by Violet Duke
When Fran leaves the bathroom and I see myself in the mirror, Iâm mortified. A blotchy face accompanied by dark circles and puffy eyes jump out at me. I reach in the drawer for my makeup bag and attempt unsuccessfully to cover it all up.
Iâm almost finished dressing when my phone rings, and I immediately regret answering it when I hear Daneâs voice. âGabby, I want to explain everything. I need to see you. Please tell me youâll meet me.â
Iâm tired of this crap. âDane, thereâs no need to explain,â I snap. âI have absolutely nothing to say to you. Besides, whatever we had is over. I told you that Iâm interested in someone else. Go back to your fiancée and leave me alone!â I hang up abruptly. That was annoying, but I refuse to let him get under my skin. I have somewhere important I need to be.
That familiar jingle alerts Brad to my presence. His eyes immediately meet mine and I see that smile; the one that opens the door to my heart. Brad skips over and locks his lips with mine. Itâs a good thing there are other people around, because I have an intense desire to pull him close and deepen the kiss.
He leans in and studies my face with concern. âHow are you?â
I exhale a large breath. âIâm better now.â I am better now. I feel different. Lighter. Freer.
He takes my hand and leads me to a booth. âIâm gonna make you a latte. Iâll be right back.â When he comes back, he moves in and sits close to me, taking my hand in his. âYou look so tired, baby. Did you manage to get any sleep?â
âYeah, a little bit. Iâm more emotionally exhausted than anything else.â
He brings my hand to his mouth. âThank you.â
Why is he thanking me? âFor what?â
âFor opening up to me. I knew there was something deep troubling you, but had no idea what it was. I canât imagine what the past three years have been like for you.â
I move in closer and rest my head on his shoulder. âThank you.â
âFor what?â
Picking my head up, I look in his eyes. âFor being here, and being you.â
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THIS WEEK HAS flown by, and itâs been the best week Iâve had in a long time. Itâs Friday, and I know that for two reasons. One, Iâm seeing Brad this evening, and two, I saw the pink lilies courtesy of Kyleâs Friday delivery sitting on the coffee table this morning.
First though, I have to get through the day. My annoying red light is blinking, but I only have thirty-two voicemail messages, and nobody needs anything yesterday. Robby has completed a couple of penthouse redesigns and has two very satisfied clients. Needless to say, heâs in a very good mood, which is precisely why I choose this time to talk with him about Dane.
I walk nervously over to his office door and then hesitate, biting on my lip. âHey Robby, can I talk to you?â
âSure, dahling, come on in. Have a seat, sweetheart.â Robby says absentmindedly. Heâs concentrating heavily, typing away at his computer while he eyes design plans on his desk.
I sit down, cross my legs, and begin playing with the fabric on the chair. âWell, Iâm not sure how to say this, butâ¦â
He continues to type without looking up. âGabby, if youâre handing me your resignation, you can forget it. I wonât accept. Youâre my most valuable asset here, dahling.â
Pausing, Iâm even hesitant to say his name. âNo, itâs nothing like that. Itâs actually about Dane Rhodes.â
Now he stops and meets my gaze. âYes, what about Dane?â
âWell, Iâm wondering if thereâs any way Valerie can take over his project? We had aâ¦â
He lets out a knowing smile. âDahling. Say no more. You think I donât know what happens with these hot, rich types. I canât tell you how many times Iâve heard it. If I had a dollarâ¦well, anywayâ¦Iâll put Valerie on the account. Iâm sure sheâd love to get on board with that.â He leans back in his chair and lets out a rich laugh.
âReally?â I ask with both surprise and relief.
âListen, sweetheart. If thatâs the most difficult issue Iâll come across today, Iâm in heaven. Youâre now officially off the hook.â
Wow, that was easy. I love Robby.
*
THE DAY IS flying by and my mind is wandering to thoughts of tonight. I can barely contain the excitement bubbling up inside. Brad told me heâd pick me up at seven and to make sure Iâd eaten beforehand. His wish is my command.
Iâm sitting in the last of our client meetings with John Roche, picking at my fingernails and staring at the clock. Itâs 5:45 and I need to get home. Paying attention should be my first priority, and Johnâs lips are moving, but I donât hear anything. The only thing I do hear are the freaking seconds ticking by loudly in my ears. Come on, people. After fifteen more minutes and practically wearing the point down on my pencil, thankfully the meeting ends. I run back to my desk, grab my purse, slam my drawer closed, and head out the door. Running for the elevator, I hear my phone buzz and smile. It must be Brad. My face falls instantly; itâs a text from Dane.
Dane: I have to see you. We need to talk
Me: Weâve been through this. I donât have anything to say to you
Dane: Please give me a chance to explain
Me: No. I told you. Weâre done Dane
I turn my phone off. Heâs the last person I want to be thinking about right now.
Iâm tearing through my closet, pulling clothes off hangers. I donât like anything I see. Before I know it, my bed is covered in a heap of fabrics and Iâm still standing there in my matching blue lace bra and panties. I let out a burst of air, and throw myself on top of my bed. Now I know what the princess felt like in The Princess and the Pea. Iâm on top of sixteen outfits and I swear, thereâs an earring digging into my ass. After five more minutes of sheer frustration, I finally decide on black jeans and a green silk blouse. I put on a little pink blush to make my cheeks look rosy, a drop more lip gloss, and a bit of mascara. I dab perfume behind my ears, on the back of my neck, and in between my breasts. Heading to the bathroom, I brush my hair for the fourth time, and my teeth for the second, then go out to the living room and sit on the couch. Crap! I forgot to floss. Running back in the bathroom, I pull the floss from the cabinet and have at it as particles of food fly around the bathroom. Good thing I remembered. When I come back out, I notice a People magazine on the coffee table, so I sit down to read it, but it doesnât hold my attention. I turn the television on and flip the channels, but canât focus on that either. The pillow cushions look like they need fluffing, so I snag oneâ¦and hear a knock.
Finally! I feel like Iâve been waiting forever. I glance at my watch. Forty minutes is an eternity when youâre anxious. Taking a deep breath, I straighten my blouse, fluff my hair, and open the door. The minute the door opens, I do what Iâve been wanting to do all day. I grab Brad, tangle my hands in his hair, and pull his mouth to mine. Parting his lips with my tongue, I slip inside and am welcomed by his sweet warmth. I explore him, softly at first, then with more intensity. Pulling back with a breathy voice, I whisper, âI missed you like crazy today.â
âMe too, baby,â he says breathlessly, trailing wet kisses from the corner of my lips to the nape of my neck.
My skin tingles all over. We may not make it out of my apartment. But we have to, so I pull away. âSo, where are going?â I ask with a smile larger than life.
âI canât tell you that.â He shakes his head and taps his finger against his temple.
I put my hand on my hip, my hair bouncing off my shoulders. âI have ways of finding these things out, you know.â
âTell me more,â he encourages, winking. âI might be per
suaded.â
Brad has a habit of keeping me in the dark, and I kind of like it. Iâve loved surprises since I was a kid. But surprises with Brad far surpass any of those childhood memories.
We take the subway to our destination. Typically, Iâm grossed out being on here. Dirt-filled seats, the smell of urine and booze wafting through the air, and endless stares from strangers when all you want to do is look away. Tonight though, nothing bothers me. Brad pulls me close beside him, and I lay my head in the crook of his neck, relishing his warmth and breathing in his scent.
We make it to street level, strolling hand in hand. Brad swings my arm as we walk and I feel very much like a teenager on a first date; excited and just a little terrified. We donât go far before I see a gleam in his eye, and realize we must be getting closer. I feel the excitement rippling off of him in waves and rolling straight on to me. Our fingers toy with each otherâs and Brad gives me little squeezes periodically. I marvel at the soft, gentle quality of his hands. I love when he touches me.
The horse-drawn carriage sitting near the path to Central Park comes into view. I immediately let out a squeal and jump into his arms. âThis is on my list, too!â I shout.
âI remember,â he says as he kisses my earlobe, sending little shocks to my toes. Thereâs a glow in his eyes. âDo you have any idea how adorable you are when youâre excited?â
I can barely contain myself. âI canât believe weâre doing this!â
Brad raises my chin to meet his gaze. âI love seeing you happy.â
All I can do is sigh. Heâs so freaking thoughtful and sweet, and funny.
He helps me up into the carriage, climbs in, and snuggles close. The driver takes off almost as soon as heâs seated. The clip-clop of the horsesâ hooves, mixed with the nightâs quiet bathes us in a sweet tranquility. I lean against Bradâs shoulder and he softly kisses my hair. Bringing my hand to his chest, I feel the rapid beat of his heart.
He inches closer and whispers, âDo you feel that? Thatâs what you do to me.â His hand moves to the back of my neck before he brings my lips to meet his. He gently strokes my tongue with his and we taste each otherâs sweetness with each tender flick. His breath heats my skin while his scent hovers in the night air, intoxicating me.
This moment with Brad in this carriage, surrounded by the stars dancing in the sky and the brilliance of the moon, is just perfect. Iâm discovering that every moment I spend with him is nothing less than perfect. Itâs almost too good to be true. I just hope itâs not.
We talk quietly amidst the steady clip-clop. âSo, howâs your brother doing?â
âHeâs great. I spoke with him the other day and heâs coming in for a visit in a couple of months. I want you to meet him.â
Iâm excited to meet Matt. I know heâs the only family Brad has, aside from his dad, of course, who doesnât speak to him. That tears at my heart, but he never seems sad; maybe he hides it well.
Heâs grinning widely. âIâve mentioned you to Matt a couple of times.â
I stick my bottom lip out in a pout. âJust a couple of times?â
âYup,â he says.
My excessive curiosity gets the best of me. âSo what kind of honorable mentions did I get?â
âWho said they were honorable?â
I bump him with my hip and give him my most intimidating glare.
âHmmmâ¦letâs see. Well, I told him how witty you are, and adorable, and I couldnât leave out feisty.â
I smack him on his shoulder.
âSee, I told youâ¦feisty.â
âOh, Iâll show you feisty.â I grab him and kiss him furiously, something he didnât see coming. I have a few surprises up my sleeve, too. I pull away. âHowâs that for feisty?â I whisper.
He smiles and holds his hands out in front of him, palms up. âIâd like more of that, please.â
And then I punch him again.
He continues the conversation, unruffled. âOh, by the way, I passed by Parsons The New School of Design today and it made me think of you. Iâm not sure if youâve ever considered it, but they have a really great Master of Fine Arts program. Matt got his Masterâs there in architecture and itâs a really good school.â
âIâve heard about the school, but never thought about it before.â
He kisses me on the nose. âWell, it might be worth checking out. I know youâre hoping to stay in interior design.â
I lay my head back onto his shoulder and smile at our linked fingers. Itâs quiet again, except for the clip-clop of the horses. I lean up and his lips meet mine. This carriage ride with Brad doesnât begin to compare to my dreams. Itâs a million times better.
When we hop off the carriage, I take his hand and kiss it softly. âThank you for adding something magical to my list.â
Bradâs shy smile is back again, the one which makes my insides melt. I just sigh; itâs all I can do.
We walk for a while until Brad stops short. âAre you hungry? Iâm kind of in the mood for some Double Chocolate Brownie ice cream.â
âOh no,â I say incredulously. âYouâre more of a Monkey Ripple kind of a guy.â
âIâve decided I like your flavor better,â he declares with a cocky grin.
We walk for a while until we hit Lianaâs Ice Cream Shop and make our way inside. There arenât too many people tonight, so we donât have to wait. We both order Double Chocolate Brownie except I get whipped cream and he orders hot fudge. Iâm in heaven, because besides coffee and candy, chocolate is my other secret addition. I crave it and canât go a day without it. Hmmmâ¦thereâs something else Iâm starting to crave daily.
Brad sees me smirk. âWhatâs going on inside that pretty little head of yours?â
My eyelashes flutter. âWouldnât you like to know?â
He leans over and licks some chocolate from the corner of my mouth. âYou know, I wanted to do that when we came here last time.â
âDo what?â I ask innocently.
âLick chocolate off of those pouty lips of yours,â he replies with a sexy smile, and I want to freaking jump his bones right here.
That dimple is driving me crazy. I divert my attention elsewhere. âSo I was thinking maybe next weekend we could spend some time with Fran and Kyle. Fran wants to get to know you better.â
âShe does, does she?â
âYeah. I gave you a couple of honorable mentions too.â
âWell, if sheâs important to you, then I definitely want to get to know her,â he says sweetly.
As weâre finishing our ice cream, I stifle a yawn and Brad notices. âYouâre tired; do you want me to take you home?â
âI donât think so.â
âThen what do you want to do now?â he asks.
âI donât know. What would you like to do?â I ask coyly.
Brad seems to be deep in thought before he decides to speak. âWellâ¦we would go back to my apartment? I could give you the grand tour and you could give me your unbiased professional opinion on the overall design scheme.â
With a little too much eagerness, I agree. âIâm interested to see how a superhero lives.â
Weâre both carrying around these ridiculous smiles as we head back to Bradâs apartment. I canât deny Iâm a bit nervous. Iâm not sure what to expect, but I know my heart is finally open.
Brad lives in a one bedroom apartment in Central Park North. Itâs a nice location. Certainly a bit different from mine, as his place lacks the delightful view of the back alley. He ushers me through the door and Iâm instantly taken aback by what I see. Itâs
not the typical bachelor pad I expected. Itâs incredibly neat and he has real furniture. Tasteful artwork fills the walls accompanied by framed landscape photographs.
âIâm impressed,â I blurt out.
âReallyâ¦why is that? Were you expecting empty beer cans and clothes all over the floor?â
âMaybe.â I grin. âThis really is a great place. In fact, I donât think thereâs much I could do here to improve it.â
âYou just being here improves it.â He throws his keys on the kitchen counter and gently reaches up to cup my face, his gaze moving intently from my eyes to my lips. Pulling me in, he wraps his hands around the base of my neck, my smooth skin settling underneath his fingers and causing tiny shivers to run through me.
I grab handfuls of his hair, drawing him in so close that his warm mouth layers mine. His soft breath teases the sensitive space between my lips, causing me to open and take in the wetness of his tongue. It feels like heaven inside and stirs my need for his touch, my desire to touch him.
I slowly let my hands roam from his waist to the thin cotton of his shirt and ease my palms underneath to feel his smooth, supple skin. Bursts of air float from his lips and land on the nape of my neck, making me feel lightheaded. My toes curl, and my knees weaken.
I stop and look up at him. âBrad?â I whisper.
âWhat, baby?â he says as he continues nibbling on my neck.
âItâs yours…â I say breathlessly.
He pauses and looks up. âWhat is?â
I gaze into his brown hazy eyes. âMy heart.â
He immediately lifts me up and carries me until I feel the texture of the plush green sofa beneath us. Bradâs lips find mine again as he slowly unbuttons my blouse and I willingly help him slide it down my heated skin. He pulls me close and dips his tongue into my mouth, licking every space he can find. He leaves me and rains hot kisses down the curve of my neck, easing lower. My breathing accelerates, and my arms prickle with goosebumps. He pinches the front snap of my blue lace bra and it pops open. His tongue brushes the curve of my breast as his wet lips surround my nipple and a tiny whimper slips from my mouth. Brad drags his hands over every inch of my body, setting off fireworks, my body crackling and popping in response. I feel his hands reach the edge of my jeans and he waits, for my approval, I think, before he eagerly pulls them off, then propels them into the air without a care as to where they land.