Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 18896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
He let out a low growl. “That shouldn’t happen to any child.”
“Exactly.” She shrugged self-consciously. “Which explains the Christmas party and my elf outfit.”
“Which explains my attraction to you,” he murmured.
“You have a thing for little women dressed in green?”
He laughed but his expression sobered fast. “Actually, I have a thing for a certain blonde-haired beauty with a big heart.”
She shook her head, feeling heat in rise to her cheeks. “Don’t give me that much credit. Really. It’s all very self-serving. When I got out of high school, I swore I’d finish my education somehow. No matter how many student loans I had to take, I promised myself I’d find a way to be self-supporting so I’d never run out of options or be reliant on anyone again.”
“And you’ve accomplished that.”
“Getting there. But I spent years working for that sense of security.”
“And you’ve got that now.”
“Definitely. But now, I’m starving,” she said, changing the subject. She didn’t want to get so deep so fast. Not until she knew him better, she thought, ignoring the sense that he was it for her. Love at first sight didn’t happen… did it? Uneasy, she turned away.
“Brandy, wait.”
She glanced over her shoulder.
“One more question.”
“Yes?”
“You thought you were kissing my brother.”
That was embarrassing, she thought, but sensed the importance behind his question. “Mistaken impulse,” she said, honestly.
“Any feelings behind it?”
“Just one.” She waited a beat, searching for the right word. “Regret,” she said at last, aware of the same importance behind her answer. “I regret that you obviously think there was something going on between me and Stephan. Or that I have any feelings for your brother other than friendship.”
“Don’t you? You initiated that kiss. I have a hard time believing it was born of feelings of friendship.”
“This is so humiliating. I’m going to sound so desperate but I thought I was interested in your brother so I acted on the opportunity.” She shrugged. “Turns out I was wrong.” She forced herself to meet his gaze. “I thought I wanted Stephan—until the second I kissed you.”
She’d given him his answer. It was up to him what he did with it. Turning away, she reached for the door handle and let herself out of the car.
Chapter Three
Max wrapped an arm around Brandy’s shoulder and tucked her into his side, away from view of the patrons in the bar. His protectiveness warmed her, as he shielded her from prying eyes and she let him lead her to the back of the paneled pub, decorated with silver and green tinsel along the top of dark wood. There was no way he could hear her above the din so she waited until they’d reached their destination before pulling on his hand and capturing his attention. “What do you do for a living?”
“Private investigator. Why?”
“No special reason. I was just curious.”
“Ask away. I have nothing to hide.” He turned toward the bar. “Hi, Stevie,” he said to the cute female server. “Can we get a round of…”
Max turned toward Brandy and she shrugged. “Whatever you’re having is fine.”
“Two Coronas.”
Stevie nodded, then turned toward a high bar table. “Brownie,” Jake, the bartender, called to a man seated there. “Give Max his table, okay?”
“What?” Brandy asked.
Max shrugged. “I have a standing seat in the corner.” He gestured toward a high table with two barstools where an older man was clearing out.
“He doesn’t have to give up his seat for us,” Brandy said.
“He definitely does. If they don’t throw him out of here, he drinks too much. He’s too lazy to stand on his feet all night. This way he’ll go home and sleep it off.” Max caressed her face with his knuckles. “Trust me. I’ve been through this routine before.”
“You’ve kicked him out for his own good? Or kicked him out to make room for you and another woman?” She bit the inside of her cheek, hating herself for asking but needing the answer just the same.
“There are no other women.”
Brandy liked the answer, but couldn’t help wondering if he was telling her what he thought she wanted to hear. Seconds later, he dispelled her concerns by cupping her cheeks in his palms and lowering his lips for a seductive, heated kiss. One that left her gasping for air, unable to think, and the subject of intense speculation, she realized, as he lifted his head.
The stares of onlookers turned into a slow round of applause and more than one whistle of approval.
Embarrassed, she lowered herself onto the high stool with shaking knees, just as Stevie arrived with their drinks.
“You sure do know how to make an entrance. I didn’t know you were his girl,” Stevie said to Brandy.
“His girl?” Brandy was mortified but Stevie just laughed.
“You’ve both been here and never run into each other,” Stevie said. “I supposed that’s because the bar is always packed solid. But I’ve worked here for years and he’s never brought a woman before. If you can think of another label, let me know.” Winking, Stevie placed the bottles on the table.