December: A Calendar Gals series novella

by Gallie, DL

  Before I can work myself up any further, there’s a knock at the door. That in itself is weird, and then I start fretting all over again. Waddling to the door, I swing it open and both our mouths drop open. Branson is wearing a black button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and dark denim jeans that I’m sure are hugging his ass perfectly.

  “WOW, you look stunning,” Branson says, looking down I see my big belly encased in emerald green from my halter dress, one of the few dresses that still fit me.

  “Thanks, you look pretty good yourself,” I reply, brushing my hair behind my ear, just for something to do with my hands, otherwise I’d reach out, grip his cheeks, and slam my lips against his. Hearing Branson say my name, snaps me back to the present. “Huh?”

  “Are you ready to go?”

  Nodding my head. “Yep, just let me grab my purse.”

  Spinning around, I walk to the hall table and grab my bag, I swear I hear him whisper, ‘fuck, she’s gorgeous’ and when I turn back around, I find Branson staring intently at me. “Let’s go,” I say, as I walk toward him.

  Locking the door, he places his hand on my lower back and we walk toward his car. He applies just enough pressure to let me know his hand is there, but not too much that he’s really touching me. It feels amazing and when he removes his hand, to open the car door for me, I feel the loss of his touch and I deflate a little.

  Climbing in, I click my belt into the buckle and watch as Branson climbs in, starts the car, and we head to the restaurant. The car ride is silent, it's slightly awkward, but it gives me time to watch him. I can see he’s just as nervous as I am. Seeing that confuses me even more, and I get my hopes up that he does want what I want, and it's not just my imagination…or pregnancy hormones running rampant.

  We pull up at the restaurant and the valet opens my door for me. Taking his hand, I not-so-gracefully lift myself out of the car. Stepping to the curb, I wait for Branson. He hands his keys to the valet and walks over to me. Without saying anything, I link my arm with his and we walk into the restaurant.

  The hostess greets us, “Welcome to Valentino’s.”

  “Hi, I have a reservation for Holmes, Branson Holmes,” Branson says and I giggle. He looks over to me. “What’s so funny?”

  “You just did your name like James Bond, you better order a martini tonight to keep up the rouse,” I playfully reply.

  In a really, really bad Bond accent he says, “Shaken, not stirred.”

  We look at each other before we both burst out laughing. Peanut must think it’s fun too because she kicks me violently. “Ohh!” I complain, pressing my hand to my stomach.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine. But I don’t think Peanut liked your impression, she just kicked me violently in the ribs.”

  Dropping to his knees, my heart stops, then he places his hands on my belly and whispers, “Sorry, Peanut, I promise no more impressions.”

  Branson looks up at me and winks, before he stands back up and takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles. The feeling of his lips against my skin causes it to prickle and my body to zing to life. My cheeks darken with desire and I smile back at him. The moment is broken when our hostess interrupts us, “Your table is ready, please follow me.”

  I hadn’t even noticed she had disappeared, so we follow her to our table. Branson pulls my chair out and I sit down. He places a kiss on my temple and then takes his seat across from me.

  The night flies by and I can’t remember a time when I laughed so much. All the worries I had about our non-date date were for nothing. The night was perfect in every possible way…until Branson tried to eat some of my chocolate lava cake. “Uhh, uh, mister.” I smack his hand away. “If you wanted dessert you should have ordered dessert. Now back off and let me lose myself in this chocolatey goodness.”

  Digging the spoon in, I lift it to my mouth, and moan as the chocolate and sauce hit my taste buds. When I open my eyes, Branson is staring at me. I can feel his gaze deep in my bones. The moment is broken when Peanut viciously kicks me again. ”Uhh,” I moan, leaning forward.

  Branson is immediately out of his seat and by my side. “Are you okay? Peanut?”

  Nodding my head, I grab his hand and place it on my belly. Before I can say anything, Peanut kicks again. “Holy shit, that was a big one.”

  “Yeah, she’s been doing that all day.”

  “He’s a strong one,” he cheekily replies.

  A woman, walking past, stops and smiles at us both. “You two make a gorgeous couple, good luck with the munchkin.”

  We stare at her as she leaves, Branson turns and gazes at me. We both smile at one another, until I flinch again from Peanut’s football antics.

  “Let’s get you home,” Branson says as he stands up. He then offers his hand to me and I willingly take it. Lacing our fingers together, we walk to the front, settle the bill, and head home.

  On the car ride back to my place, it’s silent but it gives me time to think. Should I make a move on Branson? Should I not, and leave our relationship, or whatever we have as it is? Then I start to think about the negatives. He’s Kody’s brother. What will everyone think?

  Before I’ve made a decision, we arrive home. Branson gets out and walks around the hood before he opens my door. He outstretches his hand to help me out. “Thanks,” I shyly say, when both my feet are safely on the driveway. We silently walk over to the front door. Digging my keys out, I unlock the door but instead of opening it and going inside, I turn to face him and I smile. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”

  “My pleasure, Kase. I had a great time too.” He pauses and then adds, “I always have a great time when I’m with you.”

  My knees wobble at this and my insides turns to mush. That’s the most romantic thing I have heard in ages. Stepping over to him, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest. He envelops me in his arms and hugs me back. Closing my eyes, I lose myself to the feeling of being in his arms. I breathe in his scent and find myself smiling. Without thinking, I lift my head and place my lips gently on his.

  We are both frozen. Neither one of us moves; that is until my brain kicks in and I pull back. “Umm, ahh, good night,” I quickly say. Spinning on my heel, I open the door and race inside. Slamming it shut behind me, I race into my bedroom and collapse onto the bed and let the tears pour down my cheeks. Through my sobs, I whisper, “I’m sorry, Kody. I didn’t mean to kiss him.” Then I sit upright and add, “Yes I did, Kody, I love Branson. What am I going to do?”

  Another avalanche of tears cascades down my cheeks, I curl onto my side and rub my belly. Eventually I drift off to sleep and my last thought before I drift off to sleep is Branson…and he’s my first thought when I wake the next morning too.

  Chapter Twelve

  For the next week, things between Branson and I are different. It’s not awkward per se, but it’s definitely not as easy as it has been in the past. No longer do we have a fun carefree relationship, instead it’s strained and different, I’m not used to walking on eggshells around him.

  Once again, sleep eludes me, because every time I close my eyes, I dream sexy naughty things about Branson. These damn pregnancy hormones are driving me crazy, sex crazy. It’s times like this I really wish Kody were still alive, because I’d mount him like a cowboy and ride him hard.

  It’s 4:26 a.m. and I’m wide-awake, so I climb out of bed. Walking down the hallway, I stop at the door to Kody’s office. Stepping inside, I flick on the light switch and glance around the room. I wonder if I should turn his office into the nursery, or maybe use the room across the hall. Both are centrally located from the bedroom and the main living area. This room is a little bigger which is the only reason I’m considering it, but at the same time, I don’t want to disturb this room either. This was Kody’s room, his man cave and I’m not sure I’m ready to do that, but I know I have to. Peanut will be here before I know it and I know Kody would have chosen this room for him.

  Steppin
g over to his desk, I sit down in his chair. When I do, a waft of Kody’s scent permeates the air. Every now and again I’ll do something and I can smell him. This time, I smile rather than cry. Leaning back in the chair, I rub my ever-growing belly. “Peanut, your daddy is giving up his office for you. He would have given up anything for you. Just like I’d give anything to have him here. Luckily, Uncle Branson is here. He’s pretty awesome, you’ll love him lots and lots. Just like m—” I don’t finish that out loud, because my love for him is just crazy pregnancy hormones. Hell, I haven’t had sex since before I flew to Kansas for my bachelorette party. Tears well in my eyes because it was a super quick quickie before I flew out. Kody and I hardly ever had quickies; we always took our time. Exploring every inch of each other’s body. There wasn’t a spot that we hadn’t explored.

  Wiping away the tears, I clench my thighs together. I’m so fucking horny right now. Subconsciously, I lift my hand and trace my fingers across my chest, circling my nipples through my nightie. They immediately pebble and the pulsing sensation between my thighs becomes stronger. Gripping my breasts, I gently massage them, biting my lip and losing myself to the sensation. One hand continues to caress and massage my breast, while the other dips between my thighs, rubbing myself over the top of my cotton panties. The material is soaked as I push it aside and trace up and down my slit. Leaning to the side, I lean on the arm of the chair and moan as I slip a digit between my swollen, wet lips. Sliding my finger in and out, I grasp the chair arm, my breaths coming hard and fast. That fluttering feeling begins to build. When I press my thumb against my clit, I reach my crescendo and scream as I tumble over the edge, thrusting my finger in and out, my pussy walls clenching as I ride out my climax.

  Removing my hand, I lean back in my chair and catch my breath. Closing my eyes, an image of Branson flashes before me and I sit upright, opening them quickly as a wave of guilt crashes into me. I should be thinking of Kody when I masturbate, not his brother.

  Standing up, I walk over to his bookshelves and I run my fingers along the book spines. Picking up a wooden box I hadn’t paid any attention to before, I lift the lid and gasp when I see a couple of envelopes sitting there. The top one has my name on it in Kody’s handwriting. Turning to the desk, I place the box down and take out the envelopes. There are two, one for me and one for Branson.

  Sitting down at the desk again, I stare at the envelopes I placed on the desk. I’m still staring at them when I hear Branson open the front door and come in. Even with what’s going on between us, he still checks on me each and every morning before he heads into to the bar.

  Glancing out the window, I realize the sun is now up and I have been sitting here, staring at the envelopes for a few hours now.

  “Kase, you awake?” Branson yells.

  “In here,” I reply, as I pick up the envelopes. My eyes locked on them in my hands. I feel Branson’s presence before I see him, and when I look up, he’s leaning against the doorframe staring at me, sitting at Kody’s desk.

  “What are you doing in here?” he asks, but I don’t answer him, I keep staring at the envelopes in my hand. “Kase, you okay?” he asks, stepping into the room and around the desk. He leans against the wood and stares down at me. I can feel his gaze on me, but I can’t stop looking at my hands. Kody’s beautiful penmanship staring up at me.

  “Kase,” he says again.

  This time, I stare up and whisper, “He wrote us each a letter.”

  “What?” He eyes flick to my hands. His mouth drops open when he recognizes the writing on them. “What? How? Where did you find these?”

  “In the box on the shelf. I don’t know why I opened it this morning. I just did, and then I found these.”

  “What do they say?” he asks.

  Shaking my head sideways, I shrug. “Don’t know. I’ve been staring at them for the last few hours. Not brave enough to open mine and read it.” Lifting his, I hand it to him. “This one’s yours.”

  He takes the envelope from me, and our fingers brush, a spark zapping through me. My eyes flick up to his and I know he felt it too.

  “Should we read them?” he asks.

  “Guess so.”

  “Come on,” he says, outstretching his hand to me. I place my hand in his; he pulls me up, kisses my forehead, and leads me out to the living room. We take a seat on the couch, and I pull my legs under me. Once again staring at the envelope.

  I’m scared to open it but at the same time, I want to know what Kody has to say. Taking a deep breath, I say, “Let’s do this.”

  Without taking another minute, I open the envelope and pull out a single piece of paper. As soon as I see his handwriting, my eyes well with tears. Taking another deep breath, I read.

  MY DEAREST KASEY,

  IF YOU ARE READING THIS, THEN OUR PLANS WENT TO SHIT AND I’M GONE…BUT KNOW I’LL BE WATCHING YOU FROM ABOVE AND LOOKING OVER YOU, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SHOWER.

  YOU WERE THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO ME AND I HAD THE BEST LIFE WITH YOU. NOW THAT I’M GONE, I WANT YOU TO MOVE ON. I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY. I WANT YOU TO GET YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

  I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, AND I KNOW YOU WILL FOREVER LOVE ME TOO, BUT YOUR HEART IS BIG ENOUGH TO LOVE AGAIN, AND I WANT THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING. YOU DESERVE TO LOVE AND BE LOVED.

  BRANSON WILL NEED A SHOULDER TO CRY ON, BE THAT PERSON FOR HIM. BE HIS PERSON, LIKE HE WAS ALWAYS MINE. ACTUALLY, YOU TWO WOULD BE PERFECT TOGETHER, BUT I’M JUST LUCKY I BUMPED INTO YOUR FIRST.

  KASEY, MY LOVE, MY ONE AND ONLY. I’M SORRY I LEFT YOU BEFORE OUR TIME, BUT KNOW IN THE TIME I HAD WITH YOU, I WAS HAPPIER THAN A PIG IN SHIT.

  YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY HEART.

  I LOVE YOU WITH MY HEART AND SOUL, ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

  YOURS ALWAYS,

  KODY

  I’ve finished reading and my eyes are now leaking profusely. Tears are pouring down my face at his words. It's like he knew he was going to die and I would develop feelings for Branson. He foresaw the future and knew what was going to happen. Looking over to Branson, I see he’s still reading.

  Reaching out, I squeeze his hand. He looks up at me and sadly smiles, his eyes glassy with unshed tears.

  “I need to read it again,” he whispers. He stands up and walks into the kitchen. His back to me, he turns and leans against the counter. His lips move as he reads his letter for a second time.

  BRANSON,

  MY BROTHER, MY BEST FRIEND, IF YOU ARE READING THIS THEN I’VE KICKED THE BUCKET AND I’M IN HEAVEN SURROUNDED BY ANGELS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF WINE AND CHEESE #WINNING, BUT SERIOUSLY, I’M SORRY I LEFT YOU BEHIND. I KNOW WE’VE DONE EVERYTHING TOGETHER, BUT THIS WAS ONE JOURNEY I HAD TO TAKE ALONE.

  YOU WERE A GREAT BROTHER, THE BEST ANYONE COULD ASK FOR IN FACT. YOU WERE A FANTASTIC FRIEND AND AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT BUSINESS PARTNER. I LOVE YOU, BRANSON. WE NEVER SAID THAT MUCH WHEN I WAS ALIVE, BUT IT’S TRUE.

  I ASK ONLY ONE THING, PLEASE LOOK AFTER KASEY FOR ME. I KNOW SHE WILL STRUGGLE WHEN I’M GONE, BUT DEEP DOWN SHE’S TOUGH AND WITH A PUSH IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SHE WILL LOVE AGAIN. ACTUALLY, YOU TWO WOULD BE PERFECT TOGETHER. YOU’VE BOTH ALWAYS HAD A CLOSE BOND, AND I KNOW YOU WILL BE THERE FOR HER. I’M GLAD I BUMPED INTO HER FIRST, BECAUSE ONE CONVERSATION WITH YOU, AND I WOULD HAVE LOST HER TO YOU. I WANT HER TO BE HAPPY MORE THAN ANYTHING, AND I’M GIVING YOU THAT TASK TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS. DON’T FUCK IT UP.

  CHEERS,

  KODY

  When he’s finished reading his letter for the second time, he looks over at me. Something passes between us when our eyes meet. Swallowing deeply, I know whatever was in his letter is similar to mine, and we have Kody’s blessing. A force takes over my body; I stand up from the sofa and walk toward him. He pushes off the counter and does the same, walking toward me. We meet in the middle of the room; he takes my hands in his and squeezes them reassuringly. Dropping my hands, he grips my cheeks and stares intently into my eyes. My heart is beating erratically, like it wants to jump out of my chest. I’m nervou
s yet excited at the same time. He lowers his head and leans toward me, and I lean into him and wrap my arms around his waist. Our lips connect and an electrical current passes through my body, from head to toe. Closing my eyes, I open my mouth slightly and he slides his tongue inside. Our tongues dance together, our lips fused to one another. Gently pulling me to him, he slips one hand up into my hair and the other around my shoulders, holding me close to him.

  This kiss is electric.

  This kiss is everything I imagined and more.

  It’s the perfect first kiss.

  Breaking the connection, I pull back and stare at him, my chest rapidly rising and falling. His stare penetrates deep into my soul and I know: this is right. Taking his hand in mine, I lead him down the hall toward the bedroom.

  What happens next will change everything between us, but after reading Kody’s letter, I can’t wait anymore. I want this. I need this. I need Branson like I need my next breath. I need him in every possible way and Kody knew I would. Now that I have Kody’s blessing, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

  Chapter Thirteen

  We enter the bedroom and stop at the end of the bed; I turn to face Branson. My eyes roam over his body before landing on his face, his beautiful perfect face. Lifting my hand, I cup his cheek. “Branson,” I whisper.

  He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him; he lowers his lips to mine and kisses me again. Closing my eyes, I give myself over to him and the kiss. Never have I been kissed like this before. I thought the kiss before was magnificent, but this kiss trumps that one.

  Breaking the connection, he stares into my eyes. His gaze drops to my lips. “You have the lips of an angel, Kasey.” He kisses me again and again; I feel each kiss deep in my soul. He then nuzzles down my neck and rakes his hand down my side. “You have a sinfully sexy body, and I’m going to explore every inch of it with my tongue.” He lifts my nightie over my head, leaving me only in my panties. He grins when he sees my breasts exposed. Lowering his head, his tongue flicks my nipple and I moan. He sucks the tight bud into his mouth, and I throw my head back in ecstasy. He gently bites the tip before letting it pop free, that nip causes my body to shudder. Never have I reacted to a man this way before.