Page 116 of Bragg's Love

I raise an eyebrow. “On your knees in front of me?”

Heat flares in his eyes. “If I recall correctly, you enjoy it when I’m on my knees in front of you.”

His words cause rockets to explode in my stomach and wetness to gather in my panties. I rub my legs together to gain a little relief.

I lick my lips as I contemplate him. Maybe I should attack him. Say I love him with my body instead of with actual words. Words that scare the bejeezus out of me.

He nips my bottom lip. “Stop stalling, darling. It’s just me and you here. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not afraid of anything.”

He snorts. “You don’t think I wasn’t terrified the first time I told you I love you?” My breath catches. He was afraid, too? “I was petrified.”

Relief flows through my system. I’m not alone with my fear. Miller’s right here with me. Hold on. He’s referring to the first time he said I love you.

“Do you think I love you?”

“Darling,” is all he says.

“Be nice or I’ll forget all about loving you.”

His eyes light up. “You love me.” It’s a statement, not a question.

I throw my arms in the air. “I don’t understand how this happened. You’re a grumpy ass.”

“You love my ass.”

“It is pretty spectacular.”

“Say the words,” he whispers against my mouth.

I hesitate. He already knows I love him. There’s no reason to actually say those three words.

“Say the words and I’ll reward you.”

“Reward me how?”

He rubs his nose against mine. “You won’t find out unless you swallow your fears and say the words.”

I gulp. I want the reward. Oh, who am I kidding? I want him. I want grumpykins for my very own. Not for now. For forever.

“I love you.”

His response is instantaneous. His lips crash to mine and he pushes his tongue inside without warning. I grasp his shoulders and hold on for the ride.

Chapter 35

I bet you didn’t see that coming ~ Text from Moon to everyone in town

Iburst into the brewery. “Sorry. Sorry. I’m late.”

Miller catches me with an arm around my waist and pulls me to his chest. “Calm down, flower girl. The party hasn’t started yet.”

I blow out a breath. Phew. His words calm me but not as much as his presence. I inhale his scent of beer and musk and peace washes over me.

“I wanted to get the last row of hops planted. It’s nice to have proof of our business partnership before we throw a party to celebrate it.”

News flash. The brewery expansion is a go. And I’m fine with it. Seriously, I am. Instead of fighting the expansion because I was scared my plants will suffer, I decided to work with Miller and Elder on a solution all of us could agree on.

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