Keeping Her Close: A Slow Burn Standalone

by Casey Diam

  She plopped down on her couch and popped one of the truffles into her mouth, savoring the creamy chocolate. Oh, shit—she hadn’t even read the ingredients. She flipped the box over and relaxed when she didn’t see any traces of nuts. That was close. But something told her Brandon had already thought of that.

  For the rest of the day, Jordan found relaxation the only way she knew how: by sketching. When she went to bed that night, she had the satisfaction of adding a few potential designs to her spring collection.

  The next morning, Jordan awoke missing Brandon’s kisses, though she’d had a better night’s sleep. With him on her mind, she texted, using something she needed from his place as an excuse.

  Jordan: My iPad is at your house.

  Brandon: Yeah, I know. It’s on my nightstand.

  Brandon: It’s one a.m. here.

  Jordan: Oh! I’m sorry. Did I wake you?

  Brandon: No, my body is still on Los Angeles time. I can’t sleep.

  Jordan: That sucks . . . can I swing by your place and get my iPad? I need it for a lunch meeting.

  Brandon: Yeah, of course.

  She got into his house without any problems. The maid must have cleaned up the mess from the party, because everything was spotless, but lonely without Brandon. She headed to his dresser, pulled out one of his folded T-shirts, and held it to her nose, breathing him in.

  Jordan: I’m taking one of your shirts.

  Brandon: Which shirt?

  Jordan: Your favorite one.

  Brandon: You don’t know my favorite shirt.

  Jordan: It’s navy blue and green, and it says Cool Kid on the front.

  Brandon: Damn, I love that shirt.

  Jordan grinned. She knew it had to be one of his regular shirts since it was on the top, but now it was her favorite shirt. It was the shirt he’d had on the first night she’d slept over, the night he’d cried in her arms. One of the many nights she’d fallen a little more for Brandon Kuvat. Though she knew they had challenges ahead, falling didn’t seem quite so scary or unwise now.

  Her phone rang, and she answered as she sat on the edge of his bed and lay back, clasping his shirt to her chest.

  “This is so weird because I have your shirt with me right now,” Brandon said, his deep voice soothing. “Good thing I didn’t have to go through customs, because I don’t know how I would have explained your tiny pink camisole.”

  “Are you serious?” She knew she’d left it with a few other things in his closet, but she hadn’t expected him to take it. “Guys don’t do that!”

  “Well, I thought about taking your underwear, but that would be a little creepy.”

  Jordan laughed. God, she missed him.

  “I would only have to make one call to get you on a jet over here. What do you say?”

  “Hmm, that you’re crazy, but maybe next time. I have some things to take care of the next few days.”

  Jordan bit her lip before asking, “Why didn’t you call or text me after I left the engagement party?”

  “Because I knew you wouldn’t have answered.”

  “You didn’t know that.”

  “Would you have answered?”

  “No,” she huffed. “But you stole the satisfaction I would have gotten from not answering your call.”

  Brandon laughed.

  “Shut up, it would have made me feel better.”

  “I’m sorry, beautiful. How about I hang up now and call you back so you can ignore my call.”

  “It’s not the same.”

  “I know, but it’ll make you feel better.”

  He caught on fast.

  “Fine. Talk to you later.”

  She stared at her phone as it vibrated, then smiled as she pressed answer. “Hello?”

  “Hey, sweetheart, I’m so glad you answered. I’m just checking in to make sure you got home safe, and also to tell you I’m sorry for fucking everything up. I’m an idiot sometimes, and I may make some more mistakes along the way before I can be the man you deserve, but I promise we’ll get through this together. And whether or not you’re pregnant with our baby, there’s no one else I would rather do this with.”

  Tears filled her eyes, and this time they weren’t from sadness.

  The guests’ attire blended nicely with the Christmas decorations at the cancer charity’s annual event, and the sea of red and green made it that much harder for Brandon to spot the one person he wanted to find. He still couldn’t believe Jordan had agreed to be his date tonight after their fight and him leaving to close a deal in another country. But she’d said she’d be here, so even as he’d given his speech, he’d scanned the crowded room for her. He still couldn’t see her anywhere.

  “Incredible words,” an overweight, older man told him.

  Brandon didn’t recognize him, along with more than half the people here this evening, but that was good. It meant word was traveling and more people were supporting the cause.

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Brandon smiled genuinely as he spotted his mother approaching, a bright smile on her face. “Excuse me for a moment.”

  She hugged him. “I’m so proud of you. Thank you, sweetheart.”

  He’d dedicated his speech to his mother as living proof that money donated to cancer research was being put to good use.

  “No, thank you, Mom—for always guiding me back to the important things in life when I go off course.”

  “Now you just need to listen to me when I tell you to stop letting your past affect your future,” she said, patting the lapels of his jacket.

  Brandon knew she was talking about Hailey. She didn’t have to say it. “I know, Mom. I’m trying.”

  Brandon next encountered a middle-aged couple who wanted to discuss some of his future endeavors, but his thoughts kept straying to Jordan. She’d said she would call if she couldn’t make it. But it had been over an hour, and not even the way they’d flirted over the phone while he was thousands of miles away could quiet his mind.

  “This sale is going to free up my time to pursue other things and focus more on my real estate investment firm, but I’ll still keep ownership through stocks,” Brandon explained.

  “How much ownership are you planning to keep, if you don’t mind me asking?” The gray-haired woman asked, tucking her purse under her arm.

  “My dad and I own seventy-five percent of the company. He owns forty, and I own thirty-five. However, after I’ve sold some shares, I’ll have about fifteen-percent ownership remaining.”

  Luckily, these people had questions he could answer on autopilot, which freed his mind to stress about his woman.

  He’d been apart from her for three nights, and he needed to see her as much as he needed his next breath—if not more. Then suddenly a strange stringing together of his insides told him she was near. He could feel the pull, feel her. Brandon’s pocket vibrated, and he excused himself.

  His heart leaped at the sound of her voice, sweet and seductive—but it always was, even when she was being snappy or reproving.

  “I’m looking at all the beautiful women here. And I’m not Photoshopped like some of the models you usually go for, some of whom are here.”

  It was her teasing voice. He’d come to recognize it over the past few days. Now it was his favorite, because it meant something naughty was coming.

  “Tell me, are you happy with my body? Do I please you?”

  Taking a few steps, he turned away from the couple standing close by to whisper into his phone. “You know you do, in more ways than I can count.” He scanned the room, yearning to lay eyes on her gorgeous face.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Why not? Your body was made for me, beautiful. It’s soft, feminine, and I want to—where are you? Fuck, I’d much rather show you,” he said, keeping his voice low.

  His eyes found hers, and he shook his head when he saw her smile. Her hair was pinned up, and she wore a long, red satin dress with a black band at its waist.

  He was honored.
She’d selected him when she could have anyone. He was the flawed one, not her.

  The couple muttering to each other a few feet away obviously weren’t listening to him. He spoke into the phone. “You’re on my naughty list this year.”

  “I am? But I’ve been so good.” She slipped the tip of a fruit kabob into her mouth, removing a piece to chew on. Maybe no one else noticed her wicked intentions, but he caught on immediately, and so did his cock.

  “You’re in trouble,” Brandon said, hanging up as he marched toward her.

  A young doctor he’d met this evening stepped in front of her. Brandon’s teeth clenched. Another obstacle.

  He needed to be where he felt the closest to her, like she was his and his alone. His cock inside her was the only place. That needed to change, but for now . . . As if receiving some telepathic communication from him, she turned her head and their gazes locked. His dick pulsed; apparently, his brain wasn’t the only head prepping. He’d been longing for her company for days.

  One of the pilots who worked for Sky Fast stood near Jordan, making him the perfect decoy. As Brandon neared, he walked behind her and turned so he could brush his groin against her firm ass.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, almost didn’t see you there,” he apologized, meeting Jordan’s eyes for a second before turning to Tom, a few feet to her right.

  “Hey, Tom. How’s it going, man? I’m glad you could make it.”

  Tom took a sip of his champagne. “Of course. This place is crowded. Much bigger turnout than last year.”

  “Can I get you a drink?” the doctor asked Jordan.

  “No, thank you.”

  “We’ve come a long way, and miracles are happening every day,” Brandon said, cocking his head so he could eavesdrop on Jordan’s conversation.

  Every flirtatious remark the doctor made caused his stomach to tense. A doctor might be a far better candidate for you, but I’m trying, Jordan. For years, he’d ignored the ugliness of insecurity, but not anymore. Now he was determined to deal with it. Still, his heart clenched, knowing the woman he was falling for deserved more. So that meant he had to be more—more than he’d been in a very long time.

  “That was an inspiring speech. I’m so glad your mom was able to pull through,” Tom said. Brandon watched the man’s gaze pass over his shoulder; at the same time, a small hand touched the middle of his back and his insides thawed.

  “Excuse me,” Jordan apologized to Tom before turning her attention to Brandon. “Mr. Kuvat, when you have a moment, I have a proposition I need to speak to you about.”

  So fucking hot. Why didn’t I think of that? God, she’s fucking hot. His eyes burned into hers. “Thank you again for coming, Tom. We’ll talk soon.”

  He guided Jordan to the dance floor, placing his right hand at her lower back and holding her right hand with his left. He stared into her eyes as they swayed to the music, and in the comfortable silence between them, the lyrics of the song reached out to him.

  Miserable without her, happy when you’re with her . . .

  It hit so close to home, he couldn’t help but smile.

  Jordan’s cheeks dimpled. “What?”

  Bending down, he kissed her, forgetting that they were in public. Since their fight, they hadn’t talked further about going public and telling their friends.

  “Sorry. You were giving me that look.”

  “What look?” she asked.

  His eyes followed her tongue as it licked the lips he’d just kissed. “That one. Damn, just don’t look at me.” He slid his hand to her upper back and pressed her to his chest.

  “I guess I’ll have to look at that dude giving me the eye then.”

  Brandon sucked in a breath. He was done with uncertainty. The world needed to know they belonged to each other. Cupping her neck, he planted a possessive kiss on her lips that lasted a few seconds longer than the first. “Is he still looking?”

  With a nervous giggle, she said, “I don’t know. I’m too scared to look.”

  Brandon rubbed his thumb against her cheek. “You’re mine, and I’m tired of these guys thinking you’re single. You’re not.”

  “Neither are you.”

  “I know. My girlfriend’s right here, and I’ve been aching for that makeup sex we promised each other. I can’t wait any longer. I need to fuck you now.” Taking her hand, he all but dragged her to the grand ballroom’s exit.

  A young brunette and a significantly older man came to stand with them as they awaited the elevator. The two were dressed as if they’d been at his event, but neither said a word to him; they must be on the same mission as he and Jordan were.

  When the elevator arrived, Brandon pushed the button for the twenty-fourth floor. As if his dick wasn’t already aching to come out and play, anticipation built as he watched the numbers bringing them closer to where they needed to be. He pulled their clasped hands across his crotch so she could feel his excitement, but Jordan pulled her hand away, making him think he’d gone too far. But the next second, she cupped and massaged his cock through his pants. She continued to do it over and over, adding more pressure each time. His abs tightened, desire weakening his knees and threatening to take over.

  With the other two still in the elevator and him being ready to come in his pants, he gripped her hand, letting out a breath as the elevator stopped to let out the other passengers.

  The elevator doors slid back to the center, but too slowly for his liking. So he pinned Jordan against the wall before they’d fully closed, crushing his lips to hers with a desperate need he couldn’t fathom. His body pushed onto hers while her hands pulled the hair at his nape. Lips and tongues intertwined with a hunger their bodies fought to keep up with. He needed to have her this second, but as he gripped the sides of her dress, ready to pull up, the elevator stopped.

  Taking a ragged breath, he stepped away. “Fuck. I didn’t realize how much I missed you.”

  She linked her arm around his elbow. “Me neither.”

  Switching on the lights to the room, he tossed his jacket on the bed and led Jordan to the window, where he pulled on the curtain string to uncover the lit city before them.

  His cock jerked in excitement as his fantasies came to life. “I want the whole world to see me fucking and owning every last inch of your body. Are you ready for that?”

  Jordan turned away from the view to face him. Placing his hands on either side of her head, he kissed her hard, showing her his need for her, the desire he was dying to pour into her. But before he realized it, she’d unbuckled his pants, freeing his erection above the waistband of his briefs.

  The bed now seemed distant, but there was a couch a few feet to his right. However, before he could finish his plan, Jordan was on her knees, taking his throbbing length into her mouth.

  “Fuck.”

  She sucked on him, as greedy for him as he was for her.

  Throwing his head back, he inhaled. “Oh, fuck.”

  After flicking her tongue beneath the tip, she ran it up and down the sides, then gently nibbled on him. Taken away by her skills, he stood still, watching her. When she pulled his briefs and pants to his ankles, he thrust his hips, meeting her mouth each time. He lifted his shirt over his abdomen as lubrication from his body dripped onto her tongue.

  With his mouth agape, he watched her try to fit his full length into her throat. Seeming unsatisfied with her inability, she stood and pushed him back until he fell into the couch. Kneeling between his legs at the edge of the sofa, and still in her dress, she circled her hand around his length. Once more, he anticipated the touch of her lips.

  Looking up at him, she smiled wickedly.

  He licked his lips. “I’m speechless.”

  “Good thing we don’t have to talk right now. I would much rather partake,” she said, making eye contact with him as she blew on the tip and slid her mouth over him.

  He gasped. Shit, she was too good. How had she gotten this good? While using her hands in a clockwise and counterclockwise m
otion, she circled the head with her tongue. Bringing his hand to his mouth, he bit the back of his wrist as she moaned onto his cock.

  “Jesus, fuck!” he rasped. The intensity was as painful as it was sweet. He could let go this second if he wanted, but sensations like these needed to be prolonged. His body begged. It screamed at the crippling pressure. Then it was too much, quickly turning into a losing battle as new vibrations zipped through his balls. He was in her throat. She’d just learned that—she’d never done that before.

  “Jordan,” he begged, but she didn’t stop. She wanted him to come. It was all in the pull, and the control she’d robbed him of. His cock swelled, and she must have felt it, because the next second, she was forcing him deeper.

  “Holy fuck, Jordan. I’m gonna—ah, fuck,” he groaned as his body released everything.

  Sated, when he could breathe normally again, he touched her face. “I didn’t want to come yet. Why did you do that?”

  A sexy smile spread across her lips. “I wanted to show the world who owns who.”

  He laughed. “You think you’re so funny.”

  “You laughed, didn’t you?”

  The sarcasm on those lips.

  “I love you,” he mouthed, like a coward when she looked down to slide his shoes off. “Don’t think that’s all I have in me,” he continued. “It’s the beginning of the night we’re about to have. I just, can you get me some water first, please?”

  Jordan giggled as she stood. “You just got owned; admit it.”

  Brandon chuckled. “Who are you, and what have you done with my girlfriend?” He’d thought he would need to get used to the idea of having a girlfriend, but with Jordan, it felt natural. Right. Good. He didn’t need to be armored with her. She could have his heart. She already has my heart.

  She handed him a bottle from the minifridge before sliding her dress up over her hips and exposing sheer black underwear. She straddled his lap, and all he could do was stare in awe.