I'm Holding On (28 page)

Drew

I plow into the shop, looking for Brynlee. It’s almost six o’clock, so it’s a toss-up as to whether she’s still here. I get almost to the kitchen and see the lights are off thro
ugh the window on the door, so I go into the office, barging in on my dad and Marissa. She’s crying.

“Sorry, I didn’t know I was interrupting.”

“Drew, you need to hear this,” my dad says.

I shut the office door behi
nd me. Marissa peers up with a guilty expression.

“What kind of trouble did you get into? Are yo
u OK?” I ask.

She l
ooks at Dad and whines.

“He’s going to murder
me.”

“What happened? And what time did Brynlee leave? I have to talk to her.” I cross my arms and look at my dad. “She put Ian on the road days ago. Why wouldn’t she tell me?” I ask, practically yelling.

“Oh no.” Marissa buries her face in her hands.

“What do you know?” I ask her. “Why are you crying?”

She looks up at me. “Brynlee found the van receipt in the glove box because she was getting a parking ticket. Then she freaked and ended up dragging it out of me about the money Mom and Dad are saving for her.”

“Dammit, Marissa, t
hat is not something she should’ve heard from you.”

“Don’t get mad at me. You shouldn’t have left the papers in there. She’s in the van every week, so she was
bound to find them.”

I pace around the office with my hands on my hips.

“When did she leave?”

“About tw
enty minutes ago.”

“
Then she’s on the damn bus, and I have no idea where she’s going.” I look to my dad again. “Why would she dump him and push me away? Does that mean she doesn’t want either of us?”

My dad leans back in his chair
and laces his fingers behind his head. “Drew, how in the heck would I know? If I had to make a guess, maybe she was testing you to see what you’d do if she pushed you away, but like I said, it’s a guess.

“What I do know is you need to get all this sorted out. She’s crying, your sister’s crying,
and you’re out of control around here anymore. We’re not hosting
The Jerry Springer Show
in this coffee shop.” My dad points his finger at me.

I look at Marissa. “What
did she say? Tell me everything.”

“No. If you really love her, then you’ll figure out what she wants. You don’t even see what’s right in front of you. She loves you, but you’ll be lucky to get her.”

“What the hell? That’s almost exactly what Ian said. What am I missing here? Tell me now, Marissa!”

“Don’t yell at me and no! It’s not something I can tell you to do. You have to want to yourself you big
idiot!” Marissa storms past me with tears in her eyes and clenched fists. Out of the office she goes, slamming the door behind her.

“I’m losing my mind, Dad. Since it took me so long to tell her how I feel, she thinks I’m merely jealous of Ian getting her attention and got caught up in the tug of war over her.

“I’ve tried to make up for the last two years, showing her I want more than a friendship. I don’t know what else to do to get her to see I love her.”

“So you told Brynlee
you love her?”

“Yes I’ve told her. I mean … I’m pretty sure. I told her how much I care about her. I told her all the ways she makes me feel, and I definitely showed her physically. I told her I
want her many times—”

“But did you tell her you loved her?”

My mind races, recalling every conversation and occasion of laughter, our intimacy and dates, and every urgent moment I would’ve given anything for her to pick me.

Holy Shit
!
“No. I can’t believe it. I never said those words. Why didn’t I say it?”

“Are you sure she’s not rig
ht about the chase? Did you pursue her because you were jealous of Ian wanting her?”

“Absolutely
not, Dad. I’m madly in love with that woman.”

My
dad smiles. “I know. Now, find her and tell her you big idiot.”

Brynlee

I arrive at the park and sit under the cherry blossom tree Drew and I usually share amongst a long row of them. The butterflies return in my stomach when I think about him telling me here that he liked me. I see one of the runners we enjoy making fun of.

It seems like an eternity has passed since that day. So
much has happened, and after everything, I’m still alone. I can’t believe Drew’s been doing without, screwing with his entire future, so I’d have a way to transport my product.

He loves me.
I still don’t understand why he didn’t tell me, but he truly loves me, and I hurt him horribly today by letting him believe I wanted Ian. I don’t even know if he’d forgive me for putting him through that, but dammit, he shouldn’t have given me up! 

I’ve come to realize that b
ecause of how deeply I’ve loved Drew for two years, once the reality set in that he really wanted me, I became terrified he’d abandon me like everyone else. So I clung to Ian, hoping I could fall in love with him since he never made me doubt his feelings.

It’s your move, Brynlee. If you want a chance with Drew, then you’re
the one that’s going to have to say those three words and see what happens. Leaning my head back against the tree, I put my purse between my legs and close my eyes.

Trying to relax, I recall some of the special moments I’ve shared with Drew. I have no idea how much
time has passed when I feel drops of water through the branches. It’s sprinkling, so I drag my butt up off the ground.

“Brynlee!
”

I jump when I hear my name.
Drew is barreling toward me, and he looks outraged as he throws his hands in the air. “I’ve been worried sick about you. Why in the hell didn’t you tell me about Ian?”

“I can’t believe Mariss
a already told, but does it really matter?”

“Ian told me, and w
hat’s that supposed to mean?”

“Does it really matter since you basically handed me over to him this afternoon?”

Drew is only a couple of feet away from me, pointing a finger. “That’s not fair. You’ve hardly spoken to me for days when you’re supposedly dating two guys, so what else am I supposed to think? I assumed you wanted to be with him.”

“And that was obviously acceptable to you!” I push his chest with my finger. The once blue sky is now dark grey. Clouds open wide, dumping rain. Drew grabs hold of my biceps and slams his lips on mine. Oh hell.

Drew

Taking hold of Brynlee, I shut her up with a kiss. She might not believe it yet, but I love her, and she’s going home with me.

She yanks away
. “Why didn’t you fight for me today? If you care about me so much, why would you voluntarily let me go?”

I grab hold of my head. She is impossible sometimes. “
Bryn, you looked like you were suffering. Since you were barely speaking to me, I thought you wanted him and were afraid to tell me. I didn’t want you hurting and dealing with this situation another minute.”

“Well, that’s very considerate of you as a
best friend
, but I don’t want to only be your friend. And you told me you were never letting him have me and that I was yours, yet you walked away!”

Her hands are clenched
as rain soaks us. Water dripping from every inch of her, and I feel my t-shirt and shorts clinging to me.

“You’re right
. I should’ve never given you up until you told me to, but I was afraid I was going to hear those words, Bryn, and I couldn’t stand the thought of it. I guess I was hoping you’d stop me.”

“
I guess we’re both always waiting for the other to make a move, so what does that say about the strength of our relationship, Drew?” She marches off past me.

“Oh no you don’t. You are not walking away from
me.” Right when I reach her, she spins around.

“Why? Because you care about me? Because you don’t want to lose me as a friend? Well, I’m tired of
us dancing around this for two years, so I’m going to be the brave one here and say—”

I cover her mouth hard with my hand while grabbing her arm with the other. Her eyes widen.

“Don’t even think about it. You are not saying it first. No way. I love you, Brynlee. I’ve loved you for two years. I was a complete coward and idiot for not telling you sooner, and I’m sorry.” I move my hand away from her mouth.

“I should’ve told you before Ian was even in the picture. Then I should’ve told
you when I found out about him and every day since until I convinced you that it was the truth.

“
I love you, Brynlee. I love everything about you, even this stubborn attitude of yours. I love you so much that I’ll marry you tomorrow if you let me.”

Her eyes soften
as she chews on that lip of hers.

“I love you, too
, Drew. I always have, but I was too afraid to face it. What if you left me like everyone else?”

“Sugar, you said you love me, so you’re stuck with me forever.”

Her hands slide into my wet hair as her lips find mine.
Mine.
Brynlee’s finally mine. I wrap her in my arms, our bodies stuck together from our soaked clothes. I can’t hold her close enough. This kiss is different than any we’ve shared. She’s not holding back an ounce, showing me she’s all mine. All. Mine.

Breathless, she pulls away and stares into my eyes, desire filling hers. “Take me to your apartment, Drew, and make love to me.”

“Fuck, Bryn. You don’t have to ask me twice.” I take her hand and practically drag her to the car. Once inside, we start making out again, unable to keep our hands off each other.

“Drive, Drew.” She pulls
herself away and buckles up.

“Shit. Your lips are blue like last time. You’re cold.”

“Drive. You can warm me back up.” Her hand slides over my thigh, and I slam my foot on the gas. I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for this day.

Neither of us say a word the rest of the way. I park and go around to let her out. It’s still pouring, and I don’t know if it’s because of how badly I want her, but I pick her up. She wraps her legs aroun
d my waist and crushes her lips to mine.

I carry her up the six steps that lead into my
building. Hearing a whistle, I glance to see the young guy from across the hall walking by with a big grin on his face. I smile against Brynlee’s cold lips that I’m trying to warm. I kick the door closed and take her straight to my room.

“Stay right here,
” I say before I run to the bathroom and grab towels. Returning, I lay them on the bed and pull her top over her head. She unhooks her bra while I take off my shirt. I help her get out of the rest of her clinging, wet clothes.

Picking up a
towel, I slowly massage her scalp, drying it some while I kiss her affectionately. Then I dry off her chest and waist before I strip the rest of my clothes off and grab another towel, drying myself off as quickly as I can.

I’m on my knees next, pressing gentle kisses across her st
omach as I dry the rest of her skin. Laying her on the bed, I start at her ankles and line kisses up her soft legs, my hands touching everywhere my mouth’s not.

She’s whimpering, and when I get to the top of her thighs, she begins massaging my neck and playing with my ha
ir. I force myself to slow down. The need to cherish every second I have with her becomes pertinent.

My tongue circles her inner thighs, working its way up the length of her
supple skin, her arousing scent luring me along. I slide two fingers in, and she’s wet for me to touch and taste her. I do just that, and she lets me this time without dispute.

She cries
out my name with the last stroke of my tongue, and it’s difficult to hang on after the erotic sounds coming from her sweet mouth.

I swipe
a condom from my nightstand and put it on before I’m on top of her, gazing at her flushed face and feeling her sultry body beneath me.

“Brynlee, I love you, and we’re never leaving each other. Not ever.”
I glide my fingers deep into her hair and settle between her legs.

“I love
you, Drew.” She leans up to kiss me, her arms bringing me down on top of her. We explore each other’s mouths as I slowly slide into her. She’s so wet, and I feel her body stretching for me, yet it’s the tightest warmth gripping my dick. I have to freeze for a few seconds, so I don’t come, the thrill almost too much to take.

“B
rynlee, I can’t believe how sensational you feel. I’ve known for two years that you’d be worth the wait.”

Brynlee

It’s finally happening. Drew’s inside of me, and it’s magical. I had no idea it could feel this wonderful or that I could have so much love in my heart for one person.

“Drew
, it feels incredible,” I manage to say between the wisp of breaths that escape my lungs. Each move caresses the sensitive space that encircles his hardness, and when he thrusts deeper, burying himself the way he’s wanted to, the pleasure escalates in waves of tingling heat.

I moan wildly from the
torrid sensation spreading throughout my body. He pulls back, and dropping his head, he takes hold of one of my nipples, dragging it through his teeth.

I groan and lift
my hips as my muscles clench, wanting him to move again, but he continues his assault on my breasts, driving me insane until I’m begging.

“Move, Drew. I’m going to come, and I want you deep inside me when I do.”

Growling loudly from my words, he drives into me, filling me to the hilt. He repeats this several times until we’re simultaneously consumed by the euphoria. I watch his eyes clench shut as he stills, erupting inside of me, groaning as our orgasms collide.

T
he vivid sensations shatter any barrier that was left around my heart. I’ve now given every part of myself to Drew. His weight falls on me, and he lays the gentlest kisses to every inch of my face, his nose nuzzling against my neck after.

The sweat covering his strong, defined back slides along my arms as I tighten my hold on him, eliminating any space between us.

“Bryn, that was unreal. Your hot flesh gripping me tight as your searing body moved beneath me was better than I ever dreamed, and I dreamed about it a lot. I’m never letting you go. I can finally tell Phillip to stick his Brynlee lattes up his ass.”

“D
rew! After everything we’ve gone through, you can’t possibly be jealous of a nineteen year old.”

“I’m not taking any chances. He wants his sugar mama.”

I chuckle before I press my lips to his.

“You’re too funny
. Don’t worry, I’m going to fix him up with Marissa.”

Drew’s holding himself up by his hands in a split second, staring at me with wide eyes.

“What? Are you insane?” he asks, practically yelling.

I point my finger up at him and grin.

“Gotcha.”

A gleam flits
across his eyes.

“Have you
forgotten you’re underneath me? And there is no man in tiny, silk shorts to rescue you.”

“Yes, I know I’m beneath you since I feel your member pressing against me, and I forgot I need to run out to the store to get you a pair of those
sexy shorts.”

“Hey, at least I’m not smacking you with my member.”

“Drew!”

“Are you going to let out my name in that shrill every time I say something shocking? If so, I need to save up for the hearing aids I’ll need when we get old.”

“Awww, you’re thinking about us growing old together,” I say, playing with the back of his hair, feeling him growing harder above me.

His expression turns serious, his eyes darker, and I know what we’re about to do again. He drops his head and captures my lips, kissing me deeply.
Releasing them, he gazes at me, and I see his love.

“Yes, I’m thinking about us growing old together. I told you I’m never letting
you go, sugar. You’re finally mine. All. Mine.”