No Denying You (Danvers #5)(65)
Stiffening, Emma asked, “Are you saying I’m all over you?”
“Shit, no, baby. Well, I mean, yes, I want you all over me every moment of the day. I can’t keep my hands off you. I don’t feel like that toward her; I never did.”
“I knew in my gut that something was wrong when you avoided me like the plague after you returned home from your trip. I thought you were sleeping with her.”
Brant took her hand before saying, “I didn’t sleep with Alexia. I know how this looks, but I swear nothing happened between us other than what I’ve told you.”
Emma sighed, partly relieved and partly hurt. “I believe you; but damn it you’ve had me on a complete emotional roller coaster. I thought we crossed into a new place in our relationship while you were away. Our phone calls every night made me believe that we were on the same page. Then you came home and immediately started pushing me away. I was totally confused. I thought you wanted Alexia and were just afraid to admit it to me. It was almost like going on a date with someone who never calls again and you’re left wondering what went wrong.”
Brant pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. I know I made a f*cking mess out of everything. I know you weren’t completely comfortable with her staying with me and I don’t blame you. I’d have been a mess if the circumstances were reversed. Hell, I almost cussed my happily married brother out for taking you home that night.”
A little chuckle escaped Emma’s lips before reality returned. “I just . . . It’s hard for me to get past the fact that you kept all of this from me. I know we hadn’t officially made any promises to each other, but you hurt me, Brant.”
“Emma, I lo—”
She put her finger to his lips, stopping what she knew was coming. “Please don’t. Not right now. I need some time to process everything. I never want to look back and think that you said that to me for the first time under duress.” She reached over and clicked off the lamp before turning back to him. “No words tonight, just take me away for a while.”
Without comment, Brant pulled her into his arms and even though she didn’t think it was possible, within moments there was nothing on her mind but him. His arms holding her, his body possessing hers and his mouth laying siege to every inch of skin she exposed. Where she would have rushed to completion, he gentled her, drawing more waves of pleasure from her body. No words of love were spoken, no promises made. Instead, she felt Brant use his body to show her a love that took her breath away.
Afterward, she lay spent across his chest, feeling their hearts hammer in tempo. She drifted away as she felt his lips brush her forehead. The first real sleep she had had in days claimed her.
When Emma woke in the morning, Brant’s side of the bed was already cold and she knew without looking around the room that his suitcase was gone. On his pillow, written on a scrap piece of paper that he had obviously found in the room, was a note: “Flying back with Mark and the others this morning. Don’t want to leave, but giving you the time you need. I’ll be waiting, baby. Love, B.” For the first time since the nightmare had begun, she cried herself dry, to a point where there were no tears left. She didn’t try to make herself stop or put a time limit on her grief; she cried until it wasn’t possible to cry anymore.
Chapter Twenty-five
Brant was hardly surprised to see the crew from Danvers along with Mark and Ava at the airport. Of course Mark would have offered them a ride back to Myrtle Beach on his plane. He was hardly in the mood to socialize after leaving Emma behind, but maybe it was for the best. Less time to brood could only be a good thing.
Everyone kept the conversation light as they were cleared for takeoff. When the plane reached its cruising altitude, the flight attendant Mark had hired for the return trip took drink orders. Mark ordered a scotch and soda and Brant requested the same. It was still early, but damn, he needed a drink. Suzy looked at him sympathetically before dropping her hand briefly over his. “She’ll be home soon.” He stared at her for a moment, seeing not the beautiful and intimidating woman before him but, surprisingly, an ally.
He looked around, thankful that no one seemed to be paying any attention to their conversation. “Do you think so?” he asked, needing some reassurance.
Suzy studied him for a moment. “Yeah, I do. Whatever else is happening or has happened between you two, you were meant to be together from the moment you met.” In typical Suzy fashion, she added, “You two generated enough sparks together to singe my damn eyebrows off.”
He chuckled, surprising both himself and Suzy. “Thank you.” He smiled. “You have no idea how much I needed that.”
“Oh, I think I do,” she replied, “and you’re welcome.” Brant looked away as Gray claimed his wife’s attention. Jason and Claire sat beside them. Jason idly twirled a lock of his wife’s hair as if he needed to stay connected while he discussed business with Declan. Ella was curled against her husband, who kept a protective arm around her while she slept against his shoulder.
Brant was glad to see his brother so at peace after years of searching for something that never seemed to be there. Looking at Ella, Brant thought he finally understood what Declan had been so desperate to find . . . it was her. When at last Brant’s gaze landed on Mark and Ava, he was more puzzled than angry. Hell no, he didn’t want Mark involved with his sister, but that wasn’t the vibe he was getting from them. In a weird way, it looked more like some kind of friendship than anything romantic or, God forbid, sexual. It was a strange concept to think of Mark having a straight friendship with someone as attractive as Ava.