Chapter 5
Brody finished packing for his trip to Boston. He wanted to go with Gavin and get him situated. He planned to stay through Wednesday. He didn’t really want to go, but he thought it would be better for Gavin if he were there the first few days.
He worked in his study for a few hours and then decided to go for an early dinner. Not wanting to eat alone, he came up with a plan. Before he talked himself out of it, he drove to Claudia’s apartment. He knew it was impolite to show up two days in a row without being invited, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Gavin had him so keyed up over their conversation he hardy slept the night before. Claudia had a way of settling his nerves. He needed to be around her.
He knocked on her door, but there was no answer. He was disappointed she wasn’t home. He wondered where she was. He’d never even asked if she was seeing someone. Surely she would have told him if there was a guy in her life. They’d talked for hours the afternoon before. He pondered the thought of her having a boyfriend, but he didn’t like the way it made him feel. He wanted a chance with her and if there was someone else in the picture, how could he convince her to see him?
What the hell am I doing?
He realized he had no right to be jealous or possessive. He wasn’t even certain Claudia was interested in him. She’d given him no indication if she’d want to see him. They talked as if they were friends. Pretty good friends, but friends nonetheless. What if a friendship was the only relationship she could offer him? Would it be enough?
“Brody?”
He turned and saw her walking up the front steps. Her arms were filled with grocery bags. Brody moved toward her and took the bags from her. “Let me.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “I didn’t realize how much I bought until I had to walk home.” She walked past him to unlock the door. “What brings you here?”
He followed her into her apartment and to the small kitchen. He placed the groceries on the counter. When he turned back around, she was standing in the doorway staring at him. She was wearing a pale, yellow sundress that stopped mid-thigh. He also noticed her full breasts peeking out of the top. He’d never seen her in anything so revealing before. She was curvier than he’d realized. He liked it.
“You look beautiful.”
She looked down at her feet, but he could see the blush in her cheeks. “It was warm today, so I put this dress on.”
“It’s lovely.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you want to put these away?” He pointed to the bags.
“Sure,” she said. “You didn’t tell me why you’re here.”
“Oh, right.” Why am I here?
“Not that I mind, but I’m wondering how I scored a visit from Brody Callahan two days in a row.” She laughed as she emptied the bags and quickly put the items away.
Now he was embarrassed. That didn’t happen often. “I have to go to Boston for a few days.”
“With Gavin?” She had an unpleasant look on her face when she mentioned his brother. He got the feeling she wasn’t a fan of Gavin. She was probably the only young woman he knew who didn’t fall prey to the charmer’s tricks. He wondered if he’d made some inappropriate move on her. It wouldn’t surprise him.
“Yes, I want to help him get settled.”
She nodded as she put a cereal box in the cabinet.
“Anyway,” he said. “I finished up some odds and ends and I was on my way for an early dinner. I thought maybe you could join me.”
“You want me to have dinner with you?” The skin between her brows crinkled. She looked confused.
“I’d like to have dinner with you. That’s why I asked.”
“How come?”
“I like your company.”
“Oh.” Maybe she wasn’t interested.
“Am I doing something wrong?” It had been a while since he’d pursued a woman, but he doubted the basics had changed.
“What do you mean?”
“You seem surprised I’m showing interest in you. I’m not sure why.”
“I’m the housekeeper.” She shrugged.
“You’re much more than that.” He walked over to where she stood and took her hand. “Maybe you’ll let me show you.” He pressed her knuckles to his lips. “Will you have dinner with me?”
“Um…”
“Um’s not an answer.” He kissed her hand again. “I have a stressful few days ahead of me and you calm me, so I’d like to spend the next couple of hours getting to know you.”
“There isn’t much to tell.” She watched as he ran his lips over her knuckles. “That’s very distracting.”
“Do you want me to stop?” He wanted to kiss her mouth and trail his lips along her jaw. She smelled like berries. It was her shampoo or body wash, but he had a feeling she tasted as sweet as her scent.
“Not really.” She blushed a deeper shade of red. “But you probably should.”
“I know a little cafe on the river. Will you come with me?”
“I’d like that.”
“Excellent.”
“Should I change?”
“Absolutely not,” he said. “You look amazing in that dress.” He did his best not to glance down at her breasts. He would try to be a gentleman. “You may want to grab a sweater though. It gets chilly by the water.”
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll get one, and if you’ll excuse me, I want to use the restroom before we leave. I’d like to freshen up.”
“Take your time.” He stared into her eyes for a few moments.
“You have to let go of my hand.” She giggled. “Or we won’t get anywhere.”
“Right.” He pressed his lips to her knuckles one last time before releasing her. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
He walked out to the porch for some fresh air. He needed a second to settle down and will away the excitement going on in his pants. What was she doing to him? He hadn’t felt this excited over a woman in years. He’d been too busy for anything serious, sticking to casual flings and relationships of convenience. But he knew from the moment he set eyes on her in the guest bedroom last week that she was neither a fling nor a convenience. Claudia was a woman who deserved to be treated with respect and understanding. There was something special about her, and he wanted to know what it was.
Brody hadn’t wanted anything as badly as he wanted her. He wasn’t even thinking on a physical level. Not that she wasn’t as sexy as hell, but it was more. She was different from the other women he’d been with his whole life. She didn’t want anything from him. That intrigued him and only made him want to give her everything.
* * * *
Claudia had a long and tiring day at the mansion. She’d scrubbed the floors of six bathrooms, polished the railing of the grand staircase and then helped Juan with floral arrangements for the foyer. She had no idea how one woman lived in such a big house. Angela entertained on a daily basis, had relatives stay for weeks at a time, and always had someone in for lunch.
She grabbed her bag, said goodbye to Allison when she passed through the kitchen, and headed for the service entrance. She hoped she could catch a ride with Juan because her feet were in no way prepared to walk the half mile it would take to get to the bus.
“Miss Samson?” A large man stood on the stone path in front of an impressive SUV
Claudia had seen him around the property with Brody, but she’d never been introduced.
“I’m John.” He extended his hand. “Mr. Callahan’s driver.”
“Hi, John.” She shook his strong hand. He was well over six feet and his large frame towered over her.
“Mr. Callahan has instructed me to give you a ride home.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.” Claudia wanted to take him up on his offer but she didn’t want to make him go out of his way.
“Ma’am, it is necessary. Mr. Callahan asked me to take you home, so I have to.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to get you into trouble,” she said.
“Thank you, Ms. Samson.” He walked over to the impressive car and opened the door for her.
“You can call me Claudia,” she said. “I’m an employee just like you.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Callahan has sent a driver to take you home from work. You may be more than an employee.”
“Oh, well, um, Brody and I are just friends.” She climbed into the fancy, vehicle that smelled of leather and... Brody.
“Of course, Ma’am.” He closed the door and walked around to the driver side door. Once he got inside the car, he turned and smiled at her. “Are there any stops you need to make before I take you to your apartment?”
“No,” she said. “Do you need my address?”
“No, Mr. Callahan provided me with that information.”
“Okay.” She nodded as she looked around.
He pulled away from the main house. “I’ll have you home soon.”
“Thanks.”
Claudia sunk down into the soft seat and enjoyed the ride. This beat the bus any day of the week. A girl could get used to this.
A girl could get used to Brody Callahan.
She thought back to the night before when he walked her to her door after dinner. She’d felt like a giddy teenager coming home from her first date.
“I had a really good night.” She stopped in front of her apartment. “Thanks for dinner.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Maybe you could call me when you get back from Boston?”
“As opposed to just showing up?” He laughed.
“I don’t mind when you show up, but maybe you should call. I wouldn’t want you to come all the way here if I’m not home.” Claudia climbed her porch steps. “Not that I go many places.”
Now that she and Gavin were over, she didn’t have any plans during the week except when she visited her grandmother. She didn’t get to do that as often as she liked during the week because of her transportation situation.
“I’ll call you when I get back into town. Maybe we could do something next weekend?”
“Okay.” Her mouth said one thing, but her head screamed at her to stop this before it got started. How was she going to hide a pregnancy from him? Even if she didn’t hide it, how could she not tell him who the father was? Well, the father didn’t want to be recognized, so maybe she wouldn’t have to tell anyone.
“Claudia?” Brody stroked her cheek. “You look like you have so much on your mind. Is there something I can do to ease things for you?”
She shook her head.
“I won’t push. You can tell me when you’re ready.” He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “Your skin is soft.”
She closed her eyes and leaned into his gentle caress. She hadn’t realized how much she missed being touched until this moment. Brody was soothing to her. He leaned in and softly pressed his lips to hers. He didn’t linger long but his mouth on hers sent a charge through her body.
“Goodnight, Claudia.” He kissed her again and then backed away. “I’ll be thinking about you.”
Before she could say anything, he turned and headed down the steps. He left her wanting so much more.
Claudia had thought about him and that kiss all day. There was nothing searing about it, but it was the most electrifying moment of her life. She longed for more. But was it right to want more with a man like Brody? What could she possibly offer him? She was young, lonely, and pregnant.
What a mess.