“What do you want with Elisha? She’s my girl now, so you better back off.”
He expected her to lash out, but instead, Kasey tilted her head and smiled. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’ve actually come to apologize.” She reached in her car, and pulled out a small bouquet of flowers.
“What is this?”
“Look, Carl stopped by, and we talked, and we talked.” Kasey had a twinkle in her eye. “What we had, it was great, but it wasn’t what I was looking for. I thought maybe we had a shot, and my temper got the better of me. I’m not that person anymore, and calling Elisha a slut, it was below the belt. I came to apologize.”
“You’re dating Carl, the police officer?”
“Yes, and I’m happy. Really, really happy. Are you?”
“Am I what?” Brant asked.
“Happy. You deserve to be happy.”
Thinking about his life with Elisha always put a smile on his face, and he nodded. “Yes, I’m happy, more than happy. I have to say you kind of scared me.”
“Why?”
“I thought you were going to cause me some problems.”
“I made a mistake. We’re all allowed to have mistakes, right? I’m just pleased I didn’t go too far.” Kasey took a deep breath. “Would you give these to Elisha for me?” she asked.
Brant saw Elisha’s car driving toward them. “You can tell her yourself.” He bent down, picking up the leaves, and moving them toward the compost heap.
“What’s going on?” Elisha asked, climbing out of her car.
“Hi, I’m Kasey.”
He watched Elisha tense up, and he moved to her side, placing a hand over her jacket. “It’s okay,” he said.
“What do you want? You know, after you called me a slut?”
She was making him so damn hard with her attitude.
“I wanted to apologize for that. It was my mistake, and I shouldn’t have done what I did. I thought I was in love with Brant, but I’m not.” She held out the flowers. “I’m really sorry for what I did, and I really hope you can forgive me. I won’t cause any more pain.”
“The flowers are for me?”
“Yes, and I wish you both a great deal of love.” Kasey smiled at them both then gave them a wave.
Elisha looked down at the flowers, then back at him. “I don’t know what happened right now.”
“We’re good, and Kasey’s not going to be a problem for either of us.” He kissed her neck. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
“When are Beth and Andrew coming around?”
“Soon, but we’ve got time. Help me unload the car, and we can take a trip upstairs.” She gave him a wink, and he couldn’t help but laugh at her.
“God, I love you,” he said, laughing.
Elisha paused, and so did he.
“What?”
Shit.
He’d not meant to say anything, determined to wait for her to move forward.
“You heard me, baby.”
Elisha took a breath, licked her lips, and stared at him. “You love me.”
“Yeah, it took me by surprise as well, believe me.”
“You love me.”
She said it again, and Brant cupped her cheeks, pulling her attention back to him. “What’s the matter?”
“I never thought you’d love me.”
Brant pressed a kiss to her lips. “I was going to be elaborate, and take you out to dinner, but I’m not that kind of man.”
“You like to just blurt it out, and ask questions later.”
“I’m sorry. I love you. I don’t know how it happened. You know what, I do. You blew into my world, shouting that pretty mouth off, and you got inside here.” He placed a hand to his heart. “I love you, Elisha. I love you with all my heart and soul, and it scares me. You inspire me every single day, and I can’t live without you.”
Tears filled her eyes, and he wiped them away with his thumbs. “Don’t cry.”
“Why can’t I cry? I’m so damn happy. I thought it was just me, but it’s not. I love you, Brant. Beth said I should just come out and say it. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t just say something like that.”
Slamming his lips down on hers, he silenced her with a kiss.
There were no words to describe what he was feeling in that moment. He moved her toward her car, and slammed the door shut.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s cold enough that the groceries won’t suffer. I’ve got to have you now.” He took her hand and led her back into her house. Closing the door, he pressed her against the door, and started to remove her clothes. He needed her naked, and beneath him.