Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train, #4)(18)

My thumb ran across his jawline. “And I want to give you everything I have, mind, body, and soul.”

His brows lined while his jaw clenched and unclenched. I knew he was trying to find the way to say something important to me. Finally, he whispered, “I…I love you.”

I gasped. “What did you say?”

“I said, I love you.”

“Oh Brayden,” I murmured.

“And I didn’t say it just because I want to have sex with you. I said it because I mean it.”

Tears filled my eyes, and I couldn’t help letting them overflow my cheeks. “I love you, too. And I know you would never tell me you love me just to get me in bed. You have too good a heart for that.”

“My heart is all yours.” He then grimaced. “Am I sounding like a dopey sap?”

I giggled. “No, you sound pretty amazing to me. But I promise whatever you say to me will go no further than here.”

“What happens in the Challenger, stays in the Challenger, kinda thing?”

“Yep. That goes for you especially when you’re buddies want to know if we’re hitting it.”

Brayden rolled his eyes. “Trust me, Mitch is on me all the time wanting to know if we’ve lost our V-cards.”

“Ugh, he’s such a jerk.”

Brayden laughed. “I know.” He dropped his head to nuzzle my neck. “So to answer the jerk’s question, when are we going to lose our V-cards?”

I smacked his back playfully. He jerked his head up to grin at me. “I thought it was a good time to ask while we were on the subject.”

“Of course you did.” Brushing the hair out of his eyes, I whispered, “Soon. I promise.”

“You really think you’re ready?”

“Even though I probably should want to wait until I’m a little older, I always knew I wanted to have sex when I was in love. I know I love you, Brayden, so there’s no reason not to.”

He groaned. “God, you’re killing me.”

“Would you rather I said no?”

His eyes bulged as he shook his head furiously back and forth. “Oh no, I’m good. I swear.”

I couldn’t help laughing at him. “So where would we go?”

“Hmm, let me think.” Brayden remained contemplative for a few seconds. “I think I have an idea of a place that is private. I’m not sure how romantic it is.”

“I’m sure it would be better than a hotel room.”

“Maybe.”

“Why do you sound skeptical?”

“Well, it’s just an old tree house behind my grandparents’ house. My Papa built it for us grandkids. The only reason I thought of it is because it’s private.” He glanced sheepishly at me. “I’m not sure if it’s nice enough for you.”

I gave him a lingering kiss for his thoughtfulness. “Anywhere with you will be nice enough.”

He quirked his brows at me. “Except in the backseat of this car?”

I laughed. “Exactly.”

“Then the treehouse?”

“Yes. But when?”

“Next weekend?” At my hesitation, Brayden said, “Two weeks?” When I still didn’t respond, he laughed. “Hmm, I’m thinking it’s going to be never.”

I nudged him playfully. “Next month is your birthday, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we’ll do it on your birthday.”

He grinned. “That’s a helluva gift.”

“I hope it will be.”

“Oh, I know it will.” His brows lined. “Do you think it’ll be too cold in November in the tree house?”

“Won’t you keep me warm?” I teased.

A gleam of desire flashed in his eyes, causing me to shiver. “Oh yeah, you don’t have to worry about that one bit. I’ll keep you nice and warm,” he replied, his voice husky. He made me feel so loved and so desired all with one look. And given how hot I felt just from what we’d been doing and talking about, I knew he would indeed keep me warm.

Reaching between us, I felt the hardness in his jeans. “I think it’s only fair I take care of you since you took care of me.”

He sucked in a harsh breath before giving me an erotic smile. “I won’t argue with that at all.”





BRAYDEN


THE PAST


Glancing down at my watch for probably the millionth time in the last hour, I once again surveyed the time. Lily was late. Five minutes to be exact. As I paced around the inside of the tree house, I began to worry she had second thoughts and decided to back out. I sure as hell hoped she hadn’t for many reasons. The first being I was never more ready to have sex in my entire life than I was with Lily. Before I met her, I thought I wanted it, but it wasn’t until I was with her, kissed her, and tasted her, that I knew there was no one else in the entire world I wanted to lose my virginity to.

The second reason was the fact I had gone to a hell of a lot of trouble transforming the old tree house into something romantic. I’d dragged up a queen-sized inflatable mattress and made up the bed. I’d also lit a ton of candles. For the final romantic gesture, I’d gotten a ton of silk rose petals and scattered them across the worn floorboards. I had to admit it looked pretty amazing. It wasn’t some classy hotel room, but it was a hell of a lot better than the backseat of my car.