Intrigued and Enchanted (30 page)

****

I wake up to the sound of Jess and Brandon talking as they get closer to our room. I can hear the concern in Jess’s voice as she grills Brandon on how I’m doing and if I’m coping. He reassures her that he’s taking good care of me, as they appear in the doorway.

Brandon comes over and helps me to sit up, positioning my pillows so that my ribs aren’t too sore and my broken arm is propped on yet more cushions. He kisses my forehead before leaving Jess and I to catch up.

“I’ll be in my study if you need anything baby. Just shout for me or call my cell.” I can’t help watching his sexy gait as he leaves the room. Jess lets out a little snigger at my obvious ogling!

“I see your injuries haven’t calmed your new raging libido Lilliput.” I laugh but immediately hold my ribs. No more laughing for me.

“Don’t make me laugh Jester. It hurts.” She looks apologetic but she’s also laughing so I’m thinking she’s not that sorry! I love her. She envelops me in a tight but gentle cuddle, careful not to hurt me.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again okay bestie? I think I’ve aged about ten years in the last two weeks.” I can see the toll it’s taken on her as she pulls back to sit next to me on the bed. She looks like she’s lost weight. She was already the thinnest woman I know; now she almost looks unwell. I feel bad that I’ve put her through so much.

“I promise bestie.”

“So what’s happening with you? Last I knew, you were away for a few days with Simon. What’s going on there?” She chuckles as she pulls her knees up to her chest.

“I can’t believe that after everything you’ve been through, you’re thinking about my love life.” That makes me smile.

“I love you bestie. I care about what happens to you. You’re my family. Besides, there has been enough heavy stuff, let’s talk about something more exciting. Spill your guts Foster.” She rolls her eyes at me in defeat before filling me in on what’s been going on.

“Well. I took your advice and gave him a chance. We went to the Hamptons for a few days and it was really amazing. I mean
really amazing
Lily. I’ve never felt like this before and it scares the shit out of me. Things have been on the back burner since you went missing and the subsequent hospital recovery.” I can’t believe this is affecting her chance at happiness.

“Please tell me that things aren’t over between you two because of me?” I couldn’t stand it if that was the case.

“They’re not over. I spoke to him and told him I had to focus on you just now and he was really understanding. Now that you’re getting better and you’re out of hospital I’m going to see him this weekend and we’ll see where things stand.” I’m so relieved.

“I hope everything works out between you guys. You seem good together. Maybe we can go out together sometime? The boys are best friends after all.” That makes her laugh.

“How weird is that? We’re going out with best friends. Problem is you’ll go off and marry Brandon and when Simon and I don’t work out, it’ll be weird at parties and stuff.” I slap her shoulder with my good hand, sending a jolt of a pain down through my ribs.

“Don’t be so negative Jess. There is no reason to think that things won’t work out between you and Simon. You are an amazing woman Jess. He’s lucky to have a chance with you.”

“Thanks bestie.” She dips into her bag.

“Anyway, enough of all this messy emotional stuff. I brought chocolate and one of your favourite movies.” She holds up the ‘Dirty Dancing’ dvd, which elicits a squeal from me. I love that movie.

Brandon has a great flat-screen TV hidden in a stunning cabinet in the bedroom. Once Jess gets it set up, she snuggles up next to me on the bed and we enjoy a normal, fun night together, watching Patrick Swayze and eating the massive bar of chocolate Jess brought with her.

I must have fallen asleep after the movie, because I’m roused by Brandon sliding into bed beside me.

“Jess?” I murmur.

“I had Angus drop her home a while ago. Go back to sleep baby. I love you.” I take a deep breath, enjoying his amazing smell before he kisses me good night.

“I love you Brandon. Good night.”

“Good night sweet girl.”

30

Brandon is the most attentive boyfriend I could ever ask for over the next few weeks, attending to my every need. He goes out of his way to make my days special in some small way; he and Jess have been taking turns at spoiling me. I’ve seen her almost as much as when we lived together which makes the whole transition a little easier on both of us.

Within 3 weeks, my cast is off and all of my home comforts have been brought from my apartment to Brandon’s penthouse; he even brings me the letters he wrote to me when he thought I had ended our relationship. He’s been working from home most of the time so I wait until he goes to his office for a few hours to sit and read the first letter.

Sunday

To my Sweet Girl

I was hoping that my letter yesterday would have given you reason enough to hear me out.

I’m struggling to give you the space you need. Every minute of the day I want to come and see you, look at your beautiful face and listen to your sweet voice to soothe the ache in my chest.

I understand that you entrusted me with so much Lily and I let you down. I will never forgive myself for that.

I can only ask that you find it in your heart to forgive me and allow me to spend the rest of my life making it up to you baby.

Every song I hear, every room in my apartment, reminds me of you – Your face, your scent, the way your body feels when it comes apart beneath me, and most importantly your heart. The way you make me a better man just by being in your orbit.

I meant what I said in London Lily – I want to give you the world. If you’ll let me.

I miss you.

Forever Yours

Brandon x

Coldplay - The Scientist

The tears are streaming down my cheeks as I realise the torment Brandon must have been feeling, believing that I didn’t want to be with him; all the while I was desperate for him to come for me. I thought I would never see him again.

I can’t control the sobs that rack my body as I remember what that monster did to me. He might be dead now, but he still haunts my dreams, except now it’s a new nightmare. I wake up screaming most nights, drenched in a cold sweat, the terror causing my body to shake.

Every night, Brandon rocks me back to sleep, holding me in his arms, assuring me that I’m safe and that Ron Peterson will never hurt me again. He never complains, even though I can see the toll it’s taking on him - He has dark circles under his ice-blue eyes, his beautiful face worn with worry.

I can hear Brandon’s hurried footsteps come rushing down the hall at the sound of my cries. I feel awful knowing that I’m causing him further stress and worry, but I can’t stop the torrent of emotion, spilling out of me. Through my tear filled eyes, I can barely see the blurred vision of Brandon, as he comes bursting through the door and into our bedroom.

“Lily…baby…what’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you sore?” He scoops my crumpled form up off the bed and holds me as I give in to the enormity of my ordeal.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I nod, knowing that I have to get it off my chest. Between sobs I tell him the full sordid story. I see so many emotions in his eyes as I speak – love, anger, grief, rage, and more love. It’s difficult for a man like Brandon who is normally so in control and dominant to hear how Peterson repeatedly beat me and all the vile things he would have done if he hadn’t rescued me.

When there are no more tears to cry and no more story to be told Brandon lifts me effortlessly from the bed and carries me into the bathroom, setting me down gently on the counter while he runs a bath for us.

He gently undresses me before undressing himself and lifting me into the tub with him. He tucks me close to him and relaxes back into the water. Every time he touches me it’s as if I’m going to break. I appreciate his tenderness, but my ribs are feeling much better now and I miss his not so gentle touch. I miss the feel of him inside me, his body looming over mine as he drives us to the edge of ecstasy and pushes us over into a freefall of sensation.

I’ve asked him to make love to me, but he’s been so self-controlled, wanting to make sure that I’m fully healed so he doesn’t hurt me. I know it must be killing him, he’s such a sexual person. My frustration is at breaking point. Every innocent touch of his hand ignites the desire bubbling in my core. As lovely and soothing as this bath is, lying against Brandon’s taught, ripped, naked body is driving me crazy. I need him – now.

“Brandon?” He squeezes me a little closer.

“Yes sweet girl?” Here goes nothing.

“I need you Brandon. I
need
you to make love to me. I need the physical connection to you. Please honey. My ribs feel better. Please Brandon…touch me.” I take his hand and press it to my breast. My nipple instantly hardening at the feel of his strong, warm hand. He nibbles my ear, his breathy voice fighting for control.

“I don’t want to hurt you baby. You’ve been through so much.” He can’t help trailing kisses down my neck, his argument dying on his lips as they stoke the fire between us.

“Brandon. I’m good. Please…it hurts
not
to be with you.” The last of his willpower shatters.

He’s up and lifting me out the tub and into our room within seconds, our lips locked in an urgent kiss.

“Fuck…Lily. I’ve missed your body so fucking much. I want to bury my cock in you and stay there forever.” That sounds perfect to me.

He lays me gently on the bed before grabbing a towel and drying my body and his own. He is so gloriously sexy when he’s naked. My gaze is locked on his body as he sweeps the towel over his washboard abs, and down the hallowed V, before dropping the towel to the floor. Holy. Fuck.

There is no mischief in his eyes tonight. Dominant Brandon is standing in front of me and he is sexy as hell. A thrill of anticipation courses through me, my body desperate for Brandon’s expert touch. My nipples pucker as his red hot gaze roams every curve of my body.

“I fucking love you Lily Pritchard. Show me how ready you are for me baby.” I part my legs wide, my entrance warm and slick. A groan escapes his chest.

“So fucking pretty. I can’t wait any longer to taste you.” He crawls up the bed settling in between my legs, licking his sinful lips as his gaze drops to my pussy. His eyes shoot up to mine, a dark sensuality to the sexual storm I see behind ice-blue. He dips his head down and darts his tongue out to run his tongue from my wet entrance up to my throbbing clit. My body convulses under his expert touch.

“Mmmmm. Even sweeter than I remember Miss Pritchard.” His firm hands hold my thighs wide as he sets to work, driving me towards a quick and powerful climax.

“That’s number one.” A sly grin creeps over his lips, my juices glistening in the moonlight shining through the window, and highlighting every delicious muscle of his sculpted body.

“Now I’m going to take my time sweet girl.” He moves down my leg and starts by kissing the instep of my foot, trailing soft kisses up my calf, to the back of my knee. It’s a heady feeling and ignites a trail of desire as he places open-mouthed kisses up my thigh, stopping just before he reaches the apex. Then he starts the process all over again on my other leg.

By the time he shifts his attention to my stomach I’m writhing beneath him, threading my hands through his hair. His hands skim my skin, his mouth following their path, nibbling, licking, and suckling. When his tongue reaches my breasts I arch off the bed in response to the flash of pleasure shooting to my core.

“Careful baby. Tell me if I hurt you.”

“I’m not sore anymore Brandon. Touch me…hard.” His hand reaches up to cradle my other breast, pinching the nipple until it’s a tight little bud, awaiting his expert tongue. He doesn’t disappoint, moving his attention to my other breast.

I’m panting and moaning underneath him, desperate to taste his full lips and his lascivious tongue. He licks from my nipple, up and along the length of my collarbone before nibbling his way up my neck. His tongue dips into my ear, the feeling beyond erotic. I snap my head round to capture his mouth with my own. Oh My God. I could kiss Brandon forever and never tire of it.

“I love the way you kiss me Brandon.” He groans into my mouth, driving me wild.

“Fuck...Lily...I’m not going to last at this rate. It’s been too long since I’ve been nestled in your tight little pussy. Just kissing you is pushing me to the brink.”

“I want you inside me…Now.” It’s all the encouragement he needs. He slips his hand between our naked bodies, holding his hard length, running the tip over my entrance, covering himself in my juices before slowing pushing every hard inch of himself inside me.

“Holy Fuck Lily. You feel fucking amazing.” I can’t control myself, panting and moaning as he fills me. I’ve missed this feeling more than I can express. Brandon starts to move inside me, the sensation explosive. I start to writhe beneath him.

“Slow down baby, I need to pace myself…it’s been a while.” I continue to wiggle my hips, teasing him to move.

“Don’t make me restrain you Miss Pritchard. You know I will…happily.” If he was trying to calm me down, that definitely did
not
work. I’m so turned on I wrap my legs around his waist and pull his face down to mine. He captures my lips with his, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth and giving it a little nip. He interlaces our hands and extends them above my head before catching both of my wrists in one hand. I love the feel of his strong hands holding me down. He holds his weight with his other arm propped at the side of my head, giving me a perfect view of his corded forearms and toned biceps.

He slows his movements down, forcing me to comply with hard, long, thrusts. His lips descend on my neck just below my ear – it’s like a trigger to me. I struggle beneath him, wanting more…needing more of him.

“I’ve got you sweet girl, don’t worry.” He pushes my wrists down into the pillow as he takes his other hand and slides it between our hot, naked flesh. As soon as his fingertips connect with my pulsing bud I detonate around him.