She was beginning to realize that Brian was upset about this. “Anyone. Why? Do you think it was only you?”
“Yes. I’m younger. I’m Keith’s nephew. I don’t know if I was just some booty call for you or not,” he admitted stiffly. “And shushing me...well, the last time I shushed a lover, I was sixteen and my dad was knocking on the door.”
Piper arched one eyebrow at him. She wanted to know more about that story, but this wasn’t the time. “Ava has always grilled me about every man I see. And this morning, when I’m here with you and happy, I simply didn’t want that. I wanted to enjoy this Saturday morning, Brian, that was all.”
He nodded and she got up from where she’d been sitting and walked over to him. Wrapping her arms around him, she gave him a kiss. Then, to her relief, he sighed hugging her back. “I know you’re too good for me. I mean, Ava will probably tell you that.”
“I don’t care what she says. This is between you and me,” she said firmly. “Now, do you want some coffee?”
“Yes,” he answered. Then his stomach growled, and he blushed.
“Maybe some breakfast?”
“Yes. But you don’t have to cook. I’ll make us omelets,” he said.
“That’d be great if I had eggs but I’m out. I do have toaster waffles and maple syrup. Will that do?”
“Definitely,” he murmured.
She led the way into the kitchen and handed him a mug before pointing him to the French press that she used for her morning coffee. It was better for the environment than those capsule machines and she liked the taste of it better. She pulled a box of toaster waffles from the freezer and looked inside. There were three left. He looked like the kind of guy who would need more than one or two.
She put the three she had in the toaster and then started going through her pantry until she found a can of fruit cocktail. “I’m so not prepared for overnight guests.”
“I don’t think either of us anticipated this,” he said. “I don’t regret it.”
“I don’t either,” she admitted.
His phone started ringing in the bedroom and he took his coffee with him as he went to retrieve it.
Piper thought about Ava, who had called early wanting to talk. She’d have to call her back; there had been a note in her sister’s voice that she hadn’t heard since Trent got sick. Like she was edgy and depressed. Never a good combination in Ava.
“That was a client. I’m going to have to go,” he said as he came back into the kitchen. “I wish I could stay for breakfast. Do you want to try to have brunch tomorrow? I’m going with my parents.”
Parents? Not sure she was ready for that, she shook her head. “I can’t. But I’ll see you on Wednesday for the Boots and Boas Gala.”
“Do you want to plan to stay at my place downtown?” he asked. “It’s closer to the gala and you won’t have to drive home after.”
Piper liked how he’d made it seem logical; he was being chill about them and that made it easier and harder for her. She wanted to pretend he was just a hot younger guy she was sleeping with, but her emotions were already going wild. She nodded. “I’d love to.”
“Sorry to have run out like this,” he said.
“It’s okay. It’s your job.”
He had put his jeans on and a black Under Armour T-shirt that she guessed had been in his gym bag. Piper followed him to the door, and he bent to kiss her before he left. She stood there in the doorway, watching him leave, until she realized she probably looked like a fifties housewife and closed it.
Piper liked Brian but he was bringing things to the surface that she knew couldn’t ever be. She didn’t feel safe being the sensual woman that he stirred to life. That woman was reckless and ruled by passion instead of logic. She’d been burned so publicly all those years ago and that was why she’d stayed single.
She rubbed the back of her neck as she felt the worry get the best of her. Why did what had transpired between her and Brian the previous night bother her? she wondered. But deep down she knew the reason. It was because the sensual, feminine goddess inside of her had been broken.
Perhaps irrevocably.
Which meant she should be very careful about what else went on between the two of them. As bad as thinking about her inability to let go and indulge in a relationship with a man eleven years her junior was, talking about it with him would be a million times worse.
Sighing, she went back into the kitchen as the waffles popped up. And though she normally limited herself to one, she put butter on all three of them and smothered them in syrup. She enjoyed her breakfast, telling herself she didn’t mind eating alone, but in her heart, she knew she wished he was still there with her.
Brian spent the rest of Saturday taking care of one of his clients whose son had gotten arrested on Friday night. That was not his area of expertise and he brought in one of his former employers who did handle criminal law to handle it. By the time he had a chance to text Piper, it was almost six in the evening.
Normally he didn’t overthink his relationships, but as he opened their text string, he knew he didn’t want to come on too strong. Despite what she’d said about Ava, a part of him wasn’t sure that she was okay with him as her lover. And he wanted to be so much from her. She was still hiding something from him.
But what?
And as much as he’d thought that sleeping with Piper would lessen his need for her, that hadn’t happened. In fact, it had simply made him crave her even more.
Hell.
He’d never been a man to hesitate when he wanted something, and he wasn’t going to now that he had a chance with Piper. He texted her to see how her day had gone.
Then he put his phone down and went to shower and get dressed. He usually went to the Texas Cattleman’s Club in Dallas for dinner if he didn’t have plans. And tonight wasn’t going to be any different.
He put on his watch and then allowed himself to glance at his phone. She’d texted him back.
Piper: I ended up in my studio and started a new project. It’s going well. How about you?
He sat down on the leather wingback chair in his bedroom, then responded.
Brian: Busy day for me but we got things sorted. Are you tired after working in your studio all day?
Piper: Yes. But also exhilarated! I know I said no to seeing each other tonight but I need to get out of my house.
Brian: I was going to head to the TCC for dinner. Want to join me?
Piper: Yes. Thank you. See you in about an hour?
Brian: [[thumbs up emoji]]