Chapter 8
Braden
It’s nearly impossible to count down the five minute head start I give Carly so that no one notices us together. We want to have some fun and peace exploring this budding relationship before we go public. She seems to think we’ll be waiting a while, but I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my feelings under wraps for long.
She’s mine. Always was and always will be. It just took some strangers sniffing around her to open my eyes to that fact, though I’m sure they would have been opened anyway with the way things had changed between us.
I spot her on the porch swing, where we had our first kiss, kicking her smooth legs and humming happily. My heart does something strange, and I stop, just to take her in for a moment. I know what that feeling is. I fucking love this girl. She’s gorgeous, glowing, and perfectly relaxed.
Until one of the goobers slams out of the front door.
“There you are,” he says, as if he owns her. She bristles and jumps up as he starts to sit beside her. “I thought we were going to play volleyball in the pool this morning? Where did you disappear to?”
When he deigns to tell her it’s all right, they still have time to go on a hike, she tries to tell him she’s made other plans. He grabs for her wrist but by that time I’m standing between them, glaring down at the guy who thinks he can put his hands on my woman.
“Carly has other plans,” I say.
He stutters and steps back, giving Carly a dirty look. My fists clench, drawing his eyes from her as he pales.
“I have other plans,” she reiterates.
He slinks away and she throws her arms around me, then jumps back in case anyone’s around. “That was awesome. So freeing.”
“You’re free of them. Not of me,” I say, holding out my hand.
She grins. “I don’t want to be free of you.”
She clasps her fingers with mine and we set off on a rigorous trail, taking our time so she can whip out her little sketchbook and draw a fern or a flower. I snap at least a thousand pictures to commemorate our first date together. It’s nonstop laughter until we realize we should have packed a lunch. We both skipped breakfast and now we’re starving. Not even my kisses can keep her mind off of food this time and we head back, hand in hand until we get within sight of the cabin.
She sighs as she lets go. “I don’t like the secrecy.”
“Then let’s tell them right now.” I head toward the door, but she stops me, biting her lip.
“A little more time. I don’t want to watch you get your head bashed in by Matt.”
I laugh. “So you’re already conceding on the bet? You admit he’s not going to take it well?”
“No.” She fake pouts. “Maybe. Let’s just chill for a little bit longer.”
I start to growl, wanting the world and all of Mr. Hagel’s employees to know she’s mine, but the anxiety in her eyes makes me agree to whatever she wants. As long as she’s happy, I’ll work double time to keep her close and safe from their enthusiastic attention.
I hang back once we’re inside the cool interior of the rustic mansion, glad it’s quiet and no one is around. Matt had told me he and his father were going into town this afternoon and it appears some of the goobers have tagged along. I’m supposed to be on barbeque duty later on and then will be expected to spend half the night over beers with Matt, and my mind is already coming up with excuses. It’s only been, what? A minute without Carly at my side, and I’m going nuts.
As I pass the library, I overhear Mrs. Hagel talking over Carly, who can’t get more than a word in. I pause in the hallway in case she needs me, and shamelessly listen in.
“It’s so clear you’ve been dodging these nice young men,” Mrs. Hagel says with deep displeasure in her voice. “They’ve been nothing but kind to you. Ted was moping around all afternoon, thinking he was going on a hike with you, but you just disappeared without a trace.”
“Mom, I’m not interested in him,” Carly says when her mom comes up for air.
“How do you know if you aren’t giving him a chance? He’s on his way up at the company and is dedicated, hardworking—”
“Mom, stop,” she snaps. “I’m sure he’s great but he’s not for me, okay?”
“Darling, I know you think you’re too young for a relationship, and I agree that there’s no reason to jump into something that serious. But what’s wrong with having—”
“Mom!” Carly’s voice finally rises, and I peek around the corner to see Mrs. Hagel’s lips pressed together in a thin line of disapproval. Her eyes are full of hurt as she tries to tell Carly she’s only looking out for her best interests. Carly softens but stops her again. “I know. But if you bothered to pay attention, you might have noticed that someone else has already caught my eye.”
For a split second, Mrs. Hagel’s eyes light up. “Who is it? I haven’t seen you spending time with any of…” she trails off, her brows furrowing.
“I know you’re out there,” Carly calls with a hint of restrained laughter. “Just come on in.”
I enter the library and Mrs. Hagel’s jaw just about hits her chest. “Is this some kind of a joke? Braden, what’s going on?”
“Carly and I saw something new in each other recently,” I say, bracing myself to be disowned.
As much as I love this family, I won’t let them continue to meddle in Carly’s life. That has to be her own choice. She’s chosen me and I’m ready to fight for us.
“It’s still new,” Carly says, taking my hand. “But it’s real and it happened organically, without any of your matchmaking. And I dare you to say Braden isn’t suitable.”
The shock slowly wears off and she smiles tremulously at me. “Of course I can’t say any such thing.”
“You’d kind of be insulting yourself if you did, since you had a big part in making me the man I am today,” I tell her, to soften the blow I’m about to let loose. “But I’d appreciate it if you started letting Carly make her own decisions. She’s her own person, and smart, tenacious, and completely capable of making the right ones for herself. Do you even see how passionate she is about the art program she’s in? Or her ideas to start her own once she graduates? Carly has the ability to make real change in the world.”
I didn’t think her mom’s jaw could drop much lower than when I first walked in the room, but it’s almost on the floor after my heartfelt speech. Carly’s hand is tight around mine and when I look at her, she’s beaming at me. It’s all I can do to keep from dragging her into my arms, but I don’t want Mrs. Hagel to need medical intervention from the added shock.
Color rises back to her pale cheeks, and she closes her mouth, not pressing it back into a disapproving line this time, but slowly smiling.
“I never would have guessed this in a million years,” she says, reaching for both of us and surprising the hell out of us by wrapping us in a hug. “Let me know if Matt gives you any trouble. I’m assuming he doesn’t know since he’s still talking to you.”
As I pull away from the welcome hug, I give Carly a triumphant look. “Your mom thinks he’s going to kick my ass, too.”
“Oh, you’ll be lucky if it’s just a kick, dear,” she says, eyes twinkling at me. She lets out a relieved sigh. “I’m so glad you’ve got my baby’s back. It’s been a nightmare worrying about her ending up with some starving artist, or worse.”
“Nope, just me,” I say.
I give her a look that promises I’ll always have her daughter’s back, even against her if necessary. She nods at me, seeming to understand it’s time to start letting go.
Carly’s cheeks are fire engine red as she pulls me out of the library, but she’s grinning from ear to ear. “That wasn’t so bad at all. If she took it that well, Dad will be easy.”
“As soon as the ass whipping from Matt is out of the way, we’ll be free and clear,” I say.
She playfully smacks my shoulder. “He might yell, I’ll give you that. But I won’t let him touch you.”
She looks so fierce I start to drag her to my chest in a hug, unable to keep from showing how I feel any longer. But we hear several male voices around the corner, heading our way.
With a look of terror, she glances around wildly, yanking open the nearest door and shoving me in. Jumping in with me, she shuts the door and leans against it. We’re in a closet full of extra towels and blankets as the goobers’ voices grow nearer.
“What the hell?” I hiss.
“I don’t want to deal with them,” she whispers. “And I don’t want you busting any heads, either. Just let them get past.”
I get her point, because if one of them had dared to look at her, I might have done something about it. And I don’t mind being in this cozy space with her, close enough to smell the pine tree scent clinging to her hair from our hike through the woods.
I sidle up close, putting my hands on either side of her head as she leans against the door. Her chin tips up and her eyes shine with anticipation. I lean down to place a soft kiss on her lips and as her fingers grip the edge of my t-shirt, flames course through me.
All it takes is the merest brush of her mouth against mine, the slightest sigh and touch, and I go wild. God, am I thinking about taking my angel here in the linen closet? Surely I can wait twenty more seconds to get her back to my room. I pull away before I have her clothes off and take her hands to keep them from roaming up my chest.
“Why are they taking so long?” I hiss angrily, making her stifle a giggle.
For some reason, the goobers don’t just continue to slow down, but stop in the hallway, right outside our door. They’re in the middle of a heated argument about different drywall manufacturers that seems like it’ll go on forever and can only be resolved right there. Carly puts her hand over her mouth, her eyes dancing with suppressed laughter.
She’s so beautiful I can’t stop myself from kissing her again. After that, there’s no holding back at all. Gripping my shoulders, she presses close to me, her mouth open and eager for my tongue.
“How quiet can you be?” I ask, my hand slipping between her thighs. Working my way under her shorts, I groan to find her panties are already damp.
“Let’s find out,” she says.
When I sink my fingers into her wet heat, she moans, quickly stifling it against my neck. At this point I don’t care who hears and push deeper into her slick little pussy. “I need to be inside you,” I whisper roughly.
With trembling hands, she tugs at the button on my jeans, freeing my cock to grip in her smooth palm. She spasms around my fingers and I groan, cutting off the sound as the conversation seems to lull outside.
“Deeper, B,” she murmurs, completely lost in what I’m making her feel. And what she’s making me feel is driving me over the edge, and fast.
I shove her shorts down, dragging the panties with them. As soon as they’re off and kicked into a stack of towels, I yank her legs around my waist, gripping her lush ass cheeks as I press her against the door. The hinges rattle and she wraps her arms around my neck, rubbing her slick pussy up and down my shaft.
“My sexy little virgin knows just what to do to make me wild,” I growl.
She bites my neck to keep from moaning louder, then gasps when I slip my fingers lower to tease her from behind. She jerks against me the second I stroke around her cute little asshole, then clamps down hard when I slam inside her, sheathing myself all the way to my balls.
“There’s … no … way… they don’t hear,” she gasps as our bodies slap together while I fuck her hard and fast.
Since she’s clearly given up, I pump harder, still toying with her asshole as I drive deep into her tight cunt. Her legs tighten around me, and she arches against the door, throwing her head back with abandon.
“Come for me,” I demand. “So I can fill you up.”
Holding on, she gives in to my command and I feel her clench around my shaft, sucking every last drop out of me. I keep pumping, never wanting to let her go, but soon we’re spent, and slide down the door.
Collapsed in a sweaty heap, I weakly reach for a towel. “What just happened?” I ask, seeming to come out of a daze.
She smiles brightly, her eyes glazed over, but full of certainty. I hold her close and kiss her, then she pulls away to answer.
“Hopefully the same thing that’ll keep happening for the rest of our lives,” she says. “Lots more happy surprises.”
We press our ears to the door, but somewhere while we were lost in each other, the goobers scampered away. Good. Now we just need to make it official, and we can relax and continue to explore this amazing thing we discovered. Something I’m never giving up.
“So many happy surprises you won’t be able to keep up,” I promise.
She accepts the promise with a kiss and once again, we forget where we’re at, completely wrapped up in each other.
Epilogue
Carly
Eight years later
Everything is perfect. Or should be. I go over my list for the thousandth time and all the checkboxes are marked off. The posters have been hung for a month now, and I’ve been working on this exhibit for a year, but today is the day. Opening day.
Will people come to see paintings by female artists of the last century, focusing on everything from women’s everyday lives to the struggle for power in the modern world? Or will my first ever exhibit be a dud?
I’ve never been this nervous in my life.
No, maybe it’s a tie between now and the time eight years ago that Braden and I revealed our relationship to my older brother. I had bet that Matt would take things well, and Braden was positive he’d get his butt beaten. He was prepared to take a few licks, but I didn’t want any kind of fight.
Matt surprised us both. He didn’t exactly take it well, unless you consider laughing his ass off for a solid ten minutes a normal response. He said he’d seen it coming and was just waiting for the big reveal. I finally had to admit my secret crush that never really wore off, but Braden swore up and down his feelings had taken him by storm. Matt’s fists might have been clenched, but my mother intervened with Dad, who was thrilled, and couldn’t wait for the next family vacation. That one would be just us— real family— no employees.
So neither of us really won the bet, but we did become real family just a year later when we got married in a tiny but heartfelt ceremony, then spent our honeymoon, which was also my last summer break before I graduated, touring Europe. Lazing on the beaches, scouring museums for inspiration, and being together. My favorite thing in the world.
“Mommy!”
My head snaps around and I smile. The sound of my five year old daughter’s voice snapped me out of the memories I’d conjured to escape my nerves, and the excited look on Mabel’s face washes what’s left of them away. My strongest supporters are here, always by my side to cheer me on. Even if no one shows up for the opening, they’re here.
Braden lets go of her hand and her slapping feet on the marble museum floor shake our toddler out of her slumber against Braden’s shoulder. Lilly blinks and holds out her hands to me before yawning hugely and collapsing back onto Braden’s chest.
“She was running around like a monkey at Uncle Matt’s,” Braden says. “He has a knack for wearing them out.”
I’m about to suggest putting her in my office with my assistant to finish her impromptu nap, but she perks up once she realizes where she’s at. If anyone takes after me with my love of art, it’s Lily, and she whines to get down and explore.
“We have to wait for Mommy’s exhibit to open,” Braden tells her mildly.
He leans over to give me a kiss and a concerned look. I’ve been running myself ragged getting the finishing touches put on this event and he knows it means the world to me.
“Everything looks great,” he says, his eyes sweeping down my body. “You look amazing.”
I had hurriedly changed from my work clothes into a new cocktail dress and now I smooth the shimmery fabric down over my curves. Motherhood has filled me out a little, but Braden still gets that mischievous glow in his eyes whenever he sees me. His blue eyes darken as he takes me in again, pulling me close for a hug.
Lily grabs my hair and attempts to nom on the gemstone clip I’ve put in my updo, and the three of us end up laughing as I try to get it out of her mouth without ruining the style. Mabel runs over and bosses her around like a true older sister, and shockingly, Lily lets go.
My hairstyle is ruined though, but Braden runs his fingers through the strands, arranging the curls around my shoulders while simultaneously making me weak in the knees. He has a few sparks of silver in his blond hair now, and his ever present scruff still doesn’t mar that strong jaw.
He puts Lily down and Mabel grabs her hand to steer her over to my assistant, who’s about to unlock the doors for the event. I squeeze my eyes shut and lean against Braden’s sturdy form, his arm wrapping around me.
“Look up,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
As soon as the doors swing open, a line of people file in, clutching their exhibit pamphlets. I spot my parents and Matt, some of the first to enter, but then it’s just a mob of people. They keep pouring in, their eyes eagerly searching the rows of paintings I’ve so carefully curated over the last year.
It’s not just going to be the fifty or so people I’ve invited to the cocktail party after, and truthfully, I was worried some of them wouldn’t show, either. It’s young and old, men and women, all excited to see what my posters have been teasing for the last month.
“I told you,” Braden says smugly. “There was no way you could fail. You cared way too much and everyone in town saw it. They want to be a part of your big night.”
A tear rolls down my cheek, relieved and full of joy. I lean against him for another quick second, then straighten up and hurry forward to welcome everyone. As I answer questions and accept their kind accolades, I’m already planning my next exhibit.
Because of Braden easing back on his workload with the team, he spends a lot more time at home with the kids. We’ve expanded on the charity he’d started working with years before, increasing their exhibits to encompass the entire country. It’s a great way to bring art to smaller towns, while also raising money for a good cause. Braden thrived on the marketing aspect, always having a keen eye for what people want and how to get it to them.
I nod along with one of the patrons while looking over her shoulder at Braden, a hand on Mabel’s shoulder and a firm grip on Lily’s hand as he leads them around the exhibit. He was surprisingly interested in the whole journey, making sure the girls paid attention whenever I decided on a new piece. He’s a fantastic dad, wanting his daughters to know they could do anything they wanted in this world. Just like the women in the portraits I chose, and just like their mom.
Right before the cocktail party, our nanny arrives to take the kids home, and Braden has to practically hold me up by the time the night is over. It’s a whirlwind of questions, congratulations, and a few bits of constructive criticism by my bosses that I take on board for the next show.
“I’m retiring,” I joke in the car on the way home.
“Yeah, right,” Braden says, his hand firmly on the wheel as he glances over at me. “That’ll be the day.”
My eyes travel up his muscular forearm to his rolled up sleeve, barely containing his biceps. He still works out like he’s training for his team, getting up before the girls wake up and pumping iron and running. Sometimes I tag along to the massive home gym he’s set up next to the tennis court, but it’s mostly to ogle my hot husband. He pretends I’m distracting him, which I usually am, but when he drops the weights to pull me into his arms, neither one of us is ever complaining.
“No, really,” I say.
As the night progressed, I found I couldn’t take my eyes off my husband and daughters. We really are a perfect family, if I do say so myself. Perfect to me, anyway, and everything I ever wanted. As much as I love the museum and thrive when I’m surrounded by art, getting home is always the best part of the day.
Braden gives me a sidelong look, raising his brows. “You’re just exhausted, that’s all. You’ll be raring to go back tomorrow.”
We pull into our long driveway, the lights on in the lower level of our modern home at the top of the hill. The upstairs wall of windows is dark, signifying the girls have listened to the nanny for once and gone to sleep on time. It’s past midnight and I should be as tired as Braden suggests with all the overtime I’ve been putting in, but I get a surge of energy as he parks the car and hurries around to open my door for me.
I take his hand, smiling at his old fashioned charm and consideration. I’ve taken off my spidery heeled shoes and groan at the prospect of cramming my feet back into them. With a grin, Braden leans down and picks me up, carrying me into the house.
The nanny is snoozing in front of the big screen tv in the entertainment room, a muted movie playing. Braden escorts her outside to the guest house in the back where she’ll spend the night since it’s so late, then returns, asking me if I want a glass of wine to end the night.
I shake my head, moving close. “I don’t want the night to end.”
He puts his hands on my waist, smiling down at me. “You look dead on your feet.”
“I don’t want to be on my feet,” I tell him, running my hands up his chest and loosening his tie some more.
With a low rumble, he picks me up again and carries me upstairs. I wrap my arms around his neck and bring his head down for a kiss as he climbs. But we only make it to the landing before the kiss becomes so fevered we have to stop. He pushes me against the wall, his hands roaming down my body to find their way under my skirt. I groan when his fingers brush against my damp panties.
“Already so wet for me,” he murmurs against my mouth.
Pressing against his hand, I grip his hair. “Always.”
He laughs, realizing we’re not even halfway to the bedroom. His hand doesn’t stop moving, though and I’m getting hotter by the second. “I had a gift waiting for you upstairs,” he says.
I shake my head, looking hard into his eyes. He must see the yearning there. “I only want one thing from you tonight,” I tell him.
He returns my intensity, his lips getting closer to mine again. “Anything,” he promises.
He’s never once broken a promise to me, and I smile. “Another baby,” I say. It’s not out of the blue, it’s been brewing for a long time. Tonight cemented that wish.
His smile turns absolutely wild, and his eyes darken as he picks me up again, racing to our bedroom. Once inside, he locks the door and yanks at my brand new dress. The straps give and he pulls it down my body.
“Fuck, you’re so gorgeous,” he growls. In a second, my strapless bra is off, and he kisses his way down my body. My legs start to tremble and he holds me steady, nudging my thighs apart as he gets his teeth around the band of my panties and drags them down my legs.
His tongue is inside me, driving me to the brink as he holds tight to my hips. All I can do is hang on, try not to tear out his hair, and let the sensations wash over me. When Braden gets like this, he’s in complete control, and I love every minute of it.
It’s a good thing the girls sleep like rocks, because he has my whimpering rising louder as he keeps lapping at my pussy, driving me over the edge. The moment I scream, he lifts me, moving me back onto the bed. I land on my stomach and he drags me back to him, pulling me against his hard body as he runs his hands over my breasts.
“I love seeing these perfect tits of yours grow when you’ve got my baby in your belly,” he says. “I can’t wait to make you pregnant again.”
“You’re happy about the new plan?” I gasp as he brings my nipple to hard peaks.
His throbbing cock is pressing against my ass, and I’m not even sure when he got undressed, he’s got me so worked up. I reach around to grip his shaft, making him suck in a breath.
“I love the new plan,” he says. “I love you, Carly.”
Then he thrusts deep inside me from behind me with a muted roar. His hands cup over me from the front, finding my clit and making me melt against him. I wrap my arms around his head and twist so that he can kiss me. It’s all too much and I flop forward, moaning with pleasure as he drives every inch of his big cock until his balls slap against my ass.
“I love being inside your tight little body,” he says, wrapping my hair around his fist to pull my head back for a kiss.
His tongue invades my mouth, and my arms shake, but he holds onto me, not letting me go.
“Braden,” I moan, so close again. “You’re magic. You have to be to make me feel this good.”
He chuckles, then pounds harder, deeper, wild with the notion of making me pregnant for a third time. His hand drifts down from my breasts to my belly, tender for a split second.
“Now, Angel,” he commands, before he drives even harder, circling my clit until I scream again.
Thunder seems to rip from his throat as he comes inside me, and I’m positive it worked. I can’t hold back my smile, even though I’m as limp as a noodle when we collapse onto the bedspread together.
He smiles back, turning me around to face him. A bead of sweat drops from his brow onto my nose and he kisses it off. “I guess this will interfere with whatever exhibit you had planned next.”
“It’s not interfering with anything,” I say, snuggling up to him. He puts his arm around me and holds me close, both of us sighing contentedly at the same time. “This is everything to me. Our life together, the kids. This new one you just made.”
I pat my belly and he covers my hand with his, unable to stop his smug grin. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure that worked.”
“I know it did,” I say, then look at him seriously. “If it didn’t, it’s not like we can’t try again.”
He laughs, making my heart feel much too full, but in the best way. “Maybe we should hedge our bets.” He lowers his head to kiss me again and I eagerly tip my chin back for more.
There’s always so much more in this beautiful life that Braden’s given me. He’s had my back from the very beginning, and there’s no doubt in my mind that whatever happens next, it will be perfect.
Because we found each other. After being under each other’s noses most of our lives, we finally opened our eyes and saw what was meant to be.
~The End