Alluring Ties

by Skye Turner

  Laughing, I call back as I dry my face and wipe off the last of the shaving cream, “Only if you like blonde bombshells, dude.”

  Within seconds, the door is flung open. “Blonde bombshells? What do you mean? She’s fine?”

  Throwing my towel at him, I brush past him. “I don’t like chicks, Micah. But yes, she’s fine. And not what you’re used to. Be afraid. Be very afraid.”

  “Nah, chicks love me. I’m a babe magnet. Besides, she’s probably not that fine. You’re gay. What do you know?” He winks to show me he’s kidding before he turns toward his side of the closet and pulls out a button-up shirt.

  Chuckling, I tease him. “Don’t you know? Gays are surrounded by the lovelies. They flock to us.”

  He rolls his eyes at me and says, “Can’t wait to see what you call a bombshell.”

  My computer pings with a new instant message and interrupts our banter. Pointing at it, Micah says, “Better get that.”

  Rolling my eyes, I walk over and check the screen. It’s Joe.

  “Thought about what I said? I mean it, EJ. It’s all or nothing. I want an answer tonight.”

  Muttering under my breath, I groan. “I know you do and I don’t know what I’m going to tell you yet.”

  Looking over, I catch Micah’s glance at the screen. He shrugs and says, “He’s a good dude. So are you. Hate to see you throw something away that could be really good because you’re scared, man.”

  Groaning, I throw myself on my bed and answer him. “I know. When the hell did you become Yoda?”

  “Shit, I’ve always been a genius. Looks and brains. I can’t lose.” Laughing, he ducks into the bathroom as I throw my pillow. It bounces off the door and my computer pings again.

  “I care about you. You care about me too. We’re good together. See you in a few.”

  I do care about him. I decide that once I get to the house, I’ll find him and we’ll go talk. We’ll try being together. Out in the open…

  Maybe…

  Chapter Five

  Bradi

  6 years ago

  God, I’m so nervous. Why did I agree to this? How did this happen? I went to college fully expecting to have some fun, play with some boys, and get a degree. Now instead, I’m in a serious, exclusive relationship with the only guy I’ve dated since I started college and I’m going home with him for Christmas to “meet the parents.”

  Way to stick to your guns, Bradi! It’ll be ok. I’m just meeting Micah’s parents. Who are fucking RICH and powerful. Oh my God… what am I doing?! I can’t do this. That’s it, I’m not going.

  “What’s going through that gorgeous head of yours, Bradi?” Micah asks as he loads my last bag into his car. He leans on the top of the car and rests his chin on his crossed arms. “You look like you’re about to try to make a run for it.”

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him. “Shut up! I don’t do this, Micah. I don’t know why I have to go with you anyway.”

  He stares at me a minute and then walks over to me and cups my face. God, I love when he does that.

  “Baby, you don’t have to be nervous. My parents will love you, because I love you. And you’re coming home with me because I love you. You’re my girlfriend. We’ve been together for a year and they’ve never met you. They aren’t sure you really exist.” He kisses me softly on the mouth. “You ok?”

  Sighing, I wrap my arms around his waist and press a kiss to his chest through his sweater. “I know you do.” I look up and catch him gazing at me with love in his eyes. Why does he love me? I shake off the feeling of foreboding and chalk it up to nerves and smile at him, before pulling his head down and kissing him. Breaking the kiss, I lean my head on his chest and say, “Ok, let’s go meet your parents.”

  He hugs me and helps me into the car.

  Micah’s parents are both lawyers and his dad is also a state representative. I’m a nobody with a loose mother, of course there’s no reason to be nervous. No reason at all…

  A short time later, we turn off of the River Road and follow a long drive before we pull up to one of the most gorgeous, ginormous houses I’ve ever seen. I wipe my suddenly damp hands down my pencil skirt and take a deep breath as Micah turns off the car. I am staring straight ahead, giving myself a silent pep talk, when he calls my name, and gets me to look at him.

  “Bradi, baby, it’ll be fine. I promise.” He smiles at me and leans in to press a kiss to my forehead. My stomach does a somersault and he wakes up the butterflies that flutter relentlessly inside me whenever he’s near.

  Smiling back, I take another breath and straighten my sweater. “Ok, I trust you.” And I do. I trust him with everything I have.

  His eyes darken and he leans in and captures my mouth as he cups the back of my neck. He pulls back and I’m breathless. Looking into my eyes, he whispers, “I love you, Bradi St. James.”

  I smile back and reach for the door. He sighs at my lack of a reply, but chuckles as he opens his door. I hear him mutter, “I know you love me, even if you’re too chicken shit to say it back.” Then he’s at my side of the car, helping me out, and taking my hand. We walk to the front door of the mansion together.

  I stop him as he goes to ring the bell. “Do I look alright, Micah?”

  He looks at me and smiles the smile I love. “You look perfect, Bradi. Relax.”

  He rings the bell as I whisper, “Easy for you to say…”

  A beautiful woman with shoulder length, wavy brown hair opens the door and her face lights up as she takes us in, before she envelopes Micah in a hug. Pulling back, she turns to me with a smile. “Hello. You must be Bradi. I’m Olivia Stevens, Micah’s mother. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” Her eyes take in my appearance and she reaches for my hands and pulls me into the house with a smile that reaches her eyes. “We’ve heard so much about you. I’m so pleased you could join us for the holiday!”

  Looking over my shoulder at Micah, I see him wink as he follows us into the house. I smile at him and return my attention to his mother. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Stevens. Thank you for inviting me.”

  She stops and just looks at me. It’s unnerving. “Of course. You’re very important to Micah and we have been dying to meet this mysterious woman who managed to make my randy son a one-woman man.” Micah starts sputtering and she laughs. “And please call me Olivia. Mrs. Stevens is my mother-in-law.”

  “Seriously, Mom?!”

  I laugh too and she squeezes my hands.

  Reaching over, she touches Micah’s face and smiles so brightly her eyes crinkle. She’s a female version of him and she’s absolutely beautiful. Looking back at me, she says, “The men are in the library, Micah. Why don’t you grab them to help you unload the car and I’ll show Bradi to her room.”

  Laughing he says, “Yes, ma’am. Her room?”

  She narrows her eyes at him and my cheeks flush. “Yes, son. Her room. She’s in the guest room across the hall from yours.”

  My face is on fire. Micah sees it and chuckles. “Wow, Mom. You got Bradi to blush. I’ve been with her for a year and I’ve never really seen her embarrassed. Good job.” He winks.

  Asshole. Oh, he is so dead.

  Laughing outright, Olivia pulls me up the stairs and says, “I don’t have to put you in the same room; I figured across the hall was close enough.”

  I’m mortified. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Stevens.”

  She stops and looks at me with a twinkle in her eye. “Olivia. And, why? I’m not naïve enough to think you two have been together a year with no hanky panky.”

  I don’t even know what to say. Is she telling me it’s ok to have sex with her son in her house? Oh my God… that is so not happening.

  We reach the top of the stairs and she leads me to a door. Opening it, she gestures inside. I walk past her and take it in. Oh, wow. The whole room is done in creams and blues. Everything is exquisite. A canopy bed and a chandelier are in the center of the room. Jesus, how rich are these people?! Who has a c
handelier in a guest room?!

  Olivia sees my reaction and smiles at me with a kind smile. “I hope the room is to your liking, Bradi. Micah will be right across the hall.”

  Smiling back at her, I reply, “The room is amazing. It’s gorgeous.” I don’t know what I was expecting from Micah’s mother, but this was not it. I’m overwhelmed and fighting the urge to cry at her acceptance of me. I whisper, “Thank you.”

  She seems to understand the words I’m not saying. “You’re very welcome, Bradi. You make my son happy.” Smiling one last time, she steps into the hall with one last comment. “Relax a bit. Micah will be up with your luggage in a few minutes. Drinks are at seven in the library.” And she shuts the door.

  I sit on the bed because my knees are weak. Micah finds me this way a few minutes later.

  He knocks and opens the door before I can tell him to come in. When he sees me, he drops my bags and rushes into the room. “Baby, are you ok? What’s wrong?” He sits beside me on the bed and I turn into his body and curl around him.

  “Nothing is wrong. Your mom is just amazing, that’s all. You’re so lucky. She was so nice to me.”

  Pulling back, he looks at me. Brown eyes meet green ones. He traces my face with his fingertips. “Of course she was nice to you. I told you she would love you, Bradi.”

  Pulling my legs up, I turn and straddle his lap, and push him until he’s lying back with me over him. My hair creates a cocoon as I lean in to kiss him. He stops me just before I capture his lips and whispers, “I love you, Bradi.”

  I crash my lips into his and we kiss awhile before he pulls me into his side and we just stare at the lights reflecting off of the chandelier and enjoy the silence.

  I must have fallen asleep, because when I open my eyes, it’s dark outside the window, and there’s a note on my pillow.

  “You fell asleep and I didn’t want to wake you. Ran out to get a tree with Mom, Dad, and my brother. We’ll be back shortly. Just get dressed and we’ll meet you in the library at seven, beautiful. I love you. Micah”

  Checking the clock, I see that it’s 5:45PM, so I jump up and scramble to get ready. I’m ready by 6:30PM and instead of killing time in my room, I decide to explore the house. As I leave my room, I see all the photos on the stairwell, and I decide to check them out.

  The photos are wonderful. Everything from Micah as a baby to some from a month ago. They show a happy, loving family. My heart pangs for what I never had. At the bottom of the stairs, I see a set of open doors, and books everywhere. Walking towards it, I gasp at the sheer volume of books and the beauty of the room. The fireplace is lit and with the books, dark chocolate furniture, and opulent desk, I can almost imagine what it would be like to grow up here. Walking over to the fireplace, I see a few more photos on the mantle. These are snapshots instead of professional photos and in them you can clearly see the love the family shares.

  I trace Micah’s face in one. It’s a photo of him and his father and they are in the House Chamber at the State Capitol. He looks about fifteen in it. He’s sitting behind the main desk with a huge smile on his face and his father is standing behind him in a suit with his hand on his shoulder. They are both grinning for the camera.

  A throat clears behind me. I turn and almost knock the photo off of the mantle in my haste. An attractive older gentleman is standing behind me with a drink in his hand and he’s watching me. He looks vaguely familiar.

  He chuckles. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. You must be Bradi. I’m Max. Max Stevens. Micah’s uncle.”

  Something about this man is telling me to get out of the room, but manners dictate I stay. Smiling, I stand up straight. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Stevens. Yes, I’m Bradi. Micah’s girlfriend.”

  He smiles at me, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. “Yes, Micah’s girlfriend. He was right. You are a beauty.” His eyes rake me and my skin crawls. “You look very familiar to me, Bradi. Have we met before?”

  Keeping my smile in place, I reply, “No, I don’t think we have.”

  Setting his drink down and tapping his chin, he contemplates me with shrewd eyes. “No, I’m positive I know you. What’s your last name, Bradi?”

  Suddenly, I remember. The breath leaves my lungs and my knees feel like they are going to give out. My eyes widen and I gasp.

  He smiles shrewdly. “Ah, I thought so. Bradi St. James, right? Tell me, Bradi, how is Eve?”

  My throat closes and I feel like I can’t breathe. “She’s fine. My mother is just fine.”

  “Are you alright, Bradi? You seem a little off? Maybe you should sit down.” He gestures towards the couch and my knees are so weak I collapse onto it.

  No. No. Noooo. How is this even possible? He’s Micah’s uncle? This is a joke. This is not real. I’m having a nightmare.

  Max sits beside me and pats my knee. I pull it away. He chuckles. “So, another St. James is trying to sink her claws into a Stevens. It didn’t work for your mother and it won’t work for you either. You are not the type of people we settle down with. Your mother thought that being beautiful and a wildcat in bed would get her into this family and as you are aware, that didn’t work out for her. Micah has responsibilities and expectations, and though you are beautiful enough, your breeding isn’t up to par.”

  I can’t breathe. Maxwell Stevens was the one man my mother ever loved. She had a relationship with him for three years when I was younger and she thought he would marry her. He used her and then when it was time, he dropped her, and married his society bride. He almost broke her. How is this possible?!

  I’m speechless, but then the anger rushes in. “How dare you? You think because you’re rich you can talk to me like that?! You used my mother. You made her believe you would marry her and then you left her. You disgust me.”

  He smiles and it almost looks like remorse crosses his face before he schools his expression. “Believe what you will, Miss St. James. But of one thing you can be certain, my nephew has promise and drive. He’s going places and you aren’t a part of that lifestyle. He might love you, but loving you could cost him everything. You’re a distraction. He’s not thinking realistically. Are you willing to rob him of his future just to be with you? Because you will. Where he’s headed, you don’t belong. If you love him, which I believe you do, you’ll walk away now. It will hurt him, and he’ll fight for you. He loves you. He’s young and stupid, but has worked too hard to get where he is. If you love him, walk away. You simply don’t fit in our world.”

  Shaking my head, I can’t seem to form the words I’m trying to say. He’s wrong. I am good enough. And Micah loves me. He’s wrong.

  The front door opening breaks the silence of our staring contest. Micah walks into the room and immediately crosses to me, takes me in his arms, and kisses my hair. “You look gorgeous. Did you sleep well?” Turning his head, he greets his uncle. “Hello, Uncle Max. Nice you could join us tonight. Where’s Aunt Truvy?”

  Max looks at me and then at Micah. “Hello, Micah. Truvy wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed in tonight to rest. You were right, Bradi here is beautiful. Quite captivating and smart.” He looks right at me. “It was nice talking to you. Miss St. James. Think about what I said.” He inclines his head to me and walks out of the room.

  Micah looks at me. “What did you two talk about? Did he bore you to death with politics?”

  Smiling, I reach up and pull his head down so I can look into his eyes. “Nothing. We just had general conversation. Did you get a good tree?”

  We had a wonderful night filled with family and love. We ate, drank, and decorated the tree. Micah and his dad talked about the House and an upcoming session and I sat back and took everything in, filing it away. Later that night, I crossed the hall into his room and we made love like we’d never made love before. Then I packed my bags, called Lexi, and left the house without a backwards glance.

  Merry Christmas, Micah. Things are better this way.

  Chapter Six

  Erik
/>   Six years ago

  Joe and I have been together for over a year now. Things are great. We love each other and we’re both fully committed. He’s going home to Alabama for Winter Break and I’ll be staying here with Lexi. I don’t like to leave her alone and Bradi is at Micah’s parents’ house.

  We’ve decided to hunker down and decorate my dorm room and we’ve grabbed the most desperate, pathetic little tree we could find. Lexi insisted that it wasn’t the tree’s fault it was so ugly and it just needed some love to make it beautiful. So, now I have a six foot tree with hardly any branches and holes all over it and we’re about to decorate it with red and gold bulbs, a gold star, and some icicle tinsel.

  We have the radio on continuous Christmas music and we’re both singing along as we sort ornaments. Lexi decides it’s time to start decorating and she starts putting the glass bulbs on the tree. “Lex, are you seriously going to study the tree for five minutes before you place every bulb?”

  She turns to me and cocks her hip while sticking out her tongue. “Yes, E. I have to make sure every ornament is in its perfect place. I can’t just throw them up there.”

  Chuckling, I reply, “If you say so. I thought the whole point was to just throw them up there. I wasn’t aware there was a method to the madness.”

  She’s reaching up to place a bulb toward the top and the DJ’s voice comes through the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, a brand new rendition of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ for all of you Bayou Stix fans. It’s rapidly climbing the charts. Enjoy.” The bulb shatters on the ground as she gasps and we hear the first notes. Running over to the radio, I turn the volume down, and turn to her. She’s rocking on the ground and her eyes are filled with silent tears.

  Striding over, I take her in my arms and hug her as she cries. “Oh, love. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that was coming on. Lex, you have to stop this.”

  Sniffling and wiping her face on my shirt, she looks at me. “I know. I am doing better, E. I am. But, I can’t… It still hurts.”