by Blue Saffire
Braxton
“Are you going to talk to me about what happened the other night?” I ask.
I can’t tell you how glad I am to see Heather. I didn’t want to leave her side this morning. A call from Dad put an end to my plans to spend the day with her. I was annoyed, but I’m always there when Dad calls.
It was a quick bounty that didn’t even allow me to blow off steam. That’s why I came home to get in a workout by myself. I was dripping with sweat, by the time Heather rang the doorbell. I didn’t miss the lust in her eyes, when I opened the door in just a pair of gym shorts and sneakers.
Her eyes are still on me now, as I stand chugging down a bottle of water. I watch her watch me, licking her lips and shifting in her seat. I grin behind the water bottle. Thinking of being inside her again causes my cock to jump, which serves to break her gaze.
Heather clears her throat, licking those full lips again. “Lucy and I had a misunderstanding. We’re going to take a break for a little while,” she breathes.
“Um,” I grunt. I saunter over to the sofa, taking a seat next to her. “Now tell me what really happened.”
Heather huffs, lifting her hands in the air and flapping them back down into her lap. I can see her struggling with her thoughts. I reach for her chin, turning her head to face me.
“Just talk to me. Neutral zone, I won’t press you. You won’t lie to me,” I coax.
She nods her head. “‘Kay,” she nods. “Lucy may have feelings for me,” she rushes out.
I don’t mean to laugh at her, but I can’t help it. “You think?” I chuckle out. “Dude, you’re seriously shocked by this?”
“Well, yeah,” Heather says, looking at me incredulously.
“Baby, you’re really going to have to pay more attention,” I lift a brow.
“To what? How was I supposed to see this coming?” Heather pouts.
“You’re fucking gorgeous that’s how. There’s nothing you can do to hide that. Once someone is under your spell, they’re trapped. There’s no getting free,” I reply, reaching to trace her jawline with my thumb.
Her eyes flutter closed. I’m so tempted to lean in and take her lips. I hold back, remembering my neutral promise. Her fingers come up to wrap around my hand.
When her eyes open, her lashes are wet. I just react, scooping her up, I pull her into my lap. I search her eyes, as she looks back at me. I can see the torture in her big brown depths.
“Talk to me, Heather,” I plead.
“You’re twenty-three, I’m twenty-seven,” she pushes out.
“What’s your point?”
“Don’t look at me like that, Brax,” she rubs her temples.
“Like what?”
“Like I’m the village idiot,” she grumbles.
I chuckle. “I don’t think you’re the village idiot. I just don’t get why our age is such a big deal for you,” I shrug.
“Fine, say age wasn’t an issue. I’m damaged, Brax. I have nothing to give you,” she has the nerve to spew.
“Wait a fucking minute,” I say harsher than I mean to. “If you gave into what’s in your heart, you’d be giving me everything. Damaged…that’s some bullshit.”
“Brax, I can’t bring myself to make love to you again because my mind is haunted. I had nightmares for months—,” her words cutoff, as the hurt registers on my face.
She cups my face, leaning in to place a soft kiss to my lips. “Not because of you. It’s because of what I told you. I’ll never get that back. I just keep having nightmares of my innocence being ripped away,” she gasps out her last words.
“Shh,” I kiss her forehead, drawing her into my chest. “You don’t know how bad I want to fix this for you. I’d do anything to fix this for you,” I murmur.
Heather wipes at her tears. “I wish I could fix it for me. I’m so tired of this,” she sniffles. “I want back what was stolen. I want that moment with you again, but I want it to feel right. I wanted you to be the one I gave my gift to, not learn that I had it taken away.”
I tighten my hold on her, gritting my teeth. Once again, I wonder what the fuck happened to her. How did she not know? I don’t ask though. I want her to tell me when she’s ready.
“Shh, Baby,” I say rubbing her back. “I’ll figure out a way. My life depends on it.”
“What?” Heather pulls away, blinking at me.
“My life depends on it. I can’t live without you,” I say simply.
Heather looks down into her lap. “Brax, you’d make some girl so happy.”
“Yeah, when you let me, I will.”
Heather sighs, not saying another word. She places her head on my shoulder, burying her face in my neck. I hold on for dear life. I feel like I’ve just been given a key somehow. I’ll figure this out. I have to.
Chapter 25
Your Survive
Braxton
I did it! I figured out a way to help Heather. I’ve put so much thought into this. It took just about two months for me to have an epiphany. Only a week to put things in order to make it happen.
For once, I want to be her hero. I can make this right and I will. I just hope Heather doesn’t smack the shit out of me. This is such a sensitive matter. I’m nervous I’m going to fuck this up.
None of this is about me. I needed to figure this out to help Heather find peace again. If she still runs from me after this, I’ll at least know she got what she needed to get to a good place in her life.
With Ryan away, this is the best time for me to do this. I just need to get the execution right. Dad has done some romantic shit for mom over the years. I can only hope that shit rubbed off on me.
I look around the living room of my apartment. I had to move the pool table and pinball machines out of the way on my own. There was no way I could explain this to one of my brothers. They’re nosey as fuck. The questions would’ve been endless.
I shift on my feet, looking at the puddle of white roses in the center of the living room floor. I pushed the sofa right in front of it for Heather to have a seat there. In the center of the roses, rests a little blue jewelry box.
I looked it up online. Blue is the color for healing. There is a purpose to every single thing I’ve done. From the color of the jewelry box to the white rose petals. I thought out every detail.
“Fuck, you better get this right,” I wipe the sweat from my forehead.
I have to get this right. Ultimately the end result is up to Heather, but the goal is to offer her what she’s been seeking. I see the lust in her eyes, when I tease and taunt her. I know she wants to be free from her personal prison.
My heart nearly beats out of my chest, when the doorbell sounds. Time is out, I have to see this through whether I’m ready or not. I make my way to the door with my heart in my throat.
My breath leaves my lungs, when I open the door to Heather. She hasn’t done anything special with her outfit, but she looks pure gorgeous. Grey jeans wrap her shapely legs, with bike chains resting against her right thigh. The black t-shirt she has on barely gives a hint of the body beneath it. Yet, I’ll take her just as she is.
“Come in,” I say nervously and want to kick myself.
Heather steps inside, with a smile on her face. When she sees the rose petals and jewelry box, she spins on her heels, looking up at me. Confusion takes over her pretty eyes. I can see her chest heaving.
I hold my hands up. “Relax,” I give a nervous chuckle. “I’m not proposing tonight.”
Her brows wrinkle, but her posture and face seem to relax. I reach for her hand and lead her over to the bed of petals. Nodding my head at the box, I gesture for her to pick it up.
Instead of moving to the couch, Heather kneels on her knees on top of the roses. I sit beside her, feeling my own knees get weak. I’ve never felt more like a little pussy. My stomach flips, as she just sits with the box in her hands, not moving to open it.
“It’s okay,” I coax hoarsely. “Open it.”
Heather rolls her lips,
wiping her right hand on her jeans, before opening the box. Her brows wrinkle, as the small diamond covered charm comes into view. Ironically, I spent a fortune to have the little thing made.
Heather reaches into the box, pulling out the charm connected to a charm bracelet. She lifts it up in front of her, looking perplexed. I roll my lips, trying not to laugh. I don’t want to come off as a dick tonight.
“A fortune cookie?” she quizzes, confusion wrinkling her brows.
“Yeah,” I nod.
Her confused eyes move to mine. I rub the back of my neck, suddenly wondering why I chose to do this this way. I can feel my cheeks flush.
“Awe, fuck it,” I huff.
Heather
When Braxton asked me to come hang out, I was a bit hesitant. He’s been flirting a lot more and driving me insane. If he licks the shell of my ear, after whispering some panty wetting shit one more time, I’ll kill him.
One of these days, you’re going to let me eat you until you’re dry and limp. I shudder from the words he spoke just this afternoon.
It doesn’t matter that I know he’s only teasing. My body doesn’t know any better. It reacts to him every single time. My body has never been the problem, when it comes to Brax. If I let my body have her way, I’d be sprawled out on this bed of rose petals.
Honestly, curiosity led me here. Now, I’m even more curious, as I hold up this diamond covered fortune cookie. My eyes bounce from it to Brax.
“Awe, fuck it,” he huffs, looking the most flustered I’ve ever seen him. “You said…you told me you felt like you had something stolen. Your innocence was taken away. You wanted to choose to give that away.
“I thought about that shit real hard. I know it won’t be the same, but what if you can get that back? What if that’s what you need to start healing? You know, the choice to give it away, when you want to, to who you want?”
I lower the charm, clutching it in my hand. My palm starts to sweat, as I take in his words and what they truly mean. I start to rock a little. Hope beginning to bloom in my heart.
I dare to ask. “What do you mean?”
Brax nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “There is a surgery. A hymenoplasty. It will take six weeks to heal. You will have to rest up and someone will need to be there to take care of you. You won’t be able to move too much.
“Dr. Nobi is a friend of Wyatt’s. He’ll do it. I’ll pay for it. I already have a place out North where we can stay. I’ve been working a case, I can make it look like I’m out in the field for six weeks. I’ll be able to cover, Ry will help.
“You can take a vacation. You haven’t taken one in like two years. I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” his words start to rush together, as tears gather in my eyes.
I bring the charm clutched in my hand to my chest, holding it over my heart. My lips tremble while I try to form words. I don’t even know what to say. I never even thought of something like this.
“You,” I stop and swallow thickly. “You would do that for me?”
“I’d take your place of I could. I’d do anything to erase the past if I had the power to,” Brax replies, swallowing pass a lump in his own throat.
“Wow,” I say, my hand trembling over my heart. “I just…just…I don’t even know what to say.”
“Tell me what you think, what you want,” he says gently.
I give him a trembling smile. “Let’s fix my cookie,” I say with small giggle.
Brax expels a long breath, his arms go around me pulling me into his chest. “Thank you,” he breathes into my hair.
“For?”
“Letting me fix this for you,” he answers.
“I should be thanking you,” I sniffle.
Chapter 26
Heal
Heather
He did it. Braxton took care of everything for me. My appointments, the date of the surgery. Booking a fake vacation that my Dad and Uncle Rob were more than willing to give me, even with the need for extra hands in the office.
He even rented a stunning beach house for us to stay in. Someplace no one would know to find us. The house is fit for a queen, floor to ceiling views of the ocean, a master suite that blew my mind the first time I entered it.
The living area, where we’ve spent countless days, is so beautiful and open. A thick sky blue afghan serves as the perfect accent to the soft grey sectional that anchors the room. The glass fire place sees through to outside, bringing the private beach inside. The blue and grey glass fire rock inside creates a majestic ambiance to the flames, while still adding to the warm look and feel of the place. The house has everything I could dream of and more.
There wasn’t a detail Braxton left unturned. He’s been here waiting on me hand and foot for weeks now. I still have two weeks to go, but it’s all gone so fast and smooth because of him.
Braxton will never know what this has meant to me. I don’t think there’s a way I can repay him. What means the most to me,—for four whole weeks, Brax has been a perfect gentlemen. No flirting, no dirty talk, not a peep about him being the one to pop my renewed cherry. I was sure he’d make the wise crack by now, but he hasn’t.
“Are your feet cold again?” Brax asks, from his side of the couch, when he sees me trying to fan the afghan over my toes.
“Yeah,” I twist my lips at the stupid throw.
Brax reaches for the fabric, fixing it over my feet, before moving over so I can wiggle my toes under his thigh. I smile and sigh at the instant warmth. My stomach is nice and full, warmed by the chicken and dumplings Braxton spent the day cooking for me. The savory aromas still filling the house.
He gives me a return grin, then turns back to the TV. There’s a sense of peace here. Something I haven’t felt in so long.
Brax has also given me a peace of mind. Ryan checks in on Amanda twice a week, giving her his phone to text me. I was hesitant at first to drag Ry into this, but Brax reassured me Ryan would keep his mouth shut.
“Have I told you thank you,” I say, fingering the charm on my wrist.
I haven’t taken the fortune cookie off, since he gave it to me. Every time I think of that night, my heart becomes so full. I will remember it for the rest of my life.
“A million times,” he smirks. “I told you to stop already.”
“Yeah, but you have no idea what this all has meant to me.”
He turns from the television to look me in the eyes. Those golden pools hold so many emotions. I’ve never seen Brax give anyone else the soft expressions he’s given to me, while on this beautiful vacation set up for a queen.
“Is it helping? I mean, do you feel any better?”
Clink.
The concern I see in his eyes takes a huge chunk out of my armor. So huge, I have to take a deep breath to make way for the fallen piece in my chest. It’s so huge, I could use the piece to surf the waves outside the window.
I look down into my lap. My words coming slowly as I try to say everything in my heart. I’ve been wanting to say a lot, but haven’t found the right words.
“Ever since…when I came to live with Dad, I…needed to feel safe and in control. It seems like control always slipped through my fingers. That night in Vegas, for once, I was calling the shots in my life. Letting myself breathe.
“You made me feel…I felt amazing. Then, after, when it all started to set in. When the little voices in the back of my head started to point out the painful truth, it was like I lost all control again.
“This gift you gave me. It feels like I’ve been handed back my control. I want things, I want to do what you told me that night. For the first time, I feel like I can. I want to claim all my shit back,” I finish with my head held high.
Brax gives me a blinding smile. “There’s my girl. It’s going to be a pleasure to watch you own that shit and take life by the balls.”
“Nellie might just be coming home after all. I figured no one will notice the change so much if it looks like I start it when she arrives,” I grin and wiggle my
brows. “You know, girly influence.”
Brax throws his head back and laughs. “Good to see you thinking on your toes. I wouldn’t stress it though. We all love you know matter what.”
Braxton
Her little snores are adorable. I’m going to miss this when we go back home. If I thought I loved Heather before, she’s torn me open in the last few weeks we’ve been here.
I’ve done everything I can to make her comfortable, while she heals. My heart is so full to know that it’s more than her body healing. Her words to me earlier, only proved what a remarkable woman Heather is.
I run my hand through her curls that have gotten longer since we’ve been here. A grin forms on my lips, as she snuggles deeper into my side. The scent of apples fills my head and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
I feel a ping in my chest. I know she’s healing, but I’m a realist. Heather’s days of running are far from over. I’m going to have to continue cultivate the art of patience.
I mentally try to tell my cock that, when Heather tightens her arms around my waist, bringing her breasts closer into my chest. Her soft curves call to my ache the same way they have for weeks. I’ve just hid it as best I can.
None of this has been easy. I’ve fallen asleep every night with Heather in my arms. Yet, I’ve restrained myself from tasting her sweet lips. I should be named a saint by now.
My phone buzzes, my mother’s face lighting the screen. I smile. I miss Sunday breakfasts and hearing the banter of my family. This is the longest I’ve been away, in a long time. Even then, I had at least Ry with me.
I slip from under Heather gently, answering the call, before mom can hang up. I jog out to the back deck, inhaling the ocean breeze, as it hits me in the face. A since of peace clings to the air.
“Hey, mom,” I smile into the phone.
“Hey, my wee monster,” her voice comes through softly, which surprises me. My smile grows at her private endearment for me. “Ye been gone too long. I might be missing ye.”