I'm Holding On (10 page)

Brynlee

After Ian drops me off, I take the Max to visit my Gram. I haven’t seen her as much the last couple of weeks. I didn’t tell him. He would’ve insisted on driving me, and I didn’t want that. I needed to see her alone.

“Hi, Gram.”

She smiles at me, her head shaking some as that frail arm of hers reaches out.

“Hi, my dear.” I take hold of her hand
, and it’s not cool for a change.

“Your hand is warm
.”

“That’s because that kind
friend of yours was here holding it. Did you not see him on your way in? He just left.”

“Drew was here?”

“Yes. He said you’ve been extra busy lately, so he brought me some snacks and sat with me for a while. He was here one evening last week, too. He’s such a sweet boy, and he’s handsome like your great-grandpa was.”

I feel guilty knowing that while I was making out with Ian, Drew was here checking on my Gram. It could appear he’s doing it to prove a point or to impress me, but I know
the goodness in Drew.

He’s been
here many times to see Gram, and he’s come alone when I’ve had big orders to fill that kept me away. Would Ian do the same thing? It’s too soon for me to say, but I think he would.

Gram and I catch up on the happenings in the nursing home from the times she won at bingo to the crappy dinner she swears she’s served every d
ay. I promise to see her again soon and head home. Once in bed for the night, I text Drew.

Me:
Thank you for checking on Gram. She said I had just missed you.

Drew instantly responds:
I love your Gram. Sorry I missed you, and I’m sorry for today. I didn’t know he was going to show up, or I would’ve told you this morning. See you tomorrow.

Me:
You don’t need to apologize. This is a fucked up situation. See you then.

Drew:
Mouth, young lady, or I might buy Gram a bar of soap to stick in there the next time you’re visiting.

Me:
OK, big brother.

Drew:
BRYN!!!! That’s a dirty word, too, so I’m buying Gram soap.

Me:
Only teasing!! Since I left today, I’ll be in early tomorrow to catch up on my work. Is that OK?

Drew
: You know you can be there any hour of the day. I love seeing you in that apron with sugar on your nose.

Me:
I know … night, night.

Drew:
Sleep tight.

***

My
stomach is in knots as I imagine what the day will hold. With Drew’s protectiveness and Ian’s intensity, I don’t put anything past them. My nerves are also frayed since I haven’t been able to run as much lately.

Drew came in early, too, probably to see me, but was immediately busy, so I haven’t spoken to him yet.
It’s ten o’clock, and the shop sounds quieter from the kitchen. I’m deep in thought as I press out cookies on a sheet. The door opens and it’s Drew.

H
e’s … he’s sexy today. His tan cargo shorts are hanging low on his hips, his Clark’s t-shirt is tight, and I can’t help but ogle his tall, toned physique and messy, dark hair.

“Hi,” I say
. I feel my face warming, so I quickly look away. He strolls up and stands right behind me. “I know you love these cookies, but they’re not ready yet.” The next thing I know, I feel his chest against my back, his warm breath on my neck, and the press is slowly being taken out of my hand.

He sits it
on the table, so I manage to twist around and stare up at him. “What are you …” I look up, and Drew is staring at me in a way I’ve never seen before. He presses his body against mine to where my back is against the work table. He cups my face and leans down, planting his lips on mine.

It’s finally going to happen
. His tongue is in my mouth exploring slowly, tangling sensually with mine, and god he’s exceptional at this. I wrap my arms around his firm body that’s parked against me.

Our kiss is laced with
desire as his large hands cradle my cheeks, his towering height giving me a comforting sense of protection. Releasing my lips, he wraps one arm around me and glides the other into my hair.

“Shit, to think we could’ve been doing that fo
r so long.” Our breathing is choppy as we gaze at each other with pent up longing. “All I regret is not telling you before you met him. I wouldn’t change anything else because we might not have become this close of friends.”

“You’re sweet, Drew. You always have been.”

“Tell me you felt something from that kiss and don’t only find me sweet.”

“I did. It was hot,
” I say, smiling before I turn my head, my face warming again. I see him different now, more intimidating. I never knew what he was capable of since I’ve only ever seen the nice Drew, but I think I just got a taste.

His head dunks down, and he catches my lips again. This k
iss is harder and now both his arms are around me, pulling me into his broad chest. I melt against his scorching body, only focused on the feel of him and the taste of his tongue until we’re both coming up for air.

“Bry
n,” he whispers against my ear. “I want to take you home with me. Let’s spend some time together but not the way we have been … not as friends. We have that covered.”

I can’t help but snicker
. “You’re right about that.”

“When can I take you home?”

“You’re serious?”

“Yes. I have to make up for lost time. That’s a lot of damn kisses.”

“A few more hours.”

He gr
oans. “OK. I get you all evening, right?”

I run my fingers
into the back of his dark hair.

“Yes. I get to have you all evening,” I say.

He gives me a lascivious look
. Oh, lord. Now, Drew’s dangerous.

Drew

Bryn walks up to the office door smiling, but she looks nervous.
I know this because she’s biting her bottom lip, and when she’s really stressed, she drags it through her teeth. I bet asshole hasn’t figured that one out yet. Damn, kissing those lips felt like home.

“Are you ready to go?” I ask.

“Yes, but I really need a shower.”

I move
around the desk and take her hand.

“I’ll drop you at your apartment
and go grab us something to eat. Then I want you at my place. It’s Tuesday, so are we getting our usual?” I ask.

That’s C
hinese food, and the fact we have a “usual” says something about the friendship between us. I’m hoping she picked up on that, too.

“That sounds perfect. I’m starved.”

I lock up the office and hold her hand through the shop. We get to the door, and I realize I’ve done it right in front of our employees, but after the way I’ve always followed her around this place, I doubt it surprises any of them.

***

Bryn takes the food from me
when we arrive at my apartment. Her fruity scent overpowers the smell, and I’m only hungry for her. Her hair is up in the back, and I’d like to sink my teeth into her neck. She’s in a tank top again and little shorts.

“Hungry are we?”
I ask teasingly as she hurries with emptying the bags.

“I told you
I’m starved.”

While Bryn gets the food ready, I go to my room and
throw on some athletic shorts and a clean t-shirt. When I come out, she has our plates fixed and is sitting at one end of my couch in front of the TV.

She has her legs stretched out with her back against the arm. “I see you saved me food, b
ut what about a spot to sit?” I pick up my plate from the coffee table and sit down right at her feet.

She snickers as her toes push into the side of my thigh.
“So, what movie do you want to watch?” I ask.

“Marissa told me you’re
a big fan of
Step Up
.” She chuckles loudly.

“That l
ittle shit. I’m going to have a talk with her.”

“I didn’t know you were such a dance fan. I’m cool with watching it. Channing Tatum’s in it, so I think I can suffer through it,” she adds.

“I don’t need another guy to compete with, and it was hard enough to rent
Sixteen Candles
for you that time. I can’t further humiliate myself.”

“I think we can occupy our time another way,” she says,
giving me an alluring look.

“Fine with me.”

We talk about random stuff, and I’m trying hard to let her eat, but after about fifteen minutes, I can’t fight my urges any longer. I set my plate of food on the table and do the same with hers.

“I’m sorry, sugar, but I’ve been waiting over two years to kiss you, and knowi
ng I could be doing that this second is about to kill me.”

She s
miles and bites her bottom lip as I crawl over top of her and grip the arm of the couch on each side of her body. I see nervousness but also excitement as she shimmy’s her way down until lying flat on her back.

I’m
staring down at her, my hands still on the arm of the couch. There’s a bold, playful twinkle in those dark eyes of hers.

I smirk.
“Bryn.”

“Yes,” she says, barely above a whisper.

“I either have to lie on top of you, or you’re going to have to sit up, chick.”

“I think I’m comfy
right here.”

Shit
, she’s driving me crazy.

Brynlee

Drew is staring down at me on his couch. I can sit up and kiss him or have his masculine body on top of me. This is a no brainer. As soon as I say it, it hits me that I didn’t need to think twice about it. I feel safe with him.

M
ouths collide the second he’s on me, and feeling him everywhere on my body is overwhelming. His blazing tongue is tangling with mine, his hands are holding my head and thumbs glide along my cheeks. Our chests are flushed, legs intertwined. It’s everything I’ve dreamed about and more.

Any doubt
there could be passion between us was squished this morning, but I don’t know if this right here can be extinguished. Together we’re like the water that boils over in a pot; we simmered way too long. Drew releases my lips.

“I feel like I’m crushing you.”

“Please don’t move.” A rush of air evacuates my lungs with my words.

“
I can’t tell you how many dreams I’ve had of you being underneath me, Bryn.” His lips and tongue find my ear, taking turns licking and kissing before they travel down my neck, causing a hair-raising sensation.

This is hot as hell, and
I’m having thoughts I shouldn’t as his hard manhood presses against my thigh. The urgency to be closer to him takes over, sending my hands into a frenzy to get his shirt off.

Raising
up onto his knees, he strips it in record time and stares down at me. A hooded cloud of lust glazes over his blue eyes, and I never imagined Drew had this side to him.

I lean up enough to take my shirt off and toss it to the floor. “I
want to feel your skin against mine,” I say. His eyes go straight to my breasts that are spilling out of my lacy, black bra.

“Bryn,
I don’t know if I can stop.”

“We will, please.” My words come out urgently
, driven by the pent up longing that has weighted me down.

Leaning over, he
unhooks my bra that fastens in the front and slowly opens it before working one of my arms through the strap. I lean up a little, and he slides it out from behind me.

The throbbing between my thighs intensifies as I watch his gaze
take in the sight of my nipples, which are already stiff from the anticipation.

“You’re so damn sexy, Bryn, and this view is spectacular.”
He lays his body back on top of me, and I close my eyes, relishing in the feel of his fiery skin against mine.

Groaning, he
ardently swirls and drags his tongue down my neck and onto my chest as his body slithers farther down mine. A strong hand grips my bare waist, a moist tongue twirls around my nipple, and a burst of delight surges to the apex of my thighs.

Whimpering, I dig
my fingers into his contoured shoulders, my impetuous behavior leading us only deeper into the throes of bliss. He groans louder and takes my breast into his mouth, sucking and tugging on my nipple with his teeth. My body wants him in it and instinctually lifts up against him.

He
releases my breast and slides back up near my ear. “Try to relax and enjoy what I’m doing to you. I could make you feel even better in other places,” he whispers before running his tongue along the outside of my ear.

“
Drew, I’ve wanted you for so long.”

He plunges his
eager tongue into my mouth, showing me his appetite is as strong. We’re a furnace of heat as our tongues lash and our bodies writhe against each other’s.

My nails drag down the length of his back, causing him to kiss harder and groan louder. Through his thin athletic shorts, his erection pushes right between my legs.

Abruptly, he releases my mouth and buries his head into the curve of my neck. He’s stopping us, and I can’t say with certainty that I would have.