Glancing over her shoulder, Glenna noticed a family photograph hanging on the far wall, beneath massive elk antlers. The whole Steele clan… Crossing the room, she scrutinized it, aware of how different Broderick’s family looked now. Aware of how strange it must be to go through life without his mother, without his younger sister who’d tragically passed away…
Fleur cooed, a gentle sound interrupting Glenna’s melancholy thoughts.
A smile pushed at her lips and her heart beat a bit too fast. Glenna felt herself slip into dangerous territory, practically tap-dancing on thin ice.
Broderick’s interaction with the child warmed her core.
Dangerous territory indeed.
* * *
A few hours had passed since he’d settled Fleur back to sleep. His potential daughter. The thought still sent him reeling.
He opened the door to the fridge, cool air dancing on his cheeks. Pulling at his soft navy T-shirt, he scanned the shelves for enticing treats for a late night work session. He had made progress with Glenna. He was playing a long game here. More than a one-night stand, and that required patience and persuasion.
Bold had always been his signature move, even as far back as that weekend in college. Broderick didn’t back down from challenges. And he needed her in his bed.
He would keep his cool, take his time and appeal to her more logical side. There was only one way to resolve this issue with the baby and with the business.
He needed to persuade her to make this about more than sex. They needed a serious relationship.
Then, problem solved with the business and the baby. They would be aligned on everything. He had no plans of marrying or falling in love, and she’d made it clear her dead husband was the love of her life. The notion of dating her, of taking it to the next level, should have surprised him, but it didn’t. It settled in place like a well-formed plan for a profitable merger.
Reaching into the stainless steel refrigerator, he pulled out an assortment of cheeses—brie, feta and mascarpone. He stacked the wedges on the counter, then rummaged for the raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and smoked salmon.
He looked over his shoulder to where Glenna sat in the overstuffed chair, computer screen washing her face in a blue light. Her damp hair was gathered back in a lazy topknot that called to his fingers to pull it free.
After their hot tub dip, she’d pulled on silky sleep pants and a matching top. Sure, it covered her, but the outfit reminded him they were here for the night. The sea foam color brought out different hues in her blue eyes, like waters churned by a storm.
He understood the feeling well. But soon enough, they would have relief from this frustration—long-term relief—if he simply presented his plan in the right manner.
Arranging the bounty next to a sliced baguette on a cutting board, he felt resolved. Broderick would play his hand carefully. Walking away from her in the hot tub had been damn hard, but it had given him time to think. Time to come up with a better plan.
After bringing over the platter, he snaked two wineglasses between his fingers and grabbed a bottle of chilled prosecco.
He arranged the spread on the rustic dinner table, poured the sparkling wine and popped some strawberries into the stemmed glasses. Setting one to his right, he opened his laptop, ready to get down to business.
Looking up from her perch on the armchair, Glenna glanced at the food. She picked up her computer and briefcase, then headed for the chair next to his. The light scent of her cologne and shampoo wafted by him as she took her seat, so intoxicating his mouth watered.
After scooping smoked salmon onto a piece of bread, she studied him, her gaze so intense Broderick felt she could peer into his mind. There were a few moments of silence between them, interrupted only by the soft classical cello piece pouring through the nursery monitor, music for baby Fleur.
Kota groaned, extracting himself from his spot underneath the table to nuzzle Glenna’s hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her ruffle the pup’s ears. Kota let out a large yawn, teeth flashing bright even in the muted light.
Broderick took a sip of his wine, peering over his computer screen. “We should talk about what happened out there.”
A flush brightened her cheeks. “Let’s not.”
He squinted, taking in her forward-leaning posture. He wasn’t buying for a moment that this attraction between them had simply been extinguished. She circled the rim of her wineglass with an idle finger, staring back at him.
In a throaty voice, he pressed on. “I want it to happen again, and more, and from your response it’s clear I’m not alone in feeling the attraction.”
He watched as she popped a raspberry into her mouth, the slight red stain of the juice accentuating her full lips with a sweetness he wanted to savor. Reminding him of the earlier kiss that still seared his brain and left him feeling more than a little uncomfortable.