by J. L. Ryan
There was a depth to her, and he wanted to know more. Women were always around, throwing themselves at him and offering him their charms. It came with the business… and the money. It was rare he felt connected to someone who didn’t know about either of those things. She felt the connection too, but she simply dismissed it, and he wanted to know why. He suddenly smiled as an idea came to mind. She had no clue who he was or the money he made. Even in her wildest dream, would she ever guess that he was a billionaire. He pulled out his phone and called Mike.
Braden pulled up to Mike’s townhouse once more with a renewed spirit. Mike had given him the green light at least for the next few weeks. That would be plenty of time to figure Chloe out. He glanced over at her place before heading inside. Much like his penthouse, the place hadn’t been lived in in months. Everything shined and gleamed. “Thank you Mrs. Anderson.” He said under his breath.
She was a sweet woman, often quiet and reserved, but she could clean the hell out of this bachelor pad. He decided there was no time like the present to start pursuing his curvy neighbor. He made his way over to her door. It wasn’t late, so he gave it a knock. She opened the door in a flurry, and as soon as she saw him, she looked shocked.
“Braden hello.” She smiled at him and he felt the heat rising in him. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head and she was wearing a t-shirt and sweats. Casual and damn near the sexiest thing he had ever seen.
“Hello Chloe, thought I’d see if you were up for a chat? It’s just that I’ve been out of town and it’s hard to get resettled.” He gave her a smile and gauged her reaction.
She was just a little intimidated. She assumed he would move on and let her be, but here he was, in his tight jeans and arms that looked ready to rip out of his shirt. She gulped slightly, what was wrong with her? She usually had more control over herself than this. She gave him a half smile.
“I wish I could. It’s just that my little brother is here and is sleeping.” There, that should put him off.
“Oh, I see. Maybe we could sit on the deck?” He shoved his hands in his pockets and she mechanically nodded a yes. He smiled at her again and she moved to let him in.
She must be completely out of her mind. What was she doing? She didn’t even know him that well and she just let him walk right into her house. He could be a crazy person or something. She sighed.
“I’m not a killer or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.” They had made it to the sliding door and he leaned in behind her, whispering it in her ear.
She felt the heat of his breath on her ear and shivered. It had been a long time, very long, and she was just sensitive that’s all. They moved out to the deck, and as she shut the door and turned towards him, he was directly in front of her.
“Are you married Chloe?” He leaned towards her as he said it, propping his arm against the sliding door beside her head.
“You're very forward aren’t you?” “No, I’m not, said Braden, are you?” She ducked through his arm and made her way over to the wrought iron chairs on the deck. It was dark out there. Having forgotten the deck lights were blown, she silently cursed. She turned around again, and this time he walked over to the rail. She joined him there, waiting and suddenly he turned towards her.
“No, I’m not.” He put an arm on either side of her and rested against the railing. As he did so he leaned into her breathing in the scent of jasmine.
She was lost in that moment, He was inches away from her and her only thought was that he must be really desperate to be here with her. More than anything else, she didn’t want to look like a fool, it's happened before and she didn’t want to go through that again. She dipped below his arm and faced the trees again. She could hear his chuckle, and she frowned.
“You are something else Chloe, you know I want to kiss you, but you keep running, why?”
She looked at him, surprised by his admission. “Why do you want to kiss me? I’m sure you have plenty of other women to kiss, besides, I don’t even know you, Braden.”
“What better way to get to know me, Chloe.” He stood and gave her a smile.
There was something about the way he said it that left her wondering if he was serious or simply out of his mind. She shook her head and turned back around.
“Don’t be ridiculous Braden.”
She said it simply and he realized she meant it. He frowned as he thought about it. Maybe she wasn’t attracted to him. There was only one way to find out. He slid over to the right and grasped her hand in his and pulled her towards him. He saw the look of surprise on her face as he put his hand against the back of her head, pulling her into his arms as his mouth crushed hers.
She was on fire and he did nothing but add fuel to it. She felt his mouth nip at her lips and then dive deeper. She opened her mouth to him, unconsciously meeting his kiss eagerly. As their tongues danced, she felt the fire inside begin to build and grow. It had been so long, and he was very good. She felt his hands then start to move. First, slowly he ran them down her back and over the curve of her hip, pulling her even closer to him. She felt his mouth slowly leave her lips and trail down her neck and he nipped her collarbone. He moved his hands up her hips and his mouth found her again. The kiss was passionate and full of promise. She felt his hand slip under her shirt and she panicked, pushing him away.
Braden stood frozen, what the hell was wrong with him. He planned on sweet talking… maybe steal a kiss, but this… He ran his hand through his hair and walked to the deck to calm himself. One thing was for sure. She wanted him just as badly as he wanted her, she couldn’t deny that now. He looked over at her, she was stone-faced and looked almost sad. He frowned, that was not what he expected to happen, but why would it make her sad?
“Chloe, I’m sorry." I didn’t mean to get so carried away.” She looked down and then back up at him, a smile now sitting on her face.
“I understand. Like you said, you haven’t been home in months. I’m sure you're just tired.” She moved to walk back to the door leading to the house. She whispered to herself “Plus it's dark out here, I’m sure that helps.”
“Helps with what?” He was beside her, he was like a cat the way he moved.
“Nothing sorry, just rambling as always. I should get to bed, I have to be at work early.” She smiled at him, but he knew something was wrong here.
“Sure, I understand.” He turned to go and then spun back to look at her. “I like kissing you, Chloe. I won’t lie about it, and in fact, I want much more than that. I wanted you to know I plan on trying to make sure you know that regularly.” He walked down the front steps whistling. She stayed there until she heard his door shut. She leaned her back against the door to try and calm her racing heart.
The days went by quickly, they would often pass each other in the front yards or as they came home. Both of them caught up in work. He consistently asked her to come over for dinner, but she always had reason to say no. He never made any other move to kiss her or otherwise, and she relaxed more around him. They spent two different afternoons sitting out front talking about life, where each time she was sure they had an audience at all times. One afternoon she opened up more than she planned.
“So, Charlie?” Braden asked as Charlie was throwing a ball with a friend in the parking lot.
“My parents were killed in an accident, he was with them, but survived. That was almost two years ago now.” She watched Charlie playing. “He is a good boy though.”
“That has to be hard on you, suddenly having a 12 year old.” Braden watched the expressions changing on her face.
“It took some adjusting, for all of us.” She took a sip of water from her glass.
“Why aren’t you married?” He asked it very matter of factly, but with a deeper tone to his voice. She turned to look at him.
“I almost was once, actually.”
He sat up at her admission. So she had loved someone, being close to them. “You know you have to tell me now Chloe?”
&n
bsp; “No, I don’t Braden.” She stood up, brushing off her skirt as she did and headed into her house. He stood and followed.
She noticed him standing in the doorway. “Really Braden, following me into my own home? Even for you that’s a bit much.” She started folding the towels on the table in the kitchen. He didn’t say anything, but methodically started helping. She paused to look at him and he simply grinned at her. She rolled her eyes.
When they were done, he finally spoke. “Why don’t you want to talk about it?”
She put her right hand on her hip. “Because it doesn’t matter Braden, that’s why.” As she turned to go he grabbed her forearm and pulled her to him.
“It does matter Chloe, it certainly is part of why you are the way you are.”
“What the hell does that mean “the way I am”?” She felt the sting then. She was different. Why did people always feel the need to point it out to her?
“Wait a minute Chloe what do you think I am talking about here?” He took another step closer, never letting go of her arm.
“Let me go Braden.” Her eyes glittered dangerously.
“Not until you tell me.”
“Fine.” She yanked her arm free. “I was engaged, he seemed to accept me.” She gave him a glance. “He was always sweet and kind and then when my parents died, he never made it to the funeral. He apologized, and I was stupid enough to believe him. When Charlie moved in, he tried to force me to send him away to a boarding school of some kind.
He said this was not the future he planned and that Charlie was not his problem. So I refused, and he slept with my friend. I caught them in my friend’s house. The worst part was, it had been going on for a long time. She was one of those model-thin blondes. I should have known better.” She looked over at him finally and he was in shock. He moved towards her again and she stepped back.
“I’m sorry that happened to you Chloe, he was an ass.”
“Thanks.”
Her voice was clipped and short now. He knew she was reliving it and it was his fault. He looked at her, she was sad and hurting and it had left something scarred in her. He felt that same feeling when he was put in that home. Like no one understood him or cared to. He didn’t want that for her, for her to feel that way. He reached out and grabbed her again and pulled her to him. They stayed that way for a long time, just standing close with him pressed against her until Charlie came running in breaking the spell.
“Chloe, look what I found, a frog!” He happily made his way over to her and she shrieked backing up.
Charlie glanced at Braden, rolling his eyes. “Girls.” Braden couldn’t help but laugh at the scene before him.
“Well, I have to get going, Chloe. I expect to finish this conversation later.” He ruffled his hand in Charlie’s hair. “You be nice to your sister.” He gave him a smile and he headed out. He had a tremendous amount of paperwork to sort through at his place.
The next week went by uneventfully. She would glance at his place when she went to work, subconsciously hoping to see him. He was a good friend of Charlie, and that was all. School would be out in two days. Finally, it was Saturday, and Charlie was leaving. She knew the Bakers were picking him up at 11 and she started helping him to move his things outside as they waited. He was smiling at her and she finally asked him why.
“You are gonna have a whole lot of time to spend with your new boyfriend next door when I am gone, Sis.” He started laughing. She swatted at him.
“Charlie, that’s not funny. Keep your voice down. He is not my boyfriend, he is our neighbor.”
“Okay, so why is he always asking you out?” He looked up at her and started to laugh again.
“I don’t know. Maybe he feels sorry for me because my little brother has such a big mouth.” She pushed him as she made her way down the stairs.
“No, he likes you Chloe, I like girls at school… that’s how he looks at you.” He shrugged at her glare and went back to moving things.
“No, he doesn’t, guys like him don’t like girls… well like me. That’s just the way the world is. It’s up to younger guys like you to make the world better.” She threw a pillow at him and he scrambled to catch it before it hit the ground. Finally, they noticed the Bakers coming up the side street, and after some time, he was loaded and leaving.
She waved at him, feeling a little sad at the prospect of spending so much time alone. Once it had been easy to fill her time, and now, she was like a mom, and without him, she wasn’t sure what to do. She turned around and Braden was there watching her. She gave him a wave and headed back to her house.
He watched her go. It was the longest week of his life and all he wanted to do was touch her. Between issues with the races, complaints from other drivers about a leak, and his manager trying to set him up on random surprise dates at dinner time, he just wanted something normal. He wanted her. He heard what she said and it made sense to him now. “Guys like him and girls like her.” She had no idea what he wanted, but he was going to tell her. He took long strides to her door and rang the bell. He felt the anticipation curling up. When she opened the door, he practically fell through it.
“Braden hello...” He cut her off, pulling her to him and covering her mouth with his. He bruised her lips with his attack and she felt her defenses slip away. She thought of nothing but him for a week.
They moved together in the living room and she leaned back on the couch as he pushed her down. She felt the length of him against her and it was perfect. His hands were everywhere and as he unbuttoned her shirt he felt her freeze.
“Look at me Chloe. I want you, all of you just as you are. Stop fighting me.” She was still frozen and he knew he had to convince her. He pinned both of her arms above her head with his left arm as he moved his right hand over her curves. She was rounded and smooth, and he loved it. She was aware of every nerve ending in her body, as his hands reached around and under each breast, lifting her bra slightly so that the nipples were exposed. He cupped each globe lovingly until he reached the pert nipple that had hardened under his touch. He pulled and tugged on them, creating a deep ache deep down, soon covering each one in succession with his mouth.
Chloe was lost in the sensation. No one had ever taken time with her like this, ever. His hands were lighting her on fire with every movement.
She was all fire, just like he knew she would be. He was almost in pain with the need to rip off her clothes and bury himself inside her, but he wanted to go slow, wanted it to be good for her too. She was laid out on the couch, her hair, a red flaming swirl around her head and yet he could still tell she was nervous. He moved lower to make a final step in making her his.
Her eyes flew open as she felt him slide his hand under her and lift her off the bed as he loved her with his mouth. She couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything but feel the way he felt against her. She felt the tension fade away and the mounting pleasure begin to spiral out of control. Her legs were shaking as she climbed that ultimate peak to release. She let go of her resolve and fears and put her hands in his hair and let go.
He felt her release, and the way her legs were trembling made him ache for her more. He moved above her and watched her face as he moved to push inside her. She was tight, and it took more than one pushed to fully envelope himself within her. With a final push, he was exactly where he needed to be. He pushed her knees up and over his shoulders as his movements became more frantic, more demanding. Soon, he stood back from her, one hand holding each knee as he pounded into her relentlessly. He heard her moans, and knew she was sharing in the intensity. Her hips moved with his, and the explosion was powerful as he pushed into her one last time and release came.
They both lay there, trying to breathe and trying to make sense of what just happened. For Chloe, it was unlike anything she ever experienced. She looked up at him and he was smiling down at her. He leaned in and kissed her lightly before he stood up. She once again marveled at his chiseled body. He saw her glance and smiled at her. Hopef
ully she knew that he found her sexy and he enjoyed touching her. He made his way to the kitchen and Chloe quickly redressed. What had she done? She felt the blush rising up her face. He had seen her, all of her. No one ever had. She made her way into the bathroom and then followed him in the kitchen.
His phone rang and she turned to look at him and he frowned as he listened.
“Chloe, I have to go. I’m sorry, something came up.”
“Sure it's fine go ahead.” She felt the same fear from before, he would leave now.
“Chloe look at me.” She did. “I will be back, I promise. “ He kissed her quickly on the head and left.
To say he was worried was an understatement. The twenty minute drive took him 12. He pulled into his lot and stared up at the flaming mess. His penthouse was on fire and all he could do was watch. He found the house staff and was happy they were okay. The three of them watched as the fire department did their best.
The next few days Braden spent sifting through what had once been his home. His home hadn’t been saved and very little else had either. He had to meet with the investigator today and then the adjuster. The police assumed this was an accident, but he wasn’t as sure. He was staying at a nearby hotel, trying to hold it all together, but barely. He made sure the staff had rooms and that they were well taken care of. Most of his time was spent on the phone or on conference to various media networks and the racing team. He thought about Chloe, her smile and her sweetness. He missed her. Everything he put into proving he liked her the way she was vanished the night he left, and hadn’t come back. He promised, and now she would never trust him again.
Chloe knew she was a fool. She spent that entire night waiting for him, as if she believed in his story, or that he would come back. She waited, and the joke was on her. Life had, inevitably gone back to normal. As a teacher, she threw herself back into the work of planning for the next school year. She found that by journaling a lot, she was able to keep her heart from hurting too much.