He grabs my hands and yanks me up. "Tell me you feel it. That you can't imagine being without me. Tell me I'm not the only one that thinks you're what I was searching for without ever knowing."
I clutch his shirt with my fingers and lean into him. "I do. It's taking everything I've got to not rip this off of you." My body trembles in his embrace. The scent of him is intoxicating It’s almost too much. "Brady, it's overwhelming. My reaction to you isn't normal. It's as if I want to devour every inch of you, and I'm afraid if I start I'll never stop."
"Yes, that's how it is for me too. But not tonight." He grabs my hips with hands that make me feel tiny and pushes gently away. "You need to be sure. I meant it when I said once I have you, you're mine forever. It's all or nothing with me."
I nod because I'm afraid to tell him the same thing. Every pore of my being knows he's the only man that will ever satisfy me. I let out a shaky "Okay."
He takes my hand. "We should get back downstairs with the others."
"Wait. I want to look at the stars one more time." I turn away and close my eyes as I lift my face to the sky. All the nagging fears of coming here are gone, and I know this was meant to be. I pray to the powers that be. Thank you for giving me Brady. Please let love consume me the way my desire has.
As we approach the bottom of the steps, Sierra scrambles up off the couch with a squeak and straightens her clothing. Apparently we weren't the only ones who couldn't keep their hands off each other. Keith says, "Annie went to her room. It's late, and I should probably take the ladies home now."
Brady says, "Yeah." His hand is at the small of my back when he asks, "Carly, would you like to see what I do tomorrow?"
"Yes, I would love that."
We walk toward the garage, and he pulls me back when Sierra and Keith step through the door. He closes it behind them and pushes me up against it to ravage me with a kiss so intense my knees are weak.
His voice is husky. "You have no idea how hard it is to let you leave this house. You belong here, with me. Forever."
Oh, God. Tears prick my eyes from the intensity of my feelings. I don't want to leave either. I reach up and put a hand on his face. His skin seems warmer than it should, and I know my fingers will miss it the moment I pull them away. "What time should I come and where?"
"I'll pick you up at eight. Wear jeans and boots if you have them."
I step up on my tiptoes and kiss him quickly. "I can't wait."
When Sierra and I finally make it to our rooms, she pulls me into hers. As soon as the door closes, she squeals, and I join in. "Oh my God, Carly!" She twirls me around as if we're dancing. "This is so much better than I could have imagined. I swear to you, this time next year we'll both be married."
I chuckle and say, "And maybe pregnant too. Are you okay with that little piece?"
"I think I am." She rolls her eyes. "Can you believe I just said that?"
"Not really, considering the Sierra I know, but you're a nurturing soul, and if you want children, you'll make a great mom."
She grins. "Thanks. Now get out of here. Keith is picking me up at seven, and I'm going to learn all about the lumber business."
I imagine her in jeans and work boots. "Hey, do you have any extra Docs with flowers on them?"
She giggles. "Of course I do."
I float back to my room, thinking about spending the day with Brady. A smile spreads across my face because I'm going to dream tonight. And I want to. Because anything I imagine us doing is entirely possible.
17
Chapter 4
Carly
Brady shows up at eight, right on the nose. I’m hit with the aroma of coffee. He says, "I brought you a cup but wasn't sure what to put in it, so there's cream and sugar packets too."
My usual habit is to be caffeine-free to avoid the shakes when working, but the sweet gesture makes me throw caution to the wind and go for the java buzz. "How thoughtful, thank you. I'm a cream and sugar girl."
The plastic of a to-go mug is smooth in my hands when I open it. The faint smell of maple wafts up. "Is this maple coffee?"
Brady's full lips turn up at the corners. "Good nose. I almost added more to yours but after one drop realized I didn't know if you liked sugar in your coffee. I hope it's okay."
"It's more than okay, I'm beginning to wonder how I lived my life before discovering real maple syrup." Yes, I'm totally buttering him up. But the smile I get for it is so worth the effort.
"Are you flirting with me, Carly Cutler?"
"I sure am, Brady Le Roux."
He reaches over and takes my hand. Still amazed at the sheer size of him, I squeal a little on the inside at how small he makes me feel. I sip the hot liquid, and it warms my insides on the way down.
Brady says, "The plan today is to show you what I do in the morning and then take you and Sierra on a hike to a wonderful spot Keith is setting up for a picnic. How does that sound?"