“I don’t think you’re crazy.” His voice was soft.
I turned to face him, “You don’t?”
“I think you’re amazing. You had a brain injury. It’s common for parts of the brain to not remember trauma. It’s also normal for an injured brain to come up with its own reality. There’s nothing happening right now that’s not normal. I promise.” He cupped my cheek. “You’re talking about my job. I study the brain, and yours has been through a lot.” He leaned closer. “Please don’t ever feel like you can’t tell me something.”
“Ok.” I let my gaze dip. “I think you’re pretty amazing too,” I murmured as I refused to look up.
I heard him swallow. I heard him shift in the seat. I heard every movement that happened over the next few seconds. It was a memory that I’d hold onto for years to come. Aside from our morning on the beach, this was the next most important moment. Blake leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. This wasn’t the sweet innocent kiss we shared on the beach. This was Blake kissing my soul. His head tipped to the side as his tongue ran across the seam of my lips. I let him in. I let him in willingly as I sighed and leaned closer. It was like my body knew exactly what it wanted, and it wanted Blake.
We moved closer as his fingers threaded in the hair on the back of my head. I braced myself on the seat as I leaned in. His tongue licked at the inside of my mouth softly, swiping and exploring. He was nothing like Warren. Warren was all business and never romance. Blake was showing me that I was in control. He never pushed further; never tried to touch me. He groaned as I pressed myself against his chest, looping my arms around his neck. We stayed locked like that, just softly exploring one another’s mouths until finally he pulled back. “I need to stop while I still can,” he mumbled as he righted himself in his seat. “Let’s go get that tree before I change my mind.”
“Sure.” I smiled.
“God, you’re beautiful. I don’t even think you know how beautiful, and that makes it even more dangerous,” he growled as he shifted the truck in drive and pulled out onto the road. oooooooo
Blake
As I drove out of town, I kept glancing over at her. I tried to take as many peeks as I could without her noticing. I didn’t want to scare her, but I couldn’t help myself. There was still a blush on her cheeks from our kiss, and every once in a while, she’d get this far away look. I wondered if she was thinking of me like I was of her.
It didn’t take us long to reach the tree lot. It was a small lot in front of a local farm that was right outside the city limits. It was one of those places that you’d drive right by if you didn’t know about it. “We’re here.” I smiled as I made the final turn into the gravel parking lot. There was a tractor parked off to the side of the freshly plowed driveway and lot.
“Carson’s Tree Farm. I’ve never heard of this place.” Brooke leaned forward and read the name off the sign a few feet away.
“I’ve been getting Donna’s trees here for the last few years. Old man Carson was happy to donate one when he found out what Donna was doing for everyone at the house.” I climbed out of the truck, and pulled my coat tighter around me. The wind was blowing snow, and the ground was slippery. I made my way to Brooke’s door, helped her out, and then led her over to where the trees were. “We get our pick of any of these with a red tag.” I pointed to a row near the back. They were all around eight feet tall.
“Will this fit in the house?” Brooke tipped her head back to look up at the tree. Snow started falling again and began landing on her eyelashes.
“Sure.” I laughed. “The house has ten-foot ceilings.”
“Oh.” Her mouth formed a little O and she looked slightly embarrassed.
“Which one do you like?” I motioned to several in front of us.
“This one has a nice shape.” She smiled as she reached out and ran her fingers down one of the branches. She drew her hand back quickly. “That one pricked me.”
“That is the difference between real and fake.” I couldn’t help but grin. “Does this mean you don’t like the real ones?”
“They smell good.” She leaned closer to the tree.
“Just wait until we get this in the house. The whole house will smell like it.” I waved to one of the farmhands who was standing a little ways away. “We’ll take this one.” I pointed to the tree Brooke had picked out.
He nodded as he moved close. “Would you like it wrapped?”
“Yes.” I reached for Brooke’s hand and started leading her over to where we parked.
“Wrapped?” Her nose scrunched up.
“They put netting around it. It makes it easier to carry and get in the house.” I pointed to the machine that our tree was currently being shoved through.
“Oh. That makes sense.” She nodded before glancing at the truck. “Won’t the needles scratch up your brother’s truck?”
“Nah, and if they do, he owes me.” I laughed as she frowned. “Something wrong?” I was confused. Why would she care about me scratching Cal’s truck?
“No, it’s just that he was nice to let you use it. I wouldn’t want to mess it up or anything.” She shrugged.
“Cal has broken plenty of things that were mine. I’m not worried.” I chuckled as the farmhand tossed the tree in the back, and I helped Brooke
