Intrigued and Enchanted (16 page)

He makes love to me again and again, each time with more reverence than the last. He worships my body with every kiss and caress, taking me to new heights of ecstasy, holding off on his own release; only allowing himself to come when I fall over the edge with him. Sometime after 3am we fall into an exhausted sleep together, our bodies tangled together – a perfect fit. Tonight there are no nightmares, just a beautiful sleep with a beautiful man.

15

Brandon’s bed is ridiculously comfortable. I wake up swaddled in Brandon’s arms, his chest rising and falling gently underneath my head, his steady heartbeat a beautiful sound. I try not to wake him, but I want a peek at his glorious face. I slowly shift myself in his arms, tilting my head to gaze at the perfect plains of his face.

He looks so peaceful, young and carefree in sleep. He’s breath-taking. His long black eyelashes almost kissing his sculpted cheekbones. His eyebrows naturally shaped and masculine. Slight curls in his hair sitting haphazardly on his brow. Brandon really is a work of art, a bronzed Adonis, lying under me, holding me tight even in sleep. My heart swells in my chest at the realisation that he wants to be here with me.

“Morning sweet girl. Like what you see?” Peeking one eye open to look at me, a cheeky grin on his face, his voice a low, sexy rasp. I shy away, not wanting to go too close before I brush my teeth. I really don’t want to inflict my fresh ‘dragon’ breath on him.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m just going to go brush my teeth. Be back in a minute.” I try to pry Brandon’s arms off me but he tightens his grip.

“What? No good morning kiss?”

“Not before I brush my teeth. No.” He starts teasing me now.

“Oh. Go on. Just one peck. I won’t let you go until you do.”

“No Brandon. It’s gross.” He starts tickling me now.

“Are you calling me gross baby? You’re going to pay for that.” He’s not lying. I hate being tickled and he is relentless. I’m wriggling all over the bed trying to get away from him, with no success. I finally give in.

“Okay. Okay. Okay. You win. A peck on the cheek. That’s my best offer.” I manage to choke out through my giggles.

“I’ll take it.” He says. A smug smile plastered on his smug face. I peck him on the cheek but he grabs me, pinning me to the bed. He looks sexy as hell hovering over me, his sex mussed hair looking like it’s been styled to perfection. He holds my arms at the sides of my head rendering me helpless. He lowers his lips to mine, his tongue licking along the seam of my mouth, coaxing me to open for him.

I want to refuse and run to the bathroom to make myself minty fresh, but I just can’t say no to him. Our kiss is gentle, yet passionate – a lazy morning wake up call to my libido. Only Brandon could taste good first thing in the morning. After he works me into a frenzy, he stops and moves off of me.

“Off you go then. Leave me all lonely to go to the bathroom.” He’s so playful – I find it unbelievably cute. As much as I enjoyed the kiss we just shared, I jump out of bed and head for the bathroom. Wow. Sex hair is not becoming on me! I must have given Brandon a fright when he opened his eyes. I quickly brush my teeth and try to tame the bird’s nest that is my hair.

It takes me about ten minutes to get it under control before I can put a quick braid in over one shoulder. When I head back into the bedroom there is no sign of Brandon. I find a note on the bed.

Gone to rustle up some breakfast in the kitchen. Come find me when you’re ready. Brandon
x

I grab the note and head out in search of Brandon.

As I find my way down to the kitchen, I hear Brandon singing along to my favourite Pharrell song ‘Happy’. He is ridiculously cute and sexy at the same time. Shaking his ass as he cooks, dressed only in his black pyjama bottoms. I stand just out of his line of sight, watching his carefree display. It doesn’t last long. He spins round to grab some tomatoes from the kitchen island and stops in his tracks, doubling over laughing that I caught him.

His response has me giggling uncontrollably and I can’t make my way over to him. I crumple on the floor, my laughter fuelled by his. His laughing so hard is funnier to me than him dancing around the kitchen. When I manage to calm myself enough to get up I run over to Brandon and jump into his arms, kissing him all over his gorgeous face.

“If I knew I’d get this response, I’d make an ass of myself more often.” Brandon says as I kiss him.

“You didn’t make an ass of yourself Brandon. That was quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Cuter than puppies.” I peck him on the nose.

“I don’t want to be cuter than puppies, woman. I want to be sexy and manly and caveman. Grrrrrr.” He captures my mouth with his, letting a throaty groan escape his chest.

“Trust me when I say this Brandon. Everything about you is manly and caveman and 100% sexy.” He claims me, body and soul. Thoughts of anything except Brandon flee from my mind at his kiss. There is only the two of us and the connection we share. It’s a heady feeling I never want to lose. We’re pulled from our own little world at the smell of burning eggs…gross.

“Shit.” He puts me down on the counter and darts over to the frying pan.

“I
was
making you a Spanish omelette for breakfast, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that you don’t want to eat this burnt monstrosity.” He makes me giggle.

“How about…you come shower with me and then we can head out and get some breakfast, slash, brunch somewhere?” A sly grin creeps across Brandon’s face.

“Mmmmm. A shower with you…..better make that a trip out for dinner. This could take a while. You’re very dirty and I personally won’t rest until I’ve cleaned every…single…inch of your sweet little body.” His gaze is intense as he stalks towards me, grabbing my hand. He pulls me behind him in silence.

He doesn’t drop my hand when he starts the shower - he doesn’t speak. He just starts stripping me of my vest and shorts, gliding his hands gently over my naked flesh, leaving a trail of goose pimples in his wake. The juxtaposition of the cold sensation on my skin with the fire burning throughout my body is thrilling.

I feel dirty and naughty in the best possible way as I stand unabashed in front of him…naked…for his eyes alone. I feel sexy. Revelling in it I lift my hands up into my hair, dropping my head back as I run my hands down my neck, along my collarbone and down towards my breasts. Brandon’s eyes are fixed on my every move, wide and burning with desire for me. He gives me a confidence in my body that I have never felt before. I tweak my nipples and watch as he bites on his beautiful bottom lip.

“Stop biting that lip and kiss me Brandon. I’m yours - Only…For…You.” I’ve unleashed something deep inside him. I can see it in his eyes. He loses all control, ripping his bottoms down and dragging me into the shower with him. As the hot water cascades over our bodies, Brandon grabs me and presses me against the shower wall.

The cool tiles send a shiver through me – my nipples pebbling against Brandon’s chest. He ravages my body, kissing every inch of my wet skin before taking me hard. After we find our release together I slump into Brandon’s arms, the intensity of my orgasm too much for my body to deal with.

“I’ve got you. I’m sorry sweet girl.”

“Don’t apologise Brandon, that was…Incredible.”

“Wrap your legs round me baby.” He carries me like a little monkey out of the shower, engulfing the two of us in a soft, fluffy white towel, and heading for the bed. We lie on the bed, cuddled in the towel for ages, happy to just be together.

“Why did you say sorry Brandon?” I burrow further into his chest as I ask.

“Because I can’t believe I was so rough with you. You’ll still be sore from last night. Are you ok? Did I hurt you?” He lifts my face to search for the truth, and I give it to him freely.

“You didn’t hurt me Brandon. Can I feel the effects of last night…Yes. But…I kinda love it. Is that weird?” He strokes his thumb down my cheek, an adoring look in his eyes.

“It’s not weird Lily…it’s…lovely. You’re lovely. Never forget that my sweet girl.” He gives me a gentle kiss, squeezing me close to his bare chest.

“Where would you like to go for brunch?” I ask, changing the subject. If I don’t steer us towards a safer topic, I’m going to blurt out three words that will change everything. I can’t do that after only two weeks. Has it really only been two weeks? I feel like Brandon has been a part of my life for such a long time. I already can’t imagine my life without him in it.

“Earth to Lily.” Oops.

“Sorry. Wandering mind of an aspiring novelist I guess.” Good save Lily. Pulled that one out my ass.

“Why don’t we just get ready and head out…see where the day takes us?” His voice playful and carefree.

“That sounds excellent. We’ll let the Big Apple decide our day for us.”

We get dressed together, my earlier shyness gone. This man wants to be with me and seems to really,
really
like my body. It’s a revelation, and it’s liberating. Brandon gives me a confidence in my body, in myself that I’ve been missing for years. I didn’t even realise the extent of it until now.

We’ve both gone for casual today – simple jeans and a fitted t shirt. We don’t match today because I’m wearing a girly pink t-shirt with Miss Piggy on it. Brandon has gone for a sky blue v neck t-shirt that makes his eyes even more hypontic, if that’s even possible. I sit down to dry my hair and Brandon takes the opportunity to head to his office to make some calls. He tells me where to find him when I’m ready and leaves me to my hairstyling. Once I’m in the ballpark of presentable I go in search of Brandon in this penthouse mansion.

Luckily I remember Brandon’s directions or I could be lost in here for days…seriously. The door is wide open and Brandon is sitting at a stunning antique office desk, large and imposing, just like the man behind it with his feet up on the desk. He’s still on the phone so I signal that I’ll leave him to finish but he ushers me in and gestures for me to sit down on the leather sofa against the back wall. This office is bigger than my ample sized bedroom.

I wonder just how many rooms there are in this apartment. I take a moment to wander round his study, taking in the stunning works of art on the walls. I can see behind the desk is his degree from Columbia. Guess that partially answers why he was there the day I walked right into him on campus. My gaze is drawn to a particular painting on the wall. It’s a Monet water lily oil painting. It’s not the same as the reproduction he bought me. I think there are about 250 different paintings that Monet did in the series. It’s stunning. Brandon ends his call as I stand entranced by the painting.

“Do you like this one better?” His arms wrap around my waist from behind, his nose nuzzling into my neck, drinking in my Chanel.

“I love mine Brandon. I’ve only seen a few of the series in books and museums. They are stunning to look at up close.”

“I think so too. I bought two at auction a number of years ago now. Cost a small fortune but they were worth it. Especially now that they have a deeper meaning. When I sit in here and look at this one, I think of a certain beautiful Lily that has me quite enchanted.” He’s so smooth.

“It is quite strange that you should have this particular Monet. Wait…you said you have two. Where is the other one?” As I stand waiting for his answer, it dawns on me. There is a space on the wall next to the Monet…a space for the one that is hanging in my apartment.

It’s not a reproduction. He gave me a real Monet. I real fucking Monet. I am such an idiot. I thanked him for the ‘reproduction’ and he didn’t correct me. I spin round in his arms to look at him.

“Please tell me I’m not right. That you didn’t give me a real Monet painting after knowing me for a week Brandon.”

“Why does it matter Lily? It’s a painting. One that, in some way, inspired your beautiful name. I wanted you to have it.”

“You have to take it back Brandon. It’s not right. It’s too much.” Brandon grabs my shoulders and holds me steady. I think I might be starting to sound a bit hysterical.

“Lily. Listen to me very carefully. I want you to have it. I won’t take it back. Even if you left here today and never spoke to me again - which I really, really hope you don’t – I would still want you to have it.” I know I’m not going to win this argument. He feels my resolve wavering and my shoulders slump in defeat.

“Good, that’s settled. Thank you sweet girl.” His warm callused palms cup my face and his lips caress mine sending that delicious, and now familiar jolt of electricity coursing through my body.

An hour later, we head out of Brandon’s building to see the sun is shining and the city is buzzing with happy couples, families, and friends. All of them enjoying the weekend and everything that this wonderful city has to offer. We do exactly the same and have a fabulous day together, chilling out and chatting about anything and everything.

We must walk at least 5 miles, stopping for coffee, soaking up the sun, lying out in the park for a few hours, grabbing brunch and then later in the day when the sun begins to set we have a lovely dinner before heading back to Brandon’s apartment. Once there, I realise that our magical weekend is at an end, but I don’t want to leave him. Lucky for me Brandon read my mind…again.

“I was thinking. If you’re not sick of me yet, maybe I could stay with you at your apartment tonight?” I run into his arms and squeeze him with all my might.

“I’d love that Brandon. I don’t think I could ever get sick of you.” And so I pack up my stuff and wait for Brandon to throw together an overnight bag before Angus drops us back at my apartment.

****

We spend the next three weeks, living in our bubble - Only apart when Brandon is at the office, and even then we had a habit of texting each other. When he works from home, I cosy up next to him reading a book or searching for a job online. We fall into a comfortable routine, not having to ask the question, ‘are we staying together tonight?’ It’s a given.

I don’t think I could sleep without the feel, and the smell, and the warmth of Brandon next to me. And what can I say about the sex….it has been mind-blowing. Brandon wasn’t kidding when he said he would make me come in ways I couldn’t imagine. There hasn’t been a day that he hasn’t taken me to the heights of pleasure and jumped off the cliff with me. Every kiss, every touch, I get a fabulous electric shock buzzing through my body, in a way that only Brandon can elicit.