Embracing Forever Page 10
When it was her turn, he set out towels and pointed out the travel kit.
“We could have saved time if we’d showered together,” he said.
The granite shower stall with smoke glass was large enough for two people to fit comfortably. “No we wouldn’t have.”
Bryson glanced over at the shower and back at her. “You’re probably right. I’ll go start breakfast.”
The naked desire in his eyes almost made her call him back. Raven brushed her teeth and took a quick shower. She wrapped the towel around her and went back to the bedroom where she found her underwear on the chair with her dress. She didn’t want to put the dress back on, so she wrapped the towel around her and called down to Bryson.
He appeared at the bedroom door a moment later. “What do you need?”
“I need something to wear.”
Bryson opened a drawer, took out a T-shirt and handed it to her.
She put it on and, although it hit her mid-thigh, she felt naked wearing just her panties. “Do you have a pair of shorts?”
“My shorts are not going to fit you.” He opened another drawer, pulled out a pair of basketball shorts and held them up. “See?”
Raven snatched them. “I’ll just tie them tighter.” Even after tying and folding them over twice, they still hit her at the knees.
He burst out laughing.
Scowling, she marched past him and went downstairs to the kitchen. He followed, still laughing. Smoked sausage sat on a paper towel and eggs were in a bowl waiting to be cooked.
Bryson turned on the skillet. “How many pieces of toast do you want?”
“Just one.” He dropped the bread in the toaster, added butter to the pan, waited for it to melt and poured in the eggs. She observed him moving around the kitchen with ease and efficiency, timing it so both were done at the same time.
“Can you get plates?”
She went over to the cabinets and took down plates. She’d been to his house so many times since he purchased it three years ago, she knew where everything was almost as well as he did. They fixed their plates and sat at the bar to eat. Bryson went to the refrigerator and poured a glass of orange juice for her and milk for him. He didn’t have to ask because he knew her. She thought about Darren. They had dated for four months and he’d never once asked what she liked or stepped foot in a kitchen to cook her breakfast or dinner. She should have kicked him to the curb long before she did.
After breakfast, she helped Bryson clean the kitchen. He folded the towel and asked, “What do you want to do today?”
“I don’t know. I need to go home and get some clothes.”
Bryson angled his head thoughtfully. “I don’t know. I kind of like what you’re wearing.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Raven snorted. “You are such a man.”
He flexed his biceps. “All man, baby. And don’t you forget it.”
“You call those little bitty things muscles?” she teased. She took one look at his face and took off running.
He caught her in three strides and scooped her into his arms. “I’ll show you little bitty muscles.” He tossed her in the air and caught her.
She screamed. “If you drop me, I’m gonna kick your butt, Bryson Allen Montgomery.”
“You’re the one talking about my muscles, Raven Antoinette Holloway.” He lifted her above his head. “You were saying?”
“Put me down! Okay, okay, your muscles aren’t itty bitty.”
He lowered her to her feet. “That’s what I thought.”
She hit him in the chest and ran through the family room and up the stairs with him on her heels. She tried to close the bedroom door, but he was too strong.
He grabbed her around the waist and tossed her onto the bed. “So you want to play?”
His play turned out to be the most erotic and passionate game she’d ever engaged in and when it ended, she was sated and smiling.
* * *
Monday evening, Raven only wanted to take a shower and curl up in bed. Whenever she felt overwhelmed, she had to shut down for a while so her mind and body could process things. However, as soon as she walked through the door, Simeon called. She seriously contemplated letting it go to voicemail, but didn’t want to risk him showing up on her doorstep, instead.
“Yes, Simeon,” she said when she connected.
“You have five minutes to tell me what’s going on between you and Bryson or I will be camping out at your house until you talk.”
“No hello, how was your day?”
Simeon remained silent.
Raven fell across the bed and groaned. “We’re dating, okay?”
“I knew something was different. You don’t ever wear a dress and I don’t recall him staring at you the way he was last Saturday. All I have to say is if he hurts you, his ass is mine. And, yeah, I know you’re the big sister, but you’re still my sister and I love you.”
She cursed under her breath. Why did he have to go and get all sentimental? “I love you, too,” she mumbled.
“The only reason I’m letting you off easy is because I’ve seen how he’s treated you all these years. Bryson is a good guy.”
“Thanks, Simeon. Bryse is definitely one of the good guys.” Though she would never admit it, her brother’s endorsement meant everything to her.
“I do have one question.”
“What?” she asked warily.
“What happened to the other guy you were dating? Not that I’m complaining because he struck me as a pompous jerk.”
“He was a pompous jerk.”
Simeon laughed. “You can tell me the story some other time. I gotta go. I have to be at the office at six in the morning.”
“You’ve been working a lot of hours, baby bro. You’re going to burnout before your career gets started.”
He sighed heavily. “I know. But this what I need to do to establish myself.”
“I get that. Just don’t overdo it.”
“I won’t. Oh, and tell Bryson, he and I will talk soon about his intentions. Night, sis.”
“Night.” Raven tossed the phone on the bed. She already knew Bryson’s intentions. He’d made them very clear.
* * *
Tuesday afternoon, Bryson sat in his office smiling. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so happy. Yes, he could. College. He thought about Delaney and how much he had loved her then. However, it didn’t compare to the deep emotional connection he had with Raven. He realized his feelings for Delaney were that of a young man barely out of his teens who had no idea what it really meant to be in love. Now, he did.
“Still smiling, huh?” Jerome said, coming into the office and sprawling in one of the chairs.
“Yep.”
“Those were some pretty serious words about Raven last Friday.”
He leaned back in his chair. “They were. And it surprised the hell out of me to hear them coming from my mouth.”
“So, you’re not that serious about her then?”
“Oh, no, I’m very serious.”
Jerome cocked his head to the side. “How serious?”
“I’m in love with her.”
“Whoa. Love? You sure this isn’t some built-up emotions from over the years?”
“Positive. We’d always been dating other people, so it wasn’t something that ever crossed my mind in all the years we’ve been friends.”
“I’m just…wow. Since you’re serious, so am I.”
Bryson frowned. “About what?”
“About being the best man.”
“Well, if she says yes, you can have the job.”
Jerome leaned forward and held up both hands. “Okay, wait. I need you to slow down. Are you talking about asking Raven to marry you…soon?”
“Yes.”
He scrubbed a hand over his forehead. “Bryse, you’ve only been dating her like what? A month?”
“Close to it,” Bryson answered mildly. He knew what he wanted and didn’t see the need to wait forever.
“No. Rome, you’d have a point if I’d just met Raven. It’s not like we need to take time to get to know each other. We’ve been friends for twelve years and I know her almost as well as I know myself.”
“Okay, I’ll concede you that point, but what about Raven?”
“She told me she loved me.” And the words had been playing in his head like the melody to his favorite song.
Jerome stared in disbelief. “I thought she was having a hard time accepting this.” He rose to his feet and paced in front of Bryson. “And you plan to ask her when?”
“Hopefully, tomorrow.”
He spun around. “I can’t even process this right now.”
Bryson chuckled. “Good thing you don’t have to. I know it seems fast, but I know it’s right. I love her.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” They shared a brotherly hug. “Ken is not going to believe this.”
“I’m sure you’ll fill him in.”
“You’d better believe it. I was going to text, but I think this deserves a phone call. Later.”
Bryson smiled. Even though they didn’t always agree, his boys had his back. He pulled out his phone and texted Raven, asking her to call when she had a chance. She called back twenty minutes later.
“Hey, Bryse,” she said when he answered.
“Hey, baby. I know you’re working, so I won’t keep you. I just wanted to know if I could stop by after work tomorrow.”
“I’m supposed to be having dinner with a couple of my coworkers, but I can come by your place afterward. Should be no later than nine.”
“That works. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.”
He disconnected and smiled. He had some shopping to do.
Chapter Ten
Wednesday evening, Bryson placed the strawberries he had just dipped in milk and white chocolate into the refrigerator next to the bottle of Raven’s favorite Ballatore champagne. She’d always said it doesn’t have to be expensive to taste good. He had planned to take her to dinner, but since she was already going out, he’d just provide the dessert. She rarely ordered dessert whenever she went out, citing the need to let her food digest for at least an hour before eating anything else. She hadn’t changed in all the years he had known her.
Just as he’d told Jerome, he knew her inside out, her likes and dislikes and unconscious habits—tapping her left index finger when she was thinking, or tilting her head slightly to the right and biting her bottom lip when she was angry.
The doorbell rang. Bryson surveyed the family room to make sure everything was in place, hit play on his iPod and then went to let Raven in.
He hauled her into his arms and slanted his mouth over hers before she could get cross the threshold. He lifted her off her feet, kicked the door shut and carried her to the family room. Bryson let her slide down his body until her feet hit the floor and smiled at her. “Hi.” She still had on her slacks and polo from work and her hair was pulled back in the standard ponytail she wore during the week, but to him, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Raven returned his smile. “Hi.” She glanced around. “Wow. It’s lovely.”
He had lit vanilla fragranced candles around the room, placed a blanket covered with rose petals in the center of the floor and turned on the electric fireplace. He’d left the air conditioner on, however.
“A girl can get used to this.”
“I hope so. A queen should always be treated as such, even if she’s one of the guys,” Bryson added teasingly.
She laughed softly. “Well, as long as you don’t mess up my tough girl image, it’s all good.”
“Your image is safe with me.” He kissed her again, slowly, seductively, tangling their tongues together in a dance meant only for lovers. He lifted his head and traced a finger down her cheek. “Make yourself comfortable on the blanket. I’ll be right back.”
Raven placed her purse on the end table and removed her shoes.
The doorbell rang again. “Can you get that?” Bryson called from the kitchen. He’d asked his jeweler friend to come by. He retrieved the champagne, glasses and strawberries and headed back to the family room. He froze upon seeing Whitney standing there.
“My, my, isn’t this cozy.” Whitney looked Raven up and down.
“What are you doing here, Whitney?” Raven had a mixture of hurt and anger on her face and Bryson wanted to shake Whitney for showing up out of the blue. She had never come to his house without calling first.
“I was in the neighborhood and thought we could catch up on old times.”
He didn’t miss the emphasis she had placed on old times. And neither did Raven, if her expression was any indication.
Raven stuck her feet into her shoes and snatched up her purse. “Then I’ll let you two catch up.” She walked out without a backwards glance.
Bryson set down everything in his hands and went after her. She was already at her car when he got outside. “Raven, wait.” He reached for her and she held up a hand.
“I don’t think I can do this right now, Bryson.”
“I don’t know why she’s here.”
“Oh, didn’t you hear her? She came so you two can catch up on old times,” she said sarcastically. “Sorry.” Raven scrubbed a hand across her forehead. “Look, I need some time. I have to go.”
“Listen to me, dammit! I haven’t seen or spoken to her in over six months and we were never in a relationship. You know I would never do anything like this to you. I love you, Raven.” He could see the tears standing in her eyes and he wanted to take her in his arms, but didn’t want to risk upsetting her any further.
She got into the car, started the engine and roared off.
He cursed again and strode back inside, slamming the door. Whitney was eating a strawberry when he walked into the family room and his anger boiled over. He grabbed the bowl. “Again, what are you doing here?”
Whitney gave him a sexy laugh. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you weren’t glad to see me.”
“Give the woman a prize. We haven’t spoken in over six months.”
She brushed past him and surveyed the room. “This really is a lovely set up.”
It would have been lovelier had she not made an appearance. He needed to talk to Raven, and the sooner the better. As it stood, he was afraid they were going to be back at square one, or worse. Whitney came toward him with an exaggerated switch in her hips and tried to press her body against his. He took two steps back. She had come dressed for seduction in a fire engine red dress that molded to her curves. In the past, it might have turned him on, but he felt nothing tonight. Except anger.
“I’m only going to be in town a couple of days and since we’re alone now,” she waved a hand around the room, “no need to let all this go to waste. I do have to say that I’m a little disappointed that you never went through all this trouble whenever we got together.”
“You and I didn’t have that type of relationship. She and I do.” He saw the moment she finally understood.
Whitney chuckled bitterly. “So, you’re telling me that all of a sudden you’re a one-woman man now.”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. And had you called beforehand, I would’ve explained that to you. I’m sorry, Whitney, but I can’t see you anymore.”
She ran her hand over her body. “You’re willing to give all this up for a fling?”
“What I’m willing to do is give my all to the woman I love.” Bryson escorted her to the door.
She jerked away from him. “Well, I hope the two of you make it.” Her tone suggested anything but.
“Goodbye, Whitney.” He closed the door and leaned his head against it. His world had gone to hell in less than five minutes. He turned and the bell rang again. What now? He snatched the door open.
“What’s up, Bryson?” His jeweler friend, Myles Hudson stood there smiling.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you can get everything straightened out.”
“Thanks. I will.” They shook hands and Bryson watched him walk away. He had to get it straight. He was not going to lose her.
* * *
Raven bit her lip to keep the tears from falling as she drove. She should have known better. And it hurt even more because she trusted Bryson. What made it worse was she didn’t know who to talk to because he’d always been the person she ran to when she had problems. She contemplated going over to Erika’s, but changed her mind because of the late hour.
Twenty minutes later, she ended up at her brother’s house.
“Raven. What are you doing here?” Simeon asked, clearly shocked. He moved back so she could enter. “Come in.”
She stopped short upon seeing a woman lounging comfortably on the sofa. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company. I’ll just talk to you tomorrow.” She turned to leave.
Simeon placed a staying hand on her arm, concern evident in his face. “You’re not leaving. Give me a minute.” He went over and spoke quietly to the woman. She nodded. He came back with the woman. “Andrea, this is my sister, Raven. Raven, Andrea.”
Andrea smiled warmly and extended her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Raven. I’ve heard many good things about you.”
Raven shot a quick glance at her brother. She couldn’t say the same, so she smiled instead. “Nice meeting you, too.”
“Let me see Andrea out and I’ll be right back.”
She nodded and dropped down on the sofa. How could Bryse do this to her? Okay, he seemed shocked, but the woman wouldn’t just pop up unless they had history.
“Okay, sis. What’s going on?”
“While I was at Bryson’s house, a woman showed up.” She explained what happened. “I felt like a complete fool. I believed him, trusted him.” The tears threatened to fall, but she forced them back.
Simeon studied her. “Has he ever brought her name up?”
“No.”
“Yet he’s talked about his girlfriends in the past.”
“Yeah,” she said slowly, not sure where he was going.