Love Song Series Box Set (33 page)

“You want to know what made me fall in love with you?”

His words send a shockwave throughout my body. I’m so stunned that it’s impossible to answer him.

“It was when Julie told me about the gingerbread man cookies. You made six different batches, until you got them just the way Jenny wanted them. She said you never complained, just threw each batch away and started another.” He smiles as he leans into me. “Then, there was the time that Julie spilled wine on her dress at one of your mom’s fancy dinner parties. She was afraid your mom would give her shit about being clumsy, so you poured a glass down the front of your dress, just so you would match.”

“How?” How did he know these things?

“You’re not the only one who read letters. Every single one of Julie’s letters was filled with stories about you. I fell in love with those stories and with you.”

I let his words sink in, filling my heart to bursting. Just before I blurt out yes, the thought of him at Missy’s house flashes from my mind. “What about Missy?”

A guilty blush floods his face. “It wasn’t what you thought.”

“I know what I saw.” What I didn’t see myself, Missy made sure tell me. I try to pull away, angry that he is lying.

He refuses to let me go, pulling me even closer to him. “After seeing you with Shane, I thought there was no chance for anything between us. I had already fucked up so bad, I didn’t figure you would ever want to have anything else to do with me.”

He goes quiet for a moment, before finishing his story. “I met her at a bar. She did everything she could to get my attention. I won’t lie to you; I went to her house, planning to take her to bed. Shit happened, but not what you’re thinking. I couldn’t do it, because every time I looked at her all I could see was you.”

“Then why were you still there?” I ask, even though it is really none of my business. I shouldn’t be jealous, when I had been on a date with Shane less than twenty-four hours ago.

He shakes his head, obviously frustrated with himself. “I ended up drinking too fucking much and passing out. What you walked in on was me waking up with a hangover, nothing more.”

“Are you sure?”

He leans down, just enough to kiss my temple. “Hell yeah, I’m sure. There was only you for me, and I knew that the moment I saw your face in that picture. I love you, Bethany. I always will.”

I want to beg him to say it again, to prove that he means it. Instead, I kiss him. For the first time in my life, I kiss a man first. “Yes, I will marry you.”

Chapter Nine

Less than an hour after agreeing to marry Brandon, I’m standing in the middle of Julie’s bedroom, sliding on one of her dresses. It’s deep purple with a slit that runs nearly to my panties. The V in the front shows more than a glimpse of my boobs. To say it is not a typical wedding dress would be an understatement.

“I knew that dress would look perfect on you,” Julie says, zipping up the back for me. “You are going to look beautiful.”

The door flies open, causing us both to jump, before Kristen walks into the room. She has a pair of silver sling-backs dangling from her hand. “I brought shoes.”

Thank goodness. I wore my flip flops over today, and Brandon refused to let me go home to get something different. This might not be a typical wedding, but I will not get married in flip flops. Considering Julie’s shoes are two sizes too big, Kristen is a life saver. “Thanks, Kris.”

She smiles before plopping down on the bed. “I cannot believe we are going to be related.”

Her words turn in my mind, and I realize, for the first time, I am going to be Julie’s sister, Kristen’s cousin, and Brandon’s wife. “I won’t be a Daniels anymore.”

“Nope,” Julie says with a huge smile. “You will be Bethany Walker.”

My own smile appears as I repeat my new name. “Bethany Walker. I like the sound of that.”

“I do too,” Brandon says as he steps through the door Kristen left open.

“Get out of here,” Kristen orders, jumping from the bed. “You can’t see her before the wedding.”

Brandon looks at Kristen and rolls his eyes. “I saw her an hour ago, so I don’t think seeing her now is going to change anything.” His eyes move to me and travel over my body. “And what a sight you are.”

I feel my cheeks heat up as I look into his blazing eyes. “Thank you.”

He walks forward, stopping toe to toe with me. “I just wanted to let you know that the preacher is here, and that Mr. Friedman just got back with the marriage license.”

“I’m so glad he knew somebody at the courthouse. If not, you never would have gotten one on a Sunday,” Julie says, reminding us all how much Mr. Friedman has done to help us.

Brandon nods at her words before bending down to kiss me. He starts out with feather soft touches against my lips, and then uses his teeth to pull them open. His tongue turns over the same spot that his teeth had just been, easing any pain that he may have caused, before finally plunging into my mouth. He devours me for the briefest of moments before pulling back, giving me another smile and leaving the room without saying goodbye.

Again, his kiss leaves me breathless, aching for something I don’t quite understand. I stare at the door, wanting him to come back and kiss me again. Only Kristen’s words keep me from moving toward the door and chasing him down. “Okay, when did that happen? I thought this was just a marriage to keep you safe. That kiss was not about your safety.”

My filter completely gone, I blurt out things that should be kept private between Brandon and me. “He loves me.”

“What?” Julie says, rocking back on her heels.

“He loves me, and I love him,” I say as I step toward Julie and grab her hand. “I have loved your brother for years.”

Kristen shakes her head in confusion. “You just met him.”

I squeeze Julie’s hand before turning my head to look at Kris. “It was the letters.”

I spend the next few minutes telling them all about how I would sneak Brandon’s letters up to my room and read them over and over. I tell them how I fell in love with him more each time another letter arrived. I also tell them how he felt the same way, how he fell in love with me through Julie’s letters. By the time I’m done, the three of us are crying.

“I don’t know what’s going on in here, but we don’t have time for this. Brother Thomas has to be back to his church in time for afternoon services, so we have to get this show on the road,” Angie says as she steps into the room carrying a bouquet of yellow daisies.

She shoves them toward me. “The flower shop is closed, so I had to steal these out of Julie’s neighbor’s yard.”

I laugh as I take them from her hand. “They’re perfect.”

A minute later, she’s leading me down the stairs with Julie and Kristen following behind us. As we step into the living room, I see everyone I care about. Shane and Pop are standing near the window, talking amongst themselves. Jase is standing beside Mack, holding Jamie against his chest, and both men are speaking with the preacher. Jenny is sitting beside Matty on the couch, leaning into his shoulder nearly asleep.

Brandon, the most important person of all, is leaned against the front door smiling at me. He appears calm and completely in control, but I can tell he was waiting for me and making sure I didn’t get away.

He slowly pushes away from the door and walks over to me. Placing his hands on my cheeks, he bends his head to give me a sweet, way too short kiss. “Are you ready for this?”

“Absolutely.”

He leads me to the preacher, and everyone else follows close behind. “We’re ready.”

The elderly gentleman smiles. “Let’s get started then.”

Without any preamble, the preacher begins. “We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the company of your family and friends, to join together Brandon Walker and Bethany Daniels in holy matrimony. If anyone can show just cause why these two may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

I half expect my mother to jump out and scream, “I do,” but the room stays silent, and I let out a relieved breath.

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

For a moment, I worry that no one has told the preacher that my father is not here. I expect to hear silence. Instead, I feel Jase step up behind me. “Her sister and I do.”

My sister… Julie is my sister. Just the idea of it has the smile on my face growing. She had been my sister-in-law before, but this time is different. This time, there is no Dean around to ruin everything.

“Brandon, do you take Bethany as your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping unto her for as long as you both shall live?

“I do.”

“Bethany, do you take Brandon as your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping unto him for as long as you both shall live?

“I do.”

“Now for the rings,” he says, just before Brandon slips a gold band on my finger. I look at it and smile, wondering what I did to deserve this.

Leaning down to my ear, he whispers. “Its Angie’s, but I’ll get you one of your own soon.”

“I don’t have one for you.” How could I have forgotten?

He smiles before striating to his full height. “I don’t need a ring, Lady Bug. I just need you.”

The preacher nods at Brandon and I, then looks toward our family. “Those, whom God has joined together, let no man try to part. In as much as Brandon and Bethany have joined together in holy wedlock, I pronounce them husband and wife.”

He looks back towards Brandon. “Now, you may kiss your bride.”

Brandon pulls me to him, lowering his head toward mine. He kisses me in a way that leaves no doubt how he feels for me. He is making sure that everyone knows that he didn’t marry me for security, to keep me safe from my parents. He married me because I am his.

He pulls back as those around us start to hoot and holler. My eyes stare into his as the preacher says, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Walker.”

Chapter Ten

“Are you sure you’re okay with me staying here,” Brandon asks as he sits his duffle bag on my couch.

After spending a few hours with our friends and family, we finally came back to my apartment. I’m nervous having him in my space. Other than visits from Jase, Julie, and the kids, and one or two quick pop-ins from Kristen, no one has been inside my apartment. Even when I went on my date with Shane, I met him at the door, but Brandon’s different. He’s my husband.

“I’ve already told you a million times that it’s fine.”

He walks to me and places his hands on my waist. “I don’t mind sleeping in the truck.”

When we first arrived, he told me he planned to crash in his truck. He said that he wanted to give me a little time to get used to having him around before he invaded my space. I wondered why he didn’t just stay with Angie and Mack. Without being asked, he told me that he didn’t want to be that far away from me.

“I want you here. I want you to consider this your home too.” I have no idea where that last part came from, but I mean every word of it. I want this to be a home we can share, not just some apartment that I hide from the world in.

He steps back and looks around the living room. “I remember when Jase and Julie used to live here.”

“According to Jase, it hasn’t changed much.” Judging by the stained country blue carpet and faded yellow walls, I bet it hasn’t changed any in the last ten years.

“No, it looks about the same.” He stares up the stairs, toward the one and only bedroom. “I’ll take the couch if you’ve got a blanket I can use.”

“You’re not coming upstairs?” I don’t know where I got the courage to ask that question. I’m not even sure if I can follow through on the meaning behind it, but I know I want to try.

Almost as if sensing my worry, Brandon wraps his arms around me. “We don’t have to do anything tonight, Lady Bug.”

“But, it’s our wedding night,” I whisper, fighting to keep my courage.

His arms go tight. “It might be our wedding night, Bethany, but we don’t have to do anything. I’m fine with just hanging out. We can let the rest happen naturally, when you’re ready for it to.”

I bite my lower lip, leaning into him before I change my mind. “I want to try. Can we try?”

He hesitates before bringing his lips to mine. “As long as you promise to tell me if you need me to stop.”

“I will.” I will, but I hope that I won’t need him to stop.

“Promise. I said you need to promise.”

Quietly, against his lips, I say, “I promise.”

He begins to kiss me, slowly leading me to the stairs. My fear is so strong that I can nearly taste it, but I push it down and step onto the bottom step. Pulling away from him, I walk up the stairs. I can hear his footsteps and feel his presence merely inches from mine. The level of anxiety inside me grows with each step I take. I refuse to let my fear control me any longer.

Walking through the door, I reach back and pull my hair over one shoulder. “Can you unzip me?”

“Whoa, baby. I think we can go a little slower than that.”

What? Dean always made me take my clothes off as soon as we walked in the room. “But...”

He looks at me in a way that says he understands. “This is me and you. No one else is here. We follow our own rules. As far as I’m concerned, the only rule is that you enjoy everything we do, and I don’t think stripping the minute we walk through the bedroom door is something you would enjoy.”

I slowly let out the breath I’ve been holding since stepping onto the stairs. “Then, what do we do first?”

Pulling me into his arms, he lowers his mouth to mine. “I think all good things start with a kiss.”

Brandon’s lips brush against mine tenderly, and even though we’ve shared several kisses today, I can’t help the tightening of my chest as the anxiety rears its ugly head again. I can’t help wondering if I’ve made a terrible mistake. What if I can’t go through with this, and Brandon sees how damaged I really am then decides to leave? Where would I be then? Would he want to divorce me? Or would he stay with me only out of obligation?

I’m not sure how much time has passed while I’ve been having my own personal freak out, but Brandon brings me back to the moment when he cups my face in his rough hands and tilts my head up. My eyes pop open, and I find his blue depths searching mine. “Bethany, we don…”

I don’t let him finish his sentence. I won’t let him make this choice for me. All of my choices have been made for me. Even
moving here was at Julie’s demand. I know she at least had my best interests at heart, and I’m happier here with her family than I’ve ever been before. I rise up to my tiptoes and crush my lips to his. His hands fall from my face and grip my hips like he’s trying to keep me at a distance. Before I can complain, he slows our kiss, taking control once again.

Long minutes pass as our mouths explore, until slowly, his hands move from my hips. One travels up my spine, sending shivers of pleasure throughout my body, until he reaches the nape of my neck. Meanwhile, his other hand slides down and around, until it’s cupping my ass. Simultaneously, both hands pull me into his body as his lips leave my mouth and trail fiery kisses down my neck. Using the hand there, he easily controls his access to my skin. I’m completely lost to sensation. Nothing has ever felt like this. Nothing.

“Lady Bug, what are you doing to me?” he asks, his voice full of reverence.

I release the death grip I didn’t even realize I had on the front of his shirt and wrap my arms around his body, closing the last bit of distance there was between us. My breath catches when I feel his erection pressing into my stomach, and I have to force myself not to jump away from him. This is Brandon. My Brandon. He’s not going to hurt me.

“Kiss me?” My voice is shaky, and I’m unsure if it’s fear or desire causing it, but he doesn’t hesitate to take my mouth again.

This time, my hands run up and down the hard plains of his back, taking in the contours of his trim waist and broad shoulders. I want more. I need to feel his skin. He feels so warm under my hands, and I want closer to it. I fumble with the buttons on his shirt,
my hands shaking so hard I can barely hold onto the little disks. I groan in frustration, and Brandon laughs.

“Here, let me,” he says, stepping back an inch and deftly removing his shirt. My breath hitches when I get an up close and personal view of perfection. Holy crap, he’s even hotter than I thought the day we went to the circus. My cheeks flush, remembering what I had imagined that day, seeing him holding the baby. “What’s that look for?”

“Uhm… I…” Words won’t come, so I kind of wave my hands in front of him, indicating him and all his muscles.

His laugh fills the room and warms my heart, but it’s not the teasing kind of laugh. It’s one full of joy, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face in response. I feel so free in the moment that, without even thinking, I reach behind my back, unzip the dress, and slip it down my body to pool around my feet. Brandon’s laughter instantly stops, and the look on his face is unreadable. Nervousness starts to settle in as his eyes rake over my body. Oh God, what if he finds me lacking?

“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.”

My cheeks heat at his words, and my hands instantly move to cover myself. I’ve never been able to handle praise. The only person who ever said things like that was Dean, and even then, he used the words like a punishment. Brandon grabs my hands and looks me in the eye. “You don’t have to hide from me. Never hide from me.” A tear rolls down my cheek as I nod.

He moves us toward the bed then picks me up, laying me down carefully. His hand reaches to his belt, and he looks at me with a question in his eyes. He’s waiting to see if I’m okay with this next step, and that courtesy is enough to have me nodding in acceptance. He removes his pants, leaving his boxer briefs in place, though they do nothing to hide the huge bulge. Just looking at it has my mouth as dry as the Sahara. He climbs onto the bed, settling in beside me. My gaze still hasn’t left his crotch. I honestly can’t tell you if I’m scared, in shock, excited, or some crazy combination of them all. I can’t believe this is happening.

Brandon runs his fingertips over the curve of my hip and circles them around my stomach. The motion should tickle, but it doesn’t. Instead, it sends sparks of pleasure rushing through my body. My breath quickens, and my eyes close of their own freewill. His lips find mine, this kiss making every other kiss before pale in comparison. His hands on my body, his lips devouring mine, our tongues dancing together; every last sensation has overwhelmed my senses, and I love it.

“More, please?” I don’t even recognize my voice when I pull away from his kiss, begging for him to help relieve the ache that’s growing. I know what it means, but I’ve never
let
my body feel it. I’ve had pleasure forced on me before; it wasn’t the norm, mostly Dean wanted nothing but his own release. There were times, though, when he would sadistically coerce a reaction from my body. It was those times that hurt the most; that complete betrayal of my own body. I shake the thoughts from my head, desperate to get back into the moment here with Brandon.

My breath hitches when warmth engulfs my nipple. My eyes open and take in the scene. Brandon’s mouth is latched on to my peak, and he is sucking gently. I can feel his tongue roll over the sensitive skin, and at each pass, a jolt of pleasure zips down to my core. Instead of helping the ache, he’s building it up more. He releases me only to lick a trail to my other breast, showing it the same attentions.

“You’ve got fucking perfect breasts,” he praises between licks. “And look at these pretty pink nipples,” he says, rolling one between his fingers while sucking the other into his mouth. I arch my hips, seeking more as low moans fall from my lips. His fingers abandon my nipple and glide down my stomach, causing goose bumps to cover my skin. He lifts his head, looking me in the eye and gauging my reaction when his finger slips just under the waistband of my panties.

I roll my hips up; letting him know without a doubt it’s what I want. And in case that wasn’t enough, I reach for him, looking back into his face, as my hand reaches the waistband of his boxer briefs. I don’t hesitate like he did. I skim my fingers under the band, finding the tip of him with my fingers. A bead of moisture forms, and I gently slide my finger through it before circling him with my hand.

“Fuck…” he growls. “Bethany, you don’t have to…” He trails off as I stroke timidly down his length.

“I want to,” I whisper.

His lips crush onto mine again, and his fingers dip further into my panties, finding my wet slit. He’s gentle with his touch as he explores me. He circles my clit, and then slips his fingers lower, entering me slowly with one thick digit. My breath catches as my walls stretch around him. His thumb finds my clit again, and he works me toward my release. My hand still strokes him, alternating gentle pressure for firm grips, and his hips thrust into my hand. I relish the power I feel bringing him pleasure.

His finger leaves me empty for a moment, but then two push slowly into me. I fight against it, but I’m quickly losing control of my body. My hips work themselves into his hand on their own, my
hand pumps him, and my teeth somehow sink into his shoulder. Finally, I explode.

A scream rips through my throat, and lights flash behind my eyes, temporarily blinding me. Brandon’s hands are rubbing down my spine as he holds me close to his chest. He whispers softly to me as my world tilts back on its axis and the nearly frightening pleasure slowly fades into a pleasant afterglow.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Better than okay.” I smile at him, happier than I have ever been.

I realize my failure to bring Brandon pleasure when he moves, causing his hardness to brush my hip. Wanting to give him what he just gave me, I reach for his length but he pulls my hand away and stands from the bed. Grabbing his pants, he digs in a pocket, and digs out the little square wrapper. My heart stutters, and the previous bliss starts to slither away. Suddenly, thoughts of Dean doing the same thing flitter through my brain.

Brandon hooks his fingers into my panties and pulls them down my legs. Instinctively, my knees fall to the side, keeping my legs closed. The bed dips, and I hear the rip of plastic. I watch as Brandon rolls the condom down his length. Then, Dean’s hand is on my ankle, pulling my legs apart… No, not Dean. Brandon’s, just Brandon. His hand gently spreads my legs. I can feel Dean’s teeth scraping against my thigh before viciously biting down… No, no, no. It’s Brandon’s slight stubble brushing my thigh as he kisses me tenderly. Brandon lays over me, kissing my lips while cupping my cheeks in his hands, his hardness gently rubbing against my core. Then, Dean’s fingers are digging into my cheek while he tortures my mouth.

My brain short-circuits. Every touch, every movement, no matter how gentle or loving Brandon is, seems vicious. Dean poisoned every single thing. I can’t breathe, can’t think. My heart pounds so hard I think I might die. Tears pool behind my eyelids as my nightmare comes to life

Dean knees my legs open further and lines himself up. Before he can enter me, I scream. I fight. I thrash under his body, kicking and hitting. Doing anything to get him off of me. Over and over, I scream, until finally, his weight leaves me. I shoot out of the bed and run right to where I am the safest. The closet door slams behind me as I huddle behind the wall of clothes. My entire body trembles, and tears fall.