by Audra Cole
“I’m sorry, Charity. This is just too much to process right now.”
I nod, trying to be understanding. “It is a lot. Trust me, it’s a lot for me to go through right now. I mean, you’re right. But, Ash, I love him. I can’t help how I feel. I know it’s the last thing most people would do. But Brandon and I, we aren’t most people, I guess. I want to give him, to give us, another chance.”
Ashley stops pacing and bites at her thumb nail for a moment, seeming to think. “All right. But if he hurts you again, so help me God…I will hunt him down like a dog!”
I smile and get up to go hug her. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“So, what happens next?” she asks as we pull out of a quick embrace. “If he is living here for the next few months while his mom is in treatment, does that mean he is staying with you?”
Good question.
I shrug. “I’m not really sure. I haven’t brought it up. He’s coming over to my place for dinner tonight, so I guess we will hash it all out.”
She nods, and then gets a strange look on her face.
“What?” I ask, not recognizing her expression.
“This is just so bat shit crazy. Especially for you.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. “I know. But that’s why you love me.”
“I do,” she agrees and smiles. “Well you better scoot. Hot date with a movie star and all that.”
“God that sounds weird!”
“As I said…bat shit…”
“All right, all right. I’m leaving. I’ll keep you posted!” I wave as she lets me out the front door, and I take off around the block to my townhouse.
***
The doorbell goes off as I finish pulling a pan of chicken and veggies out of the oven. I have been drooling over the smells all afternoon, and as excited as I am to see Brandon again, I’m also really excited to dig into dinner. I wipe my hands off on a kitchen towel and go answer the door.
I swing the door open and my breath catches in my throat a little at the sight of him. Even though I was expecting him, he still just about knocks me off my feet. He’s wearing a grey, long-sleeved shirt that conforms to every single defined muscle, and a pair of dark wash jeans that ride low on his hips. I try not to lick my lips as my mind races off the fantasy land. I still haven’t fully recovered from the mind-blowing night at his hotel.
“Hey handsome,” I greet him as he steps inside.
He laughs and kisses me. Fireworks explode in my stomach at his kiss and the faint woodsy smell on his skin. I run a hand along his scruffy jawline and shivers shoot down my spine. I already feel myself tightening and getting turned on. I pop up on the balls of my feet, and let him fully scoop me into his arms as the kiss deepens.
A kitchen timer goes off and snaps me back to reality.
“Sorry,” I whisper as I pull away from his lips.
“I’ll be coming back for more of that after dinner,” he says with a suggestive smile.
I flush at his words and turn to go back into the kitchen, narrowly missing the wall as I practically stumble through the doorway.
Brandon follows me into the kitchen and helps me dish out two plates. We take them out to the living room and set up on the coffee table. I don’t bother turning on the TV though, figuring we have more than enough to keep us entertained.
“So, I told Ashley, about us,” I start after swallowing my first bite.
Brandon’s eyebrows shoot up. “I bet that went over well.”
I shrug. “Not too bad, really. She did tell me that if you hurt me again she will hunt you down…like a dog, I believe were her exact words.”
He laughs and holds up his hands in surrender. “Fair enough.”
I smile and we both pick at our dinners.
“It’s not going to happen though,” he says after a minute of silence.
I look up and meet his eyes, dark green and suddenly very serious.
“I’m not going to hurt you again,” he clarifies.
My heart flips inside of my chest. I would be lying to myself if I didn’t admit that some part of me was terrified of getting hurt again, but looking into his eyes, I let that part recede to the back of my mind, and chose to trust his words instead.
“I know,” I whisper.
We hold eye contact for several beats before I look back down at my plate.
“She also wanted to know if you’re going to stay with me, or what, while you’re in town. I wasn’t really sure what to tell her.”
I look up again and he seems slightly put off that I changed the topic so abruptly, but he lets it go. “I’m open to whatever you want. I’m fine staying at the Inn long term. Money isn’t an issue, obviously. But, if you want me here, I’ll be here.”
I absorb his words and silently ask myself what I want. It’s been a long time since I shared a home with anyone, and the thought of it slightly unnerves me, but I also know that I want him close to me.
“It would be nice if you stayed here,” I offer.
He nods. “All right. Done. I’ll be here. And then, what do you think about moving to California, when it’s time for me to go back to work?”
Panic rings through my mind at his question. I hadn’t really had much of a chance to think about it, and I hadn’t mentioned that specific part to Ashley, knowing she would flip out.
“I have a really nice house, I could get you any kind of car you want. You wouldn’t have to work, if you didn’t want to. Whatever you want, it would be yours,” he added, doing his best to sway me.
For a second, I can’t help but think of the way James had proposed, telling me that he would give me a life, as if I didn’t already have one. I know Brandon doesn’t mean it that way, he is just trying to show me how easy the transition—at least physically—would be. But, still, it feels a little frustrating that I have nothing in my life, other than my friends and family, that would make it hard to uproot and move two states away, on a whim.
By now, shouldn’t I have something more? Something of my own?
I stare down at my plate again and twirl my fork around a broccoli stem.
“Sorry, Cherry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Brandon’s voice cuts through my internal wanderings.
“It’s okay. I’m not mad. Just thinking.”
“It’s a big decision. I understand.”
“It is. Let’s just take it one step at a time?”
He nods in agreement, and reaches a hand over and sets it on my leg. “You can take all the time you need.”
After dinner, he takes my plate and sets it on the coffee table. “I do have a surprise for you tonight.”
“You do?”
“Yes. So, go grab your jacket, and we will go.”
“Go? Where?” I ask.
He laughs. “That’s the surprise part.”
My mind is overrun with curiosity and I hurry to grab shoes and a jacket. Brandon takes my hand and leads me outside to his waiting car. He opens my door and gets me situated before coming around and getting in the driver’s seat. We start off towards the freeway and I figure we are going to Seattle. It’s late to be driving all the way to the city, but I’m dying to know what he has planned, so I don’t voice my concern.
We listen to the radio and talk about all the famous people Brandon knows—and has dirt on—and I laugh as he tells me all about his first commercial and how much of a disaster it was.
The time flies by and we are in the heart of downtown Seattle, cruising along the waterfront. Brandon parks in a garage and I let him lead me from the car and into the night.
Chapter Three
“Brandon, where are we going?” I ask. I have to practically take two steps to match every one of his long strides.
“You’ll see.” He smiles down at me and I know he is loving every second as the suspense drives me crazy.
We walk through downtown and he stops us and looks up. I crane my neck back and look up.
“The Space Needle?”
“C
ome on.” He guides me inside and we ride the elevator all the way to the top. I’ve been to the top once before, but it was a long time ago, and raining and not very fun. Tonight, the weather is perfect, but we don’t go up to the observation deck. Brandon leads me inside the restaurant. It’s famous for revolving around and you get a 360 degree view of the city as you dine. I had definitely never eaten there before. It’s a five star quality establishment, and very, very expensive.
I look around and am surprised to see there aren’t any other people. I don’t know exactly what time it is, but I find it hard to believe it is closed already.
“Welcome Mr. Hart!” A host in a very expensive looking suit comes to greet us. “Let me show you to your table. The best in the house!”
I look up at Brandon, mouthing Oh My God! He just smiles at me.
“You have the whole place to yourselves tonight.” The host gestures to our table and Brandon pulls out my chair. We are seated right along the window, and can see all of the city of Seattle twinkling below us.
“You rented out the Space Needle?” I whisper once the host is out of earshot.
Brandon nods. “I very much value our privacy.”
My mind boggles, not even wanting to know how much it cost to rent out the entire Space Needle for a night. I look around the restaurant and feel very underdressed in my jeans and sweater. Then again, Brandon isn’t fancy either, so I decide it must not matter. Besides, no one is here to see us, and when you rent the entire thing, I don’t think the dress code applies.
“I wish I had known. I wouldn’t have eaten so much for dinner.”
“Well, that’s what this is for,” he says, handing me a smaller menu.
“Aha, desserts!” My mouth starts to water as I read the decadent descriptions. “I want one of everything,” I joke.
Brandon apparently takes me seriously, and when the waiter comes to attend to us, he orders the entire dessert menu and a very fancy sounding bottle of wine.
I sip on my sparkling water while we wait, and find myself unable to tear my eyes off of Brandon even with the gorgeous view below. “This is ridiculous.” I laugh to myself.
“There are some perks to the money,” Brandon answers. “Like being able to rent out the Space Needle with barely two days’ notice.”
I marvel again at what the price tag must have been. I know Brandon has become a huge star, but did he really have money for this, just for fun?
“It’s not Space Needles and fancy desserts all the time, I assure you, but for tonight, it is.”
I nod, words failing me as I try to wrap my brain around the whole scene.
The waiter comes back to us and pours us each a glass of the chilled red wine that Brandon had ordered. And moments later, returns with a huge tray full of desserts. Brandon and I settle into an easy conversation as we sample the desserts and drink the wine—acting like it’s the most normal date in the world.
As I polish off the last bite of my favorite dessert—the chocolate brownie with hazelnut cream drizzle—I jolt at a loud sound. “What the…”
I turn to look where Brandon is looking and watch as the sky erupts in a burst of colors.
“Fireworks!”
Brandon smiles back at me, his face illuminated by another burst.
“You set up fireworks?” I gape at him, completely in shock now.
He laughs. “Now, that I can’t take credit for. There was already going to be a show tonight. Some festival down by the waterfront. I just thought we should have the best seats in the house to watch it.”
Our fingers intertwine on the table and we watch out the windows together. Occasionally, I sneak a glance over at Brandon, wondering if this is all just a dream or if I should let myself get comfortable in this new reality he seems to want to pull me into.
He meets my gaze and I feel my own firework display going off inside me as our eyes connect. His eyes darken and I find my pulse racing. As spectacular as everything is, I can’t help but want to ask for the check and go back to my place to fully enjoy each other.
Without a word, Brandon seems to read my thoughts. He stands from the table and goes to see the host. I watch them from across the restaurant as they talk and laugh, like old friends. After he is done, he comes back and extends a hand to me. I take it and don’t even glance back outside to watch as the final firework goes up into the dark sky.
Out in the crisp air, I cling tightly to Brandon, letting his body heat seep into me. He leads me down a side street and strides right into a very posh hotel. He walks up to the front desk and checks us in. I look around the lobby while he talks to the front desk clerk. A few people are scattered around, but none of them seem to notice Brandon, all too busy with their phones or tablets. I breathe a sigh of relief, not wanting anyone to intrude on our perfect evening.
“Ready?” Brandon asks, turning back to me, a room key in his hand.
I nod, my eyes wide with excitement and desire as I look at him. He wraps an arm around my waist, and his fingers slide under my coat and push up the fabric of my sweater, running his hand along the skin of my lower back.
We barely make it up to our room, crashing through the doors like a couple of desperate strangers. He pushes against me, sending me into the wall as soon as we step into the room. The heavy door swings closed behind us and he steps into me, pressing his body against me. I kiss him back fiercely, panting in between each kiss. His hand weaves through my hair and he pulls a handful, directing my head where he wants it to go. I run my hands down his chest and fiddle with his jeans as he nibbles on my lower lip.
He groans as my hand slides into his pants and grasps his cock, stiff and solid. He grabs my hand and yanks it away, pinning it and my other above my head and pushing harder against me.
“Brandon,” I whisper into his ear as he works down the side of my neck, kissing and nipping at the exposed skin. He releases my arms long enough to rip off my coat. He throws it to the floor before pulling my sweater off, over my head, tossing it aside as well. He then grabs both of my wrists in one of his hands and pins them back up above my head, letting his free hand explore the curves of my body as I stand up against the wall.
Heat floods my body at each touch, and I start to tremble as he works his way down and teases the sensitive skin below my navel. He dips his fingertips into my jeans but doesn’t go low enough. I push off the wall and try to grind up against him, but he pushes me back again.
He brushes his fingers against my skin, circling down and then pulling back up, torturing me the way he had the other night, building my anticipation to dizzying heights. I wriggle my wrists, trying half-heartedly to break free of his grip. His hand tightens and a thrilling rush washes over me at his intensity.
“You’re mine,” he says. His voice is low and thick with lust.
I look into his eyes. It’s too dark to see the color, but I have it memorized. “I’m yours.”
He kisses me hard on the lips. “Take off your clothes.”
He releases my wrists and steps back to let me undress. My skin seems luminescent in the pale moonlight streaming in through the windows of the hotel room.
“You’re sexy as hell,” he says. “Touch your breasts.”
I place my hands on my rounded breasts and run my thumbs over my hard nipples. His expression darkens and I get lost in the performance of it, feeling sexier than I ever have as he watches me. He steps in again and runs his fingers down my body. He slips a finger into my folds and strokes my throbbing clit.
I moan and lean back against the wall for support, my legs no longer able to hold me up. He keeps stroking and adds another finger, changing from small circles to a calculated massaging motion. I bite my lip to keep from screaming out as new sensations pulse through my body. I had never been touched like that, not even by myself, and the new pattern of vibrations was getting me close to the edge faster than I thought possible. I twist my own nipples, harder than intended but it just makes me wetter.
“Brandon. Br
andon. I’m so, so close,” I say in between pants. I moan again as his pressure intensifies.
He kisses me as he drives me closer to the edge, all sanity slipping away as the pleasure takes full control of my body. His lips capture mine and as he nibbles on my lower lip, I lose it, and a hard, fast orgasm crashes through me. I release my breasts and wrap my arms around Brandon. He kneels down before me and inserts his velvet soft tongue in between my legs and plays with my clit. The sensitive bundle of nerves relax at the softness and I slow my breathing. Before I fully regain control, he opens his lips and sucks gently and I feel myself spiraling back up again.
He grips my ass in both of his hands and pulls me closer and continues, ignoring my desperate moans. In less than a minute, I come again, this time even harder and faster. The new waves of pleasure, building on the ones still coursing through me. He releases me and grabs me by the hips, leading me to the bed in the center of the room. It is high off the ground and he backs me up to the edge. He kisses me again and I taste myself on his lips. He lets me rest against the bed, still shuddering from the force of both orgasms, and he strips away his clothes. His cock is standing at full attention and though exhausted, I get aroused again at the sight of his long, thick shaft. I remember how it feels when he fills me up and I feel my pussy contract and tighten at the memory.
“Charity, I need you.” He lowers his mouth to mine and takes me against himself.
“Take me,” I say, knowing my words will excite him.
He flashes that cocky smile and spins me around. He pushes at my shoulder, and I lean forward, resting my forearms on the bed. Not being able to see him, adds to my excitement as I wait. He runs his fingers along my ass and slides one finger between my cheeks. I gasp, not knowing what is going to happen next. Wondering how far he will go. When he reaches the bottom, he slides forward and thrusts two fingers inside of me and my pussy contracts, gripping his fingers tightly as he pulses in and out of me, almost bringing me to climax again before pulling out and thrusting in again, this time with his thick cock.
