Intrigued and Enchanted (29 page)

“I’m back now, and nothing is going to come between us again Brandon.” I suddenly feel exhausted, my eyes heavy – too heavy to keep open. The darkness takes me, but I don’t feel scared, Brandon is here…he’s here.

When I wake up I’m surrounded by family and friends. My mom and sisters are here, so is Jess and I can see Paul in the corner. Where is Brandon? Jess immediately sees the panic on my face and understands my fear.

“He’s just gone to grab a shower and some fresh clothes. He’ll be back any minute.” She moves to sit in the chair next to my bed.

“Lilliput. You scared the shit out of me. I’m so happy to see you bestie.” She leans in to give me a tentative hug, careful not to hurt me.

“I’m glad to see you too Jester. I love you bestie.” She can’t hold back her tears any longer and buries her head in my neck.

“I love you too Lily. You’re my family. I don’t know what I would do without you.” We spend long minutes wrapped in each other’s arms, appreciating one another. We’re both crying like idiots by the time my mom interjects.

“Right you two. This is supposed to be a happy moment. Don’t start me off too.” Jess makes space for my mom.

“Hi mom.” That’s all it takes for the floodgates to open and the sobs flow in waves, racking my mom’s chest.

“Baby girl. I love you so much darling. I was so scared I would never see you again. Your strength and will to survive is awe-inspiring Lilly. I’m so glad I’ve got a second chance to be a better mom for you. You are everything to me darling, and I promise to show you every day just how precious you are.” She kisses my cheek, crushing me a little too tight, but I don’t complain. The pain is worth it to feel so completely loved by my mom again.

My sisters are a mess of snot and tears as they welcome me back to the land of the living. Gushing about making time to visit me more often. I doubt it will actually happen, but I love that they want to try.

Paul gives me a soft cuddle and tells me how glad he is that I’m ok and how worried they all were. I lose track of what he’s saying when I sense Brandon in the doorway. My eyes are instantly drawn to the place I can feel his presence – it’s magnetic.

Brandon is standing leaning against the doorframe, his corded arms crossed over his chest, his long lithe legs crossed at the ankle. He is the picture of heaven to me. I take a moment to appreciate every inch of his resplendent body. A dazzling grin spreads across his handsome, chiselled face. We just stare at each other, relishing the intense connection sizzling between us. Everyone else in the room fades into the background, their words a dull hum in the distance.

Brandon strides towards me, never taking his eyes off me. The emotion welling in my chest is a palpable knot of pure love and adoration. His proximity as he reaches his warm hands up to cradle my face makes my head spin. As he touches his lips to mine, something ignites inside me. It’s not lust, my body is too sore for that – It’s something much stronger, a melding of two souls. Brandon becomes a part of me in this moment – the last piece of the puzzle that I need to complete me. A piece I know I could never live without.

I don’t notice everyone else slipping out the room, leaving us in our own little bubble, caressing our lips and tongues together in the dance that belongs only to us. It could be minutes, it could be hours; all I know for sure is that it isn’t long enough.

“Hi…my sweet, sweet girl.” God I love his voice. It envelops me in a warm hug, soothing me with its low sexy rasp.

We spend the next few hours just wrapped up in each other. Relishing every touch, every kiss, and every word spoken between us. Brandon had them bring in a cot while I was asleep so that he could stay with me at all times. Now that I’m awake, he insists that he’s still going to stay at night, unwilling to let me out of his sight.

I spend another week in the hospital before the doctors even consider letting me go home. Brandon has been at my bedside the whole time, drawing funny little doodles on my arm cast. It’s covered in little love hearts and cars and his version of the sights in London. I’ve found something Brandon isn’t amazing at! A dog could draw a better picture than Brandon – I find it completely adorable.

I’m slowly but surely getting back on my feet, my bruises are fading, and my aches and pains are getting less every day. I have four broken ribs, so that is going to take longer to heal, but I’m lucky they didn’t puncture my lung. I won’t be getting my cast off for at least 3 weeks, maybe four, but I’m hoping to get home long before then.

Jess contacted B Magazine for me and let them know I’m out of commission for a while. They offered to keep my job for a while at least, which is more than I could have hoped for.

The doctor comes in to see me – he and Brandon are like old friends now!

“Well Miss Pritchard. If you promise to take it easy, and you have someone to take care of you at home, I think we can let you loose today. You’ll need to come back to get the cast removed, but other than that, lots of rest, no heavy lifting and no sex until your ribs are fully healed.”

The look on Brandon’s face makes me laugh which is not a good thing when you have broken ribs. He turns to the doctor with a serious look on his face.

“You’re killing me here doc.” He winks in my direction.

“Can I take my girl home now?”

“As soon as the discharge papers are signed, yes. Look after her Brandon.” Brandon glances at me with a gentle smile and eyes full of love.

“I plan to doc…I plan to.” The doctor leaves us to get organised and after Brandon helps me to get dressed I need to sit down for a minute. Who knew it could be so tiring putting on yoga pants and a hoodie. Brandon sits on the bed beside me, an almost nervous look on his face.

“Lily. I need to talk to you about something before we leave.” That sounds ominous.

“I want to take care of you Lily. I can’t bear the thought of being away from you. I was hoping that you would consider moving in to my apartment. I can help you recover, and then, when you feel better, you can redecorate the whole place if it makes you happy. I just want to be with you Lily. I love you. You are a part of me, the part I can’t be without. Please say yes baby.”

I’m shocked by his declaration. We’ve not been together that long, and I would really miss living with Jess, but everything in me is desperate to say yes to him. I don’t want to spend another night of my life without being in his arms, cocooned in the warmth of his love and affection. Without thinking, the words are tripping off my tongue.

“Yes Brandon. I’ll move in with you.” His eyes are full of fire and desire, but he controls his touch as he claims my mouth with his own, his tongue dipping into my mouth to caress and explore, conquer and worship.

With the discharge papers signed, Brandon wheels me out to the front of the hospital, the fresh air filling my lungs, cleansing my soul. Angus is waiting on the sidewalk with the door to the SUV open wide and a grin on his face. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen him with a genuine smile on his face. He’s quite handsome.

“It’s a pleasure to see you up and about Ms Pritchard.” My gratitude takes over and I pull Angus into a firm hug.

“Thank you for what you did Angus. You saved us both.” He gives me an embarrassed half grin before handing me back to a disgruntled Brandon.

“All part of the job Ms Pritchard.” Brandon lifts me carefully into the back of the car, his little pang of jealousy forgotten.

“I can’t wait to get you home. To
our
home.” I remember the mess that was left at my apartment.

“What about my apartment? Jess?”

“She stayed with her parents for a few days while I got extra security measures fitted at your apartment and had the place cleaned and restored to its former glory. She’s fine, and eager to come visit you in your new home. I asked her permission to steal you away. I told her to let you rest today – the journey home will be enough excitement for one day. She’s going to come by tomorrow to check up on you.”

Knowing that everyone is safe and sound, I drift off, tucked into Brandon’s lap as we make our way back to
our
house. Home.

29

I’m so exhausted from the journey home that I only wake long enough for Brandon to lift me in his arms and into his building. I don’t remember anything after the ping of the elevator doors opening in the lobby.

I wake up in Brandon’s bed; I guess it’s my bed now too; happy to be surrounded by the intoxicating scent of him. It’s ingrained in his sheets and gives me comfort snuggling further into the covers, cuddling his pillow to my chest. I take a deep breath before settling back down to sleep for another hour or so.

When I finally come round properly, Brandon is lying next to me on his side, staring at me.

“Hello my sweet girl. How are you feeling?” The adoration in his eyes melts my heart.

“Much better now that I’m home with you.” He gently runs the back of his hand down my cheek, a smile of true contentment on his face.

“I can see that. Sleeping in our bed must be a good thing, you’ve been asleep since yesterday afternoon.” I can believe it – I feel so much better than I did in the hospital. I must have slept for almost 20 hours.

“It’s given me the opportunity to look at your beautiful face, back where you’re supposed to be. With me.” A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth at his sweet words. He leans his face forward to rest a gentle kiss on my lips.

“Lily…” He looks choked up as he chooses his words carefully.

“I thought we might never have this again. I’ve never been so scared in all my life, even when my mom was fighting cancer.” I cup his scruff covered cheek in my good hand.

“I know Brandon. I thought the same thing. I was so scared I wouldn’t get the chance to tell you that I believe you about everything that happened with Victoria.” It’s the first time she’s been mentioned since we came back from London. While I was in the hospital I didn’t care about what happened. I just wanted to be with Brandon. Happy to be alive and happy to have the chance to tell him how much I love him. She seems so insignificant now. Brandon came for me, he saved my life, he stayed by my side until I woke up – he gave me the will to wake up. When I look into his eyes, I can see sadness at the mention of Victoria.

“Baby. I am so sorry for everything that happened with Victoria. Can I tell you what happened? I don’t want there to be anymore secrets between us Lily. Ever again.” I nod, feeling slightly anxious about what he’s going to say.

He explains the whole upsetting situation, from his first contact with Victoria in the Hamptons to the point where we were standing in my apartment with the photos she sent. I thought I would be annoyed or upset by what happened, knowing that Brandon lied to me; but what I feel for him in this moment is…pride. She broke his heart and his trust less than a year ago, and yet he managed to find compassion in his heart for her. He’s a good man, with a beautiful heart and he couldn’t stand to see any woman abused by a man. I can’t be upset that he fell for her lies. If he hadn’t tried to help her, he wouldn’t be the Brandon that I know and love with all my heart.

He mistakes my silence for anger.

“I’m so sorry Lily. Can you forgive me?” I lean in, giving him a tender kiss, filled with all the love I feel for him. His hand moves into my hair, holding me in place as his tongue performs an enchanting waltz with mine. Our souls entwined in a single kiss. I pull back just far enough to look into his stunning eyes as I speak.

“I forgive you for lying to me Brandon. As for what happened with Victoria – it makes me love you even more, if that’s possible.” He looks puzzled.

“You are such an amazing man Brandon. You are strong, confident, and commanding; but at the same time, you have an unparalleled capacity for love and compassion and a tenderness that soothes my soul.” A whisper of a smile creeps onto the corners of his mouth.

“The fact that you were able to put aside the hurt that Victoria caused you, and help her because you thought she was in trouble is…admirable. Not many people would do that. You are very special Brandon, and I’m so thankful that we’ve got another chance together.”

He cuddles me down onto his chest as he moves onto his back, our limbs tangling into what seems to have become ‘our position’. I’ve missed this so much.

“You’re the amazing one Lily. I love you so much. I’m in awe of your strength my sweet girl.” I don’t know why I want to know, but I ask the question anyway.

“Have you spoken to her since the photo incident?” He hugs me a little closer.

“No.” His voice is cold; angry.

“I couldn’t stand the thought of speaking to her. I was focused on getting you back, because you’re the only thing that matters Lily. Now that you’re home, trust me, I’ll be dealing with her for what she did to us.” I attempt to soothe his agitation by trying to rub my hand over his toned chest. Not easy with my arm in a cast. Oh my God he feels good.

“I don’t want you to do anything Brandon. You’re better than that. We’re better than that. We’re together and happy and she will never have that because she’s obviously incapable of real love. Enough of our time has been wasted by other people. I’m sure she’ll get what’s coming to her. Karma’s a bitch, especially if you are one.” He lets out a shaky breath.

“I’ll leave it for you Lily. You’ve been through enough. But if she so much as breathes in our direction again, I will make her pay for it. Understood?”

“Understood. One more breath and she’s toast.” I manage to get a smile out of him with that comment. We lie in each other’s arms for a while before Brandon brings up the other elephant in the room.

“You know you can talk to me about what happened with Peterson don’t you Lily?” A chill runs through me at the mere mention of his name.

“I know. I’m just not ready to talk about it yet. I hope that’s okay.” He kisses my forehead as he brushes my hair back from my face.

“I understand. I just want you to know that I’m here when you’re ready. You’re not alone.” Those last words are more of a comfort to me than he could ever know – I’m not alone.

Brandon gives me permission to come down stairs for some brunch before I’m confined to my bed again. He’s taking doctor’s orders with ‘Dominant Brandon’ seriousness! It feels great to be out of bed for an hour, but I’m pretty tired out by the time Brandon lifts me back to our room. I need to sleep for a couple of hours before Jess arrives.