AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, you know what isn’t fair to me? Thinking things like that and keeping them to yourself, instead of getting them out so I can tell you you’re sweet for worrying, but stop it. What’s meant to happen will.” He gathered her hair in his hand and pulled her cheek against his hot, bare skin. “All I need is you. The rest will happen when and if.”
“And if it doesn’t?” she pressed, darting a glance at Kim. Ah, to hell with it. She couldn’t take the chance he thought she was referring to anal sex or something. At least she didn’t have a problem with that. “Let’s say something crazy happens and we decide to get married.” At Kim’s whoop, she pointed at her friend. “Take it easy. For the sake of argument, let’s say we did, and you wanted children. What if that ship’s sailed and I can’t have them? Then what?”
“Then I immediately run off with my twenty-year-old receptionist and have three sets of twins.” He scratched his shoulder. “Guess I better put that ‘now hiring’ ad in the paper soon, huh?”
She shook her head, refusing to laugh. “I’m being serious, Brad.”
He knelt next to the bed and cupped her face in his big hands, his callused fingers scraping her cheeks with infinite gentleness. “There’s always adoption, and to me, that’s not a second choice. That’s a damn good first choice. When and if,” he repeated. “One bridge at a time, okay? Just trust that I’m right by your side, and whatever happens, we’ll cross it together. Now are you going to stay here with us, where you belong?”
She glanced at Kim for help and found her watching with a raised brow. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
This time Sara couldn’t restrain a laugh. What a duo they made. “I don’t want to leave. Ever. I’d be happy to stay here until you kick me out, but—”
“Then it’s settled. You’re not relocating. Except maybe to my room,” he added, his breath a warm, minty promise against her lips.
Kim snorted. “Yeah, he’s got a special, extra long drawer for King Kong.”
Because she seriously did not want to know, she met Brad’s glimmering gaze. “Is that an invitation?”
“Gold-plated, baby. So what do you say?”
She grinned and wove her fingers through his messy hair to tug him close for another kiss. “I say yes.”
Kim rolled on her back like a demented turtle, trying to scoot away on the messy bedding and failing miserably. “This is all toothache-sweet, but my eyes, my eyes!”
Brad laughed and leaned across Sara to plant a kiss on Kim’s head. “Thanks for being awesome about this, sis.” He gave Sara a sharp look. “I told you she would be.”
“Give the girl a break. What does she know about people? She hangs out with sex-crazed parrots who really need to be kept out of the bedroom. Too much incriminating evidence.” Kim shoved a suddenly coughing Brad back and slung an arm around Sara’s neck. “So who wants some pizza?”
Sara glanced at her alarm clock. Nope, she hadn’t gotten confused about what time of day it was. Barely nine a.m.. “I know you guys are the masters of the late-night snack, but who eats pizza this early?”
“We do.” Brad grabbed Sara’s hand and tugged her to the door while Kim struggled to her feet. She glared at her brother’s retreating back though he didn’t seem to notice. “And now so do you.”
Sara had to grin. “It’s like an indoctrination.”
“A ritual. A fertility celebration if you will,” Kim called, determinedly bringing up the rear.
When Brad chuckled, Sara poked him in the ribs. “Don’t get any ideas, wise guy.”
He pulled her close and kissed her temple. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Sara Smile.”
Brad dragged the tines of his fork over his plate, only vaguely aware of the benefactor droning on at the podium. He was talking about sustainable habitats and showing slides, and it was all very interesting. Or it would’ve been, if Brad hadn’t had a different preoccupation—mainly his very sleek, very sophisticated date. She sat with her hands folded primly in her lap, poised to drive him wild at the slightest provocation. She’d even worn her glasses.
Best of all? She’d been using her honeysuckle special occasion stuff all week. When he’d asked what she was celebrating, she’d told him the fundraiser. He preferred to believe she was commemorating them.
Every now and then she peered over her shoulder at him to make sure he was paying attention, and her cute little nose twitched each time he crossed his eyes to make her laugh.
The moment she faced front again, he resumed staring at her backless dress. There were few things more alluring than a woman’s naked back. Especially his Sara’s naked back. Or her front.
He reached for his water to soothe his dry throat—for some reason, he’d gotten the bug way worse than Sara, must have been some super adaptive strain—and tried not to smile. So he was gone for the sexy, smart doctor. Who could blame him?
He’d happily wake up to her for the foreseeable future, on the way to the rest of his life. But one incredible thing at a time, he mused as swing music swelled from hidden speakers and couples started to move toward the dance floor.
Huh. Imagine that. He’d missed the end of the speech.
As Kim hobbled to her feet and started to swing her butt in her version of dancing while her date looked on in bemusement, Sara leaned close. “So what do you think? Tonight hasn’t been half bad, right?”
“Not at all.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and rubbed his nose over her hair. She’d clipped it up again, but he’d yank it out later. “And you’ll notice, no one has laughed at you showing up with me. I haven’t gotten one boytoy comment yet. Except from you, since you objectify me so.” He gave an indignant sniff, pleased to hear her laugh. That sound was better than birds singing. The only sound he preferred was her orgasmic moans, and the best was a mix of the two.
