“Brody.” I sigh his name as I slip off my shoes at the door and enter the foyer. “This room is magnificent.”
His eyes lock on me as he tosses the key cards onto a marble counter. “What room? I don’t see any room.”
In the next heartbeat, I’m pinned to the wall. He strips my jacket off me, followed by the white tank.
We don’t reach the bed for the first round. Or the second. By the time I collapse onto the sheets beside him, I no longer care when I call Finn or what my brother might say.
I’m falling for Brody. Falling hard.
So hard in fact, that no matter what happens, I plan to stick right here by his side.
Trinity
When our stomachs demand that we fill them promptly, Brody leads me down to the street and introduces me to the wonders ofCreole cuisine at Antoine’s, a fixture in the city that never stops. How Brody manages to secure us a table, I don’t know, nor do I care. Though this restaurant does seem like the kind of place that might have mob ties.
The hostess escorts us to a side area with emerald green walls embossed in gold trim and seats us at a two-top with a white linen tablecloth. A heavy crystal chandelier casts strips of amber light. Romance oozes from the atmosphere.
After glancing at me for approval, Brody orders for us both. We’ll share shrimp remoulade, crawfish artichoke au gratin, and a bottle of a two-hundred-dollar red wine.
Splitting meals in this dreamy place, holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes… For the first time in my life, I can truly envision myself with someone.
A new world, one where I’m not alone, rolls out like a red carpet in my mind. Where I have a partner with which to share the good times and bad. To lean on when things get tough and to celebrate any victories.
Brody traces a finger along my arm. “What?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but you’re smiling like you’ve got a secret.” He sips his wine. “And I want to know what it is.”
Do I dare tell him what I’m thinking? I gather my courage. “We look like a couple.”
He freezes for an instant before placing the goblet back on the table. “And how does that make you feel?”
I hide a grin behind my own glass. “Happy, apparently, since I can’t seem to stop smiling.”
Brody wraps his hand over my forearm, which all but disappears under his massive fingers. “Honestly…I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance at something like this.”
My heart stumbles. “Something like what? Romance?” I almost slipped and said theLword. Here’s to hoping theRword won’t freak him out as much, though I notice a thin trail of sweat break out across his hairline.
“I suppose. Though I never really thought about what that something might be.” He brushes his thumb along my skin, his gaze fixed on the table.
“I know what you mean. Ever since Angelica…it’s been the same for me.” I gulp down some wine for liquid courage. “I don’t understand why she died and I didn’t. But I’ve always felt too guilty to have fun or pursue good things when she’ll never have the opportunity again. As if living would be mocking her death.”
Brody spins his fork before downing half a glass of water. “I feel the same way, I think. With my dad.” He sucks in a breath. “Like if I try to pursue any of my own desires, I’m spitting in the face of our family and my role in it. Like I’m not appreciating that he took me in when he could’ve just as easily kicked me out onto the streets or killed me.”
His words cause my chest to ache, and I scoot my chair closer to his. “Seems like we’ve both been trying really hard to do the impossible.”
His eyes flick up to my face. “To please people who’ll never give us what we need.”
Wait. Does he mean “us” as individuals…or “us” as a couple?
My stomach flutters. “It’s human nature to seek companionship with those closest to you, even if they reject you.”
He snakes an arm around my waist and tugs me closer to his side.
“Because it’s natural for people to want to connect?”
When he presses a kiss to my neck, I shudder. Luckily—or maybe not—our meals arrive before we can disgrace ourselves with a display of exhibitionism that would put all the bead-seekers to shame.
