“Yes, Tarzan.” I playfully rolled my eyes.
“Come here, Jane.” Brody’s hand squeezed the back of my neck while his mouth devoured mine. I became completely lost in the kiss. The spectacle he was making as he leaned me back in a dramatic dip and kissed me like there was no tomorrow didn’t even register with me. Until he lifted us from the dip and released my mouth and the entire team who had been watching from the bus began to applaud.
I wanted to kill him then, even though he had warned me. Before he loosened his grip, he surprised me by slipping something over my head. It was his jersey. He wasn’t kidding about wanting to brand me.
“Take good care of her.” He nodded to Michael as he opened my car door.
The first few minutes of the ride were uncomfortably quiet. Eventually, Michael spoke. “So. I guess I know why you didn’t want to go out with me.”
“Sorry. I probably should have told you. But when you first asked, we weren’t dating yet, and I really was busy like I said. And then the next time, we still weren’t dating when I said yes, but by the time we—”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.” He glanced at me, then back to the road. “I’m not gonna lie and say I’m not disappointed. But I won’t make things uncomfortable.”
My shoulders relaxed a little. “Thank you.”
The three-hour drive was actually really relaxing. The warm Florida sun beat down on my head while the wind from the open top kept me nice and cool. Between starting my new position a few months ago, meeting Brody, and then worrying about the reappearance of his long-lost ex, I had been really stressed lately. “I’ve never been in a convertible. I love it. Did you rent this car?”
“No. I actually have a home down here. In Miami. I keep a car at the house.”
“I didn’t realize that. Is it far from the hotel?”
“Twenty minutes with traffic.”
“Oh. I can take a cab from there, so you don’t have to go out of your way.”
“I don’t mind. But you’re welcome to stay at my place instead of the hotel.”
My eyes flashed to him.
“Relax. I have a guesthouse. You’re welcome to stay there. We don’t even have to be in the same building.”
“Thank you for the offer. But I’ll just stay at the hotel.”
Michael shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. He was so easygoing. Staying in his guesthouse probably shouldn’t have been an issue. Yet somehow it felt wrong. The hotel was definitely a better idea.
Traffic slowed to a crawl once we hit the Miami strip, and my phone buzzed in my bag. I dug it out and read the text from Brody.
Brody: Sitting on plane. Delayed. What are you doing?
I decided to screw with him a bit.
Delilah: Having margaritas poolside and working on my tan. Good thing I tossed a bathing suit in my bag.
Brody: With Langley?
Delilah: Who else would I be with?
Brody: You’re fucking with me, right?
Delilah: Guess you’ll find out when you see my tan marks.
Brody: Your ass is going to have my hand marks when I see you.
Delilah: Hmm . . . I might like that.
Brody: Are you fucking with me?
Delilah: About the drinks and pool? Yes. The handmarks . . .
Brody: I’m getting wood on the plane next to a 325-pound linebacker.
Delilah: LOL
Brody: Just announced we’re finally cleared for takeoff. Gotta power off. Wish you were coming home with me. Even after three days with you, I miss you as soon as I leave.
My heart swelled a little in my chest. The man quite literally charmed the pants off me, without even trying. I was crazy about him and finally learning to sit back, relax, and enjoy it.
Delilah: Me too.
***
It was after midnight when my phone buzzed again. I had just fallen asleep. Brody’s name flashed at me on the screen. I answered, smiling, grogginess in my voice. “Hey.”
“I woke you?”
“It’s okay. I must have just fallen asleep.”
“I shouldn’t have called so late. Sorry. I’ll call you in the morning.”
The tone of his voice made me sit up. I reached over and turned on the light. “What’s the matter?”
“I picked up my messages when we landed. Broadhollow Manor called. They took Marlene in an ambulance to the hospital.”
“What happened?”
“They’re not sure. She was a little out of it during the day. Then she took a nap, which isn’t like her, and never woke back up. Her vitals started slipping, so they called an ambulance.”
“Oh God. I’m sorry. Are you heading there now?”
“Yeah. They took her to St. Luke’s. I’m in a cab on my way.”
Brody barked orders at the cabby for the next five minutes, telling him not to take certain streets. The stress level in his voice rose as he got closer. “I’m gonna jump out and walk the last few blocks. Traffic is at a standstill on Eighth Avenue. At fucking midnight.” He pulled the phone away from his mouth and spoke to the driver. “Pull over, let me out here.” I heard the car door shut and muffled words as he exited the cab.