Brody

6

THE MIDDAY SUN shone in a cloudless sky. Payton stood on the fence at the edge of the paddock and watched as Callum demonstrated the fine art of campdrafting. He’d declared a holiday from all work in honor of the queen’s birthday-June 8. Brody had explained that it wasn’t Queen Elizabeth’s real birthday, but no one seemed to care about that small technicality. A holiday was a day off, something they all needed.

The stockmen had decided a barbecue was in order and had set up an afternoon of lighthearted competition between station employees followed by a sumptuous meal. They’d begun with a brief course on one of Australia’s original sports, showing Gemma and Payton how campdrafting worked.

A calf was let out of a pen into the paddock and the rider carefully herded the calf around a series of obstacles, barrels and posts. Each rider was timed and the fastest to get the calf through the obstacle course would win a cherry pie that Mary had baked for the event.

Gemma and Payton watched from behind the fence, cheering on each stockman and wildly applauding their efforts against Brody and Callum. Though Payton had only known Gemma for a week, it was easy to like her. She was witty and audacious, yet very levelheaded, someone Payton could turn to for advice. They’d taken to meeting up midafternoon for tea with Mary, the three of them enjoying freshly baked biscuits and a cuppa, as Gemma had called it.

To the surprise of everyone, Teague had turned up halfway through the competition with Hayley Fraser in tow. At first, she’d caused quite a stir among the men. Payton had informed Gemma that, according to Brody, Hayley was a popular television star in Australia and a huge celebrity. But the extra attention seemed to only make Hayley more uncomfortable and she chose to stand alone while she watched Teague compete with his brothers.

“She looks miserable,” Payton said to Gemma. “I’m going to go talk to her.”

“Callum certainly hasn’t done much to make her feel welcome,” Gemma commented. “Men can be so thickheaded.”

Payton grabbed Gemma’s arm. “Come on, let’s go teach those boys a little bit about hospitality.”

They walked over to Hayley and stood on either side of her, their arms braced on the top bar of the fence. “You know what I love about this,” Gemma chirped in her charming Irish accent. “I love the chaps. A man wearing chaps just sets my imagination to working overtime.”

“Why is that?” Payton asked, playing along.

“I just can’t help but think about what those things would look like without the jeans underneath.” She glanced over at Payton and pulled a silly face. Payton burst out laughing and Hayley couldn’t help herself. A giggle erupted from her throat and she bit her bottom lip to stop herself.

“I was thinking exactly the same thing,” Hayley said. “Why do I find those things so sexy?”

“It’s the leather,” Gemma said. “It’s so…”

“Dangerous?” Payton asked.

“Smooth,” Hayley said.

“Naughty,” Gemma added. “I mean, I can understand how a man would enjoy lacy underwear on a woman. For me, a man in leather just gets me all tingly.”

The trio stood and silently watched as Teague maneuvered a calf through the maze of posts and barrels, the rest of the stockmen shouting directions from across the paddock.

“Thanks,” Hayley said.

Payton turned to face her. “For what?”

“For making it easier. I know how Brody and Callum feel about me and I don’t think they were too chuffed to see me turn up here.”

“Whatever is going on in their heads has nothing to do with us,” Gemma assured her.

“Sistahs before mistahs,” Payton said decisively. They both looked at her as if she’d suddenly begun speaking Armenian. “Sisters before misters. Girlfriends should come before boyfriends.”

“Oh,” Gemma said. “Yes. I completely agree.”

“Do you ride?” Gemma asked Hayley.

“Like the wind,” she said with a grin. “What about you?”

“No. If they did this on bicycles I might give it a go. But horses scare the bleedin’ bloomers off me. And I don’t care for the way they smell either.” She sighed. “Still, I wish I knew how to ride. Callum seems to be more comfortable on a horse than on his feet.”

“I could teach you,” Payton said.

“Me, too,” Hayley offered.

Gemma smiled. “Callum offered, but I didn’t want to look like a muppet in front of him, so I begged off. But as long as I’m here, I wouldn’t mind trying.”

“It’s a date then,” Hayley said. “Payton can bring you out to the shack. I’ll organize a lunch and then we can ride back together.”

The idea of making plans together seemed to solidify their new friendship and as they watched the boys, they chatted amiably.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Gemma asked, nodding in the direction of the three Quinn brothers. The men sat on their horses, staring across the paddock.

“Maybe they think we’re plotting against them,” Payton said.

Brody was the first to approach. He smiled as he drew his horse to a stop. “Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat. “Are you having a lovely time?”

Payton smiled seductively. “Absolutely,” she said.

“What are you doing over here all on your own?”

“Discussing our love of chaps,” Gemma said. “With or without jeans. If I might be so bold, which do you prefer?”

Her question took him by surprise and he grinned. “That’s between me and my horse.” He turned to Payton. “Would you ladies like to give it a go? I’m sure the boys would love to see you jump into the competition. And there are prizes to be had for the winners.”

“I’ll try,” Payton said.

“Me, too.” Hayley crawled over the fence and started in Teague’s direction.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to sit this one out,” Gemma said.

“Come on,” Brody insisted. “Callum will ride with you. You can steer and he’ll work the pedals.”

Gemma grinned. “All right.”

Payton helped her over the fence and they strode across the paddock, Brody riding beside them. When they got to the boys, Brody suggested that they all compete in pairs to make the game more equitable. The girls would hold the reins while the boys held the girls and used the stirrups.

As the eldest, Callum went first, settling Gemma on the saddle in front of him and wrapping his arm around her waist while his other hand gripped the saddle horn. Brody and Payton watched from a spot at the fence as Davey released a calf from the pen.

He stood behind her, his chin resting on her shoulder, his hand on her hip. “So what were you girls really talking about?” he asked, his voice soft against her ear.

“Sex,” she said.

“Really?”

“That’s all girls talk about when they’re together. We were comparing the three of you.”

“And how did I fare?” he asked.

“Oh, I spoke very highly of you,” Payton teased.

His hand slowly moved forward on her hip until it was pressed flat on her lower abdomen, right above the waistband of her jeans. “Did you tell them how good I am at making you moan?” His fingertips drifted a bit lower.

“Stop,” Payton said. “Everyone is watching.”

“No one is watching,” Brody countered.

She closed her eyes and moaned softly. How was it possible that he could set her nerves on fire with a simple touch? They were both fully dressed, standing amidst a group of people, and all she could think about was his hand dipping into her pants.

“How far will you go, Payton? Can I make you come just by talking to you?”

“Don’t even try,” she said.

“I’ll wager I can. Dare me.”

“Brody, I-” He shoved his hand a bit farther beneath her waistband and she sucked in a sharp breath. “All right. You probably could. But that doesn’t mean I want you to. Not here.”

“Where?” he murmured.

“Your room.”

“Hey!” Brody called. “We’re going to grab some more coldies. Who wants one?” He took the time to count the takers then turned to Payton. “Come on, you can give me a hand.”

They started off toward the house without attracting any attention. When they reached the porch, Brody pressed his finger to his lips, then poked his head inside the door. Though the smell of fresh-baked bread drifted out, Mary was elsewhere. He took Payton’s hand and dragged her through the kitchen, then up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

When they were both inside his room, Brody slammed the door behind them and began to unbutton her jeans. Payton fumbled with the belt holding his chaps, but let go when he bent over to pull off her shoes. Her jeans and panties followed and by the time he stood, he was completely aroused, his erection pressing against the faded denim.

Getting him undressed was too much effort and in the end, she unbuckled his belt and pulled his jeans down around his hips. He picked her up and carried her to the bed.

In one exquisite movement, he slid inside her, her body ready for him, so wet with desire. From the moment he moved, Payton felt herself dancing near the edge. This wasn’t a slow, easy seduction but a desperate attempt to possess each other.

She clutched at his shoulders, her mouth pressed against his throat. “Oh,” she cried. “Oh, yes.”

“Tell me you want it,” he said, his voice raw with passion.

“I do,” Payton said, her own desperation growing.

She felt her orgasm building, fueled by the almost violent nature of their bodies arching against each other. Every thrust became magnificent torture, pushing her closer to the edge and then drawing her back again. Payton let her mind drift, focusing on the spot where they were joined.

And then, she was there, her release shattering reality. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her and she felt him surrender to his own orgasm. He kept moving inside her until he couldn’t move anymore. Then Brody rolled onto his back, carrying her with him.

The entire encounter had only lasted a few minutes, but Payton had never experienced anything quite so powerful. She’d wanted him so much that her desire had overwhelmed all rational thought. He owned her body and he was quickly taking possession of her soul.

“We’re bad,” he whispered.

“I know,” Payton said. “I think it was the chaps.”

Brody laughed out loud, wrapping his arm around her neck and rolling her onto her side. He faced her, his hand lazily trailing through her hair. “So all I have to do to get you into bed is wear leather?”

“I think you already know the answer to that question.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“You just have to touch me,” Payton said softly. “That’s all it takes.”

He smiled boyishly, then stole another kiss. “I’ll remember that.” Pausing, he ran his finger along her jaw and met her gaze. “There is one thing. We haven’t been using protection, and at the shack you said-”

“It’s all right. There won’t be any surprises.”

“Good,” he said. “I mean, not that surprises are always bad, but I’m not sure we’re ready for that.”

Sam had been obsessed about birth control, insisting that Payton find a method that would protect them both without fail. They’d been engaged and they’d always planned to have children, so Payton wondered why he’d been so adamant. Sam had acted as if an unplanned pregnancy would’ve been a disaster. Why hadn’t she ever questioned him making such a decision about her body?

“Payton?”

She blinked, startled from her thoughts. What had brought Sam to mind? She hadn’t thought of him in…days.

Brody was staring at her, a frown on his face. “What’s wrong?”

Payton shook her head. “Nothing. We should probably get back outside. The boys will want their beers.”

Brody levered to his feet, then held out his hand. He patiently helped her dress, patting her backside once she was completely clothed again. But as he turned for the door, Payton noticed a purple mark on his neck.

“Oh, no,” she said, reaching up for his chin and tipping his head up. “Did I do that?”

“What?”

She laughed. “I think I gave you a hickey.”

“What’s that?” Brody asked.

She pulled him over to the mirror above his dresser and pointed to the spot on his neck.

“A love bite,” he said, examining it closely. “I haven’t had one of those since I was a teenager.”

“Sorry.”

He shrugged. “I like it. I like knowing I can make you do such things to me.”

She stared at his reflection in the mirror and smiled. “I think we’re both in trouble,” she said.

He nodded. “I think you might be right.”

“BRODY!”

They both turned to see a horse approaching at a fast gallop. Davey pulled the horse to a stop, nearly running into Brody. “What the hell are you about?” Brody shouted.

“Callum,” he said, gasping for breath.

“What’s wrong? Is he all right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, he’s fine. He needs you back at the house. Right now. He said just you, not Payton. Just you. He made that very clear.”

Brody frowned. “Well, I’m not going to leave Payton out here on her own,” he said.

“No, I’m to help her out,” Davey said. “Go ahead. I’ll carry on.”

Brody regarded the young kid suspiciously. Why was it so important for Payton to stay behind? What the hell was Callum up to? He maneuvered his horse next to Payton’s, then reached out and placed his hand on her cheek. “I’ll be back in a bit.” Brody leaned over and dropped a kiss on her lips. “Don’t let Davey boss you around.”

She smiled. “I won’t. I’ll see you later.”

Brody kicked his horse into a gallop and headed toward the house. This had damn well better be an emergency. The ride back to the homestead was almost fifteen minutes. As he rode, Brody’s thoughts rewound over the past few days. He and Payton had settled into a life of sorts.

She’d managed to charm Davey into working the stables for the day while she worked the station with Brody. They enjoyed the long ride together and Payton had been fascinated with discovering new plants and animals in the outback. She’d nearly fallen off her horse when she’d spotted her first kangaroo.

He liked having her with him, and Callum hadn’t seemed to mind that they’d paired up. After greasing two of the windmills, they’d eaten some lunch, then set off to ride the fence lines. Payton had quickly learned how to handle herself on a stock pony, eagerly taking tips from Brody when he offered.

Still, her fascination with station life worried him. Was she happy here or was she just avoiding her real life with Sam Whitman? He needed answers, yet he couldn’t bring himself to ask the question. Was she married? And if she was, did it make a difference anymore? He wasn’t sure that it did for him. Not now.

Brody had been considering his options, specifically another surgery on his knee. He was still covered under the team’s insurance and he really didn’t have anything to lose, except a month or two off his feet and at least a year spent in rehab. He cursed softly. The more time he spent with Payton, the more confused he became about his future.

He’d always trusted his gut instinct when it came to any decision, and his gut had never steered him wrong-until the accident. The rain had made the roads slick and he’d already been late for practice, caught up in an argument with Nessa. He hadn’t been paying attention and had taken a turn far too fast. As he went down, his only thought had been that he ought to have trusted his gut and taken the Land Rover to work.

Right now, every instinct told him that Payton belonged in his life, that he should to do everything in his power to keep her there. So why couldn’t he just say that to her? Why couldn’t he tell her how he felt? Brody had never doubted himself until now. Maybe his feelings weren’t as strong as they seemed. Or maybe, this was something more than just infatuation.

As he rode past the horse paddock and into the yard, he saw Callum standing on the back porch, pacing nervously. He waited for Brody to come to a stop before jogging down the steps. Brody hopped off, gathering the reins in his hand.

“Come on,” Callum murmured.

“What’s up?”

“Teague is in the house. There’s a private investigator here looking for Payton.”

“Shit,” Brody muttered. “How did he find her?”

“You know about him?”

“Yeah, he was in Bilbarra trying to track her down. I talked to him. I thought I sent him off to Sydney to look for her.”

“Well, he’s a little bit smarter than you reckoned,” Callum said. “Payton used her credit card at David Jones in Brisbane. And Teague bought something right after her with his card. The clerk mentioned that they were together, so that’s why he’s here. Teague is feeding him some story, but I’m not sure if he’s swallowing it.”

Brody frowned. Payton had spent time in jail for dining and dashing. Why had she suddenly chosen to use a credit card? Had she wanted to be found? Was she looking for an excuse to leave? Or was she unaware that a detective had been sent to find her? “We have to get her out of here,” Brody muttered.

“What the hell has she done?” Callum asked.

“I don’t know.” Brody cursed softly. “She was supposed to get married in April. She ran out on her wedding. And I’d assume her fiancé or her husband wants her back, since he sent someone to fetch her. Bit of a problem there since I don’t want to give her back.”

“Brody, she’s an adult. She should make these decisions for herself. If she wants to stay, she can just tell the guy to get lost.”

“And what if she doesn’t?” Brody asks. “What if she decides to leave with him?”

“Then that’s her choice. You can’t keep her here if she doesn’t want to stay.”

“She may want to stay,” Brody countered. “Only she isn’t ready to admit it yet. She might need more time.”

“Did you ever think about asking her straight out?”

“I’m not going to ask her unless I’m sure she’ll give me the right answer.”

“Bloody hell, Brody, just talk to the girl.”

“I will,” Brody promised. “Soon. But right now, I have to get her off the station. I’ll go back and get her and we’ll ride to the airstrip. I need you to go to the bunkhouse and gather up her things and put them in your ute. Teague can meet us out there.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Callum asked.

The backdoor squeaked and Teague stepped outside. The moment he saw Brody, he grabbed him by the arm and pulled him around the side of the house. “What the hell is going-”

“Don’t ask,” Brody said. “I’ll explain it all later. Can you get away or is this guy going to follow you wherever you go?”

“I think I can lose him. Why?”

“I need you to fly Payton and me to Brisbane. I’m going to go and get her and we’ll meet you at the airstrip. Callum is going to put her things in his ute. Whenever you can, get away and meet us there.”

“All right,” Teague said, nodding. “I better get back in there. He thinks I’m making coffee.”

Brody jumped on his horse and turned it away from the house. “We’ll be at the airstrip in a half hour,” he said. “Don’t let him follow you.”

The ride in had taken twice as long as the ride back. He rode as hard and as fast as he’d ever ridden, as if his life depended upon it. In the end, his life did depend upon Payton. He’d grown attached to her and he couldn’t imagine losing her, especially to another man.

He found them where he’d left them, working on a broken gate that led to the east horse pasture. Davey was holding the gate off the ground while Payton twisted the turnbuckle. They both stopped what they were doing and watched as he approached.

“Get on your horse,” he told Payton. “Come on, we have to go.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you after we get to the airstrip.”

“Why are we going to the airstrip?”

“Payton, don’t ask any questions. Just get on your horse and let’s ride.”

She studied him for a long moment, then handed Davey the spanner she was holding. Snagging her jacket from where she’d thrown it over the gate, she kept her gaze fixed on him. Then, in an easy motion, she put her foot in the stirrup and swung her leg over the saddle.

Brody didn’t take the time to explain any further. He simply wheeled his mount around and took off, hoping she’d follow. A few seconds later, she caught up to him and they rode through the scrub, a cloud of dust forming behind them.

Their horses were winded by the time they reached the airstrip. Brody dismounted and then helped Payton do the same. He slapped both horses on the rump and sent them running, knowing they’d find their way back to the stables on their own.

“Are you going to explain what we’re doing here?” Payton asked.

“First, you have to tell me something. And I want you to be completely honest, because I’ll be able to tell if you’re lying to me.”

“All right,” she said softly.

Brody grabbed her by the arms and pulled her toward him, his mouth coming down on hers. He softened the kiss immediately, hoping that it would serve as a last attempt to prove his feelings for her. Then he drew back and took a deep breath. “Are you married? Did you go through with your wedding or did you walk out before you said ‘I do’?”

Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him in utter shock. “How do you know about-”

“Just answer the question. Are you married?”

“I…” She paused, as if she wasn’t sure how to answer him. “No. Of course not. If I were married, I’d be with my husband. I certainly wouldn’t be sleeping with you. How did you know about my wedding?”

“We have the Internet here, too.”

She took a moment, then shook her head. “You Googled me?”

“Yes. And a private investigator tracked you here,” he replied. “You used your credit card in Brisbane and he figured out where you were.”

She groaned, closing her eyes and shaking her head. “I knew I shouldn’t have used the card. I didn’t use it earlier for food. But I thought since I was flying right back to the station, it wouldn’t make a difference. They wouldn’t be able to find me even if they were watching the card.”

“Turns out Teague bought something at the same time and he used his card. They figured out you two were together.” He rubbed her forearms. “I think you should tell me what’s going on, Payton. Tell me about Sam Whitman.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and looked at him, her eyes wide. “You know about-But, how-”

“It doesn’t matter. Just tell me what happened.”

She drew a deep breath. “I ran out on the wedding before we got to the vows.” She took his hand. “I should have told you. But I wanted to leave that part of my life behind.”

“Why did you run?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just had this feeling that I was making a huge mistake. I honestly can’t say what it was. I’m not an impetuous person, but I had this-” She put her hand on her stomach.

“Gut feeling?”

“Yes,” she said, as if his explanation suddenly made perfect sense of her actions.

“So what does your gut tell you to do now?” Brody asked. “We can ride back to the house and you can talk to this guy. Or we can leave. Teague will fly us to Brisbane and from there we’ll catch a flight to Perth.”

“Perth?”

“I have an apartment in Fremantle, just across the river. We can hang out until the investigator leaves.”

She considered the offer for a long moment. “And then what?” she asked. “I can’t avoid my family forever.”

“Then we’ll go back to the station right now and you can call them.”

He waited as she weighed her options, hoping and praying that she’d choose to leave with him. He knew he’d have to let her go sooner or later, but he wasn’t ready. He’d take another day, another week, as much time as he could get.

“I don’t know what I want,” she said.

He’d asked her if she was married and he’d gotten the right answer. But the second question had gone unasked. Was she still in love with her fiancé? The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he was afraid of what she might say. Right now, he’d rather not know.

He reached up and cupped her face in his hands. “Come with me to Fremantle,” he said. Leaning forward, he kissed her again, softly, a silent plea.

“All right,” she said. “For a little while. We’ll go to Fremantle.”

Brody released a tightly held breath and yanked her into his arms. He had a few more days, a week even. And this time, he wasn’t going to waste it. He’d savor every second he spent with her. They’d walk on the beach and make love all night and sleep until noon and then do it all over again the next day. And, maybe, she’d decide she never wanted to leave at all.

BY THE TIME they landed at the airport in Perth, Payton had filled in the details of her story, from her parents’ high expectations, to her belief that Sam was the man she was supposed to marry. And then she told him about her sudden decision to break free from the path that had been laid out for her. Until that moment, she’d simply deferred to her parents and her fiancé.

It felt good to pick apart her life, to examine her motives and try to make sense of them. And it almost gave her enough courage to call her parents and apologize for everything that she’d put them through. But after a half day’s work on the station and two separate plane trips, she was exhausted. The thought of making that phone call twisted her stomach into knots.

“I know what you’re thinking.” She sighed, avoiding his gaze as they walked from the plane.

He held her hand, his fingers laced through hers. “No, you don’t,” Brody said.

“You think I’m…naive. Spineless. And maybe I am-or was. But I’m not that way anymore.”

He pulled her to a stop, forcing her to face him. “Are you under the impression that this has changed the way I feel about you?” Brody asked.

“It hasn’t?”

He shook his head. “No. Not at all.”

They took a cab from the airport to Brody’s apartment. Payton was curious about what she’d find on the other side of the front door. The building was luxurious, with its richly appointed lobby and thickly carpeted hallways. Brody hadn’t told her much about his life off the station. What she knew had come from Teague-a career in football, the accident that had ruined his knee and a retreat back to the station.

He reached for the front door, then paused. “I don’t remember what it looks like inside,” he said, forcing a smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve been home and I had to let my cleaning lady go.” He shoved the key into the lock. “Maybe I should just check it out.”

“It’s all right,” Payton said. “I’ve been working in a stable. Unless you have a dozen horses in there, nothing is going to freak me out.”

Brody chuckled. “All right.” The door swung open and he stepped aside to let her enter first. She walked inside slowly, taking in the details of the interior.

It was a beautiful apartment, sleek and modern. A wall of windows overlooked the water and filled the apartment with light. It was furnished sparsely yet fashionably.

Payton wandered over to the windows and took in the view of a wide river and the city on the other side. “It’s wonderful,” she said. “So different from the station.”

“One of the guys on the team gave me the name of his decorator. I didn’t pick this stuff out myself. I would have been content with a couch and telly and a bed.”

She stared up at a painting hanging on the wall above the sofa. “Very nice. So, is this what football buys?”

Brody smiled. “That’s what football bought. Footy doesn’t buy anything anymore.”

“It’s difficult to imagine you doing that. Dressed in all that gear.”

“Aussie rules is not like American football,” he said. “We don’t wear anything but a shirt, shorts and shoes. It’s more like rugby than what you think of as football.” He paused. “So you know how I found out about your wedding. How did you find out about my busted career?”

“Your brother Teague. He said you were good, but that your motorcycle accident ended your career.”

Brody nodded. “I was. I was the top scorer on our team. But that doesn’t really matter anymore. Now some other bloke is the top scorer on the team. And I’m just a guy who spends his time working a cattle station in Queensland.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said.

“It’s not the same as being famous.”

Payton ran her hands through her hair. “I’m still dirty from work. Can I take a shower?”

Brody took her bag off his shoulder. “The bathroom is through the bedroom,” he said, pointing to a door in the far wall. “I’ll show you.”

She followed him into the bedroom and he set her bag on the bed, then turned and helped her out of her jacket. He smoothed his hands over her shoulders and nuzzled his nose in her hair. “It’s nice to have you here,” he said. “All to myself.”

Payton leaned back against his chest and drew his arms around her. “It is funny how things work out. We’ve both lived such different lives, and then they touched for a moment in that jail cell. If you hadn’t drunk so much beer or I’d paid for my meal, we would never have met. Gemma thinks it was fate.”

“Maybe it was.”

Payton turned in his arms and then pushed up on her toes and kissed him. She slipped her arms around his neck and drew him more deeply into the kiss, loving the way he tasted, the way his mouth fit so perfectly with hers. Just a simple kiss was all it took to ignite her desire.

She reached up and tugged his jacket down over his arms, then moved to work on the buttons of his shirt. They’d undressed each other so many times that it had become second nature to them. There was no longer any hesitation or embarrassment. They felt more comfortable out of their clothes than in them.

When they were both naked, he took her hand and led her into the bathroom. The shower was surrounded by glass block from floor to ceiling. He opened a door and stepped inside, turning the water on and then helping her inside when it was the proper temperature.

It was a shower made for a man who came home with bruises and sore muscles: a variety of showerheads angled in all different directions. The door kept the steam inside and before long, the moisture created a fog around them both.

His hands smoothed over her body and she closed her eyes and enjoyed his caress. He turned her around and pulled her against him, his growing erection pressing against her backside. His palms slowly ran the length of her torso, from her breasts to her belly and then to the juncture of her thighs.

He delved between the soft folds of her sex and when he found the spot, began to touch her in a way he knew so well. Payton arched back, wrapping her arm around his neck and pulling him into another kiss.

But he wasn’t content to just touch her. His mouth moved over her shoulder, his tongue tracing a path to the curve of her neck. Brody gently urged her to sit on the low bench at the center of the shower. And then he knelt in front of her, spreading her legs and continuing the seduction with his tongue.

Payton had always felt this was the most intimate expression of desire and until now, they’d both been satisfied with other things. But Payton let go of the last shred of inhibition, surrendering to Brody, the shudders rocking her body. And as she surrendered to him, she realized that this was no longer just physical. She’d grown to need him in so many other ways.

She felt tears press at the corners of her eyes, but when he met her gaze she forced a smile. How could she ever consider living without him? He’d become part of her life, the new life that she’d found in Australia.

But was she really ready to walk away from her past, from her family and everything she’d known, to stay here with him? Payton reached up and brushed his wet hair from his eyes. She didn’t need to tell him how she felt. It was understood between them, communicated by smiles and sighs and soft kisses in the dark.

Brody drew her slowly to her feet and then led her out of the shower. Her release only made her exhaustion more acute and when he wrapped her in a thick cotton towel, Payton closed her eyes and leaned against him for support.

They ended up on the bed, Brody stretched out beside her, his fingers gently stroking her cheek. “Tell me about him,” he said softly. “Why did you love him?”

“That’s a question,” she said. “I’m not sure I have an answer.”

“Try,” he said. “Please?”

“I thought he was right for me. And I knew my parents would love him. I always tried to do what I thought they wanted me to. I was a very good girl.”

“But there must have been something about this guy,” Brody said.

“We were together so long, I guess I forgot what it was that attracted me in the first place. He was supposed to be perfect for me.”

Brody was silent for a long moment, then drew a deep breath. “Do you still love him?”

“I’m not sure I ever did,” Payton said. “At least not the way a woman should love the man she marries.”

He seemed to take comfort in that answer. But did it make a difference? She was here, with him, running away from all her problems. She hadn’t thought about how this might end between them. It was so simple to believe they would just continue, without any difficulties. They were living off the high of their infatuation. Real life hadn’t intruded yet. But it would soon enough.