Free The Taste of Mr. Davenport by Jessica Ingro Page A

proud of you,” her mother said softly as she gave her a hug.
    “Love you, peanut,” her father whispered during his embrace.
    She turned to Brian, and his arm wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her into his side. She rested her head on his chest, remembering just what all those muscles felt like when they were unclothed.
    “I was actually going to wait until later to do this, but I can’t wait any longer,” Brian said and moved to stand in front of Claire. “I’ve known how special you were since the first night we met. I’m honored that you gave me a chance and I want to tell you that I love you more than anything.”
    Movement behind Brian caught Claire’s attention, so she was shocked when she realized Brian had dropped to a knee in front of her. He took her hand and started speaking, but Claire didn’t hear any of it because Carter stood behind him staring at her with a look of intensity in his eyes, his face and the way he held himself. In his arms were a dozen roses. She blinked, unable to comprehend fully that he was here—in front of her.
    “Carter, what are you doing here?” She asked, making Brian stand up in a huff and block her from Carter’s view.
    “You need to leave,” Brian demanded with more authority than she had ever heard him use before.
    “I’m here to speak with Claire. Not you. Claire, can we have a moment alone?”
    Her heart leapt at the thought of being with him again, even as her head screamed to send him away. There had to be a reason he was here and the curious side of her was ruling out the reasonable side.
    “Brian, it will be fine. I should at least hear him out.” Claire stepped around him and squeezed his hand reassuringly. He made a sound of protest, but let her walk the few feet away to where Carter waited for her.
    “What is this?” Claire demanded. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year and now you’re here with flowers. I don’t get it.”
    “I know. I… I couldn’t stay away any longer. I need you, Claire. I love you. I’m a fucking fool for waiting this long. I tried to forget you. I really did, but I can’t. Please tell me that there is some way you can forgive me. And God, please tell me you aren’t going to marry him.”
    “And what if I am?” Claire raised her chin defiantly. Inside, she was quaking at his speech, but outwardly she was portraying a calm she didn’t know she could channel. How could he leave her for all this time and then expect her to come back to him just like that? She might be young, but she was no fool. Not anymore anyways.
    Carter looked down at his feet and then back up at her. “If you can honestly tell me that you don’t love me anymore, then I’ll walk away and never look back. But if there is even a shred of hope for us, I’m going to wear you down. This isn’t over unless you tell me right now that there is no chance whatsoever.”
    “Claire, is everything all right?” Her father asked as he joined them. “You’re Elise’s father, right? What do you want with my daughter?”
    “I love her,” Carter responded and Claire’s stomach dropped like she was on a roller coaster. It felt marvelous, even though she hated to admit it. Hearing him assert his feelings to her father meant everything to her. It was a little too late though.
    Her father, however, looked confused and disgusted all at once.
    Carter turned back to her and gave her a sad grin. “Think about what I said. I’ll be staying at the Marriott until I hear from you.”
    He handed her the roses and walked away. Claire looked from Carter to Brian and had no idea what she was going to do. One thing was for sure. She needed some time alone to decide.
    Brian wasn’t happy about what happened with Carter. First, his proposal was ruined, and secondly, he loved Claire and wanted Mr. Davenport far away from her. She was a broken shell of a woman when they connected, and he didn’t want that for her ever again. He left her with the ring, and a promise