Brodie Read online

  I hold up my messenger bag. “This is all I have.”

  Bless her heart. Daisy doesn't make it weird, asking nosy questions. If she's thinking them, then she's keeping them to herself.

  Brodie walks with me up the stairs to my room door. “Lunch is served at noon. And dinner is at six.”

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “Food falls under payment for your services. I won’t take no for an answer.”

  I don’t know what to say. I’ve never known this amount of kindness from a man before. Everything came at a price with Stephen. He made me feel like he was settling, and I was lucky to be with him. For the first time in my life, if even for just a few days, I’m with someone that looks at me and makes me feel like I’m the prize.

  I urge to lean in and kiss him on the cheek is strong, but I don’t want to give him false hope. I’m not staying. I punch him playfully on the arm. He’s barely moves from the hit, but my fist feels like it punched a wall.

  He chuckles, looking down where we touched and back up at me. “What was that for.”

  “Everything.”

  3

  BRODIE

  Momma was surprisingly quick to jump on board with my hiring Lennon. I think she was just grateful she wasn't going to depend on my brothers or me.

  I do my best to keep my distance the next morning after making the introductions between Lennon and Momma.

  Despite my urge to recreate my dream last night of sinking my cock deep into Lennon against the kitchen island, I knew that I needed to take it slow. I'm the too big, too fast guy. If I’m going to convince her somehow to stay in town longer, I’m going to need to take it slow. Despite her brave front, there’s hesitancy in her.

  It isn’t until late afternoon that I find my way into the kitchen to check on her.

  "You are a natural, dear," Momma says from the comfort of Bridger's office chair in the corner of the kitchen. Her leg is up, and she's flipping through some entertainment magazine and sipping on an icy glass of sweet tea.

  I’m standing in the doorway, taking in the scene. Lennon is too focused on rolling the cookies to notice me. There’s a small radio on the counter playing oldies from the ’80s. Lennon is dancing to the music and mouthing the words, using a wooden spoon as a microphone. My eyes find her ass as it sways to the beat.

  My dick twitches. The need to wrap my arms around her waist and pull her against me is like a siren call. It seems like there is nothing about this woman I don't get lost at sight to.

  “Momma?” I clear my throat, needing to remove images of a naked Lennon from my mind. “How’s it going in here?”

  Momma looks up from her magazine and smiles. “She’s the baking daughter you boys never were to me.”

  I look at Lennon, and we both laugh. “I think I’m okay with that.”

  “Thought you might be,” Momma says, licking her finger and flipping another page.

  “I thought I might steal Lennon to come with me to make some deliveries.”

  "Is it four-thirty already?" she tosses down her magazine. “I have to hurry if I’m going to get dinner on the table by six.”

  “I can help,” Lennon offers.

  “Thank you, dear, but I think I’ve coasted on your generosity for one day.” Momma pats her arm. “If you two could just help me box up some of these cookies off the cooling rack, I'll have some space to work."

  We box up everything before Momma orders us out of her kitchen.

  “I should change.” Lennon wipes at some flour off her shirt.

  "You don't need to.” I step up and wipe a smudge off her cheek. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Kiss her,” a voice whispers behind us.

  We both turn and see Daisy resting her head in her hands, watching us. Eyes wide with eager interest and anticipation.

  “Do you have somewhere else you can be?” I ask.

  “Sorry.” She stands up abruptly. “It’s just with Bryant gone until October and me with only my electric boyfriend to keep me company. I have to find my romance fix somewhere else until he calls again.”

  I glare at her. I will snap all her fishing rods in half if she ruins this for me. Almost as if she's heard my internal threat, Daisy excuses herself to the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee.

  I turn back to Lennon. "Please excuse her. I'm sure I've heard her brother say she was dropped on her head when she was a baby.”

  “It’s fine.” Lennon smiles, but I notice a faint pink flush in her cheeks.

  “I hope it’s okay that I volunteered you to come with me. I thought you might have needed a rest.”

  She stretches her arms out. “Yeah, baking cookies has made me use muscles in my arms I didn’t know I had. So, where are we going?”

  “Many of the families in town take turns once a month making dinners for some of the older citizens of Knight's Ridge who have trouble making a proper warm meal for themselves. When it's our turn, I make all of the deliveries."

  "That's sweet."

  "I know some people might even call me a saint.”

  She smacks my arm, but smiles. “You know what I mean. I bet it can get lonely for some of them.”

  "For some, it can be, when it’s harder for them to get out of the house. That’s why I like to leave early enough to allow some time to talk with them. Not just drop off the food and bail.”

  “I like that.” But then she frowns. “There’s only one problem.”

  Dread hovers over me like a dark cloud. “What is it?”

  “Where are all the dinners we are taking?”

  “Dammit,” I sigh.

  LENNON

  With each house we stop at, it’s clear the effect Brodie has on the people in this town. The smiles on their faces when they open the door and see him standing there really shows me what a fantastic guy he is. He doesn't do it for the praise the way Stephen did.

  One woman even told me that if she were fifty years younger, I'd have some competition as we watched him replace a lightbulb in the living room. His jeans-clad ass on full display as he worked. The urge to stand up and bite it was strong, but I managed to control myself. Barely.

  After we drop off the last meal, we stop in town for dinner at Hal's Diner. Hal himself, dressed in a cook's apron, came out and talked to Brodie.

  "She's a looker this one." Hal points at me. "What's she doing with a putz like you?"

  Brodie smiles and shrugs. “I’m just lucky, I guess.”

  “Good answer.” Hal pats him on the shoulder and turns to me. “Don’t let this one go, sweetheart.”

  If I could follow my heart, I’d assure him that I wouldn’t, but life doesn’t always go according to what the heart wants.

  It's dark by the time we get back to the lodge. I look up as I get out of the truck and stop. Stars fill up the night sky, unlike anything I've ever seen before.

  “Wow,” I say, as I Brodie steps next to me.

  “Can’t get a view like this in the city.”

  I shake my head. “No, you can’t.”

  “If you want, I can show you the best spot on the mountain for looking at the stars.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Brodie pulls a blanket from the back seat of his truck and takes my hand in his. He leads me around the back of the lodge and up a narrow path. I’m not sure I would have even noticed it in the daytime. We stop when there’s a small break in the trees with a patch of grass. Brodie lays down the blanket, and we lay on our backs.

  I can feel the heat coming off him. It’s cooler out now. I want to lean over and rest my head on his broad chest. We watch quietly as a couple of shooting stars flash across the night sky.

  “When we were young,” Brodie says, interrupting the stillness. “My brothers used to make up constellations in the sky and teach them to me like they were real whenever we’d come up here.”

  “Aww, poor little Brodie. Didn’t have a chance, did you?”

  "Not with three older brothers. I didn't find out what they'd done un
til one day in science class when Mrs. Applebaum was listing off the winter sky's constellations."

  “Oh no,” I cover my mouth to hide the laughter bubbling up. “What happened?”

  “I asked her why she didn’t point out the bearded lady next to Orion. When she looked at me confused, I explained to her—like she was the crazy one—how Orion was part of the cluster of circus constellations.”

  I snort, unable to hide my laughter anymore. “It’s a good thing you’re pretty,” I tease, and he laughs with me.

  “After Momma was done with them, it was a while before they messed with me again.”

  Shoulder to shoulder, his lips are only a few inches away. I watch his gaze dip down to my mouth, but he doesn’t make a move. I realize that he’s waiting for me. He’s allowing me to pick the pace on how fast we move. The urge to kiss him is stronger than ever.

  I do it. I take the plunge and lean in. I ignore all the reasons why I shouldn’t and inside listen to the one reason I should.

  4

  BRODIE

  The moment our lips touch, I'm lost. I know without a doubt in my mind that Lennon is the only woman for me. If I'm honest, there's always been a part of me that knew I found my other half when she walked into my life. All this time, I thought I kept missing opportunities for love, but I was just waiting for her to find me.

  I cup her face in my hand and pull her closer, heating the already scorching kiss. I lick my tongue along her sweet lips, urging her to open. She does. I’m barely able to contain the contented sigh that comes out of me. I lay her down on her back and settle between her knees.

  I run my hands over her thighs and under her shirt to cup her breasts. I knead the soft flesh. Lennon raises her arms, allowing me to pull off her shirt.

  I bite at each lace covered nipple, catching one between my teeth, giving it just enough pressure to make her moan with pleasure. I tug at her bra strap, pulling it down her shoulder. The dusty pink bud of her breast pops free, and I latch onto it with my mouth. Licking and sucking hungrily like a starved man.

  I thrust my hips forward, pressing my cock against her pussy. My need to be inside her drives me wild, but I don’t want to push her, so I start to pull back. Her hands reach down and grab my ass. She holds me where I am.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispers.

  I reach down between us and pop the buttons of her jeans. The zipper pulls open as I slip my hand beneath the silky fabric of her panties. My fingers find her wet folds, and I push one finger inside.

  Lennon’s head rolls back as her moans grow louder.

  I pump my hand. One finger and then another thrusting up inside her and my thumb pressed against her clit. I watch as the pleasure builds inside Lennon. Like a pot of boiling water ready to boil over, her eyes flutter back, and she screams her release. I clamp my mouth over her to keep her from alerting everyone in the lodge as to what we are doing.

  I don’t want anyone to come looking for us and interrupt. I pull at her jeans as she unbuckles my pants. She reaches in and grips my shaft.

  “I don’t want anything between us,” she breathes. “I want to feel all of you.”

  I look down into her blue eyes to make sure there is no confusion about what she's telling me.

  “I’m clean. Are you?”

  She nods. “And I’m on the pill.”

  We both undress quickly. I guide myself to her wet slit and push in. The sensation of being inside her is unlike anything I've ever felt before. She clutches my arms and wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me in deeper. In and out, I push and pull, as a pleasurable heat begins to grow with the friction of our bodies. It builds to near burning levels. I feel her tighten even tighter around me before she lets go. Watching her release is the push I need to bring me to mine. My balls tighten and release, filling her with my hot seed.

  I slump down to her side—each of us gasping to catch our breath.

  “I never knew it could be like that,” Lennon breaths out.

  “Only with you, babe.” I kiss her temple and pull her into my arms. “Only with you.”

  5

  BRODIE

  A few days later, I walk hand and hand with Lennon down the main drag through town that has been closed off for the Knight’s Ridge Mid-Summer Madness Festival. Lennon was able to complete the cookie order last night and was given strict instructions by Momma to enjoy herself. And I was determined to show her everything.

  People travel from all over western North Carolina and a few neighboring states for the event. There are rides and games and so much food. Tonight, there will be a dance in the high school gym to cap it all off.

  We look around, pausing here and there, testing new foods from vendors from neighboring towns. We stop at Jada’s table for The Roasted Bean. I make the introductions between Lennon and Jada.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you,” Jada says. “I’ve heard a lot about you these past few days.”

  "All good things, I hope,” Lennon jokes.

  Jada smiles. “When Brodie described you, he didn’t do you justice.”

  “Really?”

  "She's kidding." I look at Lennon then back up at Jada. "Tell her you're kidding, or I'm cutting you off of Momma's cookies."

  Jada narrows her eyes at me. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me.”

  She looks at Lennon. “He said you were the light of his life. The moon and his stars. And your ass was a work of art.”

  There's a beat of silence, and I'm not sure how Lennon will take this. I was joking about most of it, but about her ass part was true. Lennon bursts out laughing.

  "A work of art?" She twists her hips, trying to get a good look. "That's a description I can get on board with."

  We all laugh, but then I notice some guy watching us from a few booths away. His gaze is laser-focused on Lennon. I pull her close to me, not liking the look he's giving her, like a predator about to pounce on its prey. He notices me watching him and turns, losing himself in the crowd.

  I forget about him when Miss Etta approaches the booth with a cup of coffee in her hands.

  “Where did you get that?” Jada scowls.

  “At that table.” Miss Etta points towards another coffee table. “If my own granddaughter won’t give me any, I will have to go find someone else who will.”

  Jada throws up her hands in frustration.

  “I think we are going to leave you two to discuss this on your own.” I start to turn Lennon away. Jada waves at both of us.

  “Remember to save me a dance tonight!” Miss Etta calls after me.

  “You know you’re the first on my dance card.” I wink back at her.

  I chuckle as I watch Jada pluck the cup from Miss Etta's hand and dramatically pour it out.

  We work our way by all of the booths on the north side of the street. We are about to work our way back when I feel Lennon's hand squeeze mine like a vice. I look over at her, and it seems like all the color has drained from her face.

  “You okay?”

  She doesn’t say a word. She’s staring at someone in the crowd. I turn wondering if the guy is back, but I don't see him.

  “Can we go home now?”

  "But there are still a few more hours."

  Lennon stares at me with a look I can’t describe, but I know something’s wrong. “I want to go. Now.”

  6

  LENNON

  He’s here. I’m not sure how he found me, but he did, and I need to run. I can’t have him hurting anyone because of me. If I can get out before he realizes where I am, it would lead him away from the Knights and the trouble I’ve brought to their doorstep.

  I stuff my few belongings into my bag and start for the door, but something stops me. I can’t let Brodie think I left without saying anything. I scribble out a note to him, fold the sheet, and write his name on it. I hope that one day he can forgive me for leaving this way. It’s the only thing I can think to do to protect him.

  I listen at the top of the sta
irs for anyone down in the lobby, but I don’t hear anything. I sneak down the steps and freeze when I hear voices in the kitchen. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but it doesn’t matter, I need to move quickly. If I wasn't in such a hurry to get as far away from here as I can, I wouldn't consider what I'm about to do next. I grab Brodie’s truck keys hanging behind the front desk and bolt for the door.

  My hands are shaking so hard. I’m barely able to get the key in the truck door. I feel the lock click when I turn the key just as someone grabs my arm and yanks me around.

  It’s Stephen.

  My stomach sinks like a stone in my gut when he twists his lips in a sinister smile, reserved for times when he wants to punish me. Memories flash in my mind of this smile on his face as he slapped me around and threw me into the wall.

  “Let me go!” I try to swing my arm out at him. My nails rake across his face.

  He stares at me for a stunned moment. I’ve never fought back before. He lifts his fingers up to his cheek to check if he’s bleeding. Three angry, bloody lines appear on his cheek.

  “I’m going to make you regret that!” he hisses through gritted teeth. He shakes me by the shoulders, and my head smacks the side of the truck. "I'm going to make your little boyfriend pay too when I'm done with you."

  “No!” I scream as loud as I can as he drags me towards his car, my feet barely able to move quick enough to say under me. He tosses me in the passenger seat and slams the door in my face.

  BRODIE

  I’m standing in the kitchen eating one of Lennon’s cookies when Momma walks in and stands next to me. She breaks off a piece and pops it in her mouth.

  “I think I might have to admit that Lennon is a better baker than me.”

  “Not possible, Momma.”

  She chuckles to herself. "I'm going to pretend to believe you. But a word to the wise, when you marry her, always side with her cooking. You'll thank me later."

  “How did you know I want to marry her?”