Page 9 of Clear Blue Sky

“I have no idea.” She sighed. Fear prickled her skin. She wanted Nelson to open up and that had been her plan for the evening, but she worried he’d want to skip the small talk and go right to the bedroom, like they always did.

“Are you saying you want to find out?”

“Are you encouraging me to?”

Lake reached across the table. “I want you to be happy.”

“I hear a but coming,” she said.

“I’m concerned he can’t give you what you want, that’s all.”

“I’m going to talk to him about us and being exclusive.”

“I’m glad you’re putting you wants and needs on the table. Just be prepared that you might not like his answer.”

“Your words are under advisement.”

2

Brandi’s heart thumped in the center of her throat. Being nervous had never been something she had to deal with on a regular basis. She’d been raised to be confident, even when she wasn’t. Hiding insecurities had become an art form for the Grants, something her mother had instilled in both her and her brother.

However, as she raised her finger to the doorbell, all that disappeared, and she was left wondering if she was good enough.

But for what?

A man?

The door rattled and Nelson appeared with a smile. He wore a pair of jeans, a dark button-down shirt, and no shoes.

“Good evening,” he said with a sexy drawl and smile. “How’s your brother’s new baby?”

“Adorable, but not sleeping much.”

“That’s rough.” He stepped aside. His home wasn’t near as grand as her brother’s house. It was a two-story with four bedrooms upstairs, an eat-in kitchen, a family room, a den on the main floor with a master bedroom suite, and the lower level had a game room. It had obviously been decorated by a man with dark tones and dark leather furniture. But it was still nice. “I can’t imagine what that would be like as none of my brothers or myself have ever had kids.”

“Last weekend when I was here, Maddie was sleeping for what seemed like an eternity, but now, she screams bloody hell for hours.”

“You’re welcome to sleep here if you’d like.”

If her talk had gone well, that had always been the plan. She held up an oversized bag. “I’m glad you said that because I packed my toothbrush.” Hopefully, she wouldn’t be leaving in the next hour, because she really wanted things to change between them.

He laughed, taking her bag into his hands. “Can I get you a drink?” He left her duffel on the steps and took her hand, tugging her into the kitchen where he’d set out a tray of cheese and crackers and had a bottle of red already opened and decanted. That was different. Normally, he’d tug her right into the master. “Why don’t we sit outside for a little? We don’t get many nights like this in April.”

While the passion for him still filled her bloodstream, this felt more like a date. She both liked that sensation and found it utterly horrifying. “Sounds good to me.” She took the tray of food while he took the wine and two glasses. Stepping out onto the patio, she inhaled the cool evening air. It smelled like a crisp pear mixed with a splash of morning dew. “I love it up here.”

“You should get a place of your own.”

“If it were that simple.” It wasn’t like she couldn’t afford it. That wasn’t the problem. After setting the food on a small table between two chaise lounges, she eased into one of the chairs and stared at the stars and the moon. “I’ve thought about it, but things are complicated with my dad.” This was the first time since she’d known Nelson that they had dove into anything other than the food menu at the restaurant. A good book recommendation. A favorite movie or television show.

But only after they’d jumped into bed and were getting dressed before she dashed out the door.

This was a good start to getting to know him better and she wasn’t going to ruin it by doing what she always did and use sex to avoid what she really wanted.

Nelson handed her a very generous pour. He pulled his chair closer and stretched out his legs. “You’ve never talked much about your dad. Or your famous movie star mom.”

She burst out laughing. “So, you do know my family.”

“Your mother is an amazing actress and she’s starring in a role of a lifetime. Kind of hard to miss.” He clanked his glass against hers and smiled. “But I figured you preferred to keep that private. I’m sure having an actress for a mom has had its ups and downs.”

---