Page 6 of Brix

“Right now, we’re headed out to the Sugar Lodge. We have some interesting art pieces out there I thought you might like to see.”

“No. That’s not what I meant. Where are you and I headed?”

He stopped, smiling down at her. He’d wanted to have this conversation the moment they’d arrived at Belle Fleur, but he was giving her the chance to heal.

“Where would you like for us to be headed?” he asked.

“Brix,” she said, frustrated with his answering a question with a question. “I’m asking you!” He laughed, shaking his head.

“Alright, if you’re asking me. We’re headed toward a permanent, full-time, all-in relationship. You and me, Daph. Marriage, kids, the whole thing.”

She frowned at him, tears filling her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I thought that’s what you wanted,” he said, swallowing back his own tears. She shook her head.

“Oh, Brix, it’s everything I want. But I’m fairly sure you’re not going to want me.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“Daphne, babe, what are you talking about? I just said that I want you, and I meant every damn word of it. I want you. No matter what.”

“You don’t know what he did to me, Brix. Marshall. You don’t know what he did to me.”

“Then tell me, honey. Tell me what he did to you. It will only matter to me because it matters to you. I can’t guarantee that I won’t kill him, but tell me.” She gave a sad smirk, and he kissed her nose.

“Honestly, they weren’t sure what he did to me, but after the attack, my cycle wasn’t regular. I developed fibroids, and they said I probably wouldn’t be able to have children.”

“Then we’ll adopt,” he said, smiling. “Did your parents know about this?”

“They did but thought I should give it the old college try,” she winced. “God, I love my parents, but I hate that they’ve put so much stress on me about this. What if I can’t, Brix? What if a year from now, I can’t have a baby, and you hate me.”

“Baby,” he laughed. “There is no scenario around this where I will hate you. I love you, Daphne. I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I was in love with you while we were packing Elena’s clothes. I’m nuts about you, babe. I want to start a life with you. Here.

“If you want to work at a gallery, by God, we’ll build a gallery. Or better yet, you can help to advertise and sell the art at the General Store. When we have cases about art, we can involve you. You are wanted. Here. With me. Forever. Clear?” He smiled at her, and she nearly melted.

“It’s very clear. I love you, too, Brix. I love you so much, and I don’t know when it happened. I love your parents. I love your friends and family. I love them all.”

“And they love you,” he grinned, kissing her. She lingered a little longer on his lips, and he took that as a good sign, pressing against her a little harder, exploring her warmth and sweet taste. He heard her groan, and he stepped back.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Perfect,” she smiled. “God, you’re really good at that. Now, I want you to tell me something. Why did you think I wouldn’t be interested in you? Before. When you left England, why did you think I wouldn’t be interested in you?”

“Ah,” he smirked, nodding at her as they walked back toward the cottage. He’d do the Sugar Lodge another day. “There was a woman once that I was seeing. Actually, that’s a lie. She was a one-time hookup. I’m ashamed to say that now, but that’s what she was. She worked in a local bar near the base. She walked up to me and said she was pregnant. I kept telling her it was impossible. I always used a condom. Honestly, sometimes two. I was very careful.”

“That’s smart,” nodded Daphne. “And there’s no reason to be embarrassed, Brix. I’m not a virgin. I’m ashamed to say I’ve had a one-night stand as well.”

“Then we’re even,” he grinned, kissing her. “Anyway, she said some pretty unkind things about not wanting a mixed-race baby. She only wanted to hook up with me because of something other women had said about my, uh, appendage.”

“I see,” she smiled.

“She told me to look at the walls in the ladies’ room. It changed the way I thought about women and sex, Daph. My name was all over the walls, drawings, all kinds of shit. I can only imagine that’s how women feel when it’s done to them. I changed after that, but I couldn’t get her words out of my mind.”

“But you knew my parents were black,” she said, staring up at him.

“I knew it not once, but twice,” he laughed. “It was as if the first time, it didn’t sink in for me. I don’t know what happened. But when I really understood, I knew that you weren’t holding anything against me.”

“Brix, I would never, ever do that. Besides, there is nothing about you that would indicate to anyone right away that you were mixed race or black or anything else. To me, you’re just a sexy, hot, unbelievably fit man. I’ve never looked at a man’s skin color or eyes or hair. None of that mattered to me.”

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