Ticket To Love Read online

  “So let me get this straight.” The guy made some notes on the paper. “You’re wanting both yards fenced?”

  She nodded. “Yup, per the rules of the HOA, you’ll have to start at the back corners of the house, and it’s been approved to do six-foot privacy fencing. Since we’re friendly neighbors and all,” she shot a flirty glance at Brad, “I thought a lower picket-style fence down the middle. How does that sound, Brad?”

  This woman would never have the wedding of her dreams. Instead, she was going to spend it all on cars, fences, and whatever else she’d bought he didn’t know about. “Is this really what you want?”

  “Yes, it’s my gift to you. Don’t you think things will be better between us if your dog is no longer in my trash? And Bo, think about him. You can open the back door and he has his own yard to lie around in.”

  The man cleared his throat. Brad supposed he really should get the guy’s name. After all, he was probably wondering what nut jobs he’d just encountered. “I’m gonna take some measurements of the yards and then we’ll talk options. Sound good?”

  “Perfect.” Eve grinned.

  Brad said, “Eve—”

  She held her hand up. “I don’t want to hear anything about money. I’m doing this, and I don’t care what you say.”

  He had no doubt. “Are you really getting a dog?”

  She shrugged. “I told you before, I wanted a pet. It’s just me, and I’m tired of being alone.”

  “You’re not, though. I’m here.” He sighed. Now was the time to tell her how he felt, wasn’t it?

  “Yes, you are there a lot. But I need someone to love me like Bo loves you.”

  “I love you.”

  Crap. No, no, no. He had not just said that.

  She stared at him, her eyes wide. “What did you say?”

  How did he get out of that one? His mouth had worked much faster than his brain had.

  “Did you just tell me you loved me?”

  Oh sure, now his mouth didn’t work. Taking a deep breath, he took her hand in his. “I did.”

  She took a deep breath then asked, “Did you mean it?”

  “I think so.”

  She pulled her hand away and took a few steps back. “Damn it! You make me so angry.”

  “I’m letting you buy me a fence.” Shouldn’t that show her that he loved her? “I’m also letting you blow your wedding money on wood. Stupid wood.”

  “It’s not stupid, and it’s needed. I’m not spending money on useless things. You need a fence.”

  He sighed. “Maybe I do. Maybe it was in my plans for the New Year. Lord knows I’ve heard enough from you about it.”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “So what, are you accusing me of nagging you now?”

  Brad groaned. Once again, he’d let his mouth say too much. “No, I’m not.” Could they ever have a normal conversation? “Maybe when my tax return comes, I can pay you back.”

  “Is that the only way you’ll accept this fence?”

  Back to the fence. Like always. When the damn thing was built, would that mean they’d get along? “I never said I wasn’t accepting it. Did you see me run the guy off?”

  “No.”

  “Okay then, I admit defeat.” He held his hands up as though he was surrendering.

  She clenched her hands into fists. “I don’t want you to do that.”

  “What the hell do you want me to do? I can’t figure it out.”

  Eve lunged forward and grabbed hold of his shoulders as she pressed her lips to his. Her hands groped wildly, pulling at his hair as she thrust her tongue into his mouth.

  Goodness, what is going on with this woman? Wrapping his arms around her waist, he tugged her tightly against him, enjoying the feel of her breasts firmly against his chest. If only they were inside and not out here in the open, he’d have her clothes off in no time.

  “Excuse me,” the deep voice that belonged to the guy measuring for the fences interrupted them.

  Eve pulled back and glared at Brad, as though he’d been the one to kiss her.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt. I’m all done measuring.”

  Eve wiped her mouth. “Let’s go inside my place. We can discuss it.” She began to walk that way and the fence guy followed. But Brad didn’t. “You coming?” she asked.

  He gave the fence guy a hard look. “Nah, I’m good with whatever you decide. Just shout if you need me.” He turned and went back toward his place.

  Confused? That was an understatement. His head was spinning as he tried to figure out what the hell was going through her mind. Did she love him back? She kissed him like she did.

  After closing the door behind him, he leaned against it. Maybe she’d been right. He had no idea what they were arguing about out there. None. Was that how their life would be together? If they had children, was that what they’d see all the time?

  Brad loved Eve. He knew that much, but he also hated how she could make him feel like he did right now. He couldn’t afford the fence. In honesty, he had no idea after he got his tax return if he could, either. And she was going to gift him part of her land? He wasn’t a charity case. Maybe he should go over there right now and tell her no. Fence her own damn yard and leave his alone.

  But even then, they’d continue to fight. Maybe once the yard was enclosed and he owned all of the tree they’d have a normal relationship. Or at least, a somewhat normal one. He did like the spunk she had. Though, he liked it better when it was directed toward other people, like his ex-wife.

  ***

  An hour later, someone softly knocked on Brad’s front door. The knock had been so quiet that if he’d had the TV on he’d probably have missed it. Before he opened the door, he already knew who was there. His heart told him Eve would be standing on the other side.

  “Hey.” She stood with a smile on her face and a plate wrapped with aluminum foil in her hands.

  “Hey.”

  “So, I felt bad and baked some cookies.” She held out the plate.

  He took it. It was still warm, and a sweet smell met his senses. She had nothing to feel bad about. Like usual, they’d let their emotions get the best of them. “Thanks. You have nothing to feel bad about.”

  “Can I come in?” With her hands free, she rubbed them together.

  “Sure.” He stepped back as she entered.

  Her hair had been down before, but it was now pulled up tightly on her head. Brad preferred it down, but resisted the urge to tug the hair band out. Taking a deep breath, he followed her into the living room, where he set the plate down, but not before removing two cookies. He handed her one then ate the other sweet treat, which hit all the right places with his taste buds. She’d used chocolate chunks instead of chips.

  “I lost my temper earlier.” She sat in his recliner—again. She looked good in it. “I just…my emotions are out of whack, and I took it out on you.”

  “I understand. Your grandma was sick and it hit you hard.” He sat on the armrest of the couch and placed his hands on his knees.

  She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t because of her. Well, it was some, but you played a bigger part.”

  Me? He sat up straight. This he wanted to hear.

  She sucked in her bottom lip before speaking. “You-you just came out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting to fall for you. You’re my neighbor.”

  He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I know. And I didn’t expect to fall for you. After my divorce, I never thought I’d marry again.”

  Her mouth fell open as she stared at him with wide eyes. “You want to marry me?”

  What the hell? Why was his mouth saying these things before he even had a chance to think about them? “I don’t know.”

  “I’m just as confused as you,” Eve said. “Okay? I don’t understand what happened exactly. How I fell for you? But I can’t imagine my life without you anymore.”

  “Me either.”

  With her index finger, she motioned him over. When Brad got closer, she held out h
er hand. “Let’s go make up. We’ve been fighting an awful lot lately.”

  He tugged her up and into his arms. “I want nothing more than to show you just how quiet I can be.”

  She laced her hands around his neck and gazed into his eyes. “I don’t want you to be quiet.”

  He lifted her up and carried her down the hallway toward his bedroom. Hopefully he’d made his bed this morning. Hell, what did it matter? It was about to get messed up. “I know you won’t be.”

  She ran her fingers through his hair. “Good, because I have a lot of pent up anger I need to get out.”

  He laid her on the bed. It was time to make love to her and show her just what he felt for her. Kissing her softly, he took his time. She needed someone to focus all his energy on her.

  “Brad,” she whispered.

  “Shh.” He kissed her quiet.

  They scrambled farther onto the bed, facing each other. Eve slid a hand around his neck as he rubbed her belly. Sometimes going back to the basics was what one needed.

  Brad kissed down her neck then stopped at her collarbone. She moaned slightly and rolled onto her back. He lifted her shirt then let his hand wander underneath to cup her breast. Through her shirt, he pressed kisses above her breasts.

  “Brad.” She arched into him, her lips parted. “God.”

  He smiled as she wiggled against him. He laid a hand on her thigh. “Easy. We’ll get there. Just lay here and enjoy.”

  Lightly, he brought his fingers down her side, and with a giggle, she wiggled again. Ah, she was ticklish. He’d remember that next time they argued and he needed to win.

  He unbuttoned her pants then pushed them down. With her help, he slipped them off and threw them to the bottom of the bed. After gliding his hands up her smooth legs, he stopped at her center. Then he returned to kissing her as he slid her panties to the side and let his fingers explore her wet entrance.

  She thrust her tongue into his mouth when he slipped his finger into her core. Her breathing picked up and he could tell she needed more, and he was going to give it to her multiple times. He stared at her sweet face. Her eyes shut as he picked up the rhythm, fingering her as deep as he could. Her hips ground up to meet him as her muscles tightened. She bit her bottom lip, making small grunting sounds as her head shook from side to side on the white pillow. From the moans she made, she was close but needed an extra push to reach the desired release.

  Brad flicked his thumb over her clit to encourage her as he pumped his digits faster. “Come on, Eve. Let it out.”

  That’s all it took. Eve’s back arched as she cried out slightly, letting her orgasm take control.

  Once her body relaxed, he brushed the lose strands of hair from her face as she gazed at him through heavy lashes. “I meant what I said.”

  She looked at him, confused.

  His heart raced as he said the words again. “I love you. You don’t have to say it back, but I want you to know that I feel that way for you.”

  Her expression was hard to read, her eyes wide and her lips straight, and he feared she was about to reject him. “Brad, I—”

  He placed a finger to her lips. He didn’t want to hear she didn’t feel the same way. It would break his heart. Instead, he removed his finger and replaced it with his lips. Expecting the kiss to be more sweet and sensual, he was shocked when she fiercely thrust her tongue into his mouth. She yanked at his shirt until it was off then began to work at his pants. Before long, they were both naked and she straddled him.

  Brad cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples. The scent of her sweet juices enticed him. Thank God his nightstand was near and he could get a condom and be inside her.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he reached for the drawer.

  “You’re not so bad yourself.” She traced his tattoo with her finger, dangling her breasts in his face. “I have strong feelings for you, too, much deeper than I ever expected.”

  Could she love him too and just be afraid to say it? Hope filled him.

  As soon as he had a foil wrapper in his hand, he sucked the nipple she’d teased him with. Her hand was wrapped around his cock, stroking him like a pro, but he craved being inside her pussy much more.

  “I gotta put this on,” he said.

  Eve took it from him and ripped it open. “Let me.”

  She rolled it down his shaft then lifted her body, placing his cock right at her wet opening. Slowly, she slid her sweet center down, then back up again as her tight core accommodated him.

  “I swear your body was made for mine.” He thrust into her.

  Eve gripped his shoulders and picked up her rhythm. He would never tire of the sight of her closed eyes and parted mouth. Now to make her scream.

  As she rode his cock, he dug his fingers into her hips. Then he grabbed both breasts and slightly pinched her hard nipples.

  “Brad.” She bit her bottom lip.

  He ground his hips upward, trying to get as deep as he could. His seed was ready to spill, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold off much longer.

  Eve’s head fell back, her mouth opened, and little sighs escaped. Brad wrapped his arms around her waist with such force she opened her eyes as he tugged her forward, so her breasts were now hard against his chest. He gazed into her eyes, seeing the woman he loved. He needed to come with her.

  He cupped her face, bringing his lips to hers. When he slid his tongue in, she groaned. Pumping hard, he pushed her toward the edge. Finally, she broke the kiss and a slight pain shot through him as she bit into his shoulder and stifled her scream. Brad tightened his grip around her waist, closed his eyes, and let his seed fill the condom.

  Damn, this woman was perfect. There was nothing that would make him let Eve go.

  ***

  Eve was happy. Her body hummed with satisfaction. She’d told Brad how she felt, sorta, and he returned the feelings. Was love finally happening for her?

  Rolling over after her catnap, she stretched her body next to his. His eyes opened and he smiled in a way that melted her heart.

  “Hey, beautiful. That was some great making up. Let’s fight again, so we can do this again.”

  She giggled. “No, let’s get along for at least a few days. If that’s even possible.”

  He ran a finger down her arm. “Ah, but this part is so fun.”

  She agreed. Making love to Brad was the best she’d ever had. There was no way their lovemaking would ever go stale.

  “So, you really think you and I have a future?” She kissed his bare shoulder.

  “It’s music to my ears to hear you want to be with me. I’m never letting you go.” He stared into her eyes as her stomach fluttered. “Better cancel that fence order. You just might need that wedding money if I have my way.”

  She sighed and pulled away. Would he ever be able to accept that she wanted to do something nice for him? Then it dawned on her, if she was going to spend her life with this man, she had a pretty big secret to tell him.

  He attempted to pull her to him. “What? I didn’t mean to upset you. We’ll do the fence.”

  She shook her head and sat up, wrapping the sheet around her. “I have to tell you something. And I’m scared about how you’re going to react.”

  Brad sat up also, a worried expression replacing his carefree one. “I’m sure nothing you tell me will be bad.”

  I’m not so sure about that. “I lied to you.”

  “About?”

  This was much harder than she thought. Maybe because she had a hard time admitting it to herself. “I haven’t been saving for some grand wedding all these years.”

  “You haven’t? Then where did the money…” She could tell by his expression it registered.

  “I won the lottery.”

  “I asked you more than once.” Brad got up and pulled his pants on. “I knew it. I had my suspicions. But that last time I asked you was after we first made love, and I thought after that you might confess. I gave you so many opportunities to just tell m
e, and you insisted it was money you’d saved.”

  Guilt slammed into her. At least he believed her when her friend didn’t, but she almost wished he’d laughed at her and thought the same. Instead he was angry. “I can’t lie anymore. I had to tell you the truth. Hell, I had to tell someone. I told my friend Sara, but she didn’t believe me. No one knows but me and my grandmother.”

  He stared at her with a baffled look. “And now me. Now you decide to let me in. But why?”

  It wasn’t like telling people about this had been her top priority. She didn’t want the media to find out. “I never wanted to keep it from you. It hadn’t been my intention. I just…how do you tell someone you won the lottery?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe the same way I told you that I loved you.”

  She hated how quickly things changed between them. One moment they were cuddled up after lovemaking and now Brad glared at her, almost like he’d forgotten the connection they’d just shared. “Are you upset?”

  He raked his hand through his hair and tugged slightly. “Yeah, yeah I am. You got your wish. We’re fighting again. Only this time I’m not mad at you. I’m hurt.”

  Her stomach churned and her heart ached. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but you can’t just expect someone to tell just anyone they are a millionaire.”

  “You’re right about that.” He rubbed his temple. “I guess I was the only one who thought this thing between us was more than us being kissing neighbors.”

  Damn it, they were so much more and he knew it! She couldn’t let them regress. “Brad.”

  He shook his head and went toward his bedroom door. “I need some time, okay?”

  She nodded, though her heart felt like it was being ripped in two. Hurting Brad had never been her intention. She thought he’d get mad, they’d fight, and that would be it.

  Brad walked out of the room. She laid her head against the headboard. The secret was out. Now it was time to move forward—she hoped.

  Chapter Sixteen