“No problem, if I'm not here my father in law will be. Have a good day.”
“You too, thanks again.”
That phone call just made my day. The fact that I haven't had any nightmares in the past few days has helped substantially to improve my mood when I'm not with Sarah. Tomorrow I'll finally move the rest of my things into her place and whatever doesn't fit is going into storage.
I send her a quick text.
{ Hey babe, I'm gonna ask John if it's alright if we leave at three today. My car's ready :) }
Picking up the phone on my desk, I dial John's extension and he answers quickly, “John here.”
“Hey John, do you care if Sarah and I take off at three today? They called saying my car's all set and ready to be picked up. I can't go tomorrow, I have the moving truck coming.”
“That's not a problem. I however have one. This damn report I'm working on just isn't adding up. Would you mind coming to my office and take a look at it before lunch? I would really appreciate it. I have a fucking headache. I give up.”
I could hear the tension in his voice as soon as he picked up the phone. “Yeah buddy, give me a few, I'll be over.”
“Thanks, see ya in a bit.”
“Cool, yeah, see ya.” I hang up the phone, wondering what could be so fucked up about the report. I usually don't deal with any of that shit since I'm human resources. Oh well, maybe he just needs a second set of eyes.
I knock on his door and wait for a reply. When I don't hear one, I open the door to a dark office. I reach for the switch on the wall and I'm almost knocked on my ass from the shouts of surprise when the light flicks to life. “What the fuck, assholes? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I'm too young for that shit.” Braydon, John, Frank, and George are all standing around John's desk, shot glasses in their hands. “What the hell is this for?” I ask, walking to stand in front of them. Picking up the bottle of Jack.
“It's your last day of freedom of course. Time to add a couple more links on that chain.” George laughs. Leave it to him, the wise ass.
“It's not like I'm getting married,” I say exasperated. “And as far as I'm concerned, I haven't been free since last fall.”
Braydon holds his hands up. “Come on Brent, we didn't mean to piss you off. We just wanted to have a little fun, and an excuse for a few shots.”
“Don't ruin our fun dude. Take some shots with us.” Franks adds and I give in.
Picking up the glass, I raise it for a toast. “To celebrate moving in with Sarah, not mourning the loss of my freedom.” I hear chuckles from the guys as I down my shot. “So? Who's up for helping me tomorrow?” I see a show of hands as they all agree to come over to help load and unload the truck.
“I'm sure Ilyanna would love to visit with Sarah. I'll drop her off over there on my way to your place.” Braydon adds once he's swallowed his drink.
John who's stayed pretty quiet through the whole ordeal, good I'm pissed at him the most for getting me on false pretences finally decides to talk. “Sorry buddy, they put me up to it. I'll bring Rachel over too, make sure you tell Sarah to hide anything and everything shower related. We'll grill out for dinner. You got enough propane?” He pours us all another shot as there's a knock at the door. “Come in.” He says and the receptionist comes in, hauling three large pizzas.
My stomach chooses that moment to growl as the smell of sauce, cheese and spicy pepperoni invade my nostrils. “I'm starved. Now this is what I'm talking about.”
We decide to meet at my old place at noon, I hired movers but I still want us to move some of my more expensive pieces. I've heard horror stories of people getting their shit broken. I have some pretty old family heirlooms. I'm not trusting strangers with any of them.
*****
Sitting in the waiting room, waiting for the doctor, I think of anything I can to take my mind off of the reason I'm here. The ride to get my car with Sarah. The move was successful with nothing being broken. Frank and George bailed on Saturday, I kinda saw that coming, anything that involves manual labor they always conviently have something come up. That's fine, Braydon and John were plenty of help and we got finished a lot earlier than expected.
Rachel and Tanya came over Sunday to finish the rest of the baby shower favors. My mind races to stay focused on everything but my dreams. I run play by play of Monday and Tuesday from beginning to end until I hear my name being called out. Here I go again.
“Let me ask you Brent, have you discussed the second dream with Sarah yet? And more importantly, have you had anymore since we've last talked?” He cuts right to chase before my ass even hits the hard as fuck couch.
“Shit,” I let the explicit slip from my mouth before I stop myself. “No to both questions, it never came up.”
“I really want to help you Brent, it's very important that she knows, there may be triggers and we need to figure those out and avoid them.”
“There are triggers, but it's nothing either of us are doing.” I interrupt him, starting to feel a little pissed off at his insinuating that it's her who sparks these fucked up illusions in my mind.
“Sorry, I meant no offense Brent. We just need to start somewhere. Why don't you tell me about your week since you were last here.” He says as he takes his seat and takes out his notepad. Rapidly taking notes as I go along with his suggestion and explain in not so many details the events of my past week. “For now, I'm just going to say keep doing what your doing. I feel you talking about it is helping you by leaps and bounds. And please discuss it with Sarah. I want to see you in two weeks, if you've had anymore dreams in that time, we'll dig a little deeper.”
Just like that I'm dismissed, not really sure what I'm paying him for exactly. I walk out of his office building feeling just a bit duped. Fucking overpaid couch doctor.
It feels so good to have my car back, sitting in my smooth leather seat, I turn the key and listen to the rumble as the engine roars to life.
May showers
These past couple weeks, Brent's seemed to slowly get back to his old self. He's filled me in on his visits to who he calls his overpriced shrink. I can say from my point of view, he's certainly helped since he hasn't had anymore nightmares. I admit to inwardly being scared shitless when he told me about his last cringe worthy dream. I know that bitch is crazy, but would she really go that far? I find it hard to believe. I think she just loves to play games, and if she wants to play, I'll be more than ready for her. That being said, we haven't heard a single peep out of her since Brent's last text to her. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Everything's in place for Ilyanna's baby shower tomorrow. We've come up with a fool proof plan to make sure she never sees it coming.
I'm heading to the bakery now, having just left work. I got nominated to get the cake since it's agreed out of all of cars I have the roomiest trunk. Joy. I hope I don't have to slam on my brakes in this rush hour traffic. I'm happy we're having her shower in May verses June, right before she's due to have the baby. All I need is for the cake to melt in my smoltering trunk. The rain just stopped, leaving in it's wake a nice cool breeze.
When I walk into Normandi's, Sheri's with a client and I find myself looking at the wedding cakes. One in particular catches my eye. What looks like white chocolate lace, encases the layers, with multi colored lilies scattered throughout in a sporadic pattern. A beautiful blown glass heart, nestled in a crown of lilies rests on top. It's not too extravagant, it's just right and would fit perfectly in to my dream beach wedding. As I start to envision the white sand, the crystal blue water, my handsome man waiting for me under the arbor, decorated in the same kaleidoscope of colored lilies as my fantasy cake, my imagination takes a morbid turn and suddenly Trisha's sneer is staring me in the face.
“Hi Sarah, here to get the cake?” Sheri chooses the perfect moment to snatch my attention away from the twisted illusion in my head.
I turn to face her and nod as I swallow the dry lump in my throat. No wonder Brent didn't want to te
ll me about it. He was worried about the exact thing that just happened. She will not win, she will not win, I keep chanting to myself as Sheri looks at me with concern in her sapphire eyes. “Are you feeling alright my dear?” She asks and guides me by my arm to take a seat at one of the tables. She leaves me to myself as she disappears into the back of her shop and comes back with a glass of water.
“Thanks.” I tell her as I take the cup from her hand and down the entire contents, successfully hydrating the Sahara desert in my mouth. “I guess I haven't had very much to eat today, busy at work.” I shrug, brushing it off, not wanting to worry her too much.
“Will you be okay to drive, or do we need to call someone?” Obviously taking in my weak and I'm assuming very pale appearance.
Shaking my head quickly to dismiss the idea, I answer. “Oh no, thanks though. I'll be alright. I'll just grab something on my way home.”
She smiles her lovely, friendly smile and turns to go get the cake just on the other side of the counter. I can see the top peeking out above the case. “Let me at least help you outside. It's the least I can do.”
“That would be great, looking at that thing, I think it will take two of us just to lift it.”
She chuckles, “Yeah, these can get a bit heavy.”
It's beautiful, just the way we imagined. She had to take the topper off to get my trunk to close, and that's fine by me. No need to smash the cake before I even get it home. “Thanks again Sheri, It's gorgeous, you out did my expectations. I know the girls are going to love it. Momma to be is going to be getting married soon. I have no doubt she'll be coming to see you in the foreseeable future.”
“It's my pleasure, I love repeat customers. Just shows me how much my work is appreciated. Have a safe trip. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like some pictures of Ilyanna and the cake to put on my wall.”
“Absolutely, I'll bring some by as soon as I get them. Have a good day.” I say as I open my car door.
“You too dear.” She waves and I do the same, slipping into my car and carefully pulling out into traffic. My nerves are completely frazzled the whole way to Rachel's. We have a long night of decorating ahead of us.
“Holy shit, this is one heavy cake.” Rachel remarks as we attempt to lift it from my trunk. “Let me pull my car out of the garage and you can back yours in, that way we won't have that far to carry it. I can see it now, splattered all over the ground. I'll be damned if we let that happen.” She hurries off as Tanya and I wait patiently as she pulls her car out. I chuckle as I imagine her trying to get this monstrosity into her new little sports car.
“What's so funny?” Tanya asks, looking at me like I've lost my mind.
“Just imagining the cake in that.” I point at the M3 as it backs down the drive.
She joins in my laughter. “Yeah, that was so not gonna happen. Thanks for picking it up for us.”
“No problem, let's just hope we can keep Ilyanna away from all areas concerning the party until it's time tomorrow. That's the real challenge.”
“All set, pull her in.” Rachel gives me the go ahead and I do as instructed, backing up as close as possible, making sure to leave us enough room to lift that sucker out without doing any damage.
*****
“No, back to your left.” Rachel tells me as I'm hanging the lacy crepe paper. “No, a little more to the right.”
Urgh, I feel like I've been twisting and pulling this shit back and forth for hours. Seriously, how perfect does it really have to be. I look to Tanya who's wrapping plastic cutlery in pink and white polkadot napkins. “Switch with me for a bit will ya, my arm's about to fall off.” Her face scrunches at the idea, after a few seconds of my heated stare she gives in. “Thank God.” I groan as I rub some life back into my arms.
Let Rachel torture her with her anal antics for a little while. “Do either of you need a drink?” I ask as I slide the back door open.
Looking back at them, they nod their heads and say, “Please.” In unison. After all this shit, our plan to keep Ilyanna in the dark better go off without a hitch.
Finally pleased with our work we call it a night. The next phase of our plan will come in the morning. For now I need some much needed me time, a nice hot bubble bath with my man sounds like a really good idea. Anything with Brent sounds good right now, but my shoulders are stiff as hell and could use a good massage. It will take some coersion on my part, but I can be pretty persuasive.
*****
When I get home Brent's watching, what do you know? Sports Center. I saunter towards him dropping to my knees at his feet and licking my lips. I waste no time releasing him from his pants and slipping him into my mouth. No words are needed. I can see in his smoldering blue eyes that he enjoys what I'm doing.
I take the remote from his hand, never taking my mouth off of him and click the button to cut the power off. I continue my ministrations on his cock, making him moan. Once I have him exactly where I want him, I let him pop free of my mouth and slide his pants all the way off and stand to strip myself of my clothes. “Come take a bath with me.” I hold my hand out to him and he takes it, pulling me down onto the couch with him.
He pins me down, holding my hands above my head with one of his, and runs his nose the length of my neck and back up to my ear gently nibbling on it before he whispers, “You're an evil witch woman, you deserve to be tortured for that.” He licks the shell of my ear before making his way back down to my collarbone, kissing me from one side to the other, all thoughts of a bubble bath and massage leave my mind as he teases me into a mind blowing orgasm.
I don't know what time it was when we finally make it to the bedroom, but as soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm out for the count.
Gentle kisses on my shoulder blade wake me. I'm lying on my stomach and can feel Brents weight on my lower back. “Good morning.” I tell him, followed by a moan as I feel his erection digging into my backside.
“Good morning to you too, beautiful. Jr. says hello.”
I giggle at his nickname for his penis. “Mmmm, I can feel that.” As if to puncuate my knowledge, I lift up slightly into his groin and wiggle my ass, egging him on.
“How about that bubble bath now? I won't see you until tonight, so I need to get my fill of you before you leave.” I roll over onto my back underneath him and take in the sadness in his eyes.
Weekends are usually our time. I'm gonna miss him too. He's still gloriously naked from last night, his hair in need of a cut and tousled from sleep. I reach up and run my fingers through it, clenching a handful and bringing his mouth to mine in a scorching kiss.
He returns it with fervor, devouring me. “I'm going to miss you too babe.” I tell him as soon as we come up for air. “And absolutely, let's go before I'm late.” I follow my sexy man into the bathroom, taking in every inch of his chiseled body.
*****
“Braydon knows exactly what to do right?” I ask Rachel as we put the finishing touches on the decorations out on the back deck, completely out of sight from our guest of honor.
She gives me a sheepish grin and pretends to think about it for a few seconds, before finally answering me. “I would hope the hell so, I made him repeat it about fifty times before I was satisfied that he wouldn't screw it up. I'm sure he'll do fine, he pulled off one hell of a surprise proposal.” She turns and continues to straighten out the favors on the two tables we have set up.
We decided to keep it small, Braydon's mom Patty is on her way from Maine, Ilyanna's mom Mary will be here any minute, the only other people coming will be a few girls from the office and Tanya. Rachel said Mary still has her key and garage remote from when she was staying with them a couple of months ago before getting her own place, so she'll bring the cake in from the garage with help from Braydon when he comes to drop Ilyanna off.
Mary has strict instructions to text Braydon as soon as she pulls in the garage.
“Great, let's get inside, I think I hear Mary pulling in.” We hurry inside the house to wait for Il
yanna to show up, she thinks the three of us are having a girls day, complete with pampering and chick flicks.
I can't help the nervous butterflies starting to flutter in my stomach. Everyone's timing has to be perfect to pull this off. Looking at my phone, I check the time. Just another half an hour before everyone else will get here.
Sitting in the kitchen, we wait quietly for a knock at the door. When it comes we can't contain our excitement, jumping up and racing for the door. We both come to a screeching halt and face each other, trying to wipe the elation from our expressions and slow our breathing.
Rachel reaches for the door handle and slowly turns it, a look of utter concentration on her face as she pulls it open to let them in. “Hey chick, you ready for some quality girl time?” She asks, taking Ilyanna in a fierce hug, then ushering her in the door. She turns to Braydon, “She'll be our prisoner for at least three or four hours, don't worry she's in good hands.” Winking at him she starts to close the door.
“Wait!” Ilyanna says and quickly waddles back to her husband giving him a smoldering kiss. “Love you, see you later.”
“Love you babe, I'll be back to rescue you in a few hours.” He tells her, looking like a love sick puppy. Pretty much the same way Brent looks at me and I can't help but melt a little bit thinking about my man.
“Love you too, and please hurry. I really don't feel safe with these two. Who knows the horrors I have waiting for me.” She giggles and leans in for another haste kiss.
Braydon shakes his head and turns to walk back to the driveway, calling over his shoulder, “See you guys later, have fun.”
Throwing brief waves in his direction, Rachel closes the door and we hurry upstairs for phase one of our plan. Distract Ilyanna for the next twenty minutes until all of the guests arrive and Mary has everyone out on the deck waiting for us to bring her downstairs.
“This is ridiculous,” Ilyanna complains as Rachel does her hair while I'm on makeup. “Why do I have to get all dolled up to watch movies with you two, we're staying in the house for heaven's sake.” Motioning her hands up and down in front of her face she keeps at it. “I don't care what I look like as I sit on your couch and try to see the tv over this beachball on my lap.” She huffs and rubs her belly and I can't help but laugh. “What's so funny?” She asks.
Fighting Desire (Bay State Series Book 2) Page 14
