Page 17 of Irresistible

“I’m impressed. I never would’ve guessed he’d ’fess up to his feelings. All that lust he had probably made him nuts because he was considered an adult and you were not. Might’ve made him feel a little pervy, even.”

“How did I miss it?”

“You were fifteen and oblivious.”

“Well, I’m not anymore, and I’m thinking of getting to know the man he’s become. I haven’t spent any real time with him since he left for college. That eighteen-year-old boy is a memory, and it might be time to see who the thirty-year-old man is.”

“Maybe you should take him down to Jefferson Island next week, spend a couple of days together, and get to know the naked part of him.”

Crossing her legs, Lilly assumed a prim posture. “Maybe I will.”

Slapping her desk, Loren grinned. “It’s about damn time.”

“Okay, enough about Brock. Tell me how we’re going to get rid of Drew and Tina.” When her sister started rubbing her hands together, Lilly sat back and relaxed. No one was more resolute than her sister, and she thanked God that Loren was on her side.

“I plan on not only annihilating them but also getting a check. Little Tina Krewel isn’t going to know what hit her. This lawsuit is bullshit from beginning to end, and we’re going to prove it. They’re going to pay for the pain and agony they’ve put you through.”

“I never doubted it for a minute,” Lilly responded. As her sister began outlining the strategy for the trial, her mind wandered back to what Brock had told her the other night. A man who told you that he wanted to devour you was not a man to take lightly. And knowing that Brock was a man of action made her wonder if she was ready. How exactly did one get ready for something like that?

***

Lilly was about to flip the TV on when her phone buzzed. Lifting it, she saw Brock was calling. “Speak of the devil,” she muttered. “Hey.”

“I’m at your front door with some bread pudding from Poupart’s.”

“I see you’re bringing out the heavy artillery.”

“When a man wants something, it’s best to use everything he has.”

Standing, she dropped her blanket and pulled down her pajama top. “I’m coming.” As she walked down the hall, she saw his smiling face through the front door’s glass panes. He sure seemed pleased with himself as he held up the bag from the bakery. She opened the door and put her hand on her hip. “You ever going to call me before you show up?”

“That would give you a chance to tell me no.” Moving past her, he dropped a kiss on her head. “I hope you didn’t start watching Predators without me.”

“I had no idea that it was our show now.” After closing the door, she flipped the lock and followed Brock down the hall. Leaning against the island, she watched him pull two dishes out and serve up the bread pudding. He was making himself at home the same way he and his brothers had in her mama’s kitchen. The Landry boys had been in her house as much as she was.

“How long do I put it in the microwave for?” Brock asked as he held up the plates.

“I’ll do it.” Taking the plates out of his hand, she walked over to the counter. “Did they give you any bourbon sauce?”

“No, honey.”

“That’s okay. We can put a little ice cream on it, and when it melts it’ll be like vanilla sauce.” She slid one plate in and then grabbed the ice cream out of the freezer. “Anything you want to share with me? Maybe a conversation you had about the time we’ve spent together?” Looking over her shoulder, she was gratified to see a look of embarrassment on his face. At least he was smart enough to know he’d screwed up.

“It was presumptuous, but if I had to do it over again, I would. Drew is a self-satisfied son of a bitch with rocks for brains. I tell you, he and that Tina woman deserve each other.”

With her back to him, she could hide her smile of agreement. It would do no good to encourage him, and if he saw how much she agreed with him, she would never get him under control. Not that she had a hope of ever controlling Brock, but still. She finished getting their dessert together and then turned around. “Don’t be talking about what goes on between us.”

When she handed him his plate, he set it down on the counter and then enveloped her in a hug. It was a full-body embrace that surrounded her with his scent. Bounce fabric softener, soap, and testosterone were a powerful combination that had been known to take down greater women than she. Just as she was about to lean forward and bury her nose in his shirt, Popcorn barked. It was just enough to startle her back into her good sense. Looking down, she grinned. “No sweets for you. The vet said only dog food.”

Stepping away, she grabbed her plate and then walked over to the couch. When she collapsed into it, Popcorn settled at her feet and Brock sat down next to her. Not an inch of space separated them, and she figured he was going to start making good on his word. He was a predator by nature, and she had a feeling there was no escaping him. “Let’s watch the lion episode tonight.”

“Okay. Whatever you want.” He took a bite of the bread pudding and winked.

Pushing her elbow into his side, she laughed. “You’re only saying that because your butt is planted on my couch and you’ve managed to worm your way into my evening.”

“Yes, I have, and I plan on doing it for a long time to come.” He took one of her hands and slid his thumb over her skin. “Would you like to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?”

Turning, she looked at him. “Are you asking me out on a proper date?”

“Yes, I am. It’s taken me more than a decade, but I figure it’s better late than never. Maybe we can go see a movie afterward.”

“Well…”

“I’ll buy you a big box of Milk Duds.”

She laughed and squeezed his hand. “Well, if there are going to be Milk Duds, then I have to say yes.” Lifting the remote, she pointed it toward the TV. Her heart was beating a little fast, and she wondered what she was in for. Saying yes to a date with Brock felt like she was opening a door she might never be able to close again. Canoodling on the couch was one thing. Going out in public was quite another, and she would do well to remember that.

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