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He gently grabs my wrist and leans into my caress. When I think he’s going to release my hand, he instead pulls it back just enough to place a kiss on my palm, allowing his lips to rest there for a second. His eyes don’t leave mine during this entire interaction, and I can’t help but blush at the intimacy of it. When he releases my hand, I can still feel the warmth of his kiss on my palm, as if I’ve been branded by him.

This man is making me swoon, one carbohydrate at a time. And it has to stop.

Once we’ve all finished our dinner, dessert is brought out … for everyone except me. I glance nervously at Brooks, who has probably put everything together by now. Sure enough, his eyes are closed like he’s trying to stay calm, and his jaw is clenched tightly. He opens his eyes with an exhaled breath, cocking his head to the side and popping his very thick, muscled neck. He looks as if he’s about to enter an arena and kick somebody’s butt. Seeing as the other person in that arena would be my mother, I pat his thigh under the table.

“Stay calm. I don’t want to make a scene,” I tell him quietly. He adjusts his ridiculous bow tie, this one with little Highland cow heads all over it, and his cheerful demeanor returns. I feel myself relax.

Brooks scoots his dessert nearer to me, picks up his fork, and scoops up a bite of chocolate cake. He glances at my mother quickly before looking back at me and guiding the fork to my mouth.

I open my mouth to tell him I’m not hungry, but he slides the bite of cake into it. He smiles, obviously trying not to laugh. I play along and try to make this cake feeding thing look as romantic as possible.

Closing my eyes, I hum my approval as the delicious cake melts in my mouth. “That’s decadent,” I say in my sultriest voice.

Brooks continues smirking and reaches a hand up to my face. He swipes at my bottom lip with his thumb. When he pulls it back, I see a dollop of chocolate frosting that must’ve been on my mouth. Right when I think I’ve ruined the whole charade with my messy face, he brings his thumb to his mouth and slowly licks the frosting off.

I hear the other bridesmaids next to me sigh. Probably wishing they had all this masculine attention on themselves. He winks at me, then scoops up another bite of cake. I eat this bite more gracefully.

Brooks continues feeding me, taking a few bites for himself. And we try not to laugh. All in all, I’d say we were pretty successful.

When I finally look up, I find every single person at the table watching us. Todd’s jaw is gaping and his parents look horrified, as do my parents. Preston is smiling in our direction, clearly amused until Mildred notices his smile and elbows him in the side.

“Wow,” Brooks announces. “That was the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted.” He licks his lips and pats his stomach. “Are you full, Molly? Or do you want some more?”

“I’m good, thank you.” I look over at my mother, whose lips are set in a thin, straight line. Her terse look isn’t directed on me, though. It’s settled firmly on Brooks. Although he seems completely oblivious to her annoyance.

Or at least he’s acting like he is.

Brooks drags me up to our room quickly after dinner, most likely wanting to avoid my mother’s ire. Once we’re up the stairs, he bends at the waist and rests his hands on his knees, breathing in and out dramatically like he just ran a mile.

“Barely made it,” he pants, “without murdering your mom.” He exhales again. “Managed to keep my temper in check. What’s my prize?”

Planting my fists on my hips, I glare at him. “No one is murdering anybody.”

“What the hell is her problem? Why wouldn’t she let you eat?” He stands up straight, losing his humor and looking at me expectantly.

The man wants answers, and he wants them now.

I sigh and start walking toward our door down the hallway. “She thought my bridesmaid's dress was a little snug.” I glance at him over my shoulder briefly, but keep walking.

He quirks an eyebrow. “And what did you think?”

I withhold a smile at his question. Brooks always wants to know my opinion on things. Actually, he encourages me to give an opinion. Something no one else seems to do.

Biting my bottom lip, I think about how I should answer. But decide to go with honesty because this is Brooks. I don’t have to hide my opinions from him. “Actually, I thought I looked kind of, well, sexy.”

We make it to our door and he opens it for me with a big grin. “I have a feeling you’re right and your mother is wrong.”

I laugh, hoping he’s correct. “Hot tub time?”

“Hot tub time,” he confirms.

Ten minutes later, we have our suits on and are about to go out to the back deck when a knock comes from our door. Brooks looks at me with a worried expression, and I shrug before walking over and opening the door.

Preston and Mildred are there with their swimsuits on. Mildred, of course, in a tiny string bikini, and Preston in pink trunks that have little whales all over them.

“Can we join you?” Mildred asks.

I glance back at Brooks who looks mildly annoyed. “Uh, sure,” I say, not wanting to be rude.