Marked Heart (Marked Heart #3) (11 page)

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Desperately trying to focus, Liv stared at the checker board in front of her. She should have beat Braden by now. He was distracting her. How was she supposed to concentrate on beating him when all she could think about was running her fingers across his mouth, laying her hand against his forearm or tracing the lines on the palm of his hand. Earlier, when he touched her, it was more than a physical act. She was genuinely touched by him.

Blowing out a loud breath, Liv made her move and sat back. She watched Braden as he looked over the board with a smile. He moved his king one, two, three, four jumps in a row.

"I win," he shared before the realization of winning hit him and he jumped out of his seat, cheering, "I won! In your face! You lost and I won!"

Narrowing her eyes at him, Liv slowly stood up and walked to the kitchen sink.

Quickly behind her, he reminded, "That was only one game."

"I don't want to play anymore."

Laughing at her, he informed, "You are a terrible loser."

Whipping around, she assured, "No, I'm not 'cause I don't lose."

"Well ya did today!" Braden blurted with a huge grin, pointing his finger at her.

Far from amused, she gave him a dirty look and started placing dishes in the sink.

Grumbling to herself, she knew it was silly to get agitated over a stupid game of checkers. It was his fault that she lost. Him and his ridiculously sexy...everything.

Leaning against the counter next to her, Braden asked, "Whatcha doin'?"

"Loser washes the dishes. So, I'm washing the dishes."

Scooting closer, he corrected, "That was the rule when you were the winner."

"Alright, what do you want?"

Flashing a smile, he pulled her to him.

"I want to kiss you."

She couldn't stop herself from smiling as she rolled her eyes.

"That's what you want?"

Nodding, he replied, "Under a blanket, on the couch."

"Really..."

"Yes, ma'am."

Thinking it was an odd request, Liv agreed.

Settled on the couch with Braden under her purple blanket with black stars, she felt a delightful rush of serenity. His kisses were long and slow as his fingers slid in between hers. Holding both of her hands he pulled them to the center of his chest.

"Keep your hands here," he stated, in a low tone, releasing her hands.

Reaching around her waist, he urged her onto his lap. Kneading his hands into her hips he kissed her as she faced him. When Liv started to slide her hands down to his stomach, Braden grasped her elbows, pushing her hands back to his chest.

"Here," he reminded before wrapping her tight in his arms as he kissed her.

Unable to keep her hands still, she opted to go the other direction. Running her palms up the sides of his neck her fingers traced his jaw before resting on his cheeks.

"Let me take you in bed," he breathed against her mouth.

Liv froze in place.

Brushing his lips against hers, he added, "Slow."

A sharp pang of uncertainty caused her to drop her hands from his face as she shared, "That's not what this is."

"It could be."

"No."

~

Braden wanted to argue, but as he looked into her eyes he knew it was pointless.

She wasn't the same woman he was with earlier. The one that allowed him a glimpse of her vulnerable side, and softened under his touch. She was guarded.

Slowly letting go of her, he faked a smile, saying, "You should get to bed."

With a questioning expression, she shook her head.

"Your ass is mine, first thing in the morning."

Excitement flashed in Liv's eyes as she tossed the blanket off of herself, hopped up, and took off down the hallway to her room.

The second he heard her door shut, Braden leaned his head back. Staring at the ceiling, he thought about how lame she said her sex life had been. If she considered making love in a bed boring, then it was obvious she needed to be showed what it could be like. He wasn't entirely sure if he should be pissed at his cousin for sexually depriving her or thankful that he never put it to her like he should.

Deciding he had better get some sleep, he was serious about taking advantage of staying the night by having some first thing in the morning sex with Liv. When he lifted his head, she was standing in front of him. He started to ask if everything was alright. She seemed troubled, but as soon as he opened his mouth she leaned down and kissed him.

Liv's fingers tugged at the top of his hair as she practically violated his mouth with hers.

Before he knew it, the kiss was over and he was watching her walk away again as she said, "'Night."

"'Night," he repeated although he was almost certain she didn't hear him.

He took a slow deep breath. Stretching out on the couch, he was thankful. Definitely thankful.

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The Dog House was packed as Liv and Braden squeezed in together at the bar. Wedged in between two couples; it was hard for him to keep his hands to himself. Every time she adjusted to keep from rubbing against him, he would shift and a try to do something with his hands. He tried placing them on the bar, in his pockets, behind his back. He did everything he could think of, short of just holding them over his head. As 'Hollow Moon' by Awolnation played overhead, Liv placed her hand on his shoulder. Her mouth was at his ear and he knew she had said something but it was lost the moment he felt her breath on his ear.

Tension filled his body as he turned to her, suggesting, "Wanna get out of here?"

Realizing that must have been what she said, she nodded with a laugh in response.

They told Auggie, they were going to take off before heading out of the bar and back into Braden's El Camino.

"Damn, I could hardly breathe in there." Liv shared as he pulled onto the road.

Unable to help himself, Braden teased, "'Cause it was packed or because of those tight ass pants you have on?"

Wide eyed, she turned to face him questioning, "You gotta problem with the jeans I have on?"

"I like it better when they're off."

Braden swerved as he glanced in her direction.

Lifting up off of the seat, she slid her jeans past her hips, asking, "You alright?"

His voice caught in his throat as he made a u-turn, heading in the opposite direction.

Liv tossed her jeans in the back seat before propping her feet up on the dash.

"Where are we going?"

Focusing on the road to keep from swerving again, he replied, "My place is closer."

"What do you think of this sweater?"

He could hear the smirk in her voice, prompting him to take a quick look.

"It's not my favorite," she shared, pulling it off over her head and tossing it into the back seat with her jeans.

Braden leaned forward slightly, grasping the steering wheel, hoping to make it home before her bra or underwear came into question.

Parked right in front of his apartment, Braden took his seatbelt off and turned to her with a wide smile.

"You comin' in?" he challenged, opening the driver's side door.

Liv appeared offended as she replied, "You think I won't?"

"This isn't the country," he warned, reminding her there would be spectators.

She seemed to be considering what he had said.

"You know what I discovered this week?"

Shaking his head, he thought about everything they had done.

"It's good to try new things," she informed with a smile.

Braden smiled back, then his jaw dropped as she swung the door upon and hopped out.

Leaping out of the driver's seat, he slammed his door shut, tripping over the curb as he pulled his hoodie off. She was halfway to his door before he caught her. Frantically covering her with his jacket, he pulled her the rest of the way to his door by it.

"Are you crazy?" he barked trying to get his key into the door.

Laughing at him, she assured, "I checked first. No one was looking."

Finally getting the door open, he shoved her inside scolding, "You're insane."

"Why? Because I walked to your door in my bathing suit?"

Turning to get a good look at her even though his hoodie was still draped over her shoulders, it was obvious now, she was wearing a bikini.

Somewhat relieved, Braden fussed, "You're an asshole, Liv."

"Ha!" she blurted before taunting, "Don't be mad 'cause I got you."

A slow smile spread across his face as he reached over and locked his front door.

"Now I've got you."

Biting her bottom lip, her expression quickly changed.

~

The look in his eyes was almost sinister. Reaching into his jacket around her, he took her arms and folded them across her chest. Lifting the sleeves of his hoodie, he tied them together across her chest, preventing her from moving her arms without a struggle.

Excitement exploded in her chest as he questioned, "You like to try new things?"

Nodding she let him lead her to the kitchen.

Kneeling on two kitchen chairs, with the seats facing each other, Liv was bent over the table. Her arms, imprisoned by his hoodie. She found herself clenching her fists, hugging them tight to her chest. Braden's arms encircled her shoulders and his face was buried in the back of her hair. Every push from behind pulled them both closer to the edge until neither one could hold back any longer.

Braden didn't give her any time to recover as he lifted her off of the chairs, pulling his jacket off of her while setting her on her feet. Passionately kissing her, it was a good thing he was holding onto her so tight. Her knees were weak and her legs felt wobbly. She felt disoriented. Off balance. Dragging her to the couch, Braden continued to kiss her as he flung them both onto it. Her back was pressed into the pillows as she lay on her side against him. Wrapping his leg around hers, he held her to him. Without letting up, he slid an arm around her waist, pressing her into him, while his other was at her jaw, holding her face to his.

Everything started to slow down. Her heart beat along with his kiss as she felt herself drift off.

~

Her lips were still moving, but just barely. The feel of them lightly brushing against his was almost too good to stop.

Afraid moving would wake her, Braden carefully scooted his head back. Wrinkling his brow, he looked at her. She was at peace. Her chest rose and fell against his as her hands remained tucked between them. This was what he was missing. It wasn't their position, he's been here before. It was a feeling. One that he couldn't describe, still he knew exactly what it was. She was feeling it too, he saw it in the little glimpses she gave him when her guard was down.

Braden leaned his forehead to Liv's and closed his eyes. Thinking about the night he found her drunk, passed out in the bathtub, he wished he would have told her about Kieran. She couldn't have been more broken than she was that night. Maybe if he had told her, she was mourning a man that wasn't worth a second thought, she might not be so guarded with him. Or it was possible between what he did to her in high school and her husband cheating on her, this moment wouldn't be happening at all. None of that mattered now. What mattered was, he was starting to realize, the things he thought he lost, were not half as good as the feeling of lying there with Liv.

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'Come And Get Your Love' by Redbone made Liv's morning drive to work just a little bit sweeter as she tapped her fingers against the steering wheel and sang along with the words. The weekend had proved to be an amazing addition to a weeks-worth of Braden. Why Lily cheated on him, when they were dating, she would never understand. Aside from the fact that it was wrong and hurtful, that man knew his way around a woman's body. She had no idea sex could feel this way. It was as if he was able to draw every ounce of pleasure out of her body, at will. Liv was pretty well acquainted with the facts of life, but this week had taught her a new one. Not all orgasms are created equal.

The little bell above the door at Legacy Ink rang as she stepped into the shop. Noticing Penny and Jimmy at the counter, Liv greeted them both on her way to the back.

"What's up Jimmy?" Earned her a smile, while her, "Good morning, beautiful," brought an unexpectedly cautious expression to Penny's face.

Liv figured she must have had an early call from Sarah or something. Penny was normally cheerful but lately the whole trying to make a baby situation had considerably taken its toll on her mood.

Liv tossed her purse on the chair in the back office, still humming the tune from the song in her car. There was an added feeling of warmth in her chest as her phone vibrated in her hand.

B: Ever had phone sex?

Pausing in the doorway, she replied to his text.

L: No.

B: No?

Holding back her smile, she texted.

L: No, I have not.

B: Oran has the hook up on that floor you wanted.

L: Cool.

B: I'm gonna ride with him to pick it up but it's gonna take all day.

L: Sounds good.

B: He'll deliver it tomorrow.

Excited about the wood floors for her library, she was curious what one had to do with the other.

L: Phone sex?

B: Yeah. I thought tonight. You down?

Biting her bottom lip, she texted back.

L: If you'll be UP.

B: Dirty girl.

Liv let out a laugh.

L: Later.

Sticking her phone in her back pocket, she gave up trying to wipe the smile off of her face and walked to the front of the shop.

Resting her elbows on top of the counter, she leaned against it.

"What's on the agenda for today?"

Penny appeared nervous as Jimmy replied, "Nothing."

"Then why are we here?" She laughed, thinking of heading back to her house and catching Braden before he left.

Cautiously Penny replied, "We weren't really sure what to do."

Shaking her head at Penny, Liv noticed Jimmy had a solemn expression on his face also.

"Am I missing something?"

Penny's eyes were sympathetic as she started to say, "Well... Last year..."

Liv's heart pounded in her chest. She glanced at the calendar and realized. She forgot.

A cold sickening feeling washed over her. Both Penny and Jimmy's eyes were sorrowful, but she couldn't help feeling as though they were judging her. She forgot.

"I'm out," she blurted, turning and walking back to the office.

Guilt tore through her soul as remorse over what she had done overwhelmed her. Grabbing her purse, she walked out of the back door. She swore she would never forget. She forgot.

~

Sitting on the center of his bed, Braden thought of different ways to get started. Should he call Liv? Or should it be over a text message. After deciding it should definitely be a phone call, he wondered if he should text her first. He had never done this before. It always seemed hot and since Liv wanted to try new things, he thought it would be something they could try out for the first time together.

With an eager smile he sent her a text.

B: Are you naked?

Staring at his phone, he waited for her to text back, when it rang. Instant disappointment washed over him when he saw the call was from Penny.

"Hello," he snapped hoping to quickly get her off the phone.

Penny didn't waste any time, questioning, "Have you heard from Liv?"

"I talked to her this morning. Why?"

"I've been trying to call her. She won't pick up."

A nervous feeling crept through his bones as he asked, "What happened?"

Sounding like she was about to cry, she replied, "This morning at the shop. She was in a really good mood but then she looked at the calendar. I figured she went home."

"I was with Oran all day," he griped, hopping off of his bed.

He could hear her sniffle as she offered, "I talked to Uncle Brennen, the cabin's ready if we..."

"Damn it, Penny. No. Just... Damn it."

Penny started to cry harder into the phone.

"I didn't mean to remind her. I didn't realize she forgot."

Tossing his cell down on his bed, he barked, "Hang on."

While pulling a t-shirt on over his head, he worked at not being angry with Penny. It didn't matter that he was pissed and he had told her to let it go. She was his sister and he hated to hear her cry.

Braden grabbed a pair of jeans from his basket of clothes and yanked them on.

He picked his phone up off of his bed and assured, "I'm going to go check on her. You don't need to cry. She probably just needed the day off."

"You didn't see her, Braden. She..."

Anger and fear twisted in the pit of his stomach as he cut her off, saying, "Alright, Pen, I get that she was upset."

"I'm sorry."

Balancing his phone between his shoulder and his ear, Braden sat on his couch putting his socks and shoes on as he repeated, "I'm going to go check on her."

"Okay." Penny replied in a soft voice, still sounding sad but thankfully no longer crying.

He stood up and grabbed his keys saying, "I'll call you back."

Without waiting for her to end the call, he hung up and headed out of his apartment door, hoping to find her in a better state than he did the last time.