Page 7 of Brax

“No. I don’t. I wouldn’t be asking if I knew why.”

“Are you kidding me? You were so uncomfortable with me in your space you couldn’t even look at me,” she said, standing on the porch. Brax swallowed, looking at her beautiful, tanned legs and swinging bob haircut. “You made sure that you were gone before I got up in the morning. You made sure that you came home after I was asleep at night. You avoided me every moment of every day, Brax. Do you have any fucking idea how that made me feel?”

“I-I didn’t mean to make you feel any sort of way,” he whispered.

“Yes, you did. And you succeeded. I wasn’t welcome in your cottage at all. You did it as a favor for someone, and you regretted it almost immediately. I get it. I was cramping your style.” She set the iced tea down and started down her steps. “Well, good news, Brax. You have your house back. All to yourself. I’m in my own space, and I’m just fine.”

“They said you were interviewing for other jobs, away from Belle Fleur, or thinking about it.” She looked at him as she stopped on the stairs leading to her home.

“It’s none of your business. If I leave or if I stay doesn’t matter to you. You’ve made that painfully clear. Just leave me alone, Brax. You’ve done enough damage.”

She tried to walk past him and head toward the grove, but he gripped her arm so hard she winced from the pain.

“I didn’t mean to cause you any harm or damage. I was trying to protect you,” he said, lessening his hold on her.

“Protect me? Or protect you?” she said, staring up at him.

Brax looked into her big eyes, seeing the tears threatening to spill, and it was gutting him. He didn’t want to hurt her. He wanted her to understand why he couldn’t hold her back.

“I’m not good for you, Stephanie.” She laughed at him, shaking her head.

“That’s your response? After everything we’ve been through, everything that’s happened, your response is, ‘I’m not good for you’? Fine. You’re not good for me. I get it. Then stay away from me until I can find another job, Brax. I’m tired of you making me feel inferior. I’m tired of you ignoring me, avoiding me as if I had some sickness or disease. Just leave me alone.”

He pulled her arm again, forcing her body against his own.

“I can’t do that either.”

Bending down, he slammed his mouth against hers, gripping her waist and a fistful of the skirt of her dress, feeling it rise up. His fingertips touched her bare legs, his mouth exploring her delectable lips and tongue.

Finally pulling back, he stared down at her shocked face, tears filling her eyes.

“Why did you do that?” she whispered.

“I shouldn’t have to explain that.” He walked off toward the grove and the others, leaving Stephanie behind him.

Touching her lips, she was breathing so heavily she could hardly stand upright. She’d been kissed a few times, but nothing like that. Nothing that made her feel as though her world was turned upside down.

He was the most frustrating, confusing, obstinate man she’d ever met. She couldn’t continue this way. She just couldn’t. When all this was over with, she would transfer to another company or simply go out on her own as a contractor.

No matter what, she couldn’t remain here with Brax.

Brax was looking down at his feet as he walked into the grove. Saint and Pax looked up at him, both men frowning, knowing that he’d gone to speak to Stephanie.

“What happened?” asked his twin.

“I kissed her.”

“And?”

“And what? I kissed her, and hopefully, that will make her stay,” he said, filling his plate.

“Jesus, you really are stupid,” said Saint. “You think because you kissed her, she’s going to stay? Did you tell her how you feel?”

“No!” Everyone turned to stare at the three men. “No. I didn’t. I kissed her, and that should tell her how I feel.” Saint just shook his head in disbelief.

“She’s going to leave. Just by kissing someone doesn’t mean that they’ll stay or leave. You have to tell them how you feel, what you feel, and what you want from them. She’s not a mind reader, Brax. I’m telling you that she’s going to leave this place, and it’s going to be your fault when she does.” Pax just shook his head in disbelief and left his brother standing there.

He watched as his twin and best friend walked away from him, then turned to see if Stephanie was coming toward the grove. When he didn’t see her, he dropped his plate and walked toward his own cottage as others stared at him. At this point, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be better than this torture.

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