by Lacey Legend
She locked the door and followed him down the steps. The heat between them was already palpable and she wanted to hurry them on their way both to avoid any awkward distance on his part and to make sure they arrived at the party on time. Aliyah had baked the cake and had to get it there, pronto!
“Thank you!” Her engaging smile arrested his eyes as he helped her with the small package and the cake box.
Before her surgery, she had run across a website during a long, lonely winter night when she had no energy to go out. The owner of the e-store was clearing out party supplies. After the birth of her goddaughter, Aliyah was thrilled to find adorable and inexpensive items that would make any party more fun. She ordered several cake boxes with bright colors and fun, childish patterns. She also received a package of pink and white balloons and half of them remained after Jenna & Amber’s baby comes home party that Aliyah had arranged for them. Aliyah was adorable with her hair in loose curls around her shoulders, holding the pink cake box with white and hot pink hearts emblazoned all over the box.
Before he thought about what he was saying, Brad blurted out, “You’re lovely.” Their eyes met and held for long seconds. Her smile faltered as she felt the heat gather deep in her belly. She couldn’t understand why this man made her go so weak in the knees. It was as if he had some kind of magic power to melt her and make her pliable.
Brad struggled with the same desire as he stood on her front porch. The chill of the fall air did nothing to cool his heated face and body. He ached to take her into his arms, carry her back into her home, and ravish her. He stiffened at the thought and tried to shift his thoughts to another subject. Fortunately for him, Aliyah broke the gaze and handed him the cake.
“I’ll hold this in the car to keep it safe. I spent too much time decorating it to let it get ruined at this point.” He smiled at her. Every little thing she did seemed to be motivated by her love of the people around her. She didn’t have much money, but she was always trying to make someone else’s life better.
He carefully balanced the cake while opening the door for her. Her face showed mild alarm. “Don’t worry,” he said in a slightly mocking voice like a boy talking to his grandmother. “I won’t drop it! I promise!” She chuckled as she sunk into the soft leather seat of his car. He carefully handed her the cake and she took it with a pleased look. It felt good to be cared for like this.
She hadn’t noticed the car the other night in the dark parking lot. She usually appreciated a nice car, but she had other things on her mind that night. This BMW was a beauty. She could see that it was customized and everything about it was pristine. Brad walked around to his side of the car and slid into the driver’s seat.
“This is quite a car.” She ran her hand over the smooth leather.
“Thank you. I picked it up last month. She’s a beaut, isn’t she? I wanted her in this shade of green and they had to order her for me.”
“It was worth the wait. I’ve never seen anything like it!” She had guessed from his clothes and ability to pick up the check at the bar that he had a decent income, but this car gave her a glimpse into his wealth. She wondered if he was the kind of man who would blow an entire paycheck on the lease of a car that would be gone all too soon. Brad’s next comment set aside her passing concern.
“I’ve always been a sucker for a nice car.” He smiled. “My parents always insisted that I drive a BMW or Mercedes because they felt that it would be safer for me.”
Aliyah wasn’t a gold digger, but she was glad to hear that he wasn’t frivolous with his money. She had already experienced time with men who spent all of their money in fine restaurants and on showy clothes, but turned around and asked for help paying their rent. She wasn’t looking for a man to take care of her, but she also felt strongly that she didn’t want to bear the burden of paying for someone else’s poor financial decisions and she was glad that he wasn’t like that.
They spoke on friendly terms as they drove to Amber’s apartment. When they walked through the door, Amber’s mother, Paula, took their coats. She hurried to put them on Amber’s neatly made bed and told them to help themselves to the iced tea on the counter. Amber was in the other room, changing Jenna’s diaper and dressing her like the little princess she was to all of them.
Aliyah poured two ice-cold glasses of tea for them and stuck a goldfish cracker in her mouth. “I can’t help it.” She giggled. “I love these little crackers! I guess I make a good guest for a kid’s party.”
Brad loved that Aliyah was just as comfortable drinking iced tea and eating goldfish crackers as she was at the upscale bar where they savored fine wine. He started for a moment. “I almost forgot the gifts!”
She giggled again and sent him to get Jenna’s presents from the trunk of the car. Meanwhile, she began blowing up the balloons for the celebration and took the cake from the box. She was still very grateful to be able to do something strenuous like blowing up balloons. For years, this was something she couldn’t do, and so she enjoyed her little jobs and set about making the scene pretty for Jenna and Amber.
The party was a great success. Amber gave Aliyah a knowing look when she saws the extravagant gifts Brad gave to Jenna. Amber could practically talk with her eyes and she sent the message loud and clear, “You have a good one here!”
Jenna opened the package from Aliyah with the little tiara on a cushion of satin. Most babies wouldn’t wear hats for anything, but Jenna always loved to wear her bonnets, ribbons, and hats. She even reached for them and demanded to put them on.
Brad’s big teddy bear was a huge success and gained a place of prominence in the little girl’s bedroom to decorate the room until she was big enough to take it down and play with it. He had also purchased gifts at the advice of a saleswoman at the store. Amber was pleased to find a push-toy to help Jenna with her walking skills, some educational toys that were far outside of Amber’s budget, and four pretty outfits that were soft and perfect for play clothes. The saleswoman made another suggestion taken by Brad, and he quietly slipped her a voucher for diapers and pull-ups that would last until Jenna was fully potty trained. Brad did this discreetly because he felt that helping Amber would be a way to help Aliyah without being too obvious about it.
After the gifts were opened, Aliyah lit the candle on the cake. It was a chocolate cake with cream filling and fluffy, pink fondant. Aliyah had carefully decorated it with Jenna’s favorite cartoon character and a variety of shapes and colors that circled the cake with sugary color. Brad enjoyed the homey atmosphere, but had to admit to himself that he looked forward to the end of the party when he could be alone with Aliyah.
The day wore on and Jenna began to fuss. Too much activity and a sugar high made the little girl agitated, and the guests knew it was time for mother and daughter to settle in for a quiet evening. Aliyah felt badly about leaving Amber for the night. She knew that the nights were quiet and lonely for Amber after she put Jenna to bed. She didn’t have someone to cuddle up with and discuss the events of the day or the accomplishments of the tiny little person, sleeping deeply in the next room.
Amber and Aliyah embraced and Amber whispered in her ear, “Have a good time tonight. Try not to over-think everything.” She gave her a little squeeze and then shook Brad’s hand. “Thanks for coming. You made Jenna’s birthday into a fairy tale.”
Brad blushed. He wasn’t good at receiving compliments. He stammered an acknowledgement and left with a glad heart because of how warmly these people received him.
Brad looked at Aliyah. “This time, I’m going to make the next move.”
Aliyah laughed brightly. “Well, it’s about time!”
Brad’s downcast eyes stifled her laugh. When he looked up, he had a serious look. “I want to know you better. May I take you out for dinner?”
Aliyah accepted and they drove to a lovely, small restaurant. Aliyah was beginning to understand that Brad didn’t lack for money. The restaurant he took her to was intimate and the food was excellent. She wa
s relieved that he didn’t take her to a glamorous restaurant on this night when she had dressed for a child’s birthday party. Her dress was nice and fit her like a glove, but she hadn’t planned on formal dining. Here, she could sit back and enjoy the fantastic food that was prepared by a celebrated chef without worrying about who was watching her.
They spoke of many things and found that their views on politics, family, and religion were well meshed. It was almost shocking to realize how much they had in common. They didn’t realize what a beautiful couple they made. More than one woman looked at them and remembered the days when they had a young man look at them that way.
They lingered over a delicate dessert shared between them. Brad reached across the table and took her hand. “Aliyah, I’ve been thinking. I know its short notice, but I can get away on Monday. Is there any way…” He paused, unsure of himself, but remembering her previous complaint that she had to ask for every forward movement in their relationship, he plunged ahead. “Could you come with me for a few days? I have a little place on a lake and it’s beautiful this time of year. The leaves should be in full color and I can’t imagine going without you.”
Aliyah was taken aback. She rarely took days off of work except to deal with her health problems. Since her recovery from the surgery, she had needed to take none of her sick or personal days. She gave him a little smile. “I would love that. Give me one second.” She pulled out her phone and started a quick group chat with Amber and two other girls on staff at New Hope. Within minutes it was decided. Aliyah was on her way to a romantic weekend with this gorgeous man.
Chapter4
Brad went home feeling elated, but the closer he got to home, the more his face settled into grim lines of worry. He wondered why he chose to take her to the family vacation spot instead of a hotel somewhere. He could have easily booked a room or a suite that would have been beyond comfortable for them and detached them entirely from his past.
At home, he sat for a long while staring at the fire in his study. Memories played through his mind and his thoughts of Aliyah almost faded to nothing. He struggled with his own feelings until he finally stood and took one of the framed pictures from his desk of the same beautiful woman standing outside of the family cabin and shoved it into a desk drawer. Eventually he got out of his chair and staggered to bed.
When he went to pick her up for their trip, he was feeling a little more light hearted and he allowed himself to look forward to their time away together, letting go of the guilt and strongholds to a past he wasn’t sure if he should let go of. The cabin wasn’t too far away, and the couple decided to drive so that they could enjoy the colors of the season. Brad considered having the driver along, but decided that he wanted Aliyah all to himself. Privacy was what he wanted.
They had made the right choice to drive past the groves of hardwood trees that were spectacular in color. The sound system in the car was better than most sound systems in homes. The couple held hands and sometimes even sang along with their favorite songs, ending up in fits of giggles. Aliyah had a beautiful voice, but Brad was never cut out for singing. He had trouble with “Happy Birthday” or “The Star Spangled Banner,” but they were uncommonly comfortable with each other and drove along the road with hearts that were lighter than they had been in years.
Brad pulled over at a scenic overlook and they got out to admire the view. Aliyah stood by the rail and looked across at the waves of trees below them. The hills undulated and gave the impression of waves flowing across the land. Brad stood behind her, his arms reaching across to hold the railing. He was a head taller than her, and he could look out at the view over the top of her head. She leaned back into him and he wrapped his arms around her. The warmth of his embrace was wonderful on this chilly day, and she laid her head back on his chest. She could feel him growing hard against her and smiled to herself. Something about it made her feel beautiful, loved, and almost powerful when she sensed how easily she could arouse him.
They stood there for a stretch of time until another car pulled up and a carload of children and their harried parents spilled out and surrounded them on the scenic overlook platform. They separated and took hands to walk back to their car. The peace of the day and enjoyment of each other’s company was beyond anything she had hoped for.
They stopped at a restaurant on the way and enjoyed a good, old-fashioned hamburger and the best french fries Aliyah had ever tasted. They ordered root beer that came in frosty mugs and felt like children again. Aliyah had to stop eating because she was so full, but Brad had a fast metabolism and ate like a teenager. He reached across the table and polished off her fries with a boyish grin. “I’ve always been a big fan and ketchup is a must.” She smiled at his enjoyment of the food and sipped the last of the sweet soda that was made at a local brewery and bottled for the restaurant.
Brad told her that the cabin wasn’t being used, but the overseers kept it clean and stocked with necessities. “If we want anything good to eat, we’d better hit the grocery store when we get into town.”
They drove up to the small, country store. The size didn’t give any indication about what could be found inside. Aliyah could see that the store catered to the wealthy people who vacationed in the area. There was an impressive variety of cheeses, fine wines, smoked meats, and freshly baked breads. They picked out an assortment of groceries and a bouquet of flowers.
Their arrival at the cabin surprised Aliyah. The word “cabin” meant a small, rustic house that was closer to a shack to her, but this cabin was a large retreat. It was a logwood cabin, but it was set on a landscaped lawn and had many rooms. She could see that a well-kept garden stretched from the back door to the lake behind the house.
She was as happy as a child as she walked past the glider and rockers on the porch. She couldn’t imagine a better place to relax and get away from the world. When she entered the house, she realized that it was anything but a rustic log home. An enormous stone fireplace was the focal point of the room. The soft, leather furniture spoke of comfort and ease. They carried the groceries into the kitchen, which was large enough for commercial service. Brad told her that it had been used for large parties and that this was the perfect place to spend Christmas.
Aliyah couldn’t help but imagine the entire place festooned with Christmas decorations. The tall ceilings must accommodate grand Christmas trees and the wooden banisters and loft railings could easily carry off the rich green of Christmas boughs and red bows. She wondered if she would be in Brad’s life for the holidays and her heart warmed as she watched him put away the things they brought to the kitchen.
He took down two crystal wine glasses that were hanging within easy reach. The lack of dust let her know that the caretakers of this lovely place did their jobs with loving care. He opened a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that paired well with the cheese and pita chips they had chosen. He carried the snack to the table in front of the fireplace and found all of the elements necessary to make a fire nearby. Once a fire was blazing, they settled into the comfortable couch with their glasses of wine. The sun was sinking over the lake and the water looked like gold. The trees around the lake were dancing in a light wind and their colors were like fine dresses.
When Aliyah laid her head on Brad’s shoulder, he took the glass from her hand and set both glasses on the table. He leaned in and kissed her deeply. Their lips met with a hunger she had never known. Their need for each other quickly escalated and their hands moved over each other’s bodies as if they couldn’t feel enough.
Aliyah gasped as he kissed her neck and ran his hand down her back to the curves below. He could feel his erection pressing and begging for relief. He pulled her to her feet and picked her up. He continued sucking at her neck while he carried her to the bedroom where he gently laid her down on the bed. Her eyes followed him as he took off his shirt. The sparse hair on his chest set off the wide expanse of muscle and a light brown trail of hair led to places below his pants that she longed for.
He
removed his clothes and stood as if offering her his vulnerability while she took in his muscular arms and legs, his loving face, and the largeness between his legs. He came closer and took his time removing her clothes. He didn’t want to give her a moment of discomfort or make her feel awkward in any way. He peeled away her blouse and unhooked her bra. He drew her nipples into his mouth and very gently sucked until her back arched with pleasure. Moving his mouth lower on her, Brad pushed her skirt up and pulled her panties down and then he dipped his kisses in between her thighs. She ran her hands through his hair and over his shoulders as his tongue twirled and twisted in her, exploring and discovering her until made her writhe with orgasmic bliss as it tensed through her body.
Her need for him rose within her and they helped each other slide her skirt off and he slipped her panties over each foot leaving her completely naked. Her body burned for him and she could feel from the intensity and heat of his kisses that he was aching for her, too. He moved his body back up to rest above her and his hand slid between her legs as his mouth continued to toy with her nipples. He parted her moist warmth and ran his fingers across her until she came again. She could feel a cord of pleasure running from her nipples to the spot between her legs where his hand moved fervently.
As soon as she reached her climax, he spread her thighs and pushed his thick erection into her. His stiffness filled her and she exploded with passion. He was able to maintain and wait for her to finish reaching her full pleasure and then began a slow rocking motion until she was sent into more feelings that rapidly escalated until she was drawing him into her body with her hands. This was too much for Brad and they both peaked at the same moment and then held each other, breathing hard as the pace of their hearts slowed.
