Courage of Us by Brooke May

Author:Brooke May [May, Brooke]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781081161767
Published: 2019-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Patience

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE the barn I once knew from my childhood has been transformed into a beautiful home. The stalls have been replaced with walls, doorways, or taken out where a glorious sunk-in living room sits. I don’t see why his parents aren’t living in here instead of their three-bedroom ranch house.

I want to explore. I want to see everything I once knew transformed into this amazingly cozy country home.

I’m envious.

But I won’t overstep the reason I am here, even if it goes against every grain in my body to do so. I used to just walk in and make myself at home when I was invited into any of my friends’ homes.

Instead, I wrap my arms around myself and stay in a state of awe at the white candles scattered throughout the open space. They form a circle around a small table with two chairs and a single candle glowing between the place settings with our food waiting.

“Oh, my.” Duke’s hands wrap around my shoulder, shocking me, but that is soon replaced with warmth as he helps me remove my coat.

“Do you like it?” His whispered question brushes across the tiny hairs on the shell of my ear, causing a rippling of sensations to shoot through every part of me.

Blinking in rapid succession, I turn to look up at him.

“It’s beautiful.”

Ease settles across his strong features as he runs the pad of his rough thumb against my chin. “It is nothing compared to you, Patience. Come on, let’s eat before our food gets cold.” Reaching down, he takes my hand and guides me over to my seat.

“Thank you.” After pushing my seat in, he makes his way around to his chair. Honey-smoked salmon with garlic mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables are set out before us. “One of my favorite dinners.” My wide smile instantly melts more of the tension surrounding Duke.

“I know.” Cutting into his salmon, he slowly takes a bite. His eyes never leave mine.

How can eating be so sexy?

“Enjoy, Patience.” He flicks his fork in my direction. Gently, I pick up my fork and knife. The salmon crumbs as my knife pierces it, and it melts against my tongue as I wrap my mouth around the delicious bite. “Fuck.” He hisses under his breath, but I can barely hear him as I moan around my fork.

This is amazing.

“Sorry.” My blush is crimson. I’ve never been embarrassed around him before.

“I should be the one apologizing.” He laughs.

“This is weird, isn’t it?” Setting my fork down, I pick up the glass of water to take a long drink.

“It is a little awkward.” He mirrors my action. “I don’t know what to ask you first. Asking how you’ve been the last seven years seems a little—”

“Rude? Strange? Wrong?” Take your pick.

“Yes.”

“Well, I guess we could start there.” I reclaim my fork. “My life has been one giant test of my nerves and emotions. I should have never married Greg.” I look down at my food in shame.

“Then why did you?”

Shit.

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