Allen’s face pales with the flip of a switch. It’s so damn white that I worry the kid’s gonna pass out. Nostrils flared, his eyes dart between me and his mom. “What the fuck?”

“It’s not what it looks like,” Katie blurts with heavy despair.

My fingers dig into her waist as I’m trying to calm myself. “Don’t talk to your mother that way.”

“Are you kidding me?” he snarls. “After what you just said to her? Get your fuckin’ hands off her!”

Then he’s coming at us like a wild man. I spin Katie out of the way in time to grab Allen and pin an arm behind his back. He pants heavily, expression savage and adrenaline in high gear. He’s not too big of a kid, built more like a science geek than his stout brother, but if he had a fork in his hand, I’m sure he would gladly stab me. When I press his face against the wall, Katie pleads for me to stop, her voice choked with tears.

I take a deep breath as I lean in close to him, reminding myself this is her baby. “Calm down, Allen. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“What the hell were you doing with my mom back there?” Spittle flies out with his words. “Why’s her face all red? Why’s her hair a mess?”

Katie steps in beside me. “Settle down, Allen, and we’ll talk about this. Just you and me.”

Hand on my arm, her eyes search mine, filled with an entirely different plea than the usual fuck me, Brae. She’s sexy as hell tonight. Whenever she wears that ponytail it’s like I’m getting a preview of her youthful side. And her eyes were so wild as she fucked me in that room that I could sense how much she had missed me, how badly she wanted me to fill her.

A few minutes ago, when my mouth was on her tits, and my dick was buried inside her sweet pussy, I was ready to finally tell her that I love her. Not just her body, but the whole package. I finally understand those dopey looks Nolan gives my middle sister, the way Charlie is always in a hurry to defend my youngest sister. I’d move the earth for this woman if it were humanly possible.

I decided that if I came to New York, we’d have had a chance at a happy future. Leaving Cali wasn’t my favorite plan, but I wanted to prove to Katie that this could work between us with a few sacrifices.

Now it seems like a long shot, like there are still too many obstacles holding us back. She’ll always pick her kids over me, as she should. But what if they don’t approve of me dating their mom? Worse yet, what if Charlie or Evelyn hate the idea even more?

I loosen my grip on Allen. “Are we good?”

“Yeah,” he growls out from clenched teeth. “We’re good.”

I release him and he spins around, still ready to throw punches.

“Don’t do it, man,” I warn.

Connor comes tearing around the corner with a deeply set frown. Now that fucker scares me. I even feel my balls receding a little. It’s like seeing Charlie in one of his foul moods, usually because someone upset my sister. Intensity rolls off his tensed muscles in waves.

He glances back and forth between me and his brother. “Thought I heard Allen’s voice. What’s goin’ on back here?”

“Ask your mother,” Allen spits out. Then he glances at me over his shoulder. “Or better yet, ask that dickwad.”

“Just a little misunderstanding.” Katie says, looping her arm around Allen’s waist and smiling brightly at her oldest. “Everything’s okay.”

Choosing to ignore his mom’s reassurance, Connor turns to me, eyebrows raised like he’s ready to rumble. “Braden?”

Jesus. Does he think I hit her? Roughed her up?

The guy’s a pretty good shit. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well since I first told him I was interested in buying his motorcycle last spring. I hate the idea of lying to him, especially when he once did his best to wreck his uncle’s relationship with my sister. And I don't want to upset Katie either. It’s her decision whether or not she wants to tell her kids the whole story.

I glance to Katie for guidance, but she has this artificial smile plastered on her lips that doesn’t reflect in her eyes. It really pisses me off. Maybe the time we spent together in California doesn’t mean enough to her that she’ll fight for it. Maybe she really didn’t see it as anything more than a casual fling, and tonight with just about making her feel good again. Either way I don’t give a shit, because it sure as shit meant something to me.

“What your mother does is her business,” I answer cryptically, holding my chin out and meeting Connor’s hard stare. “You’ll have to ask her.”

The situation seems to click in Connor’s head, because his scowl loosens and the corner of his mouth lifts in a knowing smirk. If we weren’t talking about his mom, I’m pretty sure he’d give me a high-five.

I let out a slow grateful sigh. Katie, on the other hand, looks ready to throttle me.

“Allen, let’s go back to the party,” Connor tells his little brother.

Still glaring my way, Allen’s upper lip curls. “And leave her alone with this perv?”

“Braden’s right. What mom does is her business. Let’s go.”

Katie pats Allen’s back and kisses his cheek. “Go ahead, bud. I’ll join you in a minute.”

Connor steps aside to let his brother storm past. He pauses a minute, meeting my gaze. “I hope you know what you’re doing, man.”

“I won’t hurt her,” I promise.

With an exasperated sigh, Katie waves him away. “I’ve got this, Connor. Keep an eye on your brother, make sure he isn’t saying anything that would ruin James and Shar’s wedding.”

“Sure thing, mom.” He throws her a wink before he’s gone. Was that a seal of approval?

Without another word, Katie drags me back into the dark room. “Holy hell,” she groans, dropping the back of her head against the wall. “How do I convince them this is nothing to get worked up over? And what if they say something to Charlie?”

“So what if they do?” I cross my arms, wishing there weren’t any issues to keep us apart. Wishing the age thing had never played a factor in our relationship. “Are you embarrassed?”

“No way. I mean…not that I slept with you. But the way I acted, like I’m someone my boys’ age? They’ll never understand. God, what was I thinking? I must’ve acted like some kind of mindless bimbo in front of your friends! Now I understand why Hap wasn’t impressed!”

“You didn’t ‘act’ like anything. Definitely not a fucking bimbo! You were relaxed out there and let yourself be happy. But the second we’re around your kids and our families, you’re back to treating me like a damn kid. Is this how it’s always going to be if I go to school out here?”

“No, because you’re not moving to New York, Braden! What about the reserves? What about Hap, and Michelle, and Jake? The veterans you work with? Poor Jazz would go batshit crazy here without a beach nearby! You belong in California!”

With a few brisk steps, I’m pressed up against her, my face in hers. “I belong with you.”

“Keep your voice down!” she whispers loudly, glancing back toward the closed door. “We don’t need the entire wedding party walking in on us! The boys were bad enough!”

With a deep sigh, I drop my forehead down to meet hers. At least she hasn’t pushed me away yet. “Connor seemed okay with it.”

“Yeah, well, Allen was upset enough for the both of them. Poor kid’s probably going to need therapy after this.”

“That ‘poor kid’ is an adult, Katie. It’s time for him to grow up and deal with adult-like issues without throwing a tantrum because he doesn’t approve. He’ll get over it.”

“Dammit, Brae.” Eyes closed, her breaths sound shallow when her hands find my hips. Just when I’m convinced she’s going to surrender to her feelings, she pushes me back. “Why is it always like beating a dead horse with you? This ‘thing’ between us is a bad, bad idea. I can’t put my boys through this. They’ve been through enough with their deadbeat father. I can’t bring a man into their lives who’s only a few years older and expect them to respect my decision!” Eyelids flipping open, her tears glisten in the dark. “After this weekend you need to go home, back to your life. Forget about me and find a woman less complicated that’ll make you happy.”

“You make me happy.”

“That’s because we made each other feel good through really, really great sex.” She shakes her head over and over with tears spilling down her cheeks. “You can’t base a future on a fling.”

Her words are like a dull knife carving my heart from my chest. How can her stubborn will be both a turn-on and infuriating at the same time? “If you can look me in the eye and tell me that’s all it ever was, I’ll give up the fight and go back to California, find someone else like you’re asking. But if you’re truthful with yourself, you’ll admit this was something more, something worth giving a real chance. And in that case, I’m not going anywhere.”

Though I want to take her in my arms and kiss her until her tears stop, I step back and slip my hands into my pockets. If I push her now, she’ll only break, and I can’t do that to her. I made Connor a promise. “It may have started out as nothing more than mind-blowing sex, but ever since you left California, you’re all I ever think about. I miss your beautiful smile, that ridiculous snorting laugh you sometimes do, the way your eyes light up when you call me a cocky asshole, the way you spoil Jazz and flirt with the old veterans, the little flicker of jealousy I caught on your face when I was talking to the nurses, the way you hold your hand over your mouth when you’re eating but can’t stop talking…every little thing that drives me wild. I love that you’re unbelievably smart, and sexy as hell, yet you always know how to make me laugh. We made a real connection unlike anything I’ve ever known. I know you feel it too. Unless you can swear on your life that you don’t think you could ever be in love with me, I’m not walking away. I won’t give up, because I’m in love with you.”

Her lips part with a silent sob. I half expect her to tell me to take it back, but she surprises me by springing forward, flinging her arms around my neck, and standing on her toes to kiss me. It’s a sweet, tender kiss made bitter by her tears and the desperate way her lips move, as if preparing to say goodbye.

I wrap her in my arms, bracing myself for whatever she might say next to destroy me. I’ve never been truly in love with a woman, never felt this dire need to have someone in my life. Where do I go from here? How the hell does anyone survive a breakup when it feels like you’re losing the best part of yourself?

Luck must be on my side because before Katie can deliver her crushing answer, there’s a sharp knock at the door. “Is someone still in here? I’m sorry but you’ll have to nurse in the family room. This part of the clubhouse is off limits tonight. It’s a liability thing.”

“You need to go,” Katie pleads in a whisper, backing away. Staring at the floor, she wipes at the corner of her eyes. “Please, Brae. I need a minute to pull my shit together and I don’t want anyone seeing us both walk out of here. I’ll still meet up with you at Leona’s later.”

“Okay, beautiful.” I press my lips to her forehead before leaving her all alone in the dark.

Confessing my feelings was way more draining than I could’ve imagined. I’ve never felt so raw and completely exposed.

Now that she knows the truth, the ball’s in her court.

* * *

For the remainder of the night I hang by the bar on the far end of the dining hall, too much of a fucking coward to face Allen a second time, too much of a gentlemen to put that kind of pressure on Katie. It seems single women come out of the woodwork to hit on me, because I can’t imagine my brother and his future bride have that many unattached friends. I politely turn them all away while keeping a casual eye on Katie. She does an excellent job of putting on a bright smile despite everything that happened earlier. I’m glad that she seems to be enjoying herself. I know Sharlo’s one of her best friends, and I certainly didn’t intend to ruin the weekend for her. Fuck. Maybe I should make myself scarce at the wedding too.

“Penny for your thoughts, bro,” Evelyn sings cheerfully. I give her a hand as she hops onto the open stool at my side, chucking at her lack of grace. It’s comical to see her getting around now that she has a watermelon-sized stomach. “You look like you’re a million miles away. It’s almost like you’re pining after someone.”

I whip my head around to study her expression, shocked as shit when she breaks out laughing.

“Come on, Braden. You and me were always close. You don’t think I know you? I’ve been on to your game since Vegas when Charlie told me that Katie had a man in her room. I mean you both snapped videos of the Bellagio show within seconds of each other! Then Katie stayed with ‘a friend’ in San Diego, and you were both missing for the longest time after dinner…now she’s acting all weird. I’m not an idiot. Even Shar’s onto you.”

Oh shit. I drop my head, staring into my vodka sour. “Does Charlie know?”

“Nah, he’s always in denial when it comes to his sister and sex in the same sentence. He’s better off not knowing, at least until you figure your shit out.” She grabs my wrist, pausing until I meet her stare. “What are you doing with her?”

Rolling my shoulders forward, I suck in a deep breath. She’s right, we’ve always been exceptionally close. There’s no way I can lie to her. “I’m in love with her, Ev.”

“Oh, shit. That is not what I was expecting you to say.” Her hands slap over her cheeks. “Do you suppose the baby is far enough along that I could have a sip of something strong?” Hands returning to her lap, she tilts her head. “Are you being serious?”

“One hundred percent. We had a fucking riot together in Cali. But she thinks I’d be better off with someone my age, so she keeps pushing me away. Now that her boys know—”

Evelyn grimaces. “Oh, that is not good. What did they say?”

“Connor seemed cool with it. Allen was ready to knock my teeth out.”

“Well that’s unexpected. I guess Connor’s grown up a lot since high school.” She spins on her seat, motioning to the well-dressed bartender. “Do you have any NA beer, or anything else that could trick my mind into thinking I’m getting the real deal?”

The guy glances my way with an amused grin. “Sparkling mineral water alright?”

“That’s good,” I reply.

Evelyn turns back to me, still looking shook up. “Is this more serious than that big-boobed bimbo you met while in basic training?”

“You mean Suzanne? Without a doubt. I only told her that I loved her because she kind of seemed to be expecting it after six months.”

“Thank god you dodged that bullet. I get why you were first attracted to her in those tight orange shorts and all, but she was a total bitch. If you had married her, I would’ve given it three months before you found out she was cheating on you.”

I sneak a glance across the room to where Katie holds a sleeping Franklin. Damn, she looks so natural holding a baby. If I can convince her to give me a chance, I hope I can also convince her that she’d still make an excellent mother and we’d have beautiful babies together. I once heard Sharlo and Evelyn talking about methods used to conceive a girl. Every woman wants a little girl, right?

“I want to marry her, Ev.”

“Who, the big-boobed bimbo?”

“Christ, no! Katie. I want the whole deal with her, like you, and Sofia, and James have. Eventually, anyway. Maybe after I’m done with college and can support her. I finally understand why your husbands always give you sappy looks and say dopy shit about you women when they’re drunk. Katie thinks I’m too young to settle down, but I want a family. With her. I just don’t know if she can get past our age difference. It makes her self-conscious. It seems to bother everyone else, too.”

“Not me,” Evelyn says, shrugging. “Love is love. There’s no controlling that shit. If there was, I wouldn’t have picked someone famous to spend the rest of my life with, because a part of me will always hate the idea that gorgeous women throw themselves at Charlie everywhere he goes. Relationships will always throw challenges at you, Brae. Especially because you care more about someone than yourself and you can’t stand the thought of another day without them. I already love Katie to death, so you know I’d be ecstatic if you two ended up together. If you’re going to pursue this thing, promise me you’ll be careful, because I can’t stand the thought of either one of you getting hurt.”

“I will.” Appreciation tugging at my chest, knowing she worries about me as much as Katie, I pull her up tight against my side and kiss the top of her head. “Mom would be really proud of you, sis. You’re going to nail this motherhood thing.”

“She’d be proud of you, too, you know. The Marine Corp was good for you. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown up. Going from Tight Orange Shorts to wanting a relationship with Katie? That speaks volumes.”

“I could always get her a pair of tight orange shorts,” I tease.

Evelyn snorts, patting my chest. “I wouldn’t push your luck, bro.”

A seed of hope swells in my chest. Knowing at least one person is on my side makes the battle ahead a little less daunting.

A few drinks later, I catch Katie hugging everyone with her boys close behind, doing the same. She doesn’t acknowledge me when they head for the exit, but Allen throws me a warning glare. Guess Ev wasn’t kidding about relationships having their challenges.