by M. Sembera
Closing his eyes, Braden shook his head at himself.
"You takin' a break?"
Surprised to see Liv standing in the doorway, he pushed off from the wall, questioning, "What are you doing home?"
"Penny has a doctor's appointment so we closed the shop for the rest of the day."
Smiling wide, he nodded, walking towards her.
"No."
Stopping in order to pout, he repeated, "No?"
He could tell she was having a hard time being firm with him as she held out her hand saying, "Get to work. I'll make lunch in about an hour."
~
Walking out of the doorway and down the hall into her room, she closed the door behind herself. She kicked her shoes off and then stretched out on the bed. Liv wasn't a cold person, although she knew that's how everyone saw her. She just couldn't afford to be warm on the outside. People see too much of you when you're soft. You forget. You make mistakes. But if you let them know up front that you're hard, it isn't as easy for them to get to you. And when it turns out they didn't really want you after all, there's a comfort in that loss. They only had what was on the outside, anyway.
Smiling to herself, she closed her eyes, thinking of the way Braden made her feel. Deciding to skip today was the right call. Thursday's needed to be preserved. Besides, it wasn't like she lied. She was sore, but it was a good sore. Her muscles ached in the best way possible. Every time she moved, it reminded her of why. She could feel herself growing warm at the thought. The warmth she felt was simply a reaction to what he did to her body. He warmed her. Taking a deep breath, she recited in her mind, 'sex is not the same as making love'. She thought she was in love with him once. Now she knew better. This was sex. Back then she was young and naïve. She knew better this time.
~
The first coat of paint rolled onto the ceiling smoother than he thought it would. The guy at the hardware store had sworn it was all in the prep-work, he was right. Braden set his paint roller down onto the tray and walked to the kitchen.
After washing his hands, he walked back down the hall to Liv's door so he could ask her where to rinse out the roller. When he called her name and there was no response, Braden opened her bedroom door thinking she may have fallen asleep. Confused for a moment as he stared at her empty bed, his body caught notice before his mind did. His muscles stiffened and his palms ached. Her bathroom door was pulled to, not closed, and he could hear the sound of sloshing water. Liv was taking a bath.
For a moment he hesitated. In the scheme of right verses wrong, it was a clear invasion of her privacy. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time. Taking a step towards the bathroom door, Braden worked at containing his enthusiasm. The last thing he wanted was to run in there like he'd never seen a woman naked before. Even though, in all honesty, that was how he felt.
Slowly pushing the bathroom door open, the first thing he spotted were Liv's feet. Crossed at the ankle resting against the corner of the shower wall, her toe nails were painted almost the same color purple as he was painting the ceiling of her library. Braden's eyes followed her legs all the way to the tub. Making his way closer he saw her. All of her. With her colorfully tattooed arms crossed behind her head, only her face was above water. Her eyes were closed and her black hair seemed to be floating all around her. She was beautiful. So damn beautiful. His first impulse was to curse because her kind of beauty cut right through his chest.
Liv's poem entered his mind. As sexy as he found it the first time he read it, looking at her now, gave the words all new meaning. She reminded him of his first acoustic.
Braden's heart jolted in his chest as she opened her eyes. Startled in expression, she didn't move. She just laid there staring at him. His eyes wandered across her body once more, lingering on her luscious hips, tracing the curve of her waist to the soft round of her breasts. Almost back to her eyes, he noticed on the inside of her right arm was a simple black outline of a guitar, his initials making up the body.
As soon as his eyes met hers again, she sat up. Steam rose from her body as she stood. Dripping wet, naked and silent. She didn't say 'no,' fuss at him for being in there or make any snarky comments. This moment was a gift. He could have lunged at her, pushed her up against the shower walls and taken her. Instead, he stood there silent with her, appreciating the moment. Until he saw her shiver as goosebumps formed across her arms.
Grabbing both towels from the rack, he laid the first one down for her to step out on and held the second open for her to step into. Carefully drying her off, Braden walked her back. He folded the towel right at the small of her back, until she was up against the ledge of the sink. Smiling down at her, she looked worried. The look in Liv's eyes showed him more of who she was, than she had ever revealed. She never said it and he never noticed, but she was always worried, about everything and everyone. Leaning down he softly kissed her lips. This wasn't about him. It was about her and he wanted to show her that she didn't need to worry about this moment or any other one they shared.
It was insane the way he felt. All he wanted was to please her. Brushing Liv's damp hair away from her ears, he picked up her blue tooth ear buds off of the counter next to the sink. It was the first time in his life he wanted to give without anything in return. Braden slid the earbuds into her ears one at a time, placing a light kiss against her ear after each one. When her eyes started to question him, he pressed his lips against hers, and pulled away. Grabbing her phone from next to were her earbuds where, he opened her playlist.
Braden scrolled through her playlist and selected 'The Judge' by Twenty One Pilots. Liv's eyes lit up as he set her cell down and smiled. Gliding his hand down the curves of her body, he went down on one knee in front of her. As he glanced up at her, she bit her bottom lip, silently accepting his proposal. It had nothing to do with commitment to anything other than this moment. Rubbing his palms around her hips, if she was sore, he was going to make it better. Adjusting himself slightly, he lifted her leg over his shoulder. Leaning in, he passionately kissed her until she was gripping the sides of the counter, arching her back, shouting his name.
M18H
Desperately trying to focus, Liv stared at the checker board in front of her. She should have beat Braden by now. He was distracting her. How was she supposed to concentrate on beating him when all she could think about was running her fingers across his mouth, laying her hand against his forearm or tracing the lines on the palm of his hand. Earlier, when he touched her, it was more than a physical act. She was genuinely touched by him.
Blowing out a loud breath, Liv made her move and sat back. She watched Braden as he looked over the board with a smile. He moved his king one, two, three, four jumps in a row.
"I win," he shared before the realization of winning hit him and he jumped out of his seat, cheering, "I won! In your face! You lost and I won!"
Narrowing her eyes at him, Liv slowly stood up and walked to the kitchen sink.
Quickly behind her, he reminded, "That was only one game."
"I don't want to play anymore."
Laughing at her, he informed, "You are a terrible loser."
Whipping around, she assured, "No, I'm not 'cause I don't lose."
"Well ya did today!" Braden blurted with a huge grin, pointing his finger at her.
Far from amused, she gave him a dirty look and started placing dishes in the sink.
Grumbling to herself, she knew it was silly to get agitated over a stupid game of checkers. It was his fault that she lost. Him and his ridiculously sexy...everything.
Leaning against the counter next to her, Braden asked, "Whatcha doin'?"
"Loser washes the dishes. So, I'm washing the dishes."
Scooting closer, he corrected, "That was the rule when you were the winner."
"Alright, what do you want?"
Flashing a smile, he pulled her to him.
"I want to kiss you."
She couldn't stop herself from smiling as she rolled her eyes.
&nbs
p; "That's what you want?"
Nodding, he replied, "Under a blanket, on the couch."
"Really..."
"Yes, ma'am."
Thinking it was an odd request, Liv agreed.
Settled on the couch with Braden under her purple blanket with black stars, she felt a delightful rush of serenity. His kisses were long and slow as his fingers slid in between hers. Holding both of her hands he pulled them to the center of his chest.
"Keep your hands here," he stated, in a low tone, releasing her hands.
Reaching around her waist, he urged her onto his lap. Kneading his hands into her hips he kissed her as she faced him. When Liv started to slide her hands down to his stomach, Braden grasped her elbows, pushing her hands back to his chest.
"Here," he reminded before wrapping her tight in his arms as he kissed her.
Unable to keep her hands still, she opted to go the other direction. Running her palms up the sides of his neck her fingers traced his jaw before resting on his cheeks.
"Let me take you in bed," he breathed against her mouth.
Liv froze in place.
Brushing his lips against hers, he added, "Slow."
A sharp pang of uncertainty caused her to drop her hands from his face as she shared, "That's not what this is."
"It could be."
"No."
~
Braden wanted to argue, but as he looked into her eyes he knew it was pointless.
She wasn't the same woman he was with earlier. The one that allowed him a glimpse of her vulnerable side, and softened under his touch. She was guarded.
Slowly letting go of her, he faked a smile, saying, "You should get to bed."
With a questioning expression, she shook her head.
"Your ass is mine, first thing in the morning."
Excitement flashed in Liv's eyes as she tossed the blanket off of herself, hopped up, and took off down the hallway to her room.
The second he heard her door shut, Braden leaned his head back. Staring at the ceiling, he thought about how lame she said her sex life had been. If she considered making love in a bed boring, then it was obvious she needed to be showed what it could be like. He wasn't entirely sure if he should be pissed at his cousin for sexually depriving her or thankful that he never put it to her like he should.
Deciding he had better get some sleep, he was serious about taking advantage of staying the night by having some first thing in the morning sex with Liv. When he lifted his head, she was standing in front of him. He started to ask if everything was alright. She seemed troubled, but as soon as he opened his mouth she leaned down and kissed him.
Liv's fingers tugged at the top of his hair as she practically violated his mouth with hers.
Before he knew it, the kiss was over and he was watching her walk away again as she said, "'Night."
"'Night," he repeated although he was almost certain she didn't hear him.
He took a slow deep breath. Stretching out on the couch, he was thankful. Definitely thankful.
M19H
The Dog House was packed as Liv and Braden squeezed in together at the bar. Wedged in between two couples; it was hard for him to keep his hands to himself. Every time she adjusted to keep from rubbing against him, he would shift and a try to do something with his hands. He tried placing them on the bar, in his pockets, behind his back. He did everything he could think of, short of just holding them over his head. As 'Hollow Moon' by Awolnation played overhead, Liv placed her hand on his shoulder. Her mouth was at his ear and he knew she had said something but it was lost the moment he felt her breath on his ear.
Tension filled his body as he turned to her, suggesting, "Wanna get out of here?"
Realizing that must have been what she said, she nodded with a laugh in response.
They told Auggie, they were going to take off before heading out of the bar and back into Braden's El Camino.
"Damn, I could hardly breathe in there." Liv shared as he pulled onto the road.
Unable to help himself, Braden teased, "'Cause it was packed or because of those tight ass pants you have on?"
Wide eyed, she turned to face him questioning, "You gotta problem with the jeans I have on?"
"I like it better when they're off."
Braden swerved as he glanced in her direction.
Lifting up off of the seat, she slid her jeans past her hips, asking, "You alright?"
His voice caught in his throat as he made a u-turn, heading in the opposite direction.
Liv tossed her jeans in the back seat before propping her feet up on the dash.
"Where are we going?"
Focusing on the road to keep from swerving again, he replied, "My place is closer."
"What do you think of this sweater?"
He could hear the smirk in her voice, prompting him to take a quick look.
"It's not my favorite," she shared, pulling it off over her head and tossing it into the back seat with her jeans.
Braden leaned forward slightly, grasping the steering wheel, hoping to make it home before her bra or underwear came into question.
Parked right in front of his apartment, Braden took his seatbelt off and turned to her with a wide smile.
"You comin' in?" he challenged, opening the driver's side door.
Liv appeared offended as she replied, "You think I won't?"
"This isn't the country," he warned, reminding her there would be spectators.
She seemed to be considering what he had said.
"You know what I discovered this week?"
Shaking his head, he thought about everything they had done.
"It's good to try new things," she informed with a smile.
Braden smiled back, then his jaw dropped as she swung the door upon and hopped out.
Leaping out of the driver's seat, he slammed his door shut, tripping over the curb as he pulled his hoodie off. She was halfway to his door before he caught her. Frantically covering her with his jacket, he pulled her the rest of the way to his door by it.
"Are you crazy?" he barked trying to get his key into the door.
Laughing at him, she assured, "I checked first. No one was looking."
Finally getting the door open, he shoved her inside scolding, "You're insane."
"Why? Because I walked to your door in my bathing suit?"
Turning to get a good look at her even though his hoodie was still draped over her shoulders, it was obvious now, she was wearing a bikini.
Somewhat relieved, Braden fussed, "You're an asshole, Liv."
"Ha!" she blurted before taunting, "Don't be mad 'cause I got you."
A slow smile spread across his face as he reached over and locked his front door.
"Now I've got you."
Biting her bottom lip, her expression quickly changed.
~
The look in his eyes was almost sinister. Reaching into his jacket around her, he took her arms and folded them across her chest. Lifting the sleeves of his hoodie, he tied them together across her chest, preventing her from moving her arms without a struggle.
Excitement exploded in her chest as he questioned, "You like to try new things?"
Nodding she let him lead her to the kitchen.
Kneeling on two kitchen chairs, with the seats facing each other, Liv was bent over the table. Her arms, imprisoned by his hoodie. She found herself clenching her fists, hugging them tight to her chest. Braden's arms encircled her shoulders and his face was buried in the back of her hair. Every push from behind pulled them both closer to the edge until neither one could hold back any longer.
Braden didn't give her any time to recover as he lifted her off of the chairs, pulling his jacket off of her while setting her on her feet. Passionately kissing her, it was a good thing he was holding onto her so tight. Her knees were weak and her legs felt wobbly. She felt disoriented. Off balance. Dragging her to the couch, Braden continued to kiss her as he flung them both onto it. Her back was pressed into the pillows
as she lay on her side against him. Wrapping his leg around hers, he held her to him. Without letting up, he slid an arm around her waist, pressing her into him, while his other was at her jaw, holding her face to his.
Everything started to slow down. Her heart beat along with his kiss as she felt herself drift off.
~
Her lips were still moving, but just barely. The feel of them lightly brushing against his was almost too good to stop.
Afraid moving would wake her, Braden carefully scooted his head back. Wrinkling his brow, he looked at her. She was at peace. Her chest rose and fell against his as her hands remained tucked between them. This was what he was missing. It wasn't their position, he's been here before. It was a feeling. One that he couldn't describe, still he knew exactly what it was. She was feeling it too, he saw it in the little glimpses she gave him when her guard was down.
Braden leaned his forehead to Liv's and closed his eyes. Thinking about the night he found her drunk, passed out in the bathtub, he wished he would have told her about Kieran. She couldn't have been more broken than she was that night. Maybe if he had told her, she was mourning a man that wasn't worth a second thought, she might not be so guarded with him. Or it was possible between what he did to her in high school and her husband cheating on her, this moment wouldn't be happening at all. None of that mattered now. What mattered was, he was starting to realize, the things he thought he lost, were not half as good as the feeling of lying there with Liv.