Page 57 of Forgotten Desires

“Well, you deserve more,” I tell her and rise to my feet. “Dance with me?”

Brynn places her hand in mine, and I escort her to the dance floor. Her hand rests on my chest and I graze the bare skin at the small of her back. “I know I said it before, but honest to God, Brynlee, you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you. You look very handsome.” She pulls her lower lip between her teeth, and I focus my gaze on the dance floor and think of anything else to keep from growing hard.

“I’m glad you approve.”

She laughs once. “You know I’ve always thought you were hot.”

“And I’ve always thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“We’ve got that going for us at least.”

I turn her, moving to the music as our families watch. “We’ve got more than that.”

“I hope so.”

What does she hope for? I wondered this as we said our vows, promising to honor each other until death do us part. Does she want a friend, a lover, a husband who will give her a family she deserves?

All of those things I wish I could open myself up to, but I can’t even consider more until we have Layla safe.

“Your family flies back tonight?”

Brynn glances over at them and smiles. “They do. I promised we’d visit. I’d like if we can maybe bring Layla there the next weekend we have her? I think she’d like the farm and my nieces and nephew.”

“I’d love to do that.”

I know how hard leaving her family is and it would be good for Layla to get away from the city, see cows and all that.

“Really?” Brynn asks, her eyes lighting up.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I don’t know, I just figured it’s easier to stay there. I just . . . I miss Sugarloaf. I’d love to show you around, and I miss my animals.”

I brush my thumb on her back as we sway. “Then we’ll go every weekend, whether we have Layla or not.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t, but I want to.”

Maybe some small-town life is exactly what I need. Plus, I can visit some of the farms we’ve contracted with for Knight Food Distribution, including her brother’s. It’s a win-win.

“Thank you.” Her voice is soft as she looks at me.

“I told you, Brynlee, there’s nothing I won’t give you. I know that you gave up a lot to do this, and I’m willing to do the same. Not that I think going to your hometown and spending the weekends there is a sacrifice.”

Her brown eyes fill with unshed tears. “You have no idea how much that means to me. My farm, those animals matter a lot. I’ve worked so hard to save them, give them a place to thrive, and while I love Rowan, and he’s great at some things, he hates that damn farm and I worry he’s not going to keep up.”

“Then we’ll have to check on it often.” Brynn pulls her lower lip between her teeth and nods. “What’s the saying anyway? Happy wife, happy life.”

“I’m pretty sure a woman came up with that one.”

“And a man would be stupid not to follow it. That’s why we have donuts as our wedding cake.”

She laughs softly. “Donuts are the superior dessert. You can do so much with them.”

“I’m sure.”

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