Trusting You (Second Chances #2)(48)
“So how did it go? Did you get any information out of him?”
I scoffed, “Not really other than him admitting to threatening me. I’m afraid our answers will be in California. So what did you do today?”
“I drove around a lot actually, especially this afternoon to get my mind off of you and Daniel. I also went to the vineyards and looked around. The area around here is magnificent. If I ever move anywhere it will be here.”
Closing my eyes, I could just picture what he saw. The open fields with rows and rows of vines as far as you could see and no noise other than the sound of the wind. It was the only thing in Daniel’s life that I missed more than anything.
“I understand perfectly because I feel the same way. I can’t wait to get out there again,” I murmured. Climbing under the covers, I burrowed into the warmth of the bed and couldn’t stop from yawning.
Brett heard me and chuckled. “Why don’t you go to sleep, baby. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll talk more then.”
“Okay,” I whispered, close to passing out. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Once I closed the phone and turned off the lamp, I was out. I dreamt of those wonderful times out in California and of the peace it brought me when I was there, only this time it wasn’t Daniel I was with … it was Brett.
Mason and I were up bright and early the next morning to head to Charlotte Douglas International airport for our seven-thirty a.m. flight. Brett was going to meet us at the Schulz airport out in California to pick us up and take us to the hotel where I’d be sharing a room with him while Mason took one to himself.
I couldn’t wait to see him.
The second our flight landed I called Brett and told him what gate we’d be at. We had a layover in Texas, so that took up a couple of hours of our time, but with the time difference from the West Coast and East Coast it wasn’t late at all even though it felt like dinner time to me, especially with my stomach growling.
The moment I stepped into view from the gate and saw Brett, I ran over to him and jumped into his arms, pressing my lips to his.
Brett sighed and held me close. “Damn, I’m so glad you’re finally here. I talked to Daniel already this morning. He wanted to see if I’d been able to make any progress yet, and after that all he did was talk about this wonderful date he went on last night. I wanted to jump through the phone and wring his neck to make him shut the f*ck up.”
I groaned and laid my head on his chest. “I’m sorry, Brett. Trust me, he must’ve been on a date with someone else because ours wasn’t that wonderful. All I know is that he loves to play with fire. Now that he supposedly doesn’t have to worry about me screwing up his plans he feels like he can pursue me, thinking it won’t interfere with the project now that we aren’t together. Hell … I’ve given up trying to figure out how his mind works. He’s always been very manipulative.”
Brett took my hand and nodded to Mason as he came up behind me with our luggage. “All right, let’s get out of here and get something to eat,” he offered, looking down at me, smiling. “I know that you have to be starving.”
I chuckled. “You can read me like a book.”
He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Yes, I can. And I also know that you’re going to love what I do to you tonight when I have those legs wrapped around me for hours.”
I shivered as his breath grazed my cheek and sent sparks through every nerve ending in my body. At that moment, food was definitely the last thing on my mind.
“Then let’s hurry and eat,” I whispered. “Because I’m ready to hold on tight.”
By the time we ate and got back to the hotel, we separated ways with Mason and locked ourselves into our own room. Placing my luggage on the bedroom floor, Brett turned to me and said, “I drove by the main house on the vineyard yesterday and it looked like no one was there.”
“Yeah, I know,” I replied, rubbing my sore neck. I guess the plane ride didn’t agree with me too well. “Daniel said she left for London about a week ago. I’m assuming that’s why she hasn’t answered my calls. Hopefully, she’ll be back while we’re here.”
Brett walked into the bathroom and I could hear him starting up the bath water. Hmm … what does he have in mind? I wondered. “What does Mason plan on doing while we’re here?” Brett called out.
“He’s going to come with us to see Claire, and if she tells us what we need, then he’s going to start hunting for information. I’m sure once we talk to her we’ll figure out what to do next.”
When Brett strolled out of the bathroom his shirt was off and he was in his boxers. “Are you ready?” he asked, a devilish smile taking over his face.
Narrowing my eyes, I crossed my arms over my chest and grinned. “Ready for what?”
He stalked over to me and pulled me into his arms, placing his warm hands at the back of my neck. Bending his head down, he whispered in my ear, “I ran you a nice, hot bath, firecracker. I want you loosened up before I make love to you.”
Taking the hem of my shirt in his hands, I lifted my arms so he could slide my shirt up and over my head. He unhooked my bra and undid my pants, letting them fall to the floor while carefully pulling my underwear down as he sank slowly to his knees. Smirking, he bit his lip and gazed up at me. “You should be proud of me. I didn’t rip them off this time.”