Page 36 of Falling for Brody

But sitting next to Brody?

It was hard not to think about it.

He had a way of looking at her like he saw her.

Saw beyond the job and Chip.

It would be only too easy to lean into Brody. Into... whatever this was. In less than two days he'd stepped into her life, and he treated Chip like...

He treated Chip like he mattered. Like how a man should treat a child in his life.

But he did that with his cousin's children so it shouldn't be a surprise.

That was what she'd expect of family.

Charles' family had been the polar opposite. They'd been proud of Chip. That he was born. They bought him things, but they hardly came around and didn't want to touch him much. Charles had explained it, saying he'd been raised like that. Like a throwback to a different era, children should be seen, not heard, and only interacted with when they could behave themselves. Or as his mother explained, "When he's able to be interesting, bring him by."

They didn't understand and didn't show an interest in learning anything about Chip. Going so far as to stop answering calls or seeing them after Charles had passed.

Brody shifted closer and she swore she could feel the heat rising off of his skin.

The awareness of him.

She’d never had this before.

Still…

The last thing she was going to do was let this new life... this new start get messed up because her coworker was handsome.

And damn near irresistible.

Rhea stood up, feeling the altitude change, and little light headed.

Brody was up a moment later, watching her with interest.

Or at least that's what it looked like in the dark.

And really, how could she know anything about him?

She took a step up toward the deck. "I should get some sleep."

* * *

Brody lookedat her and saw the tension in her body.

He hadn't intended to touch her, but his intentions had gone out the window. There was just something... magnetic about Rhea Russell.

He wanted to touch her.

Have her lean against his shoulder.

Hold her in his arms.

Crazy?

Well, they call it being crazy in love.

Love.

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