Alex’s lips curl up. We both shout his name at the same time, and his jaw hangs.
“This is fucked-up. She—” But he stops, shakes his head instead and cups his neck. “This is awkward.”
What was that about?
She?
Who is she?
“Get used to it.”
“As long as he makes you happy, Bria.”
“I will,” Damien says.
My easy-going Alex vanishes, his eyes burning with a threat. “You better.”
“Are you threatening me?” Damien growls.
“No, I’m warning you. She’s my family. You hurt her again, I’ll hunt you down. This time she won’t be able to stop me.”
Both tense up and switch to the offensive.
“She’s my life, Alexander, don’t forget it.”
“And don’t you forget I’m not the one who put her through hell,” he bellows.
Damien’s jaw twitches while Alex’s lips smirk in satisfaction.
It hurt him the most not to respond to Alex’s accusation. I’m sure when Alex realizes what I mean to him, he won’t torment him again.
“I’ll go. There are things I have to take care of.” The fight vanishes from his eyes. In its place, an undiluted need arises. I spring in his arms, and the smile on his face reappears. His hot breath caresses my earlobe as he tucks the hair behind my ear, and whispers, “Until later, baby.”
We reach the door, and I remember something. “Wait a second.”
I bend and yank the drawer open. I pick up an extra set of keys, and my eyes widen, one set is missing. Alex goes from being outraged with my decision to pale when I jiggle the keys toward him.
I open Damien’s palm to set the keys in it, and his eyes sparkle with happiness. “Are you serious because I won’t give them back to you.”
I grin at him, rise on my tiptoes and lock my hands over his neck. “I don’t want them back.”
“Good then.” He cups my face in his large, smooth hands, and he slams his lips on mine. “I’ll call you.”
I bite down on my lip and shake my head at him. “You do that.”
Our moment halts when Alex grumbles, “Am I the only one having a problem with what the fuck happened? Did aliens abduct you or something? Actually, I don’t want to know.”
He disappears into the kitchen, where yanking drawers and glass clinking follow.
“He’ll get used to it, everyone has to, I hope.” I chew on my bottom lip, and Damien tips my chin up with his thumb.
“Baby, look at me. Whatever there is between us is ours. We don’t have to excuse ourselves because we’re in love. It wouldn’t be right.”
I kiss him, believing we’re in this together. The only thing that matters is what we feel for each other. Halfway through the door, he puts his arms around me and presses me to him.
“I’ll miss you.”
I clasp his shirt between my fingers. “I’ll think of you every second of every minute.”
The truth of my words echoes through my core.
There’s no me without me being in love with him.
BRIA
I shut the door behind me and stride to Alex. He leans against the window in the living room, his hands crossed over his chest. His eyes bore into mine as if seeking what he witnessed is real or not.
“Before we start the talk of all talks, please call Dad and tell him I’m back home and in one piece.” Irony drips from my lips, and I add, “I need to call my mother. A long night awaits us.”
His lips tug into a smile. “Right back to being in charge?”
“Aren’t you funny?”
He raises his shoulders in response and disappears behind the door. I turn toward the window and dial my mom. “Hi, Mom.”
“We can’t go on like this, honey. You’re all grown up but, I’m still your mother. I need to be informed.”
I press my forehead on the glass. “I’m sorry. I’ll tell you all about it.”
“What about tomorrow?”
I shut my eyes, and say, “I haven’t been to work in too long. I have to catch up.”
“Oh, okay, honey.”
“What about Saturday? It would be nice for all of us to gather in one place. I have to tell you all something.”
My mom gasps and asks with bewilderment lacing her words, “You mean both the families?”
“Yes, Mom, all of us.”
“I’m sure Rebecca and Andrew will be pleased to hear it come from you. But Bria, did I hear right that you’re with Damien?”
“Yes.”
I can’t say anything else as she rushes to add, “I’m glad you put your differences behind you, but with you two one can never know. Remember, he’s engaged to your cousin.”
Her words slice through me. It shouldn’t as none of them know what happened, but I can’t shake the feeling they chose things as they are—drama free. “Saturday, Mom. I called to say I’m back home.”
“Oh, Bria. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I slam my palms on the window. “Some things can’t remain buried any longer.”
I hang up, and indecision gnaws at me if my idea of putting the past finally in the past is such a good idea.
“Tough discussion?” Alex asks, and jolts me from my thoughts. I raise my chin and his eyes delve into mine checking if I’m all right.
“Yes, but it’s the right thing to do.”
He squeezes my shoulders and plops on the couch with one leg crossed over his knee. “Dad will be here next month. His favorite person wasn’t around last time, so he stayed for just one week. I can’t seem to entertain him the way you can.” The corners of his eyes crinkle with amusement, and I slide into the leather armchair in front of him.
“I’m sure it did you both good. You need time without me being constantly between you.”
His upper body bends to me, his elbows resting on his knees, and he intertwines his fingers over his lap. “But you’re not between us but glue us together. He was happy to hear you’re back home.”
I brush the armchair as I skim through the familiar surroundings. “It’s good to be home.”
A pause lingers between us. My eyes narrow at him while he waves his hands in defeat.
“Already?”
“I’m not the one avoiding the subject.” I rest my elbow on the armchair and lean my face in my palm while his eyes scan me.
“Where was this attitude hiding while you mastered avoidance tactics like the ultimate pro?”
“I got the push in the right direction,” I counter, and he slumps further into the couch, picks at his jeans with accusation wavering in his eyes.
“I’m still angry at you. What you pulled was not right.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t well.”
“How I agree with you on that one. Are you all right now, Bria? After so much time, it seems impossible to stop worrying,” he questions, and my heart plummets in my stomach. The realization of what he’s gone through because of me sinks in, and I gulp. I walk over to him, sit next to him on the couch, and grab his hands between mine.
“You’ve no idea how sorry I am. I hope I can make it up to you for every time I wanted to but couldn’t.” He squeezes my hands, smiles, and lightens up the mood.
“We’ll find a way. We always do. I’m just damn relieved you’re back.”
“Heart surgery and therapy are done. I have to take it easy and readjust to being a living, feeling person.”
“I see the macabre didn’t vanish completely.”
I elbow him in the ribs and bite down on my lower lip. “It’s a part of me. I’m a blonde Morticia.”
We burst into laughter, and happiness surges through me. Our eyes lock and he confesses, “I love to see you laugh. It’s beautiful.” His eyes shine with sincerity. “I’m glad we can be like this, and I’m sorry.”
I squint my eyes at him while he rubs his chin. “You’re sorry, for what?
“I might have pushed for your affection. You a
woke something in me. I’ve always loved you. I always will. You’re my family. But you also stirred a longing inside me, which only intensified. I tried to make you love me the way I thought I wanted it from you, and it wasn’t right. I was selfish, and you were in a dark place. You were the first woman I’d fallen in love with. Your place in my heart and life is forever assured.”
My heart speeds up at his confession. His posture turns stoic, while I open and close my mouth, but nothing comes out. He palms my hand. “What I want to say is I’m glad for you, and I am happy to be a part of your life.”
“Alex, you’re family. Nothing will change that. I need you in my life.”
He gathers me in his arms, and I inhale the spicy and earthy scent of him, his hard chest comforting me. We’re not true siblings, nor lovers, but our bond is as deep and strong. We end the embrace, and he says, “You have a glow I’ve never seen on you. You must truly love him.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks; the thought of Damien ignites my heart.
“I do. There has been no one else and never will be.”
He heaves his elbow over the couch, his expression lost in thought.
“I can’t fathom the way you must love him. Let’s hope he doesn’t screw up again.”
“He loves me. It was ugly and devastating for both of us. We had different coping mechanisms.”
His forehead crinkles, and he narrows his eyes at me. “Did you forgive him?”
“I did, more like needed to. It wasn’t easy. And it won’t be easy from now on, but with time, we’ll be exactly where we want to be.” I chew on my lips and blurt, “I might have said he can move in with us.”
He chokes and spurts out his wine as I sip from mine, posing all innocent while the vein in his neck throbs. “She was right about you two. You’re a rare specimen of crazy. I am beginning to get it too.”
Wait a minute.
Whom does he refer to?
I eye him as he gulps the rest of his wine and places it on the glass table next to him.
“It would rather be unfair for me to be the only one shocked in here, so . . .” he pauses, and our eyes lock. My heart thumps, and then he reveals, “. . . I’m with Sophia.”
I burst into laughter. Good joke, ha! It’s a joke, right? It has to be. Then why isn’t he laughing back? His face transforms into guilt and stares at me earnestly. The glass rattles on the table when I slam it. I inhale and exhale trying to calm down. There are many named Sophia, he can’t be talking about the one I have in mind. I question him with my eyes, and he offers, “Exactly, that Sophia.”
I spring to my feet, palm my forehead and cry out, “His sister? Alex, he’ll kill you, and I’ll stand by to watch. Sophia, our Sophia? Have you lost your mind? She’s not some one-night stand or short-term affair. I don’t give a damn about the things you’re used to.”
“This is exactly why we’re like together, together, like holding hands, going out, and sleeping together. Damien moving in with us now would be damn inconvenient.”
I stand on my heels and face him while his face contorts into deep thinking.
“How serious is this?”
He huffs and deadpans, “Pretty serious.”
I wave my hands in the air and shout, “Do you have any idea what serious even is?”
Lines dig into his forehead, and he interlaces his fingers under his chin, his tone dropping to serious. “For her, I’m trying my best to figure it out.”
I slump in the armchair and stare at him. “I’m dumbfounded at the moment. What did you do?”
He rises to his feet and paces around. “Decided to try. We’ll let you have the honor of preparing him. I would tell him, but Sophia said she’s fond of my head and he’s some kind of kickboxing badass.”
I rest my head in my hands and sigh. “I’m beginning to regret we came back from the island.”
He sets his hands on the couch and bends halfway over it. “And I’m happy we’ll be a big, happy family.” Amusement crosses his chiseled face, and I dig my head into the seat.
“All these years you haven’t even looked at each other. What happened?”
“We happened at your goodbye, drama-filled, birthday party.” His eyes flash with the memory, and I groan. “I accidentally ran into her. She was crying, I was a mess, and we had a huge fight. She provoked me until I said she wouldn’t dare to drink with me the remainder night. We came home wasted, and one thing led to another. I care about her.”
“I hope for your well-being, you do.”
Disappointment laces his words, and his shoulders sag. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”
I rush to him and squeeze his hand in mine. “Of course, I’m happy for both of you. You’re an incredible person, and she’s amazing. I’m glad you found each other. I don’t want you to hurt her or vice versa.” This is what I don’t tell him—how Sophia turned into the most secretive person in my absence. Something happened to her too, plus he has secrets of his own. I wonder when their truth will be revealed because it will catch up, it always does.
“I won’t, Bria.”
I shove my fear aside and tuck a strand of hair over my ear. “So, it was her this whole time?”
“Yes, it was. She’ll be around.”
He kisses the top of my head. Damien pops into my mind, and I add, “Let’s hope before I tell him he doesn’t see Sophia going in or coming out of your room.”
We drop on the couch, my head spinning with all the information running through it, and I caress my temples. It isn’t enough that next week I’ll begin a fresh start with not only my family but also Damien’s parents. Plus, I have to make Damien realize that his sister is in good hands with Alex. But what about he with her?
I haven’t seen Sophia with anyone, no one has. His lips curve into a bright smile as he types on his smartphone while both worry and happiness merge into my being. I have to see them together, maybe then my fears will diminish. I lean into him as I repeat to myself, “Everything will be just fine.”
He crooks his head to me, his voice ringing with a plea, “It must be hard for you with all these changes at once. I wish I could spare you, but I’m kind of tired after all this time. I hope you understand, for once, it has nothing to do with you. These past years I’ve lived for you, and it has drained me. Now I found someone good for me.” His eyes fill with sincerity, and his entire body relaxes. “She makes me happy. I often catch myself wondering how to make her laugh. These feelings for her scare the hell out of me, but I can’t seem to run in the other direction.”
“Love makes everything better, Alex. It’s a cure. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you, you’re the first person I’ve told.”
We spend the night on the couch catching up until tiredness takes over us, and we retreat to our rooms. I toss and turn craving Damien’s nearness. By morning, I huff, grab my phone from the nightstand, and it vibrates in my palm as his name flashes on the screen. Hearing his hoarse voice sends tingles down my body.
“I had the phone in my hand,” I say with a grin and he chuckles.
“How did you sleep?”
“Not as good as with you.”
“The same goes for me, baby.”
The intimacy spreading between us has me floating. I prop myself up and lean my back on the headboard. “I had a long talk with Alex. We almost fell asleep on the couch.”
“This is an image I don’t need in my mind,” he grumbles.
“Get over it, you’re a big boy.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“It would do you good to see for yourself there’s nothing to worry about.”
“We’ll see.”
“How did you spend your night?” I change the subject, aware of him not giving up on this.
“Working and missing you.”
My voice lowers to seductive, and I chew on my lower lip. “You deserve a treat.”
“Does it include you naked under me?”
Lust laces his question. I rol
l onto my belly saying, “Maybe.”
“Now I have to come over.”
Heat envelops me, and my heart leaps in my chest. “I’m too weak to say no.”
“I’ll bring breakfast. Be right there.”
“Can’t wait.”
I end the call, and clasp the phone to my heart, giddy in happiness. I shower, change into a pair of boyfriend jeans and a baby-doll shirt and stride to the kitchen. Alex cranes his neck from his plate and notices my good mood.
“Someone is cheerful today.” He shakes his head, his eyes clear of the cloud that flashed by. “How strange is it that I’m not used to seeing you like this?”
“Damien is coming over.”
“The killer of the darkness.” He bows his head in false respect. I smack him on his shoulder, grab an apple, and lean against the counter.
“Don’t call him that.”
He throws me an exasperated look. “I made plans with Sophia.”
I dig my teeth into the juicy, fruity red apple, and chirp, “Have a good time then.”
“I will.”
I thread my fingers through his thick hair, amusement bubbling inside me. “You’re getting older. Is this the first gray hair?” The chair scrunches on the floor as he jumps up while I try to suppress my laughter.
“Where?”
The shock transforming his face is the funniest thing, and I giggle, “I’m joking.” He halts, relief surges through him, and he squints his eyes at me.
“You’re evil. I liked you better when you didn’t care.”
“You liar.”
He narrows his eyes at me and crosses his arms over his chest. “Not so sure anymore when it comes at my expense.”
He dips his head, kisses me on my cheek, and disappears wearing a huge smile plastered on his face.
BRIA
Alone, I turn on the music and sway my hips to the pulsating rhythm. It’s incredible to be in tune with my body. A feeling of complete freedom washes over me.
I twist around and find Damien gazing at me in amazement. I halt, bite down on my lip as I size him up, my heart racing in my chest. He looks sexy dressed casually in a pair of fitted jeans and a blue shirt. I rush to him, and he catches me mid-air, grinning.
Healing Love: A Billionaire Romance (Forever Us Book 2) Page 16