Bingo.Brooklyn could hardly believe what he’d said. It was like the universe was not only dropping this on her doorstep, it had offered free same-day delivery. She sucked in a deep breath and told herself to stop thinking so much.Just go with it.“You’re absolutely right. I do need more in my life. I want more.”
The look of surprise on Alec’s face was more than a little adorable. “Excuse me? Do you mind repeating that first part?”
She swatted his arm. “You heard me, mister.”
“I could’ve sworn you said I was right.” He leaned closer and spoke right into her ear, putting all of her nerve endings on high alert. Tiny zaps of current connected with her skin. “But since I didn’t hear it once when we were a couple, I thought I’d make you repeat it.”
Brooklyn flashed back to the night she and Alec met, when he’d asked if he could kiss her. Even though she’d distinctly heard him the first time, she’d asked him to repeat it because there were a few spectacularly hot women within earshot and Brooklyn wanted to squeeze every bit of goodness from the moment. God, that kiss had been one for the ages—it was like Alec had been given the Brooklyn Monroe instruction manual ahead of time and had studied it like she was the SAT. One hand at the nape of her neck, one at her waist with a tug of fiery possessiveness. Major bonus points for conveyingI want youwith a flick of his tongue.
“You, Alec Trakas, are right. I need more in my life than work. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.”
“Really?” He seemed genuinely interested, another blissful instance of everything feeling like kismet.
“Yes. I’ve been thinking about what else is out there for me. I’d like to add a charity component to our work. I want to travel the world.”Stop stalling. Just say it.“And I want to commit myself to building a better life. Find the things that will make me happy and fulfilled. Things that are outside of my career. I’ve even been thinking about becoming a mother.”
Alec smiled warmly and reached out for her shoulder, caressing it softly. “Wow. Sounds like you have a whole new mindset. I’m impressed.”
Brooklyn wanted to splash cold water on her face to make sure she was awake. Was she dreaming? How could this night be going so perfectly? Was this what fate felt like? “It makes me so happy to hear you say that.”
Chapter Four
Alec could hardly believethat Brooklyn was thinking about a future that went beyond work and career. It was everything he’d always hoped for from her. And now that his hand was on her shoulder, their bodies exchanging warmth, he wanted more. So much more. “Is it weird if I ask to kiss you?” He didn’t bother second-guessing his words. They felt and sounded right.
A jaw-dropping flush crossed her lightly freckled cheeks. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“Really?” His voice hit an octave so low he wasn’t entirely sure it was his.
“Yes, Alec. Really.”
There in that crowded noodle house, with conversation and music and kitchen commotion all around them, all that existed was Brooklyn. He gently cupped her jaw and drank in her beauty as they drifted closer and finally her luscious lips met his. There was only an instant of hesitation before they both gave into it. At the same time. In the same way. It was enough to make his heart stop. He’d missed her so much. He’d been lying to himself for an entire year. He wasn’t over her. Not even close.
His lips parted and Brooklyn teased his tongue with hers. Alec didn’t care if everyone in the restaurant was looking, or worse, taking pictures with their phones. He curled his other hand around her waist and she planted her hand on his upper thigh. She pressed into him, sending shockwaves through his entire body, but the strongest ones were aimed straight at his groin.
“Maybe we should get out of here.” Her voice was hopeful and breathless.
“Uh, yes.” Disoriented and dizzy, he frantically flagged their server. “I’d like to pay the check, please. We’re in a bit of a hurry.” Alec nearly flung his credit card at the waiter. A minute later, he was leaving a ridiculously good tip and scribbling his signature.
“Ready?” Brooklyn was borderline giddy, more evidence that things were moving in the right direction. They rushed down the street like teenagers stealing away into the night. The sidewalks were busy with people, but Alec navigated them through the crowd, looking down to avoid being spotted by a fan, Brooklyn trailing behind him. Finally, they broke free and turned the corner to the quieter side of the street where the car was parked.
“Your place?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Yours. I’ve always loved Chelsea.”
Alec scrambled to open the car for Brooklyn then quickly hopped in. His mind was racing as he made a few questionable moves, zipping around taxis and cutting it close with yellow lights. Was this really happening? Just like that? Brooklyn and him. Together again? Would it work this time? Had the first time been a false start? A few darker questions tried to encroach, but he acknowledged them and let them go. He wouldn’t get in the way of his own happiness.
They got to his house and a raindrop hit his nose the second he ducked his head out of the car. Brooklyn was already on the sidewalk, making her way for the door.
“Hold up, Brook,” he said.
“What? Is something wrong?”
He looked skyward, allowing the cool drops to dot his face. “It’s raining.”
When he looked back at her, the sweetest smile he’d ever seen crossed her lips. “So it is.” She drifted right into him and popped up on to her toes, gripping his shoulders and kissing him so softly he thought she might melt into him. “Let’s get inside.”
Her words shook him right out of the bliss of that kiss. That had not been Brooklyn’s usual prompted-by-precipitation make-out session. But Alec didn’t care. There was plenty of time for that in his bed. He grabbed her hand and they stormed up the stairs to his brownstone. His fingers decided to behave like rubber when he arrived at the door, fumbling with his keys while Brooklyn drove him to distraction by combing his scalp with her nails.
“Hurry,” she said.
