Page 42 of On Her Terms

“What? Can’t a guy kiss his fiancée?”

“You can kiss her all you like, once I see that ring on her finger,” James says, and Brianna’s body tightens.

She worries her top button again as I pull the wine from the fridge. I fill Brianna’s glass and then Summer’s. “Beer?” I ask Tate.

“Sure, I’m not driving.”

I hand Tate a beer and pour myself a soda. “I’ll be driving James home, so I’m switching.”

“I don’t need you driving me,” James says with a snarl. “I can walk.”

“I’m driving you,” I say, and give him a hard look that lets him know this isn’t up for debate. When I turn back to Brianna, she’s smiling at me. So warm, soft and appreciative, it’s like a shot of adrenaline to the heart.

“Fine then,” James says. “If you like driving so much, tomorrow I’ll let you drive the golf cart. Tee off is at eleven. Don’t be late.”

“You’re going golfing?” Brianna asks.

I open my mouth to tell her no, but James pipes in. “Of course he is. I want all of my sons on the course with me.”

James considers me his son.

A knot clogs my throat and my heart wobbles a little. I haven’t been anyone’s son in a long time, and dammit I like the sound of that.

“If the guys are golfing, why don’t we plan a girls’ day?” Summer says. “I’ll text Cara and Amber. They went to the spa last time we were here and they loved it.” She pulls her phone from her back pocket and shoots a text off to her friends.

Brianna looks at me, and while I want to spend all my time with her, I hold my hands up in surrender, pretty sure I’m not getting out of golfing with James, and that an interrogation as to our wedding plans might be on his agenda.

We continue to play the game, until James wins. As he gloats a little, Brianna yawns. It’s been a long day, and I promised her a good night’s sleep tonight.

Reading the room, Summer stretches. “We should probably get going, Tate. I’m getting sleepy.” She turns to Brianna. “Don’t forget all the girls are staying together at Raydolins tomorrow night after the rooftop cocktail party. We have four adjoining suites booked for us, so we can hang out and then get ready together in the morning. It will be fun to spend the day together, then watch some chick flicks at night.” She grins at Tate. “With no one complaining.”

“That’s right,” Brianna says. “The groom can’t see the bride before the wedding.”

Tate finishes his beer and stands. “All right. Come on, Granddad. I’ll help you into the car.”

James grumbles under his breath, finishes his brandy and stands. Summer packs the game back up and puts it in her bag as Brianna clears the glasses and takes them to the sink.

“Luca, I forgot. I have your suit jacket,” Summer says. “You left it at the restaurant after our bridal party dinner. It’s back at our place. I keep forgetting to give it to you.”

“Right. I forgot about that. I’ll get it from you later.” I step up to Brianna, run my hands along her arms. “Leave the dishes. I’ll do them tomorrow.”

She turns to me and smiles. “Thanks for driving Granddad. It’s a long way for him to walk.”

“Why don’t you crawl into bed. I’ll be back soon,” I say, torn about leaving her when I’d like to undress her and put her between the sheets myself.

“Okay,” she says.

“You don’t need to drive me,” James grumbles again.

“Yeah, I do,” I say. Not just for him, but for myself, too. Selfish bastard that I am, I love the way Brianna looks at me when I help her grandfather out. “I’ll make sure he gets to his room.” I grab the keys and lock up behind me as Tate helps James into the passenger seat of my rental.

“We’re going to walk to the lodge to return the game,” he says as he closes the door and captures Summer’s hand. As they stroll off, I jump into the driver’s seat and back out of the driveway.

“Brianna seems very happy,” he says to me. “You seem to make her happy.”

I nod and consider the changes that have come over her since first arriving in the Alpine town. “She needed this vacation.”

“She works too hard,” he grumps.