Hearts at Play(23)

He brought his lips back to hers and took her in a greedy kiss. She didn’t think as her hands reached for the sides of his head and pulled him closer. When his hands found the curve of her ass, her head fell back, and he tasted her neck again, inciting another needy moan—an unmistakable take-me-now, sexual moan—filled the air. She clenched her eyes shut as heat rushed up her chest to her cheeks and he found her ear once again.

“I love that,” he whispered.

Oh God, oh God, oh God. She had to regain control of her body. She clenched the muscles in her thighs. They felt foreign, apart from her. She took his head in her hands again and brought his lips back to hers. Maybe he could breathe oxygen into her failing brain. God, you taste good. Years of suppressed sexual desire came rushing forward.

“Bree,” he said between kisses.

She blinked her way through the lust that fogged her ability to think. “Yeah?” she finally managed.

“I want nothing more than to make love to you, but…” He kissed her again. “But I planned something that I thought you might enjoy.”

“Okay. Yes.” Oh my God. I’m like a sex maniac. What is wrong with me?

They stared longingly into each other’s eyes for what seemed like forever while they each found their breath—and Brianna’s legs found their strength—before Hugh led her to a blanket spread across the grass beneath an enormous tree. As they approached, white lights flicked on, illuminating the branches above like a canopy.

Brianna gasped. “Oh my goodness. How did you do that?”

“Friends,” he said with a shrug.

A man in a suit appeared beside the blanket, startling Brianna.

“I also realized that I never fed you after breakfast today, and I promise not to make that mistake again. So I thought we should eat dinner.” Hugh thanked the man, and Brianna noticed a silver cart she’d missed when she’d first noticed him. He and Hugh spread what looked like a thin tabletop across the blanket; then the man set the makeshift table with silverware and wineglasses.

“Hugh,” she whispered. “This is too much.”

He took her hand and they sat down on the blanket. “Nothing is too much for you.”

Brianna didn’t know how to react. How did you thank someone for giving you the most romantic night of your life? Nothing could be a big enough thank-you. And still, with all the romance and forethought, even the moonlight picnic didn’t compare to the gift he’d brought for Layla. He’d stolen her heart at that moment, and she doubted anything could ever top that.

After the gentleman served their dinner, he disappeared as quietly as he’d appeared.

“I brought wine, but I can’t really drink, so I also have water. Which would you prefer?”

Wine. The whole bottle to calm my nerves. “I’ll have one glass of wine, then water, please. I noticed that you don’t drink. How come?” Brianna had forgotten until just then, and now she wondered if he were a recovering alcoholic.

“I do drink. But I have a race next weekend, and I don’t drink when I have a race coming up. Dehydration is a big issue when we drive, so I’m just overly cautious.”

She dropped her eyes. She’d forgotten about him leaving the following weekend. “Your race is in Daytona?”

“Yes, Saturday. Layla’s party is Thursday, right?”

You remembered. “Yes. That’s right. How long will you be gone?”

Hugh poured her wine and a glass of water for him. “I leave Friday, and I think I’m going to come back Saturday night. That way, if you need anything Sunday, I’ll be just a phone call away.”

Brianna felt Hugh’s name etch deeply into another piece of her heart. “You don’t need to do that. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.” But I love that you want to be here just in case.

“I like knowing you’re nearby.”

Brianna’s nerves were doing some sort of mosh pit dance. She nibbled on bread and cheese, wishing the night would never end.

He lifted his glass of water. “Here’s to our first date.”

She clinked her glass to his. “To our amazing first date.”

Hugh leaned back on his palms and crossed his feet at the ankles. He looked so comfortable, and as much as Brianna hated herself for the thought that entered her mind, she allowed it to slip from her lips.

“Have you done this kind of thing before? You don’t have to tell me. I’m just curious.”

He sat up and scooted closer to her. “Nope. Not once. To be honest, I was so excited to plan our date that I could barely sit still before we got here. There’s something else I wanted to show you.” He stood and reached for her hand.

“More lights?”

“You’ll see.” They walked hand in hand down a path that led through a thick group of trees. Brianna untangled their hands and wrapped her arm in his, wanting to be closer. She rested her head on his arm and relished in the feel of him beside her. Knowing Layla was safe and happy with her mother whisked away the guilt she’d had about leaving Layla to be with Hugh.

“Are you taking me to do dirty things in the bushes?” she teased.

“Now, that’s something I hadn’t thought of.” He raised his eyebrows in quick succession.

They rounded another group of thick trees and Hugh said, “Close your eyes.”

“Okay.” Brianna closed her eyes, feeling a little silly. “It’s already dark. Do I really need to do this?”

“Yes. Do you trust me?” Hugh’s rich voice warmed her.

“One hundred percent.”

“Good. I’m going to trust you not to open your eyes.” He held her hand and put his other hand on her back as he guided her forward.

Soft music filtered through the air. “What is that?”

“You’ll see.” He stopped walking, and she felt him move in front of her. He held both her hands, and her pulse kicked up again.

“Okay. Open your eyes, but look at me.”

She looked up into his dark, serious eyes.

“Brianna, I’m blown away by what I feel for you and how fast it’s happened.”

Oh God. Me too. She could barely think past her hammering heart and the blood rushing through her ears. He took her face in his hands and leaned his forehead on hers. I love when you do that. She held on to his waist to keep her rubbery legs from sending her to the ground. She knew if she opened her mouth she’d have no choice but for her lips to find his.

“I want to wipe away your unhappy memories and replace them with happier ones.”

“Me too,” was all she could manage.

Behind him, colorful lights flicked on, and the music that had been playing softly came to life. Brianna recognized the carnival-like tune. She clutched her fingers around his waist and peered around him. Her eyes filled with tears.

“Hugh.” Trembling began in her chest and quickly took over her limbs as memories filtered in. Her father holding her hand as she stepped onto the carousel. Flashes of him as she flew by riding the pink carousel horse.

“I’m right here.” He put his arm securely around her and pressed her body into his side as they walked toward the carousel. “I wanted you to have your memories of your father, but hopefully the next day’s memories can be replaced with better ones.”

Her throat swelled, and as she pressed into his chest, her tears sprang free. He didn’t say a word. He held her tight and kissed the top of her head as she cried over the magnitude of what he’d done. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes before looking up at him.

“I’m sorry. I—”

“Shh. I didn’t mean to make you sad. I was hoping this would be a good thing. I’m so sorry.”

She reached up and touched his cheek. “This is a great thing. They’re happy tears, not sad. You’re the most thoughtful man I’ve ever met, and I’m sorry I'm bawling like a baby.”

He wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb. “You carry so much responsibility on your shoulders, Bree. I’m in awe of the courage and strength you have, and the thought of you being sad about the morning after such a wonderful day with your father kills me.”

“I’m not courageous.” She lowered her eyes.

He lifted her chin. “You’re the bravest woman I know. You've given your life to make Layla’s as good as it can be. That’s brave, Bree. Brave is shouldering the responsibility and putting yourself last. Brave is carrying on every day against the odds. Brave is pushing past the morning your father left and making sure your daughter never has to experience that pain.”

His words brought more tears. No one had ever called her brave before. How could he see those things in her in only a few short days? How could anyone?

She pressed her cheek to his chest and closed her eyes, listening to the rhythm of his heart and feeling the walls around hers crumble, piece after fragile piece.





Chapter Eighteen


THEY CLIMBED ONTO the carousel, and Brianna chose a pink horse, just as she’d told Hugh she had that afternoon so many moons ago. When she’d first teared up, he feared he’d ruined their night, but when she drew back from his chest and he saw the tenderness in her eyes, he knew he’d done the right thing. Now he sat behind her on the pink horse, her back pressed against his chest, her hair whipping with the wind. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his cheek to hers.