Page 71 of Any Cowboy of Mine
“Tell her to come with you next time and we can snap a few photos.”
Drew looked like he might hug Brad.
“Thank you so much, Bradley. You’re doing me a huge favor. I won’t forget it. Think of me if you ever need any help with the law.” Drew walked away before Brad could remind him he already had a lawyer in his life, one who was much more attractive, much more his speed.
She moved through the crowd and realized he could do that forever—just watch her do what she was good at, happy just to orbit her. Damn, she was incredible, wasn’t she?
“You’re a popular guy, big brother,” Paige said, sliding up beside him, linking her arm in his, taking him out of his thoughts of Sophie for the umpteenth time that night. He marveled at how Paige had somehow won the genetic lottery and inherited their dad’s height and mom’s build, making her look more like Tinker Bell’s kid sister than his. Her close-cropped pixie cut added to the effect.
“I am. Banberry’s resident schmoozer, you know me.” He nudged her with his elbow, which grazed her shoulder.
“Walk with me,” she said. He nodded and followed his sister out to the side porch, where pastel pink organza wrapped along the posts and railings, adding an ethereal feel to the already majestic landscape. She looked at home there.
“What’s up?” he asked her. Something was different about Paige. He couldn’t place it, but the best way he could figure it, she looked more peaceful, more content than he’d ever known her. He wasn’t so much worried about the change, but curious.
“I’m pregnant. We’re pregnant, Owen and I.”
Brad saw the difference he’d been trying to articulate in her cheeks. They were flushed, her eyes were brighter, her skin clearer. She looked luminous. Brad’s feet were glued to the ground, his eyes suddenly hot with tears. He was going to be an uncle. Paige was going to be a mother. After everything she’d been through, Brad wasn’t sure they’d ever get to experience that.
“Paige…” he started, but the words lodged in his throat. He tried to clear it but only managed a guttural sound that rivaled a low growl. “This is perfect. You’re perfect. Does Owen know?” By that point, Brad had closed the gap between him and his sister and wrapped her up in his arms, all but smothering her. He sobbed into her hair, no longer caring what the guests inside needed.
“He does,” Paige said, pulling back. Her eyes were damp as well, and she dabbed at them with the sleeve of her top.
“Holy shit, I’m going to be an uncle.” Brad’s hands ran through his hair, lingering there. Paige giggled.
“And now that you live next door, you can babysit,” she teased.
“Bet your ass. Man, Mom’s gonna flip about being in town now,” Brad said, a sly smile playing on his lips.
“Yeah, keep your mouth shut, brother, or I’ll strangle you. We’re going to tell them on Sunday at the family dinner.”
Brad mimed zipping his lips shut. He felt a twinge of jealousy that his little sister was adding to her family while he was just starting over, but it was overruled by the hope that filled his chest at the way his family was growing as well. There was so much time in front of him and Sophie to build their life like his sister had been trying to do for two years. He couldn’t be happier for Paige and Owen. This day was lining up to be number one in his memories by a long shot. And it wasn’t even close to over yet.
Sophie caught Brad’s eye through the window, and he grinned ear to ear. It was cheesy, the way his body reacted to her so viscerally, but he didn’t care if he was the biggest sap in the room. She excused herself from talking to Steve’s dad, who was clearly flirting with her—like father, like son, Brad thought to himself—then she snuck out the front door, crossed the three paces to him, threw her arms around his neck, and waved at Paige.
“Hey, you! You and Marge did a great job on the decorations.”
“Thanks, Sophie. I’ll help you clean up the pink craziness later tonight.”
“Don’t be silly,” Sophie said. “Brad and I will take care of it tomorrow. You just enjoy the day.”
“I will. I’m going to go find my better half. Love you, guys.” Paige winked at Brad, mimed shushing him with a finger in front of her lips, and went in search of Owen, leaving Brad and Sophie alone together on the porch. She kissed his earlobe, sending shocks of electricity up and down his spine.
He was halfway hard from that one kiss and groaned. Across the foyer he saw Steve’s dad frown and walk towards the bar. Brad chuckled to himself and vowed that after the ceremony, he’d introduce Steve’s dad, John, to his aunt Ruth, who was also single and much closer to John’s age.
“You have no idea what you do to me, Kellerman,” he said. His voice came out as a low growl, and she trembled beneath him.
She simply nibbled on the spot she had just kissed, making it so he had to discreetly adjust his pants in the front to hide the bulge she’d made. There was no longer anything “half” about his erection.
“If you keep this up, I’m going to have to take you to the coatroom,” he whispered.
“There is no coatroom,” she replied. Her voice was breathy and let on that, though she might not be able to physically show it, she was as turned on as he was. “I do have access to the bridal suite, though,” she told him.
“That’s my childhood bedroom, missy.”
“And?” she asked, a come-get-me look in her eyes that always stopped him short. That was all the encouragement he needed.
He scooped her up, flowing fabric wafting behind him like a dream, and carried her up the stairs. He didn’t even look around to make sure no one was watching, because that was the thing about loving Sophie—he only cared what she thought. The rest of humanity could screw off as far as he was concerned.
