8. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Erik

W hat is wrong with me? How could I do that? That's the thing, though. I couldn't not do that. Once I touched her, I had to have more, and with her licking her lips like they were needy for my own, I just couldn't stop myself. This morning, I managed to talk myself out of the inevitable course I've been taking with Brandy. All week long, we flirted and laughed and enjoyed ourselves. It wasn't like old times. It was so much better.

Brandy has become an amazing woman who sparks my interest and admiration. She's stuck to her dream, even though it's been really challenging over the years. She's brave and courageous and everything I've ever wanted in a woman, all wrapped into one gorgeous package. That's what brought terror into my thoughts.

I remember how it was when we were kids. We were so involved with one another that sometimes we forgot about the world around us. I can't afford to do that now. I've got a business to run. My partners and I have big dreams for the future. I will not let a woman get in between me and my dreams.

Perhaps that's why I've never been in a serious relationship since I broke up with her. My drive to succeed supersedes everything.

I send a message to Max so we can meet and he tells me to come over. What are the odds that Anne won't be there? I know she'll side with Brandy. Truth is, I don't even know what Brandy wants, but I'm too chickenshit to start that conversation.

I leave the house without telling Brandy where I'm going, and I walk the few blocks that separate my house from Max's. When I ring the doorbell, I hear footsteps, and Anne opens the door. She has a smile on her face, but when she sees my expression, she frowns.

"What did you do?"

"I came here to talk to my friend if you don't mind."

She winces. "I do mind. You're my friend, too."

I shake my head. "I don't think you'll be on my side if I tell you what's going on."

"What a baby. Come in." She grabs my arm and pulls me inside.

We go back to their swimming pool. That's one thing I regret not getting for my house. I was worried about the maintenance or even the danger if I had kids someday. In the end, I let my fear rule me and didn't have one built. Max is swimming laps and overall enjoying the cool water. When he sees me, he snaps his head, shaking water out of his hair, and comes up to the side of the pool.

"You got here fast."

"It's sort of an emergency."

"When is girl trouble an emergency?"

"How do you…"

"Go get yourself a drink, and pour me one as well."

I go to the bar and do as he says. I toss back the first drink like it's water, then pour myself another. Don't get drunk, asshole. That's the last thing I need right now. Max gets out of the pool and dries himself with a large towel. He's still dripping when I hand him his drink. He waves a hand at the chaise lounges, and he and his fiancé sit next to each other and look at me expectantly.

"I'm in trouble."

"Is this about the beautiful woman staying with you?" Max teases.

"She's the only woman I've ever loved," I confess.

"I don't see the problem then, Nelson," Anne adds.

"I can't love two things at once."

"Says who?"

"Back when we were together, Brandy was my whole world. Only after I went away to college was I able to see beyond what we had. And I found that I wanted other things as well. After two years in college, I chose my career and broke things off with her. Now she's here, and she's getting into my head again. She's all I can think about."

I think about my work week and keep up with the confessions.

"I had to work today because I'd been too distracted during the week to finish my tasks. And every day, our connection gets stronger. I don't know how to stop it."

"What is your main concern, Erik?" Max asks, always going straight to the point.

"That I drop the ball with our business. We're starting to grow, and soon, we'll have other locations. I don't want to let you or Theo down."

"I don't know, Erik. I don't think love should be an all-or-nothing proposition. Have you talked to her about this concern?" Anne asks.

"Maybe I should ask her to leave," I whisper.

The moment I say it, I know it's the wrong thing to do. Max and Anne look at me anxiously.

"The less contact I have with her right now, the better. Or I'm liable to take her to bed." I feel the sun on my cheeks and avoid Anne's eyes.

"You know, you might have been distracted this week, but I've never seen you in a better mood. Why don't you give love a chance?" she says.

"Right now, you're inside your own love story. Of course, you'd say that."

"I guess being happy gives you a brighter outlook, but I think you're making things more complicated than they should be."

I stare at her, missing her point.

"Brandy is an amazing woman. You'd be lucky to have someone like her fall for you."

"She's a small-town girl. She's not used to life in a city as vibrant as Miami."

"So take her out, show her. She's an adult who can make her own choices."

"I don't want to fall in love with her again."

"Looks to me like you're halfway there already, brother," Max says.

I go to the bar and mindlessly serve myself another drink. Hearing Max and Anne talking in the background is soothing, so I sit in one of their lounge chairs and try to make sense of what I'm feeling right now. As a teenager, Brandy was a mixed bag of outrageousness and calm. She'd get these strange ideas that she thought would change the world and then planned to carry them out in the best possible way.

She helped shelter animals, disabled kids, and even the elderly. I wonder what she'd be like if let loose here in Miami. The truth is, I'm terrified of loving such a woman. She'd challenge me and expect me to rise to those challenges. I don't know that I could live up to that. Plus, she's capable of such love. What if I can't love her back the way she deserves?

Anne makes it sound so easy. How would things look if they were easy? I would just let Brandy into my heart and never look back. But life doesn't work like that. Besides, I don't even know how she feels about me. How would I feel if she only wanted a distraction? Be her boy toy for a few months and end it when she goes back to Woodland Falls.

Could I do something like that? I've done it before with other women. I'd have to talk things over with Brandy, but every time I look at her, I just want to ravish her. I finally focus and realize I am alone in my friend's back yard. They are in the kitchen fixing dinner.

"Hey, you're back," Anne says with a smile on her face.

"Is there anything that I can help with?"

"Go get Brandy so she can have dinner with us."

I nod and walk back to my house. I don't find her on the first floor, so I go looking for her in her bedroom. When I get close to her room, I hear her moans of pleasure, and I freeze in place. I put my ear against the door like a creepy stalker, but her moans are making my cock harden.

"Yes, right there, don't stop."

For a moment I think she's with someone, but her next words have me at full mast immediately.

"Oh god, Erik, please."

I swear I almost rush in, but this is a private moment for her, and I don't want to interrupt. Okay, I want to tear open the door and take her. Then she screams my name when her climax hits her, and I come undone. I can't stay away from her for a moment longer, and I open the door to her room without her permission.

She looks gloriously spent. One hand covers one of her breasts, and the other covers her pussy. Her eyes look glazed, and she has this goofy smile on her face. I take a step forward, and she notices the movement, but she doesn't move to cover herself or act surprised that I'm invading her personal space.

"I had a fantasy about you, Erik," she whispers, "and it was earth-shattering. I wonder if the real thing can compare."

My throat is so dry I can't speak. All I do is stare at her in this state and make the decision I've been struggling with. She's going to be mine tonight.

"Let's find out."