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  But did he still want her? That’s the question that had haunted her every waking second. Josh did have a couple of valid points about Brady; with his looks and playing ability, women everywhere, who were far more beautiful and elegant than she, would gladly keep him company during those lonely nights on the road.

  She didn’t want to travel down that particular path. For as long as she’d known Brady, all throughout high school, anyway, he hadn’t been the sort to fool around on girls. At least, from what she could remember. He hadn’t been known as a womanizer - just a … frequent dater.

  Did he still want her? She couldn’t be one hundred percent positive but she thought that he still did. He’d seemed happy to hear from her when she’d broken down and called him. He’d agreed to come over as soon as he returned to town. And, he’d called her every night since then - not talking a whole lot but long enough to make sure she was doing okay. That seemed to signal that maybe he did still want her.

  “We’ll find out soon enough,” she mumbled as she watched him pull into her drive.

  Opening the door, she waited as he made his way toward her. He didn’t hesitate once he reached her; he leaned over and kissed her forehead before taking her hand and dragging her in the house.

  “You look like hell, love. I hope you’re not losing sleep over our….situation,” he told her as he stood back to study her.

  Turning away, she snorted. “Please. There’s more to my life than just you, Brady.”

  Yanking her hand, he caused her to tumble into his chest. He gently took her face in his hands, his face a mask of anxiety. Her heart thumped as her body crashed into his hard chest. His concerned eyes searched her face. “What’s wrong? Something else happening?”

  Her heart lifted and she smiled at him. She reached a hand up to gingerly touch the fading bruise under his eye. “You’re healing I see. When do the stitches come out?”

  “Probably tomorrow. I have to go see the doc in the morning.” His signature smirk appeared. “You’re avoiding my question. Are you okay?”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and flattened her cheek to his chest. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

  Confused, he returned her embrace, squeezing her gently. He held her for a moment before kissing the top of her head, clutching her shoulders, and gently forcing her back. “Let’s sit, love. We really need to talk.”

  Nodding, she reluctantly left his embrace. She sat on the sofa and motioned for him to sit next to her.

  “Brady,” she started. “You were right. I didn’t trust you and it wasn’t fair.”

  He laced his fingers with hers. “I don’t blame you, Taylor. I really don’t. But I’m not the same person I was back then.”

  “I know,” she mumbled, ducking her head. “I guess I was just afraid you’d hurt me again.”

  He lifted her chin and forced her to match his gaze. “Was or still are?”

  “Both, I guess.”

  He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I can’t promise you that I won’t hurt you but I can promise that I’ll do everything in my power to prevent that from happening. I care a lot about you, Taylor and I really want you to be a part of my life. I don’t know how else to tell you or show you.”

  She nodded, fighting back pesky tears. “Can we just start over?”

  He chuckled and squeezed her fingers. “We have far too much history for that, love. How about if we just take things one day at a time, huh?”

  “I’d like that.”

  He smiled at her before leaning in and brushing his lips over hers. Flinching, he cursed. Laughing, she kissed his stitched lip softly, ignoring the bristly feeling.

  Getting to his feet, he reached for her hand, tugging her off the sofa. His eyes were lit up brighter than she’d seen them in awhile. “Since we can’t make out, let’s go grab something to eat at that little diner near the newspaper office. I’m starved.”

  She released a moan as she rolled her eyes. She held tightly to his hand, giving it a little shake. “Let me tell you about that little diner near the newspaper office.”

  ***

  “We have an off day tomorrow you know,” he said after the waitress blushingly took their order. “Can you skip work and hang out with me all day?”

  Slouching in her seat across the table from him, she lifted a shoulder. She’d been extremely careful not to meet the eyes of any of the patrons. She didn’t want their outright staring to ruin her evening with Brady.

  “Maybe in the afternoon after I meet with Luther. And I have a meeting with the mayor in the morning.”

  His lips turned down in a thoughtful frown. “Is George Hearten still the mayor?”

  She wrinkled her brow, curious. “Yeah, why?”

  His cheeks actually pinked a little bit. “Don’t mention my name.”

  Her jaw dropped as she leaned across the table to grab his hand. “Brady what did you do?”

  He squeezed her figners and leaned back in the booth, familiar smirk smugly planted on his face. He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “I dated his niece. No big deal.”

  She rolled her eyes and sat back. “You broke her heart and she went to Uncle George and asked him to do something?”

  He laughed at her. “No, nothing like that. Although I did break up with her.” His cheeks colored slightly again. “I don’t think you really want to know, Taylor.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Oh, I definitely want to know now, buddy.”

  He leaned across the table and looked back and forth, making sure no one was listening. Of course everyone in the diner kept gawking at them, but Brady pretended not to notice. He crooked his finger at her to come closer. She obliged and found herself mesmerized once again by the bright green of his eyes. “We kind of got caught in town hall.”

  She furrowed her brow. “Got caught? Got caught how? And at what?”

  “Shh,” he said, shushing her, glancing around once more. Nearly everyone was watching them now that their heads were so close together. “You know, got caught.”

  He waited until her mouth formed a perfect O and her cheeks pinked before he continued with his story.

  “We snuck in and, well, you know, and the janitor caught us. He called George and made us wait in his office until George got there. Pretty embarrassing.”

  She stared at him a full minute before busting out with laughter. “Geez, Brady! I bet George nearly had a heart attack.”

  Brady leaned back, face fully red now. “Stop laughing. It wasn’t that funny.”

  She reined in her laughter and reached across the table for his hand. “Sorry. I’ll stop.”

  She actually tried, but a couple more giggles spilled out of her mouth. Amusement danced in his eyes while his lips fought a smirk. He shook his head at her as she cleared her throat and wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Seriously though - was it on that ungodly paisley couch in his office? Because I’m really going to want to avoid that thing tomorrow.”

  He held back a smile, laughter sparkling in his eyes. “See, I should know not to tell you anything.”

  She settled down as the waitress brought their food. As they ate their dinner, the conversation drifted toward safer topics. Taylor couldn’t believe the weight that seemed to have lifted from her shoulders. And she couldn’t stop herself from glancing at him through her lashes, her heart jerking at the beauty of him.

  Yes, this was going to work - somehow. She was going to make it work.

  He took her home but sat in the car as she made to get out. She paused, hand on door handle, and considered him carefully.

  “Brady, you can come in. We can watch a movie or something,” she suggested.

  He drew her head closer so he could kiss her temple. “Not tonight, love. You’ve got a meeting in the morning.”

  She bowed her head. “I’m sorry about before, Brady. I don’t want you to think I’m afraid of you.”

  He took her face in his hands. “I know. One day at a time, remem
ber?”

  She smiled and nodded.

  He placed a soft, chaste kiss on her lips. “Besides, I’ll see you tomorrow and I don’t think you can handle too much of me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Please. I got you right where I want you.”

  He kissed her quickly again and gently pushed her to the door. “Yeah, you do. Don’t rub it in.”

  Her heart lifted as she got out of his car and waved goodnight.

  ***

  Taylor handled her meeting with the mayor with absolute professionalism. She never laughed outright and held in her giggles amazingly well; especially when he invited her to sit on the paisley couch. She refused, explaining she’d rather they sit across from each other so they could maintain better eye contact. He relented, though his eyes revealed a touch of confusion.

  The whole thing went smoothly and Taylor was feeling pretty good until he escorted her to the office door once they finished.

  “So, Miss Lockwood.” He grinned, something shining in his eyes. “The whole town is buzzing about you dating Brady Nolan.”

  Although he tried to sound casual, curiosity burned in his voice.

  “Funny, the whole town wasn’t buzzing when I dated him in high school,” she muttered, fake smile plastered on her face.

  His expression faltered but he recovered quickly. “Well, he wasn’t a celebrity back then. He dated my niece for awhile, you know.”

  “Really?” Taylor asked in mock surprise. “You know, I think I heard that somewhere.” She tapped a finger on the side of her nose. “I think I heard a rumor about the two of them getting into some kind of trouble, but I don’t quite remember what it was.”

  His face paled, a frown pulling on his lips. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. But speaking of rumors, word is that you and Brady are quite the item. Things are getting serious.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard that rumor myself,” Taylor responded, inching closer to the door. “One shouldn’t put too much faith in rumors.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes one can get some pretty useful information from them,” the older man smiled.

  “Maybe. But most of the time, all one gets is crap,” she smiled back. She shook his hand once more. “Thanks for the interview Mayor Hearten.”

  She strolled out of his office.

  ***

  “Rough day already?” Josh asked as Taylor rested her forehead on the smooth surface of her desk.

  “Mmph,” she grunted.

  “What’s that? I can’t hear you?”

  She raised her head an inch or two. “I just met with Luther about the latest on the mall story and he wants me to try a different angle. I’ve been covering this story for weeks now and everyone seems to be pleased. Why the change? Does he think the readers won’t notice?”

  “Slow down,” Josh ordered, raising a brow at her. “Did he not like your interview with the mayor?”

  “I haven’t even written that yet. We were going over the legal piece I wrote.”

  She released a long breath, blowing the stray strands of hair out of her eyes.

  “Is that all you do is complain?”

  Taylor moaned in displeasure as Henry Lake parked on the corner of her desk.

  “Every time I come near you, you’re complaining. Seems to me that you’re making a habit out of it.”

  “Then don’t come near me,” she muttered, folding her arms over her chest. She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. “And you seem to be making a habit out of planting your ass on my desk.”

  He narrowed his eyes and huffed. “That’s the problem; you’re always around.”

  “Yeah, and I’m staying so get used to it.”

  “Henry, just move along, huh?” Josh asked, trying to keep peace.

  “Shove off, Parker. This isn’t your business.”

  “Well my story is none of your business so do as Josh says and run along,” Taylor said, struggling to control her rising temper.

  He leaned over her desk, invading her personal space. “Sleeping with Parker also? Becoming the town tramp?”

  “Back off, Lake,” Josh warned, getting to his feet. A curious group started to gather around her desk.

  “You’re going to defend her?” Henry growled at Josh. “She waltzes in here and gets whatever job she wants and once she starts screwing the hometown hero, she gets all the great stories. Doesn’t that tick you off?”

  “Not at all,” Josh said, gritting his teeth as his face turned a lovely shade of purple. “I know she works hard.”

  Henry grunted. “Yeah, I bet she works hard. The little tramp works hard between the sheets.”

  Popping out of her seat, she rounded on him, her hand bouncing off his freshly shaved cheek before she was even aware of it happening. She hit him hard enough that a red hand print slowly formed on his face. “You bastard!”

  She nearly jumped out of her skin when hands came down on her shoulders.

  “Is there a problem here, love?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Henry’s eyes widened larger than dinner plates when Brady spoke. So intent he'd been on arguing with Taylor that he hadn’t noticed the other man’s arrival.

  “Nothing I can’t handle, Brady,” Taylor replied, tension fleeing from her shoulders at his touch. She looked up to give him a reassuring smile but stopped at the cold fury in his eyes. He didn’t look down at her but kept his murderous gaze on Henry.

  “Are you sure, love? Because I could have sworn I heard him accuse you of being a tramp.” His tone was low and even, containing not even a smidgen of the amusement usually present when he spoke.

  “What the hell is going on out here?” Luther shouted as he stormed through the parting crowd. His beady dark eyes darted back and forth between Taylor and Henry as he rested his fists on his hips, his thin lips pulling into a frown. The onlookers backed away and Josh plopped down in the nearest chair.

  “Nothing, Luther. Just a mere misunderstanding,” Taylor told him, thankful for his appearance. She glared at Henry. “It’s done and over.”

  “Don’t just dismiss this, Taylor,” Brady protested squeezing her shoulders.

  “Leave it, Brady,” she hissed out of the corner of her mouth, stepping on his foot.

  “Well, don’t let this kind of thing happen in my office again! Lake, get the hell out of here. Come back when you have a better attitude.” He turned to look at Taylor. “I thought you were leaving, Lockwood?”

  “I am now,” she said, shaking Brady’s hands off her shoulders. She yanked her bag off the back of her chair, shooting one last glare in Henry’s direction before motioning Brady to follow her.

  She stormed out of the building and to the parking lot, Brady in hot pursuit. He reached out, caught her shoulders, and spun her around to face him.

  “What in the hell was that all about?”

  She inhaled deeply and exhaled the anger out of her body like poisonous fumes. “Nothing. Really. He’s an idiot.”

  “No it’s not nothing. I’m not going stand around and let that bastard insult you and degrade you that way in front of everyone in your office.”

  Sighing, she eased his left hand off her shoulders and clutched it with her own. “Brady, it’s okay. I don’t care what he says about me. You and I both know it’s not true. That’s all that matters.”

  He studied her for a few moments, allowing his anger to slowly seep away. Reaching up, he tucked her blowing hair behind her ear before lightly running his knuckles over her cheek. “If he gives you anymore trouble, please tell me. Or make a fist when you hit him. More effective.”

  Her eyes widened. “Speaking of fists, your stitches are gone.”

  He furrowed his brow as he cocked his head. “I don’t understand your logic but yeah, they are gone.”

  Warmth flooded her cheeks. “Well, they were kind of getting in the way.”

  His smirk returned as he draped his arm around her shoulders. “I agree. C’mon. I’m off and yo
u’re the lucky person who gets the pleasure of my company for the rest of the day.”

  “Oh boy,” she cheered sarcastically.

  He held a hand over his heart. “Hey. Don’t hurt my ego.”

  She snorted. “Nothing can hurt that ego of yours.”

  ***

  They enjoyed an early dinner at Brady’s favorite diner then he surprised her by taking her to a small cinema in Indy that was running a Disney film marathon. She gasped but he just winked at her before whispering in her ear.

  “Don’t play innocent, love. You were a Disney maniac in high school and I’m sure nothing’s changed.”

  She gaped at him. “You remember that?”

  He kissed her temple. “I remember everything.”

  After they chose seats in the back, he hung his arm over her shoulder. She munched happily on greasy popcorn as she tried to recall the last time she’d been so unburdened.

  He toyed with a couple strands of her hair as she gradually leaned into his side. He shifted to whisper in her ear, inquiring about her comfort. His warm breath danced across her skin as a shudder racked her body. Thinking her to have chills from the air conditioning, he pulled her closer and rubbed her bare arm. Her heart picked up an extra beat as her blood boiled. Heat radiated from her nether regions and all she could think about was how good he'd looked sitting on that exam table weeks ago with his shirt off.

  Excitement flushed her system, causing the popcorn bucket to slip out of her hands, spilling to the floor. She sent a thankful prayer heavenward, grateful the theater was dark and Brady couldn’t see her heated, most likely red, cheeks.

  “Do you want me to go get you some more popcorn?” he murmured in her ear, setting off a whole new chain reaction.

  She took a deep, calming breath and shook her head, hoping the movie would end quickly. She desperately needed to put a little distance between Brady and herself.