Shrugging back, Brody laughed, letting me get the belt off him. He placed his wrist on the wheel. “Eager for something, darlin’?”
God, he still drove me crazy with that word. He’d always drive me crazy in the best possible way. I slid out of the truck and he followed my lead. After pulling out his overnight bag he used on the road from the backseat of the truck, he slammed the door, then raced me to his front stoop. Upon reaching it, his staircase became the spot for a mass of giggles and grabbing. Brody’s hands took no prisoners, nor did they ask for permission. They never needed it as they explored and played over the curves of my body. He kissed me, his arm looped around my back, and somehow despite the Brody wave, I had been able to unlock his door one-handed with the key he gave me.
My keys hit the entry way and his bag followed when he reached around me and let us inside. His large brown boot kicked the door shut and he spun me, pulling my body flush against his. We crashed together like two perfect waves, his own burning with heat and I thought I just might fall into it. I’d fall into him and hoped to God to never be let go.
He backed me up, ripping up the hem of my shirt and my butt smacked the door. A sharp and distinct crunch hit the air and a wave of dread sent my hand out. Without thinking, I pushed Brody away, sliding from underneath him. The closest light was a lamp. It sat on the table near Brody’s upholstered couch. I turned it on, huffing as I reached back into my pocket.
My sister’s phone lay squarely in my hand and I turned it, inspecting.
Oh, God no. Please God, no.
My hands shook so bad I didn’t notice the crack at first. I’d been moving the phone around too much, but it was there. The back where the battery covered it split right down the plastic. Turning it around, I flipped the phone opened and dialed, listening.
A ring saved my life. A ring saved my world.
Brody’s landline went off right near the lamp and I shut the phone, the tone silencing.
That’s when his hand came down on my shoulder.
Brody’s lips found my hairline, kissing softly before moving down to my cheek. His large arms folded around my waist.
“It’s okay,” he said, kissing my neck, then my shoulder bone. “It’s okay. No harm done and I’m sorry. I should have been more careful.”
He did nothing wrong. I was the one who had the responsibility. This phone was my only link to her, so if I broke it…
She really wouldn’t come back.
Eyes closed, I stood there for a moment, breathing, trying to breathe and Brody, he didn’t rush me. He soothed me. His gentle voice bled softly into my ear, saying all kinds of things I needed to hear. He kept saying it would be okay. He kept saying she would call, but she’d been gone so long, my sister becoming more of a memory now than real and I felt terrible. Because every day that passed, I was unsure if I wanted her to be any more than that to me—a memory.
But then I thought of Aiden and how much he needed her.
I lowered the phone, opening my eyes, and Brody’s arms released their hold on me when I turned within them. I put my hand over his heart, feeling that strong thump, then brought myself to his neck by his shirt. I kissed him there, his neck. His sharp scent excited me and a rumble within his chest turned me on.
I kissed his collar. “I don’t want to talk about her,” I said, and I didn’t. I just wanted him. He’d been gone for too long. Two weeks too long.
He said no words of disagreement, walking with me as I backed up and led him to the couch. I placed the phone down gently on the coffee table in front of it and he didn’t fight me when I touched his chest.
He fell back to sofa, his big body covering two of the three sections. He watched me, his arms going behind his back and I held his thighs, lowering myself to the floor. I took off his shoes, his socks next. Standing, I pushed my hands along the grooves of his jeans, my thumbs using the inseam as a guide to him. The blue in his irises flared, his lids heavy, and his lips parted. He licked them and grabbed my hips when I used my knees to settle on his lap.
He held me there, his t-shirt straining with every rapid inhale and exhale of his large chest.
I pulled my shirt off, my own chest moving, and his fingers padded up my sides. He brought me to him by my hips, placing one hard kiss between my breasts. He let go as I backed up and slid down his body. He could do nothing but watch me; sit back and watch as I opened his jeans. He could do nothing but let me please him.
A crinkle hit the air when I unzipped his jeans and the bulge in his pants twitched to be felt and tasted through his boxers. The very prospect made my mouth water and I didn’t want to wait, but made myself go slow for him.
I moved my hand over the dark briefs, outlining his size. So much. I more than filled my hand and his came down on mine, squeezing with mine. A few staggered breaths left his full, pink lips and he let go when I pulled him free of his boxers.
He sprang out, erect in the air, and my nostrils filled with his distinct scent, sharp and male. Watching me, I pressed my lips to the head, using my tongue to flick the cap.
He groaned, his fingers digging into the sofa. He twitched and I moved my thumb over the dewy bead seeping out of his pulsing shaft. I used it, gripping the mass and drawing my hand up and down in a constraint rhythm. I couldn’t take it anymore and took him whole in my mouth, my eyes watering at the sudden pressure hitting my throat. My mouth widened for his size and I sucked, playing with his balls.
His hand came down on the back of my head, his fingers moving down to cup my neck. He squeezed, pulling a breath through his teeth. His legs widening, he told me where to get him just right, his hand at the back of my neck guiding my pace.
I sucked harder and he lifted his hips. His knuckles went white over the couch cushions and I knew he was holding back. Cupping his balls, I played, bobbing over his girth. I went faster, urging him not to hold back. He didn’t have to be gentle with me. I told him that.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
He drove his hips, his dick like a rapid piston in my throat and I gagged, making myself go on. He tasted so good and I felt him swell, ready to fill my mouth.
He fell back into the couch, to pull out, but I followed him, determined to take him to the end. I gripped his thighs and hovered above him, giving him one last long draw.
Salty liquid filled my mouth, bursting, and I swallowed, feeling Brody’s hands come down my back. His head fell back, his eyes closing, and I sucked him dry, taking all he could give me.
His length pulsed, throbbed as I released him. I wiped my mouth, Brody’s eyes hazy below me. He looked completely sated, that flare of blue sex drunk. I stood, but he brought me back to him.
His hands on my hips, he pressed a kiss to my tummy, using his fingers to unzip my shorts. I told him he didn’t have to as he touched his lips to my mound, using his fingers to slide my panties down my thighs. I was pleased by pleasing him and didn’t need anything in return, but there was no telling Brody that. He always took care of me.
Even from the beginning.
*
“You work next Friday, right? That’s your long day?” Brody’s arm came around me, spearing a piece of breaded sesame chicken from the to-go carton resting in my blanketed lap. He surrounded me everywhere really; his naked legs, chest, and arms. We sat in a sea of blankets from his bed, eating the Chinese take out we had delivered by candlelight in his living room.
And we were completely spent from quite a few tumbles. He’d been gone for two weeks and it couldn’t be helped.
Brody fed me the chicken and his lips lifted following my sound of enjoyment.
Chewing, I considered what he’d said, then shook my head when I realized the answer to his question. I swallowed. “No, actually. I would be but no. My hours are being cut.”
He frowned, getting more chicken around me for himself this time. “What happened?”
“Nothing but the fact that it sucks working for a corporation.” My job at the gym, I loved really. I got
to teach contemporary and alternative dance as well as ballet to the youth members, but as I was new, my hours got cut first when the word came down from corporate. I shrugged. “The time just isn’t there and there are too many employees.” Which really sucked as I was trying to become more self-sufficient. Brody had done so much for Aiden and me since Elena left. What was a crippling setback emotionally ended up not being one geographically and that had only been because of him.
“I’ll probably have to start looking for something else, you know?” I told him now. “To fill in the gap. But as far as Friday, no. I’m free.”
His hand lowered, releasing the fork into the take out container. He replaced it with my arm, squeezing, and didn’t speak for a moment. I touched his fingers and his blond lashes flickered up.
I tilted my head. “I’m going to be okay. I know I can find something else.”
He shook his head, his lengthy blond waves flowing with it. “I’m not worried about that and really, you know you don’t have to work. I make enough to cover the household expenses.”
But just because he did, didn’t mean he should. I wanted to carry my own weight, as well as not be a reminder to him, a constant one that he didn’t have to do anything of these kind things for me or my nephew. I didn’t want to be his burden. I also didn’t fail to notice that his time on the road took him away even longer lately. He spent more hours than ever working and I had a feeling that had something to do with the new patrons living his home.
Though, he’d never tell me that.
His fingers brushed down my arm. “So you wouldn’t want to go to my Gram’s house Friday then, would you?” His shoulder lifted and lowered. “Since you have the time off, you might want to use it for yourself and that’s okay. Gram’s just having this dinner thing and invited us to go. You, me, and Aiden.”
“Of course,” I told him genuinely excited. Rose had been such a support system to us. The day Elena left, that’s where Aiden and I stayed for a couple weeks when Brody ultimately had to go back to work the first time. She made everything easier for Aiden, yes, but especially for me. And like from Brody, nothing about the gesture came across as an obligation, but a genuine want to help; a genuine kindness.
Leaning into him, I thought about that, tilting my head to look up at that strong jaw. I kissed the edge of it. “And Aiden will be super excited, too,” I told him, falling back. “Tell her we’d love to come.”
His brow lifted. Like he was surprised about my excitement for some reason. “Okay. Yeah, I’ll tell her.”
Moving, he went for an egg roll, dipping it in sweet and sour sauce. He offered me a bite first and I chewed, realizing something.
“Don’t you have to work Friday?” I asked him, swallowing my bite. He kept his schedule on the fridge and I memorized it. I always knew when he’d be away and I felt it with every breath.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Nope. I’ve had that weekend off for months.” I stopped eating, curious, and he noticed when his lashes flickered up. Sitting up, he brushed his fingers with that same napkin before tossing it. “That’s what the dinner is for, well, part of it.”
I sat up now, listening, and he rested an arm over my knees, the other behind my neck.
“My family,” he said, flicking the fluffy material across my kneecaps with his fingertips. “They got a business going. I guess you could call it a family business. It’s opening that weekend and the dinner was my gram’s idea. She wants everyone to get together before the ribbon cutting in the morning. My brothers are coming down and everything. Colt from college and Griffin and his wife Roxie from Miami. It’s the first time we’ve all been together in a while and Gram’s pretty excited about it. She and my Aunt Robin. You haven’t met her yet. She was at a trade show when you and Aiden stayed, but she’ll be there. She, as well as my older brother Hayden, and my pop of course. He’s technically the main owner of the business. Chandler & Sons is what it’s called.”
With what he said, I should naturally be worried. He said his whole family would pretty much attend this dinner. His entire immediate family I would be sharing an eating space with and though, a lot of pressure came with that, I found my concerns for that evening didn’t reside with myself and how to act around the special people in Brody’s life.
“What kind of business is it?” I asked casually instead. Because this was the first time he’d mentioned this. It’s not like we’d told each other everything, but the reason why he didn’t concerned me. Mostly because the last time I’d heard of this business with his family. He’d been arguing about it with his brother. Though, I guess he didn’t know that I knew that as I’d overhead the exchange.
Placing the to-go containers to the side, I fell back and wrapped myself in his arms.
His hands gripped my biceps, his breath a warm constant sound near my ear. He squeezed, kissing my shoulder. “A furniture business. My pop designs things. He’s so great at that stuff.”
His voice sounded far away and I looked up. When I did, he was smiling a little.
His finger brushed restlessly against my arm. “I remember one year,” he said, looking down at me. “Money was shit. Mom had just left a year prior and I’d been at my third school at that point. We moved a lot while Pop looked for jobs and Christmas ended up being in this crap town. The neighborhood was rough, but it was all my old man could afford. None of us thought we’d be getting presents that year. Things had just been too hard. Money too tight and though, we knew we’d be coming back to Texas to celebrate the holiday with Gram and the rest of our family later, we never thought the day would be anything special. Pop just didn’t have the funds or the means to do it.”
“What happened?” I asked him liking this story for some reason. It was his voice I think. He was talking about something sad, but his voice wasn’t. It was content, peaceful.
He grinned a little. “A few weeks prior, he woke us up one day out of the blue. Like literally woke our butts up and told us to get in the truck. Pop can be kind of gruff so we all thought our asses were in trouble.”
I laughed a bit as he did.
His arms tightened around me. “And we drove. We drove forever. We ended up going to these woods. We got out and all this brush was around, wood for miles. Taking us over, Colton’s hand in his, as he was the littlest, Pop told us to pick something out. He told us to pick any piece of wood and when he did, he told us to pretend.
“‘Pretend that it’s anything you want,’” he paused, deepening his voice. He made it thick. He made it rough with his accent. He smiled. “We asked him what he meant by anything and he said it again. ‘Pretend it’s anything you want. Pretend it’s any toy you want.’ And so we did. I chose a spaceship and made the sounds and everything. My brothers being fools, they followed my lead and played. We played in the woods with pieces of wood. We made shooting sounds, guns, lasers, and even did some car noises. That’s what Colt chose, a car. It was the best day, and on Christmas? We found those same presents under the tree. Except they were real this time. Pop made them real. They were all wood and wrapped in newspaper and like in the woods, we played for hours. Hours.”
He looked at me after he finished and I had seen that contentment over his face before. He wore it while touring his Gram’s ranch. He wore it every day there.
“So when the idea came about for a business, Pop naturally went that way,” he continued. “Griffin, the one that plays basketball professionally, had been doing well in his starting season and offered to back it. Just a small loan to get things started. It took some nudging at first, but Pop eventually gave in. He hated working under someone else and then there was the stress on him.”
“Stress?”
His eyes went away for some reason after that. He laid his hand on his arm. “Um, yeah. He had a heart attack. It was last year. I guess working in construction was too much.”
The words literally chilled me to the bone. I couldn’t help it, all things considered, all things considering him and his
own heart condition.
He moved on quickly. “But, uh, yeah. That’s what the party is for, the business. The ribbon cutting makes things official, but they’ve been already operating with private orders. I guess lots of folks need furniture in Miami. My brother has lots of connections since moving there.”
That all sounded so great for them, but I still had to wonder something. So many things had me wondering really.
Brody reached across me, taking a drink of his beer, and I watched him. Whatever contentment he had before, seemed to have evaporated and was replaced with thought. They moved over his face like an endless sea.
I dared to figure out why.
“Will you be taking some time off?” I asked him. “You know, to help with the opening?”
His eyes narrowed like he wondered why I asked. “No, they got everything covered. Hayden, my older brother, he’s taking care of the marketing and some other logistics on the business side. He has some schooling and Pop of course, has the designs going. He’s even using some of my younger brother’s stuff. Colton’s an art major at Texas State.”
He smirked with that, grinning. “I guess if his basketball career doesn’t turn out, he has something to fall back on. He’s actually pretty talented and Griffin, he’s got all the lawyers going and all that legal stuff. Pop has got this thing pretty solid.”
But where did he fit into all this? He said this was family business, but he didn’t really seem to be a part of it. And then there was that argument, the one with his brother. I never got to meet Hayden that day. He’d already left before I came inside and notified Brody about Elena, but I did see him peel out, his face flushed in his truck. That day, Brody said he had other interests and didn’t want to be a part of the business because of them. But he couldn’t have meant truck driving, could he have? Did being on the road really make him that happy? I didn’t know, but one thing I did know was being around family, being home certainly did make him happy and genuinely so.
“Are you a part of the business?” I asked, and though I wanted to hold my tongue. I couldn’t. I passed it off with a shrug. “It’s called Chandler & Sons, right? Aren’t you a son?”
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