Skin to Skin

by J. M. Stone

  I waved to Calland as he left and scooted inside the booth, moving further over when Brandon slid in beside me, pushing his thigh against mine. I moved over even more to put some distance between us and, thankfully or regretfully, I wasn’t quite sure how I should feel, he didn’t move towards me anymore. Leah and Ian slid in across from us and, even though Brandon was a little quieter than normal, the next couple of hours were full of good food, good drinks, and good company. And a definite budding romance…

  It was late when we finally left the bar, and neither one of us spoke as Brandon started his truck and pulled away.

  “Thanks for giving me a ride home.”

  My words were quiet, barely breaking the silence filling the truck. It was just he and I because, surprise, surprise, Leah had gotten a ride from Ian. He had asked her if he could drop her off and she had accepted before the words were totally even out of his mouth. Brandon had vouched for him, so I wasn’t too worried about her getting in the car with him and everything, even though they’d just met tonight.

  It made my heart ache, just a little, seeing that instant attraction, that bond being forged right in front of me between them. It was bittersweet, but I was happy for Leah. She deserved to find someone that made her feel special and loved. I could only hope that it was the beginning of a very good thing for her.

  Brandon jerked his chin, I guess in acknowledgment of my thanks, but he didn’t say a word, not even when he pulled into my driveway and shut off his truck.

  We sat in silence, but for the first time in a long while, it wasn’t awkward. At least not much. I was sort of at a loss, to be honest. Not a word had been spoken about this morning - about the kiss or anything else.

  The kiss. Oh, God. My thighs clenched as the memory of his lips on mine once again flashed through my mind, the sweet heat of his mouth, the nip of his perfect, white teeth, the slow thrust and curl of his tongue tangling with mine…

  A shuddering breath left my lips, seeming to echo in the silence surrounding us as we sat in the darkness. All of a sudden, his closeness was too much and too little, all at the same time. I needed to get out of there, and fast, before I climbed over the console and attacked him like a lust-crazed psychopath. Or was it sociopath? Ugh.

  I reached for the door handle but my mouth decided to become animated on its own and I blurted out, “Do you want to stay?”

  “Uh…yeah. Sure.” He paused. “Thanks.”

  I scrambled to get out of the vehicle, tugging my keys from my purse and fumbling at the lock until he took them from my hand and unlocked the door smoothly and quickly, smirking at me. The glow from the moon bathed his face in shadows, sharpening the angles of it until they stood out in stark relief, making him look even sexier and…dangerous.

  My breath caught and my stomach dropped, but I still had no idea where we stood, and I was beginning to think I never would.

  We still didn’t speak as we went inside, parting ways at the door to the spare bedroom when he went in and shut the door behind him. I continued on to my room, stripped down and fell onto the bed without bothering to put any clothes on, suddenly worn out.

  I laid in the darkness, my eyes feeling heavy. My last thought before the dark swept me under was relief that maybe I’d actually get some sleep tonight…

  With a shaking hand, I combed my long blonde locks, staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes were dark, haunted and huge in the gaunt face of the stranger looking back at me. I closed my eyes, disgusted with myself. How the hell did I get like this? How did this happen? My God I’m so fucking pathetic.

  I started as the door slammed downstairs, panic flooding through me as I realized I wasn’t in the kitchen, standing at the counter where I was supposed to be. Disgust with myself turned to terror as I ran, tripping down the stairs and twisting my ankle in my haste but not caring. The pain of that would fade quickly beneath the onslaught of my ‘punishment.’

  Limping into the kitchen, I gripped the edge of the counter and waited, head down, eyes shut. I knew what was coming…I just didn’t want to see it.

  It didn’t take long. The first blow came quietly and quickly in the form of a well-placed kick directly to the ankle I’d just twisted. I bit my tongue to hold back my cries, agony flashing through me in a red hot haze as I grappled to keep hold of the counter and not fall to the floor.

  “Ah, gonna play the silent strong type today, huh, honey? Is that what this is? Can’t be where you’re supposed to be, bitch, and now you want to play games with me? I’ll make you fucking cry, you little cunt. Let me hear you!” Greg roared, kicking out at my ankle again as the open palm of his hand met my cheek, causing my head to jerk violently to the side.

  I managed to stay on my feet somehow, but I couldn’t control my scream as he punched me in the face. It was enough to make my nose bleed, the warm wetness trailing over my lips and dripping off my chin, but somehow I knew that he hadn’t broken it. Not yet, at least.

  I tried to contain my sobs as I sank to my knees, unable to stand the pain rolling through my ankle any longer, though the pain in my face was a close second. And then…Oh, God. No…

  Immediately, I realized my mistake.

  The sound of a belt being loosened and then whipped through belt loops made me whimper, the sound lost in the hateful words spewing from Greg’s lips.

  “Since you’re down there, whore, open wide. I’m gonna enjoy seeing you bleed while I fuck that nasty little mouth of yours.”

  I felt his fingers tangle viciously in my hair, jerking my head back. I screamed and he thrust forward with his hips…

  “CHLOE! Jesus, sunshine, please open your eyes, wake up!”

  I could hear Brandon, his words loud and tinged with fear and desperation as I fought to free myself from my dream. I could feel the bitterness of remembered pain echoing along my body, every inch of me shaking and shuddering, my chests heaving as I gasped for breath.

  I sat up, my eyes clashing with his stormy gaze, realizing that he had me by the shoulders, his grip almost edging on bruising. As soon as our eyes met he jerked me forward into his arms, crushing me to his chest and holding me tight, murmuring into my hair, “It’s okay, it’s just a nightmare, baby, alright? You’re safe, sunshine, I’m here…”

  I shivered again, shaking off the vestiges of the dream…the memories…and snuggled deeper into him, letting him soothe me, soaking the heat of him into my chilled flesh.

  We stayed like that for a while, Brandon rocking me gently as he murmured reassurances and smoothed his hand down my back.

  When my breathing had calmed and the tears I hadn’t realized were coursing down my face had dried, he asked softly, “Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”

  I sighed and settled even closer before I answered. “I’m okay. It’s just…just a nightmare. Like before.”

  I felt him shake his head, his chin brushing the top of my head as he did so. “No, Chloe, that wasn’t a nightmare like before. This one was worse than any I’ve ever heard you have before. You were screaming like someone was…like you were being hurt. Badly.” His voice shook as he forced the words out.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to have this conversation, but knowing he wasn’t going to let me off so easily.

  “I…just…remember when I came here?” I asked, quietly.

  He nodded.

  “Let’s just leave it at that. Okay?”

  He nodded again, though I could tell he wasn’t satisfied with my answer when he tensed against me.

  Without thinking, seeking only to soothe him like he did me, I pressed my lips to his chest, kissing the words inked across his heart. The firm, heated feel of his skin against my lips sent a thrill through me, settling in my stomach as the butterflies awoke once again.

  He made a rough sound in his throat and I moved, pressing my lips to his bare skin again, this time tasting him with the tip of my tongue, earning another throaty growl. Lust rushed through me and I shifted, pressing myself against him as
I worked small, nipping kisses up his throat and across his jaw until I reached the corner of his mouth. A soft, breathy sigh left my lips as he turned and our mouths met in a gentle, hesitant kiss.

  His hand came up to cup my shoulder before sliding down my back until it gripped my hip, his fingers sinking into the soft, bare flesh there.

  Just like that, clarity hit. And it hit both of us like a white hot bolt of lightning.

  “Fuck!” Brandon growled as he pushed away from me, jumping off the bed as I scrambled to grab my blanket. “You’re naked!” he yelled, accusingly.

  “I’m in my room, in my bed!” I yelled back. “I didn’t invite you in and you weren’t complaining just a minute ago!”

  “I know!” he yelled back.

  “And it’s not like you’re wearing much either, Goddamnit!” I yelled even louder.

  He glanced down at himself, shouting another heartfelt ‘FUCK’ as he realized he didn’t have anything on but a pair of tight, dark grey boxer briefs that did nothing to hide the hard length of his erection.

  “I can’t help what he does!” he roared at me, palming himself through his shorts to try and adjust things so it wasn’t so noticeable. Not that it helped. At all.

  We glared at each other silently for a minute before the absurdity of the situation struck me and I started giggling. I giggled louder as he scowled even harder at me, and then outright belly laughed when his lips twitched and his scowl started to slip.

  He finally gave up trying to hold onto his glare and laughed with me until we were both breathless, grinning at each other like lunatics. No doubt, anyone who saw us at that moment would seriously question our sanity, especially with him standing in nothing but boxer briefs and a raging erection (no, it hadn’t gone down at all) and me naked in the bed clutching a blanket to my chest.

  As we continued to stare at each other, our grins started to fade. Brandon shifted and turned away from me, trying for belated modesty, as he cleared his throat and asked gruffly, “You gonna be okay?”

  “Yeah,” I answered softly.

  He nodded once and gave me an appraising look before he turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind him.

  Sighing, I slid back down in my bed and willed myself to find sleep again…preferably without the nightmares this time.

  Chapter 5

  The rest of my weekend was unimpressive. I called Leah to check on her but got no response other than a text letting me know that she was alright and would call me soon. I called my brother, but he and Allie sounded preoccupied, and I didn’t even bother calling Emma. I hadn’t heard from Brandon, either, so all in all, it was a pretty boring Sunday. Monday and Tuesday were more of the same, although I did stay pretty busy at work with Allie.

  The beeping of my phone woke me up on Wednesday morning. I rolled over and grabbed for it, yawning as I noted a text from Allie.

  Hey, woman! I know you aren’t supposed to come into the store until noon today, but I forgot about my doctor’s appointment at 10:00. Could you come in early? Please? You love me!

  I chuckled at her perkiness; no way in hell could I be that perky in the morning. I needed coffee first. I got up and shuffled into the kitchen to make a cup, texting her back as I went: Sure. No prob. Just let me pink my coffee and I’ll be on my way.

  My phone beeped again just as my coffee got done brewing. I took a sip as I looked at it, immediately spraying the scalding hot fluid all over the counter as I read her reply and double checked what I had texted her.

  Pink your coffee? What is that, tea-bagging for women?

  I groaned as I replied: Damn autocorrect! I meant DRINK my coffee. But good one!

  Her reply was immediate. I know, right? Can you imagine what that would look like, though? I mean, it’s bad enough when you think of a man tea-bagging, but…

  Oh, Lord. Mental image I so did not need. I shook my head as I typed: Yeah, thanks. That’s an image I didn’t want stuck in my head this early in the morning.

  At least you weren’t actually tea-bagged. Have you ever been tea-bagged?

  I groaned even louder this time, replying: O.M.G. Seriously…I’m done.

  I laid my phone down after receiving that last reply from her, cleaned up my coffee mess, and went to get ready, intending to ignore my phone and any other crude questions Allie may come up with.

  I let my mind wander while I showered and it immediately went back to Saturday night when Brandon had busted into my room to wake me up. My belly immediately dipped, desire flooding my veins as I remembered the very impressive length of him outlined under his boxer briefs. And then the kiss…and the feel of his fingers digging into my hips. Oh, God, to feel him doing that while he thrust into me!

  Ugh! On a growl, I slapped the water off and toweled off vigorously, cursing myself for getting all worked up before stomping to my room to get dressed.

  Three hours later, I was working on pricing some new stuff Allie had gotten in when the bells chimed on the door. I glanced up and smiled as Allie’s Nanny came through the door, an old farmer’s hat smashed down on her head and a pair of ratty overalls on over a t-shirt, with the pant legs rolled up.

  “Where’s my lily-girl?” she asked in her gravelly voice, coming over and kissing me on the cheek.

  “She had a doctor’s appointment today, Nanny. She’ll be in later. Did you need something?”

  In the months I’d been working at the store, Nanny (on pain of being slapped silly, I’d been told to call her Nanny, too) had taken to stopping by even more frequently now that Allie was pregnant. From what I’ve been told, she’d also started stopping by Skin Deep to see Emma, too, and everyone there was getting a big kick out of her. How could you not, though? You never know what you’re gonna get…one minute she’s a happy little bird, and the next, Tank is on the loose!

  Nanny shrugged and meandered over toward the lingerie section, trying to look nonchalant. I pretended not to see, as usual, as I listened to her. “Nope. Just got bored piddle-fucking around in the garden, so I thought I’d come see my girls.”

  I couldn’t help it. As soon as she said ‘fuck,’ my mind immediately whispered the same thing Allie’s whole family does every time they hear her. ‘Aaaawww…Nanny said fuck!’

  She snorted and I moved a little so I could see her better. She’d picked up a vintage teddy of champagne lace and was holding it up to her bony little chest. She shook her head and muttered, “Who wears white anymore? Bunch of damn sluts running around. Need some black lace…now that’s sexy!”

  Yikes.

  I cleared my throat and asked her, “Where’s Poppy?”

  She moved away from the lingerie toward the romance book rack, a guilty pleasure she shared with her daughter and granddaughter both, though neither she nor Allie’s mom would admit it. Allie, on the other hand, didn’t care who knew that she read them.

  “Oh,” she croaked out. “He got all hot and bothered by me in my gardening getup and then exhausted himself with the wheelbarrow.”

  I laughed. “So you working in the garden made him work, too, huh?”

  She looked at me like I was crazy. “Lord, child, no! You know, the wheelbarrow, where I put my hands down and he lifts me up and wraps my legs around his waist upside down and…” She started motioning with her arms and hips.

  “Nanny! Look at the time! I have to get the inventory done!” I yelled, trying to cut her off before I ended up needing to scour my ears with bleach any more than I already did.

  She peered down at her wristwatch and sighed. “Hmpfh. I guess I’ve left Daisy sitting out there long enough.”

  “You…Allie’s mom is in the car?” I asked, trying to keep the incredulity out of my voice.

  The door chimed again and Allie’s mom walked in, Brandon following behind.

  What the…what?

  “Hooey!” Nanny crowed. “There’s my hot body! You decide you wanna try this ol’ filly, yet?” she asked him, winking and waggling her eyebrows at him crazily.
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br />   He laughed, tactfully ignoring her offer, and grabbed her up into a hug, jumping when she pinched his ass as he moved away. Allie’s mom, Daisy, shook her head and rolled her eyes at her mom’s behavior.

  “Mom, are you ready to go? I thought you just needed to come in and get something Allie was holding for you?” She looked around. “Where is my daughter?”

  Nanny interjected, explaining what I’d already told her. Daisy looked confused. “She doesn’t have a doctor’s appointment today. She doesn’t go until next week on Tuesday.”

  Aaaaand now I’m suspicious.

  I just shrugged it off and hugged them both goodbye, laughing again as Brandon masterfully evaded Nanny’s grabby claws and hugged her before they left.

  Once the bell chimed their departure, Brandon turned to me and said, “Okay. Let’s do this. I have to be back at the shop by two, but you have me until then.”

  Huh? I stared at him, completely lost.

  He sighed. “Allie called and said she needed me to come down and move some boxes for you. She had to run into the city with Jacks for something…but you said she had a doctor’s appointment?”

  I nodded very slowly as he cocked his head, confusion now becoming clear on his face.

  “Uh, so do you have boxes that need moved?” he asked, cautiously. I could see that he was starting to work things out a little bit.

  I shook my head. He groaned.

  “I think we’ve been set up,” he said on a sigh.

  I looked at him helplessly, shrugging one shoulder. What could I say?

  His phone rang in his pocket, breaking the silence stretching between us. He dug it out and answered. “Hello? Yes, Allie.” A pause. “No, I…okay. Yeah, that’s fine.” Another pause. “I don’t know, I’ll ask, I guess.” He paused once more, listening intently, and then must have decided to interject. “Hey, Allie. While I’ve got you on the phone, why the hell did you say Chloe needed help--” He turned to look at me, shock written across his face.

  “She hung up on me. She literally made noises like her phone was cutting out, told me her phone was breaking up, and hung up on me! That little…”