Seizing Control

by Kylie Hillman

  He turns back around, grinning in thanks. Smiling at him, I nod goodbye and turn to walk away. I need to leave before I make a fool of myself. This wobbly, ditzy person is not me and it's embarrassing. Brendan surprises me by grabbing my upper arm with firm fingers to prevent me from leaving.

  “You’re Madelaine O’Brien, aren’t you?” he asks, his eyes staring straight into mine.

  His penetrating gaze feels like he’s trying to delve into the inner recesses of my mind. It makes me uncomfortable so I shrug my arm from his tighter than necessary grip. He lets go with obvious reluctance. After I nod my head that he has my name right, he continues. “You’re Benji’s sister?”

  “That's me. I prefer to be called Maddi though,” I tell him straightaway.

  I hate being called Madelaine. I feel like I'm in trouble when I hear my full name. The only person who calls me by it is Wendy and that's only because she refuses to shorten anyone's name.

  “I’m actually his twin, even though no one can tell.” I laugh. It's true, my twin is as dark as I am fair so we look almost nothing alike.

  It doesn't surprise me that Brendan knows me as Benji’s sister. Benji is a talented AFL player and looks to be destined to follow in our father’s footsteps. Dad played at State level, never quite making it to the big time and he's pretty tough on Benji because of it. He believes that Benji will surpass him and play at the national level if he knuckles down and quits partying. My twin is something of a local legend where all the girls want him and all the boys want to be his friend.

  By comparison, I'm the studious sprinter who keeps to her family and her small group of friends. No one outside of my family wants anything from me and that's the way I like it.

  “I’m Brendan Taylor. I’ve seen you around but you don’t come to parties like Benji does so I’ve never officially met you. Even though I've been dying to.”

  He holds his hand out for me to shake, a big sexy grin on his face. Is he flirting with me? I hope so because he’s hot as sin. His easy charm makes me smile back at him before I take his hand and shake it. The charge that I felt when he held my waist begins again when we touch. I try to drop his hand the second it’s polite to, his touch burning through me in a way I'm not used to, but he refuses to let go of mine. I attempt to brazen out the situation by continuing our conversation as if it isn't awkward standing here holding hands when we've only just officially met.

  “Nice to officially meet you. I don’t really party that often. I’m surprised you’re at the same parties as Benji, aren’t you a little old for that scene.” The second the words are out of my mouth I cringe. I couldn’t sound more judgemental and prudish if I tried. Heat travels up my neck and I just know I’m about to go red in front of the one man I don’t want to.

  He laughs at me.

  “Yeah I suppose I am, I’m twenty-two but there isn’t much else to do around here now I’m living back here since I finished university. I actually organize most of the parties. You should come to the next one. I'll look after you anytime you want.”

  He winks at me, which makes my face hotter. I'm not sure if I'm reading something into his words but innuendo seems to be lacing his offer.

  “I'll keep that in mind,” I tell him, choosing to take his words at face value. “Anyhow it was nice to meet you but I need to get going. It’s nearly midnight and I need to catch up with my friends before the fireworks.”

  I really don't care about the fireworks but I need to get away from Brendan. I tug my hand away from his and this time he lets go, but only after he plants a kiss on the back of it. Holy hell, I think he’s flirting with me.

  “It was a pleasure having you run into me,” he teases, before he continues in a voice that is deeper and smoother than his usual. “I really hope you take me up on my offer. I think we could have a lot of fun together.”

  I plaster a fake smile on my face as I try to keep my composure. I’m still not certain if he’s flirting or being friendly. It really irks me that I’m behaving like this around him. I’m normally cool, calm, and collected around the opposite gender, considering I’ve grown up surrounded by them, but I can't get a read on Brendan's intentions.

  “Have a good night, Brendan,” I say my goodbyes, effectively ending the conversation.

  I walk off towards the restrooms and it takes all of my effort not to turn back around to see if he is watching me.

  Checking my reflection in the mirror as I wash my hands, I find that I’m a little flushed and that a lock of my hair has come loose from the messy bun on the top of my head. Otherwise, I look as good as I can.

  Brendan has me confused but I file it away to think about another time. I want to become a criminal defense attorney after I finish school next year so I spend most of my free time studying and I don't need any distractions.

  I’ve seen Brendan around and I find him really attractive, but he always has a different girl hanging off of him. He doesn't date and I'm not interested in becoming just one of his girls so I doubt I'll be taking him up on his offer, platonic or not.

  “Get it together, Lainey. You're making something out of nothing,” I mutter to myself, using Mik’s nickname for me. Why I'm even thinking about this, I have no idea. I'm still not 100% sure he meant what I thought he did.

  I walk outside into complete darkness. The lights in the yard and the town hall have been turned off in anticipation of the fireworks. So instead of attempting to find my way from the back of the hall to the front where everyone else is gathered, I decide I'm going to turn off the lights and stay here by myself. I can watch them from where I am and not have to deal with persistent idiots wanting to ring in the New Year with kisses. Maybe this year Dad won’t feel the need to knock anyone out in my defense. My Dad’s not nicknamed Beast just because he’s a huge man, he also has a tendency to turn into a beast when he feels his family is being threatened and it can get embarrassing.

  Leaning back against the cinder block wall, I listen as the countdown finishes and the fireworks begin. They are spectacular as usual.

  Just as they are reaching their peak I hear someone moving next to me, a moment before I am pushed gently against the wall. Soft lips touch mine and a tongue pokes gently between my parted lips. My whole body goes rigid, and I am just about to let my attacker feel the full force of my knee between his legs, when I smell Brendan’s cologne. He senses my hesitation and pauses.

  “Happy New Year, Maddi,” he whispers against my mouth.

  “Happy New Year, Brendan.” I murmur quietly, returning his sentiment.

  Without another word, and against my better judgement, I relax against the wall once more and allow him to wrap his arms around my waist. He pulls my body tightly against his and, without further thought, I wrap my arms around his neck as he proceeds to give me the sweetest first kiss a girl could wish for.

  We are still kissing when the lights come back on. The area around us is getting louder as people begin milling back into the grounds but we ignore them and continue kissing. After what feels like an eternity, Brendan ends our kiss and steps back from me, smiling broadly. He gives me a quick kiss on the lips before he gently bites my clothed shoulder.

  “You're so beautiful and you're going to be all mine,” he whispers against my neck before he turns and walks away without another word. The passionate promise in his words takes my breath away.

  I don’t see him again for the rest of the night.

  “Dad! Brendan Taylor’s at the door.”

  My middle brother Joel’s yelling interrupts my attempted nap. My heart lurches at the news and I jump off my bed to have a look out of my bedroom door. I had a little bit too much to drink with my friends last night—especially by my standards—so I’ve been moping around my room since I woke up just before lunch time. Combining with my hangover is my confusion about what happened with Brendan last night and it's given me quite the headache.

  I can’t see anyone in the living area so I assume they are all out the back of our house
.

  I don’t know what to make of him turning up at our house after last night. He’s never been here in the six and a half years we have lived here. My biker family aren’t really in the same social circle as the likes of Brendan and his fourth generation farming family. In fact they're polar opposites, considering Brendan’s father has been the local Member of Parliament for the last fifteen years and my Dad’s the Vice President of an outlaw Motorcycle Club. The only time we mingle with their social class is at district events and even then everyone tends to group into their own social circles.

  “Madelaine, honey. Your Dad wants you.” Wendy says quietly from behind me as she walks into the living room.

  I nearly jump out of my skin.

  “They’re out on the back deck waiting for you.”

  “Who’s they?” I ask her, faking ignorance to see if she'll give me a heads up or pass on any gossip she knows. She smiles at me, seeing straight through my ruse, and points towards the back of the house without saying another word.

  Once she’s walked past me and into the kitchen, I check my reflection in the hall mirror, happy that I have at least had a shower and piled my long mane on top of my head in some semblance of an up-do. I wish I’d known that he was going to come here because I would have put some makeup on and worn something other than my normal tight jeans, singlet and unbuttoned short sleeve shirt. I giggle to myself at that lie—I’m pretty sure I’d still be wearing the same thing even with prior warning—the only really girly things about me are my long nails and my expensive addiction to designer shoes.

  I walk through the house and out the back door to find my Dad and Brendan sitting in the entertaining area having a beer. Benji is hovering around and he doesn’t have a pleasant look on his face.

  “Wendy said you want me, Dad?”

  I smile at my Dad, trying to gauge his mood, and then at Brendan. He looks as gorgeous as ever, his chocolate brown hair, deep brown eyes and tanned skin creating masculine perfection. He’s wearing blue jeans that fit him just right and a white shirt that stretches nicely across his muscled chest and shoulders. On his feet he has a pair of dusty work boots.

  I was ambivalent towards him last night and confused by his strange way of approaching me before we kissed. However, in the early hours of this morning my very envious girlfriends—and a large amount of vodka—helped me decide that I would go on a date with Brendan in the off chance that he actually asked me after our kiss. Apparently, he's so hot that my friends would kill me if I didn't accept any offer he made me.

  Dad clears his throat and draws my attention back to him. My father is a huge man and Brendan is only slightly shorter although he is a lot leaner. He's pretty intimidating but Brendan seems to be holding his own at the moment. He looks relaxed.

  From the corner of my eye, I can see him running his eyes over my form slowly, his perusal causing my pulse to quicken. A blush rises to my cheeks when I notice that my father is watching Brendan, the hardening of his eyes letting me know he didn't really appreciate what he witnessed. Dad sits up straighter in his chair and then pats the chair next to him for me to sit in. I quickly sit and wait for someone to speak.

  “Baby girl, Brendan has come over to ask me if he could take you out on a date. I told him that it’s up to you what you do although I have warned him that if you say yes and he goes and hurts you in any way, I will fuck him up.”

  For the first time in my life, I wince at my father calling me baby girl. He has called me that and nothing else since the day I was born. I’d never really thought about how young it made me sound until I had a man I wanted to impress.

  “That goes double for me.” I hear Benji mutter.

  Ignoring Benji, I grin at my straightforward Dad. As much as he annoys me sometimes, I am my Dad’s girl and I love him to pieces. The threat he issued is such a typical thing for my domineering father to say and I would be lying if I said I didn't appreciate his concern. Brendan is the first man to ever have the balls to ask Dad if he can take me out so the poor man is entering unchartered waters right along with me.

  I regard Brendan inquiringly. His wide eyes and fake looking grin tell me that he’s a little intimidated by Dad’s speech.

  “What did you have in mind?” I ask.

  I feel for the situation Brendan has put himself in for me. It's probably not the usual route he takes to ask a girl out. Actually it definitely isn't since I've never heard of him actually asking a girl to date him. It's unfortunate and maybe a little embarrassing since I'm seventeen not thirteen but Brendan will need to get used to Dad’s straight forward ways, if he wants to take this past one date.

  “I thought I could pick you up and we could head into Roma for dinner on Friday night, if you don’t already have plans?”

  “That sounds good to me. What time would you like to pick me up?” I respond immediately.

  Benji groans at my acceptance. I shoot him daggers with my eyes before returning my gaze to Dad and Brendan. I have no idea what Benji’s problem is right now. I thought he was friends with Brendan. Brendan’s handsome face splits into a cheeky, satisfied grin at my response, causing Dad to put his beer down a bit harder than necessary. My poor father.

  At his smug response, regret filters through me. I know Brendan is used to girls jumping to be with him so I wished I’d played a little harder to get, just so he realizes I'm not easy like the other girls he messes with. I'm not much for game playing so this thought occurs too late to benefit me.

  “Would five o'clock be alright with you?”

  I nod in agreement, my cool exterior belying the excitement churning inside. I can't believe Brendan Taylor just asked me out.

  Brendan turns his attention to my Dad.

  “What time do I need to have Maddi home, Mr O’Brien?

  “It’s Beast, Brendan. No man in my family answers to Mr O’Brien.” He chuckles in his deep voice, his demeanour friendlier. Brendan did the right thing by asking Dad about my curfew. If he keeps this up, he'll win him over in no time.

  “I think midnight is a fair time,” Dad answers.

  My smile broadens at Dad’s answer, I’d expected him to say something ridiculous like nine-thirty. Dad wiggles his thick, black eyebrows at me, knowing he has pleased me with his answer. He makes idle chitchat with Brendan for a few minutes as they finish their beers. I sit back in my chair smiling broadly—not adding much to the conversation—my day made and hangover forgotten. Brendan soon says his goodbyes to both of us and reiterates to me that he will be here at five o'clock in three night’s time to pick me up for our dinner date.

  After Brendan leaves, Benji throws himself down at the table with us. Anger clouding his features, he lets us know in no uncertain terms what he thinks about my decision to go on a date.

  “Dad, you can’t let her go out with him. He is bad fucking news, he goes through women like you wouldn’t believe. I won’t have my sister getting humped and dumped by some farmer’s asshole kid.” Benji points at me and continues, “You are way too good for him, Mads.”

  “Oh, shut up, Benjamin.” My blood boils at his insinuation that Brendan will be able to get me into bed after one date. I have more respect for myself than that. I hadn’t kissed anyone properly until Brendan last night—let alone slept with them—and it would take much more than one date for me to even consider it. I’m saving myself for an all-consuming love like my parents had and I don’t care if it makes me seem old fashioned or weird. And if Brendan or any other man doesn't like that, it's their problem not mine.

  “I’m not a slut like you. It’s one date, it might not even go any further than that. It’s my business if it does.”

  “I agree, baby girl.” Dad interrupts. His voice has dropped a notch and he is working himself into a rage at Benji for daring to question his decision. He points one of his sausage like fingers in Benji’s face. My twin struggles to keep from retreating, only just holding his ground in the face of Dad’s ire. If I wasn't so pissed at him, I'd be proud of
him. Even as the mouthiest of my siblings, I still find it hard to directly question Dad.

  “She has a good head on her shoulders, which is more than I can say for you most of the time. I’ve warned that kid that I'll fuck him up if he hurts her and I know she’ll come to me if he does anything she doesn’t like.”

  “You’re being fucking stupid, Mads! You’re gonna get hurt,” Benji yells at me, giving up arguing with Dad, before he charges inside, slamming the backdoor behind him. Dad shakes his head at me in sympathy and I shrug, brushing aside Benji’s prediction.

  We all have no idea how right Benji will end up being…

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Lainey

  Present Day

  I’m pulled back to the present when I hear Mik’s voice reverberate around the bedroom. Jerking my head away from Brendan’s insistent lips, I search the room to see where the sound is coming from but I can't find it. Brendan rests his chin on my head, seemingly content to listen with me.

  “Yeah, I’m sorry to bother you, bro but my fiancée is missing and the GPS on her phone is showing it at this address.”

  I feel Brendan’s body turn rigid at the word fiancée before the fingers resting on my hip dig painfully into my flesh. He grabs my left hand and he finally notices the princess cut diamond on my ring finger. Eyes bulging and lips pursed, he looks ready to snap so I attempt to get some distance between us by scrambling off his lap. It doesn’t work because he follows me across the bed, tossing me onto my back and then straddling my hips. He tugs off my engagement ring and throws it against the wall. I try to buck him off me but stop when I hear Stu speak.

  “Sorry mate, there is no one here but me. I did find a phone in the park about half an hour ago when I was walking my dog. Maybe it’s your fiancées? I was just about to see if it had any emergency contacts in it so I could reunite it with its owner. I’ll go grab it.”