7. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Brandy

T he week went by fast. The days were torture, and the nights were a dream come true. I'm not an early riser, so I miss seeing Erik every single day in the morning. At night, I make the meals, and we eat, talk and flirt outrageously. I sometimes kick myself for not bringing any sexy tops or dresses to wear at night. Erik will have to take me as I am.

However, Today is Saturday, and I set my alarm to have breakfast with him. I get ready as fast as possible and go to the kitchen. He's there looking hot as all heck, drinking his coffee and staring off into space. Or at least that is what it seems like.

"Good morning."

"Hey, Bran. Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you."

Okay, all this small talk makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.

"Are we going to the market today?" I ask.

"I have to work. You can take my car. The GPS will get you there with no problems."

"Do you have to work all day?"

"I'm not sure."

He's still got that faraway look in his eyes. I try to make eye contact, but he doesn't look my way.

"Let me make us breakfast then," I suggest.

"Don't worry about me. I've already had some toast."

With that, he takes his coffee cup and goes to his office, not even looking back. I don't know what's happening right now. I thought we had made so much progress during the week. I send a 911 to my bestie Sam and make my own breakfast. I can't function with just toast, so I make an omelet loaded with ham and veggies.

There is no answer from Sam, so I decide to tackle the shopping first.

Much of my week is spent indoors. Erik doesn't know that. He thinks I'm going in for my apprenticeship. The truth is, Mrs. Jones couldn't start the program with me just yet, but I came to Miami anyway. I just couldn't wait to see Erik any longer. The distance had become unbearable, and I was camping in his mother's living room a lot of the time, hoping for scraps of information about him. Thankfully, Mrs. Nelson didn't mind.

Grocery shopping is actually fun for me. I love carefully choosing each thing I use and consume. I'm in one of my comparison modes when someone taps my shoulder. I jump and almost scream when I realize it's Red.

"Anne, it's so good to see you."

We hug it out, but she sees right through me.

"Spill, what's Erik done now?"

I squint my eyes and purse my mouth.

"How good are you at keeping secrets?"

"Me? I'm a vault."

I'll have to take her word for it. I desperately need some female advice, so I bring her into the loop.

"It seemed like we were making progress during the week, but today, he's gone and closed himself off all of a sudden."

"So you are here to get him back."

"He's the one for me. What do you think?"

"From my own experience, I've found men have some twisted notions about what's right and what's wrong." She looks pensive for a moment. "You know, he seemed happier this week, and I wasn't sure why. Rumor has it he doesn't do relationships."

"What do you mean?"

"That's what people at the nightclub have told me. I only came here about six months ago, so I don't know him that well. I'd have to ask Max, but he'll want to know why I'm asking."

"No, don't tell him, please. He'll think there's some bro code that he has to follow and goes and tells Erik."

"Yeah, that sounds like something he'd do." She laughs.

"Do you think I should press the issue? We've been flirting all week long, but I don't want to hit on him and have him turn me down. There's no coming back from that."

"I see your point. Do you have a bathing suit?"

"No, but I could buy one. Why?"

"I think it's time you show Erik what he's been missing all this time. Let's finish shopping, and I'll take you to a fab place to buy a bikini."

"Deal."

I smile at my new partner in crime, and my hopes are high once again.

Back at the house, I store all the groceries away. I bought us a couple of salads for lunch and set them out. Before I tell Erik about lunch, I go to my room and change. I bought the cutest yellow bikini and a cover-up that's practically see-through. This is what I wear when I go looking for Erik. I knock on his door until I hear him call me in.

"Hey, Erik. I'm sorry to bother you, but I bought a salad for your lunch. It's in the kitchen if you want to take a break. I'm going to be on the deck."

His eyes are glued to my body, and his throat moves as if he's having trouble swallowing.

"Erik? My eyes are up here." I say jokingly.

"Than…Thank you, Bran."

I don't move for a full minute and wait until he looks me in the eyes. There's desire in his gaze, but his features reveal nothing else. He never had this poker face when he was young. Darn it. I lick my lips to send a silent plea to be kissed, and then I take my leave. I take some iced water to the deck and sit down on one of the loungers. The weather is nice, but I need to put on some sunscreen. I take my cover-up off and reach for the tube of lotion.

Once my arms and legs are covered, I try and reach for my back. That's when I feel his presence behind me.

"Hey."

"Would you like me to help? With your back, I mean."

"Yes, please."

He stands behind me, and I hand him the sunscreen.

"You've got more freckles than I remember."

"Yes, but thankfully, I've stopped being so self-conscious about them."

"Your skin is like porcelain." He murmurs as he rubs the sunscreen on my back.

"What?"

"Nothing. Do you mind if I eat my salad here with you?"

"Sure, I'll be glad for the company."

When he finishes, he hands me the bottle and just stands there, looking my way. I take my sunglasses off to search his gorgeous face. The electricity between us is unbearable, but I need to let him make the first move. I lick my lips again, imagining, no, needing his lips on mine. That seems to have done it, and he leans forward and places his lips softly upon mine. My heart starts beating faster, and my mouth is hungry for his.

His kiss is gentle and firm, but when he licks the seam of my lips to get me to open up to him, all hell breaks loose. His tongue invades my mouth with more skill than he had when he was a young man. No, this man's kiss is scorching hot, and it's creating a blaze that I might not be able to put out once he stops kissing me.

What am I saying? I don't want him to stop. Ever. The problem, as usual, is I start getting greedy, and I can't help but moan in pleasure. That's followed by me putting my arm around his neck to pull him toward me and that seems to wake him up from the enchantment. He pulls away and takes a step back as if stunned by his own actions.

"I…I shouldn't have done that."

Then he turns around and leaves me alone in his backyard.