There is no space between us as I snake my hands around his neck, his arms wrap around my waist, and we deepen the kiss. His skilled tongue swirls with mine. He tastes of mint and I’m sure I taste like coffee.
The warmth of his body sends chills down my spine and I wonder how the hell I’m still standing. As if I can’t get enough, I swallow the groan that escapes the back of his throat and love that I can do that to him.
What the hell is wrong with me? Get a grip, Delilah. You’re in your office. Be professional, for goodness sakes!
He must have read my thoughts as he breaks the connection and I immediately miss his lips. “We need to stop, sweetheart. Or you’ll be in big trouble with my boss’s wife.”
I lick my lips, tasting the last of his mint gum. “What are you doing here?”
“I missed you.”
“And you just so happened to be in the neighborhood to personally deliver a bouquet of sunflowers and daisies. Which are beautiful, by the way. Thank you.”
“I wanted to surprise you and put a smile on your face.”
“Where did you come from? A romance novel or something?”
He leans back as his hand cradles the back of my neck. “Or something . . . So, you think I’m oh-my-god-sexy, huh?”
I nervously laugh. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough to know that I’m all man.” Brody presses a gentle kiss on my flushed cheeks then his thumbs glide over them.
“So, in other words, you heard too much.”
“And you’re okay with me protecting you . . .”
I close my eyes momentarily as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I love it when he does that.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not really.” I turn to look at my desk. Spreadsheets, mock-ups, and travel reservation data for the last year blankets my desk. The draft on my laptop I have been working on for the last couple of weeks for the presentation to the new owners of Evergreen Escapes. “My plan is to work through lunch and eat the granola bar in my purse.”
He kisses my forehead and breaks away. “I’ll be right back.” He rushes out the door and returns with a cooler. “Well, how about I set up your lunch right here?” He moves the flowers to the side and opens the cooler.
One by one, he takes out a clear plastic bowl of salad, a cup of fruit, a bottle of vitamin water, and banana bread. After a closer look, there’s only one set of utensils.
“I don’t understand . . . what is all this?” I ask.
“It’s called food, Dorothy.”
“Clearly . . . You’re not going to eat?”
“No, I came by to drop it off. I know how busy you are, and I had a feeling you’d be skipping lunch altogether.”
A hundred thoughts race through my head.
You are too good to be true.
I want you.
I’m falling for you.
Please don’t break my heart.
“Thank you,” is all that comes out of my mouth.
“I need to take care of my lady.”
I swipe a sliver of carrot from the plate and take a bite. “Speaking of taking care of me, don’t forget about the trip tomorrow.”
“The trip. About that . . .”
“We talked about it a couple of weeks ago. It’s the business trip I planned around Dylan’s surprise proposal . . . And you were supposed to book your flight and meet me there. Did you forget?”
“No,” he clips, and the room suddenly feels chilly.
“Then what is it?”
“That’s another reason I came by. I’m sorry, but I can’t go. Something's come up.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your trip? As busy as my schedule is, I would have gotten a sub and gone with you,” Sydney says, leaning back on my headboard, crossing her legs as she sips wine.
“I know you would have. Besides, I really wanted to go away with Brody.” I shrug. “Now that’s out the window.”
With our busy schedules, her end of the year school production, the finals she’s been grading, her spending every available moment with Levi, and the projects I have been working on, I’m missing my best friend.
I should have asked Sydney to come with me instead of Brody.
“Hellooo! What am I? Chop liver. Even though I probably wouldn’t have come, I would’ve loved an invitation,” Jenna speaks up, raising a brow as she stares at us through the screen of my laptop. “It really does hurt you exclude me.”
“Well, if your pretty little ass would make your way to California, open up a boutique out here, then we wouldn’t have to exclude you at all,” Sydney chides.
“You guys suck,” she huffs, and we laugh.
“When are you coming out here to visit, Jen?” I ask as I fold a pair of jeans and stuff it in my suitcase.
“Business is booming. I don’t know if I can anytime soon.” She shows us the label for her new fragrance. “This is my number one seller right now. Look out for it in the mail.”
“What’s this one called?” Sydney asks.
“I named it Sweet Moonlight.”
“I like it,” I say.
“It’s supposed to be seductive and sexy, yet sweet and innocent. It should make any man go crazy.”
“Speaking of going crazy, let’s get back to a particular man,” Sydney says then turns her gaze back to me. “He actually said no?”
I down my wine and extend my arm out, empty glass in hand, and motion for Syd to pour more. She grabs the bottle on my nightstand as I watch her fill it to the rim and I just want to bury my head under the covers.
“So, let me get this straight. He brings you flowers and lunch, plants a panty-dropping kiss, then last minute drops the bomb on you about changing his mind on an all-expense paid trip to a glamorous campground with a sure thing of sex all weekend . . . I don’t get it.” Sydney reminds me. “What guy in their right mind would turn that down?”
I roll my eyes. “I was there, remember? No need to rehash.”
“Did he give you a reason?” Jenna asks.
“He says it has something to do with his dad. But . . .”
“You don’t believe him.”
“He’s hiding something, and this is why I did not want to date so soon and have my heart dissected. He’s so cryptic when it comes to his dad . . . I have opened myself up to him. And Brody is still so secretive about his life. Just like shitbag.”
“Hey, Brody is nothing like that shitbag. You have to believe that. There’s got to be a legitimate reason.” Sydney exhales and straightens her shoulders. “Brody is obviously attracted to you and cares for you. With all the little surprises. And the best part, you’ve changed. I have my bestie back. Always smiling . . . have you guys had sex yet?”
“What? No,” I gasp. I may be disappointed he’s not going on this trip, but I can’t help but smile as I remember his amazing abs on display at the beach.
Jenna giggles. “He’s got you smiling like that and you haven’t had sex yet?”
“Well, shit! I wonder how big your cheesy-ass grin will be after you get laid.” Sydney laughs.
I toss a pair of my underwear at Sydney that I took out of my drawer. “We haven’t gotten to that point yet. And I was hoping on this trip it would happen. But I guess not.”