Fighting Temptation (Bay State Series Book 1) (14 page)

Surprise

I'm loving New York. Sure this cast and wheelchair suck, but I'm trying to make the best of it. Braydon's been so attentive. Maybe a little bit too much.

Lost in thoughts about my man, I jump when there's a knock at the door. What the hell? We didn't call room service.

“Baby, can you get that?” Braydon yells from the bathroom. “I'll be out in a minute.”

Wheeling myself to the door, I can't check the peephole from my position so when I open the door and see Rachel and John on the other side I let out a loud shriek and start bouncing in my seat, waving my arms like a raving lunatic. “Oh my God, girl. What are you doing here?”

She throws herself at me and gives me a huge hug. “John said we're coming to have dinner with you guys for Braydon's birthday. Can you believe we're in New York? This is so awesome.” She looks beautiful like always. She has her blond hair pulled up on one side with a butterfly clip. I must say her short hair looked good but I think it suits her slim face better when she lets it grow out a little bit longer.

“How are you feeling Ilyanna?” John asks when he's finally able to close the door as soon as  me and Rachel move inside the room.

“I'm a little sore,” I answer him honestly. “Nothing I can't handle. I'll feel much better once I have this stupid cast off.”

“Where's Braydon?” Looking around the room he walks over to glass doors that lead out to the balcony. “Holy shit what a view.” He lets out a long whistle right as Braydon walks into the room.

Not bothering to answer his question, I turn to Braydon. “What time are our reservations?” Looking at Rachel and pointing my finger at her and then in the direction of the bedroom, I inform her that she'll be helping me get ready. She looks at me smiling and nods her head.

“We have a little over an hour. Our table will be ready at five thirty.” He reaches Rachel and gives her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

They exchange pleasantries before she steals me away. “Okay girl lets go get you ready. See you boys in about an hour.” She starts toward the bedroom and I stop next to Braydon for a kiss.

“See you in a bit baby, love you.”

“Love you too.” I tell him and turn to follow Rachel into the other room.

“So how were his parents?” Rachel asks as she's curling my hair.

“I love them, they're awesome. We picked out a Christmas tree and decorated it while we were there. We gave them a cruise to Nova Scotia in May. They were pretty excited about that. What's been going on with you lately?” It feels like forever since we've been able to catch up. Just the two of us.

Looking pretty in a navy blue shift dress, she answers “Same ol' same ol' I'm afraid. Nothing too special. I've been looking at some dresses but not wanting to commit without your input. I'll just wait until we can go do some shopping together. We really need to get this wedding planned. Is it going to bother you? Being pregnant during it?”

Their wedding is planned for March. I try to calculate it in my head how big I'll be then and grimace. I don't technically know my exact due date yet since I haven't been to my doctor but I have to be about a month. It's been so crazy lately with the accident that I really haven't had too much time to think about it.

“I should be fine, I'll be about five months. Hopefully I won't be too big at that point.”

“Oh please bitch, you're probably gonna be one of those the lucky ones that doesn't gain anything.” She laughs as she teases my hair, leaving it full of gorgeous waves.

Looking at myself in the mirror I laugh along with her. “Knowing my luck I'll get as big as a house and never be able to lose the weight.” I shudder at the thought.

“Come on let's get you dressed crazy girl. I'll drag your ass to the gym every day if I have too. You'll be fine.” She walks over to the bed and picks up my red maxi dress. I picked out my knee high brown boots to go with it. It's a shame I'll only be wearing one of them.

After putting on the final touches of my makeup we leave the bedroom to go join our guys in the living room. They immediately go quite when we come in and my mind automatically starts to play tricks on me. I swear these hormones are driving me crazy. That's the second time now that Braydon's gone quite when I enter the room. I can't help but think bad thoughts. What's so secretive? I give him a raised eyebrow in question.

He raises an eyebrow in return. “My God, you look beautiful. I thank him every day that you're mine” And just like that my insecurities are gone. How can I question this man? He shows me every day how much I mean to him.

“Thanks handsome, you don't look so bad yourself.” He's wearing a pair of khakis and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I want to strip him right here but I'm hyper aware of our company.

John looks down at his watch. “You guys ready to head out? We have about twenty minutes to get to the restaurant.” He heads over to the door and we follow for our night out on the town.

                                *****

Dinner was delicious. I'm not going to lie though, I miss alcohol. I have to say I'm impressed that they only had one drink each. Most likely so I would stop pouting like a petulant child.

“Just think,” Rachel says while leaning over the table, “in about nine months, after that baby's born we're going to have a girls night and get shit faced.” She holds up her fist and I bump it before placing my hand back in my lap.

Braydon picks up the check in one hand and grasps mine with his other while sliding out of the booth. “Boo, dammit, I was enjoying not being in that chair. Do I have to get back in it?”

“Yes beautiful, you have to. Hopefully only a few more weeks and the cast can come off.” Setting me down in the chair he stands behind me pushes me to the hostess stand where he pays the bill.

Shaking my head I ask, “Um? Why did you just pay the bill? It's your birthday dinner. Let me pay.”

“Because I felt like it and I can.” Ooh, he's so arrogant some times. But I still want to lick him. He makes me so horny when he's feisty. The look he's giving me, like he can burn into my soul with his gaze is so hot. “Stop looking at me like that Ilyanna. We're out with friends and have plans. If not I'd drag you back to hotel.” Yes please, I don't say it out loud, I know the argument I want to start is futile so I let it go.

“Okay guys, let's save the fuck me eyes for later.” John's voice breaks the hold Braydon's eyes have on me and I look over at him, standing with his hands in his pockets of his gray dress pants, looking slightly uncomfortable. Rachel got lucky with him. He's a looker with his slightly long black hair slicked back off his forehead and boyish looks. If I didn't have such a fine specimen of a man for myself then I just might be jealous. “Let's get this show on the road.”

                                *****

I'm currently blindfolded, being navigated by Braydon who continuously hushes me when I ask where we're going. “Come on, just a hint please? I'll make it worth your while.” I beg while all around me it keeps getting louder and louder with people rushing past us, yelling and laughing.

He bends down to whisper in my ear. “You'll be making it worth my while anyway. So sorry, not telling.” He nips my ear before pulling away. Laughing when I grunt in frustration. Urgh, the bastard. While I silently fume I try and think of where the hell we're going. John and Rachel are talking wedding stuff so they're no help at all. Some kind of musical is all I can think of. So I bury my anger at the situation and join in on the conversation.

“As soon as that cast is off I want to go check out that new boutique downtown. I saw a dress in the window that's to die for. I want to see if they have it in plum. It would go perfect for what I have in mind for my dress.” She's talking in super speed and I imagine her hands flying all over the place. “And the cut is perfect now that I think of it. You know? Just in case you're showing a bit by then.”

“Great, now I'm imaging myself looking like a cow in my maid of honor dress.”

“Please Ily, you're going to be beautiful no matter how big you get. Just think of how much fun Braydon will have helping you burn it off after the baby's born.”

It sounds like he gives her a high five before shouting, “Hell yes I will, and I'm going to enjoy every second.”

I can't help thinking about how I told Braydon I'd be ready to get married in the spring. I don't know how he feels about it with our new addition. I for one have had a change of heart. We haven't really talked about it since his parents house. I know I don't want to rush it. I can just hear the whispers now about a shotgun wedding. Nope. Definitely having this baby first.

Holy shit, it's gotten ten times louder. “Are you taking me on the subway blindfolded?”

“No baby, no subway. Just a little while longer and I'll take your blindfold off.”

“Gee, thanks.” We come to a stop and I sense him move away from me. “Rachel?” I ask in a panicked voice. What's going on?

“Right here Ily. Braydon just had to go talk to someone.” She takes my hand so I know I'm not alone.

John laughs. "Did you think we were gonna leave you to the wolves?”

“No you ass. It feels like a zoo wherever the hell we are, I keep feeling people brushing against me. I don't want to lose you guys.”

“No worries beautiful, I'm back. You can't get rid of me that easily.” He's standing behind me again with his hands on my shoulders, his hands are shaking slightly.

“Baby? Are you alright? Your shaking.” I should be the nervous one, I have no fucking clue what's going on.

“I'm fine, just excited for your surprise.” His hands are suddenly gone from my shoulders and I feel him in front of me as he grabs my hands and gives me a soft kiss, lightly sucking and biting my bottom lip before pulling away. “I love you.” He tells me before coming in for another quick kiss.

“Mmmm. I love you too. More please.” I smile up at him. Or at least I think I am since I can't see. Searching for him so I can pull him back in for another, I feel the light stubble on his cheeks and know I've found my target. I release his lips and trail mine up to his ear. “I can't wait until we get back to the hotel so you can remind me what else you can do with that mouth..”

“You can count on it. Damn you're evil woman. I'll be sporting a semi all night thinking about the things I want to do to you with my mouth, among other things.” He nibbles my ear and pulls away, taking my hands in his again.

“Mr. O'Donnell?” Someone asks next to us. Definitely a native New Yorker from her thick accent.

“Yes?”

“If your party would follow me, I'll show you to your seats.” She says and suddenly I'm on the move again.

I can hear Rachel giggling behind us. No doubt she was in on this the whole time and didn't say anything. What a bitch!

Thunderous noise assaults my ears. Shit, I thought it was loud before. What the hell? There is no way a Broadway musical is this rowdy. Coming to a stop again a few minutes later, my blindfold's taken off and I have to blink a few times for my eyes adjust to the bright lights. What I'm seeing makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. No doubt we're at a concert, just not sure who's. As I look around, I can see the balconies filling up with swarms of people. The speakers boom to life which draws my attention to the stage where the finishing touches are being set.

Braydon puts his arm around me from the seat to my right. No doubt protecting my injured side. “Surprise!” He yells over the music with a huge smile on his face. God I'm one lucky woman. He is so damn handsome.

“This is awesome baby! Thank you so much.” I grab his face and plant a long drawn out kiss kiss on his lips. “Who is it?”

“Well since you'll find out soon enough, no sense in hiding it anymore.” He looks so happy and carefree right now. “Lee Bryce.” I didn't think I could love him any more than I already do. Oh how wrong I was.

“Oh my God! Seriously? I fucking love you! I'm so excited.” I'm bouncing in my seat. I can't wait to see my favorite musician take the stage. “I've always wanted to see him in concert.” I clap my hands together, giggling like a school girl.

Looking over to my left I ask Rachel. “Can you fucking believe it? Lee Bryce! I think I'm gonna pass out.”

“I was so jealous when I found out you were coming to it. Little did I know, John had a surprise of his own for me.” She's bouncing in her seat right along with me. No longer needing to contain her excitement.

The lights go off, pitching us in darkness for a few seconds before the stage lights come on for the opening act. It's a new band. I'm not sure I recognize the name but their first song sounds familiar. I've probably heard it on the radio. This place is going crazy. I've caught our smiling faces on the big screen a few times from our section on the floor. So close to the stage. I think I can count maybe four or fives rows separating us from it. By far the best concert I've ever been to, and Lee hasn't even come on yet.

The final cords of the song end and the crowd erupts in cheers, catcalls and whistles. The space is blanketed by darkness once again.

Minutes later bright lights shine down on everyone as they scramble out of their seats to get refreshments and use the restrooms. Braydon excuses himself saying he'll be right back and asking if we need anything. I look up at him and shake my head. I don't think this smile is ever going to leave my face. Watching him make his way to one of the exits, John comes and takes his spot to my right as my protector.