Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) (31 page)

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Moya

  
On Friday afternoon
, I packed a few things into my travel bag, and then
brought it out to the living room. Momma was working the afternoon shift at the
supermarket today, and Vanessa was out with Warren—neither of them
were
here to lecture me about protection and the likes. It
was good enough that Momma didn’t fuss about me going off for the weekend with
a guy.

  
My heart beat rapidly, waiting for Branden. I played with the bracelet he gave
me, thinking how this weekend was going to change our relationship so much.
It’d certainly make it deeper, stronger. Yet, being so alone with him for three
days made me nervous.

  
I heard his car pull up to my gate and my breathing intensified. Slowly, I rose
from the sofa, clutching my bag under my arm, trying to steady my nerves.

  
When Branden knocked on the door, I took a deep breath and walked over to
answer it, feigning a smile as I did.

  
“Ready to go?” he asked, reaching for my bag.

  
I handed it to him and raised my index finger.
“Just a sec.”
Then I went down the hallway to my bedroom.

  
Closing the door, I leaned my back against it, inhaling and exhaling smoothly.
There was a rap outside, startling me. Slowly, I opened the door halfway;
Branden’s worried face met mine.

  
“Are you all right?” he asked.

  
I bobbed my head, “Mmm-hmm,” and opened the door wider.

  
“Sure?” he pressed, reaching for my hand.

  
“I’m okay. You go ahead. I have to lock up.”

  
Appearing satisfied, he walked down the hallway and out the front door, heading
for his car.

  
“Relax,” I whispered to myself. “It’s only Branden.”

  
Putting the uneasiness aside, I hastened out the door, locked it, and then
hurried down the porch steps. I noticed Branden watching me as I drew closer to
the car. He smiled sweetly when he lowered his eyes to the bracelet on my
wrist.

  
“Let’s go,” I said cheerfully, climbing inside the car and buckling my
seatbelt.

  
“Yes, ma’am,” he grinned, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

  
Branden drove for nearly thirty minutes before he pulled off the highway,
turning down a road that led to Meredith Creek. I perked up, realizing where we
were.

  
Chesapeake Bay was out in the distance. I marveled at the bridge until it was
no longer in sight. This place was nice during warmer weather; only the
fortunate stayed here. I had to ask, “We’re spending the weekend in Meredith
Creek?”

  
He flashed a wink and replied, “Yep. My family has a cabin out here. Remember I
told you about the cabin in the woods? No one can hear you…” he teased.

  
I released a short laugh, stopping as the butterflies started to swarm within.

  
 Branden reached his hand over for a beat to stroke my cheek, and then he
placed it back on the wheel. I wondered if he could tell how nervous I was,
rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans every second. Was he nervous too?

  
For the rest of the drive, he watched me from the corner of his eye, so perhaps
he knew after all.

  
When he turned left down a paved road that appeared private and secluded, I
presumed the cabin was close now. Sure enough, he drove for another minute
before the gorgeous log cabin came into view. I was in awe. It stretched
alongside the creek, looking out at nature itself.

  
Pulling beneath the cabin into the open parking space and turning off the car,
Branden slipped out, and I took my time getting out as well, captivated by the
cozy atmosphere.

  
He walked around the car, my bag in his grasp as he urged me inside. “Let’s
go.”

  
I dallied behind as we climbed the wooden stairs up to the entrance. Unlocking
the door, Branden pushed it open then towed me inside.

  
“What do you think?” he asked.

  
I stood beside him, amazed. The interior was exquisite; the antique furniture
and overall feel blew my mind. Mrs. McCarthy had great taste if she had
anything to do with it.

  
“It’s so…” I shook my head as I managed to get the word out. “Beautiful.”

  
Branden grinned. “Yeah, it’s all right. Come out here.”

  
He held my hand as we walked across the living room and out to the screened
porch. I gasped, squeezing his hand. The trees had dried up, yet it was still a
nice view.

  
Moving behind me, Branden wrapped his arms around my waist, whispering at my
neck, “I’m glad you like it.”

  
“Mmm…I do.” I leaned my head back on his chest.
“So
peaceful.”

  
 We remained quiet for a while, taking in our surroundings, until I
started to feel cold.

  
“Let’s go back inside,” I said.

  
He closed the door to the porch just as we did. Branden walked over to some
neatly stacked kindling wood, getting a few to start the fire.

  
“Nice,” I enthused, once he had the fireplace going.

  
Then he took his jacket off and came over to the black leather couch to sit
down beside me.

  
“There’s central heating here, but I like doing things old school.”

  
“I don’t mind.”

  
Getting more comfortable, he put his arm around my shoulder and leaned back on
the couch. I snuggled up to him, trying to relax as well.

  
“I forgot to ask what your New Year resolution was.”

  
“Humph. I didn’t make any.”

  
“How come?” he sounded
surprised.

  
“I guess ’cause I never really follow through with them.”

  
“And here I was thinking what a determined girl you were,” he teased me.

  
I sucked my teeth and nudged his arm. “Whatever. What’s your resolution,
anyway?”

  
He didn’t answer, falling quiet all of a sudden. A few seconds passed and still
no response, yet his chest heaved deeply, and his heartbeat picked up pace,
making mine do the same.

  
His hold on my body started to make me shiver inside. I felt shy again. I’d
told him I was ready, yet now I wasn’t even brave enough to look into his
gorgeous blue eyes.

  
Letting out a long breath, I eased up and brushed away the curls from my face.
When I managed to gaze over at Branden, he was already staring at me, an
intense look in his eyes. I didn’t look away, fearing the loss of this
beautiful moment.

  
I trembled as he reached out to stroke my cheek, taking his time to lean
forward and kiss me lightly on the lips.

  
When he pulled away, I wanted to ask for more. Only he beat me to it, asking
instead, “Are you hungry?”

  
“Oh…um,” I mumbled. My body was in heat, and he was talking about food. Not
sexy.           

  
“I picked up some stuff at the store.” He got up from the couch suddenly and
his cell phone fell out the pocket of his jacket.

  
“Here,” I bent down to pick it up for him, glimpsing an unread message on the
screen. It was from a Samantha.

  
My smile evaporated as I saw her text message:

Remember what we were
doing 3 years ago today? I’ll never forget. I love you Branden. No matter how
many days or years pass, I’ll always love you.

  
“Moya, what’s the matter?” I heard him ask, his voice sounding far away.

  
Trying to suppress the hurt, I stood up and handed him his cell phone, folding
my arms aggressively after he took it from me.

  
“Who the hell is Samantha?” I snapped, unable to control the anger.

  
He glanced at the screen, appearing pissed when he read her message. Peering up
at me again, he explained, “Moya, this isn’t what you think it is—”

  
“Who is she?” I asked again, leaning on one foot.

  
“Samantha’s my ex-girlfriend.”

  
I pointed at his phone. “Then why is she texting you something like that?”

  
“Because she still has feelings for me.”

  
“Wait,” I held a hand up. “You told me your last relationship ended in high
school, so how come she has your number?”

  
“I don’t know, but I didn’t give it to her if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  
He was telling the truth, that much I knew. Still, I couldn’t stop being mad.
Why did that bitch have to text him and ruin the vibe? And in regards to
something like that…something I thought about doing up until a few seconds ago.
Argh!

  
Shaking my head, I spoke in a calmer tone, “I’m gonna lie down.”

  
“No, Moya…wait,” he reached out to stop me. “Don’t be upset. This means
nothing. I’m over her.”

  
“It’s not that. I know how you feel. It’s just…” I was jealous, a childish
emotion I never thought I’d experience ever in my life. Gosh. What had he done
to me? I’d become the love sick puppy I used to detest.

  
“What is it?” he prompted, caressing my arm.

  
“Nothing.”
I brushed off his hand to continue walking,
entering the bedroom at the end of the passage with “guestroom” written outside.

  
Slipping away into the room, I closed the door and hid my emotions from
Branden. I needed a moment to myself, a moment to shake off my jealousy.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Branden

  
Moya stayed in the room
the rest of the evening. I knew she was upset
after seeing Samantha’s text, so I wanted to assure her again that it meant
nothing.

  
I knocked twice on the door then let myself in when she didn’t respond. She sat
down on the loveseat by the window, appearing deep in thought as she picked at
her jeans. I sat down next to her.

  
“Moya, there’s really nothing to be jealous about.”

  
Slowly, I placed my hand at her back. “Come on, babe don’t let that ruin our
weekend.”

  
“I’m not jealous. I’m fine.”

  
“Really?”

  
She rose to her feet, walking over to the window. “Yes.
Really.”

  
I got up as well. “You should talk to me when you’re upset, and don’t walk away
like you did earlier.”

  
Her expression relaxed as I took her hand. Turning slightly to meet my gaze,
she said, “I’m not used to…being like this. I don’t like it. It makes me feel…”

  
“Vulnerable,” I finished for her. “I understand, babe.”

  
She faced me fully, her chocolate brown eyes craving for me. “I hate that
another girl loved you that much, before me.” She laughed at herself. “It makes
me seem possessive, but I want to love you more…so much more than she did.”

  
“That’s intense,” I teased.

  
Scoffing, Moya rolled her eyes and spun away from me, staring out the window
again. I edged closer and cloaked my arms around her. “I like how passionate
you are, because I’m the same. I want to be your first and your last. I want
every part of you, Moya.”

  
Seconds later, I was peering into her mesmerizing eyes again. My heart started
to race just as her breathing strengthened. There was something rising between
us. Heat circulated in the air, making it difficult to control my thoughts.

  
Unexpectedly, Moya pushed into my chest, biting on my bottom lip as she kissed
me hard.

  
We continued for a while, burning up in desire, until Moya yanked on my shirt
and guided me over to the bed. When our legs backed up against the edge, she
unzipped her jeans and slid them down to her ankles, showing off slender, sexy
thighs toned by a natural athleticism.

  
Then she lowered on the bed and crawled up to the pillows. My eyes trailed her
legs up to her burgundy, satin panties. I felt heat increasing in my stomach as
she hauled her sweater over her head, unveiling to my captivated eyes a
matching satin bra that hid perfect, rounded breasts from sight.

  
I immediately got undressed, scurrying out of my pants and shirt. But as I came
down to my boxers and took in the enticing creature undressed before my eyes,
waiting for me to devour her, I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure about
this?”

  
She eased up slowly and reached her hand out for mine. “I’m sure,” she
whispered.

  
I took her hand and slid down on top of her smooth body, running my hands gently
along her flawless curves—something I’d wanted to do for so long.

  
Moya rocked beneath me as I positioned myself in between her thighs. Bringing
my nose to her neck, I inhaled the sweet and arousing scent of her skin,
whispering, “I love you.”

  
She brushed a hand alongside my cheek, replying softly, “I love you, too.” Then
she brought my chin up to her face and gifted my lips with another intoxicating
kiss.

  
My body blazed on fire when Moya started to caress my skin. She lowered her
fingers down to my boxers and pushed them off unabashedly. I did the same,
reaching under her back to unsnap her bra, and then slowly taking off her
panties.

  
I eased up momentarily so I could admire Moya’s amazing body as she laid naked,
panting in heat, gazing up at me with longing in her beautiful eyes.

  
“Damn, you’re so sexy.”

  
I started to kiss her tenderly on the stomach,
then
worked my lips all over her chest. Moya moaned as I pressed against her
moistness, and with an invitation, I entered her body with care, mindful of the
fact that it was her first time.

  
She tightened her grip around me as I thrust back and forth. She winced, and I
slowed to a stop, but then she gazed into my eyes and willed me to go on. The
pain didn’t last long, after a while it was replaced by absolute pleasure and
she let me in deeper.

  
The sounds of our lovemaking echoed in the air; each breath and gasp engulfed
in raw passion until we knew that this night would be one we’d hold onto for
the rest of our lives.