Girls You Marry

by Tina Gallagher

  “Whoa,” he said.

  “God Dan, don’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “Sneak?” he chuckled. “Bri, I couldn’t sneak these days if I tried to.”

  “I didn’t hear you.” I took two quick gulps of juice and squared my shoulders. “And please don’t call me Bri.”

  Dan is the only person who’s ever called me that. I used to love it. I thought it was sweet. You know, like Ricky Riccardo calling Lucille Ball “Lucy”…then again, he was a cheating pig also.

  “You never minded before.”

  “Well, now I do.” I had to resist the childish urge to cross my arms over my chest and stomp my foot to emphasize the point. At the thought of my arms, I realized that Dan’s hand still had possession of mine. I pulled it out of his grasp.

  “You’re pissed,” he sighed, rubbing his brow.

  “I’m not pissed. I just don’t want you to call me Bri. No one calls me Bri.” I knew what he was talking about, but chose to play dumb, with the hope he’d drop the subject before it got started.

  “I’ve always called you Bri,” he pointed out. “And you know that’s not why you’re pissed. You’re mad about last night.”

  I finished my orange juice in one long gulp and threw the empty bottle into the recycling bin, but didn’t say a word.

  “Why didn’t you say you wanted to go out to dinner? Insist that we go out to dinner? The guys would have understood. After all, they dropped in uninvited and unannounced.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell them to go?”

  “Because you said you didn’t want to go out. You said you weren’t hungry.”

  He cannot be this dense.

  “Did you want to go out to dinner?”

  “I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t.” He looked at me and sighed. “Yes, I wanted to go out with you.”

  “Then you should have said that instead of sitting there like a mute.”

  “But you said—”

  “I know what I said, Dan. Why should I have said anything else? Huh? If you had really wanted to go out with me instead of having a party with your friends, you should have said so. I was the bad guy enough back in college, I refuse to play the role now.”

  The aggravation drained from his face and was replaced with something that looked suspiciously like understanding. Since he seemed to be a captive audience and I was on a roll, I continued. “You need to say what you mean and take responsibility for your actions.” I could have gone on, but I figured I made my point and realized that I was starting to sound like my mother.

  I took a deep, cleansing breath, which was a big mistake because my lungs filled with the clean fresh-from-the-shower scent of Dan. At that moment I realized how close he was standing. My eyes widened and met his smoldering gaze.

  The air between us crackled. I wanted to step back but couldn’t, tried to look away, but I couldn’t seem to do that either.

  Dan’s eyes bore into me and of course he could read my every thought, anticipate my every move. I swallowed hard and attempted to move my feet and put some space between us. He shook his head and took a step closer, fully invading my personal space. I was about to protest—at least I like to think I was—but he placed his index finger across my lips and shook his head again.

  “I promise I’ll take responsibility for my actions.”

  My befuddled brain didn’t have a chance to process that before his mouth was on mine, kissing me like there was no tomorrow. Somewhere in the back of my mind I realized that I’d dropped the now-melting ice cup I had been holding. It landed on the floor with a dull thud.

  I knew I should step back and put a stop to it, but all I could manage was to take my now-empty hand and wrap it around the back of his neck. My fingers were cold from the ice that had melted on them and his skin felt so warm in contrast, I threaded them through his hair. I felt Dan’s moan deep in my chest.

  Dan took a step closer still, backing me up against the refrigerator. His fingers plowed through my hair and tilted my head back and to the side, opening my mouth further to his sensual exploration. I had expected a full-blown, tongue-tangling kiss, but instead he nibbled at my bottom lip before fully placing his mouth over mine once again and applying a wonderful suction that nearly brought me to my knees.

  My mind whirled and my resistance—yeah right, resistance—weakened as Dan’s mouth opened and closed over mine in a steady rhythm. Then his tongue swept into my mouth and the taste of him filled my senses. It was both familiar and new as were the sensations he stirred within me. Only Dan had ever made me feel this way, this out of control, this wonderful.

  The kiss went on and on, long and hard, soft and gentle, our tongues tangling in a hot, sexual assault. He was literally making love to my mouth and I loved every single minute of it. A groan erupted from Dan’s chest and he pulled back slightly, looking down at me with heavy eyes.

  “Oh God, Bri,” he groaned before dipping his head and starting all over again.

  I couldn’t say how long the kiss lasted or how long it would have gone on—or God forbid, what else would have happened right there against the refrigerator—if the distinct sound of Lexi’s feet pounding down the stairs didn’t break through the sensual fog that surrounded us.

  If I want to be totally honest—and I’m not sure I do—I didn’t actually hear anything until Dan broke the kiss. His head had cocked to the side as he listened, but his burning green gaze never left my eyes. In their depths I saw his desire so clearly I couldn’t turn away.

  Lexi’s steps danced closer and Dan squeezed my waist gently before taking a step back. His eyes were still on mine, but when I licked my lips, they dropped to my mouth. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose and let it slowly out his mouth.

  Part of me was terrified of the desire I saw etched on his face, but another part was thrilled. My own body hummed with a need I haven’t felt for ten years. And if the fit of Dan’s shorts was any indication, he was pretty turned on himself.

  “Daddy!” Lexi ran across the room and flung herself at Dan. How he caught her, I’ll never know. My legs feel so weak a good breeze could blow me over.

  “Hey munchkin. Did you have a good time?”

  Lexi’s head bobbed up and down. “Uh huh. We went on all the rollercoasters. Hi Sabrina.”

  “Hey Lexi. How were those rollercoasters?”

  She seemed to look me over before answering. “They were awesome.” Her eyes left me and returned to Dan, giving him the same once-over. “Sabrina likes rollercoasters too, Daddy.”

  “I know.”

  Right then my stomach felt like it was on a rollercoaster. Why does Dan affect me like this? I’ve made love with guys before and haven’t felt this flutter. I needed to gain control of myself. Letting Dan kiss me was a big mistake with a capital B.I.G. Kissing him back was even worse.

  “Do you want to put this off until later?” Dan raised a questioning brow and I felt myself blush. “I thought you might want to postpone your workout so you could spend some time with Lexi.”

  His “yeah right” look made me feel like a coward, but I suppose that’s exactly what I am where Dan is concerned.

  “Did you eat breakfast, honey?” he asked Lexi.

  “Mrs. Evans is making it now.”

  “Give me a half hour?” he said to me.

  “Sounds good.”

  That should give me enough time to get my head together.

  Dan’s eyes narrowed and I knew that once again he’d managed to read my thoughts, and from the look in his eyes, he wasn’t happy with them. In fact, he now looked determined to keep me from ever getting my head on straight again.

  Chapter Eleven

  “We have to talk about it, you know.”

  The milk I’d been pouring into a glass spilled all over the counter. “Jesus Dan, you scared me.” I ripped a paper towel off the roll directly in front of me and blotted up the mess. I glanced over at him. “How do you move so quietly with that brace on
your leg?”

  He shrugged and leaned against the counter. “Maybe I’m not quiet. Maybe you’re just too wrapped up in your thoughts to hear me.” He chuckled. “Besides, if I give you fair warning you might run the other way.”

  I didn’t dispute that claim because he just might be right. “Want some?” I gestured toward the milk container.

  “If you’re pouring.”

  I grabbed a glass from the cabinet above my head, filled it with milk¸ and handed it to Dan. His fingers brushed over mine and sparks of sensation radiated from my hand to every pleasure point in my body reminding me why I wanted to avoid him in the first place.

  “You can’t avoid me forever, you know.”

  “I’ve been with you all day.”

  “Not because you wanted to be.” He looked and sounded like a pouting child, but his words rang true.

  After our morning session, I’d wanted nothing more than to put some much needed space between Dan and myself. Unfortunately, Lexi had other plans. First she asked me to play catch with her, which seemed harmless enough until she asked Dan to watch just to make sure she was doing everything right. After that, her sage green eyes turned pathetic and pleading as she begged Dan and me to play a game of Uno with her. When I attempted to say no, she really turned on the charm and added logic for good measure. After all, Uno really is quite boring with only two people playing.

  Lunch followed what seemed like a hundred hands of the card game, followed by Dan’s afternoon therapy session. Shortly after that when Lexi tracked me down and asked me to give Dan a French braiding lesson.

  I managed to escape after dinner, sneaking out the back door to go explore the grounds. Part of me felt guilty, but I know Lexi would have wanted to tag along if she knew my plans—most likely inviting “daddy” along—and I really needed the time to clear my head.

  The kiss Dan and I had shared still has my head spinning and that combined with the whole Mr. Mom thing he has going on might skew my vision of him. Rose-colored glasses are lovely, until you’re into someone heart and soul and you’re forced to take them off and see him in his true light. That happened to me once with Dan and I can’t allow it to happen again.

  The walk had helped clear my vision of him…now if I can only keep it that way for the next couple weeks, I’ll be okay.

  “Did you hear what I said before?” Dan asked.

  “What’s that?”

  “We have to talk about it.”

  “Talk about what?”

  He blew out a frustrated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “The kiss.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.” I drained my glass in one gulp, rinsed it out and placed it in the dish drainer on the counter. Just to keep myself occupied, I retrieved the sponge from the sink and wiped down the counter.

  Dan grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop. “Would you slow down and talk to me?” His green eyes bore into mine. “Please?”

  I’m not sure if it was the “please” or the frustration in his tone that convinced me to put the sponge back into the sink and lean against the counter, waiting for him to speak.

  “Thank you.” He let go of my wrist and took a step back. “That kiss was pretty amazing.” I gave him what I hoped was my best bland expression. He must have sensed that I wasn’t going to comment, because he continued. “There’s something between us, Bri. There always has been.” His smile turned nostalgic. “I remember the first time I laid eyes on you. Do you remember that?”

  I nodded and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. Apparently my remembering wasn’t good enough…he wanted to reminisce.

  “You were taping ankles in the training room. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. I knew then Sabrina, at that moment, that we were meant for each other.”

  Tears stung my eyes, threatening to spill. I wanted to stop him, but the lump in my throat prohibited me from saying a word.

  “I know you feel it too. You got just as caught up in that kiss as I did, and if Lexi didn’t come home, who knows what would have happened?” His eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of the kitchen and I felt drawn to him. So drawn it terrified me.

  “I’ve never forgotten you. Never forgotten what it was like between us. I nearly died when you left me. It was like losing half of my heart.”

  Thank the good Lord he said those last two sentences because I was starting to melt. His last words actually made me see red. He nearly died when I left him? Ha! What a laugh. I was such a mess my mother nearly had to sedate me. Thank God it happened at the end of the school year, otherwise I probably would have taken the semester off…that, or flunk out.

  Dan must have seen the storm in my eyes because he started to speak quickly, as if he was trying to get it all out before I exploded.

  “I know I was a jerk back then. I know I hurt you as much as I hurt myself, but I’m not the same person.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the floor before his eyes met mine again. “What I’m trying to say is that I want you back. I mean, I’d like another chance if you’re willing to give me one. I’ll treat you right this time Bri, I swear I will.”

  I have to admit he was giving an award winning performance. He looked sincere enough, but then he always did. I wanted to rant and rave, tell him about how devastated I was back then, how much he hurt me. But for some reason I couldn’t. I felt numb inside. Numb and cold. I wanted nothing more than to go to bed.

  “No,” I said quietly.

  He blinked comically. “Excuse me?” Apparently he’s not used to having women say that word to him.

  “No, I’m not willing to give you another chance.” I waited a second for my words to sink in, then added, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed.”

  I left him standing in the kitchen with his mouth hanging open.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sleep eluded me for most of the night. My mind was racing, filled with so many thoughts I couldn’t keep up with all of them. Dan’s words dredged up so many things I never wanted to think about again.

  Things had been good between us—perfect in fact—if only he could have kept it in his pants. I laughed out loud at that last thought. The fact that he couldn’t keep in his pants didn’t bother me as much as the fact that he had no problem keeping it there with me, yet whipped it out for every other female on campus.

  I’d been more than willing to have sex with Dan. I’m not proud of it, but there were nights I practically begged him to make love to me, but he never would. His hands on my body, his soft lips on my mouth, my neck, my breasts nearly drove me crazy with desire.

  One night in particular comes to mind. Dan and I had attended his senior prom. Prom night. Can I be more cliché? And instead of going to one of the many parties being thrown across campus, Dan took me home. My roommate had gone home for the weekend, so we had the whole place to ourselves.

  We didn’t speak as we walked to my bedroom. Dan took my face in his hands and kissed me so sweetly, I thought I was going to cry. By slow degrees, the kiss changed tone and turned hungry, almost demanding. Somehow we ended up on the bed with Dan on top of me. Our hands were all over each other and before I knew it, Dan had divested me of my dress. His shirt, tie, and vest followed suit.

  I always loved his chest and my hands roamed freely, relishing the feel of the crisp hair that dusted the soft skin and steel muscles beneath. I lifted my head off the pillow and nipped at his pectoral muscle and sucked on his nipple. He groaned.

  Before I knew what was happening, his hands gripped my waist and rolled over so he was lying flat on his back with me straddling his hips. I could feel his hard length pressing into me through his pants and my panties and I actually shivered with excitement. Dan’s limber fingers flicked open the front closure of my bra and my breasts spilled into his waiting hands. It was my turn to groan when he lightly brushed his thumbs over my aching nipples.

  I bent my head and kissed him for all I was worth. My whole heart and soul were put into that kiss,
into every stroke of my tongue, telling him without words how much I loved him.

  Dan’s hands continued caressing my breasts and the sensations he created were amazing. My hips bucked in an ancient rhythm over his and every nerve in my body was on full alert. I shifted, better aligning our bodies and continued to move over him.

  Dan’s hands left my breasts and grasped my hips, stilling my movements. It took some doing on his part, because my body seemed to be on autopilot and wouldn’t relent. He shifted onto his side and I slid next to him. I looked into his glowing green eyes, slumberous with passion and my heart felt like it expanded in my chest. I was so filled with love. His love.

  He kissed me lightly on the mouth and then pulled back. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, before placing a lingering kiss at the hollow of my throat. “Absolutely beautiful.” His mouth traced a path to my ear. “And I love you very, very much.” His warm breath whirled in my ear and I shivered.

  The tone of our actions changed from hot and frenzied to loving and reverent. Dan’s hand slid around my waist and moved down to my rear end to the back of my thigh and ultimately landed behind my knee, which he grasped and lifted until my leg rested on his hip. I had to resist the urge to grind into him. His fingers traced their way back up my thigh, squeezed my bottom and stroked my stomach before tucking themselves into the waistband of my panties.

  I trembled as his fingers grazed over me. He misunderstood my reaction. Kissing the tip of my nose, he said, “It’s okay. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

  I was going to explain that I wasn’t worried, but his hand slipped down further into my heat and I couldn’t think. Dan growled deep in his chest as he slipped one finger inside me. In and out, in and out, in and out he pumped, and I arched my back, not sure of how to put out the fire he’d started within me.