Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (17 page)

“I don’t want to ruin things between us. I don’t want to hurt you or scare you away.” He closed his eyes tightly.

“You’re not going to.” She
assured him. He pulled away but continued to stare at her. His gaze was too mesmerizing for her to look away. They began slowly dancing again but Isabel became aware of the many wondering eyes that had landed on them. Including Drew’s, Amanda’s and Luke’s parents. “What happens now?” she asked hoping the onlookers assumed they were having a casual conversation.
Fat chance in that happening.

“I’m not sure. But I’d like to find out.
Slowly though if that works for you?” He murmured. “I’m scared if things progress as fast as that kiss from yesterday, you’ll run away.”

Isabel searched his eyes. He really did believe he could push her that far. Did she look as fragile as he treated her? Didn’t he see how badly she yearned for him? “I’m not going anywhere.” She whispered.

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Andrew continued swaying with Amanda on the dance floor. Her thin silky gown felt good on his hands. He loved dancing with her. He rarely slow danced with women. It was too sensual and romantic of situations and he wanted to seduce women not romanticize them. But his sweet Mandy wasn’t just any woman. She was his closest and dearest friend. A friend he knew he felt a little more for than he should allow himself to, but none the less she was his. She’d been gone to Paris with his sister for about a week and he had missed her ridiculously. Now there was talk of some Duke being interested in her and he all but burned with jealousy.

              “So tell me about this Duke.” He purred into her ear.

              Amanda looked into his wondering green eyes and rolled hers playfully and smirked. “I told you. Your sister was exaggerating.”
 

             
“So he didn’t invite you to spend a weekend with him?” Drew asked as he caressed her back with his hand, holding her closely as they swayed to the music.

              The slow caress of his hand was making her lose concentration. “Uhh…well yes he did. But who’s to say if he was serious or being hospitable. I barely understood the man. You know I’m not as fluent in French as Emilia is.”  Amanda attempted to sound casual.

             
Hospitable my ass
, Drew thought. The scum was clearly trying to find a way to Amanda’s panties and he winced from the thought. “And are you going to find out if his offer was genuine?” Andrew continued to question as he stared into her light blue eyes. The color of her icy blue dress was brightening her eyes making them look even more irresistible.

              “No I’m not.” She sighed. “If that makes you feel better.” She teased but couldn’t help and laugh when Drew’s face split into a wide grin.
God he could be so tempting
, she thought.

“Good.” Drew smiled. “I’m glad you won’t be going back to Paris then.”

“And why is that?” Amanda arched her brows.

“Because I missed you like crazy.” He confessed and leaned his head and gently kissed her bare shoulder.

Amanda held her breath.
This is Drew
, she told herself. He’s a sweet talker and her closest friend. His gestures and words aren’t supposed to mean anything other than affection towards her. All these years being so close, she had trained well to brace herself when he got too affectionate. Touching and being flirty was in Drew’s nature. She knew this. But couldn’t help and feel a need for him. Years of training had taught her well to keep a composed face and not allow his gentle hands to show the appeal she felt from them.

“Uhuh.” She sighed as if she was exasperated. “Oh I’m sure all the women you occupied yourself with really couldn’t get your mind off of how much you missed me.”

“No woman compares to you my angel face.” He murmured to her. “My sweet sweet Mandy.”

Amanda’s heart dissolved. He always managed to win her over with his sugar coated words.
Angel face and Sweet Mandy
had become her two favorite nicknames he had been using for her since they were children. “Oh Drew you frustratingly charming man.” She sighed and kissed him on his cheek. “Let’s go get something to drink I’m thirsty.” She said and pulled him towards the bar.

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Meanwhile, the sassy brazen Emilia was making her way towards the surveillance room. A quick glance in the hallway mirror ensured her makeup and hair were intact. She slowed her walk and swayed her hips as she entered the room she knew Jake was in. She sighed with pure female satisfaction when she found his lean muscular body hovered over a surveillance screen. The sight of him always made her mouth water.

              Jake mumbled and cursed under his breath. He didn’t have to glance towards the door to know Emilia had just walked in.  He’d seen her heading towards the security room through his cameras. Maybe if he didn’t make a sound she’d just leave and go away. He shook his head from the unlikeliness of that ever happening. Emma was a brat he was always trying to get rid of. A beautiful, sexy, uncontrollably alluring brat, but a pesky brat nonetheless. Not because she bothered him as much as his wild thoughts about having her troubled him. He’d ached to touch or kiss her since she turned fifteen and was no longer his best friend’s annoying sister that constantly tried to follow them around but his best friend’s suddenly gorgeous sister. When she’d turned eighteen he had made the mistake of kissing her. He came home one day belligerently drunk, deep in his dark twisted sorrows and she took care of him. Ever since that single kiss it’s like she knew the power she had over him and wouldn’t leave him alone. But he’d be damned if he ever took another bite of the forbidden fruit again.

“Hello Jake.” She called out in her alluring voice.

Jake cursed in his head. He had no choice but to acknowledge her now. He turned around to see her casually leaning on the door frame with her arms folded across her chest.
Damn her, damn her, damn her
he thought. Did she have to look this ravishing? He’d seen her through the cameras and his eyes sure had appreciated the sexy red number she had on. But the cameras did no justice compared to the vision presented in front of him right now. However, Jake was a man with immense control. He could keep his composure and be a man of few words.

“Hello Emilia.” He said and leaned back in his chair. His icy green gaze locked with her sea blue. She let a slow seductive smile creep into her face as she slowly cat- walked towards him. Her dirty blond locks wrapped around her shoulders and tumbled their way to her hips. Emilia had perfect golden hair most women would gladly pay dearly for.

              “Well aren’t you going to kiss me Merry Christmas? Or at least hug me hello?” she gave her sweetest smile possible. She loved getting under Jake’s skin. And damn him for looking so delicious in his dark tuxedo. She’d love to remove that frost from his icy green eyes by tempting him. But Jake was very stern and never let her get too close. Except for that one kiss they shared a few years ago that had stolen her heart, he made sure to keep his distance.

              Jake managed to give her a fake smile. He would play nice he promised himself. Emilia always managed to trigger his anger and frustration which led him sexually craving her even more. But tonight, since she was in this risky dress, he’d keep his cool. “I’m working. Is there anything you needed from here?”

              “No. I just came to admire the view.”  She purred.

Jake immediately knew he was in hot water as he recognized the exchange in her voice. Emilia was in one of her moods to make him suffer. He hadn’t seen her for a few months which meant she’d been saving up for this moment dearly. Jake was always thankful he had business to attend to in San Diego that kept him months away from New York and Emilia. But avoiding her was inevitable. The Brady’s were his only family and he loved all of them. He desperately wanted to love Emilia like a little sister but other parts of his anatomy strongly disagreed with him.

“This isn’t a playground babe.” He said the word knowing how much she disliked it and watched her eye’s glitter with amusement. He always teased their age difference trying to make it seem like she was too immature for his taste. “If you have nothing to do here you should head back to the party. I’m working here.” He said and turned his attention back to his computer.

“Oh Jake play nice will you? I won’t get in your way I promise.” She almost laughed at her own lie as she made her way closer towards him. “Besides I’m bored at that party. Luke is too busy gawking over his new assistant and Andrew’s going to be hogging Amanda all night since he hasn’t seen her for over a week.” She sat on his desk and let the slit of her dress fall open exposing her legs. She scooted closer until his hand that was resting on the desk touched her upper thigh. “And you’re all alone over here so I figured I’d keep you company.” She continued to hum in her tempting voice. She noticed Jake’s gaze uncomfortably shift back and forth from her exposed legs to the camera screens. She wanted to hoot from triumph.

Jake swallowed his groan. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing he was tempted by her. “You’re sitting on a file I need. You’ll need to move.” He spoke roughly.

Instead of moving out of the way, Emilia scooted over landing directly in front of Jake. She bumped her dangling feet against his knees and knew the shift in movement raised the slit of her dress higher. A wicked smile spread across her face as his eyes landed on her exposed skin. Any higher, Jake wouldn’t need to guess what color panties she was wearing. She slipped her foot out of her sandal and slowly caressed it all the way up his leg, past his knee and towards his middle bulge.

“Emilia.” Jake warned.

“What?” she asked all too innocently but let her foot caress down his leg again.

“We’ve been through this a million times.” Jake’s green gaze was blazing as he watched her flutter her lashes naively. But Jake was no fool. There was only mischief behind her sea blue irises. “I’ve advised you to stay away and stop playing these games.”

“That’s the problem Jake,” she whispered. “I’m not playing games. I’m dead serious.” She replied as her foot traveled back up and landed on his crotch.

Jake jerked out of his seat, grabbed her arms and pushed her flat on her back until her sandy blond locks were spread on the surface of his desk. Emilia gasped as Jake’s grip tightened on her arms. Boy did she love watching his whole muscular body flex and hover over hers.

“You don’t know what the hell you’re asking for Emma. I’m not one of your soft college preppy boys. If I have you I won’t be treating you like a lady.” He hissed with his face just an inch away from hers. “Now I’m going to walk out of this room so do us both a favor and don’t follow me. Because once certain steps are taken there will be no going back. You don’t want to get involved with me beyond what we have. Trust me.” he growled. He released her with a shocked look on her face and left.

Emilia stared out after him with her eyes wide and her chest pumping. She finally took in a deep breath not realizing she was holding it. “Wow,” she breathed. She couldn’t understand if her skin was burning from fury or if Jake’s aggressive behavior had turned her on even more. She realized it was both. She yearned for him and the swell in his pants she felt with her foot only told her how badly she affected him as well. She knew Jake wanted her, and every time he turned her down and rejected her, it tinted her rage even further and she promised herself to make him suffer more. 

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Isabel watched as Thomas Brady spoke into the microphone welcoming his guests to their annual Christmas Gala. He reminded his guests that just like previous years, the sole purpose of these Holiday gatherings was to collect charitable donations for a particular association. Isabel realized it was the same organization that helps domestically abused children that Luke had sponsored in San Diego. She remembered Luke telling her the reason for their dedication to this particular establishment was because someone close to him had a bad childhood. Isabel scanned the room spotting Jake as he walked in. A moment later Emilia walked into the ballroom a bit flushed and angry just as her father announced how the organization had managed to save thousands of children this year by placing them into protective care. That once again this year an anonymous donor had gave the charity a hefty amount of money to ensure the safety of these children. Emilia stopped dead in her tracks as her eyes locked with Jake’s. She held her breath along with Jake’s icy green gaze throughout her father’s speech. When Thomas stopped speaking and the room erupted in loud applause, Jake quietly slipped out of the ballroom.