Distracted

by Warren, Alexandra

  “Nu uh. Miles is still here. If you want that kind of treatment, you have to come back to bed.”

  The news from Leslie was immediately erased as I took Kennedy by the hand and lead her back up the stairs for a round two.

  &

  “Okay, Kennedy. I’ll admit it. I’m officially in love with you.”

  She laughed me off as she fell back against the mattress with the comforter clutched to her chest though there was hardly any use in hiding considering I had already seen, and kissed every inch of her.

  Her skin was glowing and her smile was bright as she teased, “Tell me again and I might start believing you.”

  I rolled over on my side, taking a nibble at her bare shoulder. “I can show you better than I can tell you, baby. You know that.”

  She rolled over to face me, still keeping the comforter clutched as she replied, “Well if I let you show me anymore in the next twenty-four hours, you’ll probably pull a muscle. And considering you have a game tonight, we should probably hold off.”

  “Kennedy, you’re still in my bed and you’re still naked. Basketball is the last thing on my mind right now.” She giggled as she hopped up from the bed, dragging the comforter with her to the bathroom. I laid there in all my naked glory as I really began to consider my own words.

  I mean, what was there not to love about Kennedy?

  And now she was a single woman, so nothing - well, except for the whole baby thing - stood in the way of us really getting together.

  I climbed off the bed to follow her, grabbing my discarded boxers on the way, and found she was already in the shower, singing just like she had been when we were out in L.A.

  “I'm gone and I'm goin’...

  Into the deep end...

  Far over my head...

  It's so unfair...

  I'm gone and it's showin'...

  All over my skin...

  Everyone knows...

  Gone and it shows...

  But I don't care…”

  “Kenn baby, what are you singing?” I yelled so she could hear me over the water.

  She yelled back, “Elle Varner. I Don’t Care.”

  I settled in against the counter as I told her, “I like it. Keep singing.”

  “Bryson…”

  I had no problem begging, “Please, baby. For me.”

  I heard her sigh before she belted, “I could just stare all day… Lay there and melt away…”

  “Me too, baby.”

  She laughed before she cut off the shower and asked, “Can you hand me a towel, please?”

  “Nu uh. Get yo’ fine ass out here first. I wanna see you.” My dick was already hard just thinking about her beautiful mocha skin dripping wet.

  “Bryson, quit playin’.”

  Though initially I was dead ass serious, I decided to play a little bit. “I’ll give you your towel if you promise to come to my game tonight.” I could already see my stat line now, looking more glorious than ever just because she was in attendance.

  “Chloe already invited me. Wes gave her tickets.”

  “Welp… guess you gotta come out naked.”

  She growled before she pulled the shower curtain back and stepped out one pedicured foot at a time, taking my breath away. Then she strutted over to me, stopping right in front of me before reaching around to snatch her towel from the counter.

  “Thanks for nothin’, Bryson.”

  I scrubbed a hand over my beard, admiring her before I teased, “You’re welcome for everything, Kennedy.”

  Kennedy

  “Girl… I could get use to this.”

  I smiled as I looked down to the Louboutins Bryson had given me for my birthday. They appeared even prettier as they sat in the arena lighting against the court floor.

  “Me too, Chloe. Me…. too.”

  It honestly made me sick how quickly I had become wrapped up in everything Bryson Harris. I should’ve known having sex with him would take things to unbelievable heights, but I couldn’t have predicted the afterglow from just being with him as a person, living his lifestyle, taking the role as his…

  Chill out, Kennedy.

  It was way too easy to get caught up in the fairy tale knowing good and damn well Bryson may have been charming, but he certainly wasn’t a prince.

  He was a player.

  So I couldn’t allow myself to get too comfortable though everything felt amazing.

  The buzzer went off signaling the beginning of a new quarter and I instinctively clapped my hands as Bryson fixed his shorts before walking to the court. He peeked up at me, giving me a quick smile before he slapped hands with Wes.

  “Wes is soooo gonna be my baby daddy. I mean, will you just look at him, Kennedy?! He is soooo fine.” Wes was definitely a looker, but my eyes were on Bryson’s frame looking simply divine in his uniform.

  “How about your husband, Chloe? Can we do that first before you start poppin’ out the man’s babies?”

  She sighed as we both watched the game go into action.

  “Men like Wes don’t get married. They make children, they may even get engaged, but they never really settle down. So the least I could do is lock-in some child support checks and occasional visits.”

  I almost spit my drink right onto the court.

  “Chloe, you can not be serious right now. You have a good job. You’re a good person. Why in the world would you settle for child support checks and occasional visits?”

  She shrugged, not bothering to answer as she took another sip of her drink. I brushed her off as I turned my attention back to the game just as Bryson was shooting a 3-pointer.

  All net.

  “You’re the one that needs to be careful though, Kennedy.” I turned back to her as she wore a goofy little smirk.

  “What are you talking about, Chloe?”

  “Girl… you’re fallin’ harder than Alicia Keys. I see the way you keep looking at him, biting your lip and thinkin’ bout the dick.”

  I almost got offended as I replied, “I am not thinking about his dick. Was it marvelous? Definitely. But I’m not sweatin’ him like that right now. We’re just havin’ some fun.” I hoped saying it out loud would convince me of it actually being true.

  “Yeah, you’re havin’ some fun alright. The kinda fun that keeps the pussy a tolerable sore.” I smacked her on the arm as she started to laugh.

  “But really though, Kennedy. Don’t get too attached. Bryson doesn’t strike me as the type to be a one-woman man.”

  Though I knew she was telling the truth, I also knew I didn’t really have control of what was happening between Bryson and I. It was a storm, a tornado, taking me with it for the ride and I could only hope it wouldn’t spit me out before it was over.

  But of course I couldn’t let Chloe know that.

  So I took another sip of my drink, crossing my legs as I told her, “I got this, Chloe. Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

  &

  “So… how’d I do?”

  Bryson was on his side, head propped against a bent arm while he used his free hand to draw lazy circles around my belly button.

  “That was amazing, Bryson.”

  He chuckled, moving his handto my face to stroke my cheek. “I’m not talking about that, baby. I’m talking about my game. How’d I do?”

  I tried to sit up a little more, pulling the comforter with me. “Oh. You did good. You know that. The reporters were all over you.”

  He fell to his back, looking at the ceiling as he replied, “That kinda stuff doesn’t really matter to me. I want a real opinion from an unbiased eye like yours. So really… how’d I do?”

  I thought about the question a little longer before I turned to him the same way he had been looking at me and answered, “Honestly, you’re kind of a ball hog. I mean, there were a few times that Wes was wide open and you still took the shot yourself.” His eyes remained on the ceiling, his lips in a closed line as he thought about my impromptu assessment.

  From th
e look on his face, I almost wondered if I had said too much until he finally piped out, “You’re right.” There was no use in hiding my shock from Bryson giving me some credit.

  “I’m… right? I’m actually right?”

  He laughed, turning back to his side and pulling me into his arms as he said, “Yes, baby. You’re so right. I should’ve passed the ball more. I’ll do better next time; okay?”

  I nodded my head against his chest, still a little caught off-guard. “Uh… yeah. Yeah okay.”

  He snuggled me a little closer and we laid together contently, just enjoying the sounds of each other’s rhythmic breathing. I knew I had a home of my own, but nothing felt more at home than this exact moment in Bryson’s arms.

  “Kennedy, can I be honest with you?”

  “Please,” I whispered, nervous of what he was gonna say.

  “I love how this feels.”

  My heart fluttered, but I needed to hear more so I asked, “What do you mean?”

  He sighed, kissing the top of my head as he clarified, “This. You and I. I don’t know what it is, but I love this shit.” I nodded my head to agree, unable to actually speak as I already felt a little choked up.

  “Are you afraid?”

  I swallowed hard so I could ask, “Afraid of what?”

  “Afraid of feeling like this.”

  My heart certainly wasn’t throbbing for no reason, so I answered with an honest, “Kinda.”

  “Me too. I’ve never felt this before.”

  I could only respond with a short, “Me neither.”

  He pulled from under me so that he could see my face, staring down on me as he said, “Kenn, you were engaged. What do you mean, you never felt like this?”

  Ugh, where do I begin?

  “I’m not really interested in talking about that right now.” I hoped he wouldn’t press me for answers I didn’t really have myself.

  He still looked hopeful as he asked, “Maybe one day?”

  “If you keep me around long enough to tell you,” I teased.

  He smiled, leaning in close to hover right over my face and say, “Kennedy, I plan on keeping you around for as long as I’m around.” I closed my eyes, embracing the swoon that enclosed me.

  I felt his fingers grazing my skin as he said, “Now back to my amazing performance…”

  “Did I say that? I meant it was… alright. Subpar at best.” He laughed as he climbed on top of me, stealing a kiss and then a second.

  “Kennedy, you’re a freak.”

  “No I’m not. I just… want the best for you. You know, gotta practice to be perfect.”

  He parted my legs with his hand, teasing me as he adjusted his own body.

  “Well in that case, let me get my ass in this gym ASAP.”

  Bryson

  “You look… different.”

  I fell into my normal chair in front of Leslie’s desk as she eyed me skeptically. I had a good feeling of what she was talking about, but I wasn’t in the mood to give her any indication of what was really going on, especially with the subject matter of our little impromptu unplanned parenthood meeting in the back of my head.

  “What are you talkin’ about?”

  She stood up, rubbing a hand on her chin as she walked to my side of the desk. I watched her approach until she eventually stood right in front of me and tilted my chin with her hand to get a better look at my face.

  She appeared amused as she said, “Oh my God. Ohhhhhh my God.”

  Naturally I thought something else was wrong, replying with a concerned, “What, Leslie? What is it?”

  She took a step back, looking at me with amazement.

  “You! You’re… in love. Bryson Harris has fallen in love! Well I’ll be damned.”

  I brushed her off. “Leslie, quit playin’. I’m not in love.”

  Apparently I wasn’t convincing enough as she asked, “Who is she? You make amends with your baby mama or somethin’?” The title alone grinded my gears. I mean, what was somebody like me supposed to do with a damn baby mama?

  It can’t be true.

  “I don’t have one of those.”

  She brushed me off the same way I had done her, waving a hand as she said, “Right. Still holding onto the innocence. I get it. But really, somebody’s got your nose wide open. So who is it?” I thought it over quickly, knowing there was no use in trying to hide it from Leslie. She found out everything eventually.

  “Ah... shit. It’s Kennedy.”

  Her face went from amused to confused.

  “Kennedy? Like… ex-stylist Kennedy? Engaged Kennedy? Gotdamnit, Bryson. I told you to leave that girl alone.”

  I quickly explained, “She’s not engaged anymore. And she’s been… staying with me for the last couple of days. And I... I don’t know what I’m doing, Leslie. But everything feels so damn good.” It was scary how quickly I had become consumed by everything Kennedy Wilson, but I honestly shouldn’t have been surprised considering how much she had been on my mind even when we weren’t involved.

  “So you really are in love?” I put my head in my hands before I nodded yes.

  “Wow. Never thought I’d see the day.” I peeked up at her, visibly exhausted by the conversation because I knew there was way more than I was leading on. And of course Leslie picked up on it.

  “Wait a minute… what’s the problem? You should be happier than this.” I tossed my hood on to cover my eyes before I leaned further back in the chair.

  “She umm… I haven’t told her yet. About the baby.”

  “Well why not?”

  There were a couple of reasons I hadn’t brought it up yet, including how much of our time was spent doing more talking with our bodies than anything.

  But I was sure Leslie didn’t care much about that part of it, so I told her, “Well for one, I’m still in disbelief. For two, I don’t know how she’s gonna take it. I’m scared of what her reaction may be.”

  Leslie went back to her chair, putting her elbows on the desk as she reasoned through it.

  “You don’t wanna lose her already. I get it. But you have to tell her, Bryson. I mean, it’s either you tell her or she finds out in the streets and that’ll make shit a lot worse for you.”

  I hate it when she’s right...

  “Yeah I know. I just don’t have it in me to do something so risky quite yet.” The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Kennedy in her still pretty vulnerable state.

  Leslie let out a laugh as if she thought what I said was ridiculous.

  “Risky? Do we really wanna talk about risky? You had sex with a woman on the first night, got her pregnant, and you’re second-guessing being risky? You truly amaze me, Bryson.”

  “We still have to wait for that later round of DNA tests, Leslie. But sex is… simple, easy. Losing Kennedy would break me.”

  She looked almost as exhausted as me when she replied, “Well Bryson, if you really feel that strongly about her then she deserves to know the truth. From you. So handle it.”

  It was easier said than done, but Leslie was right.

  Kennedy deserved the truth.

  So I would just have to suck it up and give it to her.

  &

  “Bryson, what’s the matter?”

  Damn, quit lookin’ so suspicious.

  I took a slow sip of my wine, trying to figure out why people liked this shit so much, before I looked across the dinner table at Kennedy and told her, “Nothing’s the matter, baby.” I almost choked just saying the word baby out loud, thinking Kennedy may pick up on where the conversation was heading.

  She eyed me suspiciously, similar to the way that Leslie had done in her office earlier in the day.

  “Something is definitely wrong. It’s the finals and you’re drinking. Wine at that. So just tell me. Is it something with the team?”

  I shook my head no.

  “Is it something I said? Something I did? You tired of playing house with me already?” She teased.

  I quickly assured
her, “Hell no, Kenn. I’m actually gettin’ ready to lock you in here and throw away the key.”

  She giggled, taking a sip of her wine before she continued pressing,“But seriously. You’ve been acting strange ever since that meeting with Leslie. She finally kicking you to the curb as a client?”

  That one I could definitely brush off. “She wouldn’t dare. She knows I’m her cash cow.”

  She rolled her eyes as she rattled, “Forever the cocky one.”

  I couldn’t help but toss out, “Word on the street is that you like the cocky one quite a bit.”

  “Eh… He’s alright.”

  That little statement, though I knew she was only teasing, got me fired up.

  “Oh, just alright? Do I have to remind you how much you like me?”

  She shrugged, taking a short sip of her wine and eye-fucking me over the rim of the glass as she answered, “Maybe.”

  Damn, this girl drives me crazy.

  “Kennedy, if you’re hungry you better eat now cause I’m not gonna be able to hold off on touching you for much longer.” I wasn’t really sure how I had lasted this long, but I suppose the bit of news I needed to share helped me to keep my distance.

  She took another sexy sip of wine before she groaned, “The only thing I’m hungry for is you.”

  That shit was like music to my ears.

  I pushed out of my seat and walked over to hers as she stood up to meet me.

  “Kennedy, I love you.”

  Instead of telling me back like I expected, she challenged me, “Hmph... prove it.”

  I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to whisper in her ear, “My pleasure.”

  One more day, Bryson.

  Just one more day.

  Kennedy

  Everything felt so perfect.

  Sexy and beautiful.

  Sinful but blissful.

  Secure, and yet still… free.

  Bryson’s arm was draped across my waist as he spooned me though according to his morning wood, he’d be forking me at any given moment.

  And I’d devour it, because every single time with Bryson felt just as exciting as the first.