Fighting Temptation (Bay State Series Book 1) (10 page)

an honor

Something's been a little off with Ilyanna since she's returned to the office. She told me Rachel needed her help and that she'd be back to finish out the rest of the day. We're leaving tomorrow after an early morning meeting to tie up some loose ends before spending a few days with my parents for Thanksgiving.

“Is everything alright?” I ask as we sit down to a late dinner.

“I'm just not feeling very well. I think it's just nerves about meeting your parents tomorrow night.” She gives me a small smile that seems forced but I brush it off.

“Don't worry about them. I talk about you so much that I'm sure they already love you as much as I do. I will warn you though, I haven't hidden the fact that I want to marry you and have a family. I'm sure my mother will ask a lot of questions about a wedding and babies.” At the mention of those two words she chokes on her drink. “I know it's too soon, and I've told her your not ready to talk about it. But knowing my mom, when something's on her mind she's gonna say it. So I apologize in advance.”

She looks like she's gonna be sick. Before I get a chance to ask her, she answers my unspoken question by bolting out of her seat towards the bathroom down the hall. The sounds of her retching reach me in the kitchen and I get up to go check on her. Walking into the bathroom, I see her folded over the toilet with her head inside the bowl. I pull her vomit covered hair out of her face and wipe a wet facecloth across her already damp forehead.

Once I'm pretty sure she's got nothing left to heave out, I take the facecloth from her forehead and let her hair down. I pick her up gently and carry her to the bedroom where I place her down at the end of the bed. I go back into the bathroom to run her a bath and when I return she's slumped over, positively green. I think it's a little more than nerves. If she's not better tomorrow I'm having her get checked out for food poisoning. I've never taken care of anyone else while they were sick, but I know that I like taking a nice hot bath. I start to slowly undress her while the tub fills and as soon as I'm finished I pick her up, carry her into the bathroom and lower into the tub.

“Thank you,” she mumbles. And it breaks my heart to know she's hurting.

“Your welcome baby. I'd do anything for you, anytime, anywhere. I hope you know that.” She gives me a funny look that makes me think even the boy she was in love with before was more selfish than selfless. I'll be damned if I don't give her one hundred and fifty percent every time. I take my time washing her hair and then every inch of her perfect body. When I'm finished, I drain the tub, grab a towel, lift her and wrap her inside. I lay her down on the bed and grab one of my t shirts and slip it on her. Taking the comb off of counter in the bathroom, I walk back into my room, position myself against the headboard, gently placing her between my legs, and start  combing her hair. I can hear her crying so I place the comb down on the nightstand and wrap my arms around her, kissing her head. “I love you so much baby. You know that don't you? I'll protect you from everything in my power including my mother. If she gets too intense I'll shut her down. Okay?”

“I know and I love you too. Thank you for taking such good care of me Braydon. The only people who ever took care of me are my parents. My father's gone and my mother is hundreds of miles away. I can't thank you enough for being here for me.” She snuggles into my arms and she's home.

She is my home. I would go anywhere for this woman. “Just let me hold you baby. That's all I need from you right now. When your feeling better, well there are a few ways I can think of for you to thank me.” I let out a small laugh when she pinches my arm.

“I think I may be overreacting a bit. My nerves have never been that great. But your a product of your parents so they can't be too bad. I love you, now let me sleep in your arms and I'll see what I can do to repay you in the morning once I feel human again.” She turns on her side and I stroke her hair as she falls asleep.

“I love you too beautiful. Sweet dreams.”

                                *****

“Wow, your parents have a beautiful home.” I look around and try to see it through her eyes. My mother's always been an avid gardener so I'm used to the overflow of bushes and flowers. The fountain leading into a koi fish pond is a little much seeing as at the end of every summer they have to move them indoors and winterize the pond. I wish she could see it full but she'll get to see the fish once we get inside.

“My mother's always had a green thumb, dad helps her out too here and there. Come on lets go in. I've seen the curtains move about a dozen times since we pulled into the driveway. Ready?”

“As I'll ever be.” She gives me a megawatt smile letting me know she is in fact ready to get this over with.

My mother opens the door before we make it to the third step. She goes straight for Ilyanna, acting like I'm not even there. “Ilyanna honey it's so nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many wonderful things. Please come in and we'll find Kelly. Last I knew he was in his study.” She finally releases her from a hug to make the history books. My mother's generally not a hugger, but seeing as she's been on me for some time about giving her a daughter in law, I think she's a little excited.

“Hello to you too mom,” I say with mock hurt in my voice.

“Oh please Braydon, I've known you your whole life. It's not everyday I meet my future daughter in law now is it?” She turns and takes me in a hug and whispers in my ear. “She's lovely.”

“Yes she is,” I whisper back, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Ilyanna, this is my mother Patricia O'Donnell.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am. You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you, but please call me Patty. Hopefully someday soon you'll call me mom.” I give my mother a look to cut the shit. She just smiles at me, takes Ilyanna by the arm and starts down the hall towards my father's study. Ilyanna gives me a look that screams help me. I just shrug my shoulders and blow her a kiss. “Kelly dear, look who Braydon's brought to visit,” my mom says upon entering the study.

My dad stands from his desk and comes over to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Ilyanna it's so great to finally meet you. I hope our son's been treating you right. If he steps out of line you just let me know and I'll take care of him for you.”

“Thank you Mr. O'Donnell, I'll keep that in mind. And it's my pleasure as well. How have you been feeling? Braydon told me that you had a heart attack recently.”

“I appreciate your concern but please call me Kelly. To answer your question, I've been better, the doctors told me to take it easy and lord knows I've been trying. It isn't easy keeping up with my wife but I'm doing the best I can.” He laughs and looks at mom, who's looking at him in disbelief that he'd throw her under the bus so easily.

“Now don't you listen to him. I've been nothing but helpful, barely asking him to lift a finger. If you ask me he's just looking for pity from a beautiful young girl. How you wound me Kelly.” She laughs at their playful banter and we all join in.

“Alright kids let me show you to your room so you can get settled and cleaned up for dinner. Ilyanna if you would join me in the kitchen once your done. And Braydon, your father wants to catch up in his study.”

                                *****

“Your parents seem really nice. I don't mind a little teasing about marriage and kids as long as it doesn't turn into badgering. I do plan on being your wife Braydon, that's not a secret. Just details, that's what I don't want to get into.”

“I promised if it came to that I would shut her down. Don't worry baby your safe with me.” Taking her in my arms I give her the kiss that I've been waiting well over four hours for. “I love you and there's nothing I won't do for you. If it's waiting to make you my wife and mother to my children then I will. At least I know I have you every other way you'll let me.”

“I'm yours Braydon, forever. I want everything to be perfect. Once I'm ready you'll be the first to know.” She gives me a sweet kiss. “I love you too. Let's go back down stairs and see what kind of interrogations your folks have for us.”

As she turns toward the door I give her a quick slap on the ass. She turns back to me and I grab her, pulling her towards me and punish her with another kiss. “Later,” I warn her, feeling slightly out of breath.

“Mmmm.... Later.”

                                *****

Outside my father's study I take a deep a breath and let it out slowly. Let's do this, lecture time no doubt. I knock quickly before opening the door. He's standing at the window with a finger of scotch in his hand. I don't think any amount of of advice from the doctors telling him alcohol isn't good for his condition will make him give up his drink.

As I walk in he turns to me, raising his glass in question and I give him a quick nod. Hell yeah, I could use a drink right about now. “So son, she's the one huh?” He hands me my glass and I take a small sip. “You two will make us some fine looking grandchildren that's for sure. She's quite a looker, she's got nothing on your mother though. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that I was going to make her my wife. You probably thought you were going to get the it's too soon speech. Well you won't get that from me. I'm no hypocrite.” He laughs at himself before taking another sip of his scotch.

“Yeah dad, she's great. I didn't think that after Heather I could ever let myself love again. But what I feel for Ilyanna is so much stronger than that. Makes me question if I ever truly loved Heather. Ya know? I think I've found my match.”

He sits and studies me while sipping his drink. “If you're sure then I have something to give you. You can use it or you can choose not to. But if you don't I ask that you hold onto it so that your son has a choice to.”

I know what he's about to give me. It was the bridal set my grand father had made in Ireland for my grand mother. It's absolutely beautiful. A heart shaped one carat diamond center stone engagement ring with emerald accents and a Celtic knot band on either side of the stones. The wedding band is Celtic knots with tiny diamonds scattered throughout. I couldn't even tell you how many times I had to listen my grandfather talking about those rings when I was a kid. How much they cost him, my grandmother's reaction, how money was no factor when it came to her. He got a second job just to save for those rings. I'd be so proud to give them to Ilyanna, they're perfect for her. For us. 

I'm not going tell him I was planning on asking him for them, there's no need. He takes a small emerald green velvet box from his desk drawer and places it in my hand. “I know you'll do the right thing son. I've never seen or heard you so happy. It's possible to pretend for our sake over the phone. But looking at you in the flesh son, I know there's no pretending. Your in love with that girl. I see it in the way you look at her. It's the same way I look at your mother. That girl in the other room completes you, I'll be proud to welcome her to our little family and I hope it gets bigger sooner rather than later. We want grand babies kid. Get to it.” He starts to laugh again and I know he's completely serious, he's just trying to lighten it up a bit.

I can't really help but let him see the tears that gather in my eyes. I'm just so fucking happy. I'm turning into a fucking sap. I wipe my eyes on my sleeve to erase the evidence, and force a small laugh for my dad's benefit. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Name it kid, and don't be ashamed of crying. It just means you have a heart. It's okay to have emotions, you are human after all.” He walks to the door and I follow.

“Please try to get mom to lighten up on Ilyanna. She's not quite ready to talk about churches and guest lists, never mind baby names. She's been hurt bad. And yes we've talked about forever together, I just don't want her to feel rushed or pressured.”

That gets another laugh out of him, mom is mom and not much sways her. It's worth a shot though. “I can't promise you anything but I'll try son. I'll try. There's not much chance I'll get to talk to her until after dinner. We can only pray she's been behaving herself and hasn't run your pretty lady off. They've already been alone for a half an hour or so.”

God, did he have to remind me? Now I feel sick. I let out a groan. “Let's get in there and save my girl.”

Change of heart

I have to admit, I feel a lot more comfortable than I thought I would. Patty hasn't mentioned anything about weddings or babies since her brief comment when we arrived. I haven't felt like throwing up again so that's a plus. I wasn't lying to Braydon when I told him it was from nerves, just the cause of the nerves. I don't think it's morning sickness since it was night time when I got sick, but who knows. I have to do some research once I'm alone.

We've kept up a steady chatter about my mom and how I'm liking the move to Boston. “I'm really enjoying working with Braydon, the beginning was a little rocky but once we got past fighting our attraction for each other it got much easier.”

“I'm glad you two worked it out. The way my boy talks about you I would think you've been dating years, not months.” I groan internally. She's been doing so good. I'm dreading the next words to come out of her mouth. “I never would have thought Braydon would let his walls down again after what that bitch in college did to him.” She gives herself a shake as if warding off the chills.

And me? Well I let out a sigh of relief. I really thought she was going to bring up marriage. Not that I like the idea of talking about the woman who hurt him. Although he's her loss and my gain, so I can't complain too much.

“I can't even think about her without feeling ill. Braydon is the sweetest man besides his father, and he should be because that's the way we raised him. I'm so glad he's found you. Your perfect for him.”

We continue to prep for dinner effortlessly together on her center island in what has to be the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. Black marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. It's everything I would choose for myself. “Thank you. I think he's perfect for me too.” I beam at her as we layer sauce, noodles, meat and cheese. Now Italian food I can handle. I grew up cooking and eating plenty of it. I can't help but wonder if she purposely chose this dish as a way for us to bond. If she did it's certainly working.

She takes the lasagna to the oven when we've finished putting it together and as if on cue the O'Donnell men join us.

“I've come to rescue you babe, I hope she hasn't been to hard on you.” He wraps me in his arms from behind and I melt into him. How can I miss him so much? I saw him less than an hour ago.

Just as I'm about to answer him Patty beats me to it. “Oh you hush over there boy or I'll start with the embarrassing stories. And we don't want that do we?”

He gives me a brief kiss and lets me go, putting his hands up. “I surrender. Please no stories? At least wait until I'm not around to have to suffer hearing them. I've already had to live them.” His face is one of mock horror and I can't help but laugh at him.

“You're so sweet, giving her permission to share your embarrassment with me.”

The four of us banter back and forth waiting for dinner to finish cooking. His parents are so cute. I can only hope we're still as much in love as they are after thirty years.

“Let's go wise ass. It's time for the tour.” He puts his arm around my shoulders and we follow his parents out of the kitchen. They lead us down into the finished basement first and the sight that greets me is amazing. The Boston sports memorabilia that fills the space rivals anything I've ever seen. I can see the love for it runs in the family, although Braydon has nothing like this. He spends almost twenty minutes explaining various pictures, footballs, helmets and other odds and ends. There's no way we were going to get through it all tonight.

                                *****

“Thank you. Dinner was delicious.” Patty can make a mean lasagna for an Irish woman.

“Your very welcome.” We're putting away the dishes after she washed and I dried. She didn't want to let me help but I insisted. The guys are in the living watching the news as we finish up. “Now let's go look in the game closet for something to play.”

We settle on scrabble. I really wanted to play Risk but I'm just too tired, and that's a really long game. “That is so not a word Kelly!” I yell across the table in challenge.

Patty grabs the dictionary next to her husband, who not even five minutes ago challenged her. She gives me a smirk and looks to Braydon. “You should have warned her not to challenge us. We're the scrabble king and queen,” She says with a laugh and shows me the definition of
umiaqs. Let's just say I don't think I'll question either of them again.

I finish in last place of course, falling way short of Braydon, who fell short of both of his parents. With only nine points separating them, Kelly is the victor.

“I think we're gonna hit the sack. We had an early morning and I'm starting to feel it,” Braydon tells his parents. “What time do you want us ready tomorrow?” He told me we are going to go enjoy the fall foliage at some of their favorite spots and do some Christmas shopping. They insisted we all exchange on Thursday night while having Braydon's birthday cake. They also want us to help them put up their tree since we will be in Tennessee for Christmas with my mom.

“We're in no rush dear. Whenever you decide to get up is fine with us. You need your rest. You two had a long drive today.” She leans over and whispers so only I can hear. “Our bedroom is downstairs and on the opposite end of the house.” She gives me a wink as she gets up to clear the table.

“Please let me help you put everything away?” I ask Patty as Braydon and his dad are having a quite discussion at the other end of the table.

“Nonsense, go on up to bed, this is nothing. Thank you anyway, I'll have it all done in just a couple minutes.” She gives me a hug and wishes me goodnight.

“Goodnight, and thanks again. I'll try to get lazy bones out of bed at a decent time. He sleeps forever on days we don't have to be at work. I think you want to be out of the house by supper time.”

“Hey, I'm not that bad.” He gets up from his chair and comes over to me. “You're so gonna get it.”

“Promises, promises,” I whisper.

“Oh, it's a promise alright.” He turns to his parents, giving his mom a hug and kiss. “Goodnight mom and dad see you in the morning. And yes I mean by noon. Don't listen to her, she doesn't know what she's talking about.”

“Oh whatever,” I huff and we all laugh at my horrible impression of being mad. I don't think it's possible to ever be mad at him.

We all say a final goodnight and I follow Braydon to the bedroom to finally get some sleep.

“I've been thinking about nothing but this all day,” Braydon whispers as we get comfortable on the bed. My back is to his front, his arm wrapped around me, fingers pinching and pulling on my nipples. I rub my ass against his hard cock, it coaxes a moan from him and he buries his face in my neck, kissing and sucking. Driving me crazy.

“We'll have to be quite,” I say breathlessly.

“They can't hear us,” He says as he rolls me over to face to him for a scorching kiss.

“Your making me so wet Braydon, I need to feel you inside me.”

I push him on his back and straddle him, slowly lowering myself onto his cock. “I love that you don't wear panties to bed. It makes it so much easier for you to do that.” Moaning he reaches up to take my shirt off but his movements are too damn slow for me. Too damn slow. As he's teasing me with his fingers on my skin he says, “I love the way you feel on my cock baby. You were made for me.” I"m panting as I grind on him, hitting all the right spots. I reach up and grab my shirt and lift it up quickly over my head. He takes my lead and reaches behind me and releases my bra. Gripping his shoulders, I really start to ride him and he pulls me down, taking one of my nipples in his mouth, licking and sucking, making me delirious from pleasure overload. He moves to the other for the same treatment before releasing me and taking my mouth in a hungry kiss. He gives my ass a good hard smack. “That's for earlier baby, although I can't say it's punishment. You love it when I smack your ass, don't you?”

“Mmmmm.... Oh God, you know I do!"

“You feel so fucking fantastic, you grip me so good baby.” He's thrusting hard up into me, his hips pistoning in overdrive and it's taking every last shred of my control to not cry out.

“I love your cock, I love you so much. Make me cum baby. I want to cum all over your sweet cock. I'm gonna suck you off when I'm done and swallow every last drop.” I lift myself up slowly and drop back down hard and fast. Loving the force of our love making. He's meeting me thrust for thrust.

He rolls us so he's between my thighs, his cock never leaving me and starts up a punishing rhythm. Somehow knowing just how I need it. “My god Ilyanna, you keep talking like that and I'm gonna explode in your pussy before you even get off. I love your filthy mouth. It makes me so hot.” He starts to slow his tempo. Pulling out till it's just the tip. “Mmmm... feels so good baby, so fucking good.” He slams home a few more times and I explode, soaking us in my juices.

I sit up, pushing him to sit on his legs. “Now give me your cock. I want every bit of your cum. I'm gonna swallow every last drop.” I lower myself and take his length in my mouth. Slurping around the head and licking up and down his shaft. All I can hear is his panting and my slurping. Taking his balls in my hand, I gently massage them and extend a single finger to rub that spot right underneath that drives him crazy.

“Fuck I'm so close baby! Your gonna make me cum so fucking hard!”

“Yeah baby, let go. I'm gonna cum again when you do.” He can't reach me the way I'm positioned so I slip my hand down to my pussy and stroke my clit a few times before slipping two fingers inside myself. I start to deep throat him as I slide them in and out, rubbing my wetness along my lips and stroke my nub violently before sliding them back into my slick heat. My saliva's coating every thick inch of him as I come back up and run my tongue around the tip and sink back down again. I push him all the way to the back of my throat and make a gagging sound.

“Oh yeah, deep throat me baby. I love when you fuck yourself. So fucking sweet. Give me your fingers baby. I want to taste you.” I slowly release my fingers from my pussy, pinching my clit before bringing them to his mouth. I tease him, running them around his lips and pulling back when he tries to lick them. After another attempt I finally give in, slipping my fingers into his mouth and he moans. “Delicious. I hope your ready for me I'm so close.”

Slipping my fingers back inside my center and pumping ferociously, I pop my mouth from his cock. “Fuck Braydon, cum in my mouth baby. I'm gonna cum all over my fingers and feed it to you while I swallow your load.” Just as I get a good hard suction going again he explodes, sending hot jets of cum into my mouth. I drink it hungrily and just as promised I erupt all over my hand. Giving him my fingers, he sucks my juices from me, making sure to get every last drop.

“I love you so much Ilyanna. I can't wait till you agree to marry me.”

Sitting up I lick my lips. “How does the spring sound?”

He continues as if not hearing me. “I know your not ready but... Wait? What did you just say?” He's looking at me in wonder.

“I said. How does the spring sound?”

“Oh my God baby, your so incredible!” He shouts. “But don't you think for one second I'm not going to come up with a romantic proposal. At least I know what your answer will be. Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“I think a time or two.” I giggle at how happy I've just made him with my decision. “I love you too. I've been thinking about it and I never want to lose you. So why wait?” I don't think I've ever seen his face light up so bright. I wonder how he'll react when I tell him about the baby?