“And you shouldn’t have to be,” she quietly replied. “You are who you are and maybe if he wasn’t trying to put you in a box or…or…force you into his image, you’d flourish and do even more great things.”
Brody’s arms tightened around her. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being the only person who believes in me without giving me a list of reasons why I need to change.”
There was a sadness in his voice that she’d never heard before and as she hugged him back, it only solidified her earlier thought on how she was going to show him how she felt.
Because clearly, no one had ever given this man their unconditional love.
Until now.
“Where’s your car?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I know what kind of car you drive, Leanna, and that’s not it.”
“Oh, um…I borrowed Josie’s.” Getting up on her toes, she kissed him on the cheek. “Are you going to invite me in? That is why I’m here, isn’t it?”
Brody knew he was frowning, but something didn’t make sense. “Is there something wrong with your car that you had to borrow Josie’s?” She wouldn’t look him in the eye and he had a sinking feeling in his gut. “Lea?”
She groaned and threw her head back. “Okay, fine! I didn’t want to park my crappy car in your driveway! There. Are you happy now?”
Pulling her into his arms, he hugged her and kissed her cheek. “No, I’m not happy because I think you’re being ridiculous. There’s nothing wrong with your car.”
She buried her face against his chest. “It’s old.”
“So what?”
“And you live in this crazy expensive neighborhood and I didn’t want people thinking you were being robbed or something.”
This time he pulled back and stared down hard at her. “Do you even hear yourself? Haven’t we been over this like a dozen times already? None of that matters to me! And it really bothers me that the normally bubbly and optimistic woman I’m dating can so easily start doubting herself over something so trivial.”
“It’s not trivial…”
“It is trivial,” he corrected. “You have nothing to be insecure about. You’re here because I want you here and I wanted your car to bring you here.”
She let out a low snort as she rolled her eyes. “You were not even thinking about my car.”
She wasn’t wrong, but that wasn’t the point.
“Obviously I wasn’t thinking specifically about your car. I just wanted you to get here. Sooner rather than later.” Then he leaned in and kissed her properly. “I’m tempted to follow you back to Meet Me at the Altar and make you get your car back, but that would mean giving up some of our time here and I really don’t want to do that.”
And finally, she smiled. “Me either.” Glancing around him, she asked, “Now can I go inside? I’m dying to see it!”
“Come on.” And taking her hand in his, he led her into the house.
“Oh, wow, Brody. This is amazing!” Her voice was one of hushed awe and all he could do was stand back and watch her move around the main living area which showcased not only the living room and a massive white brick fireplace, an entire wall of glass showing the courtyard out back, but also the kitchen. He heard her gasp when she walked over and ran her hands over the marble countertop of the island. “Oh, my goodness! This kitchen is my fantasy!”
Sliding his hands into his trouser pockets, he felt his chest swell with pride. Most people he invited over complimented the house, but seeing the absolute joy on Leanna’s face was the highest praise he could ever ask for.
“I don’t even need to see the rest of the house because this is the only room I’m going to stay in,” she said with a laugh.
“Well, don’t say that yet.” Walking over, he took her hand in his again. “Let me show you around the rest of the place and then you can decide if it’s the only room you want.”
Her hand continued to slide along the marble until they were out of the room and he thought it was adorable. They walked around and he showed her the dining room, the gym, all of the guest bedrooms, his office, and his man cave. “So? What do you think?”
“I think we must have missed a room,” she said, frowning.
“Ah…you know what? You’re right. Follow me.” He led her down a long glass-enclosed hallway. At the end, he stepped aside and motioned for her to go in ahead of him.
“Holy crap, Brody,” she whispered. “This is…it’s…oh, my God! How big is that bed?”
“It’s an Alaskan King,” he told her. “Very roomy.”
“Wow. I don’t know how you’ve managed sleeping at my place with my piddly little queen size bed.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “I have been more than happy with the sleeping arrangements because I get to hold you all night.”
The look she gave him told him she didn’t quite believe him.
“Okay, fine. When I’m sleeping alone, I like to sprawl out. Lots of breathing room. It’s not a crime.”
She ran her hand over the soft gray comforter as she walked across the room. “You could probably fit four people in that thing without a problem.”
Slowly he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “There’s only one person I want in my bed, and that’s you.” She melted against him and he was tempted to get her into his bed right this minute.
“Is that the bathroom through there or another room?”
“It’s the master bath,” he said, releasing her so she could go and check it out.
“Geez, Brody, I think this is bigger than the one I had at your parents’ place!”
“It is.” He followed her in and gave her all the details. “Heated tile floors, double vanity, steam shower, and one of the largest free-standing soaker tubs you can find.”
“I may have to change my answer about which room I’ll be staying in,” she said with a sassy wink. “I’m a sucker for tubs like this. Obviously my place doesn’t have one, but it’s another must-have on my list for whenever I move.”
“You should have everything you want, Leanna.”
She practically skipped over to him and kissed him. “Spoken like a guy who grew up with lots of money.” She said it lightly, but it made him realize how fortunate he really was and wondered what Leanna’s upbringing was like.
But now wasn’t quite the time.
They walked back out to the bedroom–which also had a full wall of sliding glass doors that opened to a private patio where there was a hot tub, an outdoor shower, and then a path that led out to the pool.
“I know you’re going to think I’m crazy but…I really want to bake something in your kitchen,” she blurted out before laughing. “How stupid am I? This house has everything a person could need to relax and all I can think about is sprawling out all over those marble countertops and baking all kinds of cakes and pastries!”
Without a word, Brody crooked a finger at her and then walked out of the room.