Page 37 of Beauty Of Her

I grimaced at the age comment, but that was my insecurity chipping away at me because Brett hadn’t shown signs of the slightest flinch. “Not that old,” I corrected.

“Nice to meet you, Robert.” Brett extended his hand and offered a warm grin.

“Likewise,” Robert replied, shaking Brett's hand firmly. His eyes lingered on Brett for a moment longer than necessary, assessing him with a hidden intensity that made my heart flutter. “Anyway, I’ll see you in the cafeteria.” Robert nodded, addressing both of us.

“See you later,” I offered, looping my arm through Brett’s, steering us away from a small potential disaster. While my heart threatened to break through my chest, Brett sauntered by my side, calm as ever. Everything about him was so refreshing. Everything I wasn’t used to in a man.

As we walked away, relief flooded my body. Brett's presence was like a balm to my anxious mind, soothing the doubts creeping in whenever I permitted them to. His easy confidence and unwavering support gave me the reassurance I needed. Yet, beneath the surface, I knew our relationship was far from simple. When we entered the bustling cafeteria, we grabbed matching turkey avocado sandwiches. Brett led us to a secluded corner table, away from prying eyes and potential interruptions. He pulled a chair for me, his hand brushing my lower back, sending a shiver down my spine. Sitting opposite each other, we locked eyes, exchanging a silent understanding.

“So, how are you?” Brett asked, breaking the silence.

“I’m tired,” I sighed and reached across, taking Brett’s hand. His fingers felt so powerful between mine, and the thickness of his digits trumped my own. “I have four hours left of conferences after lunch.”

“Oh, I was talking about your vagina. She took a mean pounding last night.”

I almost choked on the bread and grabbed my water bottle as a save. My eyes darted around, making sure no one heard, but Brett’s unwavering stare didn’t shift. “She’s fine. I mean, I’m fine.”

Brett chuckled, his eyes burning my skin. "You know, I could always help give you something to think about for the rest of the day,” he whispered, his voice low.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I glanced around the cafeteria. "Brett, not here," I answered back.

He grinned mischievously and squeezed my hand. "Later then." His tone dripped with promise. “In all seriousness, are you glad you’re here?”

“Yeah, I really am. The girls are doing well. Amelia is a lifesaver, and I haven’t heard a word from Peter since last night.”

“Good.” Brett nodded.

“Yeah, I guess. Either Peter is plotting something to get back at me, or he understands now to stay within boundaries.”

“Everything will work out.” Brett brought my hand to his mouth, letting his lips rest across my knuckles.

“I always worry Peter will try to do something to mess with the custody. You’ll see one day when you have kids, the worrying doesn’t end.”

A fleeting dark shadow dashed across Brett’s face. “I can’t plan that far in advance.” Except, his tone said otherwise.

“Brett, do you want kids?” My grip on his hand loosened.

“I guess with the right person, I’ll want everything.” He shrugged. “But again, I don’t plan that far ahead. I’m an in-the-moment kind of guy. When something feels good, I grab it and don’t let go.” His fingers squeezed mine, finishing his answer.

I swallowed hard, a mix of excitement and trepidation at Brett's response. His words hinted at a future together, but his hesitation left me wondering if he truly saw a long-term commitment with me. I had to remind myself that our relationship was built on passion and desire, not necessarily a solid foundation for a lasting partnership. “How does your mom feel about you being here?”

Brett’s shoulders tensed, and I knew the answer despite his silence. “I’ll be honest because I don’t want to lie to you.”

I shifted, biting my inner cheek.

“She has a few reservations about me being here. But it’s not her place to say who I can or can’t spend my time with.”

“So, I’m guessing she’d prefer if you were in New York now.” A part of me deflated, knowing maybe that was the better choice. But, then again, why was I even asking a question I might not like the answer? These intrusive thoughts were working their way out of my mouth, and if I wasn’t careful, I could really screw things up. I just didn’t know how to stop them.

“But I’m ecstatic to be here with you. Because I think you’re so fucking amazing.” Brett pecked my hand and then leaned over and kissed my lips.

The taste of Brett's lips sent a surge of arousal coursing through my veins, momentarily banishing any doubts or insecurities that had been lingering in my mind. In that moment, all that mattered was our intoxicating connection, fueled by raw attraction and an undeniable chemistry. The kiss deepened, our mouths moving in perfect sync as the world around us faded into the background.

But as our lips reluctantly parted, reality crashed back in. I reached out and gently caressed his cheek, searching for the words to express what swirled in my head. Luckily, I’d have the next several hours to compose a coherent answer. "Brett..." I whispered breathlessly, my voice barely audible over the thumping of my heart.

He looked at me with concern etched in his eyes, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on the back of my hand. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

“Lunch is almost over.” I squeezed my eyes, hating the truth.

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