AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He laughed. "Good. Everyone needs to cut loose every now and then."
"True. She had some snooty parents at the day care center to deal with this week who decided to inform her how they thought she should run things. Real know-it-all types and just relentless perfectionists who think their kids don't ever poop or have boogers."
Brody snorted. "Yeah, I know the type. In every business there are customers like that. You just have to grin and bear it, when all you want to do is smash a fist in their smug faces."
"Exactly. And you know Calliope--she's as sweet as they come, but even she folds under the pressure every now and then. And with Wyatt being out of town, I could tell by her tone of voice at the end of the day today she was ready to explode, so I suggested we go out tonight."
They closed the front door and Brody made sure everything was locked up before making their way to his truck. "I'm glad you could be there for her so she could let off some steam and vent it out."
"That's what friends are for. We're there for each other."
They got into the truck and he backed down the driveway to make his way back to town. "I guess she's always there for you, too."
Tori stared out the window. "Always."
"Yeah. Like she gave you love advice tonight?"
Her gaze shot to his. "No she didn't."
"She said she did."
"She was drunk."
He was silent for a while as he drove toward town. So was Tori, who stared out the window.
"I didn't know you were seeing someone," he finally said.
"I'm not seeing anyone."
"So she gave you advice on how to ask someone out?"
She sighed. "Let it go, Brody."
He heard the subtle pleading in her voice and decided he should probably let it go. But something twisted in his gut at the thought of Tori dating some random guy. Or any guy, for that matter. She hardly ever went out, and when she did, it didn't last. She was pretty selective with guys she dated. He wondered why.
"You haven't had a boyfriend in...hell, Tori, I don't remember you ever dating anyone seriously."
She shot him a look. "Why? Do you have a friend you're thinking of setting me up with?"
He frowned at her. "Hell, no."
Her lips curved in a hint of a smile.
"Is that funny?"
"No. Not at all."
"I have great friends."
"I know you do."
He thought about all the guys he called friends, the times they'd all gotten together, and which ones had given Tori a second look. Probably all of them, considering she was gorgeous. "Is there one of my friends you want to go out with?"
"Nope."
That relieved him a little. But only for a second, because he knew damn well that what Calliope had said about the love advice hadn't been made up, and usually people who'd had too much to drink spilled a little too much of the truth.
When he pulled into Tori's apartment complex, he got out of the truck and opened her door.
"Thanks for the ride."
"It's late. I'll walk you up."
"That's not necessary."
"I'll walk you to your door, Tori."
She blew out a breath. "Fine."
As they walked up the back stairs, he frowned. "Lots of foliage around here. And you're on the second floor."
She fished into her purse for her keys. "And?"
He waited while she unlocked her door, surveying the remoteness of the area. "How long have you lived here?"
"About a year."
"I don't like it."
"Gee, Brody, thanks."
"I mean it doesn't look safe. You should move."
She rolled her eyes and stepped inside. "Thanks for the ride home. I appreciate it. Good night."
He put his hand on the door. "Seriously, Tori. This isn't the best neighborhood in town. And this apartment is at the end of a remote corridor. Not the best location."
"It's the best I can do, you know?"
He looked down at her. Always so tough, with that "I can take care of myself" attitude. He knew she had no one to take care of her.
Hell, she probably didn't need anyone to take care of her, but right now maybe he needed it.
He braced his hands on either side of the doorway. "Ask me to come in."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"Let me come in, Tori."
"Why?"
"I want to see your place."
"Why?"
"Quit asking why and ask me to come in, Tori."
She shook her head. "That is so not a good idea, Brody."
"I know. In fact, it's a really bad idea. Ask me to come in, anyway."
Chapter Four
Tori's heart beat so fast she could feel the pounding in her chest.
Brody wanted in her apartment. What could that mean? A huge mistake, was what it could mean. She should say no. Then again, maybe he was just being chivalrous and wanted to see if the boogeyman was in there. One quick check and then he'd leave.
But the way he looked at her, his sexy gaze giving her a look that said they had a lot to talk about--or maybe that there'd be no talking at all once she invited him past her threshold--definitely gave her pause.
She'd kissed him once and all these months later she couldn't forget the taste of him. She couldn't afford to mess with Brody, couldn't handle letting him take her to bed and then deal with the repercussions of that.
Ridiculous. She was overthinking this, which happened every time she got anywhere near Brody. Then again, this was part of his modus operandi. He messed with your head, and before you knew what was happening, you were naked.
And then he dumped you.
"No."
He cocked a brow. "What?"
"You can't come in."
"Why not?"
"Because...I'm tired."
He inched a little closer and she breathed in the scent of him. Cool and crisp and ever so male, she wanted to reach out, grab his jacket and haul his mouth against hers, then kiss him until neither one of them could breathe. Oh, why couldn't she have what she wanted, damn the consequences?
"Tori...you don't look tired. You look...really good tonight." He reached out and tugged on one of the curls that always seemed to be falling out of the top knot where she twisted her hair up. "Have I ever told you how much I like your hair?"
"Um...no, you haven't." See, there went her brain cells. Everything that screamed intelligent, logical woman had traveled somewhere south, which was now throbbing and screaming his name and begging him to take her and undress her and do wicked things to her.
He took a step closer. "I really like your hair. It's soft and sexy and God, that red makes me crazy."
She swallowed, or tried to, but there was currently a boulder in her throat making it impossible. "Brody, what are you doing?"
"Invite me in. You always have such careful control over your life. Tonight, let go. I just want to see if that kiss last Christmas was really as explosive as I thought it was. Did you think it was?"
"Yes."
