Читать книгу Be My Forever Bride - Martha Kennerson - Страница 16

Chapter 5

Brice circled and jabbed at the punching bag he had placed in the man cave he established in the lower level of the three-story house in the Houston Museum District he’d bought Brooke as a wedding present. It was a lovely starter home in the perfect location. He just recently turned the open concept lower level into the perfect getaway spot for a much-needed escape. Every time he walked upstairs, it was like the ghost of Christmas past, assaulting him with memories of the brief time he’d had there with Brooke.

He punched and kicked the freestanding bag until his arms, shoulders and legs screamed for surrender. Brice wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel as he walked to the small kitchenette and pulled out a large bottle from the refrigerator. He twisted off the cap and was gulping down water when he heard a knock on his door. What now?

“Who is it?” he called out harshly, not in the mood for visitors.

“It’s me, Brice.”

“Alexander?”

“Yeah, open up.”

Brice moved past the large sectional sofa sitting in front of two medium-size ottomans that doubled as coffee tables and a fifty-inch screen television mounted to the wall as he made his way to the door. “What’s up, A?” he asked, stepping aside, allowing his brother to enter.

“What’s up with you?” Alexander asked.

When Alexander walked through the door, still wearing the same suit he’d had on at the office, Brice knew this wasn’t a social call; something was definitely wrong. And if that wasn’t enough, the twitching muscles in his brother’s jaw certainly did.

“I’m good,” Brice lied. “Want a beer?”

“No, thanks. Look, Brice, I can only imagine how hard this must be...working with Brooke, I mean.”

“I know what you mean, man, and it’s fine.” He moved to his sofa and took a seat.

“You sure? Because we have a lot riding on making sure we’re cool with the IRS and Brooke is the one person that can ensure that happens. Her IRS experience and history with our company aside, she's family.”

“I’m sure. Damn, you sound more and more like Mother every day.”

“Well, in this instance, she’s right,” he stated.

“I guess. KJ will be on in a few—want to stay and watch the game?”

“Not this time. I’ll catch it at home, but first I have to pick up dinner and ice cream for China.”

Brice smirked. “Lucky you.”

“That I am,” Alexander acknowledged, taking a seat next to his brother. “So, today was good?”

Brice saw the doubtful look on his brother’s face. “Yes, it was. Brooke even signed the divorce agreement. I offered to take her to dinner but she had other plans...with another man.”

“Ouch...”

“But in fairness I did make it seem like I was seeing Amy, so I guess we’re even...kind of, anyway.”

Alexander’s eyebrows came to attention. “Amy, your research assistant?” Brice nodded. “And why would you do that?”

“Because I’m an idiot.” Brice stood, walked to his refrigerator and pulled out a beer. He popped off the cap and took one long pull. Brice stood with his back to his brother. “I didn’t know just how much I missed her until I saw her again, but I can’t seem to get past my anger.”

Alexander rose and turned toward Brice. “Look at me, man.” Brice’s shoulders dropped and he turned and met his brother’s inquisitive gaze. “Look, if you want another shot with Brooke, you should just go for it. Remember the advice you gave me about China?”

“Yeah, but that was different.” He took another pull from his bottle.

“How so?”

“You two have always had something special. It just took several years before you figured out what it was,” Brice explained.

“You don’t think what you and Brooke had was special?”

“I thought so...”

“Look, I can’t tell you what to do, but I wouldn’t be so quick to walk away if there’s even the slightest chance she’s your One.”

“It’s not just up to me, A. Besides, she’s already moved on.”

“You sure about that?”

“She left me, remember?” Brice finished off his beer, tossed the bottle in the recycling bin and flopped back down on the couch.

“I remember. I also remember the BS ‘you two got married too soon...too young’ excuse she gave you too. I can’t believe you’re not digging deeper into that.” His eyebrows snapped together.

Brice reached for the TV remote and placed his feet up on the ottoman. “She signed the papers. It’s done.”

“You’re right. You are an idiot.” Alexander moved toward the door. “Just be sure to keep it professional at the office.”

“I’m over the shock. You know me, A. I’m a Kingsley and we’re all about our business.” Brice turned on the game.

“And that’s what I’m afraid of, little brother. Later.” Alexander walked out the door.

Brice hit the mute button. He laid his head back and closed his eyes, allowing his mind to drift back to a time when he’d tried to watch his brother KJ’s game but Brooke had had something else planned...

* * *

Brice was in the living room sitting on the blue suede extra-long sofa that Brooke had insisted they needed, with his legs stretched out before him. In a gray T-shirt and a pair of long shorts, he was ready to coach his brother’s team to victory from his new sofa. He sat back, watching the TV, when Brooke shouted down from upstairs, “Honey, you ready?”

“For what?” he replied. Hearing no response, he said, “Sure, call in whatever you want to eat, as long as they deliver.”

Brooke laughed. The sound made him happy. Her laugh was one of the many things he loved about his new wife. “Cute,” she said as she descended the steps, stopping halfway down. “What are you doing?”

Hearing the surprise in her voice but oblivious to her appearance, Brice called out, “Watching the NBA’s preshow. KJ’s game starts in thirty minutes.”

Brooke reached the bottom of the stairs and stood staring at him in silence. Brice’s eyes shifted from the TV to his wife, who was standing there wearing a short black cocktail dress, strappy heels that showed off her sexy legs, and her hair and face made up like she was ready for a night of partying.

Brice’s mind raced. He was trying to figure out what he’d missed. It’s not date night. Brice’s body responded to the gorgeous sight before him and he quickly got to his feet. “Where are you going?”

“I thought we were going dancing.”

“Tonight? KJ’s playing.”

Brooke placed her hands on her hips. “You made these plans, remember?”

Brice quickly searched his mind and recollection of their brief conversation reared its ugly and badly timed head. “Oh, baby, you’re right. I’m so sorry. I completely forgot.” He picked up the remote and turned off the TV. “Give me fifteen minutes to change.”

“Never mind.” She walked farther into the living room.

“Sweetheart, you’re all dressed up and ready to go. You look beautiful too.” He started to move toward her.

“Thank you, but please sit back down.”

Brice complied, expecting an argument would soon follow, only to receive the most pleasant surprise. “It’s no big deal,” she started to explain as she kicked off her shoes. She gifted Brice with a sexy smile. “I really wasn’t in the mood to go out. However, I’d like something else from you.”

Brice smiled up at his wife, waiting for the request that his body already knew; the front of his pants had tented. Brooke’s eyes dropped to his crotch and she bit her lip. “Exactly.”

Brice reached for Brooke, but she stepped back out of his reach. “I’m in control,” she stated emphatically.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Brooke reached behind her and lowered her zipper. It was a feat Brice always found fascinating to watch when all she had to do was ask for his help. The dress fell to the floor, revealing the black lace bra and panty set she wore beneath it. “When does the game start again?”

“Wh-what?” Brice had lost his ability to think. He’d seen Brooke in similar things but this was different. Her erect nipples were peeking out through two holes in the bra that were clearly made for that purpose. From his vantage point, he could see the panties were crotchless.

Brice was harder than he’d ever been and it took everything in his power not to take her where she stood. “My goodness, baby.”

“When does the game start?” she repeated. Brice could hear the humor in her voice.

“What game?”

“Good answer. Take off your shirt,” she ordered, and he quickly obliged. “Shorts next, please. I want to see it.”

Brice held her desire-filled gaze as he followed her instructions. He lowered his shorts to his thighs while he remained seated and his shaft made its grand entrance. A slow wicked smile spread across Brooke’s face and the anticipation for what was about to happen had Brice silently praying for a less horny teenager-like response and a more controlled man-type one. He soon found that that wasn’t at all what Brooke wanted.

Brooke dropped to her knees, gripped his thighs with both hands and parted his knees. “Oh damn...”

Brooke used her nose and closed mouth to play with his substantial erection. Brice’s mind was racing; she was driving him crazy. While Brice loved what she was doing, he wanted to be inside of her mouth. He reached for her head, only to have his hands swatted away. “I’m in control.”

“But, baby...”

“But what?” Brooke asked before her tongue began circling his shaft from the base to the tip. After several passes, Brice moaned Brooke’s name and he knew how desperate he must’ve sounded but he didn’t care. It must have been some type of trigger because Brooke took him in her mouth. She sucked and pulled on him as if she was determined to relieve him of some sweet elixir.

Brice was lost in the moment. He buried his hands in her hair and his hips matched her stroke. All he could think about was how much he loved and needed her. Brooke lifted her eyes as she caught him staring down at her. She released him, kissed her way up his stomach to his chest, following the fine line of hair. Brooke straddled Brice, lowering herself onto his sex until he was deep inside of her. Brice was thankful Brooke was on the Pill because if he had to stop and go find a condom he just knew his head would explode.

Brooke gazed into his eyes, whispering how much she loved him. She brought her knees in slightly, gripped the back of the sofa and rode him like she was on a horse in the Kentucky Derby. Brice’s hands cupped Brooke’s behind and he took her nipples into his mouth. He sucked and pulled on them hard just the way he knew she liked it. Her moans of satisfaction, orgasms and declarations of love ignited uncontrollable passion.

When Brooke’s walls started to grip him with each thrust, Brice found himself thinking about math equations, chess moves, anything he could think of to keep him from reaching completion before Brooke. The two orgasms she’d already experienced were clearly the appetizers for the meal she was after. Soon, he could no longer distract himself.

“Brooke...baby...” Brice yelled as he exploded.

“Yes...baby...yes,” she screamed, having reached completion with him, collapsing into his arms.

* * *

Brice’s eyes popped open and he sprang forward, releasing a string of profanity. He saw that the game had started but he looked down at his erection that needed to be handled first. “Damn, so much for not acting like a horny teenager. Back in a little bit, bro. Right after a long cold-ass shower,” he explained to the TV.

He walked into the small three-quarter bathroom, stripped and walked under the overhead spray, hoping the cool water would calm his raging desire that thoughts of Brooke had invoked. Unfortunately, it only suppressed his passion, not quelling it. He decided there was only one way to do that; only he had no idea how he was going to make that happen.