Suddenly, the man who had laughed and teased everyone today was gone, and in his place was the one who had hard edges again, the man she’d met when she first came back to Howling.
She’d seen people shooting him looks today, his parents mainly, and knew they were enjoying seeing their son smile. Branna in no way wanted to analyze why he had changed, or if she had a hand in it, for now she just wanted to stand her ground.
“And if you don’t come with me, then I’ll carry you.”
“You don’t get to make decisions for me, McBride.”
“Wrong answer. Want to try again?”
They battled wills silently for several long, drawn-out seconds, his eyes steady on hers until Branna sighed, knowing she was beat.
“Fine, but we’re taking Geraldine. I’m not having those bastards come back here and go for her next time, because that would hurt just as much as the house.”
“It’ll be a hardship seeing that damned rust bucket in my barn, but I’ll just throw a cover over it so I don’t have to look at it.” He was teasing her now, and she wanted to laugh, but managed to swallow it down.
“I’m driving and you can take that big green beast of yours,” Branna added.
He grabbed her before she’d reached the doorway, spun her into his arms, and then kissed her senseless. It was long and steamy, and Branna wanted to rip his clothes off. She’d spent the day watching him and his big athletic body, lusting after him. It was disturbing because she couldn’t remember ever feeling that way about any man before.
“Get your clothes now, and I’ll get Geraldine, and then we’re taking a shower.”
Branna watched him get the key, jump off the top step, and jog to the shed. Smiling, she hurried upstairs, her body humming with every step she took.
Chapter14
In the four days since her house had been trashed, Branna had stayed at Jake’s or he’d stayed at her house. Cubby had no leads, which was really pissing him off, as in a small town crimes were usually not that hard to solve. Branna didn’t want to get used to cohabitating with Jake, but she had to admit she was. She enjoyed waking in his arms, going for a run, cooking for him, but most of all, she loved talking to him. They didn’t get into the deep heavy stuff of their past. They just talked about the years since she’d left Howling.
She could write there too, sitting on his front deck with the lake shimmering before her; she’d managed to get her first draft near to completion. Her agent would be pleased.
Jake had told her after their second night together that sometimes he had nightmares, and last night he’d had one. Heart pounding, Branna had woken when he yelled. He’d been lying on his side, fists clenched, arms curled around himself. She’d soothed him, wrapped her arms around him from behind, and he’d slowly begun to relax, and eventually he settled back into sleep.
“If you want to sleep in another room tonight, it’s okay with me.”
He was driving them into Howling; it was the Night Carnival, an annual event that Branna vaguely remembered from her years here.
“It’s okay, Jake. I have nightmares too. So as long as you don’t take to lashing out at me, I can cope.”
He took a hand off the wheel and ran it down her arm, the contact making her skin tingle. They’d made love often, and each time she felt as if he was pulling her deeper under his spell. Every time he was inside her, she melted, her body his to command.
“Thanks, and I’ll look after you if you look after me.” His smile was soft.
“Deal.”
They didn’t talk about emotions; the L word had never been mentioned, and for that, Branna was grateful, as it scared the hell out of her.
They parked on a side street just out of town, as there were cars everywhere, and walked toward the main street. The sound of voices grew steadily louder as they drew nearer, and Branna could see the blaze of lights from shop windows, as around them the day began to slip into night. The main street was hung with banners and decorations, and citizens of Howling were all out for the Night Carnival; they mingled with the outsiders who had bussed in for the occasion. Pretty colored lights had been strung up all over the place and that, combined with the delicious scents coming from some of the stalls and the amazing and colorful variety of things people were selling, made the atmosphere almost magical.
Jake and Branna walked along the main street, looking at the displays and chatting with people they knew.
“I remember thinking this was pretty cool when I was living here,” Branna said.
“I can mark my age by this event,” Jake said, taking her hand. “I had my first kiss behind that tent.” Branna followed his hand to a large candy-striped tent, where inside, children were having their faces painted by clowns.
“Who’d you kiss?”
“Annabelle.”
“Hussy.”
