Seal It With A Kiss (McClellan Trilogy) by Judy Hagemann Page B

home—it wasn’t like he stopped anywhere. Why do women always think that a man can read their damn minds? Furthermore, why the hell couldn’t she have come right out and asked him what he should already know and be telling her? For that matter, if she already knew the answer to the question then why the hell didn’t she just ask what she really wanted to know? Why be so cryptic? “Fuck! This is giving me a headache!” He shouted. “I need to talk to Brooke—she’s a woman—maybe she could figure it out.”
    Brock barely knocked on the door before Luke opened it. “What do we owe this unexpected visit?”
    “I need to talk to Brooke. Is she home?”
    “Yeah, she’s in the kitchen making supper.”
    Brock pushed past Luke and headed to the kitchen without saying a word. “Why don’t you come on in?” Luke said sarcastically. “Honey—Brock’s here to see you.” He yelled as a warning.
    Brooke turned just as Brock entered the kitchen. “Hi Brock, will you be staying for supper?”
    “No, I just needed to talk to you about something.”
    “Okay, let me turn this down. Would you like a beer?”
    “Sure, I’ll get it.”
    “You look as though you have something on your mind.” She said as Luke walked in. “Here, she motioned, “Have a seat.”
    “You go ahead—I don’t feel like sitting.”
    “So, what do you want to talk to Brooke about?” Luke asked.
    “Holly.”
    “What’s going on with Holly?” Brooke asked.
    “That’s just it! I haven’t a friggin clue. Last night she invited me over for supper and when I left, everything seemed just fine, but when she came into work this morning, it was like she would have rather bitten my head off.” Brock said pacing the kitchen stopping to sample what was on the stove.
    “I don’t know her too well, but that just doesn’t sound like the Holly that I know. Did you ask her about it?” Brooke asked.
    “I tried, but when I did she turned on me and asked me if there wasn’t something that I should be telling her. The thing is, I have no idea what that something is! What is it with you women? You expect us to read your minds. I can honestly tell you that men are not that complicated. We like to eat, sleep, have a drink every now and again, and we kind of like sex. That’s the male species in a nutshell! Nothing complicated there.”
    Brooke started to laugh which only made Brock mad. “I can see you’re not going to be very helpful to me since you seem to be having a laugh at my expense. What is so damn funny anyways?”
    “Nothing, it’s just that you have been bitten. I didn’t think that confirmed bachelor Brock would ever fall this hard.”
    “I have to agree with my wife here on this one bro. I think that this Holly has cracked that hard exterior, and you, my friend, need to accept it.”
    Brock grabbed another piece of sausage out of the pan and popped it into his mouth. “But that still doesn’t tell me what the hell she thinks I need to tell her.”
    “Then you will need to go to her and ask her.” Brooke said calmly.
    “Tonight?” Brock asked.
    “Yes. Tonight. You won’t get any sleep at all if you don’t.” Brooke suggested.
    “You’re right. I’m outta here. Thanks.”
    Twenty minutes later, Brock was knocking on Holly’s front door. When she didn’t respond in the amount of time he felt was necessary to answer the door he started banging louder. He noticed a light turn on and then Holly stood in the open doorway in her robe. Brock was overwhelmed by the scent of peaches and cream when suddenly she asked, “What the hell are you doing here?”
    “I didn’t like how things ended with us today. I think we need to talk.” Brock explained.
    “Start talking then.”
    “Can I at least come in?”
    “I’ve never had to ask you before.” She said as she stepped aside.
    Brock felt as if he were on the line of a firing squad with the guns aimed and ready to shoot him. “I just need to know what has you so pissed