Page 44 of Off Limits
Chapter Twenty-One
Brady
Brady stood over the bed watching Jane sleep.
It had been a little over two weeks since he’d poured his heart out to her. Two weeks since he’d admitted that he couldn’t stay away from her, despite his promise to his best friend. Since he’d asked her to keep their relationship quiet for a little while, just long enough to make sure they were both ready. Three weeks. That’s all he’d asked for. And now, time was running out on his bubble of bliss.
A part of him was heavy with dread. The past two weeks had been something out of a dream. They’d squeezed every minute together they could between work. When they were in the same room, they could barely keep their hands off each other. And when they weren’t tangled up in each other in the sheets, they talked. Long conversations that peeled back layers he hadn’t even realized he’d been hiding.
He treasured this time. This version of the two of them. Getting to know her in a new, deeper way than before. Bringing Rex into it might shatter everything before it had a chance to take root. They were still learning how to bethem.
She was curled on her side, one leg stretched out, her breath slow and even. Her lips parted just slightly. Her golden hair haloed across the pillow like spilled sunshine.
God, he loved her like this. Not a care in the world.
More than once, he’d woken up and just watched her sleep. It soothed something in him, quieted his chaos. He’d brought some strife to her door with his hesitations and fear. And keeping their love a secret weighed on her. The faint crease between her eyebrows told him as much.
But when she slept, that was gone. She looked untouched by the world and he would do anything to keep her that way.
He shed his clothes and climbed into bed next to her. In all his years, he never thought he’d enjoy sharing a bed with the same woman every night, but then again, there was no other woman but Jane who could make him want to. She filled a void inside him that he had imagined he’d live with the rest of his life. She wanted him, as he was. Not for his money. Not for his looks or the way he fucked her. She wanted him for him. Nothing had ever felt so damn good.
He slid his arm around her and pulled her to him. He inhaled her sweet jasmine scent that made him feel at home.
She roused. “Hey, there.” She sounded groggy with sleep.
“Hey, yourself. Sorry I’m so late. Busy night at the brewery. I didn’t mean to wake you.” He could have gone back to his condo, but he didn’t want to be there. He wanted to be here with her.
Visiting his condo consisted of changing out his clothes and collecting the mail. He hadn’t slept there in a while despite running the risk of Rex appearing at Jane’s. Knowing Rex’s travel schedule for work helped make his clandestine stays a little easier. When Rex wasn’t traveling, he’d park well down the street under the cover of night. He just couldn’t bring himself to sleep alone when he knew he could be here. Like this.
“It’s okay. I’m glad you’re here.” She snuggled closer and turned her head to kiss his jaw. “I tried to stay up but we seem to be on opposite schedules. I’m up early to teach class and you’re home late.”
He disliked their limited time. He didn’t have to stay late most nights, but in the past, he’d had little to go home to so it had become habit. Until they were open about their relationship, Rex might ask questions if Brady started leaving early. And there was plenty to do at the brewery, so he kept his same schedule while Rex was in town. When they revealed their relationship, he’d cut out early so they could have more time together.
“What was happening at the brewery tonight?”
“Hell if I know.” He buried his nose in the crook of her neck. “There was a bachelorette party that started there. College basketball games. Hockey. And I think the band T hired was a hit.”
“Sounds like a good night.”
He kissed her neck and behind her ear. “Not nearly as good as being here right now.”
She rolled over to face him. Her green eyes were soft from her sleep. “I’m glad you’re here.” She leaned in and kissed his lips. She was affectionate—something he’d never really experienced. Something that had never come naturally to him. She didn’t just touch him or kiss him to arouse him. She touched him to be close, to express her feelings, to make him feel loved. And it worked. He did feel close to her, closer than he had to anyone else ever in his life.
He rolled on top of her and between her legs. His erection pressed against her core, but he didn’t go any further. He just stared at her. Her soft green eyes scanning over his face.
She smiled up at him. She traced his jaw with her thumb. “I love you, Brady.”
He sucked in a breath. Tears stung the corner of his eyes. His pulse raced. She hadn’t said those three words yet. It was as if she knew he couldn’t handle them until now.
“Princess.” He drew out his nickname for her.
“I love you with all of my heart.”
He pressed his lips to hers. “I’m so deeply in love with you that I might drown.” He took her hand and placed it over his chest. “Do you feel that? This pounding heart is because of you. You make me feel alive, whole. Like a person who might actually get to be happy.”
“Oh, Brady.” She kissed his chin. “You more than deserve happiness.”
“I love you.” He kissed her. “I love you so damn much.”
