For the Record (Record #3)(15)

Brady finally relented without much effort on her part and walked out of the kitchen. The whole experience of being around all three of them together was kind of strange. For so long, they had each been a separate part of her world. Her secret affair with Brady. Her friendship with Savannah. And her . . . antagonistic, maybe even flirtatious relationship with Clay. Now all three worlds were colliding.

Once they were sufficiently far enough away from Savannah and Clay, Liz grabbed Brady’s hand. “Brady, hold on.”

“Liz, we just . . .”

“Why did you have me brought here? What if I’d just run into your parents without you? That would have been awkward. And then you tell Savannah about me coming here because you’re on your way over, but don’t think to include me in that information? I know we’re starting all over, but there is going to need to be some better communication.”

“Liz,” he said sharply, cutting off her long-winded ramble. “I would prefer to talk about these things in a more private setting.”

Liz glanced around and saw that they were completely alone and then raised an eyebrow. “Can’t you at least tell me what we’re doing here?”

“I had to pick up some paperwork before I left the office.” His voice lowered and his face softened as he drew her in closer. “You seemed so frazzled on the phone. I thought since this was closer for you and Savi was already here that it might be better than driving the forty minutes to see me, just to leave the office again.”

“Well, I agree with that.” Savannah had lightened her mood after all. “I just think you could have told me.”

Brady nodded. “I admit that I’m used to being reticent with information.”

“Part of your campaign mask.”

“It’s easier to control information if you don’t give anything away.”

“I get that, but I’m not the press anymore,” she said. He slid his hand around her waist and hers wound around his neck. “I’m just Liz.”

“I know that,” he said, dipping his head so that his forehead rested on hers.

“Then act like it. Don’t keep me out of the loop,” she murmured. “You were the first person I called when the reporters followed me. I should be that for you too.”

“My relationships have been rather cut-and-dried for as long as I can remember. What you’re asking for is equality, and it’s not something I’ve ever consciously given.”

She stepped back. “Well, if we’re not going to be equal in this relationship then why did you push for me to do this?”

“Hey,” he breathed softly. “I didn’t say I didn’t want it. I said I wasn’t accustomed to it. I want what’s best for us to be together. A lot is changing in your life because of me. I can change for you too.”

“Well, I’ll make a deal with you,” she said, reaching out and toying with his tie.

“Oh, no, what am I getting myself into?”

“You might like it.” She couldn’t keep the smirk from playing on her lips. He arched an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. “If you work on this communication thing, then I’ll let you take complete control . . . in the bedroom.”

Brady laughed lightly and kissed her. “I already do.”

“Not all the time.”

“Maybe I like when you take control. I seem to remember a certain desk where you climbed on top . . .”

Liz blushed as she remembered the time they’d had sex on top of the desk in what had, at the time, been Hayden’s office. It was now her desk . . . or she supposed after today it belonged to Massey. That sobered up her good mood. The stress of the day flooded her and she sagged a bit in Brady’s embrace. It was still early and already she was exhausted.

Brady seemed to notice and started walking with her back to the garage. “Let’s get you back to my place. We still have a lot to talk about, and I might take you up on that complete-control thing you were suggesting.”

About an hour later, they arrived at Brady’s house in the suburbs of Raleigh. Aside from last night, Liz had been there only once, after one of Brady’s galas. It was also where he had defended their relationship to Heather and Elliott when they’d walked in and seen them together. It was the first time she had ever heard him say that he loved her—though admittedly he’d never said it directly to her.

It was also the place where everything had started to fall apart.

It was easy to see all that when she looked up at Brady’s two-story brick house on a solid acre of land with a gorgeous view. But Liz was set on making new memories of them together. They certainly had last night.

Brady parked his Lexus in the garage and she followed him inside. The layout was open, with dark furniture and beautiful artwork. Liz was sure an interior designer had set foot in the house. She wasn’t sure how else he would have time to do this much work to the place. The best part, of course, was the expansive windows that showed the porch and the huge tract of land beyond them.

“So,” she said, kicking her heels off and sinking into the couch.

Brady walked into the kitchen, popped open a bottle of wine, and brought two glasses out for them. “So.”

Liz took a sip of her wine and leaned into his shoulder. “There’s something different about this.”