For years I’ve avoided being under the same roof with those two, but now I feel confident to get it over once and for all. I’m ready to face it and put the past behind me thanks to Brianna.
Once we’re done with the brandy and cigars, the day finally draws to an end. I’m happy because it means that I can be alone with Brianna. I walk into the drawing room, where all the ladies are sipping on tea and talking about what they’ll be wearing tomorrow to the anniversary. I lean against the doorframe and observe, folding my arms over my chest and watching Brianna. She sits polished like a new penny, with a warm smile on her face, effortlessly interacting with the other women of the Williams family. Amazingly, she fits right in. Even Eden wasn’t able to accomplish that because she was always trying too hard to impress only it came across as fake.
“If you’ll excuse me, ladies. I’ve come to retrieve my fiancée,” I say, and all the women look toward me.
“We were talking about shoes,” Brianna says playfully.
“I had a feeling,” I reply with a smile, thinking how beautiful she looks.
I reach my hand out and pull her toward me.
“Such a pleasure meeting you,” my mother says as Brianna steps into me.
“The pleasure was all mine. Goodnight everyone,” she replies.
I lead Brianna down the hall, my hand on the small of her back.
“I felt the need to rescue you,” I say, leani
ng in and whispering in her ear.
“You really didn’t have to. We were having a good time.”
“I’m surprised,” I tell her truthfully.
“Why is that?” Her eyes meet mine.
“Because no one ever has a good time with my mother.” I chuckle, but I’m not joking.
“Well, maybe you just need to see her from a different perspective,” Brianna says.
I open the door to my old room, and Brianna’s eyes light up with wonder.
“My God, it’s huge. It’s like you have your own house,” she says, stepping in and admiring the suite with its own seating area, table and chairs, and walk-in closet.
“This is where I grew up.”
“You even have a fireplace!” she exclaims.
“Of course,” I say with a smile. “All the rooms in the house do.”
Brianna walks from one end of the room to the other, examining all the details, and finally, I can’t help myself and catch her before she can pass. I hold her by her trim waist and look down at her intently.
“Hello,” she says warmly, her face close to mine.
“Is this too much?” I ask.
She shakes her head, and I kiss her lips hungrily. I place my hand on the back of her head, gathering her dark, silky hair. She moans softly, and the sound only fills me with more longing. I press her body tightly against mine and feel her breasts against my chest. I wish I could feel her warm skin without the barrier of clothing. Our hips press together as our kiss deepens and in doing this, I give my arousal away. I’m hard as a rock, and I know she can feel it. Even though my body is on fire, I’ll stop at a moments notice if Brianna tells me to. This is all about her, and it has to stay that way.
Brianna pulls away, and I let her go.
“We should stop,” she says.
“Okay,” I reply.
“It’s just that, with the money involved…”
“I don’t want you to think that any of this was expected. The money was never about sex,” I tell her.