Not About Love

Chapter Sixteen

Climbing the steps to Braden's apartment took the last stores of energy I had. Jules had gotten over her snit, and between the two of us, we'd nailed down the final details of the acoustic night. Then I'd spent four hours on the phone, arguing with the wholesaler about the order I'd just received. Three boxes of books I didn't order, plus two boxes of what I'd ordered the last time, equaled stock I couldn't push. Nothing in those five boxes would have sold. Nothing. It all had to go back, and they were not happy about it.

The icing on the cake was the brief meeting I'd had with an attorney before coming to Braden's. I knew I'd be getting an absurdly large bill for what had amounted to being told what I already knew.

The door swung open as I touched of my fingers to the knob, and Braden grinned down at me. His lips found mine, the kiss somehow managing to be happy, tender, and lusty all at once. Desire curled to life in my gut as I wound my arms around his neck, fatigue forgotten. "What was that for?" I murmured as he released me.

He smoothed a hand down my back, eyes suddenly sober. "Because I wanted to." Turning, he kept one arm around my waist as he led me inside.

"That reason again, huh?" Under the windows, his dining table was set with a cloth, slim candles already lit, flames dancing. A vase of blood red lilies stood in the center. Confused, my mind raced over our last few conversations. Was I missing something? Something important? "Why is there a tablecloth on your dining room table?"

His fingers tightened around my hip. Oh. "This is a nice thing, isn't it? You're doing something nice for me?" I smiled up at him, teasing, my heart thudding dully in my chest. Coupled with his spontaneous invitation last week, it appeared we were going in a new direction. I wasn't sure I liked it. I just didn't want to see that hurt in his eyes again.

"Brat," he growled, dropping a kiss on my nose. "I know you've probably got shit to do, but you sounded so worn out on the phone, I figured I could dig out the romantic gesture. Go sit down."

I did as he asked and flopped onto the couch, gradually becoming aware of the headache pounding behind my eyes. I wanted a dark room and a soft bed for an hour, but I didn't want to undo Braden's "nice thing", so I lay back and shut my eyes.

"China?"

Struggling to open my eyes, I managed to crack one open and saw him standing over the back of the couch, concern on his face. "You okay?"

Giving in to the dull ache, I grimaced. "Head hurts a little. No big deal." It took too much effort to keep the eye open, so I let it shut. They both snapped open as the couch cushions shifted next to my hip, and he was holding a glass of water, his free hand loosely fisted. When he opened it, I saw two aspirin nestled in the palm of his hand, and despite my preference for a nap over drugs, I smiled and took them and the water, swallowing.

"We can eat later." Feather-light caresses drifted over my jaw as his aqua blue gaze locked with mine, worry still shadowing his face.

It was tempting, knowing his bedroom was steps away and the windows would be covered in blackout drapes. Then I thought of the candles, and the flowers, and just how damn happy he'd looked to see me, and I sat up a little. The rumble emanating from my stomach decided me, and I grinned. "I think food's more important right now."

The grin faded as his hands cupped my face, and when he kissed me softly, I wanted to tremble. It was always a bit of a surprise, how tender and caring his kisses could be when he wanted them to, but this time was different.