by J. P. Comeau
I wanted something different.
I wanted something more.
And I never realized it until I walked Kelly down that aisle.
“Damn it,” I grumbled.
Time passed as slowly as it possibly could. But, once five o’clock rolled around, I tore out of my office. I didn’t even bother locking my door. All I wanted to do was get home to see if Kelly got my note. I knew the food was set to arrive right at five, and I hoped Kelly would wait for me. I hoped she wouldn't take what she wanted and shut herself in her room all night. If there was anything I could do to convince her to have dinner with me, I wanted to do it.
At the very least, I wanted the chance to try.
“Kelly!?”
I raced out of the elevator and quickly threw open my front door.
“Kelly, you here?” I asked.
“In the kitchen!”
I dropped my shit and left the door hanging wide open as I strode down the hallway.
“I smell the food. I’m hoping the steaks are still--.”
“Welcome home, dear.”
My eyes lingered along her body as she stood in front of my kitchen nook. The food had already been set out: steak and mashed potatoes with various steamed vegetables, a bottle of red wine, and fruit with fresh sweet cream for dessert. But, none of that registered as my eyes drank in the utter perfection that was Kelly Crown.
“I figured since we’re about to eat and come to a truce, we’d have a nice dinner together. You know, since this definitely wasn’t the kind of takeout I was expecting.”
I spoke mindlessly. “Not a fan of Chinese food.”
“Don’t like the calories?”
My eyes found hers. “Tastes better in China.”
She giggled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Kelly, you look…”
She smiled. “Thank you. You clean up pretty nice yourself.”
I looked down at my day-worn suit. “Here, let me go change.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.”
She caught my hand, and her touch sparked an electrical storm inside my mind.
“You look wonderful. Come sit and eat with me.”
She led me over to the table and sat me down. I couldn't get over how beautiful she looked, though. Her hair, softly curled. Her eyes sparkling from amidst the mascara and eyeliner. Her floral summer dress cinched in at her waist and fluttered around her legs, drawing my eye up and down those soft, salacious curves she had. Her cleavage sparkled with shimmering dust, and her earrings caught the rays of the setting sun nicely. Her lips donned a pouty pink that somehow accented her wondrous eyes. And I found myself falling into her.
Falling for her.
And I wanted nothing more than to fall against her, too.
“So, how was your day?” Kelly asked.
Her voice pulled me from my trance. “Actually, I want you to tell me about your day. If that’s all right.”
She smiled. “You sure you want to hear about all this boring fashion stuff?”
I picked up my fork. “I’ve been looking forward all day to hearing about it.”
“Well, then strap in. Because it’s been a hell of a day.”
15
_____
KELLY
“And… yeah! That was my day.”
Brenden blinked. “You weren’t joking.”
“Yep.”
“That’s a hell of a day.”
I sipped my wine. “Uh-huh.”
“You managed to completely overhaul your website, volley things back and forth between your investor, completely change your fall line for next year, and you went to go pick up the clothes you’re going to be wearing around town for a while? All before I got back?”
“Y--ep.”
He leaned back. “And I thought my day was insane.”
I slid my plate off to the side. “Tell me about your day. What happened?”
He smirked. “It’s nothing like yours.”
“I still want to hear about it. Please?”
He grinned. “Well, since you asked so nicely.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Spit it out.”
He chuckled. “So, my day started with a fervent teasing and laugh session from Zane.”
I paused. “From…?”
“Yep. As in, he came to laugh in my face again about this predicament I’ve caused.”
I almost choked on my wine. “Oh, my gosh. He didn’t.”
He nodded. “Yep. He really did. Laughed until he wheezed. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him wheeze before.”
“I didn’t even know he laughed.”
Then, Brenden almost choked on his own wine.
“Warn me before you do that.”
I batted my eyelashes. “Do what?”
“Crack a joke that’s going to kill me. I should have some fair warning first.”
I winked. “Noted.”
He grinned. “But, after that, work plodded along. Lots of paperwork to wrap up some sales. I had to contact our attorneys about getting the last of Clint’s contract with us set up.”
“What’s he going to be doing, anyway?”
“Security for our properties while they’re in the process of being sold. With additional opportunities to make his own business by offering his security services past our sell date.”
“That’s really nice of you guys to do that for your brother.”
He lifted his glass. “That man’s given everything he has to this country, and to us. It’s the least we can do.”
My heart felt warm. “Anything else?”
He paused. “I thought about you a lot.”
“Me?”
He nodded. “Yes, you.”
“Why?”
He set down his wine. “I’m not going to lie, fighting with you is rough. I couldn't stop thinking about how hurt you were yesterday and how much I’ve really fucked this situation up.”
I reached for his hand. “We’ll get through it, Brenden. So long as we stop trying to rip each other apart.”
He took it. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
His touch was firm but gracious. Dinner had been phenomenal, but his presence put the icing on the proverbial cake. I enjoyed this. The way things used to be between us. When we were friends who flirted around a bit and joked at one another’s expense.
“Brenden?”
He smiled. “Yes?”
“You ready for some dessert?”
He snickered. “I’d love some. I’ve been waiting to taste that sweet cream all day.”
“Just the sweet cream?”
His eyes darkened. “Choose your next words wisely.”
Just because we were cooped up together in a less than palatable situation didn’t mean we couldn't make the most of it. And I had to admit, waking up this morning had been quite lonely. As a smirk crossed my face, I stood up. I walked over to the kitchen island and picked up our bowls of fruit before heading over to the fridge. I pulled out the cold sweet cream and dolloped generous portions on top. Ready to take these bowls back to the table and torture Brenden until he popped.
But, when I turned around, he was behind me. Hovering. With those dark eyes that boasted of mischief.
“Oh,” I breathed.
He took the bowls from my hands. “Do you know what you do to me, Kelly?”
I swallowed hard. “Maybe a bit.”
He grinned. “I know you do, you cheeky girl.”
I felt my face flush. “Can I say something without judgment?”
He dipped his finger into the cream. “Of course.”
“Is there any reason why we can’t still, you know?”
He smoothed the cream against my lips. “Act like I don’t know.”
I whimpered. “Brenden.”
He slipped his finger inside my mouth. “Act. Like I don’t know, Kelly.”
I licked the cream off his finger. “Is there any reason why we can’t still go through with our plan?”
“Oh, I thought you’d never ask
.”
His finger fell from my mouth, and his lips crashed against mine. It was hot and searing. It stopped my heart and started it all at once. I raked my hands through his hair. He gripped my hips, hoisting me onto the kitchen counter. And as my legs spread for him, his arms cloaked my back.
Pulling me closer as his tongue danced wondrously against the roof of my mouth.
“Oh, shit,” I moaned.
He growled down the back of my throat before fisting my skirt.
“Brenden,” I breathed.
“Up we go,” he whispered.
My arms raised, and he slid my dress over my head. My body bared it all for him, including the lingerie I had picked out for tonight. He stood back, surveying my flushed body while his dark eyes lingered along the white lacy fabric. The push-up bra forced my tits together, and the peekaboo panties held my stockings up with clips, accenting how long my legs really were in person.
“Oh, you naughty girl,” he growled.
“You like?” I asked.
His eyes snapped up to mine. “You went into my bedroom and found my wedding gift to you.”
“I… may have done a little snooping.”
“And you’re going to pay for that in as many orgasms as I wish to give you.”
I reached for him. “Bring it on, handsome.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
I gripped his shirt and pulled him back to me, our lips crashing together with ecstatic delight. His hands were all over me, caressing me, and massaging me. Exploring my body and the length of my limbs. My head fell back as he kissed my neck. He sucked a patch of skin between his teeth at my pulse point, pulling an involuntary moan from the back of my throat.
Then, he scooped me into his arms.
“Oh!” I squealed.
“You’re coming with me,” he commanded.
I kissed his shoulder. “Take me anywhere you wish.”
A few minutes later, he tossed me onto his bed. I bounced and giggled, watching as he undressed for me. His lean muscles came into view, chiseled and untamed. Yet, there was a softness to them I couldn't ignore. A kind of calm and casual look to them that made me feel comfortable, even in the presence of exploring something unknown.
“Take me,” I whispered.
He crawled across the bed to me, his body hovering over mine.
“Don’t mind if I do,” he murmured.
His lips fell to mine, and my legs spread for him. I felt heat trickling up and down my thighs as his naked body settled against my own. I felt his cock throbbing and leaking against my skin. My eyes bulged as a moan escaped my lips, and I wondered how in the world something like that would fit inside my body.
“It’s okay. You’re in good hands. I’m going to go as slow as you want. All right?”
I gazed up into Brenden’s eyes. “Promise?”
He kissed the tip of my nose. “Promise, promise.”
His fingertips brushed against my pussy lips, and I jumped. My eyes fell closed as he breached my folds, and wetness poured forth. I heard him chuckle as he kissed my breasts. Soft mounds that jiggled for him as his fingers circled around my swollen nub. I gasped with pleasure. My body jumped as he moved faster. Around and around, filling me with fire as it rushed through the marrow of my bones.
“Brenden.”
“That’s it, beautiful.”
“Brenden, oh shit.”
“You want to come, don’t you?”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes.”
He slipped his finger inside me. “Then, come.”
“Oh, shit!”
My back arched, and colors burst inside my head. My eyes rolled back, and my body pulled taut as ecstasy barreled over me. Then, I felt something stretching me. Filling me. Pressing against my walls as my body shook from its pleasure. I gripped the soft sheets beneath me. My throat let loose an alien sound I’d never heard myself make before. And as I felt his rippling abs settle against my stomach, my back dropped to the bed.
My eyes fell open.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
My toes curled. “Oh.”
“You okay?”
I panted. “Are you--?”
He kissed my lips softly. “I am, yes.”
I squeezed my walls around him. “Oh, yeah.”
He grunted. “Damn it, you’re tight.”
I giggled. “I’d think so, yes.”
He captured my lips. “You let me know when you’re ready.”
And when I bucked against him, he drew his hips back.
He slid slowly back into me, filling my gut with a pressure I never wanted to be without ever again. My legs locked around his. My hands gripped his forearms. I tried to keep my eyes open, but every time he thrust, they fell closed again.
“Brenden. Oh--my--Jesus.”
His forehead fell against mine. “Ready to party?”
“Oh, hell, yes.”
His hips snapped against mine, and I groaned. My toes pointed, and my back arched as his face fell to my cleavage. He kissed me and sucked at my skin. He toyed with my nipples using his tongue while his hips rolled effortlessly against mine. I felt my juices dripping down my ass crack, covering me in my own debaucherous mark.
Then, Brenden slid against a spot that made me jump.
“Oh!”
His eyebrows rose. “Right there?”
He swiveled his hips, and the world started to fade.
“Oh, shit. Oh… oh, fuck.”
“Ah, yes. Right--right there.”
“Brenden!”
He swiveled his hips again. “Say my name.”
“Shit, shit, shit, shit.”
He gripped my hair. “Say my name, gorgeous.”
And when he swiveled his hips one last time, I felt myself about to burst. “Brenden. Oh, please. I’m so close. So, so close. Brenden. Brenden. Oh, God. Please.”
He swiveled and bucked. He thrust and snapped. I felt out of control in all the best ways for the first time in my life. My body molded to him. His lips wouldn't stop pressing kisses against me. And as my walls clamped around him, I locked my legs around his waist, pulling him even deeper as his lips fell against mine.
He growled while I moaned. He grunted while I groaned. I swallowed his sounds while he swallowed mine as his cock pulsed against my walls. I felt my body milking him for all he had. I felt my world spiraling out of control. And as his cock continued to jump, I felt his threads of arousal coating me. Marking me. Making me his.
At least, for the month.
“Damn it, Kelly,” he grunted.
“Oh, oh, oh my God,” I breathed.
And when his body collapsed on top of mine, I wrapped my arms around him.
Holding him close as I fell asleep with him inside me.
“Brenden?”
My arm flopped to his side of the bed and fell against cold sheets.
“Brenden?”
I heard him sip something. “I’m here. Just at my desk.”
I peeked an eye open. “The sun isn’t even out yet.”
I heard him sip again. “It’s three in the morning. Go back to sleep.”
“Then, come to bed.”
He sipped once more. “After I’m done.”
I sat up. “Whatcha drinking?”
“Whiskey.”
“At three in the morning?”
“Helps to focus my mind when I’m working.”
I rolled onto my side. “What are you working on?”
“Just this project.”
“A property?”
He shook his head but didn’t say anything.
“What are you working on, then?” I asked.
He sighed. “Well, while I know I’ll always be part of Stonewater Realty, I’ve been working on getting my own production company up and running. You know, as a side project.”
“I didn’t know you enjoyed stuff like that.”
He shrugged. “Just a way to expound on my own dreams.”
“What are your dreams?”
/>
“Well, at one point in time, it was to be an actor.”
I bolted upright. “I didn’t know you wanted to act.”
“Yep. I mean, Dad thought it was frivolous, and Mom thought it was just a phase. But, at one point in time, it’s really what I wanted to do.”
I scooted to the edge of the bed. “Why didn’t you pursue it?”
“I don’t know. I guess what my parents said really got to me. But, now that I’ve got the money to do something like this, I figured this is another avenue I can use to pursue something in the performing arts. Which I’ve always loved.”
“Wow.”
He snickered. “That’s hard to imagine?”
I cocked my head. “Not at all, actually.”
He peeked over his shoulder and smiled, and there was something in his eye I’d never seen before. Dedication. I didn’t think it was possible for Brenden to ever dedicate himself to something--or be serious about anything. Yet, here he was, developing a way to carve out a path toward his original love.
The performing arts.
“Well, I, for one think, it’s a great plan.”
He turned back to his computer. “Thank you for that. It means a lot.”
And the sincerity of his voice also broke my heart. Because it came from a place of sadness. It came from a place of longing. It came from a place of emptiness.
Maybe Brenden wasn’t the kind of man we thought him to be at all.
Maybe, just maybe, he was playing a part that had him pigeonholed.
16
_____
BRENDEN
ONE WEEK LATER
“So, Bebe. How are things at work?” Mom asked.
Zane interjected. “Things are going really well, actually. Just offloaded another three properties this week, and Clint here’s offered his security services to all of them in case they want to keep him on retainer.”
Dad nodded. “Good work, son. You got contracts worked out yet?”
Clint took a bite of his sandwich. “Working on it. Gotta tweak ‘em, then I’ll shoot them an offer.”
Dad grinned. “So, they are interested, then.”
Zane took a sip of his water. “Two of the three, yeah.”
Mom sighed. “That’s so great, CeCe. And we’re so glad to have you home.”
I finally spoke up. “And I’m sure he’d say it’s good to be home.”