Nicole snorted. “Please, you can have me whenever you want me. I’m pretty sure right now you don’t want me to go off ranting about your mother.”
Brandi bit her lip.
Nicole tossed her head back and laughed.
It was interesting to see Nicole here in this environment. She was nothing like how she’d presented herself to him. He saw it now, how they’d both been playing the person they thought they should be instead of who they really were.
Jayden and Nicole would have never worked out.
Brandi groaned and flopped back on the sofa.
He glanced around and realized Nicole was gone along with his appetite. Brandi’s plate was mostly cleaned off though, so he grabbed both and took them to the kitchen. His he covered with foil for later and hers he rinsed.
It was a sign of exactly how upset Brandi was that she didn’t budge or make even a token sound about handling the dishes.
He didn’t know the first thing he could possibly do to help. Or if there was even a solution to this family dynamic.
“You have a TV in your bedroom, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yeah.” She finally lifted her chin and seemed to notice he was in the kitchen. “I’ll take care of that.”
“It’s handled.”
Jayden dried his hands, then headed for the sofa.
Brandi seemed smaller and oh so sad.
That wasn’t right.
He held out his hand.
She looked at it then him before placing her hand in his.
He pulled her to her feet.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He bent his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her brow. “Come on.”
Jayden led her into her bedroom and closed the door.
“I’m not in the mood for sex,” she said.
One side of his mouth hitched up. “I didn’t think you would be. Lie down.”
She frowned at him, but did as he said.
He mostly closed the bedroom door, then turned the TV on. She’d mentioned before about how her plans to catch up on TV had gone off the rails. He selected one of the older recordings as he toed his shoes off.
“Do you even watch this show?” Brandi asked.
“No, but that’s not important.”
Being with her while she treated old wounds was important enough.
Jayden crawled into bed behind her and stretched out. She leaned back against him and his arm encircled her waist, holding her.
Brandi breathed a soft sigh and a whispered, “Thank you.”
They might have full lives, but when it was really important, he would always make time for her.
Day 14: Sunday
Brandi didn’t want to be awake. But she was. Her problems were so much easier to deal with when she was passed out.
The really strange thing was, Jayden was asleep, too.
He hadn’t told her about his twin’s disappearance.
Because he didn’t trust her? What was it about her that made him not want to share that with her? And why did she care?
She laid her hand over his.
The fact he was still asleep was an indicator of how stressed and worn out he was.
They’d talked around an hour every night this week. It wasn’t a lot of time, but she’d enjoyed chatting to him as her day wound down. Nicole was right. Jayden had a calming personality. Brandi found herself wanting to reach out to him. Lean on him.
Those urges were foreign to her and as a result she kept pulling back. Their evening chats and occasional texts were fine.
So why did she want more? Why did she want to wake up wrapped in his arms more often?
Brandi no longer thought the worst of Jayden. She liked him. But she also knew he would leave. She didn’t fit this picture for his future he’d told her about. And someday he’d wake up and realize she wasn’t what he wanted.
Her heart ached at the thought of that far off day. She’d survive it, though it would hurt.
What was wrong with her? Wasn’t this what she’d tried to avoid? Was she so weak she couldn’t stick to her goals?
Jayden’s legs shifted restlessly against the sheets as he slept.
Last night she’d used Nicole’s bathroom while Jayden showered. Nicole had used that as an opportunity to corner her while Brandi was simply trying to use the toilet. At least the master bathroom had a little closet, so she’d been able to close the door, but that hadn’t kept Nicole from gushing.
“He’s so into you,” she’d said with a note of wistfulness in her voice.
“You could have had him,” Brandi pointed out. And then hated herself for it. She didn’t want to share him or watch her best friend with him.
Nicole had laughed that musical laugh of hers. “Don’t be silly, you two are good together because you’re opposites. Can’t you see it? I wonder what your kids would look like? Have you ever picked out names for fun?”
The very thought of having Jayden’s babies was overwhelming to Brandi. She was talking about a big career change. More school. And at some point she wanted to actually meet this family of hers half-way across the world. How could she do all of that and still be fair to Jayden?
Frustrated, Brandi wiggled and scooted until she’d turned over.
Jayden merely sighed and settled his arm over her in just the right spot.
He’d overcome so much. Life just kept throwing curveballs at him, and he hit them out of the park, one after another. Nicole liked to call her a force of nature, but Brandi had nothing on Jayden. The hardships she’d been through were easy compared to his. Not that it was a contest, but something should be easy for him in this life. It wouldn’t be her.
How much longer could she do this?
Brandi lifted a hand and touched his face, feeling the scrape of his stubble.
She cared about him. Deeply. Which made it so much harder to be with him. Because eventually she was going to break his heart. She didn’t think she could be the woman in his life’s plan.
Part of her wanted that idyllic life, where days were routine, filled with love and laughter.
Was she capable of that?
Her gut said no.
She traced his full lips. A sense of yearning filled her.
If only she could be different. But tigers couldn’t change their stripes. The things that made her uniquely her weren’t something she wanted to change. She’d already tried changing herself for her mother and learned the hard way that wasn’t the answer.
Brandi could only be herself.
And she had never done well at denying herself what she wanted.
She didn’t think a future with Jayden was in the cards, but for now she could be with him.
Brandi leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then he drew in a deep breath and the hand at her waist flexed before pressing against her back.
Someone was waking up.
She reached between them and grasped his cock. His morning wood had already made its presence known. She was simply saying hello back. Or something.
Brandi gave his erection a firm stroke. His body shuddered and his eyes fluttered open on a groan.
Enjoy him while she had him.
She grinned to herself and pushed up, throwing one leg over his hips. He rolled to his back as she sat up, straddling his thighs. Not that she gave him much choice. They were not having enough sex in this relationship to suit her. That was changing now.
Brandi tugged her sleep shirt over her head just enough to make a tent out of it. She leaned forward, draping it over Jayden’s head and creating a bubble that was just them.
He blinked at her while his hands slid up her back, then down to her hips.
“Morning,” she whispered in a sing-song voice.
“Mornin,” he drawled back at her.
Brandi closed her hand around his cock again, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Are you good at being quiet?”
He l
ifted his hips, shifting them a bit. She stifled her own gasp as their sexes ground together.
Jayden’s big hands cupped her bare breasts. He gently pinched both nipples. She curled her toes and fought the urge to squirm.
“I recall it wasn’t me who likes to make noise.” His voice was sinfully sweet.
Brandi sealed her lips over his. Words were too hard right now, and talking wasn’t what she wanted, anyway. Jayden cupped the back of her head, keeping her right where she was. His tongue thrust into her mouth, making love to her.
When he finally released her, she clawed the shirt-tent off them and tossed it to the ground all while panting for breath.
Sitting up, she sucked down air.
Jayden remained on his back, looking up at her with satisfaction in his gaze.
The man could kiss, that was for sure.
Brandi reached for her nightstand. There was no way to know how long they had before Nicole woke up. Jayden had things to do today. But for now, right now, all that mattered was each other.
Brandi blindly grabbed a condom out of the drawer.
“Have I told you lately how sexy you are?” His fingers stroked down her cotton clad mound.
She straightened and arched her back as his touch drifted lower. Groaning, she pressed the condom into his hand. “I do not have time for your teasing right now.”
Suddenly he pressed a single digit against her clit. “If not now, when?”
Brandi gasped and braced her hands on his shoulders.
He muttered something, then pulled her down until he could wrap his lips around one nipple. She pressed her hips down against his hand, relishing the feel of him playing her body.
They needed life to calm down so they could hole up at his place for a long weekend. But this morning, all she wanted was release.
Brandi pushed up and shook her head, trying to clear it.
The rip of the condom wrapper sent a shiver up her spine.
She looked down at where Jayden had shoved his underwear down and was now rolling on the condom.
Her stomach tightened and her mind supplied all the ways he’d already used that thing. She was looking forward to adding a few others.
Jayden grabbed the front of her panties and pulled.
“Hey.” She chuckled and scooted forward.
He flexed and pulled again, ripping the thin fabric.
“Jayden!” she whisper-yelled, all while staring at his fingers protruding through the material.
He had the nerve to look up at her and smile. “Oopse.”
Brandi clapped her hand over her mouth before a laugh could escape. She hunched her shoulders. Jayden’s serene mask cracked and he grinned, right before neatly ripping one side of her panties.
She squirmed.
A man had never ripped her clothes off before.
Granted, these weren’t her best panties. They were thin, well-worn cotton.
Still, the simple act of ripping them off her made her want to do wild things.
Jayden fisted his cock while his gaze took her in. Even in the low light, she could feel his gaze on her.
Brandi needed him now.
She shoved the ruined panties aside and leaned forward, capturing his mouth with her own. At the same time, he guided his cock between them. She cupped his face, holding onto him as he slid his fingers through her folds.
“Fuck,” he muttered against her lips.
“Yeah?” She pushed up a bit and pressed down with her hips.
His fingers were quickly replaced by the blunt head of his erection.
She stopped breathing as her body slowly stretched around him. Arousal eased the joining of their sexes. Residual soreness somehow felt good. She closed her eyes and focused on the sensations. How his cock stretched her. The way the muscles in his thighs flexed under her. His hands stroking her back. The slight tug on a tendril of hair that she knew was all him.
Her nipples tightened and she opened her eyes to find him staring at her breasts.
Brandi braced her hands on his shoulders.
His gaze rose to hers. He lifted a hand and smoothed hair off her face.
Her heart ached and once more she told herself, enjoy the now.
She moved slowly at first. Every shift had her stifling the urge to groan and moan with pleasure. And the entire time she stared into Jayden’s eyes, saw the desire in them and knew he wanted her. Just her.
[put more in here later]
Brandi leaned forward and kissed him. He thrust up into her.
She came hard and fast.
Brandi shoved her pillow over her head in an effort to muffle the sounds she couldn’t control.
Jayden clutched her closer and turned his head, gasping for breath.
She buried her face against his neck and wrapped her limbs around him.
If only this could last.
Jayden blew out a deep breath and relaxed his hold on her.
She kept her eyes shut, willing the rest of the world to leave her along for just a few more seconds.
“Is now a good time to ask if you’re free for dinner?” His voice was deep and rich, oh so soothing.
Except it was Sunday.
Jayden did family dinner.
This was his roundabout way of asking her to meet the family.
“I can’t.” She sighed and pulled away from them.
He hissed as their bodies separated and she stretched out alongside him.
“I’m supposed to have dinner with my dad via video call tonight.” She was relieved that plan was already in place. She didn’t know how she’d turn down the offer otherwise.
He rolled to his side. “Maybe next Sunday?”
She pasted on a smile. “We’ll see. How much longer can you stay?”
“Probably not much longer.” Jayden lifted his head and peered at the clock. “I should have been gone already.”
She cupped his cheek. “Yeah, I thought about waking you up earlier, but you looked so peaceful. You needed it.”
“Probably did.” He turned his head and kissed her palm.
“But you’re awake now and you want to get going?”
He winced.
She chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Called it. Let me see if the coast is clear. You owe me new underwear, by the way.”
“Do I get to pick it?”
She considered the question for a moment. “You can supply options, but I get final say.”
He shook his head.
Brandi grinned and pulled on a pair of sleep shorts and tank top. Satisfied everything was covered, she tiptoed out of the bedroom.
The house was still quiet, which meant Nicole hadn’t stirred yet.
Brandi darted into the bathroom and rushed through her routine. It was nice to do something so mundane, what with how jumbled her head was.
She stepped into the hall.
A vaguely human shaped shadow moved.
Brandi jumped back and yelped.
“Oh my God,” Nicole yelled.
“What’s wrong?” Jayden called out.
Brandi pressed her hand to her chest and stared at Nicole. “What are you doing in the dark, you freak?”
Nicole held up her hands. “Sorry.”
“Brandi? You guys okay?” Jayden’s concern was audible.
“I’m fine, just Nicole trying to scare me to death.” Brandi shook her head.
Nicole crooked her finger and whispered, “Come. Here. Now.”
“Bathroom’s all you.” Brandi followed Nicole to into the master bedroom where she quickly shut the door. “What is your deal?”
She whirled to face Brandi, face bright.
Brandi frowned. “What happened?”
“He stayed the night?” Nicole dropped her voice, so it was almost impossible to hear her.
The creak of Brandi’s bedroom door opening and closing told her exactly what Jayden was doing.
“Yes. Last night we just talked, watched TV and went to bed.” She wasn’
t going to offer up details on their morning antics.
“And?” Nicole tip-toed toward the bed.
Brandi had hoped to have this talk later. When she had some clue what to say.
For now, she could play dumb.
“And—what?” She shrugged. “He’s got to go do family stuff today.”
“Asher?” Nicole’s light dimmed a bit.
“Yeah.”
“I’m going to ask on Monday if I can look anything up.”
Brandi bit her lip. She didn’t want to get too optimistic about what Nicole might found out. Not before they knew if she was allowed to do it.
She tilted her head, that smile of hers coming back. “It was really nice of Jayden to just drop everything and come over like that.”
“Yeah.”
“How you doing this morning with everything?”
The bathroom door creaked open.
Both Brandi and Nicole paused. When Jayden returned to the bedroom, Nicole focused back on Brandi.
“I’m fine. Last night just brought it all back up top, you know? I wasn’t prepared. I shouldn’t be surprised Mom is still who she’s always been. I guess I just thought...she’d be different with her own kids.”
“You’re her kid, too.”
Brandi shook her head. “She might have birthed me, but I’ve never been her kid.”
Nicole dove at Brandi, wrapping her in a tight hug. “You’re the sister I always wanted.”
“You silly goose.” She sighed and squeezed Nicole back. “Can we stop with the girl hugging in our pajamas now?”
Nicole let go of her only to wag a finger in Brandi’s face. “Fine. Okay. But you owe me more talking about you-know-who later. You deserve someone who will rescue you for a change, B. Not the other way around.”
Brandi turned before Nicole saw the tears.
Jayden was that kind of guy, which meant losing him was going to hurt.
Day 15: Monday
Jayden pressed the cork board squares to what had previously been a bare wall at his apartment. They were starting to do double work in their search for Asher. It was time to set up a command center. Somewhere they could keep notes, coordinate, and do so out from under Mom’s nose.
She knew Asher wasn’t talking to the family and that something was wrong. They were all worried about Asher. But she didn’t have to see all their dead ends.
The Wrong Perfect Match (Fullilove in the House Book 1) Page 22
