I knew what he was implying. I had no idea how to respond, except I knew that, right now, I was exactly where I wanted to be.
I squeezed his hand and he smiled.
“So exactly how sexy do you think I am?” he asked.
The evening was quiet. I worked on the schedule, Brett on the sofa beside me, studying a manual. “What is that?” I asked.
“Chilton’s Auto Repair. I like them. Chase prefers Hilton.” He winked. “More pictures.”
I laughed. “You give him such a hard time. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, way better. He knows we have his back. All of us. Next year will be different for him.”
“Why are you reading an auto repair manual?”
“You see something different with every car. We have one right now I am at a loss to figure out. So I’m seeing if I can find an idea to explore.”
“Ah.”
“How’s your schedule coming?”
“It’s going to be a busy couple of days. Tomorrow is more town and business pictures. Saturday, I have three fairs to attend.”
He stretched out his legs. “You want some company on Saturday? I can offer my services as an assistant. Maxx is covering the garage.”
“Really?”
He ran his finger down my cheek. “Yeah, really. We can spend the day together. You can take your pictures. I’ll stuff myself with fair grub and be at your beck and call.”
“That would be awesome. I didn’t want to ask—”
He interrupted me. “Always ask, Shutterbug.”
I smiled and leaned over, kissing him. “Okay.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
I yawned and covered my mouth. “Tired?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I stood and shrugged off my sweater, draping it over the sofa. “I’m going to head—”
I stopped speaking at the furious look on Brett’s face. “What?”
He stood, tracing his fingers over my arms. I was shocked to see bruises on my flesh. “He left marks on you.”
“They don’t hurt,” I assured him. “I didn’t even know.” I grabbed his hand. “Please don’t get upset.”
His face was like thunder. Stormy and angry. Even his eyes darkened. Our gazes clashed, and I caught my breath. He was angry because someone touched me. Because someone hurt me. Because he cared enough for that to never happen. It was in that very moment, I knew I had failed. I had guarded my heart, run from him every time I felt myself growing attached. But it hadn’t worked.
I was in love with Brett.
But I wasn’t sure he would ever love me again.
With a low cry, I flung myself at him, letting him yank me close. We kissed, our mouths moving together in a symphony of unsaid words. Broken promises. Unfilled wishes and daring dreams. He lifted me, carrying me to the bedroom.
And for tonight, I pretended I would be safe like this with him—always.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Brett
The next day, Stefano and I were bent over the plans, discussing an added change. Simple, but highly effective for the business. I tapped the back wall. “Right here. An extra roll-up door. If we need to expand again, easy. We have a bigger job, we can open the door for more room.”
“Great idea,” he mused.
Theo walked in, squirming between us. Stefano ruffled his hair. “Hey, little man. You done hanging with the girls?”
Theo huffed. “They’re just looking at Kelly’s pictures. They’re kinda boring.”
I chuckled. “So, Kelly’s with them?” I asked casually. I was still worried over that asshole yesterday and her sudden emotion last night. Our lovemaking, while still passionate, had an air of sadness to it, and I was confused. She’d been gone all morning taking her pictures for the magazine, and it had required all my control not to check on her constantly via text. I was glad she was back. Gabby had worked in the office all day and had gone to feed the baby and have a break.
“Yeah. She said she was done for the day. She’s tired.”
I glanced at my watch. She’d been gone all day—I wasn’t surprised to hear she was tired.
“You don’t like the pictures?” Stefano asked, surprised. “You usually like to see them.”
“They aren’t of the jungle or the beach.” Theo shrugged, looking at the plans in front of him. “Just people.” He rubbed his nose. “Old people.”
I laughed again. Anyone older than twenty was old at his age.
“What is that?” He pointed to the line I had added.
“Another garage door—a big one so we can get trucks in.”
“Like semis?”
“Yep. Extra-high roof too.”
“Neat.”
He glanced up, looking between Stefano and me with a confused frown.
“What?” Stefano asked, his tone indulgent. Theo always had questions, and Stefano adored the kid he considered his own son and loved answering them.
“If Nonna Rosa and Brett’s dad get married, will you be brothers? Does that make Brett’s dad my grandpa?” he asked, scratching his nose.
I met Stefano’s confused gaze.
“Why would you ask that?” I replied, curious.
Theo huffed a sigh. “Dad says I can only kiss a girl I want to marry. That’s why he kissed my mom so much. I don’t want to kiss any girls, so I must not want to get married,” he added. “Dad still kisses Mom so much they hafta lie down all the time.” He shook his head. “Boring.”