The water felt good, and he rested his head on the wall while he thought about Macy. As far as sex went, it was the best he'd had, Brad could admit that to himself at least. Once she'd given herself to the passion, she was right there with him every step of the way.
“You are one sweet woman, Macy,” he said as the water streamed over his body. Her lips had sent him to places he'd never experienced before, and when he’d sunk deep inside her, the pleasure had been beyond description.
“It's been a while,” he reminded himself. He hadn't had time for a woman in his bed lately, so that was probably why he'd felt like he did with Macy.
The woman was made for passion, and he refused to acknowledge that the thought of her experiencing such pleasure with another man disturbed him. In fact, it made him fucking angry.
Turning the water to cold, he blasted it over his body, and then got out and rubbed himself down, hard, with the towel.
“It's done, you had a good night, massive understatement, now it's time to get out of Oz, Dorothy.”
He dressed in another pair of worn jeans and a T-shirt, then closed his duffel and headed downstairs.
“Can you give me directions to Ethan and Annabelle Gelderman's home, please,” he asked the girl on reception.
Minutes later he was on the same road out of town, only this time he didn't have the legs of Macy Reynolds wrapped around him. He followed the lake, the blue waters looking inviting, but he didn't have time for that. He needed to get this done. Say hello and good-bye to his brother and then leave. No need to speak about the stuff that was inside his head, no need at all.
Texas was of course still the most beautiful place in the world, but Brad had to admit that Howling was right up there. He’d always believed himself a big city boy, but he could see this place had its pluses. Peace, friends, and community to name three of them.
Finding the recently wed Geldermans’ house, he turned his bike up the drive.
Set back in the trees, the entire front was glass and open. The roof was pitched, the materials natural, and it looked like it had been there for years.
Pulling his bike to a stop, he lowered the stand and climbed off. His brother's face appeared above him.
“I wondered when you'd find your way here.”
“I said I'd see you before I left.”
“Come on up then, we have food and coffee.”
His stomach rumbled at the words, and he was soon taking the stairs.
The view was spectacular. Snowcapped mountains, a vast expanse of water, and he could see why Ethan had settled on this spot to make a life with his new bride.
“Hi there, Brad.”
Annabelle wore shorts that showed off long limbs, a multicolored tank, and in her hair was an emerald scarf.
“Hey, Mrs. Gelderman.”
She gave him a cheeky smile, then moved to slip an arm around her husband's waist. He in turn leaned in to her. Macy would roll her eyes and say something about everyone being loved up about now, and it pissed him off that he knew that on such short acquaintance, even if he did know the woman intimately.
“So you probably met this idiot last night, but let me introduce you again,” Ethan said as Brad noticed the man lounging in a chair on the deck.
“Paul Newman, aka Newman, meet Brad Gelderman, my brother.”
Brad ignored the small jolt as Ethan claimed him, and then moved to shake the man's hand.
“No way, I'm a huge fan, man. Have all your movies.”
Newman gave him an easy smile, and Brad guessed he was used to the notoriety that came with his name.
“You should try my organic, dark-chocolate peanut butter cups, they're really something.”
Brad laughed. “I may just have to do that.”
“Sit.” Ethan waved him to a seat.
