14. Chapter Fourteen

14

Chapter Fourteen

Brittany

R ushing around my apartment to finish getting ready, I’m crossing everything that he’s a few minutes late. I took a power nap with a little too much power. So I’ve been running around like a mad woman looking for a dress that screams ‘classy’ but also ‘bend me over the table and fuck me’. It’s a delicate balance that I’ve perfected over the years. Running into the bathroom to fix my curls I decide to face time my other half to help me.

“Hel— why are you face timing me in your bra and thong Brittany? What if Rhett or Rowan were beside me?”

“Well then I guess they’d have gotten an eyeful. I need help.” Her relaxed demeanor dissipates in an instant. “What’s wrong? Hold on, let me go get Rowan.” She jumps up from the hammock she was lounging in.

“Woah, no. Wait, I need help with what dress to wear for my date tonight.”

Her eyes widen and her brows practically touch her hairline. “Oh, a date.” A curious smile tips her mischievous lips. “A date with?”

I can’t help the laugh that escapes, she’s ridiculous. “A date with a man, an extremely sexy one.”

“You want his dog to play with your cat?” We both fall apart into a fit of laughter. I told her something similar the night of her first date with Rowan.

“Stop. I need something that says take me seriously, but also call me your good little slut, ya know?”

She coughs out a surprised laugh, “No I don’t know because I’d murder Rowan in his sleep if he called me a slut.”

I wave her off, “Yeah yeah whatever, don’t kink shame me Mrs. ‘I like to have sex with my husband outside and see how close to getting caught we can get without actually getting caught.’ Get serious now, he’ll be here in like less than five minutes.”

Clara huffs out an annoyed, “You’re an asshole for bringing that up.” Letting her think for a minute she finally snaps her fingers then points at me, “The maroon dress, the one with the back!”

Oh she’s a genius. “Hold on.” I run out of the bathroom and to my closet where the dress sits in the back of the closet. I love it, but I’ve never worn it. We got it when we were out one night, but I’ve never had a reason to wear it.

Sliding it on, I check myself in my full length mirror before running back to the bathroom. “Okay, this? With the black strappy heels?”

Clara doesn’t say a word so my eyes wheel to my phone to see Clara, Rowan, and Declan staring back at me all speechless. “ Clara! What the hell, I don’t want them all in my business. Just because I forgave your husband for being a prick doesn’t mean he needs to watch me get ready for my date. He’s almost here, Help me!”

Rowan lets out a low whistle as Declan chimes in, “Who’s the date with, Brittany?” His eyes are narrow and serious.

“No one you know, Dec. Now, Clara.”

Clara’s bright smile finally breaks through, “Britt whoever this guy is, he’s going to forget how to breathe. And if he doesn’t you let me know and I’ll put a hit out on him. I’ve got connections.” She throws her thumb out towards her husband. He gently kisses her thumb that’s now in his face. Smiling at how happy she looks with her husband and new family. She truly deserves everything good in the world, and I’m so glad she has the chance to have it now. Even if he’s an overprotective caveman. At least he isn’t anything like her ex.

A knock on the door startles me, “Oh, that’s him, I’ve got to go.”

“Wait, Britt seriously, who is it? How are we supposed to know you’re safe?” The typically ‘tough as nails’ Rowan looks at me with a little concern flashing in his expression.

“A guy I met at work. I’ve got to go guys. I’ll be fine. I love you Clara, bye.” Rowan and Declan both curse under their breaths.

“I love you too Britt.”

Smiling, I disconnect the call and take one more look at myself before going to open the door for Kieran. My dress hits me mid-calf with a slit running up one side to my mid thigh, it’s tight without being too tight, the halter top has a tasteful amount of cleavage. But the back is completely open, stopping just below my dimples that sit on my lower back. The shoelace thin ribbon runs sparingly in criss crosses down my bare back. My black heels and gold earrings, necklace, and bracelet finish off the look. Smiling, I open the door and take so much satisfaction in the way Kieran’s jaw literally drops open. His eyes heat, and the smile melts off his face. A look between awe and torture taking over his face. His eyes roam over every inch of my body. Standing under his scrutiny has me rubbing my thighs together to ease the pressure growing between them.

He looks so handsome that it takes my breath away for a second. I’ve seen him in slacks and dress shirts for work before, but this is different. His charcoal gray dress pants wrap perfectly around his trim waist, long strong legs, and muscular thighs. His black button down shirt fitting him like a second skin showing off his strong and powerful arms.

Finally, he must remember he hasn’t said a single word when he chokes out a quiet, “Perfection.”

He steps into the apartment and takes my face in his hands. Taking a few seconds he just stares at me. “You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He presses his lips to mine in a gentle kiss.

Pulling away from him before we have a chance to get too heated I bring my thumb up and wipe the lipstick that’s transferred onto his bottom lip. “So where are we going, Mystery Man?”

His infamous grin overtakes his face. “I can’t wait to show you. Come on.” I grab my coat and purse before letting him drag me out the door, “Lock the door, Mo Stóirín.” Listening to him I make sure the locks are secure. He grabs my hand and pulls me into the empty elevator. Hitting the button for the garage, he doesn’t even wait until the doors completely shut before he has me against the elevator wall and his tongue is in my mouth.

* * *

Butterflies have been going crazy in my belly, and my heart has been fluttering all evening. Kieran brought us up to the roof of his penthouse where he had an entire romantic dinner set up just for the two of us. Now that we’ve eaten and got through the surface level questions every couple goes through, Kieran leads me to the outdoor couch and we get comfortable. He pulls my legs into his lap and skillfully begins working the straps on my heels before digging his thumbs into the arch of my foot causing me to moan in relief. Desperate to know more about the man I’ve spent multiple nights in bed with, I decide to just ask.

“So, I’ve learned a lot of the basics. But tell me something no one else knows?” His fingers stop and he tilts his head at me thinking.

“Is this the cone of silence? Like are we at that point where what I say stays here or does it go back to Clara still?”

Well, now he has my full attention. Would I tell Clara if he asked me not to? I don’t think so, I tell her everything, but something about Kieran makes me want to keep our conversations and whatever this is we’re doing just to ourselves. “Yeah, I’d say we’re at that point. As long as it goes both ways.”

Kieran takes a second to contemplate that then nods, “I’m an underground fighter. My brothers don’t know, just my best friend Ryan.” Woah, I did not expect that. What do you even say to that?

“Oh, is that why you’re covered in bruises? You lied to me? ”

His head drops in what almost looks like shame, “Some of the reason, I don’t know how much you know of my job, but taking hits is a multiple times a day occurrence for me. I did lie to you though. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tell you yet. I’m sorry.”

Moving over until I’m in his lap, my hands cup his face and move until he’s looking at me, “It’s okay, I get it. I have parts of myself I keep hidden too.”

“I’ll answer any questions you have.” He moves me beside him again and starts rubbing my legs and feet.

“Well, obviously it isn’t safe. How much should I worry? How often do you do it?”

His thumbs dig into my heel massaging absentmindedly, “You shouldn’t worry. I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve never lost. I take hits, but I don’t lose. Usually about once or twice a week.”

I don’t even notice myself biting my bottom lip until he reaches over and gently tugs it from my teeth, “That doesn’t sound like I shouldn’t worry Kie.”

A huge smile takes over his face, “Kie, huh?”

My face heats but before I can answer he continues. “I like the way it sounds coming from you. Use it.”

Giving him a shy nod, I smile at him. “Okay… Can I go to one?”

His brow furrows, “To a fight?”

“No, to a circus. Yes! To a fight.” my laugh rings throughout the open area.

“I don’t know about that. If you really want to I’ll figure it out, but you’d have to swear to stay glued to either mine or Ryan’s side the entire time.”

Holy shit, he’s going to let me go. “I promise. I just want to see that you’re okay.”

He nods before changing the subject. “So what about you? What’s your thing no one else knows?”

My heart plummets, does he know? No, there’s no way he does. Can I trust him enough to let him in? I’m not sure, so I decide to give him just part of my truth.

“My dad just got out of jail, yesterday actually.”

His hands stop rubbing my legs, “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”

I roll my eyes at him, “You heard me, Kieran.”

He smiles at me, “Kie, you call me Kie now. Are you okay? Have you talked to him?”

It’s all I can do to just shake my head and keep the tears at bay, “No, um he’s not a good guy. He’ll stay on the other side of the country, and I’ll stay here. I haven’t even told Clara that. I just needed to say it out loud.” Leaning my head onto his shoulder the first tear escapes.

We sit in silence as he leans his head on mine and plays with my hair. He’s letting me work through it by myself, but also making sure I know I’m not alone if I want to talk about it. After a while I must nod off on him because the next thing I know, I’m being lifted into his arms and carried. I start to stir when he lays me down. I’m barely able to process his words when he tells me, “Shh, Brave Girl. We’re just getting in bed. Go back to sleep.” The last thing I feel is his warm chest under my cheek and his strong arm wrapped around me.