Page 14 of Loving Brooke

Gavin’s phone started ringing. “Too late. It’s Charlie.”

Brooke threw her hands in the air. “That’s great. Just great!”

“Hi, sis.”

“You’re with Brooke!” Charlie shrieked. “Oh, I’m so, so happy for you, Gavin. So happy!”

His sister was just about yelling. Flinching, Gavin held the phone away from his ear and put it on speaker.

“Thank you,” he began.

But his sister was on a roll and not at all interested in anything he had to say. “We’ve just spoken to Eleanor—Lindsay’s here with me. We were wondering if you’d mind if we have dinner here on the ranch? Linds and I will cook. It’s just easier with Ellie. Shall we say six o’clock? Tell Brooke Connor can sleep over; Lindsay says Blake will be going into town quite early tomorrow and he can drop him off at school. That’ll give you two lovebirds some alone-time. Oooh—we’re so, so happy! See you later.”

Gavin put his phone away and walked toward the side cupboard where Brooke’s phone lay. He picked it up and handed it to her. “Here. Still want to call your mother?”

Clearly irritated, Brooke grabbed it from him. “I would’ve found my own damn phone, thank you. There will be no point in calling my mom now. By this time, she’s already told everyone in town.” She was chewing her lip again; his eyes followed every single movement. “Okay, we do this for two weeks, but you can’t...”

He pulled her closer and cupped her face. “I’m going to kiss you, Brooke, and often. Get used to it.” His lips hovered over hers. He had to be sure. “Do you know who’s going to kiss you now?”

Her eyes were on his lips. “My toes have never curled before...”

That was all he needed to hear. His mouth slid over hers, capturing her bottom lip between his, desire slamming into his gut. She was soft and warm, and within seconds, he was feasting on her full mouth, inhaling her unique scent of orange blossom and something he couldn’t quite distinguish. This was what had been driving him crazy since day one.

His hands roamed over her back, quickly finding their way back under her top. Skin on skin. Satin. Velvet. Soft. So soft he could spend days exploring every centimeter. But he wanted to have more of her. So much more.

He eased back, lifting his head slowly. “I want you. So badly,” he whispered, his desire for her throbbing painfully between them.

The embers of passion were still burning in her eyes, but she stepped back, gulping in air. “See? That’s what happens when you kiss me! I forget about everything else.” Her eyes widened. I...I can’t believe I’ve just told you that. The point is, we can’t kiss—”

“We’re going to kiss, babe, that’s not negotiable.”

“So what happens after two weeks?”

“I won’t be here. I’ll be in Seattle. By that time, whatever fire we’ve lit between the two of us will be extinguished and we’ll move on.”

She stared at him, again chewing her lower lip. The one he’d had between his own lips. His body reacted.

“Okay,” she finally said. “Kissing is allowed. But that’s it. No touching of body parts underneath our clothes.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. I don’t sleep around.”

He wanted to pull her close and kiss her until she begged him to take off every piece of her clothing, but she was right. He didn’t like it, but he couldn’t promise her a happy-ever-after, and she had been very clear about the fact she wasn’t getting married again. Besides, he would probably be the one doing the begging.

He nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

“That’s what I want.”

“I don’t have the same stipulations. So if...” He couldn’t help himself, he had to touch her face again. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” And ignoring the loud voice in his head, he bent down and kissed the side of her mouth before he turned around and walked out of her kitchen.

If she were to call him back, he wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next.

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