Page 54 of Mr. Big Mistake
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey. It was a joke.”
I glared at him. “Well, it’s not funny anymore. Apparently, everyone thinks I’m a fucking screw-up that can’t do anything right.”
He paused. “Did Kelly tell you that?”
I picked up my pen. “Not in so many words, but yes.”
“Brenden, I’m so--.”
“Out.”
I was glad when Zane stood because I was about to toss him out a window. I was more jealous of him than I’d ever been, and I didn’t have the guts to tell him outright. I was jealous of what he had with Karina. The love they shared. The vulnerability and the passion that was now evident in the way her body kept changing. I wanted that. I wanted a family. I wanted a woman I could work alongside and come home to and curl up with at night. The club nights were tiresome. I’d fucked so many women coming in and out of Vegas for bachelorette parties and birthdays that I didn’t even bother with their names any longer if I ever knew them.
I wanted something different.
I wanted something more.
And I never realized it until I walked Kelly down that aisle.
“Damn it,” I grumbled.
Time passed as slowly as it possibly could. But, once five o’clock rolled around, I tore out of my office. I didn’t even bother locking my door. All I wanted to do was get home to see if Kelly got my note. I knew the food was set to arrive right at five, and I hoped Kelly would wait for me. I hoped she wouldn't take what she wanted and shut herself in her room all night. If there was anything I could do to convince her to have dinner with me, I wanted to do it.
At the very least, I wanted the chance to try.
“Kelly!?”
I raced out of the elevator and quickly threw open my front door.
“Kelly, you here?” I asked.
“In the kitchen!”
I dropped my shit and left the door hanging wide open as I strode down the hallway.
“I smell the food. I’m hoping the steaks are still--.”
“Welcome home, dear.”
My eyes lingered along her body as she stood in front of my kitchen nook. The food had already been set out: steak and mashed potatoes with various steamed vegetables, a bottle of red wine, and fruit with fresh sweet cream for dessert. But, none of that registered as my eyes drank in the utter perfection that was Kelly Crown.
“I figured since we’re about to eat and come to a truce, we’d have a nice dinner together. You know, since this definitely wasn’t the kind of takeout I was expecting.”
I spoke mindlessly. “Not a fan of Chinese food.”
“Don’t like the calories?”
My eyes found hers. “Tastes better in China.”
She giggled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Kelly, you look…”
She smiled. “Thank you. You clean up pretty nice yourself.”
I looked down at my day-worn suit. “Here, let me go change.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.”
