Page 60 of Forgotten Desires

“I’ll handle him.”

She sits up quickly. “Absolutely not. I can handle it, Crew. I was more worried about your brothers, but they were funny and really sweet.”

That’s not the way most people describe my brothers. “Ryan was really happy for us. He wants us to come to dinner in a few weeks.”

“We’ll have to do it before the surgery. All of it’s coming so fast, you know?” It really is. Brynn’s surgery is in four weeks and then three weeks after that is Layla’s custody hearing. I have seven weeks until we find out if I’ll have her for good.

“Well,husband, I’m exhausted, emotional, and married. I feel like I could sleep for days. It’s been a whirlwind and I swear I don’t know what end is up since you came back into my life.” To punctuate that, Brynlee lets out a long yawn.

“I have that effect on women.”

She grins and then sighs, looking around the living room. “This place is filled with so many memories.”

“It is.”

Any time I come here, it’s like the past haunts me. Not in a good way either.

She rests her head on the back of the couch, turning to face me. “It was amazing we were able to get it for this weekend. I figured the owners would’ve had it rented since it’s almost high season.”

“I knew it wouldn’t be a problem. I own it.”

Her head lifts, eyes wide. “What?”

“I own this house. No one stays here but me.”

It seems like a storm rolls through her, confusion, disbelief, and something else settles as she blinks a few times. “You boughtthishouse?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

I wait, not sure if I should tell her, but knowing I won’t lie. I don’t know if she’s angry or happy. “I bought it nine years ago.”

“Nine . . . you own this house? The house we . . . the place where we . . . Why?”

Why does she think? I bought it because it was the house I met her in, loved her in, and where I left her. I bought it because it was the only link I had to her. The only one I would allow.

I promised not to seduce her. I promised to let her keep her walls because I hurt her enough and I don’t want to do it again, so I keep silent.

Brynn runs her hand down her face before resting it on her neck. “Why, Crew?”

“Because it meant something to me.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “You kept the football, bought this house . . . I don’t understand.”

I think she does. I think she knows exactly why I did all of it. I walked away from her because I thought I had no choice. I gave her up to save her from a life she wouldn’t have wanted. All of that didn’t matter when it came to how I felt, though.

How I fucking missed her smile, the sound of her laugh, the way she’d plaster herself to me as though she could fill every gap in my heart the closer she was.

So, yeah, I kept, bought, and saved everything I could of her.

She shifts her weight, coming to her knees in front of me. Her hands cup my face, keeping me from looking anywhere but at her. “Brynn . . .” I caution her.

“Don’t talk,” she says, as she sinks back down, bringing her face closer. “Just . . . don’t say anything.”

Her lips touch mine, soft and sweet. I let her kiss me, seducing me even though she doesn’t have to try. I’ve been under her spell since the day I met her.

Brynn’s hands move from my face down to my shoulders and then rest on my chest. Her lips part and our tongues meet, moving like a dance as I stay still. Her fingers slide down to my wrists and she moves them until my arms are around her. I hold her, letting her have the control, even though every part of me wants to take over.

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