started with an intensity that had shocked him, but instead of waning like it had with so many others, it had been growing stronger over time.
She didn’t trust him, but he didn’t think he’d given her any reason not to. Well, besides the fact that he wasn’t backing off. But that wasn’t exactly a trust issue. That was him going after what he wanted, which was something he’d done his entire life. It was in his blood, who he was. He didn’t think it possible to be anyone else.
He wasn’t the same guy he’d once been. He had ambitions and goals in life, and the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to include Chloe in that dream. He would definitely be the first guy to crack a joke and light off a firework that made his siblings jump, but he was also just as eager to win as the rest of them.
Was that what this was? Was it a game? He honestly didn’t think so. He saw something in Chloe that drew him to her. They had much more in common than she was willing to admit. They also had differences that made it that much more exciting.
Brandon paced the huge mansion that he didn’t understand why he’d purchased. Maybe it was the history of the place, and maybe it was because he always had enjoyed a good project, but whatever the reason, the home certainly wasn’t comfortable at the moment. It was too drafty, and the internet was terrible. He hadn’t been able to get any work done. But even if he could have, his mind wasn’t allowing it. He had one person on his brain, and there was no room for anything else.
Moving through the house, he got a whiff of something delicious. Were those gingerbread cookies he smelled? No way. He picked up his pace and turned a corner, then barged his way into the kitchen.
Brandon couldn’t help but smile when he found his sister-in-law Sarah in an apron as she took cookies off a pan and set them on wire racks. He watched her for several moments before walking up and leaning down, kissing her on the cheek.
“What brings you to my humble abode?” he asked with fondness. She was one of the few females in his life he was truly excited to see. His brother Noah had married well. He was glad to call her sister.
“Brooke and I have discovered if we don’t feed the bachelor holdouts of this family, you’ll wither away,” Sarah said, placing the last cookie on the rack and then turning to face him.
“That is in fact true. Without you and Brooke cooking for me, I’d have to rely on the convenience store.” He wanted one of the cookies desperately, but he’d learned quickly that he’d better not just grab one, or he might get his hand slapped.
“Or at Chloe’s restaurant,” she said with a brow up.
He shrugged. “Busted,” he told her. He wasn’t even going to try to hide the fact he wanted to spend time with her best friend. There was nothing he could hide from either of his sisters-in-law.
“Sit down, and don’t get in my way, and I’ll think about giving you some cookies and milk,” she told him after a couple of seconds spent analyzing him.
His mouth watering, Brandon did exactly what she’d demanded, then smiled to himself. There weren’t too many people in this world who could boss him around and get away with it. He had mad respect for his brother for choosing such a fantastic wife.
“How did you manage to get away from my brother for the afternoon?” he asked. “Not that I’m complaining at all.”
“He’s working at the center today, and I needed an excuse to grill you about my bestie,” she said.
“I love your honesty,” he said with a laugh. “But I’m still waiting on these cookies. You’re killing me here. I’m practically withering away.” He tried to look as innocent and hungry as possible.
“I also really wanted to check out this place, and I figured cookie making would be a good excuse to come in. It was a good thing I brought all my own supplies. I’ve learned with you bachelors that you don’t have much more than meat, bread, and beer in the fridge,” she said.
“You never need an excuse to stop by,” he said, meaning it. “The door is always open.”
“I love that about your family. It’s something I’ve grown quite fond of. And since I