Ten Million Fireflies (Band of Sisters) Read online

  “Okay. You want to know what’s bothering me?”

  “I do.” She turned in her chair so she faced him and waited while he seemed to work on formulating the words.

  “What you said bothered me.”

  Brooke thought back to what she’d said that could be misconstrued as offensive and came up blank, which was unusual since she usually spoke out of line.

  “What did I say?”

  “You implied that I’m interested in your friend Charlie.”

  “What’s wrong with Charlie? She’s perfect.”

  “I’m sure she’s lovely, but I’m not interested in her.”

  “Oh. You’re not gay, are you?” She wouldn’t have seen that one coming—not that you can really tell if someone is gay. He could be a bisexual. He was an odd writer type.

  “Not in the least.”

  “So how did my offer to set you and Charlie up offend you? If you’re not interested, just say no thanks.”

  “No thanks.”

  “Why?”

  “I thought you said I could just say no thanks.”

  “I changed my mind. I want to know why you’re not interested in her. She’s the perfect woman. Smart, beautiful, she can cook, she’s a former soldier, strong, independe—”

  “Because I’m interested in another woman.”

  “Oh.” Brooke’s heart sank into a pool of Velveeta. That’s what she was. Velveeta to Drew’s fondue type. A man like Drew Beckett wouldn’t be off the market for long. He had all the goods most women were looking for. “That’s good. That’s nice.” She picked up her fork and sliced her asparagus.

  “The problem is, I don’t know if she’s interested in me.”

  “Hm. That can be a problem.” One she was all too familiar with. She chewed her asparagus and cut her fork into the delicate salmon.

  “You’d think I’d know how to tell her I’m interested...”

  “You’d think.” She pretended to chuckle, keeping her gaze focused on her five-star dinner.

  “Any advice on how I can find out if she’s interested without making a fool of myself?”

  If she’d known, she wouldn’t have come two seconds away from making a fool of herself. Thank God she didn’t say anything to him. Besides, she wasn’t the one to ask for dating advice.

  “Not a one.” She bit into the salmon, the maple and ginger tingling on her tongue. Damn, she’d miss his cooking.

  “You were amazing coming up with a series idea for me. Surely you can help me out here.”

  Brooke swallowed her fish and washed it down with a sip of water. She’d need to cut back on the wine if she planned to keep her head on straight.

  Mimicking his earlier moves, she dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin and set it by her plate. “I’m not one for mind games,” she sort of lied. Well, she hadn’t been until lately. “Your best bet is to come right out and tell her you’re interested.”

  “I’m interested.”

  “Yeah, like that. Just say it.”

  “I’m interested.”

  “See? You got it.”

  That adorable smirk and gleam in his eyes made her girly parts wiggle. Not a good sign. She’d definitely had too much wine. She needed to leave before she did something stupid like cry or profess her undying love for him, which was completely obnoxious. Love had nothing to do with this.

  “I’m interested.”

  “There you go.” She stood and patted his shoulder. “Grub was good. I’ll help you with the dishes.” Brooke carried her plate and the empty risotto dish to the sink. The clouds had rolled in over the past hour as the weather forecasters had predicted, making the night sky darker than normal.

  Drew didn’t exactly sneak up on her, his reflection in the window over the sink giving away his presence, but she would have known he was there anyway. He didn’t give her much personal space, his legs brushing up against her backside.

  Brooke curled her lips, biting down on them, and sucked in a breath. “Do you, uh... have a container for the leftovers?” She wanted to turn around, but he nearly pinned her to the counter, not giving her much room to move.

  “I’m interested,” he said softly, his words whispering across the nape of her neck, followed by the delicate touch of his hand on her shoulder. Drew’s touch was light as it swept down her arm, his fingers tracing along until they reached her wrist.

  No man had ever seduced her with such simple words or light touch, if in fact what he was doing was seducing. It could be the wine she’d downed clouding her brain and distorting Drew’s words. Brooke lifted her gaze to the window and met his. Even with the dark shadows, she could see the intensity in his stare.

  Could he really be directing those words at her? Weren’t they arguing just a few days ago about her opening the camp?

  Shifting slightly so she faced him, the counter pressing against her butt, she tilted her head just a fraction. He was only a few inches taller than her and she liked how they fit together, even though they barely touched.

  “You’ve got those lines down pat. I think you’re ready to use them on... her.” She still wasn’t one hundred percent sure she was reading him correctly. Although, if this was practice, when he spoke those words for real, the woman would orgasm simply by the intensity in his eyes and the softness of his words.

  “Is there something else I need to say or do to make sure she understands how interested I am?” His voice was soft and tender.

  “You could... you could show her.” Brooke didn’t mean to sound so throaty.

  “How?” His fingers continued to trace circles around her wrist and up her forearm.

  “With a kiss?” She wet her lips in anticipation. Please let this be real, she begged whatever gods were listening.

  And hell on wheels, they were. Drew didn’t hesitate as he lowered his mouth to hers, his lips as sweet and soft as his fingers. He didn’t take possession of her, but touched his lips to hers with warm, tender kisses.

  Men didn’t kiss her like she was a delicate flower. They took. She took. There was heat and passion and explosive sex. This... this was something different. She wasn’t the kind of girl who got waited on, cooked for, and loved. Gentle nature wasn’t her style.

  Yet, Drew kept things simple and sweet between the two of them. He didn’t grind his erection into her—not that she would have minded—and didn’t grope her. Hell, his hands didn’t leave her arms. Even when she wanted to tug him closer and plunge her tongue into his mouth, she held back, not wanting to ruin this Hallmark moment.

  Fish would be proud. This was the kind of kiss, the kind of man she’d talked about before... before her injury. This was what Brooke wanted for her best friends.

  She loved them like crazy, but she really didn’t want to think of them right now with the epitome of the perfect man standing in her space, making love to her mouth like she was as delicate as spun glass.

  Drew ran his hands up her arms and placed them on her shoulders, giving her a soft squeeze before moving his lips away from hers.

  “How was that?”

  “I think... if she doesn’t know you’re interested after you kiss her like that, she’s gotta be a fool.”

  “One more bit of advice I need from you then.” Drew’s gaze dropped to her lips and she couldn’t help but lick them. “I’m not very experienced in these things.”

  “I think you’ve done an outstanding job so far.”

  “I don’t know what else to do after laying it on the line.” He rubbed her shoulders, and she wanted to melt into him. “How do I know if she’s interested in me?”

  “I guess it depends on the girl.”

  Drew cocked an eyebrow, and she bit the inside of her cheek to hold back her grin.

  “What does it depend on?”

  “Well, some girls are pretty straightforward with what they want. Others like to play shy and get a thrill from the chase.”

  “Let’s say she’s the straightforward type. How will I know if she’s i
nterested?”

  “For starters, she wouldn’t knee you in the balls after you kissed her.” Drew scrunched his face as if in pain. She so wasn’t cut out for this flirting thing. “She’d kiss you back.” Boring answer.

  “And that would mean she was interested?”

  “She might press her body into yours.” Brooke inched closer until they were touching thigh-to-thigh. “Maybe drape her arms around your shoulders like this.” She did so and played with the hair at the back of his neck.

  “Anything else?”

  “What else do you want?”

  “I don’t know. I guess it depends on what she wants.”

  “How will she know how much you want?”

  “I don’t think there’s much hiding that fact.”

  Brooke grinned and pressed her body up against his. “Pretty hard to hide your... interest, huh?”

  “I don’t want to rush her or scare her off.”

  “A good sign you’re not scaring her away is if she takes her shirt off.” Screw it, she couldn’t play coy and innocent any longer. While she loved the flirting games, she really wanted to get down to business with Drew.

  No, she wanted so much more than that. And it scared her half to death. In one quick swoop, she tugged her shirt off and flung it across the kitchen.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Drew had never been the flirting type. His dates and relationships were nice, pleasant affairs and rarely was there drama or intense emotions. This thing between him and Brooke, though, was something fierce.

  He’d planned on taking things slow, real slow, but she stood in his kitchen in nothing but her bra and shorts and he didn’t know if he could do the gentlemanly thing and ignore what she was offering.

  “Hell.” He took her mouth between his lips, forgetting his manners, and cupped her ass, molding her body into his. The kiss was more intense than the first, but still playful. He nipped at her bottom lip and left a trail of kisses down her neck and across her shoulder blade.

  Toying with her bra strap, he let it drop her arm and kissed the newly naked shoulder. “Brooke,” he moaned. He didn’t know what else to say. There were no words. She was the most interesting, determined, strong woman he’d ever met. And damn, she was sexy.

  “The kitchen counter works for me... unless you want to move this party to the couch. Or the bed,” she panted.

  Groping a beautiful woman in his kitchen was unfamiliar territory for him. “Where would you be more comfortable?”

  “Comfort of that sort isn’t what I’m looking for right now.”

  The growl erupting from his throat startled him as well as Brooke. He worked his hands to the back of her bra, unfastening it when the doorbell rang.

  They both paused, and he lifted his mouth from her neck to look into her dark eyes to see if she heard it, too.

  “Expecting company? Maybe that person you’re interested in?”

  He glared at her and placed a swift, hard kiss on her sassy lips. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  “You’re packing heat, you know.” Brooke nodded toward his groin.

  If he stood there much longer staring at her flawless skin, his heat would never go away. Seeing his glass of water on the table, he took a healthy gulp and adjusted himself as he stumbled to the front door. He waited a beat until the bell rang again before he opened the door.

  “Katie? What are you doing here?” She wore a bright smile and held a box stamped with the logo of his favorite bakery in Portsmouth.

  “Katie?” Brooke asked from behind him. He swiveled around, impressed she’d righted herself so quickly. “Guess you did have another interest,” she said, her face hard yet emotionless.

  “Brooke, this is my sister Katie. Katie, Brooke.” He watched as her features softened.

  “Of course. I recognize you from the picture in the dining area.”

  “Brooke.” His sister entered, followed by Glen. “It’s lovely to meet you. This is my husband Glen.”

  “Nice to meet you both.” She toyed with the hem of her shirt, appearing almost nervous. Something he’d never witnessed in Brooke before. “I’ll get out of your way and let your family visit.”

  Drew reached for her hand. “Stay.”

  “Oh, please don’t leave on our account. We didn’t realize Drew had company. Birthday dinner?”

  “It’s your birthday?”

  “No.” Drew scowled at his sister and softened when he returned his attention to Brooke. “It was. It’s over.”

  “Two days ago. The gods were in our favor and actually gave Glen and me a slow week. I called you a couple of hours ago to tell you we were on our way. We can always stay at a hotel or something if you...” Katie’s grin grew even larger as she wiggled her eyebrows and looked from Drew to Brooke.

  He felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. “You can stay here.”

  “Can I bring in the present?” Glen asked, still standing in the doorway.

  “No presents,” Drew groaned.

  “You’re going to love this one, little brother.”

  “Is he always so pissy about his birthday or was this the big one? I’d say the big five-oh, but you called him little brother and you’re so not older than thirty, unless that’s a joke between you two.”

  “I like her. Here.” Katie handed Brooke the bakery package. “It’s a black forest cake. I don’t trust him with it. Can you hold on to it for a second?”

  “Brooke doesn’t like chocolate. It’s safe.”

  Katie belted out a dramatic gasp. “Doesn’t like chocolate, and you allowed her into your house?” She placed a hand over her heart and pretended to breathe heavily.

  “I’d say she’s the perfect match. I don’t have to worry about her stealing my desserts.”

  “I like strawberry rhubarb pie and Helen’s snickerdoodles. Those oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies are to die for as well, so you’re not totally safe from me.”

  “I really like her. You should keep her.”

  “Does he have a secret dungeon downstairs where he locks women up and uses their screams as inspiration for his books or something?”

  “He does have a twisted mind, doesn’t he? I’ve never heard screams at night, but there’s always the shed. You know, now that I think about it...” his sister tapped her lips with her finger, “the villain in his second book had a torture chamber in his garage.”

  Drew clenched his teeth at their teasing. The more he responded to it, the more his sister and Brooke continued egging him on. They were one and the same in that manner.

  “Did the kids come up with you?” he asked to change the subject.

  “They’re passed out in the car. Conked about a half hour ago. I’ll go get them.” Glen chuckled as he handed him a giant box before he left.

  “What the hell is this?” Drew asked, carrying it to the kitchen and setting it on the table.

  “Your birthday present.”

  “You know I don’t like presents.”

  “Since when have I ever listened to you?”

  “Good point.” She’d been a decent older sister growing up, never picking on him too much. Katie was the math and science geek, loving school and learning, while Drew preferred to play with his Legos or read comic books.

  It wasn’t until they started going to the Shermans’ summer camp that he began his love of the outdoors. From there, the stories formed as he played in the woods and climbed trees. His imagination was as active as his body.

  “Happy birthday, Uncle Dew,” Toby screamed, running through the kitchen and trapping Drew’s legs in a bear hug.

  “Thanks, buddy.” He picked up his nephew and gave him a big squeeze. “Mom says you took a snooze in the car. You ready for some cake now?”

  “Yes!” he shouted.

  Katie ruffled Toby’s blond hair. “You haven’t had dinner yet.”

  “It’s too late for dinner anyway. Cake and then a show and bed. We’ll go out on the boat in the morning.” Drew kissed his c
heeks and set the squirming boy down.

  “Happy day,” Vanessa, in all her four-year-old adorableness, said as she entered the kitchen holding Glen’s hand.

  “Thanks, munchkin.” Drew squatted down to her height and welcomed another hug. He loved his niece and nephew more than the world. Two perfect human beings who could do no wrong in his book.

  “Mommy got you a cake.”

  “Did she get my favorite cake?” Vanessa nodded and rubbed her eyes. “Do you want to share it with me?” She nodded again.

  “Open your present! Uncle Dew, open your present!” Toby jumped up and down and clapped his hands in excitement.

  Drew tilted his head up and noticed the three adults surrounding him and his little tribe. For a moment there he forgot about the pressures of the tall people and relaxed in the innocence of the munchkins who looked up to him.

  “Uncle Dew?” Brooke leaned a hip against the counter, a wicked gleam in her eye.

  “When Toby was a toddler, he couldn’t say Drew. So Dew it was and Dew it’s stayed.” Glen took out a pocketknife and handed it to Drew.

  “That’s cute.”

  He was glad Brooke thought so, but a little worried about how entertained she was by his family’s excitement. He straightened and took the pocketknife. Might as well get this out of the way.

  “Toby, Vanessa, this is Uncle Drew’s friend, Brooke. Can you say hi?” His sister picked up Vanessa and held her close to Brooke.

  “You have short hair like a boy,” his niece said.

  Instead of being offended, Brooke burst out in laughter. “It is short, isn’t it? But I like it. I love your long hair, though. It’s beautiful. Did your mommy do your braids for you?”

  Vanessa nodded and Drew stood frozen in admiration as he watched the two interact.

  “Some days she begs me to, other days I have to pin her down to get her mop of curls into any sort of semblance.”

  “I never learned to braid, which is why it’s so much easier for me to keep my hair short.”

  Last week, when she was trying to offer him comfort, she told him about losing her mom and living with a disengaged grandmother. Brooke had mentioned no other family members. No matter how much his sister drove him batty or his parents meddled in his personal life and career, he knew he always had their love and support—something Brooke never had.