Hidden Pleasures - Brenda Jackson [62]
In the mornings she was over at her place taking care of her mother’s belongings while he worked on perfecting Sniper. Then in the afternoon she would arrive home and they’d spend time together. One afternoon they’d gone hiking, another time they’d shared his hot tub, and still another day he’d given her lessons on how to properly use a bow and arrow. He enjoyed having her in his space and spending time with her.
And at night he enjoyed sleeping with her. Making love to her under the moon or the stars overhead. She was so responsive that they had to be the most intense lovemaking sessions of his life. Even the breathless aftermath made him shiver inside just thinking about it.
He also enjoyed waking up with her wrapped in his arms every morning, and making love to her before either of them started their day. And they would talk. She trusted him enough to share her secret with him about Mr. Ponder and why making love to Galen had been a crucial step to overcoming her inability to enjoy sex.
He was well aware that Brittany assumed that in two days she would be leaving, walking out of his life, and he hadn’t a clue how to break it to her that that was not how things were going to be. “Galen?”
He glanced up to find Eli staring at him. “What?”
“When are you going to tell Brittany how you feel about her? Doesn’t she leave in a couple of days?”
“Yes, but she’ll be back.”
“Back to Phoenix but not to your place. She thinks when she leaves here Saturday morning what’s between the two of you will be over.”
Galen pulled in a deep breath, not surprised Eli knew as much as he did. Brittany had sought him out to handle a couple of legal issues regarding her house. She was trying to get the area rezoned to open the headquarters for Etiquette Matters.
“Nothing between us will be over. I love her,” Galen said.
“Then maybe you ought to tell her that. She needs to know she’s worthy of being loved.”
Galen ran his hand down his face. Over the last few days, even though he’d warned them to stay away, his brothers had revisited anyway and had grown attached to Brittany. They were now her champions and wanted to make sure he would do the right thing by her, although he’d told them from day one what his feelings had been.
“She’s never been part of a family and I want so much for her to feel a part of ours.”
“Then tomorrow night will be perfect. Thursday-night dinner at Mom’s.”
Galen’s head jerked up. Damn, why hadn’t he thought of that? Eli was right. Galen had never brought a woman home to meet his mother before. None of them had. She would have to know the importance of that, wouldn’t she? And if she didn’t, he would explain things to her.
“That’s a good idea.”
Eli grinned. “Thank you.”
Galen eyed his brother suspiciously. “And just what’s in it for you?”
Eli’s features broke into a serious expression when he said, “Your happiness.”
Galen held his brother’s gaze and then nodded. He and his brothers might have inherited Drew’s horny genes, but they’d also inherited Eden’s caring genes, as well.
“Okay, there’s no way after tomorrow night Brittany won’t know how I feel.”
Once Galen had left his brother’s office and slid behind the steering wheel of his car, he pulled out his cell phone and punched in a few numbers.
A feminine voice picked up on the second ring. “Hello.”
“Mom, this is Galen. And I’m keeping my promise that you’d be one of the first to know.” He couldn’t help but smile. His brothers had been the first to know, but there was no reason to tell Eden Steele that. “Know what?”
“There’s a woman I’m interested in.” He shook his head and decided to go for broke. “I’m in love with her and I’d like to bring her to dinner tomorrow night.”
Chapter 18
Brittany checked her lipstick again before putting the small mirror back in her purse. She then glanced over at Galen as he drove to his parents’ home for dinner. “Are you sure I look