Attached to You (Carolina Rebels 4)

The chiming alerts me that the door to my shop opens. I glance up and see Brayden walking in. His lip is fat, there’s some blood crusted on it, and he’s sporting a black eye. Seeing him like this makes me gasp. “What happened to you?”

He shrugs. “Hockey stuff.”

That doesn’t make sense to me, but if he doesn’t want to explain it, then I’m not pushing it. “How did it go with Zane?”

“He’s still not happy, but I think we’ll be fine at work.”

“Really?” A sinking feeling settles in my gut. Maybe Rose was right; Zane hung around, hoping for more, and I was purposely blind to it.

“He’ll be okay, Deanna. I didn’t come to talk about him.”

“Wait, does this mean things are staying the same with us?” I ask as I realize he said things should be good with his work and the continuation of our...whatever we are hinged on that.

“Yeah. Give me your key. I’m picking up Otis on my way home, then you’re coming to my house for dinner. Dessert will be served first.” He grins. “And then, I have a surprise.”

“What kind of surprise?”

“A good one.”

I laugh and grab his hand to lead him to my office. “No hints?”

“No. That taints the point of a surprise.”

I pull him into my office and lock the door behind us. Hearing that distinctive click makes Brayden stop his once-over of my office to glance down at me with a frown.

“What are you up to, darlin’?”

“Are you in a rush to be somewhere?” I ask, though I don’t think he is. I walk around him to clear some space on my desk.

“What’s your point, Deanna?”

He knows my point; that’s why there’s a seriousness in his tone. I try to reassure him. “The door is locked and unless it’s an emergency, no one will bother us.”

“Why do you insist on making me have sex with you where you work?”

I laugh. “I don’t make you.”

“Deanna,” he warns just as I turn to him and unbutton my jeans.

I’m extremely disappointed when there’s a knock on my door. “What?” I call out.

“I’m sorry, but there’s a woman out here and she insists on talking to you personally.”

Damn it. Brayden grins, which only causes me to glare at him as I fix my jeans. “Okay,” I call out to her. To him, I say, “You suck.”

“Me? Why? I didn’t do anything.”

“For the grin.” I walk past him, suddenly in a sour mood for my quickie being completely ruined.

Brayden sticks his hand into my back pocket to haul me back to him and against his chest. “I’ve never seen you pout before,” he comments. I’m not pouting, even though my arms find themselves folding over my chest at his words. “Look at me.” I glance up, over my shoulder. He leans down and captures my mouth. My body immediately turns toward him, wanting more. I always want more from Brayden. My greedy hands grab at his neck to hold onto him and pull myself a little closer. He kisses me so deeply and passionately; he kisses me as if he’s saying goodbye to me. For a brief moment, I worry before kissing him back just as hard, stealing his breath as my own, but then he pulls away with one final soft kiss.

My eyes refuse to open. This is why I had to say goodbye to Zane. The energy buzzes through my veins, my heart throbs in my chest, and my lips feel as if they’ve been wondrously seared by the fire burning healthily between us. I don’t know that I could do without this. It lifts me up far higher than cloud nine.

Brayden’s chuckle causes me to open my eyes. “Ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait, I need your key.”