With a salacious smile, he leans in. Our mouths just a whisper apart. A soft brush of his lips on mine. A slip of his tongue as I lose myself in him. It’s tender and teasing all at the same time.
Fingers run up my bare arm, goose bumps following its path. I don’t move as I catalog this perfect moment. His arms wrap around my waist. His soothing touch and warm body against me are my refuge.
I don’t want to ever lose this feeling. He overshadows every anxiety and unease since Todd’s unexpected phone call just twenty-four hours ago.
He’s here. He’s really here.
“God, I’ve missed you.” The deep gravel of his voice fills my ears and chases all my worries away.
“I missed you too,” I say, calming my trembling hands as I cup his face. His body stills and I know he can sense something. And so can Serena, who nudges her nose against my leg.
I need to focus on the here and now. This moment is perfect. He’s perfect in my imperfect world.
“You okay?” he asks, scratching Serena between her ears.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just so happy you’re home.” I look down at my dog. “And I think she is too.”
He presses a kiss to my bare shoulder, then takes a step back and surveys my attire. “Wow. You look absolutely breathtaking,” he says, and I’m grateful he didn’t probe any further.
“I wasn’t sure if this was fitting to wear to a fashion show.” I twirl around in my strapless black dress that has a bit of flair at the knee. “Is it okay?”
“It’s perfect. Just like you.” His right hand that hid behind his back reveals a single long stem rose.
“Thank you.” I accept the flower and take a sniff.
“How about we skip the event? I lock us up in your room for the rest of the night and have my way with you.”
I giggle. “As tempting as that sounds, Avery will hate us if we miss her show. I still can’t believe Avery Saints is your sister and I really want to meet her.”
“As much I hate to say it, you’re right,” Brody says and laughs. “She’s been all over me to meet you too. But after this thing is over, I am taking you away this weekend.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“Uh-uh.” He shakes his head. “It’s a surprise.”
“But I didn’t pack any clothes.”
“Where we are going, we don’t need them.” The corner of his mouth tugs up into a seductive smile.
“What am I going to do with you?”
“I can think of a hundred and one things you can do with me . . . and that’s just in the first hour.” He wiggles his brows and presses a kiss to my lips.
“Trying to wear me out, Reinhardt?”
“Oh, Dorothy, you have no idea.”
“Avie! Avery!” Brody calls out to his sister while holding my hand as we zig-zag through the crowd backstage.
So many women, half naked, and some with tiny bikinis they’re still wearing from being on the runway. Brody doesn’t look at them. Not even a double-take, he keeps my hand in his and kisses the top of my knuckles.
When we finally reach his sister, I’m floored at how gorgeous and tall she is. Avery’s defined arms and great boobs look amazing in a spaghetti strap, sparkly gold dress with a daring slit ending just barely below her butt as her long legs meet strappy heels.
“Brommando!” Avery squeals and I love the nickname she calls him. Our hands disconnect as he wraps his arms around his sister. It warms my heart to see him with her. It’s the tender side of him and I can tell he adores her.
When they pull apart, Brody scrunches his nose and narrows his eyes as he surveys her dress. “For fuck’s sake, can you please go put on a burka?”
Avery playfully punches his shoulder. “I have more on now than I did when I was on the runway.”
“My eyes were closed when you got up there,” he says then kisses her cheek.
I nudge his arm with my elbow. “And what about the other women?” I tease. “Were your eyes closed for them too?”
“What other women? There were other women up there?” He mocks then kisses the side of my head and whispers, “I only have eyes for you, Dee.”
“Smooth one, Brody. Smooth,” I say.
“So, you must be Delilah. I’m so happy to meet you finally.” I’m taken by surprise when she wraps her arms around me. “Sorry, I’m a hugger.”
I giggle as we pull apart. “The show was amazing and I’m so happy to meet you too. Finally,” I say with a side-eye to Brody.
“Thank you. I can’t believe I was able to pull that off,” she says, waving at someone behind us. “I had a lot of help, of course.”
“I’m so proud of you, Avie,” Brody says.
“Thanks,” she replies. “Now that this is over, I’m going to sleep for a week after I eat two double cheeseburgers, a side of sweet potato fries, and a chocolate milkshake.”
“Well, I for one, think you look amazing,” I say. “You didn’t starve yourself for this show, did you?”
She snorts out a laugh. “No. My personal trainer had me on a very strict diet. Fish and greens.”
“There you are, Avery,” a voice from behind me calls.
I turn to see Catherine. My eyes go wide as I quickly glance at her hair slicked back in a smooth ponytail, sparkly earrings, and a black fitted dress. She’s holding a clutch in one hand and the other is laced with a very handsome man’s hand. Jackson. I recognize him from the photos in her office.
“Catherine!” I squeal in surprise. “I had no idea you would be here.”
“Avery is one of my clients.” She smiles. “I have been backstage the whole time. How was the show?”
“Flawless,” I answer.
“Catherine has been a pivotal part in making this show successful,” Avery says. “And how do you both know each other?”
“I work for CJJ too. In the marketing department.”
“Wow. Such a small world.” Avery smiles and nods when a bald man, with brown-caramel skin, wearing a snug black V-neck cotton shirt whispers in her ear. “Just give me a minute. I’ll be right there,” she tells him.
In the corner of my eye, Jackson slaps Brody on his shoulder, giving each other man-shakes. “Delilah, this is Jackson. My boss.”
Pleasantries are shared amongst us as the crowd hums and music plays in the background. The rush of the crowd buzzing around us is overwhelming, but I welcome it. Being around people is exactly what I need, instead of being alone with my thoughts and thinking about Todd’s words.
“So, you’re Dylan’s baby sister,” Jackson says, stretching his hand out to me. “I knew your brother from the navy.”
“Were you and Dylan on the same team?” I ask, shaking Jackson’s hand.
“No. But we went on a few missions together. How’s he doing? I heard about the shooting.”
“He’s doing good. He’s about to have his first child and recently proposed to his girlfriend.”
Jackson laughs. “Dylan a dad and settling down?”
“I know, right? I can’t believe it myself. But I am so happy for him.”