Embracing Forever

by Sheryl Lister

  “You guys might want to settle down soon. It would be ugly watching you trying to play catch with your kids at fifty while balancing on a cane,” Kendrick said with a chuckle.

  Jerome opened his mouth to give Kendrick what Bryson knew would be a mouthful and Bryson said warningly, “Remember the kids.”

  “Wait until we get back, Ken. I’ll show you old. I’ll still have game way past fifty and I won’t be needing a cane,” Jerome muttered.

  The three men exploded with laughter. Bryson put his finger to his lips, signaling for them to be quiet. “Don’t wake everybody up.”

  Still chuckling, Jerome said, “Right. I need these couple of hours.” He glanced around, then leaned forward. “Have you guys talked to Raven?”

  Bryson shifted to face Jerome. “No, but something’s up with her.”

  “Yeah, there is. Last night, after everyone went to bed, I found her sitting by the lake. I could swear she was crying before I got there.”

  Kendrick frowned. “That’s not like her. I can count on one hand the number of times she’s cried. Once, when she thought she wasn’t going to get into grad school and twice because some jerk broke her heart.” He paused as if thinking. “Isn’t she dating some guy named Darren?”

  “Far as I know,” Bryson said. “But he’d better not be the reason for her tears.” The last man Raven had dated cheated on her and it had taken a great deal of restraints on all their parts to not beat the guy to a pulp. He couldn’t stand to see Raven cry and he truly hoped Darren wasn’t to blame. He stood and stretched. “I’m going to shower and chill for a while. It’ll be time to start dinner before I know it.”

  “Go relax, Chef Bryse. Jerome and I will keep an eye out.”

  Shaking his head at Kendrick, Bryson headed to his tent, gathered his toiletries and went to shower. Afterward, he returned to his tent. He stretched out on the inflatable mattress, set the alarm for an hour and closed his eyes.

  It seemed as though Bryson had just drifted off the sleep when he heard the soft beeping on his phone. He shut off the alarm, sat up and dragged a hand down his face. Dinner wouldn’t start for another thirty minutes, but he wanted to start setting up to ensure the meal prep would go smoothly.

  With the help of Raven, three of the parents and the assigned students, Bryson laid out a feast of grilled steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. They also had homemade macaroni and cheese, courtesy of one of the mothers who wanted to express her thanks.

  Following dinner and cleanup, the group did most of the packing so they would be ready to leave soon after breakfast, then gathered around the fire for s’mores. The campfire also served as the time when students, especially the high schoolers shared their successes from the previous year and goals for the next.

  Students shared everything from raising their grades and passing hard classes to avoiding detention and successfully completing anger management sessions. He was proud of all their accomplishments and had high hopes for the upcoming school year. They ended with a dance-off between Jerome and the two students he’d challenged on the bus ride. Bryson thought he would hurt himself laughing at his buddy. While Jerome could keep the rhythm reasonably well, the age gap was readily apparent because after two minutes, Jerome’s breathing sounded like someone who’d just run a marathon.

  Once everyone had gone to bed, he, Kendrick and Raven teased him mercilessly.

  “Kendrick, you might need to help him get to the showers tonight,” Raven teased. “He’s moving kind of slow.”

  Jerome scowled. “Ha ha. Good night.”

  Kendrick placed a hand on Jerome’s shoulder. “Come on, old man. I think I have some Bengay for all those aches you’re going to have tomorrow.”

  He shrugged Kendrick’s hand off and strode away.

  “See you guys in the morning,” Kendrick said, chuckling.

  Bryson and Raven both called out, “Good night.”

  On the heels of their departure, one of the mothers approached. Bryson rose to his feet. “You need something, Mrs. Peterson?”

  “No. I just wanted to thank you for what you’re doing with these kids and my son. Because of you…all of you, Anthony is doing well in school for the first time in years,” Mrs. Peterson said emotionally. “He’s not angry or talking about ending his life.”

  “I’m glad we could be there for Anthony and your family.” He felt his own emotions rising. He’d taken a huge risk leaving his hospital job, but in his mind, the payoff had been worth it, especially hearing how the center has changed the lives of the students it served.

  “Well, I’ll let you two get back to your conversation. See you in the morning.”

  After she left, Bryson sat with his head bowed, reflecting on her words.

  Raven rubbed his back. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” She knew his history and the driving force behind his decision to start the center. He glanced over to see her still viewing him with concern. “I’m fine, but I know you’re not and, once we get home, you and I are going to talk.”

  She rubbed her hands up and down her thighs and stared out into the dark. “I know.”

  Bryson slung an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. “Whatever it is, we can work it out. You know we’re all here for you.”

  Raven gave him a small smile and leaned against his shoulder. “You guys always have been and I appreciate it more than you know.” She patted Bryson’s thigh. “If you don’t need anything, I’m going to turn in.”

  “I’m good. See you in the morning.”

  “Night, Bryse.”

  He watched until she ducked into her tent then stared up into the star-studded sky. Raven’s melancholy mood had him concerned. He never recalled her being this down because of a breakup and prayed it wasn’t something more serious, like an illness. Pushing to his feet, he surveyed the area one last time to make sure everything had been secured before heading to his own tent. As he passed Raven’s tent, he saw the light from her lantern and toyed with asking her talk now, but nixed the idea. He wanted their conversation to take place somewhere private, with no interruptions. By this time tomorrow, he vowed to have all the answers.

  * * *

  While Bryson always enjoyed the camping trip, this time he was chomping at the bit to get home. It took just over two hours to get back to the center and he was glad to see the parents waiting in the parking lot. He and Jerome made certain each student got off safely, and then joined Kendrick and Raven unloading the supplies. They put away all the things that needed to be refrigerated and stacked the other crates and boxes against the wall in the conference room. He and Jerome would take care of them tomorrow. The early afternoon return gave them a chance to recover before having to be back Monday morning.

  Jerome came in with the last box. “Well, another successful trip down. You want to go get something to eat first?”

  Keeping his voice low, Bryson said, “I need to take a raincheck. I’m going to follow Raven home and see what’s up.”

  “Good. Call me later and let me know how she is.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll lock up. Just go take care of our girl.”

  They shared a brotherly hug and Bryson went back outside. He found Raven talking to Kendrick. “Thanks for all your help this weekend.”

  “You’re welcome,” Kendrick said. “I’ll talk to you guys later this week. Are we doing our Friday night dinner?”

  Raven nodded. “I don’t have anything planned, so I’m in.”

  “Me, either,” Bryson said. “Check to see if Jerome is free. If he is, we can set it up midweek.”

  “Okay. Let me go ask.” Kendrick hugged Raven and kissed her cheek, brought Bryson in for a one-arm hug and waved.

  Bryson turned to Raven. “Ready?”

  “Yep.”

  He walked her to her car and held the door open. “I’ll be right behind you.” She nodded and he closed the door, got into his own car and followed her out onto the street. Usually, he had her
text one of them to make sure she arrived home safely, but despite everything she’d said, he knew something was wrong and he needed answers. When they reached her house, he sensed her nervousness and his anxiety went up a notch. He carried her bag inside and set it on a chair in her living room.

  Raven kicked her shoes off and dropped down on the sofa. “I had fun, but I’m glad to be home. Oh, I’m sorry. You want something to drink or eat?”

  Bryson sat next to her. “I’m good. So, what’s going on?”

  “Don’t I get five minutes before you start in?”

  “You had over a week, so spill it.” His brows knit together. “You’re not sick, are you?”

  “No, Bryse, I’m not sick. Well, maybe I am. I’m sick of hooking up with losers.”

  “Darren?”

  “Yeah.” She buried her head in her hands. “Why does this keep happening?”

  “Tell me about it,” he said gently. He felt bad about her always finding losers, but didn’t say it aloud.

  “He wanted me to change my job.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “He doesn’t like that I work with athletes, so he suggested I take a job in a hospital or something because he’s an insecure ass. We argued and he grabbed my arm, talking about I embarrassed him.”

  “He actually said that to you? And he put his hands on you?” It took everything in Bryson to keep his seat and not find Darren and lay hands on him.

  She nodded. “We went out to dinner and two of my clients—one former—were at the restaurant and came over to say hello. Darren barely acknowledged them and as soon as they left the table he asked if I had considered his suggestion. Do you know he went so far as to ask a friend of his about a position in a hospital? And had the nerve to tell me this guy wouldn’t hold the position forever.” She folded her arms. “As far as I’m concerned, he can hold it until hell freezes over.” Tears filled her eyes.

  “I honestly don’t know what to say. I mean what man would ask his woman to change a job that she’s worked so hard to get? I’m sorry, Raven.”

  “So am I.” A tear escaped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. “I hate crying,” she muttered.

  Bryson’s heart clenched. He couldn’t handle her tears. He slid off the sofa, hunkered down in front of her and grasped both her hands. “Listen to me. You are an intelligent and beautiful woman, and you don’t need to be with anyone who doesn’t recognize your worth. Forget all about him.”

  “I don’t think I can do this again,” Raven cried. “It seems like every guy I meet wants me to change my job, my friends or both. Then there’s that silly pact I made with Mackenzie, Ryleigh and Qui—” She cut herself off.

  He’d met her childhood friends once when they’d visited a few years ago. They were a lively group of women. “What pact?”

  She waved a hand and tried to stand. “It’s nothing.”

  Bryson blocked her exit and stared at her, waiting.

  “Fine. When we went home for Ava’s wedding last year, Quinn talked us into making an agreement that we would all be married within a year. She’s a serious romantic, but with my track record, I don’t know what I was thinking. The crazy thing is Mac and Ryleigh, the last two people on earth we expected to do anything remotely permanent when it came to relationships, found great guys and are happily married.”

  He rose, reclaimed his seat and turned her face toward his. “I only met your friends once, so I can’t speak to their relationships, but I promise you’ll find someone worthy of you. Any man would be proud to have a woman like you by his side.”

  Raven palmed his face. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bryse. You always know the right things to say.” She placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

  A shock of awareness shot through Bryson and he went still. What the hell? She’d touched and kissed him a million times, but tonight something felt different. He knew she’d felt it too when their eyes locked. Suddenly, the air around them thickened with sexual tension, something that had never happened before.

  “Bryson,” she whispered.

  Without thought, he slanted his mouth over hers in a kiss that would have knocked him to his knees had he been standing.

  “What…what are we doing?” she asked, a mixture of wonder and confusion in her voice.

  “I believe it’s called kissing. I’m kissing my best friend and…I think I want to do it again.” When she offered no protest, he captured her lips again and experienced the same jolt. If they chose to proceed, he knew it would irrevocably change their relationship, but he couldn’t stop. And he didn’t want to.

  Chapter Three

  Raven couldn’t believe she was kissing her best friend. And boy could he kiss! In just one minute, Bryson had every molecule in her body on fire. She pulled back. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a voice said she should stop this before things went too far, but it was quickly drowned out by the rising passion between them. The kisses changed from sweet and tender to demanding and all-consuming.

  “If you want me to stop, I need you to say something now. Tell me to stop, Raven.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t. I don’t…don’t stop.”

  Bryson searched her face. “Are you sure about this? I need you to be sure, baby because we won’t be able to go back.”

  He’d never called her baby before and the sound of the endearment did something to her insides. “I’m sure. I need you, Bryse.”

  He swept her into his arms and strode down the hallway to her bedroom. He gently laid her on the bed and followed her down, placing kisses all over her face. “I need you to know that I will never hurt you, Raven.”

  This was unchartered territory for her and she was grateful for his assurance. She wouldn’t know what to do if she lost his friendship. “Thank you for always being here for me.”

  “No thanks necessary,” Bryson murmured, still gifting her with kisses along her jaw. “You’ve done the same for me countless times. No matter what happens after today, I will still be here for you. Always.”

  Raven met his eyes and saw the truth in them. She smiled. When he smiled back, her pulse skipped. She reached up and pushed his locs back and kissed him.

  He groaned. His hand roamed up her thigh, to her torso and higher still to her breast. “I think I’m going to like touching you almost as much as I’m coming to enjoy kissing you.” He reclaimed her mouth.

  She liked his kisses too, but no way could she answer. Not with his tongue swirling and teasing hers, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her. Her hands slid beneath his shirt and she traced a path from his rock-hard abs to his well-defined chest and arms. She knew he worked out regularly and kept himself in good shape, but she’d never contemplated how good it would feel to touch him this way. He trailed kisses down her exposed throat and chest, igniting a blaze along the way.

  Bryson pulled her to a sitting position and removed her T-shirt. He ran his finger over the tops of her breasts then replaced it with his tongue. “You’re beautiful, Raven. Why do you hide beneath the big shirts?”

  “I…ohhh. I…don’t…” Raven gave up trying to talk and let the sensations take over. He unhooked her bra and slowly dragged the straps down, and the heat of his gaze hardened her nipples instantly. He rubbed his thumbs over the sensitive peaks then circled his tongue around first one, then the other before suckling each one. She gasped sharply. She wanted him inside her now. “Bryson. Now.”

  “Can’t do that, sweetheart. You’re my best friend and you’re special to me. This is special to me and I’m going to spend each moment showing you how much.”

  His words touched a part of her heart she didn’t know existed and heightened her arousal. “Bryse…”

  “What, baby?”

  “You’re special to me, too.” His hand feathered over her torso and lower until he reached the waistband of her shorts. With deft fingers, he released the button, lowered the zipper and slid them and her panties down, grazing her core. Raven moaned. His
hand traveled down her left leg then back up her right leg and inner thigh. She parted her legs to give him better access and he took full advantage, stroking, circling and teasing her clit. Her legs trembled and she opened wider. Bryson then parted her folds and plunged one finger in, followed by another. She cried out and arched against his hand. He moved them in and out in a steady rhythm until she felt the pressure building.

  “So damn beautiful,” Bryson murmured, leaning up to kiss her.

  Raven tore her mouth away and screamed as an orgasm slammed into her.

  He withdrew, stood to remove his clothes and donned a condom.

  Still trying to catch her breath, she let her gaze roam over Bryson’s magnificent caramel-toned body—six-three height, slim muscular build, gorgeous face, whiskey-colored eyes and sexy locs. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. She held her arms out to him and he lowered himself into her embrace. “You are a pure work of art,” she whispered against his lips.

  He chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.” He slanted his mouth over hers once again. He nudged her legs apart and positioned himself at her entry. “Are you ready for this?”

  She knew he meant more than just the sex. “Yes.” Their eyes locked and they grew quiet, realizing that this was a turning point in their friendship and that there would be no going back after today. He guided himself inside, filling her until he was buried to the hilt.

  For a moment he didn’t move. “Raven, this…I can’t explain it. It’s…”

  “I know. I feel it, too.” The connection, something drawing them together in a way that neither of them understood. He teased her with short strokes, then long, deep ones she felt all the way to her core. She locked her legs around his waist and her hands slid across his broad back, feeling his muscles flex and bunch as he thrust. He rotated his hips slowly, provocatively, delving deeper with each rhythmic push. The intense sensations spread throughout her body and electrified all her nerve endings.