My Bossy Protector: A Best Friend’s Brother Romance

by Charlize Starr

  “I’m attracted to you too . . . But I can’t be your little experiment, Michael,” she said. Her eyes looked sad.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that if you’re experimenting on me, trying to see if you can actually commit to something real . . . then I’ll end up hurt again,” Aria said. Her eyes were strained. She was worried about what I would do to her heart.

  “You’re not my experiment, Aria. You’re the real thing. I’ve never felt this way about someone before. I’ve never tried to commit to someone, but I want to try with you,” I said, peering longingly into her eyes.

  I wanted her. I wanted her to see the real person inside. I felt like she was the only one who could see.

  She leaned towards me, knocking her forehead gently with mine. “You should know that I just got out of a serious relationship. He left me for someone else. I’m still wounded,” she murmured.

  I dared to kiss the tip of her nose. “I promise I’ll be gentle with you, Aria. I don’t want to hurt you,” I said.

  Aria closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, like she was breathing in my scent. I looked her over – at her beautifully delicate face and that crown of red curls. I was taking a risk. I knew I’d never done this before and I could mess it all up. But Aria was worth it.

  I kissed her while she had her eyes closed, parting her lips with my tongue. Aria gasped and threw her arms around my neck, pressing herself against my body. This was the moment I’d been waiting for. This was the woman whose face I wanted to wake up to the next morning, and now she was in my arms.

  “Michael,” she whispered, pulling her mouth away from mine. “Please make love to me,” she said.

  I clenched my jaws. She could see the desire in my eyes. I had to have her.

  Chapter 16 - Aria

  Once Michael started kissing me, I knew there was no turning back. I’d been fantasizing about him since that first night with him. I wanted him to make me feel good. Even though I hadn’t admitted it aloud, I hadn’t thought of anyone else but him since we first met. And now, he was taking off my clothes again.

  My dress came off and then my bra. When my breasts swung into view, he reached for my nipples and twisted them between his fingers. An electric shot ran down my spine and I cried out with pleasure. I wanted to see him.

  Michael was crouched over me, his green eyes piercing my body, focused on my breasts. I reached for his belt and slid it off, fumbling with his zip. Within moments, I’d taken off his pants. He was only wearing a shirt today – no jacket or tie. I unbuttoned his shirt while his mouth traveled down my neck, inching closer and closer to my breasts. My hands flew over his expansive solid chest just as his tongue met my aching left nipple. I cried out again as he started sucking. My eyes rolled back in my head and I pressed myself to him. I wanted him to know how wet I was between my legs.

  His shirt slid off and my hands were all over his muscular, chiseled body. I was dying to see him naked, to finally know him as intimately as he’d known me that night. In his boxers, I could see his cock growing aggressively. He continued sucking on my nipples and I wove my fingers int0 his thick, dark hair. I was dangling off the edge of the couch, my body writhing underneath his. His mouth teased and played with my nipples until he knew it was time to take it to the next step. His fingers traveled down my front, inching closer to my pussy.

  He pulled my panties down expertly and I gasped. His fingers found my folds – my wet, throbbing pussy and my swollen clit. I arched my hips up towards him invitingly and Michael complied. He was staring deep into my eyes as he slipped his forefinger into me. It was a rough sensation, the friction of his finger against my folds. I pressed my eyes closed and bit down on my tongue. He slid his finger in and out of me slowly while he stroked my clit with his other hand.

  All of Michael’s attention was on me and my hot throbbing core between my legs. I moved and slid on the couch, feeling the pleasure of having a part of him inside me. He was pushing me closer and closer to the edge with every moment. Until he finally stopped.

  I gasped when he slid his finger out of my pussy. My eyes flew open. I was desperately hungry for more.

  There was a grin Michael’s face. He could see what I was asking from him. He stood up in front of me and I looked over his perfect masculine body. He was a powerful man, a man capable of destroying me if he wanted to. He pulled down his boxers and I saw his cock for the first time.

  It was already big, and with every passing moment, it grew bigger. My mouth fell open. I’d lost all my senses. All I knew was that I wanted him inside me.

  Michael grabbed my hips and pulled me so that my legs dangled off the edge of the couch. He lowered himself, positioning himself between my parted legs. I watched his dark eyes while he stroked his cock with one hand. I was holding my breath for that moment.

  And then it happened. His cock parted my folds and slid right inside me. I cried out his name, raising myself up so I could throw my arms around his neck. Michael held me tightly to himself as he started moving. We were fused at the hips. His cock thrust in and out of me in a rhythmic motion. I could feel his length in me, filling me up, reaching the very depth of my core.

  I bounced in his arms, and he kept his eyes on my breasts. I was a plaything in his hands. He was the one with all the control. His cock pounded me, and nothing had ever felt so good. My body was in the air, in his arms, and I knew I was close to coming.

  I nibbled on the side of his neck, digging my nails into his back while he quickened his pace. We were going to come together. He grunted and I moaned loudly as we released simultaneously. I could feel his cum shoot into me and my juices flood down the insides of my thighs. Michael didn’t stop moving. We moaned together, looking into one another’s eyes.

  This was what we’d both been waiting for since that night we saw each other at the bar. This was how good I would have felt that night if I had allowed things to continue. Yet, I was glad I waited. I was happy that he wanted something serious with me. That I wasn’t just going to be a one-night stand to him.

  I was smiling and gasping with joy as I came. Michael smiled too. I couldn’t help myself. I was happy. No orgasm had ever felt so right before . . . so good. My breathing started to subside several moments later, and his thrusts inside me became weaker. When he released me, he gently put me back down on the couch. I felt full to the brim with his cum. I felt fulfilled. I leaned my head back on the armrest while he straightened himself up.

  “I hope you liked the appetizer. I have a roast chicken for the main course,” Michael said, fixing his hands on his hips.

  I stared at him and then broke into a loud laugh. I knew I’d made the right decision. I was falling in love with this man.

  ***

  Michael carried me to his lavish en-suite bathroom while I giggled in his arms. Leaving me there, he disappeared, claiming that he needed to get the dinner ready.

  In the bathroom, which was pretty much half the size of my apartment, I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, my lipstick was smudged, and my carefully planned look for the evening had gone for a toss. None of it mattered to me right now. I’d seen the way Michael looked at me while we made love. I trusted him. I believed every word he said.

  This was happening for real.

  I washed my face and then dampened some paper towels and rubbed them all over myself to freshen up. All I could do for my hair was run my fingers through it and hope it would settle down. My makeup was too ruined to be salvaged, so I just used water and paper towels to wash it all off.

  Michael looked at me like I was beautiful. I didn’t need to prove myself to him. He’d seen me at my most vulnerable. He had made love to me like a man with feelings . . . What more proof did I need that I could trust him?

  I had an urge to call Clara or Suzy and tell them what was happening. In the past week, we had spent a lot of time talking about Michael. Their advice to me was to keep my distance or quit the job. Actually, dating him or being
in any kind of relationship with him was a strict no-go for them. But what did they know? They had no idea what he was really like. I’d seen a different side of him today, and it had floored me. This time, I was certain I’d picked the right man.

  Finally satisfied with my appearance after making sure that my dress was in order, I stepped out of the bathroom and into Michael’s bedroom.

  Just like his office, his penthouse was minimally decorated. Clean and neat and sophisticated – all eggshell whites and gray accents. His bedroom was massive, with a king-size circular bed, a walk-in closet, and modern looking furniture. I felt self-conscious as I walked through it in search of Michael.

  I found my way to the dining room, where I could hear him moving around. When I entered, I saw the cozy spread on the table and the delicious scents of a home-cooked meal. Michael was standing at the head of the table, smiling while he carved a roast chicken.

  “You made all this?” I asked. He was just full of surprises!

  “It’s a typical Sunday meal from my childhood. There’s some peach cobbler for dessert. It’s my dad’s recipe,” he said.

  I smiled at him. I felt like I already knew a lot about his family because I’d read those emails he’d exchanged with them. I knew he wasn’t lying.

  Michael rushed over to pull out a chair for me across from himself. He served me generously, poured more wine into a glass, and finally sat down himself. “I hope you enjoy it. I’m not a great cook, but I have to start somewhere,” he said and flipped open a napkin on his lap.

  I sampled some of the food; it was simple and delicious. I refrained from telling him that I loved a man who could cook. I just never expected Michael Sole to be such a man.

  He was watching me as we ate. Neither of us had spoken much . . . Just small talk about the food and the wine.

  “Aria,” he finally said. From the tone of his voice, I knew he was going to say something serious.

  “You should know that I meant everything I said,” he continued. My cheeks flushed. I was hoping he would reassure me with that. Just because we had sex didn’t mean I’d forgotten what he said before.

  “I’m glad to hear it because I meant what I said, too . . . That I don’t want to be hurt by another man,” I told him.

  We looked at each other calmly.

  “I don’t want that,” he added.

  I nodded my head. “So, where do we go from here?” I asked, looking at him hopefully. I didn’t want this to just be a casual fling. I needed him to tell me that we would work on something serious. That I wasn’t just his secretary anymore.

  “We take it day by day? See where things lead us,” he replied and I nodded again.

  “So after dinner . . . ” I began to say and Michael interrupted me.

  “I want you to stay.”

  I tried to stifle a smile. He wanted me to spend the night . . . He wanted to wake up beside me. This was really happening! Michael Sole had turned over a new leaf.

  “Tomorrow’s a Sunday. I was thinking we could lock ourselves up here for the day and do nothing!” he suggested, piercing a roasted baby carrot with his fork. It sounded like the best idea. I wouldn’t have rather done anything else.

  “Deal,” I said, and we smiled at each other.

  Michael raised his wine glass and brought it to his lips. I could feel that familiar desire flooding my body again. I just had him, but I wanted him again. I couldn’t wait to finish eating so I could be in his arms.

  “Why don’t we start by you telling me everything there is to know about you?” He had a grin on his face.

  I laughed. I didn’t even know where to begin! I squinted my eyes and looked up at the ceiling as I thought. Michael was watching me admiringly. I felt beautiful when he looked at me like that.

  “I guess the most important thing to know about me is that I’ve lived all my life in Chicago . . . but there is nothing I hate more than a big city,” I told him.

  I met his eyes, and Michael looked like he was happy to hear it.

  “I grew up in a small town, and I can’t wait to move back there,” he said. I was starting to believe that he was telling the truth.

  ***

  The next morning, I woke up in Michael’s arms on his magnificently comfortable bed. We’d fallen asleep talking, and I couldn’t even remember when I had drifted off. There was bright sunlight pouring into the room through the windows and the warmth of him was comforting.

  When I moved, trying to be as quiet as possible, Michael woke up. He’d given me an old T-shirt of his to sleep in while my cheek was pressed against his strong bare chest.

  He wove his fingers into my curls. “Good morning, Aria,” I heard him say, in a deep, groggy voice.

  All of the previous evening seemed like a dream. Was I still sleeping? I jerked my head up to look at him, to make sure he was still there. He smiled and kissed my cheek, stroking my chin with his thumb.

  “You were very tired last night,” he said gently.

  I felt like I was soaring. Nothing had felt more calming than waking up beside Michael – having him smile at me and look at me like I was the most beautiful creature he had seen.

  “I guess I was . . . I’ve had a busy week,” I told him and snuggled up tightly in his arms. He continued to touch and stroke me softly. His fingers were on the back of my neck, on my shoulders . . .

  “I know, and it’s my fault. I haven’t made it easy for you. I’m sorry if I haven’t behaved very well in the office,” Michael said.

  I met his eyes and smiled. “It’s okay . . . Things will get easier. We were just awkward around each other because of our suppressed feelings,” I told him and kissed his lips.

  Michael sighed and nodded his head. “I wish it was just that, Aria,” he said. His voice sounded somber.

  “What else can it be?” I asked, crossing my brows with worry.

  “I’ve changed as a person here, living in this city. Ever since I moved away from my parents’ home in Spring Green . . . All I’ve cared for is success and money and making my business grow,” Michael explained.

  I ran my fingers over his chest slowly. I could feel his heart beating under my fingertips. I could feel the strength of his muscular thighs as our legs remained entwined.

  “Yes, and you’ve achieved it all. You should be proud of yourself,” I told him.

  Michael met my eyes. There was a dazed look in his gaze. “I should be, but I’m not. I still want more. I’m hungry for more success. I don’t know when or how I will ever stop.” He snapped his face away from mine.

  We were so happy and content moments ago, and now there was a renewed sinking feeling in my heart. I straightened away from his arms, sitting up so I could face him directly.

  “You just need to figure out what is important to you. Find out what makes you happy,” I insisted.

  Michael kept his gaze turned away. He was staring out of the window past me. “I don’t know what does,” he replied somberly.

  I gulped. I was nervous again. Things had been going so well between us. I had been hopeful for the future.

  “You just need some time, need to take a step back and look at your life objectively. If you miss Spring Green and you miss your family, you should find a way to see them more often. You have already achieved so much . . . I’m – I’m sure they’re all very proud of you.” There was a strain in my voice as I spoke. I wanted him to focus on the good things that were happening between us. I didn’t want him to revert to being the cold, shrewd businessman everyone knew him as.

  Michael blinked, snapping himself out of the daze and looked at me. “Aria, I want to be with you . . . And I’m happy things are working out between us. But for now, I think we should keep our relationship a secret,” Michael said.

  I nodded my head.

  “Yes, of course. I agree that we should take it slow. I don’t want to rush you into anything,” I said and smiled weakly at him.

  Michael reached for my face, running his thumb over my feat
ures . . . over my lips. Sending that flurry of goosebumps all over my body again. “You’re beautiful, Aria, and I want to give you everything,” he claimed softly.

  I caught his wrist and kissed his fingertips. “I just want you,” I whispered.

  He pulled me to himself and we were kissing again. “Why don’t I start by giving you coffee and breakfast first?” he asked after he’d covered my face with kisses.

  I laughed and nodded my head. “That would be lovely.”

  Michael slid his legs off the bed and I saw his body in its full naked glory again. How quickly I forgot about the things that made me nervous! All I had to do was look at him and be reminded of how he made me feel.

  Michael put on a pair of pajamas and nothing else while he made to leave the room. “You. Don’t move an inch. I’ll be back with breakfast, and then we can begin our lazy day together in bed.” His voice was bright and joyous again. It put my mind to ease.

  I was smiling by the time Michael left the room. I felt lucky to have found him. I was happy that I’d discovered the kind of man he truly was.

  In one week, it felt like my life had already changed forever.

  Chapter 17 - Aria

  Michael sent the chauffeur with me to drop me back to my apartment later that evening. He said that he had an important conference call before dinner, and I was aware that we needed some time apart to allow the new changes in our lives to really sink in. Besides, we’d be spending the entire week with one another at the office anyways.

  I had a smile on my face when I walked up the steps and fumbled in my purse for my keys. But I didn’t have to open the door. Suzy had swung it open for me from the inside. Clara and Suzy both had my apartment keys, and now I saw that they were waiting there for me.

  “Surprise!” Clara squealed when I stepped in. The two of them were in their pajamas already. A banner with a Happy Birthday message was strung over the door and some decorations had been put up. I’d forgotten about my own birthday. I was turning twenty-five at midnight!