Page 19 of An Unexpected Home

“Umm, yes please,” she said in a husky voice.

His eyes closed and he released his grip on her waist taking a step back. “No,” he said when he opened his eyes.

She wanted to pull her hair out. What the hell was his problem? First, he acted as if he wanted her, then the kiss and now he’d said nol. Which one was it?

Needing space she moved to the side and sat down on the porch swing. Brandon didn’t move from his spot and he was no longer looking at her.

“I can’t get a read on you,” she said.

“There’s nothing to read,” he said, still not looking at her.

“Brandon,” she said sternly, “look at me.” He turned his head toward her. “You said no earlier and now you come here and kiss the ever-loving-shit out of me. You either want me or you don’t?”

He hung his head. “It’s not that simple.”

“I’m gonna need more than that. I’m a horrible judge of character if the last two years are any indication and I honestly don’t trust myself to know what people are thinking anymore. I need the words.”

His eyes went soft and he turned and sat down on the porch steps. “I want you,” he said. “Apparently more than you want me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I asked you for sex.”

“Yeah, only sex,” he said. “I want more.”

Shocked that he would even say that she said, “You just met me?”

“You just met me and yet you know you want to have sex with me?”

“That’s not the same.”

“I’m not asking you to marry me here, Leah. I’m asking you to date.” He shook his head looking down at his feet. “Just go on a date with me.”

Before she could answer the front door opened and Carly stepped out onto the porch. “I thought I heard people out here. What are you guys doing?”

“Just talking,” Brandon said and stood. “I better be going though.”

“Stay for dinner,” Carly said. “I made meatloaf,” she sing-songed.

“I shouldn’t,” he said.

“Stay,” she heard herself say. “You should stay.”

Carly looked between the two of them before saying, “I’m gonna go check on the food.”

When she shut the door behind her Leah said, “I can’t date you, Brandon, but don’t let that stop you from staying tonight or coming over whenever you want.” She passed by him and went into the house, closing the door behind her.

Wanting to go straight to her room so she could be alone for just a few minutes, she hightailed it up the stairs only to run right into Melanie.

“Where’s the fire?”

Mel’s mention of fire made her remember how Brandon had said she’d run from his office like it was on fire. And remembering that made her remember the kiss. The kiss that had set her whole body on fire.

Fire seemed to be the word of the day.

“Leah are you okay?” Melanie said.

“No. I’m really not.” She half laughed.

Mel pushed her into her room. “Sit and tell me what’s going on?”

---