Awareness hit me the moment she walked in. My back was to the door and I was talking to the guys amid a room full of noise, and yet I still felt her presence immediately. Jurnee was quickly becoming something immensely important that I needed in my life, just as I needed air to breathe.
After turning around, I almost swallowed my tongue. My girl was wearing a skirt, her beautiful legs and exposed skin calling my name. Down boy, don’t get ahead of yourself, I said to my hardening cock. I wanted Jurnee in my bed, so fucking bad, but I also wanted to build something real. Going slow was important because this was so much more than a fling. When I said my girl, that meant something. I was in it for the long haul.
As I got my thoughts under control, the girls made their way up to me and the guys. Not waiting a minute longer, I wrapped my arm around Jurnee’s back and pulled her into my side, planting a kiss on top of her head, before making my way to her soft lips. She didn’t fight it and melted into me instantly, giving back as good as I gave.
“Get a room,” my sister scoffed.
I pulled back but kept my girl close. Turning toward Alley, I reached out with my free hand to ruffle her hair, but she dodged me before I got her. “Don’t even try it, Braxton,” she growled.
Her eyes darted toward Landon and the change in them had me thinking back to the first time we got together. She had looked at him with a mix of emotions, much like she was doing now. I needed to figure out what the fuck I was missing.
She quickly diverted her gaze and carried on. “Are you going to introduce us to your other friend or what?”
“Oh yeah, got distracted by this one here,” I said, giving Jurnee a squeeze. She cuddled into me, wrapping her arms around my middle, and hugging me tightly. I didn’t mind that at all, I loved having her right next to me.
“Ladies, this is Kace, Kace this is my little sister Alley, her friend, Summer, and this is my girl, Jurnee.” I pointed to each as I went and hugged my woman even tighter when I got to her.
“Hey, she is my best friend, not just your girl!” Alley exclaimed, causing everyone to laugh.
“Nice to meet you all, and it’s great to finally meet the one who has my badass friend so lovesick.” Kace grinned, always the damn charmer, then leaned in, picked up Jurnee’s hand, and kissed the back of it. When she smiled at him, I’d had it, and smacked him upside the head.
“Hands off my woman, Kace! Find your own girl.” He shrugged the comment off and reached for Summer. A growl erupted beside us and we all turned.
“Well now,” Kace said, “looks like someone else is on the taken list.” For that, he got smacked again, only this time by Gyth. Summer just quietly watched Gyth with a look of bewilderment. Kace didn’t let that slow him down though; that’s just the type of guy he was—the life of the party. The next thing I knew, he grabbed a wide-eyed, Alley and pulled her onto the dance floor. The man didn’t waste any time getting things moving.
Looked to me like Kace may have gotten whopped again if he’d been close enough to reach. Landon didn’t look happy at all. In fact, he looks straight up pissed and almost homicidal. “Something you want to explain to me?” I leaned to the side so as not to make a big production of my question.
Summer quickly jumped in, “Simmer down big brother,” she said, eyes locked on Landon. “It’s not the time.” What did she know that I didn’t? Landon glared at his sister in return.
“Nope,” was all Landon said. I would leave it alone for now, but the conversation was far from over. I wanted to get my girl on the dance floor. I couldn’t let Kace have all the fun.
“You ready to give me that dance now that we never got the last time, Dimples?” She rolled her eyes, I think at the nickname but nodded her head yes at the same time. With that confirmation, I had her on the floor and in my arms right away. The rest of the room faded away as I gazed into her eyes. “Want to stay with me tonight?” I held my breath waiting for her answer. Lord knows, I didn’t want to scare her, move too fast, or fuck this up, but I wanted her in my house, taking up my space. Whether or not she ended up under my sheets and beneath me was up to her. Jurnee just being there was enough for me until she was ready for more.
“Yeah, I want that.” All the air I was holding in released like a burst of wind.
“I just want you to know I’m not rushing anything. Everything is your call on how fast this moves between us. But I also want you to know I want this to last. You and me.” She was incredibly quiet, and I was worried about what was going on in that pretty little head of hers. Not taking my eyes off her, I waited for her to respond.
“First, I just want you to know that I’m not gonna run off to the bathroom.” She laughed. “Second, I want this to last too. And third, when I go home with you tonight, I want to end up in your bed, but sleeping isn’t what I have in mind.”
Holy shit, I am a grown ass-man and this girl has me twisted like a pretzel and sweating in my jockey shorts.
I grinned at her like a crazed fool. “Do you think it would be rude if we left now?” I was only half kidding. She giggled and the sound almost had me pulling her out the door.
“We will get there, you promised me dancing and a night of fun with our friends. I’m holding you to it. Then our time will come. Now twirl me, Braxton.” How perfect could the next song be when Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison came on while I was spinning Jurnee around the dance floor, her laughter filling my soul?
While we were having a blast, there was trouble brewing on the sidelines. Landon looked pissed and walked off. My friend was struggling with something and it had to do with my sister, I just didn’t know what the hell was going on.
There was also something else going on too, only this wasn’t bad. I was pretty sure it could be something great. Gyth and Summer were talking and even though Gyth was in his chair again, he didn’t let it stop him. He held out his hand and when Summer took it, he pulled her down onto his lap, right into his chair with him, and wheeled her out to the floor. Now that was a sight. And a good one at that.
When we’d all been dancing for quite a while and needed a break, we headed off to find a table, rest, and get something to quench our thirst. The five of us sat together, but Landon was MIA. We were talking about old times, new beginnings, and just shooting the breeze. Kace was tight-lipped about personal stuff and it made me wonder more and more what happened when he went back home. I wasn’t going to try and dig into his personal business in front of everyone though.
I snuck my hand under the table and lightly rested it on Jurnee’s knee. The feel of her warm bare skin had my thoughts derailing like a runaway freight train about to jump the tracks. I needed to stay in control and not act like a teenage boy who had never touched a girl before. But with her, it felt like a first, and I knew everything to come would too.
Jurnee was different. She was so much more than anyone before.
Feeling her small hand touch the top of mine, she squeezed a little and turned to smile at me. Damn those dimples got me every time. They took up residence on her cheeks, but it was the one on her chin that truly called to me. I knew it was silly, but I wanted to touch it every time. Along with her brown eyes that shined with kindness, she pretty much could have me wrapped around her finger if she wanted to.
Hell, who am I kidding, she already does.
Smiling back, I gave her knee a little squeeze as she had done to me. It was then that Alley’s sharp intake of breath had me turning back to the group. My sister looked broken. Something you didn’t see much from her even with all the shit she had been through. I turned to look in the direction her eyes were glued to and saw Landon dancing with some classy blonde chick. Not my type at all, but it looked like maybe she was his. He came from money, he looked the part, and the lady did too. But when you got to know him, that’s not what he was all about. I didn’t get to ask what was wrong before Alley was out of her seat and heading for the door.
Summer instantly got up to follow but told us before she left that she was
going to take Alley home. It was a good thing Summer hadn’t been drinking so she would be sure to get them home safe. In fact, I’m not sure if Summer ever drank. I knew she took medication so maybe that was the reason why, but I didn’t know all the details. “You coming Jurnee, or…” She trailed off not finishing her sentence, and glanced at her friend.
“If it’s alright I think I’m gonna stay with Braxton? Will you two be okay?”
“Of course, love you girl. I’ll see you when I see you.” Summer smiled and looked at Gyth. “Thanks for the dance, Gyth, and it was good to meet you, Kace. Bye, Braxton.” Everyone said goodbye and although Gyth looked a little disappointed, I knew he understood why she needed to go. That’s what friends do—they are there for each other in a heartbeat. As Summer headed off, the mood changed and Gyth and Kace decided to head out also. Kace was staying with Gyth at his place until he found his own space, so the two of them had ridden over together.
With just Jurnee and I left at the table, I glanced back to where Landon was and realized he was gone too. I wasn’t sure where he went, but knowing he had driven himself I decided to focus on my lady. “How about another dance before we go?”
“Would love to,” she answered softly.
We made our way to the dance floor and the song couldn’t be more perfect once again. This club was cool, they played a mix of so many different genres of songs, as well as years. We found ourselves tucked close together and swaying to All My Life, by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville.
Her body pressed against me, head tucked under my chin, her face snuggled into my chest, I let the feel of Jurnee surround me. Every part of her physically and mentally touched down deep inside my soul and I knew she had always been meant for me.
But it was at this moment that she became mine forever. I would never be able to let her go.
The words of the song washed over me, and I began to softly sing the lyrics into her ear so she would feel the intimacy of this moment.
“Braxton,” she whispered breathlessly. “What’s happening?”
I hated that she had to ask, but after learning more about her over the past few weeks, I could see how this would feel foreign to her. Honestly, it was for me too. She was trembling and I was sure she was a little scared of what was brewing between us, as well as turned on. It was like a hot pot of coffee you craved but feared it would burn you at the same time.
“The same thing that’s happening to me,” I answered. “I’m falling, Dimples.” I nuzzled in close to her and kissed her neck softly, as I whispered, “Fall with me?”
I posed the question but didn’t give her time to respond. I couldn’t wait a second longer for her lips to touch mine. I leaned back a little and looked into her warm chocolate eyes that so much emotion poured out of. They were a beautiful waterfall of emotion, cascading into a pool of hope.
I slid my hand through her hair, around the side of her neck, pulled her face close to mine, and planted my mouth on hers. Smoothly caressing her lips with my own, I let everything fade away but us. Then knowing so many people were around us, I broke the kiss, much to my disappointment. Our time alone would come and I would take every second then to show her what I couldn’t now.
“Braxton.” Glancing down, she released a sigh, as if to get her bearings. Lifting her head back, she looked me straight in the eyes.
“I’ve already fallen.”
Sucking in a breath, her words reached my ears and burrowed into my heart. Gently running my hand down her side, I enclosed my hand in hers, entwining our fingers together, and headed off the floor, pulling her along with me. I needed her in my home, I wanted her alone, and it didn’t matter what we did as long as she was with me.
Chapter Nineteen
Jurnee
So, this was Braxton’s home. It wasn’t what I had expected at all. Alley mentioned how nice and how big it was, but I was still stunned when we pulled up. I wasn’t sure why he needed such a large house for one man, or how he afforded it. Feeling like there was something behind his choice, I longed for him to share that part of himself with me.
Over the last few weeks we’d had a lot of fun, talked a little about me, but we hadn’t had many conversations about him, and there was so much to Braxton that I wanted to know and desired to learn.
He opened my door to let me out of the Jeep with a hesitant look on his face. It was as though bringing me here may have been something he wanted but was also something that brought a vulnerability to himself as well. His emotions seem so mixed up, but it was nice to see another side of him peeking out from beneath his tough exterior.
Walking along the stone pathway toward the door in silence, I surveyed the outdoor surroundings. The front yard was huge, beautifully landscaped with gorgeous flower gardens around the house and the coolest water feature, which contained three different levels of bubble rock fountains. It was quite a sight. There were steps up to the deck that led to the front entry, along with a wraparound porch. I was almost positive it went all the way around the entire house. On the porch sat two matching wooden rockers, with a table in between them. As we stepped up to the door, I stood on a cute welcome mat, that read ‘There’s No Place Like Home, Welcome.’ Who was this guy?
Braxton unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside, flipping on an interior light just as an alarm sounded. I followed along, shutting the door behind me. He quickly punched in a code and turned the high tech-looking system off, then faced me. “This is my home,” he announced, waving his hand around. It was kinda like ta-da, as though it had magically appeared, and I couldn’t help but grin at him.
“What are you smiling about?”
“You're cute and kinda funny.”
“Cute? That’s the word you use to describe me? Guys need a better word than that.” I could tell he was teasing me again. I love his playful side.
“Oh, I have words, but I can’t tell you them right now.” There went my mouth again with the flirting that only Braxton had ever brought out in me.
“I think I can get you to talk one way or another.” The look on his face was full of sin and determination.
“Think so, do ya?” I sassed back, with more bravado than I’d truly had.
I’d shut up real quick when he stalked toward me, having no doubt Braxton could get pretty much whatever he wanted out of me. Sexually or otherwise. Walking right up into my personal space, he leaned down and gave me a peck on the lips. It was far too short of a kiss if I do say so myself. A frown must have been on my face because Braxton’s next silly comment told me he’d seen it.
“Hey, Dimples, turn that frown upside down. There will be more kisses where that came from,” he said, as he ran his thumb over my bottom lip and had shivers running through my whole body. “Do you want the grand tour?” he asked, with a hopeful, but nervous glint in his eyes. Damn, I did for sure want the grand tour, but I wanted his mouth back on me too.
House first, kisses after. I gave him my best smile because the man-made me really damn happy.
“I would love one.”
Grabbing my hand, he set about showing me his place. And what a place it was. State of the art kitchen with beautiful, shiny, stainless steel appliances and a huge island, along with gorgeous granite countertops. I wasn’t the best cook, but I wouldn’t mind cooking something up in that kitchen. Maybe me on Braxton’s island to start off with.
Then there was a massive family room with a beautiful brick fireplace and a wide-open floor plan. A nice office, I assumed Braxton used if he had to work at home. The mudroom at the back of the house could have been a bedroom; it was so large, but those were up the spiral staircase upstairs. The rooms were spacious, with a nice big walk-in closets. There was a bathroom downstairs and an amazing one upstairs for everyone, but it was the master bedroom and master bath that had me gasping. Holy smokes, the stone shower, with two shower heads, so big that it was open with no door and had enough room for many people at once was insane.
I hope he hasn’t h
ad a lot of people in there since he bought the place. Truth was, I didn’t think Braxton would be taking me out all the time and bringing people back here too, but we’d never said we were a couple, so he was kinda free to do what he wanted.
Wandering over to the huge window in his room that looked out over the backside of the house, I was stunned at the view. Being on the second story allowed me to see everything. And it was incredible. Braxton opened a set of French doors and walked out onto his private balcony. Following him out, my breath caught at the sight of the river running behind the house, the sound of the rippling water, and the picture-perfect scenery bringing tranquility and peace that soothed everything inside me.
“It’s so beautiful Braxton,” I said as I strolled up to the railing to take it all in. I felt him at my back, his heat and close proximity had sent goosebumps all over my skin. He always had that effect on me. His whispered words tingling in my ear were almost my undoing.
“You're the beautiful one.”
Taking in the glow of the moon shining off the water, the twinkling stars in the sky, I inhaled the fresh air and turned in his waiting arms. His strong limbs wrapped around my back, but he still held me a little ways away so we could peer into one another’s eyes. He and Alley looked so much alike, I had always thought, but their eyes were what set them apart. Both pairs looked like shimmering water, but where her irises are ocean blue and his were sea green. Each sparkled brightly depending on the light and depth at which you gazed at them.
Peering into Braxton’s, I hadn’t thought they were as cool as water, but more like full of heat, want, and need. I wanted to oblige whatever they seemed to be pleading for me to do.
“Kissing you right now is a must, you okay with that?”
Did he honestly have to ask? I wanted his mouth to stay on mine downstairs, so I wasn’t going to turn him away now. “Yes please,” I breathlessly answered.
Entwined Souls (Soul Sister Book 1) Page 11
