Текст книги "Don't Let Go"

Автор книги: Michelle Lynn

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Chapter 22

My mom has called a couple dozen times today. I still haven’t picked up; I don’t even want to mend this fight. After Brady dropped me off last night, I told Jessa the whole sordid story. All she said was ‘Fuck him. I know he’s your dad, Sadie, but what a jackass.’ I couldn’t agree with her more. Then she took me to the cafeteria and we gorged on junk food.

I have already been to the financial aid office this morning, where I was informed that I don’t qualify because of my parents’ income. They told me that a student loan would be the best way, handing me a pamphlet with some names and numbers. After calling a few numbers, I found out that it will be virtually impossible to have the paperwork done since I only have less than two months before second semester starts. I’m probably going to have to take my final semester off, and maybe everything will be handled by the summer. Then I can graduate next winter.

I look at my watch and notice I’m running late to meet Brady. He wants to go with me to spin class. I think he’s just worried about me. When he dropped me off last night, he begged me for ten minutes to pack my bags and come home with him. I insisted that I have to do this on my own. I refuse to go from my dad to Brady.

Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I leave the dorm, practically running to the rec center. When I reach the hill, Vodka Vince is sitting on his usual bench.

“Hiya, Sadie,” he says.

“Hi Vince, how are you today?” I ask, trying to sound unrushed.

“Seen Grant lately?” he questions. Now that he mentions it, I haven’t. Ever since Brady and I got serious, I haven’t gone up to the sixth floor or seen him anywhere else.

“No, I haven’t,” I admit.

“Because of your boyfriend?” For the first time, Vince stares right at me. Something seems different about him today.

“I guess. I spend a lot of time with him,” I say, shrugging.

“Do you love your boyfriend?” Why is he asking me such personal questions?

“Yes,” I honestly answer.

“That’s good.” He smiles. “Well, I see you’re on your way somewhere, get to it.” He motions with his hand to continue down the sidewalk.

“It was nice talking with you, Vince. Take care,” I say, breaking out into a full sprint to get to the rec center on time.

I get to the doors of the building and run right into Brady’s chest. “I was getting worried,” he says, catching me by both arms.

“Sorry…I got held up,” I respond, trying to catch my breath.

“It’s almost starting, let’s go.” I’m happy he doesn’t ask me for more details about my tardiness. I know how he feels about Vince.

We enter the room and the instructor is already there. I’m thankful it isn’t Chad again, but am disappointed that it’s some girl in tight, spandex biker shorts and a small sports bra. She has a spectacular body, all tanned and toned. I notice her eyes following Brady from the door to our bikes. It isn’t the first time I have seen that look from the female population when it comes to my boyfriend. Can I really be offended? They have good taste.

I help Brady set up his bike and he admires me as I’m bent over by making sly comments about my ass. I playfully push him back and he exaggerates losing his footing. We get on our bikes and he starts to change the gears, and I have a feeling this is not his first spin class.

“Brady Carsen!” I quietly chastise him.

“What?” He looks at me sheepishly, knowing he just got caught. “It was too enjoyable, watching you bend over and press your ass against me,” he jokes.

“I thought I heard your annoying laugh,” a female says, stopping beside his bike.

“Maura!” Brady announces, obviously surprised to see her.

“Why on earth are you taking this class? Shouldn’t you be running on the hamster wheel or something?” she teases him and when she finally comes into view, I’m surprised to see who it is.

“I’m here with my girlfriend,” he tells her and leans back on his bike, revealing me.

“Sadie?” she asks, and I have never been so happy to hear my name.

“Well obviously, Maura,” he says, sounding annoyed.

“Sadie.” He looks over at me. “This is my sister, Maura,” he introduces. “Maura, this is Sadie, my girlfriend,” he finishes the introductions.

“Shut up! You’re his girlfriend?” she screeches.

“Yes,” I answer, just as shocked.

“Maura, what the f…?” Brady questions her tone.

“Oh, stop worrying so much. I met her last week at a class. Well, I technically didn’t meet her but we chatted.

“I can only imagine what about,” Brady says, rolling his eyes.

“It would have been a lot more if I would have known she was the infamous Sadie,” Maura answers and takes the bike on the other side of me.

“Just keep the stories to yourself,” Brady tells her seriously, giving Maura a look.

“So, Sadie. Tell me about yourself.” She turns my way, ignoring Brady.

“Um…” I stutter. Then the instructor interrupts us, starting the class. I can’t help the feeling of relief that flows through me. How do you tell your boyfriend’s sister you just got disowned by your parents?

“Pst…Brady,” she loudly whispers.

“What?” Brady answers with annoyance in his voice.

“I need to talk to you after class, something about...” Brady nods his head before she finishes, and then she looks over at me and gives me a small smile before facing forward to concentrate on the class.

I have to admit, watching my amazing boyfriend do a spin class leaves me breathless in more than one way. I want to grab him and run into the locker room to have my way with him in the shower. His silence throughout the class surprises me. Night and day to him in the bedroom. He makes no grunts or noises, just steadily completing the work out. If it wasn’t for his drenched shirt and body, you would have thought the spin class was nothing to him.

After the class, I grab my towel and rub the sweat off me. Sipping out of my water bottle, I notice the playful Brady is gone, replaced by a very serious one. He makes no jokes about my shirt clinging to me, outlining my body. Quietly, he sips his water and stares at Maura. They seem to be having a conversation with no words. Theo and I could do that; I had always thought it was a twin thing but I guess it’s a sibling thing. Before I can ask any questions, Maura says, “It was nice meeting you, Sadie. Brady should bring you over to the house so you can meet the kids and hubby.” She embraces me into a sweaty hug and turns to Brady, doing the same before leaving.

“Sorry about that,” Brady apologizes.

“Why would you be sorry? What a coincidence that I met your sister last week,” I remark, following Brady out the doors.

“She’s a little…excitable.” He stands to the side of the door, allowing me to go first. When we get out to the hallway, I see Kara talking with Maura and I know my shoulders slump and I let out an exasperated breath.

“Oh, look who it is.” I roll my eyes in annoyance. “She knows your sister?”

“Yeah, well…remember I told you, she’s a family friend,” Brady answers and walks us over to the last place I want to go.

“Brady!” she exclaims, swiftly making her way over to us, embracing him. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

He slowly removes her arms from his neck and says, “You remember Sadie, my girlfriend?” He reaches his arm around my waist. One of the things I love about Brady is that he’s always forthcoming to people that we are a couple.

“Hi, Sadie,” she leers my way and gives me a once-over before her eyes land back on him.

“So I hear you are playing Grant’s frat party this weekend?” she asks and my head shoots up to him as he glances down at me.

“Oh, how is Grant?” Maura questions Brady.

“I’m only playing it because of the money. Rob booked it. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t play for those fucking douches.” Brady’s voice is full of hostility.

“You really need to let it go, Brady,” Maura says sympathetically and Brady gives her the same shut-your-mouth look that he did earlier.

“Anyway,” she says, clearly irritated. “I need to get back to the kiddos. I swear girls, when you become a mother you will wonder what you did with all that time before them,” she jokes, waving good-bye.

“Bye, Maura,” all three of us say in unison.

“So, can I come to the party?” Kara eagerly asks, and I wonder why she’s asking Brady’s permission.

“Call Grant, I’m sure he’ll let you in,” Brady says with no emotion.

“But I could just come with you and the band,” she whines and it dawns on me that she is asking Brady to bring her to the party. Um…no.

“Kara, you can ask one of the guys if you want. Sadie and I will only be there to play and then we are leaving right after,” he reveals and I look up at him, surprised for the second time in this short conversation. Not only did I just find out I’m going to a frat party, but Brady has already decided how long I’ll be staying as well.

“You used to always take me. Remember, Brady? It was always you and me.” She glares at me.

“Well, now it’s me and Brady. I’m sorry Kara, but we have to get going.” I loop my arm through Brady’s, walking us forward. “See you later.”

We get down the hall and Brady leans into my ear, “I like this jealous side of you.”

“There’s something about her Brady I don’t like,” I admit.

“She’s just a young girl, trying to be something she’s not,” he says. He is blind to her infatuation. “Come home with me and show me how much I’m yours,” he requests.

“Gladly,” I say and stop outside the doors to kiss him.

Chapter 23

I finally pick up my phone when my mom calls me for the millionth time. It’s Wednesday and I have punished her unfairly for too long. She’s not the one I have a problem with.

“Hi, Mom,” I answer.

“Sadie,” she sighs and releases a breath. “Finally.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, I should have called you,” I apologize.

“You should have or at least answered your phone. But now that I have you, I don’t care. How are you?” she asks.

“Okay.” I respond, letting her have her say so I can get off the phone.

“I put money into your account today,” she reveals.

“You didn’t have to. I will manage but… thank you,” I quietly express my appreciation.

“Yes, I did. Listen sweetie, I’m coming out this weekend. Don’t try to talk me out of it. I have some things to talk to you about. I won’t be there until Saturday afternoon. I’m only staying one night and then coming back. Your dad thinks I’m going with Audrey to the city for the night.”

“Mom, really, it isn’t necessary. I’m going to get a job…”

“Sadie, I’m coming. You will not talk me out of this. Please be at your dorm around two o’clock,” she interrupts me.

“Okay, Mom,” I grudgingly agree.

“Great, see you then. Love you, Sadie,” she says.

“Bye, Mom,” I reply.

The whole conversation is short and weird, and I can’t imagine what she possibly has to talk to me about. My whole life has been her fulfilling my dad’s wishes. He is the alpha male and head of our household. You don’t dare cross him and I did just that. He holds the checkbook and doles out the money to what and whom he sees fit. My mom has always been given an allowance every month and nothing more. I remember Theo and I sitting at the top of the stairs when we were little, hearing my parents fight over what she spent.

My mom had grown up with money. She was the heir to a multi-million dollar real estate company. But when her father got sick, he had to assign the responsibilities to someone and ultimately signed the company over. Since her mother had died during childbirth and my mom was an only child, there was no one else to leave it to. My grandpa chose my dad, assuming he would be a better fit than his own daughter. That was ten years ago and my dad has reaped the rewards ever since. Obviously, my dad was an educated, wealthy man but after grandpa left him the already established company, he turned filthy rich and instantly changed into someone I didn’t recognize.

Regardless of my dad’s personality shift, my mom has remained on his arm, always smiling and laughing at his jokes while following his directives as though she was his employee. They would go on vacations, leaving Theo and me with our grandma on holidays, always buying us anything we wanted to make up for abandoning us. So I’m curious to why now she is so concerned about me.

I try to push that aside; I can deal with it this weekend. I have an errand to run. Jessa and I went to the thrift store today and I bought Vince a gift. It’s gotten cold and I honestly can’t stand the thought of him sleeping outside without a jacket. Walking up the hill, I spot him on his usual bench overlooking the field. When I get closer, I see Grant next to him, talking.

Going back and forth in my head if I should stay or go, I decide to stop. Grant gave me no reason to feel uncomfortable talking to him. “Hi, Vince. Hi, Grant,” I say, giving a wave of my hand.

“Hiya, Sadie,” Vince says in return.

“Oh…hey, Sadie,” Grant states.

“I just wanted to drop this off for you, Vince.” I hand him the parka I bought, along with gloves, a scarf, and a hat.

“Thank you, Sadie.” Vince voice sounds grateful, making me relieved. I didn’t want to offend him.

“That was nice of you,” Grant adds, not looking straight at me.

“Take a seat.” Vince shrugs the jacket on and pats the seat next to him.

“I didn’t know you knew one another?” Grant questions and I nod my head.

“This is on my way to and from the dorm so…” I trail off.

“Oh. Brady’s okay with it?” he whispers in my ear so Vince doesn’t hear and I briefly wonder why he cares.

“Probably not, but that isn’t going to stop me,” I reply.

“Brady’s really private, Sadie. I think you should tell him,” he says and I quirk an eyebrow in confusion.

“So, Vince. I should probably get going, but I’ll be on my way back in a couple hours. Can I bring you a coffee or anything?” I ask, ignoring Grant. Since when does he care about what Brady thinks? The whole dynamic between him, Brady, and Kara is increasingly getting on my nerves.

“I’m fine, Sadie. This jacket is more than enough.” He pats my knee in a fatherly manner and I get up to walk away.

I make it a few steps away when I hear Grant’s voice, “Hold up a second, Sadie.”

I turn around, finding Grant lightly jogging my way. “What’s up, Grant?”

“I didn’t mean anything back there. It’s just…I know you and Brady are a couple, and I know the way he feels about Vince.”

“How do you know that, Grant? I thought you didn’t like each other. Remember telling me to stay away from him?” I hammer question after question, mostly because I’m baffled by the whole situation.

“Like I said, Brady’s private. It’s his thing to tell you. I don’t want to interfere but believe it or not, even with our differences, I do care about him,” he admits with concern in his voice.

“Okay,” I draw out, clearly annoyed.

“Sadie, I wish I could tell you more, but,” he looks back at Vince, who takes a sip of alcohol from a small flask, “I can’t.” His face looks truly pained and for the first time since I met Brady, I’m mad at him. I have been letting all the secrets go, believing that when he is ready he will tell me. Now, I feel like I’m the only one in the dark, and the fact that Kara knows more about him than me makes this unbearable.

“Thanks, Grant. I will talk with Brady,” I respond and start to walk away.

“I should have never told you to stay away from him. He really is a good guy, just needs to be reassured of it occasionally” he calls out to my back.

I go to my class and instead of meeting Brady at the Student Center, I text him, telling him I have a meeting at the bank for a loan. I can’t see him right now, afraid of what would come out of my mouth. I walk to a coffee house off campus. I just need to get away from everything. I have been shunned by my family, my boyfriend is keeping something from me, and I have no idea how I’m going to pay for next semester. I came to Western for a trouble-free life and now I have anything but that.

I order a passion tea and take a seat next to the window. Watching all the college students stroll by, I wonder if they have as many problems as I do. Then I shake my head, knowing they do. These problems aren’t new or different than anyone else’s; the problem is, I miss Theo. He would have sat with me, brainstorming on what to do. He would have told me to stop wallowing in self-pity and do something about it. He would have told me to confront Brady and make him tell me what is going on. The longer I sit here thinking of Theo, the more emotional I become and the madder I get at Brady.

Just as I’m about to get up from my seat, I spot Brady walking on the other side of the street with a woman. I squint my eyes to get a better look and realize it’s the same middle-aged woman I saw having lunch with Vince that day. She laughs at something he says and gently touches his arm and he turns back to her, smiling.

Rage starts to flow through my whole body and I can’t help but follow them. I try to remain calm but the more I see them laugh, the worse the feeling gets in my stomach. Is this what Grant was talking about? They end up outside Shubert Hall, the music building. They embrace in a hug and she kisses him on the cheek before they part. It’s all I can do not to run over there, screaming like some crazed psycho to stay away from my man.

I turn around, starting to make my way back to the dorm. Then I change my mind. I’m sick of being pushed around; Brady will answer my questions now. Turning back the way I just came, I stomp around the building and stop abruptly, speechless to see who Brady’s with.

Sitting on the same bench I just occupied a few hours prior, Brady talks with Vince. Not wanting to make a scene in front of Vince, I sit down on the bench behind them across the parking lot. Their mannerisms toward one another appear comfortable, yet standoffish at the same time. Brady sits on the far opposite side of the bench, with his forearms resting on his legs. Even from this distance, you can feel the tension between them. Suddenly, I figure out something I should have a long time ago. I may not have all the answers but I know one for sure. How did I never notice those same deep-set caramel eyes or long eyelashes? Vince is Brady’s father.

Almost as soon I come to the realization, Brady stands up and turns around in my direction. I stand still, as though if I move it will give me away. His eyes find mine and he instantly realizes that I know his secret. He closes his eyes slowly, no doubt wishing I would have found out differently and I wish I would have, too. I’m not sure if he mumbles something or not, but Vince turns around and smiles my way. He touches Vince’s shoulder before he heads in my direction. My heart races and my breathing is erratic until he touches me. The minute Brady’s hand touches my arm, I instantly calm. How does he have this effect on me?

“I’m sorry I haven’t told you, Sadie,” he whispers.

“Why didn’t you?” I ask, unsure of the question coming out.

“I was embarrassed. I don’t want you to think I will end up like that.” He glances back over to Vince.

“I shared everything with you, Brady. Why didn’t you give me the same courtesy?”

“I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know how.”

“You just say it, Brady. You just spit it out,” I say, my voice escalating.

“Are you going to break up with me?” he asks and my heart breaks.

“Of course not,” I assure him, placing my hands on either side of his face. “But you need to start explaining some things.”

Chapter 24

Brady grabs my hand and leads me away from Vince, who surprisingly has turned around to resume staring out at the field. The apprehension rolls off of Brady and I can tell he’s worried. I remember my own insecurities when I told him about my past. I know I need to reassure him like he did me. That no matter what he tells me, it won’t change my feelings for him.

“Brady, let’s go somewhere private, just us,” I request, remembering how he held me the whole time I told him my secrets.

He stares down at me for what seems like minutes and then says, “I want to show you something first.” Then he turns us in another direction and goes right into Shubert Hall.

I tense when we walk through the doors that I just saw the mystery woman walk through. He walks me down the hallway, passing auditoriums filled with different instruments and classes being conducted. He stops us in front of a wall, filled with pictures of professors and deans, current and past. A picture of a cleaner, more well-kept version of Vince is positioned high on the wall with the label ‘Dean Vince Carsen’ under it.

“Obviously, you already figured it out. Vodka Vince is my dad,” he says and I see him wince, referring to his father by that name. “He chooses to live on the streets instead of staying with me or Maura. He worked here until last year, but when the drinking got too bad, they forced him to retire. They tried to work with him, but he left them no choice.” His voice is quiet. Staring at the wall, I notice the picture of the woman that just walked in. She looks a couple years younger in her picture, which identifies her as Professor Jeanine Billings.

“Who’s that?” I point to her picture on the wall. I pray he tells me the truth.

“It’s Kara’s mom,” he informs me.

“Oh.” I don’t know what else to say. I hope the mother doesn’t feel the same way about Brady as her daughter.

“Yeah, I’ll get to all that in a second,” he assures me. “So, my dad has always enjoyed his cocktails but became a full-fledged alcoholic after my mom left us. I was sixteen when it happened and Maura was completing her doctorate. Although she lived at the house, she was rarely home. She and Brandan, her husband, had just met so she spent most of her time with him, leaving me with my dad. I kept his secret the best I could, taking care of him and getting him to bed. At first he could function during the day, only getting smashed at night. Like the movie “Groundhog Day”, he would wake up and do the same thing the next day. But then it got out of control. He stopped coming home at night and then a year and a half ago, he left all together, living in shelters and on the streets. The only time I see him now is when I come to visit him here or get a call from the police. Maura and I run interference the best we can, but he refuses our help in any way and won’t go to rehab.” He walks me out of the building and I see his car parked in the lot. “Will you come with me?” he asks.

“Always,” I try to reassure him, squeezing his hand in mine.

We get in his car, unsure of where we’re going. “I’m sorry, Brady, for what you have to go through.” I don’t want to try to solve his problems, I just want to listen.

“Thank you. I handle it better now. When I saw you leave money for him that day, I wanted to run over there and rip the money from him. I knew what he would use it for. That’s why I told you to stay away. I didn’t want you wasting your money or your time on him.” Anger fills his voice. We sit in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until Brady starts talking again. “He told me about you,” he says, his voice a little calmer.

“He did?” I ask, shocked.

“Yeah, I guess after he saw you with Grant, he asked him and Grant told him we were together. He really likes you.” He looks my way, giving me a half smile.

“I like him, too,” I say.

“Thanks for getting him the coat and stuff. I try to get him to stay in shelters during the winter, but he’s stubborn and you have to be sober and usually…he isn’t.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Where does Grant come into this?” I ask.

“Oh…well, that brings up a whole other problem.” He turns his face to me and then starts. “Grant and I were friends since childhood. Up until my mom left, we were inseparable,” he confesses, and I notice we’re pulling up to his house.

“What happened then?”

“His dad was a professor of music as well. Long story short, my mom left with his dad. They were having an affair. Grant’s mom died a few years before, so my mom and dad would go over and help Grant and his dad out. I guess somewhere during that time, they fell in love or some shit.” The anger in his voice appears again. “They decided to move to Florida and Grant didn’t want to go down there so he stayed up here. My dad let him live with us, but I was so pissed at him for what his dad did that he eventually moved in with Kara’s parents. That’s where she comes in. All of our parents were professors of music and we’ve known each other our whole lives.” Finally, I have some answers.

“I saw you earlier, with Kara’s mom,” I admit.

“Why didn’t you say something?” He looks curious but then understanding dawns on him.

“Oh shit, Sadie. I was just telling her about Kara calling me all the time. She said she would talk to her. I swear to you, nothing is going on there.” He shakes his head, exiting the car and walking to my side to escort me out.

“I have one more thing to show you,” he says and takes my hand, leading me into the house.

“What is it?” I ask.

“You’ll see.” I’m happy that none of the guys’ cars are in the driveway. “Good, I think we are alone,” he says, as though he read my mind.

He pulls me up the stairs until we are outside of the door that leads to the third floor. “I lied to you about this.” He stares down at me, but I nod my head in understanding. Then he puts the key in the lock and turns the knob. He moves so slow and hesitant, I’m not quite sure he’s ready to show me this. Walking up the stairs, a musty smell fills my nostrils. Once we get to the top, I find a master suite that covers the whole top level of the house.

There is a king size bed, dressers, and an armchair and ottoman. There are built-in bookcases in a small corner, filled with books from top to bottom. It’s an amazing room and I automatically envision what it would be like to live in this house with Brady.

“This was my parents’ room. I locked it up after my dad left because I didn’t want anyone else going in there. I don’t want any more lies or secrets between us, so I wanted to show you so you knew the whole truth.”

“It’s beautiful, Brady.” I walk around the room, admiring the space.

“Think about it, Sadie. This could be our room.”

I turn around quickly and wonder how the change of topic happened so fast. “Brady, I told you. I have to stand on my own,” I say, hating to turn him down again.

“You can stand on your own while being by my side. Just keep thinking about it.” His head is down now, staring at the floor.

“I promise, I won’t.” I walk slowly toward him.

“I want you with me,” he says quietly.

“Brady, I’m with you. But I don’t want you to wake up one day thinking ‘Why did I let this crazy girl move in here?’” I say, placing my hand on his cheek.

“You just don’t get it, Sadie. In my whole life, I have never felt like this. Since that moment I saw you, I felt like there was a purpose in my life. I no longer feel alone and I never want that feeling to leave.” He places both his hands on either side of my cheeks. “I knew I was no good for you, but I was too selfish to stay away,” he whispers and bends down to kiss me.

His confession reminds me of the lyrics to one of the songs that he put on my iPod: ‘I now walk alone…’

“Brady?” I ask while he rests his forehead on mine.

“Yeah.”

“When you told me you have never written a love song, what did you mean?”

“Exactly that. I never wrote a love song…at least at that point, I hadn’t,” he answers, smirking down at me.

“Those songs you put on my iPod, they were slow love songs,” I softly argue.

“No, they were slow songs but there was no love in them. I wrote those songs out of pain, not love.” He starts to kiss my neck.

“Oh, and here I thought some girl had completely destroyed you,” I say.

“You’re the only girl that could destroy me,” he admits and I capture his lips.

“I love you,” I murmur against his mouth.

“Say it again,” he requests as his lips make their way down my neck.

“I love you, Brady Carsen,” I whisper again.

“I don’t think I will ever stop wanting to hear you say those words.” He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I confess and lick his neck up to his earlobe. “Now…fuck me, Brady.” I try to say it straight-faced and with a sexy voice.

“Yes, ma’am.” He walks us over to the bed and places me down before climbing on top. “Just think, baby. I could do this to you every night.” He grabs the hem of my shirt, raising it up to expose my blue lace bra. “I could make you come every morning.” He starts to unbutton my jeans and then scoots them down my legs. “Staring at you with only your panties and bra on makes me want to kidnap you and lock you up here until you agree,” he jokes and I giggle in response.

“Why don’t you show me what I get if I decide to move in?” I smile up at him.

“Do you want me to do a strip tease?” he asks, slowly pulling the hem of his shirt back and forth. I scoot to the top of the bed and rest my body against the headboard to enjoy the show.

“I would never deny myself seeing your body,” I answer.

“Well then, baby. I believe you asked me what you would get if you moved in.” He slowly moves his hips side to side, a playful smile spreading across his lips. “You see this flat, amazingly defined stomach?” he teases and I nod in response. “You could touch, rub, kiss, or lick it whenever you want.” He throws his shirt to the floor while kicking his shoes off. “If you move in with me, these smooth, large feet can warm your small ones on cold winter nights,” he continues to talk, slowly taking off his socks and I giggle, enjoying this immensely.

“Hmm…as appealing as it is to see you shirtless with those jeans hanging low, I think I need more convincing,” I say, leaning forward.

“I’ve been waiting to pull out the big guns, baby.” He unbuckles his jeans and undoes his zipper, his eyes never leaving mine. The mood is starting to get more intense and less playful. When his jeans hit the floor, my eyes fixate on him. The tight, grey boxer briefs show me how excited he already is, making the ache grow inside of me. “Ready?” He smirks at me and my eyes jerk up to his.

“Come here, Brady,” I say quietly, motioning with my finger.

“Did I convince you?” he asks and climbs toward me on the bed.

“It’s not just looks, babe. I need to see how you use your body,” I state, surprising myself how easy this feels.