I was finally home. After spending an hour talking to the police and then deciding to stay to finish closing up the center since everyone was rattled, it had turned into an extremely long and grueling day. Thanks to the cameras that Braxton had put up, the whole incident had been caught on tape. Now it was just a matter of finding that asshole, Mr. Jenkins.
Exhaustion possessed every part of my body as I dragged myself through the front door. The girls were both home and already knew from my phone call earlier what had happened, so they were hovering around me like mother hens. I hadn’t been home too long, just long enough to shower, change, and throw myself on the couch when there was a hinge-rattling pounding at the door. Alley went to answer it, and a second later, Braxton was there sitting beside me.
I’d called him just as I was leaving work the second time that evening and told him what happened. He’d had a late night too and we’d already agreed that this week was the girls and my time together before the move this weekend, but I’d had a feeling he wouldn’t stay away. Honestly, I was glad, I just wanted him to hold me. My besties were amazing but being in Brax’s arms made me feel truly safe.
With them wrapped around me, I was at peace.
Braxton pulled back from me and looked me over. A growl erupted from his lips as his eyes in the bruises that had formed on my left arm. When his eyes met mine again, I could still see the anger reflected in them, but this time, it was mixed with pain. I could tell it killed him that this had happened and again he couldn’t protect me, but he hadn’t been there. If he had, the bastard wouldn’t have left in one piece. Life sure did throw down its challenges.
Next thing I knew he planted a kiss on my arm before throats cleared around us. Braxton looked at the girls. “Mind if I steal her away tonight ladies? I know this was your time this week, but I would really like her beside me, so I can see her safe and sound.”
I should’ve said no and gotten mad that he asked them without asking me first, but damn it was sweet as heck and I wanted to be at his side too. I loved my girls, and I knew I could go curl up with one of them, but right now I needed this strong, compassionate man by my side. So, I looked up at my friends and saw nothing but appreciation on their faces. They thought it was just as sweet as I did.
Both of them expressed they were totally fine with it and said they would give us a minute before going to the kitchen. Seeing Braxton’s eyes fill with a silent question, I didn’t leave him hanging.
“I want that too, Brax. I’ll go get some stuff and then I can follow you over.”
“Babe, you’ve had a rough day. I’ll drive you and then we can figure it out tomorrow later. I know you probably have work, but I’ll bring you back here in the morning. Or I can take you to work and then pick you back up, okay?”
Sounded damn nice to me, so I didn’t argue.
“Sounds good, be right back.”
I started to get up, but he lightly pulled me back to him, placed both hands on my cheeks, and spoke softly to me. “I’m so glad you're okay, Dimples. I never want to know how it feels, if you aren’t. Love you.” Then, not waiting for a reply, he slowly lowered his head, and pressed his amazing lips against mine.
Taking in a deep breath, I had sunk into the pillows and inhaled Braxton's scent that surrounded me as I waited for him to come out of the bathroom. Damn the man smelled good. With his smell wrapped around me like a cocoon, I could get lost in his bed forever with him and possibly never come out.
Just then Brax walked out of the bathroom in his boxers and nothing else. Chest sculpted like a Greek God, his smooth, tanned skin begged for my touch. His ink was sexy, and I loved the words. Lord have mercy, he was packing something very impressive under the only stitch of fabric he had on. Remembering just how well he knew how to use that tool of his, my face flushed with sexual awareness.
Braxton gave me a knowing look before strutting across the room and climbing into bed. “You going to behave, Dimples?”
Yup, he knows exactly what just crossed my mind, or close to it.
“Do I have to?” I mean really. It had been a bad day, I was still shaken up, worried about Embry, and I wanted them to find her dad and take him in. I thought all I wanted was for Braxton to hold me, but now that he was almost naked in bed beside me, things had drastically changed.
“I would love nothing more to slide down under the sheets and have my way with you, except one thing. To feel you safe and wrapped around me in our bed, fused together the entire night, would make me happier right now. I just found you, and the thought of ever losing you scares me, but I’m not gonna let that happen. Even if it means we never leave this room. I love you, Jurnee.”
“Brax, you said our bed.”
“After everything I just said, that’s what you zero in on?” he asked with a chuckle. “Of course I said our bed—that’s what it is. It may be a few days until you move in, but the second your gorgeous ass hits this mattress, it became yours too. Nobody else besides me has ever been in it, and there isn’t another soul besides you and me that ever will either. You mean everything to me, Dimples.”
Between the day's events and the speech Braxton had just given, tears began leaking from my eyes and started flowing rapidly. I was tired and my body hurt from being shoved around, but on the flip side of it all, his words were so tender and sincere that I lost all control. Feeling embarrassed, but not able to stop all the emotions from pouring out of me, I buried my face in my hands.
Brax slid further down under the covers, pulled me into him, and held me tight. “Get it all out, baby. You will feel better once you do. I’ve got you.”
I had to stop getting into this man’s bed. Oh, that’s right, our bed, and crying myself to sleep. I was batting two for two as far as that went, and I didn’t want him to get sick of me weeping all the time. But right now, his warmth, compassion, and his body felt too darn good to do anything but fall into a deep slumber, so that’s exactly what I did.
Just before I drifted off, I made a silent vow to myself and him.
I will make it up to him in the best possible way come morning.
Chapter Thirty-One
Jurnee
Something was pressing against my butt.
My body responded on its own, pressing back and doing a little wiggle. That’s when I heard a deep growl. Oops, guess I woke the bear. A giggle escaped my lips.
“You think you're funny, woman?” My half-awake, but obviously, fully aroused boyfriend, asked. That got another laugh out of me. But my laughter died on a squeak when the next thing I knew I was flipped over, arms pinned above my head and Brax’s impressive little morning surprise was now pressed against my overly sensitive lady parts.
“Is this what they call a rise and shine kind of morning?” Braxton smirked all sexy-like.
Oh boy, the timbre of his voice sent goosebumps erupting all over my body, and I recalled a certain vow I made to myself right before I fell asleep last night.
“You're a funny guy, you know that? I did make a little promise to myself last night as I drifted off to sleep you know?”
“And what was that babe?” He raised his eyebrows, and the simple gesture had my nipples hardening.
“That come morning, I would pay you back for everything you have done for me, and for being there for me last night.”
“Jurnee, listen carefully,” he replied, tone serious. “You don’t owe me anything for that. It’s a given— we’re a team now. Understand?”
I understood and I knew that technically, but….
“Good to know, and yes I understand. But, Braxton, I want to pay you back anyway. I promise it will be a lot of fun.”
Not waiting for him to respond and with the element of surprise, I pushed up, flipping him to his back, and reversed our positions. It was now a mirror image of the moment just before, but this time my hands had his, pinned above his head. I was on top of him and the aforementioned lady parts were now pressed down onto his extremely large manly parts.
&
nbsp; Senses on overload, I closed my eyes for a moment, but they popped back open quickly when a deep, masculine groan came from the man below me.
Eyes locking with the green globes staring up at me, I started to move. I thought I was gonna be in control, but that was lost when Brax’s gravelly voice pierced the quiet morning air. “Get on all fours, Dimples.”
Wearing a smile, I complied.
Braxton
For a minute I thought about letting her call the shots, but once she started rocking her sexy body against mine, the beast in me came out to play. My little beauty was about to get down and dirty.
Never in my life had I seen something as sensual as Jurnee on her hands and knees, swaying ass in the air, peering back at me over one shoulder as her hair blanketed her back and her teasing eyes pleaded with me to take her. I wasn’t sure how she would respond to the over the top, alpha behavior that she alone brought out in me, but if looks were anything to go by, then I would say she was liking every second of it.
Timid no more, her shyness vanished, and the little minx began barking her own orders. “Brax, get a move on!” she yelled playfully.
Grabbing onto her hip with my left hand, I wrapped her hair lightly around my right and pulled back a little before leaning in. With our faces mere inches apart—which for me, was too far—I huskily asked what I needed to know.
“Are you ready for me, Dimples?” Her eyes widened, glazing over with anticipation of what was to come. Then those big baby browns blinked up at me with so much heat swirling in their pools that I wasn’t sure anyone was going to be in control in a minute.
“Yes,” she answered, breathlessly.
That was all it took. A second later, I pulled her head back a little more and slammed my mouth down on hers. Wanting to kiss her forever, but needing to be somewhere else right then, I pulled free of her potent lips and released her silky hair. Taking hold of her other hip, I aligned my cock perfectly and in one hard thrust, sank into perfection.
The moan that escaped my girl’s lips should’ve been illegal, and I became a man possessed as I took her and myself straight to Heaven. As I emptied every drop of my love inside her, I prayed it would take root and somehow, even if she didn’t believe that we could, we’d create a piece of both of us.
We both collapsed flat onto the bed, and I rolled to my side, turning her so that she was looking at me. I needed to see her and make sure she was alright. I didn’t need to worry; a blissful smile graced her angelic—and very satisfied—face.
“You’re my perfect other half, and I will be thankful every day that I get to come home to find you.” It was the truth and I hoped she felt the same... or that one day she would.
Jurnee grabbed one of my hands in hers, and the words that left her mouth would forever be etched in my heart.
“You’ve shown me in a small amount of time what it’s like to be loved. Something my own birth mother couldn’t do. And although my best friends and my adoptive parents have shown me that as well, the kind you bring to me is so much different. Besides my daddy, you're the best man that I know.” She scooted as close as she could have got and threw her leg over mine as she continued. “You take care of those you love, serve, and protect your country, are an amazing friend, and a good person. I’m damn lucky that when you came back you noticed me, that you saw the real me, and that you chose to share your love with me. Because Braxton, I never want to lose you. I will cherish you and the gift you have given me always.”
My own eyes grew misty, and my chest tightened. Tongue refusing to work around all the emotion that settled in my body, I couldn’t speak. So I pulled her in close, and held her head to my chest as I stroked her hair; I didn't let go for a long time. Then, her muffled voice broke the silence.
“Will you tell me about your time in the service? I just want to know you...all of you I mean.”
That wasn’t what I was expecting her to say, but it was what she deserved. And truth be told, I wanted her to know every part of me too.
“Sure I will, Dimples.”
I proceeded to tell her about my time in the Marines. How growing up we didn’t have a lot of money, which she already knew, but how that made me feel. It was hard watching our parents care more about themselves and their partying ways than their own kids. Neither of them could hold a job very long the way they lived, Alley and I suffered because of it. So, wanting something better for myself, and for my baby sister, I knew without money for college, that I was going to join the military.
Explaining to her how hard it was to leave Alley when I left for boot camp choked me up. “I was scared for her, Dimples, but you know what made me feel better?” I know I posed it as a question but didn’t wait for a response. “You and Summer, along with the fact that if needed, she always had a safe place to go...your house. I knew she could go to Summer’s too, and she would, but we all know the Abbots are not our cup of tea.” Jurnee and I, both chuckled at that comment, because boy did we know that was the truth. “I knew without a doubt you girls would make sure she was okay, and that allowed me to go do what I needed to. You also know Alley is stubborn, so she wouldn’t have had it any other way. My sister is tough, but she is not Superwoman. Even now I know something is bugging her, she just locks it up inside.”
I saw a look on Jurnee’s face as I mentioned this last part, but I also knew the girls kept their secrets and threw away the key; except for maybe when it could harm someone, so I didn’t press the issue.
Continuing, I told her all about boot camp, which is where I met Gyth, and how we ended up stationed at the same place, together throughout our whole career. Then how I met Kace later, and about some of the other guys that were good friends of mine. The stories I told, some made her laugh, and some made her tear up. Those memories always brought on mixed feelings for me too.
There had been many great ones and others that were hard to have dragged back up. Explaining about Gyth’s injury and how that came about, was a hard thing to discuss, especially when I knew how much it affected my best friend.
While I talked, Jurnee silently listened, taking it all in, her fingers continuously brushing over my tattoo. The words inked on my skin rang true to me, that’s why I put them there, and knowing she understood was an amazing feeling.
As I finished talking, I looked down just as she looked up and our eyes locked. “You're beautiful, and I’m one lucky man that you're taking a chance on me. I want you to know I will move Heaven and Earth to give you everything your heart desires. You deserve nothing less.” I meant it too. Not caring how soon it was, I was working on a plan that I hoped would pan out, allowing me to do just as I’d wanted and give Jurnee exactly what she wished for.
“You’re so good to me Brax and you're all I want and need,” she said tenderly, but as sweet as her words were, I knew there was more she wanted, and I intended to make it happen. “Do you need to get up now? Or do we have time to stay in bed a little longer?” Now she was talking and even if I didn’t have time, I would make it for her.
“There’s time, Dimples and I plan to use every minute. Only this time, I plan to make slow, sweet love to you.”
And that’s exactly what I did.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jurnee
It was Saturday, a day which had been bittersweet. Packing up all my things to move was both hard and exciting at the same time. It didn’t take long since I was only taking my personal things, not any furniture, or household items. Braxton had all that, plus the girls still needed it. Good thing he had a Keurig or I’d have stolen ours, and Alley would have kicked my ass.
As I looked around my soon to be old room, both girls came up behind me, and grabbed me in a big old bear hug, practically smothering me to death. This was it, so much was about to change. Even though I was in love with Brax, and so happy to be going to his place, I couldn’t help the tears that fell down my cheeks knowing how much I would miss my besties.
I heard sniffles from behind me. Clearly I wasn’
t the only one feeling emotional. The girls let me go, and I turned to face them. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“I love you crazy girls so damn much.” I barely managed to get those first words out, because I was so choked up. I took a deep breath and carried on. “You were my rock from the first day I met you, every day since, and you will forever be those anchors for me.” Damn it was hard to get through this. “I know without a doubt that I can come to you whenever I need help, to bitch and cry, or if I just want a hug. And no matter if I’m living in a different house, that won’t change. Just as, I will always be there for you the same way.”
“I hope you never come home crying because you’re sad, even though I will miss you because I want you to be so fucking happy with my brother. But you can come back here any time, you know that,” Alley said, fighting to hold back more tears.
“Ditto,” Summer added. “But if you have to come back because he hurt you, I will kick his ass.”
All of us stepped closer and embraced again. Then a throat cleared from the doorway. “You ladies ready to roll, and head over to the house to unpack the stuff?” Braxton asked.
“Hold your damn horses oh brother of mine. Can’t you see we are having a moment? You don’t rush three girls!” Alley smarted off to her brother, which was nothing new. We all had a good laugh.
“Stop your weepy shit, sis, you know you can come to the house whenever you want, and we're doing the BBQ tonight too, so you will be together still for hours.”
Not missing his shot, Braxton fired right back. I swear these two were kids all over again when they got going. They had always gotten along and were playful though, so it was fun to watch.
Entwined Souls (Soul Sister Book 1) Page 17
