Chapter 17

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 Chapter 17 

-Romance and Relationships 101

Braylin pulls up to an empty space in the driveway turns off the motor then looks over at Kara.  She’s asleep.  Lifting her in his arms he carries her into the house and up the stairs to a bedroom.  He takes his shirt off of her laying it across a chair then removes her shoes.  She never wakes up.  He slides the covers over her then leaves her to go to his old room.  

Kara wakes the following morning to sunlight shining in her eyes.  Her surroundings have her disconcerted, she can hear voices coming from somewhere as she sets up in the bed to stretch.  She doesn’t know what time they arrived here early this morning.  They didn’t talk about the things she thought they would.  He told her this weekend was extremely important to him.   

It’s not just a chance to visit his grandmother, it’s about business.  It quickly became evident to her the reason they didn’t fly up was because he wanted to make it clear he didn’t want her to say something she shouldn’t about their relationship or the mid-town project.  He basically informed her she should keep her mouth shut around their investors that will be here this weekend and act her part as the adoring girlfriend.

Kara thought he was being condescending, she took offense that he was telling her how she should carry herself around these people.  

Their discussion got heated.  A big rig almost ran them off the road when it pulled out onto the highway from a rest area.  Braylin had to swerve out of the rigs way to keep them from getting hit.  After it happened he pulled over to the side of the road.  She was shook up.  He apologized to her if he offended her and they traveled the rest of the journey in silence and she fell asleep. 

There’s a set of sliding doors with a balcony in her room.  She crawls out of the bed to go look out it.  Her view is of a swimming pool.  She opens the doors to walk out on the balcony.  It extends all the way down to the edge of the house.  There are several other doors.  She doesn’t know if one of them leads to Braylin’s bedroom.  Peeking over the railing she can see two people inside the pool, another is standing just below her head she can hear voices coming from somewhere but she can’t see the faces of who it is talking. 

“Are they here yet?”  One of the female voices says. 

“Yeah, they got in around two this morning.  Michelle said they are really in love with each other and they wanted to ride up to be alone instead of taking the plane with us.”  The other female voice says. 

“I don’t believe that.  Kevin said that Braylin walked into his old room.  When he found him sleeping there he looked surprised.  He didn’t know Nana had put someone else in his room this weekend.  Apparently they aren’t sleeping in the same bed so somebody is lying.” 

“Isn’t she the one that has that restaurant?”   

“I think so.  Do you really think Braylin has lowered himself to those kinds of standards?  She’s a cook or something like that.   I think he’s using her until he gets her building.   Lauren’s here with her parents I hear.” 

“She is, I saw her out shopping yesterday for a new swimsuit.  She looks stunning.  She’ll have him back with her in no time.   This other girl can’t possibly compare to her.  He and Lauren have always been right for each other.  Their breakup was just an unfortunate mistake.  People make them all the time.  He should forgive her is what I say.  They are meant for each other.” 

“I guess that means you’re pulling for her instead of Elise.”   

“Are you kidding?  Elise is desperate and it shows.  Is there anybody in this family that likes her?”  

“Hey, hello up there.”  A man yells to Kara.  He’s standing on the steps that leads down to the pool while looking up at her waving.  Kara jumps back from the balcony railing not sure what to do.  She doesn’t know who he is but she waves back to him.   

Hurrying back into her room she locks the sliding glass door and closes the blind not wanting anybody else to see her.  After her shower she wraps a towel around her and comes out looking for her suitcase.  It’s not in the room.  How is she supposed to change?  Where are her clothes?  Grabbing her purse she pulls out her cell phone to call Braylin when she hears a knock at the door.   

She’s dressed in a towel she doesn’t know who it is. Looking around her for something to put on to cover herself she yells  “Just a minute.” still trying to figure out what she can use to cover herself.  Braylin’s tailored shirt is lying on a chair near the bed.  She quickly grabs it letting the towel drop as she gets her other arm into it while the door is opening. 

Braylin walks in carrying her suitcases. His eyes fixate on the opening of his shirt she's wearing and the swell of her breasts beneath it.  His gaze goes lower taking in that she hastily buttoned only two of the buttons revealing her slender thighs the hem of the shirt ends just above her knees.  Her legs are long and slender he can imagine them wrapped around him.  He sets the suitcases down at the door's entrance walking further into the room.  

The towel she was wearing is on the floor, she steps away from it.  Her gaze lands on his naked muscular chest.  Her desirous eyes meet his lust filled gaze.  He’s wearing a pair of dark blue with a white stripe swim trunks. 

“I didn’t know you were awake.  I would have had these here sooner.  If you want to come down for some breakfast by the pool, I’ll wait for you.  He’s standing in front of her they are almost touching.  She doesn’t remember moving closer to him and neither does he. 

“Thank you, are you going to wait for me here?”   She’s chewing on her bottom lip thinking about the conversation she overheard.  

“Do you want me to?”  He reaches out to touch the hems of his shirt brushing his hand against her hip.   “I like this shirt on you better than on me.”  

Fiery desire looms in the depts of her eyes revealing so much intensity her breath hitches in her throat.  He’s too close.  The conversation she overheard on the patio is pushed to the back of her mind.   She longs to be held in his rippling strong arms.  She longs to feel the taste of his lips against hers. 

“I want you to….”  She's full of pleasureable discomfort looking up at him.  His hand on her thigh slides up her butt to caress her waist.  A tingle runs down her spine. He pulls her against his bare chest his lips meet hers with urgency cutting off whatever she was going to say.  She doesn't resist when his tongue slides into hers for a heated kiss. 

Kara snakes her arms around his neck, the skin to skin contact enflames her body.  Braylin backs her up against the bed.  She mashes her body against his deepening the kiss.  He pushes her down faling on top of her on the bed.  The shirt flies open revealing her pert nipples he latches on to one.  She wraps her leg around his thigh trying to get closer.  His aroused manhood is igniting friction against her throbbing mound  There’s a knock at the door but they are too caught up in their passion for one another to notice. 

“Excuse me.”  The person raps his knuckles harder on the open door.  He really can’t blame Braylin he can only wish he had a woman as hot as the one Braylin is doing a pretty good job of kissing with her long legs wrapped around him. 

Braylin is trailing a path of heated kisses down Kara's stomach reaching the first closed button.  She opens her eyes seeing the male presence standing in the door way watching them.  She shrieks pushing at Braylin’s shoulders trying to get him to stop and turn around. Lifting his head and looking around he glares at the intruder.  Kara scrambles off the bed behind him fumbling with his shirt trying to cover her breasts.  Braylin doesn't try to hide his hard on recognizing who has invaded their privaate moment.  He tries to keep her partially dressed body covered behind him. 

“I did knock….”  Kevin shrugs his shoulders. “ It’s not my fault you two decided to give me my very own porn show.  Sorry I interrupted you before you got to the good part.  For my sake as well as ah….. Braylin’s.  I can let you finish. We can all pretend you didn’t leave the door open, I'll continue to watch?”  Kevin looks from one to the other with mirth filled eyes. 

“What do you want Kevin?”  Braylin says with controlled anger.  Kara is still standing behind Brayin holding onto his arm. 

“Hey, he waves to Kara ignoring Braylin.  “I’m one of his cousin’s just to introduce myself since he obviously won’t.  If you ever get tired of all those muscles, that strong jawline and dimples.  The handsome face that looks extremely like mine.  I don’t have that bossy attitude.  You sweetness can just give me a call.  Keep in mind we are cousins so I can do some of the things he does.”  He winks at her.   

“Kevin, don’t make me have to tell your mother you’re no longer with us because I strangled you.”  Braylin threatens.  “She’s off limits to you.  Keep your grubby hands and eyes off of her, I mean it Kevin.” 

“Wow, you know there’s gossip that you two are just pretending.  Doesn’t look like it to me.  Nana sent me up here to fetch you.  She said she expects you to still respect her breakfast hours she doesn’t care that you drove up last night I quote or semi-quote or something like that.  Anyway…..”  

Tell her we’ll be down in a few minutes.  Get out Kevin.” Santo growls.   Kevin shows that infamous Hurst pout.  

“Alright, alright, I’m going.  I was going to stall for you so you could carry on.  Don’t piss me off Braylin.   He backs out the door closing it behind him. 

“Braylin turns around to look at Kara.  She has a flushed face, his shirt on her is now completely buttoned up. 

“I’m sorry about that.” 

“Which one?  What happened between us or your cousin?”   

“I’ll never apologize for touching you.  He sits next to her on the bed. 

She stares at him perplexed.  She gets up moving away from him unsure she can trust herself that close to him especially after what just happened. 

“You sure do pick your moments to turn amorous don’t you?  You’ve been like a big bear to me.  You’ve done nothing but growl at me the last couple of days and now you….you…”  She blushes remembering her own participation in every touch and every kiss they’ve shared.   

“We need to talk about some things.  I overhead some things and I want to be sure…...” 

“I can’t.  Talking is not what I think about when I look at you dressed like that.  Get dressed Kara.  I’ll meet you downstairs.”  He walks past her leaving the room.   

Kara comes down the grand stairway admiring her surroundings.  She’s not sure which way to go to get to the pool, picking a direction she ends up in the kitchen. 

“Hey sexy, what are you doing here all alone.”  Aaron sets a dirty plate on the counter. 

“Aaron, Hi. I was told that I needed to come down to breakfast.  I don’t know where that is.  I’m not really hungry I just want to get some fruit, maybe some yogurt.” 

“Fruit and yogurt?  You’re a chef Kara, you mean to tell me you don’t whip up some fancy breakfasts in the mornings.  There’s crepes, pancakes, bacon and eggs prepared and all you want is some fruit.  You better find an appetite.  Nana might think you’re faking it to impress her.”  Aaron let’s her know. 

“I’m not faking anything Aaron.  I’m just too nervous to eat.  Your cousin Kevin said that she requested Braylin and I come down to breakfast.  I didn’t mean to be late.” 

“Yeah I know.  Kevin’s already told everybody he caught you and Braylin making out in your room that’s why you two weren’t downstairs for breakfast.  Can’t say I blame him.”  He ogles her in her bikini and coverup. 

“What?  He didn’t, Oh no…..I….I can’t go out there.  I’m so embarrassed.”  Kara turns to go back the way she came when Aaron grabs her arm pulling her back. 

“Kara, it’s alright.”  He lowers his voice.  “It’s what’s expected.  The rest of the family think what’s going on between you and Braylin is real.  They would be suspicious of anything else.  Don’t be ashamed about it.” 

“I’m not ashamed.  I just…..Aaron I don’t know if I can pull this off.”  She looks worried. 

“Aaron…..”  He hears his name being called from the pool.  Kara recognizes the voice.  It’s one of the women that was discussing her earlier. 

He places his hands on her arms to hold her steady, he kisses her on the forehead as she holds onto his forearms. 

“Hey, just be yourself around everyone.  Don’t hide out in here too long.  Come out when you’re ready.  Braylin’s out by the pool.  I’ll tell him where you’re hiding.” 

“Thanks Aaron.”  She squeezes his arm. 

Kara looks out the window.  She watches as Aaron stops to talk to a lanky blond woman who pushes him into the pool then runs.  She laughs at their antics.  Aaron gets out of the pool and dries himself off. 

He makes his way over to Braylin and Kara finds some grapes that have been left in a bowl near the sink.  She grabs a bunch to eat sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter watching Braylin, Aaron and now Lester who has joined them talking.  She wishes she could hear what they are saying.  They look so involved in their conversation. 

“Hey, so how’s shacked up life.  She’s really got you locked in her world.”  Aaron directs his question to Braylin.  

Braylin runs his fingers through his hair and sighs. 

 “Damn, what’s she doing to you?  I feel like I can’t hang out with you anymore.  The word domesticated is stamped on your forehead and tamed is written on your heart.”  Aaron grins. 

“What the hell Aaron, she was attacked by her psycho jealous ex fiancé.  It sounds like a theme for a movie or some shit.   I’ve been taking care of her, she’s having flashbacks.   It’s not contagious you know.  Afraid you might catch having a real feeling?” 

“I got feelings bro.  I feel like you’re getting in over your head.  You don’t know what to do with a woman like her.” 

And you do Mr. Lov’em and leave after you screw them.  You don’t even stay for breakfast.”  Braylin responds. 

“Look who’s talking, you…..”   

“You two want to tone it down.  Someone might get the wrong impression if they overhear this conversation.”   Lester reprimands both of them.   

“Yes daddy.”  Aaron sarcastically responds. 

“Cut the shit.  I’m serious.  Braylin, how is she?”  He pulls Braylin by the arm away from the food buffet area so the three of them can talk.   

“She’s fine I think.  She’s stubborn as hell.  She won’t let me help her or do anything for her without yelling at me about it.  I have to make her take things from me.  I gave her a phone she wanted, I didn’t know it until I caught her secretly smiling about it.  She wouldn’t admit that she liked it.  I told her to go shopping to buy clothes.  She went with Michelle.  When I checked to see what she spent, it wasn’t that much.  I don’t know, I just don’t know what I’m doing with her.” 

Aaron smiles and slaps him on the back.  “Just let me know when I can say I told you so.  You’re already on your way brother.  Les pretty soon all the ladies out there are going to be just for you and me.  She’s got her hooks in you Bray, you just don’t want to see it.” 

“I see that she’s going through a rough period right now and I’m just trying to be there for her.  It’s not like that between us.  I flirt with her.  I think she’s attractive, but I…..”   He ponders what to say with a frown.  The way she is with him has changed him.  He knows something is building between them but he doesn’t think she recognizes it.  He doesn’t want to be drawn in to it.  What if she doesn’t see what’s happening between them or maybe it’s just happening to him. 

He closes his eyes taking a deep breath.  When he opens them Lester is looking at him with understanding.  “I don’t know what’s happening to me.  I like her, it’s not just that she’s beautiful.  She’s stubborn and feisty.  She teases me, she challenges me, we’re kind of taking care of each other.  I haven’t been in a committed relationship for a really long time.  I don’t know the signs anymore, maybe I don’t want to know them.  This isn’t what I signed up for.  I feel like I’m stuck with her.  When I’m not with her I worry about her.  I try to fight it and I just get more anxious.  It’s not normal man and it’s fuckin scary.” 

“It’s romance and relationships 101 Braylin.  You’ve just been inducted.  That’s how you end up in those things they call relationships.  It happens when you start caring about someone.”  Lester smirks.   

“Don’t use her attack as an excuse, you kissed her the first day you met her.”  This is just the progression from that, so you might have a few bumps along the way, it should be like that it makes the sex when you have it hotter.”  Aaron responds with a look of seriousness.  Lester and Braylin both stare at him like he’s grown a new head. 

“What?  I can be serious about relationships.  I know when I see something that works.  I just haven’t met anybody yet that clicks that way with me.  I could have had her first you know.”  Aaron repeats his same mantra. 

“And the moment she would have met Braylin is when you would have lost her.  Get over it Aaron.  She had your number at hello.  He’s got her fairly.  Neither one of us has a chance with her.”  He lets it slip. 

“What the fu…..YOU?”  Braylin steps back looking at him.  He thinks about the day she came looking for Lester, he flashes back to them sitting in the coffee shop together.  He remembers Lester was holding her hand when they approached the table. 

“You wanted to ask her out, didn’t you?”  Braylin squints his eyes and puffs up his chest feeling betrayed. 

“Take it down a notch Braylin.  It’s like you said, she’s beautiful and feisty.  I might as well come clean as Aaron.  We both like her but she’s made her decision.  I’m a gracious loser and happy for you.”  He half bows. 

Sighing he looks at Aaron and Lester with a frown.  “I’m not so sure there’s anything to be gracious about.  I don’t think she’s that interested in me either.  She’s just waiting to get this whole mess over with.  I think she’s going to sell her building to us but then I say or do something and it’s like we’re back to the beginning again.  I don’t know, I don’t want to fuck this up.”   

“I think you have to forget about the reasons your together and just be with each other.  See where it goes.  Don’t be afraid of it.  If it’s the right woman…… Braylin being in love with somebody is something every man should experience at least once in a lifetime.  You can’t focus on whether she’ll rip your heart out and stomp on it.”   Lester finishes his little speech off setting his half dunk orange juice on a table. 

Aaron and Braylin both have quirky smirks on their faces.  “You know you had me up until that last bit.  I thought you were becoming a sentimental fool for love again for a minute there.”  Aaron laughs at him. 

“Shit, why am I pouring my heart out to you two fools?  Neither one of you has a woman and probably never will get one after such great advice.”  He says sarcastically. 

“Grabbing at Lester’s arm they both look offended.  “Damn Les, you feeling what I’m feeling.    He’s like a damn love sick puppy.  I didn’t ask him to pour his heart out to us, did you ask him to.” 

“No…no, I don’t recall asking for that.   He does look a little flushed now that she’s walked into the room.  You think we should let her know he needs only her

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