Page 49 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

“Why the tears?” he asked, reaching with his other hand to swipe away the dampness.

“It’s nothing. Really. I just get emotional sometimes.”

Stroking his thumb over her bare arm, he chuckled. “Honey, I haven’t known you very long, but I can say you’re not one to get emotional. You’re pretty strong and determined not to let your feelings show.”

“Being strong is my only option.”

Braxton didn’t like the underlying vulnerability in her tone, he didn’t like how defeated, how tired she sounded. He tipped up her chin and stared down into those violet eyes that he’d found so mesmerizing from day one. She pulled him in and had no clue she’d done so. Women flashed cleavage at him, licked their lips suggestively, batted their lashes and passed their number to him with promises in their eyes.

But none of that packed the punch quite as intense as a look from Cora with unshed tears as she bared her soul.

“Has anyone ever tried to see the world through your eyes in the past three years?” he asked.

“You.”

He stroked a finger over her wet cheek. Pushing her into humiliation wasn’t his goal, so he let the subject drop. Something much more important was happening here. Something beyond chemistry and even a little deeper than intimacy, but the label couldn’t be made. He’d never been in this territory before and he’d never wanted to get so deep with a woman. But here he was, in a playing field he knew nothing about with a woman who pushed away each time he took a step closer.

But she wasn’t pushing now. She was actually leaning on him, literally and figuratively. He wanted her to smile, though. He needed to see her smile, to know he caused it because wherever she went in her mind just now wasn’t a happy place. When she was with him, he was going to demand happy.

Damn it. When had he turned into the man who wanted to care again? When had he turned into the guy ready to put his feelings, possibly his heart, on the line again?

Was he ready for that?

Braxton sighed and shook off the thoughts. He couldn’t analyze anything right now, not when Cora was touching him. His mind went to her, but later, when he was alone, he could decipher what all of his mixed thoughts meant.

“Take your shoes off,” he told her.

She lifted her head from the crook of his arm. “What?”

“You heard me.” He leaned down and slid off her dainty black slip-ons. “I have the best idea.”

“What else do I need to take off?” she chuckled.

Braxton came to his feet, which prompted Heidi to stand at attention and move closer to her master. “If you want to take that dress off, don’t let me stop you.”

“I think I’ll keep it on,” she stated, reaching over to pat Heidi’s head. “So where are we going with no shoes and where clothing is optional?”

Braxton took her hand and brought her to her feet. “You may want Heidi to stay on the porch.”

Cora jerked back. “We’re going out in the rain?”

“Don’t look so shocked. It’s water.”

Before she could protest fully, he tugged her to the edge of the porch. “Remember the two steps here,” he cautioned, and held on to her hand as she carefully inched one foot down at a time.

“Ready to have fun?” he asked.

“I’m already scared by the tone of your voice.”

The rain had already soaked them and they’d been in it for ten seconds. Braxton reached out, smoothed the hair from her face, and eased her toward the sidewalk in front of his house. With the street having very few houses, the lots were wide and neighbors were fairly spread out. Even if they’d been close and people could see, he wouldn’t care. This was all for Cora.

The second her foot hit a puddle, she gasped, then smiled. “Are we dancing in the rain?” she asked.

“We’re stomping in the rain,” he yelled over the roaring downpour.

They were absolutely soaked. Cora laughed as she lifted her face to the sheets. With her arms wide, her hands up toward the sky, Braxton had never seen a more beautiful sight.

Stepping forward, he slid his arms around her waist and waited until she dropped her arm and tipped her face back down to his.

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