“When I saw him grab your arm like that...” Brody’s expression returned to the same hardened warrior she’d seen before. “I can’t…Iwon’tstand by and watch some asshat pull that shit with you. I hope you can respect that.”
“I do.” Ro gave the slightest of nods. “And I’m sorry, too. If I hadn’t let myself get into that position in the first place, you never would’ve felt the need to—”
“Wrong.” That deadly tone of his returned with a vengeance. “The dickhead asked you out, you said no. The rest is on him, Ro. Andonlyhim.”
“But you said—”
“I was wrong.” A stark admission. “I saw him grab you, and…I lost it.” Brody shook his head as if he didn’t quite understand his own reaction. “It wasn’t your fault, and I never should’ve taken it out on you.” Brody gave his jaw another rub. “I damn sure shouldn’t have put the blame on you. I really am sorry, Ro.”
“S’okay.” She slapped a floppy hand to his chest for reassurance.
His hard, hot, sculpted chest that feltincrediblebeneath her touch.
Brody covered her hand with his. “It’s not.” The fabulously fit man’s deep rumble vibrated against her palm. “But it won’t happen again. You have my word on that. Now come on.” He gave her hand a little pat. “Let’s get you home so you can get some of that food and rest you promised Meg you’d get.”
Right on cue, a giant yawn had Ro rushing to cover her gaping mouth. “Okay,” she agreed without hesitation.
Even if she wanted to argue with his plan—which she didnot—Ro didn’t have the energy.
Taking her hand in his for the second time that night, Brody led her the few remaining feet to the truck’s passenger door. With gentle, patient movements, he helped her climb inside.
Before she could do it herself, her attentive friend reached up near her head and grabbed the seatbelt, pulling it across her lap.
“Thank you,” she offered softly.”
A spicy male scent filled her nostrils, and Ro drew in what she prayed was an indiscernible inhale. Clicking the buckle in place, Brody lifted his focus to hers as he whispered, “Welcome.”
Their gazes lingered on one another’s for several seconds. Or maybe she’d imagined it. Either way, Ro had to fight the sudden urge to reach up, grab hold of his whiskered cheeks, and pull that kissable mouth to hers.
Making the decision for her, Brody cleared his throat and muttered a low, “Better get you home,” before backing away and reaching for the door.
But just as he was about to shut her in, the former SEAL paused. With his sight remaining fixed with hers, the former SEAL let their locked gazes linger a beat longer.
Ro held her breath and waited, praying to all that was holy that this would be the moment she’d been wishing for. Thatthiswould be the day when he finally kissed her. But with her very next breath, Brody blinked, effectively destroying the unreadable moment.
He shifted to the side and shut the door, muttering something under his breath she couldn’t comprehend. From what Ro could tell through her drunken haze, the Brody that drove her mad with frustration and need was back.
Quiet, stoic, and tempting as hell.
For a minute, there, she’d been so sure he was going to kiss her. He hadn’t, of course. It was silly of her to consider otherwise.
But as they drove to her house in near silence, Ro stared out the window at the passing scenery and wondered…
What would he have done if I’d kissed him, instead?
3
Brody heldRo steady as he used her keys to unlock the front door to her house. Keeping an arm around her waist, he guided her into her into the small entryway, gently kicking the door shut behind them.
Greeted with the combining scents of fresh paint, lemon cleaning spray, and varnish, Brody reached blindly for a light switch, finding—and flipping—the nearest one with ease.
“Holy shit!” Ro used her forearm to shield her eyes from the sudden, blinding light. “Give a girl some warning, next time, would ya?”
With a mumbled, “Sorry,” Brody turned them both toward the opened archway on his right. Ro stumbled a bit as he led her into her living room.
Though he’d never been here, Megan had kept him abreast on all the work Ro had put into the place so far. Among the daunting tasks he recalled his sister mentioning, the woman currently struggling to walk a straight line had already removed yards of old wallpaper, had painted at least this room and the space he could see to their left, and she’d replaced some of the home’s old fixtures with new.
Thanks to the light from the foyer, Brody could easily see the shadowed living room with ease. As he guided her toward the couch, he took a moment to appreciate the first house she’d ever owned.