Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Are you going to tell me what happened at The Staggering Moose?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Brinley frowned. Cypress knew exactly what she meant, and it sucked that she wasn’t opening up to her about it. “What were you and Echo talking about that upset you so much that you stormed out?”
“I didn’t storm out. I left so that you and Dash could go back to his place and have sex.”
“You can tell me anything,” Brinley said gently. “I know you, Cypress. I know everything about what happened when we were kids. Why won’t you let me in now?”
Cypress sighed. “It was nothing, Brin. I promise. I overreacted.”
“I want you to like Dash’s friends. Because he spends a lot of time with them, and I want to be with him as much as I can. And if my best friend doesn’t get along with one of his best friends, that’s not going to be good.”
“I promise, I’m fine. We’re good. Echo and I.”
Brinley frowned. She didn’t like that Cypress wouldn’t tell her what happened, but she couldn’t force her to talk. She’d open up in time. At least, she always had in the past.
“Can we talk more about you and Dash now? Please tell me he was good to you. That he took care with you.”
Brinley beamed. “He was more than good to me. Why didn’t you tell me how awesome sex is?”
Cypress laughed so hard, tears came out of her eyes. “Oh my God, my bestie is a sex fiend now.”
Brinley could only grin. She wasn’t sure about that, but she wouldn’t deny that she couldn’t get enough of Dash.
This morning, she’d woken up in his arms and immediately wanted to know if the night before had been a fluke, or if she really did enjoy sex as much as she thought she did.
But since she admitted to being a little sore, Dash refused to penetrate her again.
He did, however, lick and finger her to two more orgasms, and he’d let her touch him too.
It had been a little intimidating at first. His cock seemed even bigger than she’d thought it was the night before, and it was hard to believe he’d actually fit inside her, but then she got distracted by the sense of control she felt while stroking him, the awe at seeing how vulnerable he became.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to swallow his come, but she did taste it a little after he exploded all over her hand and his belly.
Then he’d dragged her into his bathroom and insisted they shower together.
Everything that happened had been a new experience for her, but since she was doing it all with Dash, it felt perfect. Not overwhelming and not scary at all.
He’d brought her home after a leisurely breakfast and before he had to head into work.
She’d done a little work herself, texted with Natasha, her new client, ignored a call from an unknown number that turned out to be Tamika—who’d threatened her in another voicemail—and by that time, Cypress was home from the university.
Since then, they’d been on the couch talking.
“I’m not a sex fiend,” Brinley said, defending herself.
“Whatever. And sex can be good, but it can also be awkward and awful. I’m glad that you experienced the good side of it with Dash.”
That made Brinley feel a little guilty, because she was well aware that her best friend’s first experience with sex had been anything but good. It was downright terrifying and wrong.
“Have you heard from him today? I mean, since he dropped you off?”
“No. But he’s been at work.”
“Hmmm.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Cypress—seriously.”
“Just that I thought he might’ve sent you a text at least, saying he had a good time last night or something. He seems like the kind of guy who gets super mushy. Even though he’s a badass super-soldier, he’s also kind of a cinnamon roll.”
“A cinnamon roll?”
“Yeah, you know, it’s a romance book thing. Where a guy is kind of rough and tough on the outside, but ooey-gooey sweet and kind on the inside.”
Brinley smirked. “He’s definitely that.”
“Right, so that’s why I thought Mr. Cinnamon might’ve sent you a message.”
Just when Brinley wondered if she was seeing what was happening between her and Dash through a starry-eyed virgin’s viewfinder, her phone vibrated with a text. Hoping it wasn’t Tamika contacting her from another new number, Brinley pulled out her cell and sighed in relief, seeing it was from Dash.
She smirked as she opened it, happy she could tell Cypress that Dash was everything she hoped he was, that he’d texted her. But then she read it…and gaped.
There was a link, along with a really long message. She started reading what Dash had written before clicking on the link and before she was halfway through, tears were spilling over her lashes and onto her cheeks.
“What? Who’s it from? Brinley? You’re freaking me out. Talk to me!” Cypress ordered.
But all Brinley could get out was, “Dash.”
“Is he breaking up with you? That asshole! All men are fucking dogs! We ride at dawn! We’ll make his life so miserable, he’ll beg his boss to let him change duty stations. How dare he make my bestie cry…Brin? What? Why are you shaking your head?”
“He’s…it’s…” Brinley couldn’t talk. She held out the phone to Cypress and let her read what Dash had sent for herself.
By the time she looked back at Brinley, her eyes were filled with tears. “Wow.”
Brinley nodded and took the phone back, rereading what Dash had written.
Dash: I woke up before you this morning and spent at least ten minutes staring at you, wondering how in the hell I got so lucky. I’m not creative. Not a poet. But this song immediately came to mind while I watched you sleeping. Watched you sleep in a totally non-creepy way. :)
And then he’d copied and pasted all the words to the One Direction song, “What Makes You Beautiful.”
Brin clicked on the link, and she and Cypress listened to the song without speaking.
When it was over, Cypress said softly, “Okay, I love him. Not love-love, but love him for you. You need someone who can see you for the amazing, beautiful person you are. I’ve been saying for years that you’re more than the skin you wear. About time you start to believe it.”
“I don’t know that I believe it, but it’s enough that he doesn’t seem to see me the way the rest of the world does.”
“As he shouldn’t. I’m glad you found him. But…just sayin’…if he fucks this up and hurts you, I’m still riding at dawn and making his life miserable.”
Brinley couldn’t help but smile. Cypress deserved to find a man who made her feel the same way Dash made Brinley feel. But her friend had a lot more emotional baggage to overcome, despite having come a long way already.
The man who eventually won her heart would find a fiercely devoted and loyal woman he could rely on, no matter what life threw their way. But getting past her extremely fortified walls wouldn’t be easy.
Cypress leaned over and hugged Brinley, then kissed her on the cheek before getting up. “In the mood for anything in particular for dinner tonight?”
“Pizza?”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll order it now!”
Brinley smiled down at the words on her phone, then closed her eyes.
She was happy. Truly happy for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Her business was going well, she had a boyfriend, and she felt as if she was finally throwing off the cruel teasing and words she’d endured as a child and throughout her life.
It had taken thirty years, but she was finally moving the hell on.