Scott scratched his beard. Brandi would be loyal. She’d love him. Hell, she’d probably sacrifice everything to follow after him. He could see that just in the past few weeks of being with her. The question Scott had to honestly ask himself was, would he do the same for her?
“Your mom may have rose-colored glasses on when it comes to you and Brandi, but we both know she’s not the one for you, Scott. The longer you let this go on, the more you’re going to hurt that sweet girl.”
“I have to head back to DC on Friday,” Scott said as he sipped his wine and sat it down on Brandi’s coffee table. What he really wanted was a glass of whiskey. Brandi didn’t drink anything other than wine, though, and that’s all she ever kept in the house. He’d have to bring over his own next time.
He’d found her first fault—doesn’t drink whiskey. Ok, that wasn’t a deal breaker. Lots of girls didn’t like the stuff. Hell, Tori didn’t even at first.
Stop looking for faults, he told himself.
He rubbed his fingertip on her wrist that hung lazily on the back of the sofa.
“Oh, is that for the job?” Brandi asked, seeming a bit deflated.
“Yeah, it’s the interview with the contracting firm.”
“You know, I’ve never been to DC,” Brandi said and casually sipped her wine. “It would be nice to go with someone who’s familiar with the area.”
Well, that was a huge hint she just dropped.
Scott smiled and looked down at his lap. “Well, now isn’t really the time of year for sightseeing in DC. It’s bitterly cold,” Scott warned. “All of the monuments would pretty much be off the list unless you are a glutton for punishment. A weekend wouldn’t be near enough time to go through all the museums.”
“Well, I guess we’d just have to find something to do indoors.” Brandi grinned, leaned in and planted her lips on his. Warning bells went off in his head. You’re going to hurt this girl. Damn his dad for getting in his brain the other night. He was having a good time with Brandi, blowing off some steam and seeing where it would lead. Why did there need to be so much pressure? It takes time to fall for someone and find out if you’re compatible. Sometimes, people got hurt in the process. Hell, Brandi could damage him just as much.
Scott laced his fingers through the back of her hair, tugging on it slightly. She chuckled and pulled back a bit.
“How about we take this to the bedroom?” she suggested.
“Or I could bend you over here on the sofa,” Scott growled as he drew her in close, kissing her deeply.
“Fine by me.” Brandi tugged on the bottom of his shirt. With one swift yank at the back of his neck, he pulled it off over his head and dropped it to the ground. She ran her palms across his muscular chest. “God, you are just a fine specimen of a man.” Her pouty, pink lips parted, her brown eyes full of hunger. That look made his jeans grow tight.
Brandi ripped off her top and threw it to the floor, and released her breasts from the captivity of her bra. His hand cupped them, taking her nipple into his mouth, sucking on it. She seemed to enjoy that immensely from the low moan that escaped her lips. He pushed himself on top of her, pinning her on the sofa under his large frame. She wiggled underneath him, shimmying off her jeans. Scott began unfastening his jeans.
“Condom,” she whispered in his ear.
Scott stood, adjusted his aching cock, and grabbed one from her bathroom cabinet. He stripped down to his boxers and walked back out to the living room. Brandi was sitting nude on the sofa, her feet curled up underneath her as she sipped her wine. The light from the fire was the only thing that illuminated the room. The red hues from the flames danced across her creamy skin. She looked so fucking beautiful.
Scott towered over her and took the wine from her hand and downed the rest of it in one gulp, placing the empty glass on the coffee table. “Now, where were we?” He grinned.
“About here.” She lay back and rubbed her hand down her toned belly, placing her fingers on her pussy.
Scott ripped the condom open with his teeth, rolled it on, and swung his prosthetic leg over her, leaving his right foot on the floor for leverage. He gently slid his cock into her. He closed his eyes and let the pleasure wash over him as he began slow thrusts. God, she felt good.
Brandi tugged the back of his neck, bringing him in close and crushing her lips to his. Her skin was so soft. She smelled like a mixture of strawberries and vanilla, light and sweet, and it fit her personality. He gazed into her warm eyes and caressed her cheek.
Brandi tensed under him. “You ok?” he asked. She didn’t look like she was enjoying it.
“Yeah, it’s fine.” She grimaced.
“Liar.” He frowned.
“The leg, it’s digging into me…” she said, obviously embarrassed to mention it. “Maybe we should move to the bed.” She nodded toward her room.
Scott heaved a heavy sigh and sat up. It was now or never. He’d have to do it in front of her eventually anyway. Scott pulled the prosthetic off. Brandi sat up and watched, her eyes wide.
“Better?” Scott asked.
Brandi looked at his stump, swallowed hard, then nodded and smiled. Her mouth twitched in the corner. Yeah, he’d freaked her out. Well, if she wanted to be with him, she was just going to have to get used to it. He couldn’t leave the damn thing on all the time.
Scott rubbed her cheek with his thumb, and looked at her warmly. He mounted her again and planted his lips to hers, hoping to heat things up again. She seemed to be enjoying the heavy make-out session as her nails dug into his shoulders.
Scott re-entered her and began thrusting. Without the leg getting caught in the way, it was much easier to maneuver. He fucked her hard and fast, holding back nothing, then came and shook violently.
“Did you get there?” He asked, knowing full well she hadn’t.
“It’s ok.” She patted him on the chest.
Scott sat up and ripped off the condom, tying it in a knot and discarding it onto the floor.
Well, that’s unacceptable. Scott Harris never left a woman unsatisfied. “Let’s take care of that,” Scott said with a grin. He licked his thumb and began rubbing her clit in soft, circular motions. Brandi leaned back and closed her eyes, placing her arm across her forehead. He pushed two fingers inside her, and she gasped. “You like that?” Scott grinned.
“It feels so good,” she panted in her sweet southern tang. With the wine in her, he could be here a while. He curled his residual leg under him, adjusting himself to settle in for the long haul, and his stump grazed her thigh. Brandi jerked her leg away and her eyes popped open.
“That repulsive, huh?” Scott snorted a wry laugh and pulled his hand away.
“Naw, I’ve just had a lot of wine. I’m having a hard time getting there.” Obviously, a lie. “It’s fine, Scott.” She rubbed his arm.
“I’m not dense, Brandi. I freaked you out. I get it…” Scott trailed off. He leaned over the side of the sofa, grabbed his liner, and rolled it back on.
“Stop.” Brandi placed her hand on top of his. “Come on, honey, you pulled it off in the middle of sex! It was just a little unexpected. It doesn’t make you any less of a man. I was just a bit shocked.”
Scott let out a heavy breath as he put his prosthetic back on. He dressed as an awkward silence hung in the room.
Ok, maybe Brandi had a point. Mid-sex may not be the best time to pull off a prosthetic leg. He tried to not act like a bitch and consider if the role was reversed. A girl pulling off a body part could easily kill the mood.
But it never bothered Tori. In fact, Tori never said a damn word if it got in the way. She’d just yank the leg off and continue on. He rested his elbows on his thighs and looked down at the ground.
“I’m sorry,” she croaked. “I just need some time to get used to it.”
“I understand.” Scott nodded. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’m gonna head out.” Scott grabbed his jacket and threw it on. “I’ll catch you later, Brandi.”
“Scott, please don’t go.”
He walked out of the house and climbed into his dad’s truck. As he started the engine his phone vibrated in his pocket. He assumed it was Brandi. He sighed and pulled out his phone.
It was a text from Tori.
Tori
Painted something today. Thought you may like it.
Attached was a photo of a large spread of canvases split apart. It was quite obviously a painting of him and Tori naked, in bed, embraced in a sensual pose. Damn, the thing was breathtaking. Of all the shitty times to send that text. It was either God’s sick, cruel joke or his twisted sense of humor.
This isn’t what you want. His dad’s words echoed in his head.
He went to start the engine, but before he could rev it to life, a gentle knock tapped his window. Brandi stood there, wrapped in a blanket, tears in her big brown eyes.
“Please come back.” Her lip quivered. “I’m sorry.”
He couldn’t stand to see her cry. He stuffed the phone back in his pocket and went back inside.
Scott couldn’t sleep. It was the same damn dream again. Every time he tried to get to Jones, he couldn’t. It was always just as it played out in real life—Scott hollering at him not to move a muscle, then the horrified look on Jones’s face of regret in that split second before the world lit up in front of him. Scott always took the lead, every fucking time, except for that day.
The sheets were damp underneath him from sweating through the nightmare. Thankfully, he didn’t wake Brandi up. He turned over and glanced at her sleeping soundly next to him, her long blonde curls falling over the white pillowcase. She looked so cute when she slept, the way her hands tucked under her creamy cheeks and her lashes fluttered as she dreamed.
He checked the time on his phone. 5:40 a.m. Well, so much for sleep. He was never able to sleep much past six anyway.
He pulled up Facebook. He’d finally succumbed to the pressure and got an account because that was the only way of staying in touch with people nowadays. He despised social media, and he hated jumping on the latest bandwagon. The world was changing. He’d better hop on, or he’d be left in the dust.
Victoria Johnson was tagged in a photo by Bastien Moreau. The description this dude had typed said Winter in Central Park avec cette beauté. Tori had a cup of coffee in hand and was gazing out at the water in a snow-fallen Central Park. God, she looked beautiful, and the snowy background just added to her ambience.
Who the fuck is Bastien?
Scott clicked on his profile. Yeah, he was being nosy. His profile said he was from Paris. Damn, the dude looked like a fucking runway model, all artsy-fartsy, sharp, angled features, perfectly tousled, highlighted waves that hit his chin, dressed in high fashion. Exactly the type of guy that Tori would go for. Typical.
Scott rolled his eyes and put down the phone. Here Tori was, painting nude photos of him and her, yet fooling around with this French fucker. The longer he was with Brandi, the more he wondered if he dodged a bullet with Tori. He sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He grabbed his liner, slipped it on, then pulled on his prosthetic.
“Morning handsome,” Brandi’s voice chimed.
Scott turned to her. “Morning, gorgeous. Sorry to wake you.” He leaned over and kissed her soft, pink lips.
“Your naked body is a sight to get up early for.” She grinned.
“I’m gonna make us some coffee. Then maybe we can go shopping and get some warm clothes. DC is awfully cold this time of year.” Scott gave her a wink. “That is, if you’re still up for tagging along with me.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Brandi’s eyes smiled at him, and she flopped back onto the pillow, looking pleased.
Scott and Brandi’s week in DC was full of bumps. They ran into Keith at the museum one day, and he mentioned Tori. Brandi wouldn’t stop sniffing around that subject. Then Brandi found an invitation to Tori’s art exhibition. Apparently, Tori was in town that weekend. Thank God, they didn’t run into her. She also found Tori’s nude drawing of him when she was unpacking. It was the perfect trifecta for a shitstorm. Brandi also hated DC, and she let Scott know that more than once by dropping hints that he should move home.
Scott had been mulling it over all night while he was away for his battery of tests for the contracting firm. He didn’t want to take Brandi from her family, and he knew she would never be happy in DC. Most of his jobs he’d be sent out for would be overseas anyway. He chatted with the CEO, Jack, a bit about it, and they had several contractors that didn’t live in the DC area. Scott felt it would be good to get away from DC. There was too much here that reminded him of Tori, and he needed a clean break from her if he was going to make things work with Brandi.
He walked down the hall and unlocked his door. He’d catch some sleep, then they’d have a serious talk and come up with a plan.
“What on earth is this?” Scott said as he walked into his apartment, noticing Brandi’s suitcases packed by the door.
Brandi stood from the sofa. “I’m going home, Scott.”
Scott frowned and dropped his keys on the table. He came over and wrapped his arms around her. “Listen, I know you don’t like this city, and I’ve been thinking about it. I can move to Texas, I don’t have to live here to take this job. I can just fly here when needed. I’ll be making great money…”
Brandi pulled back from his embrace and shook her head. “No, Scott. It’s over.”
Scott’s face twisted into a grimace. “Did I do something to upset you?” He was utterly lost. Yeah, they’d had some bumps but nothing worth leaving him over.
Brandi let out a deep breath. “I know you’re a good man. I know you’d never be unfaithful to me if we married, and I know you’d make yourself miserable for the rest of your life just to please me.”
Scott furrowed his brow in confusion. “Brandi, I’ve been nothing but happy with you.” He reached out and cupped her cheek.
“Have you?” she asked. “I mean, really. Is it just me, or does it feel like something isn’t quite fitting?” Brandi let out a deep breath. “I want you in Texas, but to be honest, I don’t want you gone all the time. I’d be settling. If you didn’t take this job, you’d be settling for a career you didn’t want. I’ve been pushing you, and you’ve been pulling me.”
“Brandi, relationships require compromise. I’ll move to Texas, but this is what I’m meant to do, and I’m damn good at it. You gotta be willing to bend a bit.”
“Add on to it, this whole time, I’ve had this sinking feeling that you wanted me to be someone else. I’m not her and never will be. I’m ok with that. I like who I am. I’m a good catch.”
“Yes, you are,” Scott protested. Brandi was sweet and kind, loving and caring. The hotness didn’t hurt, either. She was wonderful. “Please don’t do this. I really like who you are, too.”
“You may like me, but I know you don’t love me, Scott.”
Scott sucked in a deep breath. He really couldn’t protest that. He hadn’t been able to say those words to her. He cared for Brandi, but he wasn’t in love, not yet, at least. He knew, given time, that those feelings would come. “Love takes time, Brandi.”
She cocked her head to the side. “But does it, really? Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think when you know, you know. I think we both know that this isn’t going to work, Scott. We’re very different people who want very different things. This just isn’t clicking.” Brandi let out a deep breath. “Close your eyes, Scott,” she requested.
He did what she asked. Her hands slipped into his and squeezed tight. “Imagine your future. You’re sixty-five, grey, still devilishly handsome.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “You’re sitting, relaxing, retired in your favorite spot on earth. Are you there?”
Scott envisioned himself between the cleft of two mountains. Leafy ferns and tall pines covered the land as far as the eye could see. He could see the spot perfectly in his mind. “Yes.”
�
��You look over, in that beautiful moment, and grab the hand of the woman growing old next to you. Can you see her?”
Scott envisioned the woman next to him. Sunlight broke from behind light-colored waves of grey. The face wasn’t in full view—her head was turned slightly. He took the woman’s hand into his. Wrinkles formed on the tiny fingers that had several silver and turquoise rings on it. He swallowed a lump in his throat as he trailed the arm up to the face that turned to him. Her crooked smile was wide as the day is long, and her face showed the lines of the years they’d spent together. One thing remained constant—those big blue eyes. Tori’s eyes. Scott grimaced as his heart ached for that moment.
“It’s not me, is it?”
“Brandi…” Scott didn’t know what to say. Tears rolled down Brandi’s cheeks, and he felt like such a bastard, but he honestly couldn’t object to a single word she was saying. She was one hundred percent right. She wasn’t the one his heart wanted. They were both trying to force something that wasn’t there.
She reached up and touched his cheek. “I know I’m not what you’re looking for. I truly hope you catch her someday. I wish you nothing but the best.” She planted her lips softly on his, kissing him sweetly. “Goodbye, Scott.”
Scott awoke from a restless night sleep and grabbed his phone, checking for any messages. One from Brandi that said she’d made it back to Texas safe and sound.
He’d offered to accompany Brandi to the airport, but she adamantly refused. At least she let him walk her to the cab. Brandi had been so kind and understanding, only wanting the best for him. Damn her for being so wise and such a good person, and damn her for sticking that stupid vision of him and Tori together in his head. All night, he tossed and turned and couldn’t get it out of his mind.
Chasing Fire: (Fire and Fury Book One) Page 10
