Meanwhile, she did a nervous look around to make sure no one was lurking in the bushes before she began to get undressed.
“I told you no one’s out there,” he reminded her with a knowing smirk.
“I can’t help it. I never got undressed outside before this weekend and it still feels weird.” She tossed her t-shirt onto one of the chaises and began unhooking her bra. “For all you know, someone’s up in a tree birdwatching with binoculars and now they’re going to see me prancing around naked!”
“I do love the way you prance.” He waggled his eyebrows lecherously and it was enough to make her relax and finish getting undressed.
Did she practically jump into the hot tub as soon as her panties hit the ground? Yes.
Did Brody laugh because he knew why she did it? Yes.
And did he pull her into his lap and prove to her how much he enjoyed her being naked outside with him?
Definitely yes.
“Ooh…you brought us muffins?” Margaret asked Monday morning.
“I did,” he said as he placed several boxes of them on her desk. “Leanna baked them and asked that I bring them in for you.” He paused and chuckled. “Well, for you and anyone else who’d like them.”
“Tell her we all said thank you. Everyone’s still talking about the cupcakes so I’m sure the muffins will be just as delicious.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it,” he murmured before turning and walking into his office before he was tempted to eat one. Other than the cupcake Leanna had insisted he eat the day they met, he managed to avoid tasting anything else she baked. Sweets had never been a temptation before, but after she filled his home with the scents of everything she created this weekend, he felt his resolve slowly slipping away. He had almost taken a blueberry muffin for himself this morning–it did have fruit in it–but managed to abstain.
And it was slowly driving him crazy.
Stupid cake…
No sooner had he sat down at his desk then his father was walking in. “Brody, good morning!”
“Hey, Dad. What can I do for you?” As far as he knew, he didn’t have anything on his calendar that they needed to discuss so he had a feeling this wasn’t about business.
“Travis and Charlene were over at the house for dinner yesterday and were telling me you’re still seeing the baker from the engagement party. Charlene’s cousin.”
Forcing a smile onto his face, he said, “Her name is Leanna, and yes.”
“That’s fantastic! Your mother said she was the one who strong-armed you into hanging out with her for that weekend, but it’s good to know that the two of you have obviously hit it off!”
“I wouldn’t say she strong-armed me into being with Leanna,” he countered. “I had already met her before even talking to Mom about it and it just turned out to be a much more pleasant way to keep everyone off my back.”
“You mean it made sure you didn’t offend anyone.”
He shrugged and hated how they were even talking about it. “I’m glad you all were able to talk about me over dinner, Dad. Thanks.”
“Ah, there’s that attitude we’ve all been missing,” his father said with a weary sigh. “I was coming to invite you and Leanna to dinner this weekend. Let’s say Sunday at three?”
“I’ll have to check with Leanna. She normally works on the weekends, so…”
“Nonsense. Surely she can take a day off.”
“Dad…”
“I’ll tell your mother to expect you,” his father said as he stood and turned toward the door. “And maybe ask Leanna if she’d mind making some of those cupcakes. They were fantastic!” And then he was gone and Brody was left wanting to throw something.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he got up and closed his office door before sitting back down. He knew he wouldn’t get a moment’s peace from his family until he talked to Leanna so he called her.
“Hey,” she said softly when she answered. “This is a surprise.”
Technically, they had seen each other a little more than an hour ago when he kissed her goodbye and watched her drive away from his house.
And he already wished she were coming back tonight.
But she wasn’t because…well…he wasn’t sure why.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I was curious what your schedule was for Sunday.”
“This Sunday?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…give me a minute…”
“Take your time.” He envisioned her sitting at her desk, biting her lower lip like she tended to do when she was concentrating on something–whether it was reading, baking, or when they were naked and tangled up together while he was deep inside of her.
And now he was turned on.
At the office.
Awesome.
“I have two bridal showers on Sunday but both orders are being picked up by noon. How come?”
It was tempting to lie and say he wanted to take her someplace for the day, but he knew this was going to happen eventually, so they might as well get it out of the way now.
“My parents invited us for dinner on Sunday,” he said slowly. “But if you’d rather not go, I can just say you’re working and couldn’t take the time off.”
“Do you want to go?”
Again, why lie?
“Not particularly. But I know they’ll just keep asking.”
“O-kay…so maybe we say no this time and reschedule until you’re more comfortable with it,” she suggested. “It’s really not a big deal.”
For a moment, Brody could only think of women he dated in the past who would have killed to go to dinner at the King estate with his parents. Many had tried and failed to get that invitation and it was always something that turned him off–like they were more interested in his family than him.
But not Leanna.
And that’s why he decided they should do this.
“No,” he said, feeling a little better about the whole situation. “We should go. I’m sure both my brothers will be there and your cousin will too, so…who knows, maybe it will be fun.” The mirthless laugh was out before he could stop it.
On the other end of the line, he heard her laugh too; hers was actually infused with amusement, though. “Brody, be real. My cousin is a handful and your family stresses you out.”
“I know, but…”
“But,” she quickly interrupted, “I think we should go and deal with the craziness. We’ll share secret glances and eye rolls at how ridiculous things get and then laugh about it all the way home. Now that will be fun.”
He had to hand it to her, she always found a bright side to things and always had a way of making him see things a little differently. “Just know to pack an overnight bag because you will most definitely be coming home with me.”
She hummed happily. “I was hoping that would be the case.”
“Oh, really?”
“Well, I mean…I just thought…I didn’t want to be presumptuous…”
“Leanna?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you have any late nights scheduled for this week?”