Bradford's Orders Book Two The Legacy Series

Chapter 11

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Chapter 11

Holly

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I stepped off the plane but the madness and chaos of the press wasn't it. Bradford stayed in front of me, his hand holding tight to mine, while Sawyer and Madeline kept Tempy with them, they insisted that she was safer with them since the press wasn't as interested in them.

"Let us protect her, we are her grandparents now," Madeline smiled as she whispered it to me. "I know it's a lot. I know it's not what you planned. This is a good family and Bradford is a good man. He will never hurt you or do anything that makes you regret this decision."

"You didn't say anything about him loving me," I pointed out the one thing that meant the most to me. I don't care about money and fame. I don't care what he does for a living or who his family is. I want to know that he loves me and Tempy. That we are his family.

"I can't answer that question. That's between you and Bradford. I can tell you that he cares for you. You wouldn't be here otherwise." I already know that. "I can tell you that he will protect you and Tempy and care for you and with time that can grow into love if he isn't there already. But if you are asking me if he's fallen in love with you, that is a question only Bradford can answer."

"He's not going to answer anything right now," Bradford said, tugging my hand to follow him. "We're running late and it looks like we have to make a statement. Are you ready for this?"

"No!" It came out before I could stop it. Bradford turned around, a worried expression on his face and paused just before he stepped out of the plane.

"What do you mean no?" He asked, obviously not familiar with the word. I doubt few women have ever refused him anything.

"I need an answer." Stepping aside so the others can get off the plane. I take a breath and try to find my way in this situation. "I need to know how you feel about me, about Tempy? I need to know why you're doing this?"

Bradford shoved his hand through his hair, looked out the door. We don't have time for this conversation. I know that but I need some kind answer. I don't want to be a charity case. I don't want him to regret his actions or despise me later.

"I'm doing this because I want to. I care about you and Tempy. I can't tell you what you want to hear, Holly. I've never been in love with anyone." He took my hands and held them to his chest.

He's honest at least. That's important. He doesn't love me but doesn't love anyone else. At least I can be grateful for that. I'm not a replacement for who he can't have.

"We have some things in common. And I'm hoping we're friends. That's a good foundation for a relationship. It's a starting point. I'm going to do my best for you and maybe along the way, hopefully along the way, we fall in love. Right now, we don't have time." He reminds me of what's waiting outside for us.

"No, we don't." I agree with him. "Before we go out there can I ask one more thing?"

Releasing a heavy sigh, Bradford nods, his patience is running thin with me.

"Would you kiss me before we have to face everyone?" I hope it's not too forward but I feel like it would give me a better idea of how he feels about the situation.

His eyes jump to mine and hold as a slow smile creeps onto his face. Touching my hips he pulls me forward and slides his arms around my waist. Leaning down his lips gently brush against mine, soft chastely, but a teasing kiss as if he is playing with me.

"You should have said that to begin with, my love. I could have started here." His mouth pressed to mine with more pressure as he began to deepen the kiss.

His hands slid up my back to my neck and cradled my head as he arched me back over the table behind me. Laying me back he hovered over me. His body is not an inch over mine but just enough to not touch.

"We can't do this right now," he whispers just below my ear. "Believe me I want to. But we can't. After the game. Tonight we finish this. Tonight you're mine." There's a promise in his voice of something special to come. A promise that he doesn't make absently. One he doesn't take for granted.

"Tonight," I spoke shakily as I tried to find my voice.

Bradford kissed my nose and brought me to my feet just as Blake poked his head in the cabin. "Are you coming or what? We've got a game to play!"

"We're coming. Just getting some things straight. Come on, love. Let's make this official." Bradford took my hand and taking the paper from Blake he had dropped, we headed off the plane.

The press was loud. Questions were yelled out. Obviously Zane had already made some sort of statement. There were questions about me, Tempy, and the money. Bradford ignored all of it. He looked at Lance and Matt and nodded as he stepped up to the microphones still holding my hand.

"Good evening! I'm not taking any questions but I am going to make a statement. If you would give me a few minutes, I'll give you it and you can get back to your normal schedule." He smiled when they quieted down.

Letting go of my hand, he leaned over to me, "Don't you run away on me and leave me up here. We're in this together, remember?"

I smiled when he said that and was instantly blinded by camera flashes. He kept his eyes on mine and didn't look away as picture after picture was taken. When he slowly smiled and leaned forward, resting his forehead to mine, we stood lost in each other for a moment before we realized that we had created quite a scene.

With a nudge from Matt, Bradford stepped back and blinked at me before he looked back at the crowd. It was almost as if he was as lost in me as I was in him. When he found himself, he shook off the dazed face and grinned at the cameras.

"Now come on! Let me talk to my bride-to-be without blinding her, would you?" He slyly spilled the beans and got their attention. "That's right folks, one more Bradford Drake is officially off the market! This lovely lady by my side has won my heart. As my great Grandma, Georgia Bradford, would have wanted, we are following her wishes in Bradford tradition. An official statement will be made by our family spokesperson with full details when they are available. For now, we ask you to allow us to enjoy our engagement with our family. Now let's go win this game!"

We moved as one, the entire group, from the podium to the cars. Once safely inside I realized Sawyer and Madeline had already left with Tempy safely in a car with them, while the press was focused on us. I suppose that was for the best.

"I haven't seen anything like that since Emma and Blake's first press conference," Matt said sitting across from us. "There was a magical moment between the two of you up there. Every single person out there felt it. I'm betting that we'll see it in the pictures when they come out."

I don't know what to say. I felt the moment Matt is talking about. My entire body buzzed from it, tingling from head to toe. Just from the way Bradford looked at me. If Matt noticed it, if the press noticed it, it's a good bet Zane will notice when he sees it too. That might not be such a good thing.

When we got to the stadium, Bradford went with Blake and the team off to the locker room while the rest of us headed to the family suite upstairs. Most of the family was already there. Unfortunately there were two other people there who were not invited as well.

"Holly, this Ms. Warner and Mr. Wilson. They are with child services." Sawyer introduced me to the case workers. "They will be joining us tonight for the game. They would like to see how Tempy is getting along with her new environment. We are more than happy to have them join us."

I wish I could say the same.

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