Page 52 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
They talked and kissed throughout the flight. Sophie showed him pictures of her family so he could recognize them. The flight was quick and uneventful—other than Brett suggesting several times that they join the mile-high club—as was the drive into Oak Falls. Sophie hadn’t thought she’d be nervous about introducing Brett to her family, but as they drove down the street on which she’d grown up, her nerves prickled. He parked in front of her parents’ two-story farmhouse and placed his hand on her leg, which she hadn’t realized was bouncing.
“Second thoughts about inviting me?”
“No. Just a little nervous. My family can be overwhelming.”
“My father’s an asshole. I’ve got you beat.”
She’d met his father. Gerard Bad was stern and appeared perpetually unhappy, but he was also a powerful attorney, and Sophie didn’t think he could be a total asshole, considering he’d raised Brett and his brothers, who were all impressive, confident men.
“I didn’t really think about how big this was,” she admitted. “My mom and grandmother will probably make our relationship out to be much more than it is.”
“As long as they’re not marrying us off, I’m good, babe.” He leaned closer and said, “I told you I’m falling for you. I’m in, Soph. I’m not going to get scared off.”
Her thoughts got caught on the not-marrying-us-off part. The legal girl inside her noted that his statement conflicted with the not-going-to-get-scared-off part. She knew she was getting miles ahead of herself, but a sad pang accompanied the reminder that Brett wasn’t looking for the same happily-ever-after as she was. That was the planner in her coming out. The side of her who liked to know where she was headed. She wasn’t going to let that side of herself rock her happy boat this weekend, especially after how far she and Brett had come as a couple. Her mother’s favorite saying came back to her—Love doesn’t come with an agenda. It breaks all the rules, and that’s what makes it so wonderful.
“Hey, Soph? You okay?”
She must have zoned out. “Yeah. Sorry. I’m good.”
They both glanced up at the house. Gold and white balloons danced from the railings of the wraparound porch. A long banner was strung above the wide front steps that read, HAPPY 50TH, NINA AND PETE! In the side yard, a group of children kicked a ball, and just beyond adults mingled. Sophie could see some of the rectangular wooden tables her grandfather and father had built years ago.
It felt good to be home.
“The party already started?” Brett asked. “Why didn’t you come last night?”
“It’s a come-when-you-can party. It started at breakfast and it’ll go into the evening, but by the time I got off work last night and made the flight and the drive, it would have been really late. It’s easier, and less stressful, to come today and not have to worry about getting held up at the office and having to reschedule my flight.”
“Ah, my little planner. How on earth do you put up with me?”
She glanced down at his hand on her knee. “Know what’s funny? Your inability to plan doesn’t drive me as crazy as you’d think. I mean, it did at first, but since the night of the comedy show, when you told me you wanted only me, it’s become part of your charm.”
“Then tell me this. How did I get lucky enough for you to agree to spend one night with me?”
“One night? What about all the other nights?”
Wickedness simmered in his eyes. “Baby, come on. How could you resist more after one night with all this?” He motioned toward his body.
They both laughed, and he gave her a quick kiss before climbing from the car and coming around to help her out. Children’s voices and the familiar sounds of celebrations surrounded them as Brett grabbed their luggage from the trunk. She spotted Lindsay and her mother heading their way.
Brett hiked their bags over his shoulder and walked slowly, purposefully, toward her, his gaze piercing the distance between them. How did he go from joking to holy-moly hot in only one second?
He placed his hand on her hip and said, “I hope you packed those slinky little cutoffs.”
