Tempting Brooke (Big Sky 2.5)

“What? Forget you?”

I nod, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay.

“I told you I was coming back. We’ve talked as often as possible since I left.”

“I know.” It’s a whisper. “And I didn’t think it was a lie.”

“I had more to figure out than I anticipated,” he replies. “And I’m feeling like the dick Maisey warned me not to be for keeping you waiting so long without any answers. I had to work some magic with my business in the city, to make sure that I can spend a significant amount of time away without jeopardizing the whole thing. I have twenty employees, and they would be devastated if I had to shut down.”

“I had no idea.” I wish he’d told me this weeks ago, then maybe I wouldn’t have been so worried, so constantly disappointed. “You never said your business was that big.”

“It wasn’t a secret, we just never really talked about it.”

“Because I was too busy worrying about keeping my own business open.”

“Hey, that’s okay. I had a great week with you. I just had to make sure that everything was under control so I could spend many weeks with you here.”

“I don’t think I can move to California.”

He frowns. “I didn’t ask you to.”

“I know, but it might be easier for you. It’s just, Brooke’s Blooms is finally way in the black, and it took me a long time to get it there.”

“I know that. I’m not suggesting you move to California with me.”

“So did you come here to break it off?”

He stares at me for a long moment, then tips his head back and laughs.

Laughs.

“No, babe. I’m here. I have it figured out, and I’m here with you, if you still want me to be.”

“Oh.” That’s all I can say as I blink at him, trying to soak his words in. “Really?”

He nods. “Can I touch you now? Because I wouldn’t wish this kind of torture on my worst enemy.”

I walk into his arms and hold on tight, relieved to finally have him home.

“You’re staying with me,” I mumble into his chest. “Don’t rent a hotel room.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” I can feel him smile against my hair, and the next thing I know, he boosts me up onto my work table, steps between my legs, and cups my face, then lays the kiss of all kisses on me, making me tingle everywhere.

“Missed you,” I whisper against his mouth.

“Well, that’s about enough of that.”

Epilogue

One year later

~Brooke~

It’s been a year since Brody walked through my door and my life changed.

I wiggle my ass in time with Rhianna as she sings through my speakers. I’m in the shop, and it’s midnight, but I don’t care.

I’m arranging my very own bridal bouquet. I’ve been fussing over it for two hours, adding roses, then taking them away again. I put greens in, then take them out.

I don’t want too much green.

I’m marrying the man of my dreams tomorrow. We’re supposed to spend tonight apart, according to tradition, and that means that I just can’t sleep. It’s hard to shut my brain down when Brody’s not next to me.

I have no idea what he’s up to this evening, and that’s probably for the best. I trust him, and I know that he wouldn’t do anything to embarrass us, or hurt me. I hope he’s having fun.

I had dinner with Maisey and a few of my other friends, making it an early night. I want to be well rested, so my mind is sharp tomorrow.

The weatherman is calling for rain, but I defy Mother Nature to ruin my special day.

She wouldn’t dare.

I’ve rented the beautiful barn from Dean, and everything is in place and ready for our evening event tomorrow.

Everything except this bouquet, because I just can’t get it exactly the way I want it.

I’ve been mentally designing this since I was a kid. But I just can’t make it look the way it does in my head.

“What are you doing here so late?”

I jump, covering my heart and dropping the flowers at the same time, which means I’ll have to start over, and stare at my fiancé, who’s leaning in the doorway.

I’m about to be his wife.

“I’m trying to get this bouquet right, but it’s not coming together.”

“I thought we were taking this week off?”

I smile at him as I gather the flowers again and start over. “We are. This is for my bouquet.”

“Oh.” He sighs, watching intently as I gather the blooms, then shakes his head. “No, I see the problem. You want this peony over here, by the rose. Not between the snapdragons.”

I frown up at him. “Who’s the floral designer here?”

“Hey, I learned from the best.”

I smirk and shake my head, but when I really look at the flowers, he’s right. That’s exactly the problem.