Take Me Home (The Heartbreak Brothers 1)

“Let’s start again,” he suggested, stepping closer. “Hi.”

“Hi.” She lifted her head to look at him. “I thought you’d be elbow deep in plumbing by now.”

“I am, I just came to pick up a few things from the hardware store.” He shrugged. “Thought I’d stop by and see you while I was here.”

“You did? Why?” The smile was still clinging to her lips.

“I have a question for you.” He lifted his cap and smoothed out his hair.

“Sounds interesting.”

“I’ve got a hazy recollection of talking to you last night. I remember leaving the bar, but can’t really remember what happened next. I didn’t do anything stupid, did I?”

She swallowed hard. He didn’t remember? All those sweet words, those sweeter kisses. Not a bit of it?

“Um…” Her mind was blank. Of all the things she’d expected him to say, that wasn’t it.

And then he started laughing, tipping his head back and exposing his stubbled jaw. She watched him, open mouth, as tears came to his eyes. “Your face,” he said between chuckles. “You should see it.”

“You’re an asshole.” She swatted his arm. “You had me believing you’d forgotten it all.”

“You think I could forget something like that?” He was still laughing. “Think I could forget kissing you for almost an hour straight? I only had a couple drinks.”

“Four.” She held her fingers up.

“A couple of couples.”

“Whatever.” She shrugged. “I hope your memory isn’t too hazy, because it’s not happening again.” She was kidding, but the dismay that flashed across his face was gratifying.

“It’s not?” His voice dipped.

“Nope.” She tipped her head to the side, biting down a smile.

He traced a finger along her jaw, his eyes flickering when she let out a sigh. “That’s a shame,” he said gruffly. “Because I liked kissing you a lot.”

“I know.”

He laughed again, his finger trailing across her bottom lip. “I remember how sweet you tasted. How good you felt on my lap. How you kiss like a wild woman when you let go.”

“A wild woman?” She tried to ignore the heat working up her chest and neck. “Really?”

“Yeah. I was going to ask if you wanted to do it again tonight, but I guess you don’t.” His eyes crinkled with amusement.

“I’d rather pull out my fingernails,” she said grinning.

“You’re right.” He nodded. “There’s some paint I need to watch dry.”

“What time are you gonna pick me up?”

“Eight,” he told her. “And wear shoes.”

She laughed. “You planning on taking me somewhere fancy?”

“Yeah, I thought we’d fly to Malibu.” He winked.

Maddie paused for a second. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“Not really. But now that I’ve said it I might look into it. I promised you a kiss on the beach.”