I'm Holding On (6 page)

Ian

“I think my sweet girl is tired.”

The precious woman against me opens her drowsy eyes and gives me a sexy smile. I’ve never spent this much time only talking to a woman before. My heart feels something foreign, yet I can’t will myself to run from it.

Her
breath keeps me warm, soft hair laced through my fingers has me relaxed, and her curvy body pressed against mine is exciting yet comforting at the same time.

I no
tice her palm over my heartbeat and the heaviness of my eyelids, but I don’t want to stop staring at her pretty face or miss a second of her close to me. I’ll shut my eyes for only a minute.

***

“Ian, wake up, sweetie.”

I hear my name and instantly notice the warm body against me. I pull her close. “I’m awake.”

“Yeah, my thigh feels that,” she says, giggling.

My eyes fly open. “I think somewhere else warm wants to feel it,” I say, kissing her forehead. “I’m only joking. Well, unless you don’t want me to be.”

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“For what?”

“For this and for wanting me … desiring me. I’ve never felt that before.”

I kiss the top of her head.

“God, Brynlee. I don’t even know how that’s possible. I’ve wanted you since the second I laid eyes on you. I also don’t think you could get any sweeter.”

“Mmm, you’re sweet.” She leans up, her soft lips reaching my cheek. Something else is reaching higher now.

“I’ll show you desire every chance you give me, sweet girl.”

“Well, unfortunately, I have to kick you off my couch right now, so I can get ready for work.”

“I see how you are. You use my body for warmth and then give me the boot.”

“I’ll make it up to you by using it again soon. How about that?” she asks.

I can’t resist pulling her into a tight hug.

“OK, I’ll go, but you better call, or I’ll be stalking the coffee shops of Portland.”

“Deal, and thank you for the best date ever.”

I stroke her cheek with my thumb before I twirl her hair around a finger.

“It was for
me too, Brynlee, so thank you.”

Brynlee

After Ian leaves, I hurry and shower.
I call Tish as I’m getting ready for work.

“It’s Brynlee. I had a date with the handsome
attorney, and I’m in trouble.”

“Why? What happened?” she asks, sounding concerned.

“He’s scandalous, tantalizing and sinful, but then oh so genuinely sweet. We talked and made out until we fell asleep together on my couch.”

“Oh, no. Chickadee, you can’t handle a man like that. He’ll eat you alive.”

“That’s what Andrea thinks. I mean, I know I’m inexperienced, but I have to get it at some point.”

“
You need someone like sweet Drew to break you in first.”

“I don’t know if h
e wants to. That’s been the problem for over two years now. Ian would’ve already had his way with me if I let him.”

“Oh, Tish, I thought my legs were going out from unde
r me when he kissed me at the door. After that, I had to let him into the apartment.”

“You are in trouble. I just don’t want to see you fall hard and get hurt. You’ve been through enough heartbreak in your lifetime.”

“I know, and I’ll be careful. Thanks for listening. This isn’t something I can talk to Drew about. He’s overprotective as it is.”

“So long
, Chickadee, and keep me up to speed on this new studly man.”

Drew

I arrive at work early since o
nce again, I got little sleep. Instead of dreams it was real time keeping me awake. All I could think about was whether Brynlee was home and safe.

I knew I couldn’t text her, or she’d st
art her big brother speech, and I don’t want to hear the words brother or sister come out of her mouth again.

I also couldn’t stop wondering if she had a good time. What if the guy kisses her?
Now, I’m even more conflicted on whether she likes me, but if I do nothing, then she may end up with this man.

I’
m losing my mind over Brynlee. She possesses every part of me and doesn’t even know it. Here she comes wearing a big smile, and she’s never this fixed up for work.

“Good morning, Drew.
” She sails past me to the back of the store. As always, I follow her like a damn puppy.

“
You look happy this morning.”

“I am happy.”

“I’m glad to see you weren’t out last night with a serial killer.”

“Not a serial killer, but the verdict is still out on lady killer.
I’ve never met any man so charming, but oh, he was sweet, too.” I see the grin she’s trying to hide behind her lips.

“So, you like him?”

“Yes, I like him. He’s supposed to call me to go out again. I guess we can talk about it later. Well, I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my date.”

“It’s fine. We can talk about it.” I give her a smile, but it’s difficult to act unscathed by the news.
The worst news I’ve heard in three months.

***

I’m too busy to talk to Bryn again
, but I see my annoying sister, Marissa, weasel her way into the kitchen.

Around five in the evening, business slows some, so I go into the office to do some work.
Marissa comes to see me not long after.

“Hey, Dope.”

“You need to leave Bryn alone. She’s busy.”

“Like you ever do. That’ll be changing so
on though. She really had fun on her date, and I doubt her new man will want her hanging out with you. Better act fast, big brother.” She sits her butt on the edge of the desk.

“You are one nosy little sister.”

“Yes, but I always have the inside dirt, and this one might just save your ass. She mentioned wondering if this guy will be a good friend, too, or if she’ll only lust after him.”

“She said that?”

“Yes, but worded a little different. Don’t you see? She wants someone she can be friends with and lust over at the same time. You’re already her friend and although gross to think about, you’d have her if you’d make her lust after you, instead of being a chicken. Trust me, you don’t want to be the nice guy.”

“How do you know all this shit? And we have chairs in here, you know.”

“Um, hello, I’m a woman. I think I’d have a clue what she wants. I know what I want in a man.”

I roll my eyes. She’s fourteen, but she actually made some sense. Hold up. “A man? You mean a boy or guy? No men. You sho
uldn’t want anything from a guy, either. You’re too young.” Shit, I don’t want to have to start worrying about her, too.

Now, she’s rolling her eyes. “I’m out of here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Ian

What’s happening to me? I haven’t been able to stop thinkin
g about Brynlee. She’s sweet, innocent, smart and hard working. She’s not stuffy like the women in families with money I’ve grown up around. There’s nothing superficial about her, and her sexual passion is deep-rooted. It’s not only a release she’s craving but a full on experience.

Brynlee wants to live and has been waiting for the right man to show her how. Thinking I could be the first to make her feel things she’s never felt before has it hard for me to breathe. She’s the dangerous one to the heart I’ve
kept safely tucked away.

It’s not even been thirty-six
hours since I left her apartment, and I have to call her. Damn. I actually kept track of the hours. I ask her if she’ll go out with me somewhere more casual where we can get a beer. I hold my breath until she agrees, telling me to pick her up at seven-thirty.

Even her voice gets my heart raci
ng. Those luscious lips and dark chocolate eyes haunt me. She smells and tastes decadent, and I don’t know if there’s anything about Brynlee that’s not sweet except maybe that sensual side of her trying to escape.

Something tells me she’ll even be sweet when she’s naughty. Her comments about how I look at her and
compliment her show the physical connection we have, and then the way we could talk for hours means there is something more to it.

Now, I have to prove to
her she can trust me, and for the first time in my life, I think a woman honestly can. I need to call Drew.

“Hey, man, it’s Ian.”

“Hi, how’s it goin’?”

“I couldn’t be better
.”

“I take it your date went well.”

“Yes, and I can’t get her out of my head. I even spent the night with her without us having sex.”

“I’m impressed,” he says, chuckling.

“I know, right? She’s special, so I’m trying to be on my best behavior.”

“I’m happy for you, man.”

“Hey, do you mind if we go out another weekend soon?”

“No, j
ust give me a shout when you’re ready.”

“I really want to ge
t to know this woman better, so thanks. I’ll give you a call.”

Drew

I can’t help but chuckle after hanging up with Ian. I thought for sure he’d be dragging me out this weekend to pick up chicks, but it figures he’s falling for the first woman he meets since returning to Portland.

I
bet he doesn’t make it five dates without sleeping with her, and that’ll be a record right there. This girl from the liquor store better have graduated from Stanford or Yale and meet pedigree requirements because otherwise, I can’t see his parents being happy about it. They’re on his ass in every way.

I go to the kitchen to see Brynlee
before she leaves. I need time with her this weekend, so we can pick up where we left off a week ago. When I enter the kitchen, she grins at me, but turns back to her work table. She’s cleaning it off with a wet cloth.

“Hi, Drew.”

I walk right up to her, way into her personal space, so she stops and turns to me. I wipe the powdered sugar off her nose with my finger like I do every day, but I’m closer to her than normal, and I’m going to keep pushing it.

Like Marissa said,
I don’t want to only be the nice guy. She gazes up at me and seems nervous. “Wanna grab a beer?” I ask.

“Um, I can’t tonight, but we can hang out tomorrow.”

I can’t hide my frown. “You have a date again.”

“
He just called, but we can spend the whole day together tomorrow if you’d like.”

“OK,
what time?”

“Pick me up at noon.
”

“Sure
and be safe tonight. Remember, it’s too soon,” I say with a smile and a wink before I wander to the door. “Oh, and no sucking face, either.”

She giggles. “Sorry, too late.”

I spin around. “You kissed him?” I’m going to be ill.

“He
kissed me first, but I kissed him back and more than once.”

She’s blushing, and it’s not from me this t
ime. I’m putting a stop to this.”

Brynlee

Ian
hugs me after I open the door. He smells like leather and citrus, and I could eat him up. He has on designer jeans that appear to fit him perfectly and a college t-shirt that is hugging all the right muscles.

Drew’s
the only other guy that gets this close to me, and he’s six foot three, so I’m guessing Ian’s maybe an inch shorter.” I now have a mental image of Drew standing very close to me like he was today. I don’t know what’s up with him.

I’m surpr
ised when Ian takes me to the sports bar Drew and I frequent.

“Have you been here before?
” I ask.

“
Yes, I have a close friend that lives in Pearl, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the area.”

We go inside
and find a booth. It feels very strange to be here with someone besides Drew. What would Ian think about me having a close male friend? Oh my gosh, I’m thinking too far ahead. It’s only our third date.

“Have you been here?” he asks.

“Many times. I love their nachos and wings.”

“Then that
’s what we’ll get.” After we order, Ian reaches across the table and takes hold of my hand. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot, Brynlee. I start work Monday, and I don’t know how I’m going to concentrate when a pretty brunette is all I can think about.”

“Thank you. You’re always saying the sweetest things to m
e, and I’m afraid saying thank you is going to seem meaningless before long.”

His gaze never leaves mine as we sit quiet for a minute. I shake my finger at him.
“You’re giving me that look again.”

“It’s because I’m thinking it again,”
he says dead serious. Oh, I want him to take me to bed and show me everything he knows. I think.

There’s no doubt I lust this man, and I like him, too, but the physical component is so strong that I’m worried I won’t see past it
, and I’ll jump into something that could lead me to heartache.

“Dance with me,” he says.

I snap out of my gaze and hear the slow song playing. “There’s no one dancing.”

“There always has to be that first couple. Dance w
ith me, Brynlee.” He’s getting out of the booth and coming over to me. He holds his hand out, knowing I can’t say no. That look makes me want to dance, but that’s what concerns me. I’m worried those eyes alone will convince me to do anything he wants.

As soon as we’re on the dance floor, he pul
ls me very close. “You feel amazing. This is where you belong,” he whispers in my ear. His sweltering breath radiates throughout my body, and the ache between my legs returns, making me wet from the yearning that has a hold over me.

M
y hands glide into the back of his hair as I breathe in his enticing scent. His lips are on my neck next, and he’ll have to hold me up soon if he doesn’t stop.

I’m overwhelmed by ho
w forward Ian is and by how intimate his touch feels. The fact he’s sweet, too, makes me want to melt against him.