16. Brodie

brODIE

B rodie opened his eyes and gazed at the morning light casting a soft glow on her body. His arms held her tightly, one leg bent over hers, trapping her against him.

"Good morning, my beautiful Peyton." His lips kissed across her neck.

His need for her had not diminished. If it wasn't for the exhaustion that came with his release, he'd want her again moments after they came apart.

"I want to see your eyes," he said, turning her body face his.

He cradled the side of her face and brought his lips to hers. His kiss was soft, not hard, as it had been last night.

"When do you have to be at Stave?"

"Later." She grinned. "Why do you ask?" She squirmed against him, but he held her still.

"Breakfast, baby." Brodie stood and pulled her out of bed.

She pouted. "But?—"

"Breakfast," he whispered. "Let's see. What would Peyton want after a night of full-throttle, mad, crazy, passionate, all-out lovemaking? Hmm. Let me guess. Honey pancakes with an olallieberry drizzle? Or maybe a Dungeness crab omelet with shrimp and mushrooms and Swiss cheese?"

"Stop." She swatted at him. "I'm suddenly ravenous."

"Not sudden, baby. You've been ravenous all night long."

"I love your dimples when you smile." Peyton brought her fingers to his lips and caressed his cheek. "Brodie, last night was…"

"Was…? Go on…"

"I'm searching for words."

"How about if I help? Spectacular. The best sex of my life."

"Without question." She sauntered into the bathroom, reached in, and turned on the shower.

Brodie came up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Those were my words, Peyton. Tell me yours."

"Mind-blowing. Sweet, sensual, loving."

"I like your words, Peyton."

"I like you, Brodie."

He followed her into the shower and took the bottle of shampoo from her hand. "Let me." He drizzled some into his hand, and massaged her head with his fingers.

"I didn't realize how long your hair is. It's always up. I like it, especially when I can run my fingers through it."

She moaned as he kneaded her scalp. That sound, so like the ones he'd heard from her the night before, made him want her again.

"Rinse, sweetheart."

Peyton closed her eyes as the water cascaded over her.

When she turned and picked up the soap, he caught her wrist. "Breakfast," he growled.

"But—"

"No, Peyton. Breakfast."

She pouted, rubbed her body against his, and got out of the shower.

"You'll pay for that, darlin'." He followed, swatting her bottom as she ran into the bedroom.

"Breakfast, Brodie." Peyton stuck her tongue out at him.

He laughed, marveling at how, in such a short time, she had him wrapped around her finger and his heart beating out of his chest.

Peyton tossed him her keys and told him to pick where they went. On the way, her phone vibrated in the bag resting near her feet. She pulled it out and reached over to turn down the music wafting from her car's sound system. Brodie saw Jamison's name flash on the screen.

"Hi, sweetie. Good morning," she answered.

"Hey, Mom," he heard her son say.

"How was your night with Grandma and Grandpa?"

"Good. Abuela Lucia stayed and watched movies with us until it was so late that Grandpa said he didn't feel comfortable letting her drive home, so he took her. Would it be okay if Finn and I stay here again tonight? Grandpa said he'd take us to the stables and we could ride in the morning."

"Of course, sweetie, but I'll talk to you again later, okay?"

"Yeah, bye. Love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Jamison."

She disconnected her call and looked over at Brodie. Her smile took his breath away.

"How are they?" he asked, even though he'd been able to hear everything Jamison said.

"They're good. They love their time with my parents, and even though I miss them like crazy, I'm happy they get to be with them as much as they do."

"Did Jamison say something about riding?"

"My dad keeps horses at Los Caballeros. He and my mom love to throw a leg over. They take the boys along every chance they get."

He smiled. "We have stables."

"I know you do." She smiled too.

"Do you ride, Peyton?"

"Please, Brodie. Ride? I was born on the back of a horse."

He reached over and stroked her cheek with his finger. "Beautiful and badass."

"Huh?" She laughed.

"Every time I look at you, that's what comes to mind. You're breathtakingly beautiful and so badass that I wonder if I'll be able to keep up with you."

He stopped the car in front of the Olallieberry Diner, climbed out, and came around to open her door. He loved that she waited for him, loved that she let him do that for her.

Peyton looked out at the waves crashing on Moonstone Beach. "Do you surf?" she asked.

"Surf? Please. I was born on a surfboard."

Brodie's phone vibrated in his pocket, but he ignored it. Whoever it was could wait. When it vibrated again between the car and the front door of the restaurant, he decided he better answer it.

"Excuse me for a minute," he said to Peyton, looking at the screen on his cell.

Naughton was calling.

"What's up, brother? House on fire?"

Naughton's words sent a chill down Brodie's spine. "It's Ma, Brodie. Took her by helicopter to Twin Cities Hospital. It's her heart."

"I'll be right there."

Peyton was standing in front of him, concern etched into her face. "What is it?"

"My ma. I'm sorry, Peyton, but I've gotta go."