“I’ve never been so angry in my life.”
“Me, neither, but...” She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Why didn’t you just open the door?”
Brad threw back his head and laughed. She loved hearing him this way. Not only did she fall more in love with him, but she had more self-confidence in herself. Brad made her feel like an interesting woman. No other man, especially Tom, had made her experience such elation.
She leaned up and kissed him briefly on the lips. “I won’t be long.”
“Good. I’m anxious to get you somewhere safe.” He wagged his eyebrows. “And maybe bring a swimsuit. We’ll take advantage of the pool and spa.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
* * * *
BREANNA DIDN’T WANTto awaken. Brad’s bed was so soft, so cozy, and still held his masculine scent of musk and spice on his sheets and pillowcase. But she needed to get out of bed. She’d been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours, but she needed to rejuvenate and get on with her life.
She climbed out of his large bed and walked into his adjoining bathroom. When she glanced at herself in the mirror, she gasped.I look a mess!She quickly ran her hands under the faucet and dampened her hair. Then she ran her wet fingers underneath her eyes to remove the black makeup smeared there. Her cheek held the proof of Tom’s anger. Tenderly, she touched it and flinched. Hopefully, the pain would leave soon.
Leaving the bathroom, she glanced around the room, searching for the suitcase of clothes she’d brought to stay the night. She needed to change out of these clothes since she’d slept in them, even if it had only been two hours of sleep.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed Brad’s closet door was open. Hanging next to his clothes were hers. She smiled as her heart skipped a beat. He was such a thoughtful man. How did she get so lucky to find him in her miserable world? But she wasn’t going to question fate. She’d accept it wholeheartedly.
She quickly changed into another dress he’d purchased for her when they’d gone shopping. This one was made of green spandex, and fitted her figure like a glove – or closer, actually. The collarless dress had short sleeves, and three buttons that trailed down the bodice. The hem hit her just above her knees. When she slipped on her black heels, she couldn’t help but feel like a model. Then again, Brad had a way of making her feel that way.
She left the bedroom and wandered down the hall. The house seemed quiet. Then again, with the noise from her heels clicking on the hardwood floor, perhaps that drowned out any sounds going on downstairs.
Just before she reached the stairs, one of the bedroom doors opened and a man stepped out. To keep from running into him, she stopped suddenly. The man’s eyes widened as his gaze moved all over her, from the top of her head, down to her black heels. Although she’d never met him, she knew this was Brad’s brother, Corey. His hair was a lighter brown and shorter, but he still had Brad’s sparkling blue eyes, and his handsome face.
He grinned, and just like Brad, he grinned more out of one side of his mouth.
“You must be Breanna... or Tyger.”
She nodded. “I’m Breanna, but Brad calls me Tyger.”
“I’m Corey.” He held out his right hand in greeting.
She shook it. “Nice to finally meet you.”
He glanced up the hallway toward Brad’s room before returning his gaze to her. “Are you staying with Brad now?”
“Just for tonight. I’ve had a terrifying twenty-four hours.”
Corey’s smile disappeared. “Yes, my dad told me what happened. I’m glad you and my brother made it out of the warehouse alive.”
She nodded. Apparently, he’d not heard about the situation with Tom, but she wasn’t going to enlighten him. That part of her life she wanted to forget. “Yes, Brad and I were blessed, that’s for sure.”
He motioned toward the stairs. “Were you heading downstairs for dinner?”
“Uh, well... I didn’t know it was dinner, but I was going down to find Brad.”
His full smile returned. “You must join us for dinner, then.”
“Your family has been so kind to me. I don’t know how to repay you all.”
He flipped his hand in the air. “There’s no need to repay us. Any woman who can tolerate my brother and still love him for his faults is a good person in my eyes.” He winked.
Breanna’s cheeks warmed. He winked like Brad, too. “Your brother has been a godsend to me. I don’t know where I’d be without him.”
Silence stretched between them as they headed down the stairs. Since meeting Brad, she felt awkward if people were quiet around her. Funny, since she used to enjoy silence. “Brad tells me you have your own computer business.”
