“Perfect. Have a great day.”
I knew there were going to be more challenges. Gavin was tough.
“You too.”
After I made my sandwich, I put everything away before sitting at the bar. I was going to survive.
I kept repeating it, hoping the words would begin to make it true for the long battle we were about to face.
A few days had passed since the Grandmama’s news. It was the day after Valentine’s Day. With everything going on, I’d asked for a quiet night indoors where Brandt made us dinner and we laid next to the fire, holding each other. It had been exactly what I’d needed. We were going to Brandt’s mom house for dinner tonight. As we pulled up to Faith’s house, I was excited and nervous. It had been a while since I’d seen her. Part of me was ashamed at how I had vacated everyone’s life overnight without so much as a good-bye when it came to Brandt’s family.
“Don’t be nervous.” Brandt’s voice reassured me.
I looked at the house, longing to have Faith hold me like a mother would.
My mom wasn’t affectionate. Everything felt clinical with her, but I think she did the best she could with showing she did love me. I guess it worked for my dad’s excessive working hours, but I wanted more in my life than what they had. I wanted the fairytales Faith and Grandmama told me about. Sometimes, I wondered how in the world my dad was raised by my grandmother. I loved my dad, but he seemed disconnected. As a child, anytime I’d ask them if they loved me. My parents would say, “Of course, we do.” I’d asked Grandmama about why she thought my parents were like that and her response had been, “We don’t always follow how we were raised. Look at you. You aren’t a replica of your parents. As long as we’re true to ourselves, that’s what matters.”
She was right. Brandt hadn’t been raised in a family that did drugs, but he had turned to them. But, he hadn’t gone back to them.
The opening of Brandt’s door sent a rush of cold air into the car. I followed suit before he had a chance to come get me on the passenger side. He grabbed my hand, and we started toward the front door that had a twig wreath with hearts on it. Brandt’s mom loved wreaths and had one for almost every holiday. Before we made it to the door, it opened and Faith came out. She was in jeans and a red sweater. Her brown hair was up in a French twist.
“Nikola, oh my sweet darling, you’re really here. It’s so good to see you.”
I didn’t have a chance to respond as Faith pulled me into a tight hug and I wrapped my arms around her, feeling the comfort of her motherly embrace.
“It’s good to see you, too, Mom. I mean Faith.” I fumbled my words. I’d called her Mom before, but wasn’t sure if I still could. Brandt had always called her Mum. It was something special between them. He called anyone else’s mother Mom.
She pulled back. “There’s no pressure, but I still consider you my kiddo. If you want, you can still call me Mom.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Thank you. I’d love to.”
Faith moved to Brandt and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. His hair was pulled back tonight, and he was wearing one of his signature thermal shirts. “Hey, Mum. It’s good to see you. It’s a bit cold, you mind if we take this reunion inside.”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
We started walking to the door with Faith in between us. As soon as we crossed the threshold, I smelled one of the most divine smells. “Did you make Ruebens?”
“Yes, sweetie, I did. I knew they were one of your favorites.” Faith gave me a squeeze.
I took in the surroundings, and they were just as I’d remembered. The fireplace was the focal point of the living room that sat off the kitchen. The wooden mantel was covered with family pictures. The blue plaid couch sat at the same angle as the fireplace. There wasn’t a television in the living room. Faith had wanted family time to be actual conversations, rather than everyone staring at a screen. I loved the concept.
We went to the breakfast nook and sat. Rueben sandwiches were piled high. “There’s plenty to eat, and I’ll send some home with you.”
“This looks delicious. And I know that all the leftovers are mine, not Brandt’s.”
We chuckled. Faith replied, “They’re all yours. Let’s dig in.”
We grabbed sandwiches and began eating. I was mid-bite when Faith started to speak. As I glanced up, I was met with warm, chocolate eyes.
“I’m glad you guys got back together. You two belong together, and I can’t wait for your wedding.” Her eyes shot to Brandt, then added, “Someday.”
“Mum, please.” Brandt was semi-censoring, and I’d never heard him talk to his mother like that.
She looked down for a second. I didn’t know what to say. Brandt looked uncomfortable as he stared down at his Rueben. I wore a fake smile as I swallowed another bite and tried to force it down. This had turned awkward quicker than I’d thought possible. I wanted to marry Brandt, but I wasn’t sure he was even ready to broach that subject. The look on his face confirmed my suspicions. In time, we’d both want to be there. For now, I would enjoy us.
Faith rebounded and started talking like the awkwardness hadn’t happened. “So how’s the business going? Brandt says you landed a big account.
I started talking about it, but couldn’t keep my eyes off Brandt, who wouldn’t look at me a lot through the rest of dinner. He did all the things I was used to—putting his hand on my knee, sneaking kisses—but he was slightly withdrawn. Not enough for anyone to notice, but the difference was there.
A difference I had experienced before.
I trusted him.
I was stressed from everything with Grandmama.
I trusted him.
We were lying in Brandt’s bed after getting home from Faith’s. Our legs were entwined, naked from our last bit of lovemaking. I’d needed Brandt inside me. Making love helped me realize that there were still things in this world that were beautiful, despite what I faced with my grandmother.
Brandt’s hand idly stroked my hip. His bedroom was the most decorated space in the house. He had a metal bed that filled the center of the room. The rest of the furniture—side tables, dressers, and chest—were all black. He had a green velvet comforter that felt heavenly on your skin when mixed with the satin sheets. Black and white art hung on the wall over the bed.
“Is there something bothering you, Brandt? You’ve seen withdrawn since diner over at your mom’s.”
He turned to me and said, “I’m perfect. I have you.”
Fingers grazed the underside of my breast. Clearly, he needed a distraction, and I was happy to oblige until he was ready to talk. A thumb started grazing my nipple. Brandt watched me closely as my hand made its way down to my clit.
“Fuck me, are you about to touch yourself?”
He got his answer when he wrenched the sheets from my body and my fingers had already made contact. My hips were beginning to pump on their own accord, and I could feel the wetness from my core increasing. Brandt flipped his body and hovered above me. His head was right at my pussy.
“Ah hell, Nikki, your pussy is swollen. Rub it baby, finger-fuck yourself.”
I started stroking myself faster, but at a pace that kept the internal build slow. Brandt’s dick was hard and throbbing above my face in a dark red state. His purple vein bulged. I ran my tongue down his shaft. His dick jumped at the touch.
Brandt looked at me from below. I opened my mouth and angled my head so his dick could go in all the way. The tip entered my mouth and I created a suction around it as it continually slid in, filling my throat. My throat opened, and I began to breathe through my nose to keep my gag reflex at bay.
“You have me in all the way. Oh, fuck. This feels good.”
I kept touching myself and started to hum around Brandt’s length. He began moving in and out of my mouth as he kept a steady pace. I entered myself deeper and moved my fingers in a scissor motion.
As I was about to reach the edge, Brandt removed my fingers and sucked my clit i
nto his mouth. I screamed and he pumped faster at my noise of ecstasy. Hot liquid spurted to the back of my throat.
My mouth fell open as I came down from my high. Brandt flipped around, sliding on top of me, captured my mouth, mixing our bodily fluids. Salty combined with the sweet cream tastes, and it was sexy as hell as our tongues battled each other. Pulling back, his blue eyes locked with mine.
“You’re mine, forever and always.”
“I’m yours.”
We lay in each other’s arms, content and happy. This is what I’d needed, and Brandt had been there for me. My eyes were about to close when my cell phone vibrated on the black, wooden nightstand.
Brandt nuzzled my ear. “Let it go to voicemail.”
I was still reaching for the phone. “It could be Grandmama, she might need me.” He squeezed my waist in response.
Feeling for the plastic case I had around my phone, I grabbed it and answered,
“Hello?”