when I drove slowly by and I think he saw me.”
“Nah, that’s pretty early and he wouldn’t have been expecting you in the area, so I doubt it would have occurred to him.”
“But he waved,” Emma said.
Suzy shook her head. “Men wave at everyone; he probably thought you were his neighbor. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Even if he did recognize you, he might think it’s on your way to work.”
“He knows where I live and he would know that his house isn’t vaguely on my way. There’s another reason I think he saw me.” When Suzy raised her brows in question, Emma said, “He pulled up beside me at the red light right up the street from his house and motioned for me to pull over.”
“Uh-oh,” Suzy muttered. “Well, what excuse did you make when you talked to him?”
“I . . . um . . . didn’t stop. I took the next turnoff and went the long way to work. I came straight to your office, so I haven’t seen him yet. Shit, what am I going to say?”
“Hmm, well you’ve already used up one of the guaranteed ways to get a man to leave you alone and that’s by crying. Since he probably wouldn’t fall for that a second time, use the whole ‘it’s that time of the month’ thing. Trust me, I don’t care how much he wants to question you, if you start talking about Aunt Flo coming to town, the man is going to turn tail and run.”
“Aunt Flo?” Emma asked.
“It’s slang for your period. Also a word of advice: Usually if you decide to stalk someone at home, you borrow a different car. Next time you get the urge to spy on him, let me know and we’ll change cars for the evening or I’ll just go over and do it for you.”
“Really? Wouldn’t that be hard to explain to Gray?”
Suzy laughed. “Honey, Gray never asks questions about things that he really doesn’t want to hear the answers to. He is still so traumatized by knowing too many details of his brother and Beth’s relationship that he can barely be in the room with both of them. He always knew his brother was a bit of a horn-dog, but he never thought it would involve his wife’s sister.” Suzy shuddered. “Hell, I never thought it would either, come to think of it.”
Emma stood up, coming around the desk to give her friend a hug before leaving. She stopped to talk to Ella at the receptionist desk for another few minutes, making her late by the time she made it to her office. Brant was standing in his doorway obviously waiting for her when she opened the door. He leaned against the doorframe and with no preliminaries asked, “Why’d you take off this morning?”
“I . . . er . . .” Shit, she was already stuttering like someone guilty. She might as well admit to teenage stalking and get the humiliation out of the way.
“I wasn’t sure it was you until I was next to you at the light. What were you doing out that way?” he asked.
“I was looking for a drugstore,” she blurted out.
“Oh . . . isn’t there a Walgreens right down the street from your place?”
Damn, she should have known he had his brain wired like Google Maps.
At least he looked puzzled and not suspicious.
Trying to maintain eye contact, she said, “They weren’t open yet.”
“But there’s also a Walgreens near my house, so wouldn’t both stores have the same hours?” he asked.
“My God, Judge Judy, can we end the questions! I have PMS! Do you need to know what I bought and if I favor pads or tampons?” Emma watched in fascination as a red flush ran up Brant’s neck and settled on his cheeks.
“I . . . shit . . . I’m sorry,” he stuttered. “I shouldn’t have kept pushing you like that.” He turned to go back in his office, then turned back, looking at the floor, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” She sat on the corner of her desk, surprised at how fast the tide had turned. Brant went from twenty questions to running from her. She hadn’t seen him move that fast since he figured out what kind of book her mom’s book club was discussing. She definitely owed Suzy one. It had saved her from what was potentially a very embarrassing conversation.
Brant leaned back with his feet propped on his desk, taking a moment to relax. The day had been nonstop busy and, truthfully, he had hidden like a coward in his office since embarrassing himself with Emma first
thing in the morning. He’d been so surprised to see her near his house on his drive to work and had hoped for a moment that she was stopping by because she wanted to see him. He thought maybe he had imagined the whole thing until he pulled beside her car at the light. She had looked him straight in the eye and turned the other way at a fast clip. He still thought it was kind of strange that she would come to a pharmacy near his house when she lived in a busy area with plenty of stores. He knew, though, that you never questioned a woman about the choices she made at that time of the month. He had only continued to question her because he was disappointed that she hadn’t been in the area to see him. Pathetic, but true.
Emma walked into his office carrying a bag. She plopped it on his desk and settled in the chair across from him. “Hey, babe,” he said before remembering where they were. She smiled in return, seeming to enjoy his slip of the tongue.
“Hey, yourself. I thought you might be hungry since you haven’t had a chance to leave today.” She chuckled as he looked at the bag warily.
“Don’t worry. I actually picked it up in the cafeteria on my way up so it should be fresh. It’s just a bowl of chili and some cornbread. I figured you might like something new,” she finished with a smirk. She knew he hated the soggy sandwiches that she usually brought back for him.
Brant opened the lid, inhaling appreciatively. “Wow, this smells great, thanks.” He swallowed a bite of the
chili as she got up to leave. “Wait, Em. I’ve barely talked to you since we got back. Do you . . . want to go to dinner or something tonight? I’d love to see you . . . away from here.”
Her eyes softened. “I’d like that. How about I cook dinner for us?”
Brant smiled, thinking the evening would sound even more promising if she hadn’t admitted to having her period this morning. What the hell, at this point he’d be happy to just spend time with her. They talked while he finished his lunch. He stood to give her a quick kiss of thanks just as Mark DeSanto walked in without warning. “Am I interrupting?” By the leer on his face, Brant could tell that the other man already knew the answer. He was surprised to see Emma looking flustered as she gave Mark a tight smile before walking out and shutting the door behind her.
“Was it something I said?” Mark laughed. Before Brant could answer, he added, “I guess that would be why she wasn’t interested in going out with me. I have to admit, I was puzzled.”
Brant was taken aback by his sudden desire to throttle his old friend. He had always gotten along well with him, although they had few things other than business in common. The only thing that surpassed Mark’s love of women was their love of him. Brant suspected women were probably drawn to the whole emotionally unavailable thing. Mark was rich, a fitness buff, and Brant could grudgingly admit that women probably found his dark looks attractive. In their course of
business, he had been out socially with Mark before and while he was completely focused on business when it was important, as soon as the deal was over, he was looking to blow off some steam and that usually came in the form of a woman. Mark worked hard and he played harder.
He’d known him for years and in that time, there had never been a serious relationship in his life that Brant was aware of. Hell, he knew he wasn’t much better, but he had never dealt in the sheer quantity of women that his friend seemed to. He decided to ignore the line of questioning concerning Emma and change the subject. “Did we have a meeting today?”
Mark quirked a brow, seeming to notice the subject change. “No, we didn’t. I stopped by to drop off some paperwork with Jason and thought I’d see if you were free for lunch. I see you’ve already eaten, though. I don’t guess you’re free for a drink tonight either.”
Brant knew the last question was a challenge and he didn’t give a damn. If this had been business, he would have worked something out, but he wasn’t going to change his plans with Emma tonight just to prove something to Mark. He shuffled some papers on his desk, saying, “I’m tied up, sorry.” Brant silently cursed his choice of words, knowing exactly what Mark was picturing him doing with Emma now.
Mark was at the door before he turned to ask, “How’s Ava been? I was disappointed she couldn’t make it to dinner last night.”
“She’s fine.” At that, Mark finally smiled and walked
out. Brant heard him talking to Emma for a few minutes before the outer door clicked shut. The last thing his sister needed was to get mixed up with Mark DeSanto. She didn’t need any more trauma in her life, and that was all someone like Mark would offer her. The one man she needed was Mac. Brant just hoped she opened her eyes and realized it before it was too late.
Emma opened the door to her apartment and felt her jaw drop open at the sight of Brant standing on her doorstep looking like the man she had fallen for in Florida. Gone were his work clothes and in their place were the cargo shorts and T-shirt that showcased his broad chest and muscular arms. In a suit, Brant looked good; in casual clothes, he was beyond handsome . . . incredibly hot. They both stood there uncertainly for a moment before he walked toward her and pushed the door shut behind him. God, she wanted him to kiss her.
It must have been written all over her face because suddenly he was there. His lips were on hers and his arms were encircling her waist. Her heart raced, her toes curled and her body hummed.
Well, hello Mr. Florida, welcome back!
When she felt his fingers pinch her nipple through her bra, she started pulling him toward the bedroom. She was desperate to rip his clothes off and run her hands all over his firmly chiseled body. “Em,” he groaned as he pulled her body tightly against his. She felt the firm ridge of his arousal pressed against
her. She dropped her hand, palming and lightly squeezing his length. “Fuck,” he growled, pushing back against her.
“I need you inside me . . . now,” she whispered.
He had just literally ripped the shirt from her body when he froze. “Fuck . . . Damn it! Em, stop! We can’t . . . remember. . . .” He was taking deep breaths and trying to get himself back under control. She had no idea why he paused or what he was talking about and she knew she would probably explode if they stopped. She unclipped her bra and let the straps slide from her arms. She lifted Brant’s shirt and slowly, deliberately, rubbed her erect nipples against his hairy chest. He shuddered against her as if in physical pain. “Em . . . baby, I’ve never . . . um . . . you know . . . had sex like this.”
His words penetrated her sexual fog and she pulled back to look at him. “What are you talking about? Sex like what?”
He rubbed her shoulder almost consolingly as he shifted around nervously. What the hell was wrong with him? “During . . . that time of the month.”
She looked at him blankly before it hit her. Oh shit! She had told him this morning that she had been near his house looking for supplies for her period. Crap! What a tangled web you weave when first you practice to deceive. No kidding! “Oh, that’s finished,” she said before reaching for him again.
“Whoa, what?” He was clearly confused.
She couldn’t meet his gaze as she continued adding
to the lie that had gotten her in this mess in the first place. “It was a false alarm. I was all crampy this morning and I thought it was, you know . . . coming, but nothing ever happened, so I guess I was wrong.” He was still giving her a skeptical look, so she decided that a distraction would be the only thing to save her and she went for it in a big way. She lifted the short skirt she was wearing and gave him an eyeful of what she was wearing underneath . . . nothing. She saw his face go blank and no more words were exchanged between them. He pushed her backward until her bed was against her knees. He paused only to strip off the rest of his clothes before following her down. She started to pull her skirt off when his hands stopped her.
“Don’t. I want to lift this skirt and fuck you. Do you have a problem with that?” Before she could answer, he grabbed the foil pack he had thrown on the bed and tore it open, rolling the condom down his length.
“God, no,” she moaned. With no more preliminaries, he proceeded to lift her skirt, wrap her legs around his waist and push into her, hard and fast. Her breath left in a whoosh as her body stretched to accommodate him. Just when she had settled into the hard rhythm, he put an arm around her, turning them both so that suddenly she was on top. He was even deeper now, hitting against her cervix. She put her hands against his chest, trying to control his thrusts. When he reached a hand out and started rubbing his thumb in circles against her clit, she forgot all about control and rode him hard . . . over and over until she was screaming his name. Her
body came apart in an explosion of spasms and with another few quick thrusts into her quivering body, Brant joined her in release.
She collapsed against his sweaty chest, gasping for breath, too spent to separate her body from his. She had no idea how long they lay there, both trying to catch their breath and calm their racing hearts. When Brant’s stomach growled against her ear, they both started laughing. He smacked her butt and asked, “Any chance you could feed me now like you promised?”
They took a quick shower together, soaking the bathroom floor as they teased each other. She was surprised by the end of their shower that one of them hadn’t slid down and broken a bone. She slipped a short sundress over her head and left off the bra and panties. She thought Brant might enjoy that surprise later. Soon they were both sitting on her couch with bowls of shrimp pasta balanced on their knees. “So how’s Alexia? Is she still staying with you?”
The fork that had been going toward Brant’s mouth paused in midair before continuing on. He slowly chewed, seeming to drag it out as long as possible before answering. “She’s fine and, yes, she is still there.”
“Hmm, I see. That all still seems a bit strange to me.” When it became obvious that Brant wasn’t going to add any additional explanation, she decided to change the subject. Truthfully, she couldn’t imagine that any man could make love to her with the intensity that he had exhibited and be having an intimate relationship with someone else at the same time. He definitely hadn’t just
been going through the motions. He was just as focused and in the moment as he had been in Florida. Maybe he did have the desire and stamina to go home now and do the same thing with Alexia . . . but she just didn’t see it. Sure, she wasn’t comfortable with the other woman living with him and she felt like there was more to the story than he was saying, but the alarm bells in her head had dropped to a light ping now. He still wanted her and that went a long way toward quieting the inner stalker within her, at least for tonight.