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Finally Laney turned, slid the phone in her pocket and started toward the door. Braden stepped in her path and hated that look of sadness that stared back at him. While he wanted to unleash his anger and tell her to drop that jerk, he knew she wouldn’t listen to words.
In a move that surprised both of them, Braden glided his arms around her shoulders and pulled her against him. He kissed her on the head and whispered, “I’m sorry I was a jerk to you.”
Laney squeezed him back, resting her head on his shoulder. “You’re always a jerk, but you never apologize.”
Laughing, Braden eased back and smoothed her dark hair away from her face. “I just want you happy and to be with someone who deserves you. I just don’t like how Carter treats you.”
“He treats me great when we’re together,” she said with a slight smile. “His ex cheated on him, and he’s leery. I can’t blame him after hearing the stories.”
Braden would save his opinion on that topic. From the rumors he’d heard, it wasn’t Carter’s ex doing the cheating at all. But Braden still had a tail on Carter, so time would tell.
“You can stay and eat, or I’ll take you home. Whatever you want.”
Laney tipped her head and narrowed one eye at him. “Who are you and what have you done with my big brother?”
He shrugged. “I told you, I just want you happy.”
Her features softened as she ran a finger between his brows. “Your worry lines aren’t as prominent as they normally are. If I had to guess, I’d say Zara is to thank for the new Braden.”
“Zara is...” Hell, he didn’t even know what to say.
Laney patted his cheek. “It’s okay. I can tell your feelings for her are strong, and I won’t say a word. Just promise me you won’t hurt her. I don’t know her personally, but if you’re having these emotions, then I’d say she is, too. Be careful where your hearts are concerned.”
Braden swallowed and feared that when all was said and done, someone’s heart would be hurt.
Ignoring that lump in his throat, he looped his arm through Laney’s. “Why don’t you stay and eat? Then I’ll take you back.”
Laney looked up at him with bright eyes. “I love you, Braden. Dad would be proud of you.”
Another point that worried him. He hoped like hell he did the O’Shea name proud, because his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had done an impeccable job of building up a reputation. Some may be skeptical, but the name was respected and sometimes feared. No one messed with the O’Sheas. And once Braden guided the family into an even more reputable area, he could hold his head high, knowing he’d done the right thing.
Braden led Laney toward the kitchen. Once he got her back home, he could focus on Zara. Their time alone couldn’t come soon enough.
Sixteen
Braden was surprised when he stepped into the master suite and Zara was nowhere in sight. A hint of her signature jasmine perfume lingered in the room.
He turned toward the attached bath and smiled. Looked as if she was a step ahead of him. He undressed as he moved toward the wide doorway. His shirt fell off his shoulders to the floor, he stepped out of his shoes, hopped out of his socks and shed his pants and boxers. By the time he stepped into the bathroom, he was more than ready to join Zara.
But he stopped as soon as his feet hit the tile. There in the sunken garden tub was Zara. She’d apparently packed bubbles because she was neck deep into them, her head tipped back, hair piled on her head and eyes closed. Was she sleeping? She wasn’t moving.
Braden took a few moments to take in the sight of Zara relaxing in his tub. He’d never used it, never had a need. He grabbed a shower and that was it. This sunken bubble bath never looked so good.
Damp tendrils clung to the side of her neck, her pink lips parted on a soft sigh. Braden could barely restrain himself. He’d never wanted a woman with such a fierce ache before, and the knot in his gut told him this need wasn’t only physical anymore. If everything between them were merely physical, Braden would’ve let Ryker go into her place and look around. But he couldn’t do it.
Zara shifted, her eyes opened, instantly locking on him. A slow, seductive smile spread across her face.
“I meant to be done by the time you came up. But this is too relaxing.” She lifted one bubble-covered arm, reaching out to him. “Join me?”
