Chapter 34
Maria
" S he works at Triton Academy. Have you heard of it?" I swiped a fry through the ketchup.
Brian shook his head as he speared a grilled broccoli with his fork. "I'm ignorant when it comes to that type of thing. The most I do in the morning is a splash of water and some sunscreen if I'm going to be working outdoors."
I grinned, my mind going to the stack of male grooming products I stocked at my salon. I personally thought Brian didn't need any extra help. He always smelled addictive, even after a hard work day when his sweat overrode his spicy scent. His eyes had adorable crinkles whenever he smiled at me—which was often—and I knew most came from his job working out in the elements.
"It's considered the top beauty school in the country. A lot of makeup and hairstyling Academy Award winners came out of there. Gena started there as a junior tutor and ended up on the makeup team for All Roads Lead Here . Do you know that movie?"
"I haven't seen it, but I've heard about it."
"It won the Golden Lion at The Venice Film Festival." At his blank stare, I waved my hand. "Anyway, I saw it a few months ago. It's good if you're into that sort of abstract storytelling. I tend to re-watch movies I love or seek out obscure titles, especially foreign films."
I popped another fry in my mouth as I moved my hands expressively. "Sometimes I feel like the art of filmmaking has been lost these days, so it takes a lot to get my ass into the theater. A lot of movies are either remakes, sequels that make no sense, or films churned out by AI."
Brian nodded as he signaled to the bartender for another round of drinks. "I agree. Growing up in New York, it was common to come across a street or footpath that was closed off for filming. I loved growing up around that kind of excitement. All my weekends were spent either at the arcade or at the movies." A nostalgic smile curved his firm mouth as his mind took him back.
Fresh drinks were placed on our table, and we sipped the cold brews. I discreetly watched Brian dipping his own fries in the sauce. There was a low hum of pleasure sitting in my stomach, warming me from the inside out. It was so easy with him. So easy to fall back into the familiar chemistry that hadn't dulled since we last saw each other in a romantic capacity. Not that any romance had been happening on our dates. I was still a little wary of him and knew he was treading softly with me—something I appreciated.
What I also appreciated? Despite my busy schedule and aloofness, he still let me know in small ways that he was thinking of me. He texted and called me throughout the day, even if it was just a quick note to say "hello."
When he showed up at the salon with food and coffee for me, I was stunned—and a little disappointed he didn't stay. When I found out from the girls that he'd also supplied them sustenance, I almost called him over to fuck me. A bubble of amusement rose up at the thought. A few muffins, and I was ready to sleep with him without much prompting.
Of course, I used to drop my panties for a free drink at the club, so at least I had upgraded to pastry and coffee.
I wouldn't have done it, of course. I was still firmly in my celibate era; and as much as I missed sex, I enjoyed the clarity my celibacy gave me. I enjoyed just being with someone without wondering whether my big tits would keep him around longer than one night.
After he'd left my salon, I called him up that night and asked him out for a drink the following night. That was how we ended up at Malley's right now, sharing fries and grilled vegetables as we got to know each other better.
"So what kind of movies do you like watching? Give me some of your favs."
I chewed slowly as I considered my options. Nowadays I often watched movies that showcased some interesting things with special effects and make up.
"I love body horror." I laughed at his quick look of revulsion. "Some of my favorites are Titane , Tusk, Martyrs , and Ringu . There are some new ones coming out soon that I'm excited to watch."
His face paled, and he glanced down at his food. I stifled a giggle and leaned forward, placing my hand on top of his. "Don't worry, I won't make you watch them with me."
He glanced back up at me before looking down at my hand again, which covered his much larger one. Awareness had me jerking it back again as if singed. This was what I'd meant by everything being so easy with Brian. When my guard was down, my natural instinct was to lean into our attraction, no matter how innocent my touch had been.
Brian's face couldn't have appeared more pleased despite my sudden withdrawal. "You know," he slowly drawled. "I think I'd just about sit through anything as long as you hold my hand."
A thrilling heat climbed up my cheeks, but I kept my gaze on him, smirking at his smooth line. It may have landed with me, but I wasn't going to let him see that.
"Did you watch a lot of movies as a kid? I'm guessing your parents didn't let you watch body horror."
And just like that, the thrill slithered away. I knew Brian wanted to get to know me better, but every time he asked about my childhood, I'd repel the conversation away. Childhood films seemed like such an innocuous question, but a lasting memory I had of my dad was his love of 80's action movies.
I had vivid memories of watching them with him, even at a young age. When he'd left us, he also left behind his hoard of DVDs and old VCR tapes. I used to watch them whenever I felt alone or needed cheering up, which was often. But then, one of mom's boyfriends sold our TV for drug money. We couldn't afford another television, so I dumped his tapes into the trash in a fit of anger at both my parents.
"My dad watched a lot of action movies, so I grew up loving those. We’d watch Sylvester Stallone, Jean Claude Van Dam, Arnold, and even old Jackie Chan movies from when he first started making films in the States." A fuzzy memory of sitting on my dad's knee as we watched something together crowded me, and I blinked back tears.
But that sadness was quickly replaced with an angry coldness when an image of me sitting on the steps of our home—the same home that we lost due to our mortgage payments lapsing—waiting for my dad to come home. I wouldn't believe my mom when she told me he was never coming back.
If my dad were still alive and tried to worm his way back into my life, I would tell him to fuck off. In fact, my exact words to Dr. Anna were: "I wouldn't spit on him if he were on fire." No amount of therapy would allow me to welcome him back in.
Brian's foot touched mine, bringing me out of my raging thoughts. "I wish my dad had been into that. He was more of a documentary type of guy."
Brian's parents had both been educators who hadn't planned on having kids until an anniversary trip to Italy produced Brian. Despite being a whoops baby, the way Brian talked about his parents made it clear that he'd been the apple of their eye.
A twinge of envy pierced me when I thought of Brian's idyllic childhood, but that was replaced by shame when I remembered his parents had died in a car crash when he was a teen. It would've been hard to have two loving parents only to lose them so early in life. Fuck, and on top of that, he also lost his father-in-law and then his wife. So much loss for one person.
A new compassion came over me at how much emotional baggage Brian had to wade through. Not many people would be able to come out the other side if they had to deal with such repetitive grief and loss.
"Is that what you want to do, though?" Brian questioned. "Work in the film industry? Or something like this Gena person is doing?"
I swirled my drink around as I considered his question. "I don't know. I love running my own business, but it can be tiresome dealing with customers and worrying about the overhead and the well-being of your staff. I am super lucky with the people I currently have employed, though," I acknowledged.
He nodded and raised his drink to me. "I can tell they love and respect you. That's a credit to how you treat them."
He then filled me in on their reaction to his sudden reappearance at the salon the other day. I hadn't told them I was giving Brian another chance—not because I was worried about their opinion on it, but because I wanted to ensure that Brian was serious this time. I didn't want to start mentioning him again prematurely.
Turns out, it didn't take much to win the girls over. They trusted my judgment, but I had a feeling that his showing up with a snack for everyone had tipped him in their favor. It certainly had me standing up and taking notice of his effort. It felt good to know he was thinking of me. I'd enjoyed our last date at Hart's, but my mind was so distracted by saying and doing the right thing. Plus, everything going on at work kept me busy, so I didn't start relaxing until much later in the night.
After our dinner, I'd started to second guess whether it was a good idea to start things up again when I couldn't even make time for another date with him.
But then he showed up, and I realized that whatever else I had going on, I deserved to explore whatever this ended up being with Brian. After all, our chemistry was still strong, and I still found him to be just as attractive as the first time I'd met him.
"They were certainly surprised to see you again," I revealed with a giggle.
His heated gaze scorched me. "I'm glad."
My eyes dropped from his. "What about you? It sounds like your mom-in-law and sister are super close to you. Are they supportive of your decision to start dating again?"
He nodded, but not before I spied a sliver of hesitation in him. Dread sunk deep in my gut. Oh, god, were they not supportive of him?
"My mom-in-law is. My sister-in-law…she's struggling a bit." His gaze still didn't meet mine. I had a feeling there was more to the story than he was letting on.
A nagging pit formed in my stomach until he reached over and clasped my hand, calming me. "Hannah and I met in college in New York. She was studying textile design while I was doing business. Her sister was in school at that time, but Hans would call her nearly every day. They were super close, so she became like a sister to me. It's been a difficult few years, losing her dad and then her sister a year later."
My hand turned in his, sympathy replacing the discomfort I felt. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine that kind of loss."
He squeezed my hand. "One day, I hope to talk to you more about Hannah. If you're okay with that."
I nodded, squeezing his hand once before releasing it. "I am."
He hesitated, his eyes dropping to the table before meeting mine. "Maybe one day you can tell me about your childhood?"
My face colored, and I snatched my hand back. I should have known I couldn't fool him. We'd been dancing around this subject for a while—him prompting me for tidbits of my past and me diverting attention. I felt the sincerity radiating off him and knew he was coming from more than just a place of being nosey.
My breath deepened. "That could happen. Yes."
We stopped drinking after two beers, mainly because we'd both driven to Malley's. I was grateful we hadn't bumped into anyone we knew here. It allowed us both to relax without the pressure of past lives intruding.
As he walked me to his car, our bodies bumped now and then. His body heat gave me a sort of excited awareness that I hadn't experienced in a while. When we arrived at my car, my body responded to his closeness, and I became very aware of what happened the last time he'd walked me to my vehicle.
"Well, this is me. Thank you for walking me." My hand fidgeted with the strap of my bag.
Brian's eyes bored into mine with a tenderness I couldn't look away from. It made the butterflies in my stomach take flight as a flicker of arousal started above my panties.
"I'm going to do something that I hope like hell you won't mind," he warned.
His hands cupped my jaw just as my breath sucked in. I was frozen in anticipation, my body refusing to move as I waited for what he would do to me. His palm slid up my jaw, smoothing past the erratic beat of my pulse before his fingers buried themselves in my hair.
Still, I did nothing.
His face descended slowly, allowing me ample time to move away. But I didn't. I couldn't.
His soft mouth landed on mine and held there without moving. My breath suspended as my eyes fluttered shut. His mouth moved against mine softly. Once. Twice. A Third time.
All too soon, he pulled back, his eyes hooded and golden. No tongues had been exchanged, yet it felt like the most passionate kiss I'd ever experienced.
"Drive safe," he murmured, his breath fanning my lips before his hands slid slowly out of my hair.
Dazed, I opened my car with a shaky hand as he watched. I couldn't remember how I got home; only that in one moment, I was starting my car and the next, I was suddenly parked in my designated apartment spot.
My lips still tingled from his unassuming kiss.