“That won’t be a problem again.”
The solemn vow rumbled low as Brody wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her to the sidewalk lining the building. It was a promise he never should never have made, since it wasn’t like he’d be around her every time she consumed an alcoholic beverage from this point on.
Still, Ro couldn’t help but find his willingness to make such a promise almost…sweet.
He’s not being sweet, dummy. The man obviously doesn’t see you as being capable of taking care of yourself.
She considered the point her subconscious had just made, and decided it was right. It sure didn’t seem as if Brody thought she was capable, anyway.
Not when it came to getting herself home, her consumption of food or alcohol… He especially didn’t think she could hold her own where Clayton was concerned.
Just didn’t figure you for a kiss ass, that’s all.
Ro’s chest tightened, the pain from Brody’s previous words returning as the two made their way to his truck. Theycontinuedto play inside her head on an endless, humiliating loop.
And by the time she and Brody reached his truck, she decided she wasn’t going anywhere with him until she made something crystal clear.
“Wait!” she blurted as he removed his hand from her back to reach for the passenger door.
Brody halted his movements. He turned his head, concern dipping his thick, dark brows as he looked back at her from over one of his broad shoulders.
“What’s the matter?”
Ignoring the void his touch had left behind and straightened her spine, she opened her lungs and pulled in the deepest breath could. When she couldn’t hold another ounce of oxygen, Ro released slowly through a narrow stream between her barely parted lips.
With her shoulders back and a tone that oozed more confidence than she actually felt, she held Brody’s intimidating stare and stated matter-of-factly, “I’m not a kiss ass.”
“I know.”
“Or maybe I am,” she talked over him, having second-guessed her claim almost instantly. With a drop of her own shoulders, Ro blew out a harsh, defending breath and added, “But if I am, it’s only because I’m trying to build something that will provide me with a susainab…susbainab…sutainabal…” She released a frustrated huff, going with the more easily pronounced, “Areliableincome in the future.”
Why the heck was that so hard to say?
“I kno—”
“’sides…” Ro unknowingly cut Brody off again. Continuing with the slurred, one-sided argument, she added, “S’not like you and Christian don’t pucker up to some of those big-wigs Delta Team works with.” She emphasized the “p” for good measure. “That’s just part of running a business, you know?”
Brody’s features were starting to become a bit fuzzy and unfocused. Hoping to clear her vision—because the man was far too desirable not to want to appreciate every chiseled curve, she squeezed her eyes shut and then blinked them a few times.
“I do,” the man before her responded.
Ro started to keep going with, “And if you can’t understand that, well then…that’s your problem, not…”
Her weighted voice trailed off as everything he’d been trying to say finally began to register in her stunted brain. The man she’d spent countless nights fantasizing about wasn’t onlyagreeingwith her…but those bearded lips of his looked precariously close to lifting at the corners.
“Hold up.” Ro frowned. “Youdo?”
“Yes.” Brody turned his powerful body to face her fully. “I know you’re not a kiss ass, Aurora, and I…” He ran a hand over that sexy jaw of his and sighed. “I was way out of line and never should have disrespected you the way I did. Especially in front of the others.” The tip of his tongue darted out before he added and almost nervous, “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Holy hell in a helium balloon. Did Brody King really just apologize for being a giant ass?
Ro swallowed, her lids fluttering with several confused blinks. “Oh. Um…thanks.”
Taking a step closer, his hardened expression softened, the previous anger in his eyes all but gone. “Look, Ro. I really wasn’t trying to be a dick in there.”
“I know.” She almost shook her head again but thought better of it at the last second. “You were just being a good friend and trying to protect me when you thought I was in trouble. Iwasn’t”—she insisted—“but you didn’t know that.”
Those dark chocolate eyes of his became fixed with hers, the intensity of his gaze becoming so powerful it felt as if they shared an actual physical connection.