He stood leaning into the door waiting for her to open it wider, which she was reluctant to do.
“What do you want Montgomery?” She said it as nicely as she could.
“I came to talk to you Lila, and to apologize. It will only take a moment… Please.”
It was the please that let her do it. It seemed as if it were almost painful for him to say, probably rarely in his life had he had to use the word please before. She glanced around her apartment apprehensive to whatever he would say about how she lived. She stood waiting with her arms crossed.
He looked around the room, smiling. “I like your place Lila, especially the books.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere Montgomery.” She relaxed slightly, though, despite her nonchalant attitude.
“Right, so can I at least have a seat or…?” He trailed off, waiting as she gestured to the chair behind him.
“Since when do you need an invitation Montgomery?” She settled across from him.
She felt his eyes travel over her, and she instantly felt the heat rise up her face.
“True that sweetheart. Listen, I came to apologize. None of that went the way I wanted it to. I just worry about Eric that’s all. Contrary to what you may think I didn’t plan any of that, at all.”
He seemed genuine enough. “Fine I appreciate you apologizing, I have no intention of telling him about the kiss. Truth is I have no ulterior motive where Eric is concerned, we just enjoy each other.”
She saw his eyes close slightly and his hands grip the chair slightly. What had she said this time?
“Good, that was all I wanted to know.” He made no move to get up.
“How did you know, about my … uh, work?”
He glanced up at the artwork on her wall. “I did a background check on you, did some research.”
“Seriously Montgomery?!” She stood up angrily. He shrugged with a half-smile.
“Like I said, I was concerned. Although I will suggest you move your mother, at least to the east wing. I know they have done a lot of renovations there and it is quite lovely.” He glanced back down at her, noticing her face was red from embarrassment.
“I will look into that Braden than you.” Her words were clipped, her embarrassment was obvious.
“I didn’t mean to be insulting Lila, I just say what I am thinking sometimes, I’m afraid I don’t have Eric’s ability to internalize things.”
“It's fine.” She was recovered now.
“My mother dies when I was young. Sometimes I get a bit of perfume here and there, and I am reminded of her. Aside from the pictures I don’t remember her very much.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, when my father died, it was hard on everyone. My mother has never really recovered.”
They both sat lost in the moment.
“You have a lot of Austen I see, no Bronte?” He changed the subject easily, moving over to her bookshelf.
“Yes, Bronte is my favorite, just much harder to find.” She smiled up at him, the most genuine he had ever received yet. She moistened her lips subconsciously as she watched his gaze, looking down and focus on the fullness of her mouth.
He smiled slightly and turned his attention back to the array of novels in front of him. “It’s a nice collection Lila.”
“Thanks.” She moved to make her coffee. “Care for some coffee?” She knew it would be rude not to offer.
“No, I am fine; I have to ask you something though.” He turned to walk into the kitchen where she was. She felt him move close enough to her that she could smell his cologne and she glanced up at him taking a deep breath in the process.
“Sure, what is it?” She took a sip of the hot brew.
“You books, do you sell a lot of them, and how does someone who loves Austen, start writing… well that?” He looked down at her amused.
She felt her face flush as she turned to face him. “I just did a lot of reading growing up, wrote a story and someone picked it up. Since then it helps supplement my income.” Stuck she couldn’t pass him, not without brushing against him, which she refused to do. “I guess there isn’t much you don’t know about me is there?”
“Do you write from your own experiences?” He let his gaze travel her face, waiting for an answer.
“I met your sister today.” She changed the subject abruptly.
“My what?” His demeanor changed quickly, and she took the opportunity to slip by him.
“Nicole, I ran into her and we are going to lunch.” She moved into the living room.
He ran his hand through his hair, frowning. “I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.” He wasn’t sure if he had said it out loud.
“Oh no, not this again, look Eric is leaving for a couple of months and I don’t really have any friends in Brighton. It’s a chance to make one.”
“I’m just saying, she can be a challenge to hang around with.”
“I know I’m poor Braden, I know she isn’t. I also know she is beautiful and I am just… me. I didn’t say we were besties; I am just trying to be nice.” She was louder now.
He moved out of the kitchen and into the room until he stood in front of her. “I don’t care about money nearly as much as you think, and yes, she is beautiful, but so are you Lila, I thought I made that clear the last time I saw you.”
His head was above hers, his mouth was close, too close. She knew if he kissed her, she wouldn’t resist, and this time they were in her apartment. She felt his fingers graze her neck, moving her hair back slowly. She knew her heart was beating wildly, knew that he could feel it. He leaned down gingerly kissing her eyelids and nose, before dropping a quick kiss on her upturned mouth. He leaned forward even more until his mouth rested just under her ear.
“We both know if I kiss you the way I want to, I’ll carry you into that room, and make love to every inch of you and bring your stories to life. I’m going to go before we cross a line, we can’t come back from.” He whispered it against her skin, letting his mouth graze her cheek as he finally pulled away from her.
She felt her hands tremble as he moved away from her and towards the door. He gave her one last look, flicking his eyes over her from head to toe, before leaving and shutting the door behind him. Once she heard the click of the door, she finally exhaled slowly. He had meant every word, and she believed him. The only surprise would have been realizing that she was a virgin.
The thought gave her a smile as she settled into her work once more. She couldn’t stop the fire he had created within her. She slipped into bed, sighing as she tried to sleep and stop her mind from focusing on him, and his touch. Soon she was drifting….
Everything was hot, so hot. The light in the room was dim, keeping her wondering where he had gone. She felt the humid heat in the room, making her body tremble anxiously as she waited for him. She felt him then, his mouth kissing the back of her neck, slowly biting her shoulders, making her jump. She leaned into him, feeling the roughness of his chest against her back. He moved to cup her breasts in his hands, the white mounds overflowing in his hands. She moaned as he rolled each nipple between his thumb and finger, pulling and tugging them lightly until they stood at attention.
She felt him push her down then, until she was on all fours facing the bed. In the heat she panted, waiting for his next move. She felt the cold on her back like a whip, as he slowly slid the ice down her spine, making her body arch in resistance. His mouth followed the rivets of water as they ran down her back, cooling her off slightly. She felt him move her then sliding in between her legs and pushing them forward slightly, as he entered her from behind. Slowly filling her up. He hit her, with just enough force to sting, leaving his handprint on her backside. He loved it, the intake of air as he hit her a second time.
She leaned back into him, taking all that he could give her. He moved slowly at first, pushing further in with each thrust. Filling her even more than the last. She whimpered, her breath coming in short pants, moving with him as he methodically pumped into he
r over and over. His movements faster now, the slick sound of their bodies moving together, making her even more aware of how he took control.
“Yessssss.” She wailed up to him as she moved on his ample length. She felt his movements stop, as she took over moving and riding the length of him. It was her release, and she knew what she wanted.
He allowed her the luxury of being in control, but only for a moment. Soon she felt her body move as he picked her up, carrying her with him until she was on her side, carefully pushing into her once more, this time holding her legs tightly together. The pressure of him was a mix of painful and exciting. She couldn’t move, she was held in that place as he moved, taking her body into his own control.
He slowed down, then, taking long strokes, each one bringing out a whimper in her as she wanted to find release. He took pity on her then, moving her leg up so that he could slip his hand down lower and lower, until he rubbed his thumb and forefinger over her tiny bud of excitement. She felt the waves climbing higher and higher as he pumped into her, and his fingers moved on her. First one wave came crashing over her and then another. She yelled out his name as she crested that peak exploding into a thousand colors, in a way that only he could do to her.
“Braden.” She moaned it out loudly, her eyes fluttering open as she found herself floating on the fragments of her orgasm.
She looked down at her body, still groggy from the dream. She still had one hand on the wet heat of her excitement, her fingers numb from their busy morning. She was panting still, all of it being too real for a dream. He was invading her dreams now, leaving her in a mess, literally.
Chapter 10
Braden
“I don’t think you should spend time with her, that’s all I am saying.” Braden was less than amused as he watched Nicole spin around in her chair as she got ready for a date.
“Braden, I am a big girl, I will be friends with whoever I like, besides, what harm can come of it. Eric may marry this girl or something, we both only want what’s best for him, after all.”
He felt a sick feeling in his stomach over the idea. “I hardly think that’s possible, I am just saying be nice to her Nicole, I mean it.”
She narrowed her eyes as she watched him leave the room. “Someone is certainly feeling something over the little mouse.”
He made his way to his apartments in the mansion. He had elected to live here, despite the fact that he conducted business somewhere else at all times. Having his own wing gave him more than enough privacy, and it helped him to keep an eye on Nicole’s mother, and all of her scheming ways. She had always had something up her sleeve, Braden had known it from the door. In fact, her disapproval of him helped the arrangement with Nicole come to fruition. She had forbidden them from any kind of relationship, and he had gone out of his way to convince Nicole to go against her wishes. It seemed like forever ago now. He had no idea that his best friend was in love with her when it had happened.
Eric was around all the time, it was normal that he spent time there. Naturally, when he met Nicole he had been infatuated with her. She was beautiful, almost painfully so, and Eric had been sucked into the fairy tale idea of a life together. Always quiet, never sharing his feelings Braden hadn’t known how Eric truly felt about Nicole. The minuet he did he ended it with her, and she, in turn, had ended it with Eric, breaking his heart.
Had Braden not been so hell bent on pissing off his father’s wife, Nicole would have focused on Eric, and not him. He carried that weight with him all the time. Now there was Lila, and he felt the familiar patterns falling to place, only this time he could stop it. At least he thought he could. His intentions were good, but every time he was near her he wanted to touch her. What had possessed him to talk to her about his mother? He rarely opened up to people, but she was there with him, in that moment and it felt right. It was lust pure and simple it had to be, even turning to Nicole hadn’t stopped it. He would have to keep his distance from her, there was no other way. No matter how he felt.
The next few days went by quickly and he made his way to the atrium to say goodbye to Eric. Everyone was there, and he was genuinely happy for his friend. Eric always wanted more, wanted to find himself, he envied him that. His eyes found her almost immediately. She was standing by the window, laughing with Nicole, something that still bothered him. He watched Eric walk over to them, he gazes lingering for a moment on Nicole. Nicole made her way over to Braden with a smile on her face.
“Look at those two, absolutely adorable if you ask me.” She took a sip of her wine.
“Yes, they are.” He cleared his throat and made his way over to them both.
“Lila, Eric, how are you both?” He gave Lila a passing glance and pulled Eric into a hug.
Eric laughed. “I am doing well, excited about what’s around the corner.” He smiled down lovingly at Lila, pulling her closer to him.
“I bet so. I’m going to try and talk Hunter into getting some entertainment for the gala, I’ll see you both later.”
Braden looked away, focusing instead on the other people in the room. He laughed, making a comment about Aaron and some petite blond on his arm. He made his way over to see Hunter immediately working on securing this year’s entertainment.
Despite his best effort his eyes found her continuously throughout the party. She did her best to fit in, though he could tell she was uncomfortable. He wanted to go put her in his car and rescue her, but it wasn’t his place. He watched her slip away unnoticed down the hall. He couldn’t stop himself from following her.
Chapter 11
Lila
As usual, she felt the heat and interaction in the room almost overwhelming her. She waited until Eric was thoroughly involved in a conversation about mental health before finding her way of escape, slipping down the long hall away from the crowd. Eric’s life was full of things like this. One party after another, one event or medical conference where she would be on his arm. It was too much for her to take in right now.
Of course, then there was Braden. He barely noticed her all night, which was the right thing to do. She felt a surge of guilt as her thoughts drifted once more to Braden. It felt like he had some kind of hold over her, something that made her act like one of the women in her books. She needed to focus on Eric, and trying to fit into his world, he deserved that much.
“You like to run out of every party sweetheart, that isn’t such a good thing.” He raised his eyebrows and she gave him a half smile.
“Trust me, I know. Eric’s life is full of these kind of events. It is a little overwhelming.”
“Yes, it can be. You look beautiful tonight by the way.” His eyes roamed over the dark green dress which fitted her body daringly.
“Thank You. Eric chose it. He said it fit my complexion perfectly.” She failed to mention she had practically begged Eric to help her, which he did laughing the entire time.
“I’m sure.” Braden’s voice was clipped.
“Why did you follow me Braden, nothing good can come from, it you know that.” She backed up until she found a desk to lean on.
“I don’t know Lila, I don’t know why I followed you, any more than I know why I think about you constantly, or why I wonder what you are doing. None of it makes sense.” He had a pained expression on his face.
“It has to stop Braden, all of it.” She moved to pass him to go back to the party, feeling his fingers grab her elbow as she did. She spun around to face him.
The air was heavy between them, both stood unmoving for a long moment.
“I guess I found her finally.” Eric’s voice filled the silence in the room. He glanced between the two of them and gave her a weak smile.
She leaned towards him. “Yes, you did, I needed to breath for a moment. Braden was afraid I’d get lost in the maze.” She gave him a sweet smile.
“That is sweet of him.” Eric patted Braden on the back. “We should get back, I’m ready to get some sleep soon so it won’t be much longer.” He gave Lila a reassur
ing smile.
She hooked her arm in his and they made their way back into the party. She knew the tension was in the room when he had come in. She would have to talk to him, tell him. She just didn’t want to hurt him. The party managed to wind down and she found herself growing tired as Eric was still wrapping up his goodbyes.
“Hey you.” Nicole nudged her slightly. “Why don’t I take you home, Eric is coming there in the morning right?”
“Yes, as far as I know.” Lila rubbed her eyes searching for Eric. She stood and the two women made their way over to Eric.
“Hey dear, this is taking a bit longer than I had expected I’m sorry.” Eric looked at her concerned, making no mention to Nicole at her side.
“It's fine, you do everything you need to do to make this trip a good one. If you’re still coming by in the morning, maybe Nicole can just drop me at home, if that’s ok.”
“Yes, that’s a great idea, thank you, he gave Nicole a glance and turned his attention back to Lila.”
Nicole nodded back, stung slightly by his indifference. Lila could see that on her face. She frowned, obviously missing something. She hugged him goodbye, noticing Braden talking to the Dean. She made sure not to look his way as she made her way outside. Nicole was happily chatting about something and Lila did her best to listen to her.
“… Braden, you know.”
“Wait, what did you say?” Lila was listening intently now.
“Oh, nothing really, just talking about Braden. He is good to me, though he can be neglectful at times.” She shrugged.
“So you and Braden…” Lila trailed off.
“Well, yes, I thought you knew that.” Nicole laughed haughtily. “You’re lucky to have a guy like Eric, he is good, and kind. You won’t have to worry about that kind of thing with him.”
Romance: Zach (A College Bad Boy Romance) Page 38
