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She tosses back the rest of her wine and gives me a tight smile. “Well, I was shocked, to say the least. I didn’t know what to do with the information I was given, but after I thought about it, I knew I wanted to meet him. I knew it couldn’t possibly be worse than what it was like at home, even if he
told me to take a hike.”
It breaks my heart knowing she had such a shitty life at home. That’s something I need to know more about, but I won’t push her. I’ll let her tell me when she’s ready.
She tucks her hair behind her ear and gives me a grin. “What about you? You know more about me than I do you. What was it like growing up? Were you and Kallie always close?”
Thinking of my childhood makes me smile. “Growing up for me was great. Kallie and I were always close. It was just my mom who raised us, so the three of us were always very close.”
“Have you ever met your father?” she asks, pouring herself more wine.
“No. When I was a teenager, I tried to find him through Facebook. I never had any luck and I figured why the hell should I try if he’s not? I have no urge to meet him now. Any real man would have been there, if not for his wife, for his kids. I’d never walk out on my girls, ever.”
That’s the damn truth. The older I got the more I realized what a piece of shit my father was for walking out on us. I don’t care how much hatred I have toward Sarah; I’d never leave my girls. I’ll never understand how my father can walk through life knowing he’s got children out there that he doesn’t know.
“I can understand that. The older I get the more I realize that the people who are supposed to be in your life are. Whether they are family or not,” she says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I smile at her and nod my head. “So true. Look at Blake and Jax, those two are as close as any two brothers I’ve ever seen. You don’t need to be blood-related to have a bond. I’ve gotten so close to all of these guys through Kallie, and I would die for any of them.”
She doesn’t say anything for a minute, just stares off over my shoulder. When she finally speaks, she is still looking past me. “I’ve never had a bond like that. It’s something I want so badly,” she whispers.
Looking at her sad face does something to me, makes me want to give her everything she desires. Sarah had everything and it was never good enough, she always wanted more. McKinley has nothing and wants just a little. I get up and squat down beside her, resting my hand on her leg. She looks down at me and I stare into her soul.
“Let me give it to you.” My heart is pounding. I haven’t put myself out there, in longer than I can remember, and it scares the shit out of me.
“What? No. Wait, what?” she asks, stumbling over her own words.
“McKinley, I don’t do this. Putting myself out there is something I wasn’t sure I’d ever do again. It’s you. Since you came crashing into our lives, I feel this pull to you that is undeniable. Let me try to make you happy.”
The fear of rejection is coursing through me right now and I’m man enough to admit I’m terrified. Until I see a tear roll down her cheek. I stand up and wipe it away with my thumb.
“Braden, I don’t deserve you,” she says, choking back a sob.
I take her hand and pull her up to me. “You deserve so much more, but the one thing I can give you is me.”
She lets a few more tears fall, and I press my lips to hers. When I pull back, she runs her left hand down my face.
“I don’t know where life will take me, but I want it to be here. I want to be the one to make you smile,” she says.
A piece of my heart finds its way back together in this moment. I don’t say another word. I lead her through the house and upstairs to my room. I’m not going to play games or let my fears stand in my way. I want this woman and I intend to show her just how badly.
Chapter 9
McKinley
* * *
Walking into Braden’s room, he slowly leads me over to his bed. All the nerves and uncertainties I’ve been feeling completely disappear as I decide to just let this happen. I want this more than I can remember wanting anything before. More than I want a career in modeling.
When the back of my knees hit the bed, Braden lets his eyes rack over my entire body. A slow burn starts taking over my body that I know will soon be on fire. He slowly runs his hands down my body, causing my eyes to close on their own account. I feel his lips on mine and when he runs his tongue across the seam, I open right up for him. The second our tongues touch it is explosive. His hands find their way to my hair and tangle in, turning my head just enough to deepen the kiss. I let my hands wander, silently beginning for more.
When he pulls back, we are both breathless and he searches my eyes. “McKinley, are you sure you want to do this?”
I step out of his hold and pull my dress over my head, dropping it to the floor. Standing before him in my strapless bra and panties, I smile.
“I’m sure.”
“Holy fuck, you are stunning.”
