Page 51 of Caught Up In You (The Monroes 2)

She took longer than necessary in the bathroom because she seriously needed a minute to compose herself. How did she process all of this at once? The rain, the dancing, the playfulness?

And that kiss. That sweet, slow, eyes-rolling-back-in-her-head kiss. The man was so potent whether he was trying to seduce her with pretty words, the full-on attack kisses, or the sensual touches that left her wondering what the hell she’d gotten herself into.

Heidi settled against Cora’s right leg as Cora leaned her palms onto the edge of the counter and pulled in a deep breath. She’d made use of the towel and had done what she could with her hair, but whatever it looked like now was out of her control. Her mother would most likely be mortified, but her mother wasn’t here and the man outside that bathroom door most likely didn’t care.

She couldn’t stifle the laugh as it bubbled up. The difference between Eric and Braxton were so extreme, yet she didn’t know why the comparison kept creeping into her mind. She didn’t want to compare them. Didn’t want to think how dull her life had been when she’d been in Atlanta and how alive she felt since coming to Haven. She didn’t want to dwell on the fact that Eric wouldn’t be caught dead in the rain without an umbrella because his Ferragamo loafers and Louis Vuitton raincoat would get wet or the part in his hair would be messed.

And she refused to allow herself to think of the difference in the way the two men kissed her, touched her. Eric kissed her in that stiff, let’s-get-this-over-with way. But Braxton . . . kissing Braxton was an experience that couldn’t be summed up in one thought or a few adverbs.

“Well, girl. We can’t hide in here forever.”

Cora reached down and held on to Heidi’s collar. She’d counted the steps into the bathroom, so she recounted them back to the door. Feeling around, she found the knob and turned, stepping back as the door swung in.

“Everything okay?”

Cora jumped at the nearness of Braxton’s voice.

“Sorry,” he added. “I was just coming to check on you. Those clothes are huge, but they’re all I had.”

Part of her was glad to hear he didn’t have a spare outfit from ladies he’d brought home. “They’re fine,” she told him with a smile. “They’re dry and warm, so that’s all I care about.”

“Would you like me to take you home?” he asked. “You’re more than welcome to stay. The storm is getting bad, so if you want to go, we should leave now.”

Cora leaned against the doorjamb and contemplated her options. If she left, she could be home where she was familiar with things and, unlike most people, she didn’t care if the electric went out. She’d be fine and probably just listen to an audiobook on her fully charged device.

On the other hand, if she stayed . . .

There were too many possibilities to even comprehend and the ball was seriously in Braxton’s court.

“I can hear you thinking.” There went that low, sexy voice again. “Seriously, Cora. No pressure either way. I expect nothing from you if you stay.”

“That’s a shame,” she muttered.

Braxton’s laugh filled the hallway. “Don’t tease me, woman. Why don’t you just hang out here? If the weather gets worse, I have a spare bedroom.”

Cora lifted her brows. “And you fully expect me to use that?”

“I said I had one, I didn’t say you could use it. My room is also available.”

Cora knew he stood close, so she reached out and swatted, but her aim was a tad off and she ended up swiping across a very impressive set of abs. What college professor was built like stone?

“How about dinner? Why don’t we work on that?”

Braxton gave her damp hair a tug before taking hold of her elbow. “Come on. Maybe if I whip up my famous hot dogs with potato chips, you’ll sleep with me.”

Cora nearly choked from instant laughter. “Your ego ever get you into trouble?” she asked.

“My ego and I are a team and we tend to get what we want.”

She counted off the steps in her head, not at all surprised at how fast she’d adjusted to his home. “Is that right? Well, Mr. Get-What-I-Want, don’t hold your breath on that sleeping arrangement. I have a feeling the storm will pass and I’ll be home in my own—”

A roar of thunder so fierce, the windows of his house shook, cutting her off.

“You were saying?” he asked, no doubt smiling because he figured she wasn’t going anywhere.

“I would almost bet you made a deal with the devil himself for this storm,” she told him as Heidi blocked her from hitting something.

“Have a seat. And no, I didn’t make any deals, but I would’ve.”

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