Page 39 of Clear Blue Sky

“I understand.” He tossed her undergarments across the room. Standing at the edge of the bed, he removed his clothing as quickly as possible. “However, I want you to promise me you won’t go near The Heritage Inn.”

“Can we stop talking?”

He growled, lowering himself to the mattress, wrapping his arms around her sweet body, losing himself in her gentle touch.

Everything about her made him want to be a different man. To forget his past and everything he’d been running from, even though all the ugliness of it followed him to the most wonderful place in the world.

When he was with Brandi, none of that mattered. In the short time he’d known her, she’d fundamentally changed the way he viewed life.

For years, he believed all he needed was his brothers. They were his lifeline. They still were. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have ventured into civilian life without them.

However, letting Brandi in and opening up to her had shown him that something had been missing from his life. He’d never thought he’d been capable of love. That he could ever trust a woman, in part because of Roxy, but also because the idea of sharing anything with anyone outside of his immediate family gave him anxiety.

Holding her in her arms, kissing her, and the idea that it could end, made his pulse increase with fear.

“Yes. Nelson, yes,” she whispered, digging her fingers into his shoulder blades as he thrust himself deep.

Desperately, she ground her hips. Her climax took hold of him like a death grip.

His orgasm mixed with hers like a blender exploding. His vision blurred and his lungs burned.

“If makeup sex is going to be like that, we should fight more often,” she said with a raspy breath.

He rolled to his side, pulling her tight to his chest, and laughed. “As good as that was, I’d prefer not to argue.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Say that again, and I’ll torture you after work.”

“Is that a promise?” She glanced up and smiled.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” He kissed her forehead. “I have to head in. Call me if you need me.”

“Actually, I need to set up a meeting with your chef and also bring Jared over to discuss security.”

“I’ll set something up for both,” he said. “Probably tomorrow.”

She kissed the center of his chest. “You’re the best.”

He slipped from the bed and found his jeans. “Listen. Even though I signed the contract and read the book, I’d like to keep that as quiet as possible.”

“I don’t have to file it yet. We’re still in revise and resubmit.”

“Please try to avoid Marcus.”

“I have no intention of meeting with him. Not unless you think it’s the right way to go. I’ll either be here, my brother’s, or at Blue Moon.”

Bending over, he cupped the back of her neck and kissed her one last time. “Promise me if you hear from him, you’ll let me know.”

“Wow. I’m not used to this overprotective side of yours.”

He pulled his shirt over his head. “I know you’re teasing me, but Marcus is—”

“Nelson. Go to work.”

* * *

Brandi set a tray of cheese and crackers out on the table in the middle of the gazebo.

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