Always (Time for Love Book 4) (14 page)

“Ahh, baby...” he groaned. He sat up so they were nose to nose, their hips flexing and meeting with the primary purpose of taking each other to paradise.

She felt so good. And so damned incredible. Only Brenna could take him to this level of arousal and pleasure, and he knew why. It wasn’t only his cock that was participating in the action. His heart was burning, ablaze with love.

“I love you, Bren,” he groaned, nearing his climax. He buried his face in her neck as he braced for his release.

“Ash,” Brenna gasped.

“Say it, baby,” he pleaded, straining his legs to thrust into her more powerfully.

She clutched him tightly, her body quivering. “I love you!” she cried as she erupted in an intense orgasm.

With a victorious yell, he came inside her. The force of it had him seeing stars.

*

“S
tay here tonight,” Ash said as he gathered Brenna in his arms, replete and deeply satisfied.

“I’d already planned to,” she said, lazily drawing circles on his chest. “I’ve got my work clothes for tomorrow in the car.”

He grinned. “Confident that I’d fall for your charms, were you?”

She chuckled “No. Just being prepared. But I’m glad you succumbed to my seduction,” she answered sultrily.

“I don’t think I had any hope in hell of resisting,” he murmured.

Brenna nipped at his jaw. “I’m pleased you didn’t make it hard for me. But I must say I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to try out my other moves. I didn’t think you’d give in that quickly.”

“You had other moves?” he asked with interest.

Brenna nodded, trying to hide her smile but failing.

“Well, I’d like to see them.” He tried not to sound too excited.

She shook her head. “I think I’ll save them for next time.”

“Next time? Like tomorrow night? Or maybe when I wake up in the middle of the night from my hot, horny dreams of you?”

Brenna giggled. “No. I meant next time when I have to thaw you out because we had a fight or something.”

“Oh,” he said, disappointed. “It won’t be for a while then.”

“I hope so,” Brenna said, gently slapping his chest.

“Well, seeing that we don’t have any plans of fighting in the foreseeable future, how about you show me those moves anyway?” he asked, caressing her naked back.

Brenna thought for a second. “I’ll make you a deal.”

“Okay.”

She shifted to rest on his chest, looking down at him. “You tell me about your hot, horny dreams—”

“Deal,” he said eagerly.

Brenna laughed. “I’m not done. You tell me about your hot, horny dreams
and
we start going through the boxes in your garage this weekend.”

He scrunched his face. “Sorry, babe. I’m going to an expo for the latest eye surgical instruments on Saturday. I’ve arranged to meet a contact there.”

“What about Sunday?”

His brows rose. “Don’t you go to Patty’s every Sunday?”

She leaned down to kiss him. “I’ll see her another time. You’re my priority now, Ash.”

“Bren,” he whispered, his heart expanding. “Are you sure? Would Patty be okay with it?”

“I’m sure she’ll understand that I have other things to do on some Sundays. She’ll be fine.”

He pulled her head down for a kiss, pouring his elation and relief into the meeting of their lips.

“I suppose that since I have several Ash seduction techniques up my sleeve, I can show you another one tonight,” Brenna murmured.

“Excellent idea,” he agreed wholeheartedly.

Good thing he didn’t have major operations scheduled for tomorrow. He and Brenna wouldn’t get much sleep tonight.

*****

“T
hese are your clothes from your teenage years!”

Ash laughed, surprised by some of the contents of the boxes in his garage. “I can’t believe Mum packed those. They were in the spare room at my old apartment. I could have donated those ages ago.”

“I still think it’s funny that your mum didn’t label the boxes when she helped you pack,” Brenna said.

“I know. Mum thought I was running out of time with my packing, so she turned up one day while I was at work. She chucked everything in boxes with no rhyme or reason, wanting to get everything done before my move the next day. She didn’t know that I didn’t want to box everything because I really wanted to ditch a lot of stuff. Anyway, luckily I’d already packed and labeled the important things before that.”

“Three and half years later...” Brenna quipped.

He chuckled, walking towards Brenna. “Well, at least we’ve started,” he said, pulling her to him and giving her a kiss. In no time flat, the kiss had turned passionate.

“We should make a rule,” Brenna said breathlessly, pushing at his chest.

“What rule?”

“No kissing until we finish at least one box, or we won’t make good progress.”

“Okay, on one condition.”

“What?”

“Let’s have sex now first, and then we can start with that rule.”

Brenna giggled. “Here?”

“Yes, here,” he murmured against her neck, sneaking a hand underneath her shirt.

They were startled by the doorbell ringing.

“Were you expecting someone?” Brenna asked.

“No.”

He went to press a button to open the garage door. As it started rolling up, they could see two pairs of legs—male and female—walk towards it. He recognised their shoes.

He groaned silently. Amanda and Connor. Drats. No sex with Brenna in the garage today.

“Well, well. What brings you here?” he asked dryly when the door was rolled up enough to reveal the couple’s faces.

“I was told that today is the day we’re sorting through your boxes,” Amanda said, grinning widely and giving him a kiss.

“
We?
”

“I self-invited myself and Connor,” his sister replied, already bouncing up to Brenna. “You guys don’t mind, do you? You know how long I’ve been wanting to see what’s inside these boxes.”

He glanced at Brenna, who shrugged at him with a sheepish smile. He chuckled. Brenna must have told Amanda what they’d planned to do today.

“So anything exciting in these boxes, bro?” Connor asked, man-hugging him hello.

“I do believe some of my old toy cars are in there somewhere,” he answered, knowing that should get his future brother-in-law excited.

“Let’s go find them then.”

*

“A
manda and I are going to prepare some lunch,” Brenna announced.

“Sure, babe,” Ash answered distractedly, reading through his school report cards in amusement.

“I found one!” Connor cried triumphantly, holding up a miniature, old model Volkswagen Beetle.

“Oh my God,” Ash said with a laugh. “That used to be my dad’s. Actually, I think it was even my grandfather’s. It’s battery operated, but I doubt it still works.”

“I could try fixing it,” Connor said.

“So your Formula One mechanic skills work on antique toy cars, too?” he teased.

“We shall soon see,” Connor said with a grin.

Ash smiled, feeling absolutely contented. Life was bliss, and he knew Brenna was at the core of it.

“Ash,” Brenna said from the threshold.

He frowned at the fearful look in her face. “What’s wrong?” he asked, rushing to her.

“I just saw missed messages on my phone. Patty’s been taken to hospital.”

“Is there a donor for her?” he asked hopefully.

She shook her head. “She’s not well. I have to go.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Do you want me to drive you?”

“No. It’s better if I go alone.”

“Okay,” he said, kissing her forehead.

“I’ll see you later?” she asked softly.

He nodded, kissing her again and letting her go.

This was most definitely not the time for him to show insecurity or jealousy. It would be plain wrong at a time like this. Besides, Brenna had already told him she loved him. What more could he ask for?

B
renna arrived at the hospital, telling herself not to think of the worst. She’d tried to call Darren back, but all she got was his voicemail.

The messages she received from him didn’t say much—only that Patty was experiencing complications, so he and Sally had rushed her to the hospital, and for Brenna to come as soon as she could.

The lady at reception gave her instructions on how to get to the wing Patty was in. At least Patty wasn’t in surgery or an intensive care unit, so that was probably a good thing. She allowed herself to relax for the first time since getting those messages.

Reaching Patty’s room, she spotted Darren sitting on a chair next to Patty’s bed. He was reading a magazine while Patty seemed to be asleep.

“Hi,” she said softly.

Darren looked up. “Hey,” he said, getting up and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming.”

“What happened?”

Darren told her in hushed tones, his demeanour betraying his concern. “She was asking for you when we drove here.”

“How are you, Darren?” she asked, placing a hand on his arm.

He smiled. “Trying to cope as well as I can.”

She nodded her sympathy.

Sally came into the room. “Hello, Brenna. Glad you were able to make it. Why don’t you and Darren go to the cafeteria and get something to eat while Patty’s asleep?”

“Great idea, Auntie,” Darren said. “Let’s go, Bren. I haven’t had lunch yet.”

“Me neither,” she answered.

*****

“M
um asked me if we’re having relationship troubles again,” Darren said as he took a bite of his sandwich.

Brenna sighed. “That’s the problem with this, isn’t it? I’ve noticed your mum watching us like a hawk every time we’re around her. I’m sure she’s looking for proof that things are alright between us.”

“Yeah. She got really worried yesterday when I told her you won’t be visiting today because you have something else on. She wanted to know what, so I told her you’re attending a friend’s birthday. Then she wondered why I wasn’t going with you.”

“Darren, maybe we should come clean,” she said softly.

“No! Bren, I thought you understood. She’s happy because we’re together again.”

“I know, but let’s think this through,” she said patiently. “Your mum told me before that she was concerned about how you’re coping. She said she was happy I’m around again for you. But you see, her attitude about
us
is really because of
you
. I think if she sees you’re coping well with her situation, and that us not being together is okay with you, then she’d be fine with it. We need to show her that even though we’re just friends, things are still well and good.”

Darren shook his head stubbornly. “And what? Tell her we’ve been lying to her all along? I don’t think she’ll be happy with that at all.”

“Maybe we could have a pretend breakup. We could say we’ve realised we’re better off being just friends. If she sees us happy together being friends, then I’m sure that would alleviate her worries.”

Darren buried his face in his hands, then looked at her pleadingly. “I’m sorry, Bren, but I don’t think I want to take that risk at this point in time. She’s not very well at the moment. Can we talk about this another time?”

She smiled. “Of course.”

“Is Ash telling you not to continue with this?” Darren asked softly, although she heard the hard edge in his tone.

“No. He’s fine with this, Darren.”

Darren smirked.

“He really is,” she assured him.

“You know, it still surprises me how someone can stand aside for
years
if he really loves someone.”

“Darren,” she said with warning in her voice.

“I’m just saying,” Darren said with a shrug. “We might not be together anymore, Bren, but I still care about you. I don’t want you wasting your time on a man who won’t fight for you when the going gets tough. What does that say about the depths of his feelings?”

“It was
me
who didn’t notice his feelings before,” she said heatedly. “What did you expect him to do? Carry me over his shoulder and lock me in his room until I gave in to him? Or for him to have a fistfight to ‘win’ me from my then-boyfriend—who happened to be you? That’s ridiculous. There are other ways to show you care about someone, including being selfless and doing what you think is best for the other person.”

“Hey,” Darren said, holding his arms up in surrender. “I’m just saying it how I see it. You know me, Bren. I fight for what I want.”

Yes
, Brenna thought with irritation.
Sometimes without caring about other people’s feelings.

Darren reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. Let’s not fight. I don’t know why I’m testy. I think I’m feeling the pressure.”

She relented. She knew times were truly tough for Darren.

“You’ll stick around to help me, right, Bren? It would be hell if Mum thinks we’ve broken up again. I could just imagine how that would negatively affect her moods.”

“I don’t want to put her under any additional stress either,” she said, meaning it. As far as she could see, lying to Patty about her and Darren was doing wonders for the woman. How could she not continue with it? It seemed too cruel to do otherwise now that they were in too deep with the pretense.

“So you’ll go with the flow with me on this? Do what’s best for Mum?”

“Isn’t that what I’m doing now?” she asked, hoping the flow wouldn’t sweep her off to somewhere she didn’t want to be.

*****

“H
i, Patty, how are you feeling?” Brenna asked, stroking the older woman’s hair.

“I’m okay,” Patty said, her voice weak. “I’m glad you’re here, Brenna. How was your friend’s birthday party?”

“Good, thanks,” she said simply.

“Darren said he didn’t know this friend of yours, that’s why he didn’t go with you?” Patty said, obviously fishing for information.

“No, he doesn’t know my friend. Plus, Darren was due to visit you today. Good thing he did, so he was able to drive you here to the hospital.”

“I know,” Patty said with a dash of guilt. “It’s a little inconvenient for everyone.”

“No, it’s not,” she said lightly.

Patty smiled, taking her hand. “You’re so sweet, Brenna. I’m glad you put up with my son. I know he can be maddening at times, but he’s a good kid.”