“What’s wrong?” I asked in a panicked voice.
She slowly nodded her head. “Nothing. That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve fallen in love with you, Brett.”
Swallowing hard, I felt my heart drop. Pulling out of her I looked down.
Holy fucking shit.
“No! What did I do?”
Aubrey looked down.
“I didn’t wear a condom. How could I be so stupid? I’ve never forgotten to wear one. Ever!”
Jumping up, I headed into the bathroom, leaving Aubrey on the sofa. It was a dick move, but I was freaking out. I’d never had sex in my life without a condom. Even with Nicole.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I reached for the faucet and turned it on to hot as I grabbed a washcloth. Quickly cleaning myself off, I turned to go take care of Aubrey, but she was standing there, with her T-shirt on.
“I was … I was coming to clean you up.”
There was no way I could read the look on her face. She reached for the cloth and cleaned herself before throwing it into the sink.
“Aubrey, I’m so sorry I was careless like that.”
She walked away from me and into her bedroom. “I didn’t notice either, Brett.”
“Well, if I could go back in time, I …”
Spinning around, she glared at me. “That was the most amazing moment of my life. Not to mention I put myself out there and told you I was falling in love with you, and what do you do? You freak out!”
“I didn’t wear a condom!”
“I’m on the pill!”
Relief washed over my body.
“Thank you, God,” I whispered as I covered my heart.
Her lip quivered. “Does the idea of that really make you sick, Brett?”
Pulling my head back, I stared at her. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m going back to the hospital.”
Wait. What in the hell is happening right now?
“Aubrey, will you hold on one second,” I said, taking her by the arm and gently turning her back to me. “Okay, I freaked out and I’m sorry. The moment we shared was amazing. Beyond amazing, but with everything that happened with Emily, I got spooked. Do you remember when I said I’ve never made love to anyone before? I can’t say that anymore. Everything it happening so fast, my head is spinning.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “What do you want, Brett?”
I looked at her with a confused expression. “What do you mean?”
Pointing between the two of us, she replied, “With us. What are you wanting between us?”
My mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“I want you and only you, Brett.”
The room felt like it was spinning. “I want you too, Bree.”
“But are you willing to give up your playboy ways and be exclusive?”
My head was pounding. “Why do we have to talk about this now?”
“When would we talk about it?”
“I don’t know, Aubrey. You’re hitting me with this out of the blue. What do you want from me?”
A tear slipped away and slowly made a trail down her cheek. My instinct was to reach out and wipe it away.
“I want you, Brett. Exclusively.”
Fucking hell. I’d been down this path before with Nicole. “Aubrey, you live here and I live in Austin. I’m not going to make you do something that wouldn’t be good for your career.”
She shook her head. “I can’t move to Austin, not with my father having a heart attack.”
My hands scrubbed down my face as I let out a laugh. “Why is it so important we decide on this now?”
“Why can’t you say you’ll be mine exclusively and that we’ll figure something out?”
Narrowing my brows, all I heard was Nicole’s voice in my head, accusing me of cheating. “Why don’t you trust me?”
When she didn’t answer, I walked over to the bag I brought. Grabbing a pair of jeans, I slipped them on.
“I do trust you, and I’m sorry I’m pushing you. I’m overly emotional, and I don’t know why I’m acting like such a baby. I’m sorry.”
The hurt in her voice was practically screaming in my head. Everything was racing through my thoughts. My parents and the ranch, Mac trying to take it out from under me, the university counting on me for another championship. To top it all off, I was freaked out about what had happened between me and Aubrey. Aubrey saying that she loved me didn’t help any. Even though I felt the same way, I wasn’t sure I was ready to admit it to her. Everything was happening too fast. How could I commit to a future with Aubrey, when I had no idea where my own future was going?
When would I have time to see her? Once the season started, we’d both be traveling.
I absentmindedly pulled my shirt over my head as I tried to figure this out.
“Brett? Did you hear me?”
Looking up at her, I nodded. “Yeah. This isn’t going to work.”
Her face fell. “Wh-what?”
“I don’t think I can give you what you want.”
“Please don’t do this, Brett. I said I was being overly emotional.”
Walking up to her, I placed my hand on the side of her face. It tore me apart knowing she wanted something I wasn’t sure I could give her. “I can’t give you the things I know you want. I think deep down you know that. Marriage and kids are not on my radar right now, and you said that was something you wanted. I don’t know where my life is headed, Bree. I can’t promise you that, at least not now.”
Another tear slipped from her eye. Leaning over, I brushed it away with my lips.
“Brett, we can make it work. I know we can.”
Pulling her into my arms, I kissed the top of her head. “Your dad is going to have a long recovery, and I know you’re not going to leave him, Bree. I’m not sure I can do the distance thing again. We’d never see each other.”
Her head fell to my chest as she cried. Holding her tighter, I pressed my lips to the top of her head. I loved her. There was no denying that. I’d never in my life had another woman make me feel the way Aubrey did. Why would I just walk away from this without trying? She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
“I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“I know,” she mumbled and nodded.
Swallowing hard, I knew I had to be truthful. I owed it to her. “But, I love you too, and fuck if I don’t want to let you go.”
Her face drew back. “What are you saying?”
One second I was saying it wouldn’t work, and the next I was scared shitless I’d lose the only woman I’d ever loved. “I don’t know how it will work, Bree. All I know is I can’t walk away from you and the way you make me feel. If you’re willing to give this distance thing a try, I am. I’ve never experienced these feelings with anyone else before, and although it scares the piss out of me, it also makes me feel alive. This time we’ve spent together has changed me. For the better. But I need to be upfront with you and honest. I want to give us a go, but I’m not ready for marriage or a family.”
She swallowed hard. I was sure her mind was racing, and I wouldn’t blame her if she told me to leave.
With a smile so beautiful it made my stomach drop, she softly spoke. “I don’t want you to let me go either.”
Feeling the instant relief, I grinned and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“Then I won’t.”
TROY SAT IN the chair across from my desk. The look on his face pissed me off, and I knew why he was here. “You’re miserable.”
“I am not,” I stated, shifting paper around on my desk.
With a huff, he asked, “When did you see her last?”
“Two weeks ago.”
He leaned forward. “Two weeks. If this is how you’re going to be with two weeks, imagine what a month or more will feel like.”
“It’s won’t be that long.”
Laughing, he dropped back in his seat. “Brett, I don’t mean to cross a line, but I remember what happ
ened with Nicole.”
Piercing his eyes with mine, I gritted my teeth together. “This is nothing like that.”
“Really? Because if my memory serves me right, you said you would never again be in a relationship that kept you away from the person. And look where you’re at.”
“This is different.”
“Why?”
Frustration laced my voice as I said, “Because I love her.”
His eyes grew wide. “And you didn’t love Nicole?”
“Not like this.”
He nodded his head. “That’s interesting.”
Letting out a sigh, I asked, “Troy, don’t you have work to do or something?”
With a shrug he replied, “Nope. But I am going out tonight. Say you’ll come.”
“No thanks,” I answered, filing some papers away in the desk drawer.
Troy stood. “I’m going with my sister and her friend. It’s completely innocent and I really don’t want to be the only guy with these two. I need someone to talk to.”
“Where?”
He smiled wide. “I’ll make it easy. Second Street bar and grill. All you have to do is walk across the street. You’ll like Cass, she’s super smart and engaged, so no chance of her hitting on you.”
My phone buzzed with a text from Aubrey.
Finally. I hadn’t heard from her all day.
Bree: Hey! Sorry it’s been a crazy day. How’s yours going?
Me: Long. Troy wants me to go to dinner with his sister and her friend. He needs me there so he has someone to talk to.
Bree: You should go! Get a free meal out of him!
Me: Both girls have boyfriends.
Bree: Brett … I trust you. Have to run. I love you!
Me: I love you too.
“You do know it’s rude to text your hot girlfriend while I’m sitting here.”
Not bothering to glance up at him, I replied, “Fine, but you’re buying my dinner.”
“It’s a deal.”
Lifting my hand, I gave him the finger. “Now leave my office.”
Walking into the restaurant, I looked around for Troy. My heart was heavy.
I missed Aubrey. I hated this long distance shit. It had only been two weeks, yet it felt like two years.
Troy stood and waved me over. With a grin, I headed their way.
“Hey, sorry I’m a little late. I helped the doorman with something.”
Both girls looked up at me and smiled. I’d met Kim, Troy’s sister, plenty of times. Reaching my hand over to her, I said, “Hey, Kim. How’s it going?”
“It’s going. Brett, this is my best friend Cass.”
I repeated the gesture with Cass before sitting down.
It didn’t take long to fall into an easy conversation with Cass. She was raised on a cattle ranch, had a degree in sports medicine, and loved football.
About an hour after dinner, my phone buzzed.
Pulling it out of my pocket, I grinned like a fool when I saw her name.
“Must be a girlfriend,” Cass teased.
“Yeah, Aubrey. She’s a reporter for ESPN.”
She lifted her brows. “Oh, that’s cool. What a fun job.”
Opening the text, I stared at it.
Aubrey: Do you remember where we first met?
Quickly turning around, I saw her standing at the bar. I was positive the smile on my face lit up the entire room.
Dropping my napkin on the table, I stood. Turning to look at the two girls and Troy, I said, “Thank you so much for the wonderful company, but I’m going to excuse myself.”
“Thanks for joining us, Brett,” Troy said standing and shaking my hand.
“Good evening ladies. Cass, it was nice getting to know you, I hope you like Austin.”
She returned my smile with one of her own. “Thanks, Brett. The pleasure was all mine.”
Making my way through the sea of people and tables, I finally stood in front of her.
She glanced over my shoulder. “Seems like you made an impression on someone.”
Looking back, Cass was watching us. She looked away when I caught her stare. Shrugging it off, I focused back on Aubrey.
“Nah. She’s engaged and getting married in a few weeks. This is a nice surprise. What are you doing here?” I asked with a huge grin.
Her face blushed and my cock twitched. “Well, it’s Memorial Day weekend, I have Friday and Monday off and I need a head shot of you for the article. I didn’t want to use the school’s.”
Lacing my hand around her neck, I pulled her to me, kissing her on the lips.
“I don’t really care why you’re here, I’m glad to see you.”
My fingers laced with hers as I pulled her through the restaurant. Once we got outside, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her properly. She moaned into my mouth and it filled my body with heat.
“I’ve missed your kisses,” she gasped when we finally pulled our mouths off each other.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you, sweetheart. Come on, I need my cock in you like yesterday.”
We hadn’t brought up the fact that we made love with no condom. Aubrey said she was on the pill so I tried hard not to worry too much about it.
“How’s your dad doing?” I asked as we walked the short distance back to my place.
“Good. He’s going stir-crazy, though, being in the house.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I bet. But he’s taking it easy and all of that?”
“Oh yeah. My mother is making sure Dad follows the doctor’s orders.”
I looked over at her. Damn if she wasn’t the most beautiful thing in the world.
She grinned. “I turned the articles all in. Joe loves them so far.”
“I never had any doubt.”
Her face turned red again as we walked through the doors to my building and straight to the elevator. I needed to get her up to my place before I ended up fucking her in the elevator.
We stood in silence, the sexual build-up growing between the two of us. The thought of being inside of her for the next four days drove me insane.
The doors opened and we stepped in. I could practically smell her lust as the metal box slowly started its way up.
Reaching over, I hit stop.
“What are you doing?” Aubrey asked with a confused face.
I pushed her against the wall as my hands went under her dress, finding a thin layer of lace separating me from her sweet, delicious pussy.
Dropping to my knees, I pushed the fabric to the side and licked between those soft pink lips.
“Jesus, Brett!” she gasped.
It didn’t take long for her fingers to lace through my hair, pulling me in closer to the spot she needed for her release.
“What do you do to me?” she panted right before she came.
Standing, I cupped her face in my hands. “Fuck, if you don’t taste like heaven.”
Her chest was heaving. “I need you, Brett.”
With a quick step back, I hit the button and the elevator jerked to life again.
“Trust me, baby, I’m about to give you all of me.”
WHITE LIGHTS DANCED behind my eyelids as I came down from one of the most intense orgasms of my life.
Brett had fucked me like he never had before, each movement was hard and fast, like he couldn’t get enough of me.
I loved it.
Needed it.
Desired it.
He continued to thrust into me, hard and fast.
“Bree,” he called out as his body shuddered and he came hard. I had to admit, I was a bit bummed out when I saw him cover himself with a condom. A part of me knew it was the right thing to do, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about how he felt inside of me with nothing between us.
He laid on top of me as he caught his breath. “I’m sorry,” he gasped.
My fingers moved lazily over his back. “What for?”
“For being rough with you. You deserved to be loved on, not fucked two shades to Sunday.”
With a chuckle, I wrapped my arms and legs around him, feeling him still moving in side of me. “I loved it. It was exactly what I needed.”
Pulling out of me, Brett quickly got up and headed to the bathroom. Leaving me alone in his bed.
I followed him into the bathroom. “I’m sorry,” he said again. My heart dropped. Why was he apologizing?
“Why are you saying you’re sorry? Brett, it was amazing.”
He quickly cleaned himself off, then wiped gently between my legs. “I wanted to be slow, enjoy every inch of you, yet I acted like a sex-crazed maniac who needed his piece of meat.”
He buried his face into my stomach. Something else was bothering him. I’d been around Brett enough to know when he had something weighing on his mind.
Dropping down to my knees, I looked into his blue eyes. “Brett, don’t make what we shared into something bad. It was real, raw, and filled with passion.”
He smiled an evil smile and my lower stomach tugged with desire. “You like when I fuck you, sweetheart?”
Brett would forever rock my world with his dirty mouth. It no longer stunned me, but filled me with a lust I’d never knew was possible. How I longed to hear him whisper those forbidden words in my ear.
Digging my teeth into my lip, I whispered, “Yes.”
“Tell me.”
Never in my wildest imagination would I ever dream I’d be saying what I was about to say to a man.
“I like it when you fuck me. And when you tell me you’re going to fuck me, and all the delicious ways you’re going to do it.”
Every word I said was true. Of course, I loved the sweet and gentle Brett. But the other side of him brought out something in me I never knew existed. And I loved it.
Brett’s eyes turned dark, and my body trembled. He cupped my face within in his hands and I waited for the impact of his kiss.
But he stared into my eyes for what seemed like forever before he gently pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was soft, sweet, and utterly romantic. All the things you wouldn’t expect from Brett but I’d come to know and love.
He slowly stood, bringing me along with him, not breaking our connection at all. Walking me backward, I hit the counter and came to a stop.
Pulling his lips away, I saw something in his eyes. Something so deep and profound, it nearly brought me to tears. Lifting me in his arms, he walked us back to the bed and gently laid me down.