Choices (11 page)

Chapter 23

I feel as if I’m floating, drifting on water. When I open my eyes, I realize I am in Brody’s arms, and he’s carrying me up the stairs at the cabin.
His arms tighten around me when I startle awake. “Shhhhh. It’s OK. I’ve got you.” His soft voice lulls me back to sleep.

When I wake again, I am lying on Brody’s be
d, fully clothed and alone. I need to take a shower, so I gather my things and head to the bathroom down the hall. I wonder where Brody is.

Standing under the stream of hot
water, I look down at my body, wondering what he sees when he looks at me. Belatedly, I wonder why I am here.
I am delusional to think I measure up to the other girls he has been with.

I dress quickly and return to the bedroom. I feel
much better after a shower and change of clothes. Finding the room empty, I lie back down and promptly fall asleep. My last thought before drifting away is that this is the first night all week that I didn’t talk to Declan.             

Sometime during the early morning hours, I wake to feel an arm around my waist and a body curled into mine. Our legs are tangled, and I am a little uncomfortable in this position. But I don’t move. I don’t move for fe
ar of pushing him away. I smile, realizing that he didn’t leave me alone after all. And I am finally able to sleep peacefully.

We do not wake up until well after noon. When I open my eyes, I become aware of Brody watching me. He is propped up on his elbow beside me
, studying me as if I’m a mystery he is trying to solve. Noticing that I am awake, he smiles brightly. “I was beginning to wonder when you were going to wake up. You slept later than I did.”

“It’s been a long week, and I needed the sleep.” He looks just like I dreamed he would if I ever woke up next to him.
I can’t imagine anything better than this. The sheet is low around his waist, and he doesn’t have on a shirt. I knew he had a tattoo on his back, but he also has one on his chest. It looks like a crest, probably something fraternity related. His hair is mussed and sexy, his face rough and dark. He makes looking this good seem so effortless. But I am suddenly aware of what I must look like to him. I need to brush my teeth and at least tame my hair.

“Hey, I didn’t mind at all. That was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. And I loved waking up next to you, being able to watch you sleep. I still can’t believe you came.” He smiles w
ryly. “I don’t know why you did or why it means so much to me, but I am happy you’re here.”

“Yeah, I bet that’s
what you say to all of the girls.” I didn’t mean to go there, but it was out of my mouth before I could stop it. I keep wondering if I’m just another conquest, someone he will write off when he is finished with me.

His eyes darken despite the morning light. “Quince, I have never brought a girl up here before. This place is special to me and to my family. I never really wanted to bring anyone here
, but I couldn’t get the memory of you in this bed out of my mind.” Man, he’s good.

My eye
s are drawn to his lips while he talks. Full and supple, they look like they were made just for kissing. When I look back into his eyes, they reflect my own desire. “If you want to get out of this bed today, now is your chance. If you keep looking at me like that, we’re not going anywhere.” His smile breaks the tension.

Until now, I didn’t realize how uncomfortable I have been. I just don’t know what to expect. Honestly, I figured he would have pounced on me
last night, but instead, he let me sleep. I sit up and mumble, “If that’s the case, I need to get moving because I need food. I am starving!” I may be little, but eating is high on my list of priorities.

I don’t want to get out of bed with him watching. I hav
e on a cami and shorts, but I’m suddenly feeling self conscious. His smile grows as he realizes my dilemma. “Now, Quince, don’t tell me you’re afraid to get out of bed in front of me after sleeping next to me all night?” He teases.
Asshole
.

“Of course not.
I just didn’t remember where I left my things last night.” I rise to my feet slowly, wishing he would look away. His eyes follow me across the room as I pull clothes from my bag. My cheeks flush, and I work to control my breathing. When I turn back to him, his smile is gone, replaced by a look of raw hunger.

His eye
s narrow, and he threatens, “Go. Go now. Before I drag you back into this bed. I’m trying to take things slowly, but you’re making that difficult to do.”

When I get to the bathroom
, I close the door and lean back against it. My legs are trembling, barely holding me up. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Moving to the sink, I look at myself in the mirror. My hair is loose and wavy, falling over my shoulders and down my back. My eyes are wide, and my cheeks are still pink. I am in way over my head here.

I brush my teeth and hair. I have no idea what we’re doing today, so I put on some
cute shorts and layered tanks. To be honest, I thought he’d just want to stay in bed the whole time. I get the impression he doesn’t do romance. He probably doesn’t have to.

He is already out of bed and getting dressed when I wa
lk in. I watch, captivated, when he raises his arms above his shoulders and pulls his t-shirt over his head. His abdominal muscles are taut and defined. A thin trail of dark hair disappears under his waistband where his shorts sit low on his hips. His legs are long, tan, and muscular. Wearing sports socks, his ankles are fully exposed.
My gosh, even his ankles are sexy.
My eyes travel back up his body and collide with his eyes.

“
Poker face, Quince. Practice your poker face.” He interrupts my inspection. “How am I supposed to think straight with you eye-fucking me every time I turn around?” I gasp at his words.
He has some nerve.

“You wish.” I try to cover my embarrassment. “Let’s go eat. I can’t wait to go exploring outside.” Turning around, I
walk out of the room. It’s true. I know it is. There is something about him that I cannot resist, and it makes me wonder if I ever really wanted to.

Brody joins me in the kitchen a few minutes later. I am drinking water and wondering what we will eat when he informs me, “Hey. I went to the store
last night and got us a few things. We have cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bacon, and pretty much whatever you want.” I am shocked for two reasons. First, what he did was very thoughtful. Second, I can’t imagine a store very close to here. That explains where he was last night.

Since he went through all of the trouble buying groceries, I decide to cook for him. I’m not much of a cook, but I have helped my mom in the kitchen. I wave my hand toward a barstool
. “Sit. I’ll whip us up something.”

As I start getting my supplies together, he sits down. There is something very intimate about cooking for someone while they watch.
Trying to think of something to say, I realize that although he has touched me passionately, we’ve never had a real conversation. There is something wrong with that.

“Y
ou’re over thinking things, babe. You have worry written all over your face. Look at me, Quince.” His voice is soft but demanding. I turn to find him standing close to me. Taking my hands in his, he says, “Nothing is going to happen that you don’t want to happen. This doesn’t have to be about sex. Let’s just have a good day and see where it takes us.”

I step away from him, trying to calm my breathing. “Lunch is ready.”

When I lick my dry lips, he groans. He abruptly pulls me back to him, placing his mouth over mine. All of our kisses before were filled with heat and passion, but this kiss is gentle and calming. He steps away. “Now, let’s eat and get moving. I wanted to show you some things today.”

We eat in comfortable silence
, and when we’re done, he helps clear the dishes. “Make sure you put on some good shoes. I plan to take you down by the lake. There is a trail, so you won’t need boots or anything.” I can barely contain my excitement at his words. I’ve wanted to walk that trail since the first time I heard about it. “And make sure you put on sunscreen. You don’t want to get burned today.”

Chapter 24

I run upstairs and pull my hair into a ponytail. Slathering on sunscreen, I pay extra attention to my face, neck, and arms. My skin is pale and sensitive, and if I
do get some color, it’s usually red instead of brown.

When we are ready, we walk to the edge of the woods. I ca
n just barely see the trail between the trees. I wonder how far we are going because wilderness seems to stretch forever in front of us.

Breaking the silence, Brody asks, “So, tell me, Quince. How did you end up at UT?” He seems genuinel
y interested, so I begin telling my story.

“Jenna has always wanted to go to UT. I grew up hearing all about it, and we are so close, I guess her dream kind of became my dream. I didn’t want to stay in Collier, but I
still wanted to be close to my family. What about you?” There is a part of me that cannot believe we are having this conversation.

“My dad is an
alumnus, and my sister is a senior here. I just always assumed that’s where I would go. I grew up visiting my grandparents here at the cabin. I love the mountains, and I have hiked all over this place. It’s just where I wanted to be.” That is the most I’ve ever heard him say. Ever.

We continue to walk and make small talk until w
e step into a clearing. I look around in wonder. There is a small pier that leads out onto a lake. The water is surprisingly clear and inviting. I wish I had brought my bathing suit.

“Yeah.
I knew you’d like this. When I was a kid, my Dad taught me how to fish here.” The tone of his voice tells me how much he treasures this place, and a part of me feels special that he wants to share it with me.

Taking my hand, he leads me onto the pier. We sit at the end, and I remove my shoes. The water is high enough that I can dangle my feet in the water. “This is great, Brody. If this were mine, you wouldn’t be able to keep me away. I would come up here every chance I had.”

“I try to come when I can, but school and work keep me pretty busy. Maybe you can come back up here when there is snow on the mountains.” His words confuse me.
Is he saying we will be together this winter?

“When I first saw the cabin, I imagined how beautiful it would be in the snow.” I really do hope I get to see that.

When we get too hot, we put our shoes on and get back on the trail. The trees shade our way, and the sun isn’t as intense. I’m lagging a little as I am getting tired. But the advantage to walking behind Brody is that I get to appreciate his backside. His hair peeks out and curls around the edges of his cap. He definitely has a nice ass. That has been established. But it’s that tattoo barely showing on his neck that I’d like to see most.

He slows down to wait for me. When I come up beside him, he takes my hand again. I can’t help but compare it to when Declan h
olds my hand. With Declan, it seems so natural, even safe. This, though,
this
feels like electricity passing from him into me. How can a simple touch cause so much chaos in my body?

When we finally return to the cabin, Brody sends me to the living room to wat
ch TV while he gets some things ready for dinner. I don’t know if I am more shocked that we aren’t going out or the fact that he knows how to cook. I listen to him banging around in the kitchen and think that he’s full of surprises.

I know I need to call my mom, so I go upstairs to get my phone. I have 3 text messages – o
ne from Declan and two from Jenna.

Declan: Missed U 2night

Jenna: Going home?

Jenna: Call me :)

Knowing Jenna will freak out if she doesn’t hear from me soon, I text her first. I’m not sure what to tell her yet.

Me: Not home. Will talk later.

When I read Declan’s message, I have mixed emotions. I missed our late night chat, too. I also feel guilty because I’m having so much fun with Brody. But I remind myself that I’m not dating anyone. I am free to do what I want.

Me: Out of town. Missed U 2.

I am wondering what to tell Jenna because I know she will ask. I have never lied to her, and I won’t start now. My phone beeps, and I smile when I read her message. She is so predictable.

Jenna: Where R U?

Me: Have fun, Jenna :)

Jenna: Quincy!

I finally call my mom. She seems tense, and I can only imagine what Katie has done now. When I ask, she is vague. But I know enough to know that something is wrong. We’ve all learned how to keep secrets. Even when they hurt.

Chapter 25

When I go back downstairs, Brody is sitting on the sofa watching TV. I wander over and sit next to him. He puts his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “Hey, I’m not going to bite.
Remember, nothing will happen that you aren’t ready for.” He mistakes my mood for nerves.

Wanting to reassure him and needing his touch, I turn toward him and move across his lap. Straddling him, I look into eyes the color of the ocean. I lean forward and brush my lips l
ightly across his. Closing my eyes, I deepen the kiss. His tongue slides across my lips and into my mouth. Reaching behind me, he pulls the band from my hair. When my hair falls forward, he wraps his hand in it, pulling me closer. He takes control of the kiss, and I feel him between my thighs. He groans and pushes his hips into me. “Damn, girl. What are you doing to me?”

“Touch me, Brody.” My body is on fire, heat flowing through my veins.
An ache builds between my legs. This is not enough.

He quickly shifts my body and stands with me
cradled in his arms. His mouth never leaves mine as he walks up the stairs. I wrap my arms around him, needing him closer. He gently lays me on the bed. “Slow down, Quince. I want to memorize every detail of your body. I want to know where every freckle is, and I want to kiss every one of them.”

Pushing off the bed, he stands. His eyes never leave mine as he reaches over his head and pulls his shirt off. Slowly, he lowers his zipper and shrugs his shorts off. Standing in front of me with only boxer brief
s on, he is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. His eyes captivate me, and I cannot look away.

Smiling, he crawls over me. “Baby, I am going to come unglued if you keep looking at me like that.” Positioning himself between my legs, he presses into me.
I think I might die if he doesn’t kiss me. Instead, he lowers his head to my neck, and my back arches off the bed. His lips barely graze my chest, his breath heating my sensitive skin. Pushing my shirt up over my stomach, he lowers his head. I gasp when I feel his lips there. I can’t control my breathing, and I struggle to catch a breath. Slowly, so slowly, his tongue tortures me, tracing circles from one hip to the other. I moan when he moves higher.

He leans up
on his elbow and pushes my shirt up. I raise my arms as he pulls it over my head. With one hand he unclasps my bra and slides it over my shoulders. While kissing my neck, his hand moves to my zipper, gently pulling it down. When he begins to tug my shorts lower, I lift my hips off of the bed so he can remove them. Kicking them off with my foot, I realize how exposed I am.

I move to cover my breasts with my arm, but he pulls it away. “Oh, no, baby. I want to see every beautiful inch of you.
Every. Single. Inch.” He punctuates each word with a kiss, and I writhe beneath him.

After kissing his way down my stomach, he
backs away. This time, when he lowers his head, he kisses my inner thigh. I say his name. I don’t know how much more I can take. He continues kissing, licking his way up my thigh. Reaching above his head, he begins sliding my panties down over my hips. As he pulls them down, he leans back, until he is kneeling between my legs. “My God, you are beautiful. And you have no idea. No idea what you do to me. I don’t deserve this.”

He settles over me, and our bodies meld together from head to toe. His kiss takes my breath away. I open my legs for him, wrapping them around his waist.
“Brody, please.” I don’t know how to tell him what I need, so I reach for his waistband, and tug it down. Pushing himself up, he helps push them down and off.

When he begins kissing me, I can feel him against me. “Quince, if you want to stop, say it now. If we go any fu
rther, I’m going to lose my mind.”

I stare up into his face, unblinking. A lock of hair is hanging across his forehead, and his lips are swollen from our kisses. I run my hands down his back. H
is breathing is labored and rough. Unable to speak, I nod my head. Kneeling between my legs, he reaches over me to the bedside table. I hear the sound of plastic tearing, and I watch, entranced, as he rolls the condom on and lowers himself onto me.

When he kisses me this time, he is so gentle it hurts. He slows
the tempo of our movements, allowing me to feel every touch. He is sweating, and he smells like the woods. I am lost in this moment.

When I feel him
against me, I tense. “Baby, relax. I’m going to take it slow. Open your legs for me.” I allow my legs to fall open, and his hands move under me to cup my hips. He continues to kiss along my neck as he presses into me. There is some discomfort, and I hold my breath. When he pulls my hips into him, I feel a sharp pain. I flinch and release my breath. He lies still on top of me while continuing to caress my body. His kisses relax me as I adjust to his body. Desire flares within me, and I wrap my legs around him. He moves his hips slowly, and the pain fades into pleasure. Skin to skin, lips to lips.

Pressure begins to build
, and I cry out as I explode from the inside out. Brody tenses, pushing his hips into me hard, and I feel him shudder as I run my hands down his back. Pulling me with him, he rolls off of me. We lay there, holding each other, until our breathing becomes even. “Let me go take care of this.” He stands, removes the condom and throws it away. I cannot take my eyes off of him, afraid that if I blink, I will realize this has all just been a dream.

Coming back to bed, he crawls in beside me and pulls me close to his side. “Are you alright, Quin
ce? The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you.”  He sounds concerned, anxious even.

“Brody
that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.” Jenna had told me that with the right person, it could be beautiful. And it was.

“Me, too, babe.”
He kisses the top of my head and hugs me tighter. “Me, too.”