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CHAPTER NINETEEN

HARLOW

I blinked my eyes open. For a moment, I almost forgot where I was.

I rolled to the side to stretch my arms, and my eyes swept across the room.

There was a book on the nightstand, a flannel draped over the back of the chair, and the same alarm clock he had five years ago.

For a man who worked in construction, Brooks sure did keep a clean house. I’d peeked in this room a few times while roaming the house. It was neat and had character, unlike my apartment in Manhattan, which was more like a furniture store showroom than a home.

This is what a home should feel like, but it wasn’t just this house or even the man who lived here.

Life in this town was simple. People cared for each other.

I never felt that type of connection in New York, maybe because the city moved at a frenetic pace and people were always too busy to slow down.

The locals in this community took their time and treated each other like family.

The only thing I missed about living in the city was the convenience. I loved the diverse cultures, the amazing food, and the shopping on Fifth Avenue. But being back here and waking up in Brooks’ bed made me realize I missed this lifestyle more.

I slipped out of bed and grabbed the flannel off the back of the chair. I was in need of a shower and clean clothes, but first, I needed coffee.

When I entered the kitchen, he stood with his back to me, sipping his coffee while staring out the window. There was a fresh breeze, and you could hear the raindrops hitting the roof.

“Morning.” I smiled and beelined for the Keurig machine.

Brooks turned, and for a brief second, I started to panic. Would he regret last night? Would he go back to treating me like the enemy? Would he insist on sticking to our rules?

My nervous fingers reached for the coffee cup next to the sink. I sensed him lingering behind me. My pulse picked up as he approached.

“Nice shirt.”

I glanced over my shoulder, praying to God I would sound normal because sweet Jesus, he looked delicious.

His chest was bare, outlining every muscle on his broad frame.

His flimsy athletic shorts sat low on his hips, causing my mouth to go dry.

His scruff was thicker today, and his hair was sticking up in places where it shouldn’t have been, thanks to my eager fingers last night.

I bit my lip, tempted to drag him back to the bedroom. “Wish I could say the same for you.”

He shot me a smirk. “I was being a gentleman and saving my shirt for you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sure, you were.”

He surprised me when he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling my back to his front. “Are you hungry?” he asked, trailing his finger along my neck. “I can cook something.”

I expected awkwardness, not breakfast.

“I could eat,” I sputtered when his hand moved up to the underside of my breast. His calloused thumb brushed along my nipple. A small moan slipped out, and he spun me around in his arms to face him.

“So, about last night.” He hesitated. “I want to make sure you are okay with what happened.”

My eyebrows bent together. “I thought we already went over this.”

He rested his forehead against mine. “I’m not just talking about the sex,” he said carefully. “You recently got out of a relationship. And things are moving fast. All I’m saying is, we can slow down if you want to.”

I studied him. He was really worried. “You still don’t get it, do you?”

He frowned. “Get what?”

“I wasn’t in a relationship with Baz. What we had wasn’t real. It was strictly business. Nothing more.”

His jaw flexed. “You were still technically his.”

I reached up and slid my fingers into his messy hair. “No, I wasn’t, because I’ve always been yours.”

He closed his eyes for a half-second, breathing in deeply like he was trying to control himself.

I slid my hands down his bare chest. “I think deep down, I always knew that I would come back to you.”

He opened his eyes. They were dark and smoldering. “You keep talking like that, and I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”

“Good, because I don’t want responsible. I want wild and reckless. I want you, Brooks Dawson, only you.”

His mouth met mine in a claiming kiss. I wanted to savor the moment and lose myself in him over and over again. I glided my hands up his chest and wrapped my arms around his neck.I could kiss him all day long until our lips were bruised and swollen, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

He pulled back, keeping his hands on my waist. “You are never leaving me again.”

My stomach rumbled, and I laughed against his chest. “If you don’t feed me soon, I might have to leave and go grab some food.”

The edges of his eyes crinkled. “I only offered to cook for you. I never said anything about feeding you.”

I smacked his shoulder playfully. “Jerk.”

“Have a seat at the counter while I fix us both some breakfast.”

Glancing outside, I frowned. “Is it supposed to rain all day?”

It looked like it was coming down pretty steadily.

“It’s supposed to clear up this afternoon. Why? Did you have any big plans?”

I watched him move around the kitchen with ease. He seemed lighter today and more relaxed.

I took a sip of my coffee. “I need to head to the lake house.”

I wanted to do some cleanup today, but the rain was making me sleepy. I wouldn’t mind crawling back under the covers and staying in bed all day.

“I can give you a lift,” he said, cracking an egg into the frying pan.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Nope,” he said, grabbing the bagels out of the fridge.

I glanced around the kitchen. “Where’s Diesel?”

He held the spatula in the air and pointed to the front door. “He loves the rain. I checked on him a few minutes ago. He was sound asleep on the porch.”

“Ahh, okay. I can bring him with me today if you want to get some stuff done.”

I had no idea what his plans were, but I didn’t want him to feel obligated to babysit me if he had things to do.

He sipped his coffee. “I planned on stopping by to see Marty. Do you want to come?”

I haven’t seen Brooks’ grandfather in forever. I always liked him.

“Do you think he would be okay with it?”

“I think he would love to see you.”

“Then I’ll go.” I smiled and stole a piece of bacon off the platter. It had been a long time since I’d been this content. I only wished I knew where we stood.

I watched him tend to the eggs on the stove, wondering what would happen now. This playful side to him was throwing me off. Things between us haven’t exactly been smooth. It would be stupid to think that last night magically fixed everything.

I shifted on the stool and clutched the mug in my hand. “You always were a breakfast person, unlike me, who could survive on coffee until noon.”

He wiped his hands off on the towel. “I remember. That’s why I wanted to make sure you ate something.”

He set a plate in front of me before grabbing his own.

As we were about to dig in, a loud, wet barking furball rushed into the kitchen. Diesel barreled straight toward me. I yelped as he shook his body, spraying water all over my bare legs.

“Good morning to you, too.” I laughed when he started licking my face.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” I turned to see Hayes in the doorway. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he alternated his stare between his brother and me. I lifted my hand and waved.

“And what exactly do we have here?” he drawled, pushing his wet hair off his forehead. “Is that my brother’s shirt?”

Kill me now.I knew I should have stayed in bed.

“Don’t you ever knock?” Brooks snapped and handed me a towel to dry my legs off.

“That wasn’t my question,”he said, unzipping his hoodie and folding his arms.

Brooks pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s none of your business.”

Hayes let out a slow whistle. “Damn, I was only stopping by for coffee. I didn’t realize I was interrupting…”

“Do not finish that sentence.” Brooks pointed to him in warning.

Hayes threw his hands up. “For a man who looks like he got lucky last night, you sure are grumpy this morning.”

I groaned, shaking my head. “You are the worst, Hayes.”

“I know.” He winked and sauntered over to the Keurig machine to fix himself a cup of coffee.

“Make yourself at home. Why don’t you?” Brooks sat down and scowled at his brother.

He leaned against the counter. “Don’t mind me. You two kids can continue doing what you were doing.”

Brooks glared at Hayes. “I hope Diesel shits in your shoe.”

Hayes pulled up a chair and flopped down beside me. “Wow, that’s mean.”

“Is it?” Brooks said casually, “Or is it karma?”

I was trying not to laugh, but Hayes could be relentless and loved to poke fun at his brother.

Hayes nudged me in the elbow. “He’s being very hostile, are you sure he’s not holding you here against your will? Blink twice if you need me to rescue you.”

I glanced over at Brooks. “This is your punishment for not locking the door after letting the dog out.”

“I shouldn’t have to lock my damn door.” Brooks picked up his phone to check the time. “Hayes, don’t you have stuff to do today?”

Hayes took a long, satisfying sip of his coffee. “Funny you should mention that.” He took a treat out of the jar and snuck one to Diesel. “I got a hot date tonight.”

Brooks looked at his brother. “Who is the poor, unfortunate woman?”

Hayes raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Brooks shook his head. “It’s probably someone he swiped right on.”

I picked up my breakfast sandwich. “I hope she knows what she’s getting herself into.”

“I’ll have you both know, I did not meet her on a dating app. Her name is Valerie, and she works the smoothie station at the gym.”

“Where are you taking her tonight?” I asked.

“She wants to do some paint and wine thing.”

Brooks’ coffee mug paused on the way to his mouth. “You hate wine.”

He shrugged. “Val is a smoke show. I can suck it up for one night.”

I snorted into my coffee. “Does she know it’s only going to be one date?”

Hayes looked amused. “Of course not.”

Poor Val. Hayes was a charmer and a notorious flirt.

Even as a teenager, he was known to be the town heartbreaker.

Women got swept away with his pretty boy face and smooth pickup lines.

He always had a revolving door of women coming in and out of his life.

One of these days, he was going to meet his match, and I hoped I would be around to witness it.

I reached for the cream to add more to my coffee. “I feel bad for the poor girl. She has no idea what she is signing up for.”

He threw a hand over his heart. “Are you two ganging up on me now?” He leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying this. “That’s okay. I’m a big boy, I can take it, but enough about me. What’s on the agenda today for you two lovebirds?”

“We are going to see Marty,”Brooks said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

Hayes nodded. “Good. It will make the old man happy. Are you going to share your good news with him?” he asked, pointing to the engagement ring on my finger.

Brooks picked up his coffee and took a sip. “That’s the plan.”

“You seem a little bored today. Would you like to join us?” I asked, holding up my plate of food and offering him some.

He snatched up a piece of bacon and popped it into his mouth. “I would love to, but I’m headed to the office for a few hours, and then I need to rest up for my hot date later.”

Brooks wiped his mouth with his napkin. “We are going to stop by Harlow’s house for a few hours. Do you know when the materials I ordered will be in?”

“They should be here next week.” He set his mug down and stood up. “All right, lovebirds, I’m out of here. Try not to have too much fun with Grandpa today.”

Brooks stood up and walked his brother toward the door. “Next time, call before dropping by, yeah?”

Hayes looked amused. “So, does this mean you two are an actual couple again?”

Brooks shoved him. “Bye, Hayes. Good luck with your date tonight.”

He chuckled, waved over his shoulder, and disappeared outside.

Once he was gone, I glanced at Brooks, who was rubbing his temples.

“You know he’s never going to shut up about this, right?”

“Unfortunately.”

I took another bite of my sandwich and brought my dish to the sink. “I should probably start getting ready.”

Brooks watched me for a moment. Then, without warning, he leaned over, pressed the sweetest kiss on my forehead, and walked away.

My mind raced, trying to piece together all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. We’d crossed so many boundaries, more than either of us intended to.

I always wondered what it would be like to have him in my life again.

The intimacy we shared last night was better than I imagined.

My heart knew he was it for me. He would always be the one for me.

I had a sinking suspicion that he needed more time to accept me back into his heart, but after last night, I finally had hope.