My Bossy Protector: A Best Friend’s Brother Romance

by Charlize Starr

  Violet invited us in for dinner and Riley jumped up to run inside. This was a regular thing. Lucinda stood and looked at me with a small smile. “She’s so cute, Max. One of the sweetest little girls that I’ve ever met.”

  “That she is,” I agreed as I leaned against the patio with a grateful smile. “Are you going to join us for dinner?”

  “It’s hard to resist her cooking,” Lucinda admitted with a small shrug. “I have a small kitchen, but I’m not all that good with a stove.” She met my eyes. “Not like you, it seems.”

  “I do just fine. You should join us for dinner sometime,” I told her as she looked into the house.

  “Where’s her mom?” Lucinda asked softly. I let a sad look cross my face.

  “We’re divorced. There’s a custody battle going right now, but I won’t let anyone take my daughter away. She means the world to me,” I explained in a soft voice, not faking my emotions. “I don’t think that her mother is good for her.”

  Sympathy crossed Lucinda’s face as she formed a small O with her mouth. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m going to fight,” I assured her. I heard Riley call my name. “Let’s go.”

  I brought Riley home for a bath after the dinner of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. She hugged both women good night. My daughter was already attached to our neighbour. She spent most of the time with Lucinda talking about dolls and her favorite shows. I had to drag her away – I saw the longing look in Lucinda’s eyes as she watched us leave.

  I got Riley bathed and dressed before we watched a movie as I worked. It was the usual routine, but I found myself looking towards Lucinda’s window every so often, noticing the blinds were open. She wasn’t there, though.

  I invited Lucinda to breakfast the following morning as I stepped out to get the paper. She was just coming home from a run, all sweaty and sexy, blushing. She told me that she was busy. I watched her run around to the entrance of her apartment, admiring her ass in her tight pants. I went back in and fixed some pancakes before running Riley over to Mom’s so I could see some patients.

  Riley ran over to say hello to Violet when we got home that night. I noticed Lucinda in the kitchen, working on something. “Lucinda is making a roast for dinner if you’d like to join us. It’s plenty big enough for all of us,” Violet offered. I smiled down at her.

  “You’re going to spoil us,” I teased her as I looked inside the house. Lucinda had said that she wasn’t a great cook, but it smelled delicious from out here.

  “I taught her how to make it. I think the girl needs a little encouragement. She’s a bit… skittish,” Violet confided, looking down as Riley played with a doll at the corner of the porch.

  I’d noticed the same thing. She was a striking and beautiful woman but seemed to withdraw from anyone if they got too close. I knew that there was passion for life in there somewhere, but I just didn’t know how to bring it out. “Yeah. I can see that.”

  “I think Riley makes her drop her walls a bit. Kids have a way of doing that. Stay for dinner and let Lucinda relax a little bit. I promise it will be good.” I nodded and we went inside. Riley hugged Lucinda and helped to set the table.

  Violet and Lucinda plated the roast and scooped the vegetables into a large bowl. I decided that Lucinda wasn’t lying about not cooking a lot: she hesitated with a lot of the steps. She blushed as she came to the table.

  I complimented Lucinda on the meal, as did Riley, telling her how good the food she made tasted. That earned us a smile from Lucinda. We enjoyed the meal – she sipped a glass of wine and seemed to relax. Violet carried the conversation, asking Riley all about her day with Grandma and making Lucinda smile a few times.

  We finished up, so I offered to help with the dishes. Violet told me that she’d do them and to get that pretty baby to bed. I nodded and thanked them both for a lovely night before walking home with Riley.

  The night was normal as far as appearances go, but my mind kept wandering to Lucinda. She wasn’t giving in to me as easily as other women had and, even with Riley at my side, she seemed to pull away from me. I needed something to get this ball rolling: a dinner where I could break her down. Something away from my daughter. I wanted her to see me as an option for something romantic. Someone who would sweep her off her feet.

  I knew that there was more to Lucinda than just her gorgeous body. I knew she had secrets that she was hiding and that they scared her away from living life to the fullest. I’d never know them if we didn’t get to know one another on our own. I needed to form a bond with her.

  I knew that I could want more than just an act with her. I wanted to know what Lucinda feared and be the one to make her feel safe again. I wanted her to want me like I wanted her, acknowledging the fact that I hadn’t slept with anyone since meeting her. Granted, I had Riley every night, but I wasn’t sure if I would sleep with someone else even if I hadn’t.

  I tucked her into her own bed that night and stared blankly at the sports scores on the TV from my bed. I knew that Riley was staying with my aunt and her ten-year-old daughter tomorrow night. I’d get to Lucinda then. I’d make her dinner and get her to open up to me.

  I looked over to see her window open tonight – that damn light filling her room. I wanted to see her soon on my own terms… where I could touch her and break down her walls. I knew that if I kissed her and we made it to my bed, Lucinda would be mine. Few women wanted to leave once they found themselves there, but I was going to offer her more to help both of us.

  I sensed that Lucinda needed someone close to her since she kept herself so guarded. I could be that person. Riley could get further into her heart. I closed my eyes and thought about Lucinda the past few times I’d seen her, knowing that she felt something for me as well. I just needed to get past the fear in her eyes.

  Chapter Six – Lucy

  It was Friday night and I was getting home in the evening from a long day at my temporary lab. I knew that they didn’t need me there, so I was appreciative that I was given my own workspace. I just wanted to rebuild my own lab where I could work freely and not feel like I was in the way.

  Nothing felt like it was working as I parked and walked up to the house. It looked like Mrs. Hastings was gone. I planned to just go upstairs and open some wine for dinner.

  Yeah, that was healthy.

  I glanced over at Max’s house without moving my head and saw the lights on in the living room. I was just walking around to my door when I heard his voice. “Lucinda?”

  I winced and knew that I’d been seen. “Hi, Max. How are you?”

  “I’m good. I just dropped Riley off at a sleepover with her cousin for the night, so I have the evening to myself,” he said. Wicked thoughts raced through my mind.

  “Are you going to go out? Isn’t that what single parents do whenever they get the chance?” I asked, dreading another porno set next door. I was just going to drink and feel sorry for myself behind closed blinds.

  “Not tonight. I already had dinner out, so I’m making tri-tip with fresh veggies on the grill. It’s still nice out. Want to join me?” he asked. I nibbled on my lip and thought about all the reasons why that was a bad idea. “I have some great wine. We can toast to the weekend.”

  I didn’t see a lot to toast to, but the wine won me over. Why drink alone when you can drink with someone else? My only problem was that my someone else was an old crush that was hot as hell. I needed to try to stay away from him, but Max had the same pull that he did back then… except with an added weapon.

  Riley. She was sweet, beautiful, and innocent. Max loved her, and that made me forget about his playboy ways for a moment. I let out a breath. He was a caring man and I knew that spending the evening with him would make me fall even further.

  “I’m going to change into some real clothes and I’ll come over. Should I bring anything?” I asked. I saw his smile in the light from his sprawling porch.

  “Just yourself. I had some free time today and went a little crazy in the kitch
en with Ri,” he said with laughter in his voice. I raised an eyebrow. “I’ll see you soon.”

  I headed upstairs and changed into some yoga pants and a t-shirt with flip flops. I pulled my hair down and fussed with it, making the craziness of the curls work before I freshened up my makeup. Sweet Jesus, this wasn’t a date. I’d never compare to the kinds of women that he preferred. I needed to get over this. It was just dinner and wine with a neighbor – perhaps a friend.

  Nothing more.

  I left my appearance alone and locked my door before heading over to Max’s. He had left the porch light on for me. I tapped on the door softly, looking over the quiet street. This was a great place to raise Riley in such a big, crazy place like New York. The door opened and I looked up to see Max standing there in the most perfectly worn jeans I’d ever seen and a half-buttoned shirt, a towel hanging over his shoulder. “Lucinda,” he said softly. I longed to hear him call me Lucy again. “Come in.”

  I followed him inside through the open living room to the kitchen where he reached into the fridge. He retrieved a bottle of wine and poured me a big glass before giving me one of his sexy smiles. “I’m grilling out back. Join me?”

  I hadn’t seen the backyard, so I nodded and followed him. The grill was on an expansive deck and overlooked a perfect yard. It wasn’t huge, but Max did a great job with it. It had a small garden as well as a swing set and pool for Riley. There was plenty of room for a little girl to get lost in her imagination out there and just be a kid. I sat down near the grill and watched as he lifted the lid and checked the coals. I could tell that Max was comfortable cooking and taking care of his home. I sipped the wine, imagining that he grew up to be just what I expected. “Were you at the lab tonight?” he asked me as he placed the meat on one side of the BBQ. I listened to it sizzle.

  “I was. I was there all day, but it isn’t the same when you’re using someone else’s stuff. I feel like I’m an inconvenience.” I shrugged and tried to push the day behind me. “What do you do?” I knew that Max was headed to medical school before, but I never learned what he decided on.

  He gave me a long look before grinning. “I’m in gynecology.” I wrinkled my nose and he laughed, holding up one hand. “It isn’t like that. I swear. I had an aunt that died from ovarian cancer and I wanted to help women survive. It isn’t the sexy job that some people think, but I am making a difference.” That made sense. I mulled it over as he spread a lot of vegetables over the other side of the grill.

  We ate outside, sharing the bottle of wine. Max reminded me of how easy he was to get along with and truly like, making it hard for me to keep myself from bringing up our past. I’d been lying this long and it would look bad to do that now, so I decided to just keep playing the part of Lucinda.

  We took the dishes inside, washing them side-by-side at the sink. I was feeling the wine now and laughed at all of his jokes. I felt the weight on my shoulders fading. This was fun and familiar. I placed the last fork in the rack before looking at him.

  Max was staring intently at me as I swallowed the lump in my throat. He stepped closer, cupping my face with his hands before his lips claimed mine. It was familiar and intense – I felt like I belonged there. I wasn’t the teenager that I was the last time, but I also couldn’t admit who I was to Max.

  His tongue swept my mouth as I considered just giving in for one night. What could it hurt?

  The scene from his bedroom with that woman played back through my mind. I hadn’t seen her again, but Max was a good-looking man – probably one that slept around a lot. Mrs. Hastings and some of the other women hinted around to that. I knew how he was back in school and that he had split up with Riley’s mother early on. It probably wasn’t even a real marriage.

  I moaned as he gripped my hips and lifted me to the counter, his mouth claiming mine with his lips and tongue. He pushed between my thighs as one hand drifted down over the front of my shirt, making me jump.

  I pushed him away and slid from the counter, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t give myself to him like this: in a lie and feeling weak. “I have to go. Thanks for dinner.” I hurried to the front door without looking back and then to my apartment, unlocking the door and falling to the floor as I started to cry.

  Chapter Seven – Lucy

  I was in a daze as I walked further into my living room. I felt the ache in my breasts and the throbbing between my legs. I’d felt desire before, but it was never anything like this. I cried out with the frustration of it all. I couldn’t let this go. I considered going back over there and finishing what we started.

  Sleeping with Max like that for my first time would be wrong. As his neighbor or a former fling, it was wrong. I wanted things to be serious with a man before I gave myself to him – possibly even waiting for marriage.

  I went to my fridge and pulled out the open bottle of wine, taking a long sip as I stood in my dark kitchen. I was already feeling the bottle that I’d shared with Max, but I needed more. I needed to pass out for the night.

  I needed to forget his kiss, but my lips were still tingling. I touched them, drank more wine, and headed to my bedroom. I was going to drink and sleep for hours tonight. I slipped down my pants and kicked them to the floor as I sat down and drank more wine.

  I looked over at my open window, the wind blowing in. I knew that my light was on and I could see that Max’s was as well. He walked into his bedroom and ran a hand through his hair. It was messy and long. I wondered if he’d been angry after I left. He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it to the floor before he raised his face and looked at me.

  I froze, but the aching need in my body only increased. He stepped closer to the window, his blue eyes wild with need as he let them slide over my body. I was only wearing the shirt now and I blushed as I realized that he could see my pussy if I pulled my legs apart.

  Max reached down to stroke the denim over his cock as I breathed out. I parted my legs and he licked his lips as I brushed my hand over my slick folds. I moaned and pushed a little harder, finding my clit as I dropped back to my pillows.

  What was I doing? He was watching me.

  I circled my clit and opened my eyes to see his pants pushed down and his cock in his hand. He was staring at my hand as he pushed his hand up and down his cock, hard and slow. Oh, God. I wanted him. I slipped two fingers inside of me as I pressed my palm against my swollen nub. I heard a voice and opened my eyes to look at him. “Take off the shirt, Lucinda. I want you to touch your nipples for me.”

  I cried out and pulled my hand away, arching my back as I ripped the shirt off. I was bare now but needy, and one hand slipped inside of me again while the other slipped over my left breast and found the hard nipple. I pinched and pulled as I watched him speed up his hand, listening to me whimper as I grew closer to an orgasm.

  I plucked at my other nipple and spread my legs apart further. I added a finger and met his eyes as he watched me, his feet planted apart on the floor as he jacked off.

  I came with a jerk and a loud cry, rocking through it as I let the sensations take me over. I dropped against the mattress and pulled my hand away to play with my clit as he started moving his hand harder. “I want to lick your pussy. I want to suck on that clit,” he told me as he jerked forward. “I want to fuck you.”

  Only I could hear him with the nearness of our windows, but I sincerely hoped that Mrs. Hastings wasn’t home. I was still whimpering as he arched his back and came, shooting towards the floor as he moaned.

  I reached for the wine and drank it, feeling dirty and sated. I had never done anything like that before and I was stunned that I did for Max. He raised his gaze to meet mine, sweeping his eyes over my body as I felt adrenaline running through my veins.

  Was this my way of completing my fantasy with him without being with him? Was this my way of preserving my innocence even though I felt like a slut right now? I had a good thing going, living here, and I was sabotaging it so much right now.

  I watched as Max retri
eved something from the bathroom and leaned over to clean up the floor, still naked. He seemed resigned and frustrated as he stood to look at me again.

  Oh, my God. What did I do?

  I pulled my shirt on and walked over to the window, staring at him. All my old feelings had resurfaced along with new ones – more mature ones. I didn’t know if I could turn back from this, but I had to find a way. I had to move on and find a way to get a new place as soon as possible. I needed to get away before Max realized who I was.

  I closed my blinds and walked back to the bed, reaching for the wine. I needed it more than ever now.

  Chapter Eight – Max

  I was restless all night, playing back the sight of Lucinda getting herself off over and over. I don’t think that I’ve ever jacked off so much in my life. When the alarm clock went off in the morning, I felt the raw skin of my cock in the air.

  Watching her was the most erotic thing I’d ever done. I rose and slipped on some boxers to make some coffee, thankful that Riley wasn’t here. I was picking her up later. I brewed some coffee to take to the bathroom with me. I showered, hoping to relieve some of the pain as I cleaned up and got ready to go see my lawyer.

  We were just a few weeks shy of my custody battle in court and we needed to find a plan that was going to ensure that I got Riley. That was the only option for me while Blake was playing the role of the brokenhearted mother that missed her baby. I knew that she wanted more money for herself and that it would not go to Riley.

  I dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. I looked towards Lucinda’s closed blinds. What did she do last night after she cut me off? I wondered if she continued to masturbate in her bed as she thought about me. I let out a slow breath.

  I got into my car and drove into the city to meet with my lawyer, taking some coffee from his receptionist before we settled in his office. He took a deep breath and looked at me across the desk. “She’s going with the idea that she is beginning to suffer from depression over being limited to short visits with Riley now. Not actual depression, since she was supposedly taking medicine and seeing a therapist, but heading there.” I looked at the papers that he slid across the desk to me from her therapist, recommending that Blake was safe for her daughter and would benefit from her getting custody. She was settled and living in a good part of town, working and ready to raise her daughter.