Page 36 of Daring Destiny
“Brennan,” she calls out as she approaches, unbothered by everyone around her. Her eyes are focused on me and only me, and it makes me feel like a million bucks.
I don’t even bother with words. Instead, I pull her close and hold her tight. Press my face into her hair to breathe in her peaches-and-cream scent. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Her arms wrap around my neck and we cling to each other like we’ve been apart for years instead of months.
Finally, she takes a step back, plants her hands on my shoulders and scans me from head to toe. “You look…different.”
I can’t help but feel a bit self-conscious, which isn’t a new feeling. My body has never been toned and chiseled like all my brothers. Connor and Seamus are former athletes and gym rats. The twins are naturally lean. Cillian works construction. I’ve always skewed sedentary, though I usually do the bare minimum to keep up appearances.
Unfortunately, I’ve been working like a maniac with barely enough time to grab fast food to eat, let alone work out. Months of skipping the gym means my shirt stretches tight across my chest and my pants are snug.
Crap. All I’ve thought about for the past twenty-four hours is how many ways I’m going to fuck Astrid this week. I didn’t factor in whether she’d still be attracted to me.
“I’ve put on a couple pounds.” I look off into the distance, not wanting to see her disappointment in my appearance.
“Hey.” Astrid cups my cheek. “That’s not what I meant. I was going to say you look happy. The past few FaceTimes worried me. You’ve been distracted. Stressed out.”
I flick my eyes to hers. To be fair, sheislooking at me like I’m a tasty treat. Inside, though, there’s a familiar tug of insecurity. Ever-present my entire dating life. I want to be the guy she deserves—the one who’s handsome, confident, and pulled together.
Sexy.
For now, I’ll settle for she likes me a little.
“Iamhappy.” I take her hand and guide us toward baggage claim. “Youmake me happy.”
“God, I hope so. Know this. I’m seven-months’ horny and I won’t wait much longer to ride your gorgeous cock.” She hip checks me. Then her expression softens. “I mean it, B. Whatever’s going on with us, you’re the man I want.”
How can she read my mind? Say exactly the right thing? I grab her giant pink suitcase off the conveyer belt and gesture toward the exit. “Well, let’s get going. I’ve got a surprise waiting for you.”
We step out of the terminal toward the parking lot. Right in front is the car I borrowed for the week—a classic, deep-blue 1975 Buick LeSabre convertible, shining like a jewel under the desert sun. It wouldn’t usually be my cup of tea, but I wanted to try something different.
Something to make Astrid smile.
And it does.
Her eyes widen as she takes in the perfectly restored muscle car. “No way.” She runs her fingers along the smooth curves as she circles around to the passenger side.
“I thought you’d appreciate it.” I lean against the hood, arms crossed, watching her reaction with pure satisfaction. “Figured we’d roll into Palm Springs in style.”
Astrid turns to me, her eyes practically glowing. “This is so fucking incredible. You ‘borrowed’this?”
“One of my coders has a thing for classic cars.” I pop the trunk and hoist her bag inside.
She’s still beaming when she slides into the passenger seat. She adjusts her sunglasses in the rearview mirror and settles in, looking every bit like a 1960s movie star. “I knew you had excellent taste, but this is next level.”
Confidence boosted, I can’t help but whistle when I hop into the driver’s seat. I turn on the ignition and the roar of the engine rumbles as I pull out of the airport and head toward the highway. The wind whips around us, pulling at Astrid’s hair. She ties on a white scarf and relaxes back into the seat with an ease that makes me feel light and happy.
Somehow, the stress of the last few months—the endless meetings and headaches from trying to integrate the damn company—fades away as we settle into the long drive.
Astrid is here. Next to me. Where she belongs.
We pull onto the wide highway leading into Palm Springs. The mountains loom in the distance as the sun starts to dip lower. Astrid leans back, her arm draped along the seat, fingers brushing through my hair like she’s done it a thousand times before. Her scarf catches in the breeze, but she doesn’t seem to care.
Her eyes are locked on mine and time stops.
The desert stretches wide and golden around us but it feels distant, like we’re in our own world. Every brush of her hand feels electric, grounding me in this moment. Assuring me nothing else matters but us.
“I hate it when you’re stressed.” Her thumb strokes my cheek. “You’re finally relaxing.”