She lifted her head far enough to look into his bright green eyes. Her heart skipped at the desire that filled them. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
He shifted so that she was on the bed and he was over her. He planted a kiss on her chin before rolling off the bed to snatch his wall et off the dresser.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice husky.
Opening his wall et, he rifled through it until he produced two square packages. A sheepish grin overtook his face as he returned to the bed, a little bit of red in his cheeks.
"I almost took these out of my wall et - I didn't know if you'd somehow accidentally find them and think I'm some sort of…" he said, suddenly shy.
A wave of sympathy washed over her as she took the condoms from his hand, set them on the nightstand, and tugged him closer.
"I'm glad you didn't take them out of there," she mumbled into his mouth.
"Me, too," he said, totally recovered from his bashful spell. His hands worked their way under her shirt, scorching her skin. In one fell swoop, he shoved her t-shirt up her body and over her head.
A little impressed, she couldn't help but smile. "Nice."
"Just wait," he said, trailing his lips from her mouth, over her chin, to her breasts. She wriggled in anticipation, struggling to get his shirt off. He paused to help her out.
When he resumed his ministrations, he kissed his way from her breasts to her stomach, leaving a blaze of fire behind him.
"Brady," she gasped, urging his face back to hers.
He kissed her, leaving her breathless. "Something wrong, love?"
"I want you," she said, her chest heaving.
"We're getting there," he said, attempting a smile.
Apparently, his need for her was just as strong as her need for him as he quickly rid her of the rest of her clothes before ditching his on the side of the bed.
As he ripped open the condom, she shuddered, a smile toying with her lips. She couldn't wait for what was coming next.
Hovering over her, his concerned eyes searched her face. "Have you…you know…been with anyone since me?"
Shrugging a shoulder, she shifted her eyes. "Maybe once or twice."
He kissed her cheek. "I'll be gentle but it might hurt."
Nodding, she closed her eyes, gripping his shoulders. She winced, waiting for the pain. When it came, it wasn't nearly as bad as she'd thought it would be and didn't last long either. It quickly gave way to pleasure as Brady began a slow rhythm, carefully watching her face.
All too soon, her body overheated, causing her to arch into him, digging her nails into his flesh.
He pressed her to his body with one arm, supporting their weight with the other. Once the shudders stopped, he eased them both to the bed.
She curled into his side, tired but happy.
After shutting out the light, he kissed the top of her head. "I'm so glad you're mine again, love. I swear I'm never letting you go again."
In the dark, she smiled.
Taylor inhaled the morning air as she propped her forearms on the balcony rail and watched the sun make its way to the sky. The smile on her face refused to leave, especially when she recalled details from the previous night. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she closed her eyes to relive the sweet, gentle way Brady had explored her entire body. Her skin still tingled and burned from his soft touches and urgent kisses.
But the best part, she thought, was how he'd held her afterward. He'd wrapped her up in his arms until she’d drifted off to sleep. When she woke, he still held her firmly; as though he was afraid someone would come along and take her away while he slept.
She'd stayed in his embrace, listening to his heart beat and his soft snores until the pain in her kidneys reminded her it was time to get out of bed and visit the bathroom. She'd reluctantly untangled herself from his strong arms and snatched off the floor the t-shirt he had discarded sometime that evening. She'd pulled it over her head as she made her way to the bathroom. She hadn't been able to think of a better way to start her birthday than waking up in Brady Nolan’s arms.
“There’s my shirt.”
Jumping, she turned quickly to find him leaning in the door frame, sexy smile curling his lips and crinkling his eyes. She clutched the railing and rested her back against it as she watched him approach clad only in the shorts he'd worn the night before.
“You want it back?” she asked in a teasing tone. Her eyes raked over his chest, drinking in the fine lines and muscles. She blushed slightly when she spotted two small bite marks on his neck.
“Well, hell yeah,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “But not out here. I don’t want anyone else seeing my sexy woman.” She released the rail to wind her arms around his neck. “Guess you’ll just have to wait. I’m still basking in the afterglow.” He kissed her slowly, immediately setting her whole body on fire once again. “It looks better on you anyway,” he muttered, mouth sliding down her jaw line. He grasped both her hands in his. “Want some breakfast?”
She tilted her head and closed her eyes as his lips continued their seductive path down her jaw and to her neck. “Only if we order room service.
I don’t want to go anywhere for awhile.”
With a tiny smirk, he gently tugged her back into the room. “Hmm, I think I’ve created a monster.”
“Oh, please,” she teased as she rolled her eyes. “It’s just been awhile.”
He laughed as he bent over, picked her up, and carried her to the bed. “Maybe we need to make up for lost time.”
“Maybe,” she mumbled as her lips found his.
“Or maybe you just can’t get enough of me,” he responded as he dropped her softly on the bed and crawled over her.
“That could very well be the case,” she said as she ran her hands over the smooth planes of his chest.
Grabbing the hem of the shirt, he started slowly sliding it up her body when his cell phone rang. He groaned and rested his forehead on hers.
“Don’t you even think of answering that, Brady,” she ordered, clinging to his shoulders.
With a weary sigh, he sat up, resting on his haunches as he reached for the phone. “I have to answer it, love. If I don’t, they’ll come pound on the door.”
She scooted to a sitting position as he answered the phone.
“What?” he barked. “Oh, sorry, Tabby.”
She watched in amusement as his cheeks pinked. He winked at her.
“She’s um, here. Do you need to talk to her?”
He passed the phone over to Taylor with a grin. “Tabby wants to talk to you. Apparently she’s been calling your cell all morning.” Her eyes widened as she grabbed the phone. “Hi, Tabby. What’s up?”
“Where were you, girl?” Tabby said. “I was worried. I thought you were joining us for breakfast.”
“Oh, um, sorry. I overslept and I guess I forgot to turn my phone back on.” Brady snorted so she gave him a push.
“Well Zoey and I are going shopping. Do you want to come?”
She looked at Brady watching her with his arms crossed over his chest and amusement gleaming in his eyes. “Thanks, but Brady promised to take me to the aquarium today.”
When he lifted a brow, she gave him a sweet smile.
“Oh, that’s cool. Do you want to meet us later for dinner before we go to the Homer Contest?” Edging closer, Brady moved her hair away from her neck. He brushed his lips lightly over her skin. She shivered and tried to shove him away.
“Yeah, that sounds great. Where do you want to meet?”
He continued to trail kisses down her neck as her concentration slowly evaporated. Finally, she dropped the phone, resisting the urge to chuck it at him, and glared instead. “I hope you know I haven’t the foggiest where we’re supposed to meet them later.” Picking up the phone, he tossed it on the night table. He eased her back on the bed and resumed his ministrations to her neck.
“Who cares,” he mumbled against her skin, smiling as she trembled. “We’ll figure it out later. Now let’s get back to that other birthday present I was about to give you before she called.”
***
“Do you think we should get up and do something constructive today?” he asked later as he played with her hair.
“Mmm, I thought we were,” she said. She was quite comfortable tucked under his chin with her head on his chest listening to the rhythm his heart was beating out.
He chuckled. “Come on, love. Let’s get dressed and I’ll take you the aquarium.” She peeked at him. “I only said that to get out of shopping.”
He grabbed her face and kissed her quickly. “I know but I think we should do something besides each other on your birthday.” Blushing, she buried her head in his chest. He hugged her to his body and kissed the top of her head. “Go shower and get ready then meet me back here.”
“Fine,” she grumbled as she grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it over her head. She got up, raking her fingers through her messy hair and paused in the doorway. “Um, Brady?”
After pulling on his shorts, he turned to look at her. “Yeah, love?”
With a shy smile, she ducked her head. “Do you think it’ll be okay if I check out of my room and just share yours?” He grinned. “Most definitely. I do love how your mind works.”
***
“What are we doing?” she asked.
Stepping up, Tabby grabbed Taylor's upper arm. “Just come on and stop asking questions.” Tabby opened the door and Taylor’s jaw dropped. Navy blue ball oons and white streamers hung from the ceiling. Six tables littered the room draped in matching navy tablecloths. Another table, pushed against the wall, held drinks and a beautiful round cake. An actual DJ was set up in the corner, waiting to get started.
She turned to Brady with a glare. “I’m so going kill you later, you know that right?” He held his hands up in mock surrender. “Hey, I had nothing to do with it. I just mentioned to Tabby that it was your birthday.” Zoey suddenly appeared and grabbed Taylor's other arm. “C’mon! It’s your birthday. Did you actually think we were going to let you get away with not telling us?”
“I was sort of hoping,” Taylor mumbled as she allowed Zoey and Tabby to drag her inside.
An hour later, she finally sat down at a table and sipped from an icy cold bottle of water. Her muscles were already slightly achy from the activities she’d engaged in the previous night and now they screamed in protest each time Zoey and Tabby forced her to the dance floor.
She spotted Brady near the drink table talking to Kyle and Ian while Alex and Mark had Scott Kinsey, a Racers relief pitcher, engaged in what looked like a serious discussion, judging by their emphatic hand gestures. Tabby and Zoey dropped into chairs on both sides of her, grinning like children who had successfully raided the cookie jar. Taylor glanced at them and cringed.
“So, Taylor,” Tabby said, grin threatening to overtake her entire face. “Where were you exactly last night?”
“In bed,” she stated.
“Alone?” Zoey asked.
Taylor opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she looked between them.
“I…um…I don’t have to answer that.”
Both women burst out laughing.
“I knew it,” Tabby exclaimed. “And I interrupted something when I called earlier, didn’t I?” Taylor’s bright red cheeks were answer enough. She nervously took a slug of her water and caught Brady’s eye. She desperately sent him telepathic messages to come rescue her but he merely smiled and gave her a wink before returning to his discussion.
“It’s okay, hon,” Tabby said, patting her arm. “You don’t have to say a word.”
“Yeah,” Zoey agreed. “They way you two kept looking at each other all day gave you away.”
“Oh geez,” Taylor exclaimed, covering her face with her hands. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah,” Tabby confirmed gleefully. “But Brady is so smitten. All he talks about is you.”
“She’s right,” Zoey added. “That boy is head over heels in love with you, girl.” Taylor jerked her head at Zoey. “What?”
“He hasn’t told you yet?” Zoey asked. “I can’t believe that.”
“He probably doesn’t want to scare her,” Tabby said, tapping her chin with her index finger. “You know how overprotective he is of her.”
“Hang on,” Taylor interrupted. “I’m right here, remember?” She swallowed and licked her lips nervously. “Did he actually tell you two all this?” Tabby shook her head. “Nope. But he doesn’t have to. It’s quite obvious.”
“Do
you
love him?” Zoey asked.
Taylor watched as Brady laughed at something Ian said. His eyes lit up in amusement and she recalled how loving and tender he had been the night before. She smiled. “Yeah, I do.”
Zoey squealed and clapped her hands. “You just
have
to tell him!”
Taylor shook her head. “No, not yet.”
Tabby rested her hand on Taylor’s arm. “Listen, honey. I know he hurt you in the past and I know you’ve had to rebuild your trust in him but I’ve really gotten to know him this season. He won’t hurt you again.”
“I know,” Taylor agreed, bowing her head. She plucked at the bottom of the paper table cloth.
“If you would have been there when he told us what he did to you in high school, you would know what I mean. He nearly
cried.
I thought Alex was going punch him and do you know what? Brady would have let him. I think it actually
kills
him to think about what he did.” Taylor looked at Tabby. “I’ve forgiven him for that. And I have to agree with him when he told me that he was glad he made that bet. I am too, now. I wouldn’t have him today if he wouldn't have made it.”
Tabby smiled gently at her. “Then don’t let him go this time.”
“Excuse me, ladies,” Brady said, cutting into the conversation. He reached for Taylor’s hand and pulled her to her feet. “You’ve monopolized my woman long enough. The DJ’s playing our song and I’d like to dance with her.” Taylor rolled her eyes as she fought a smile. “We don’t have a song.”
He guided her to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her close to his body and grinned. “Every song is ours, love.”
"Cheesy, Brady," she said as she rolled her eyes. "Very cheesy."
She rested her head on his chest as Tabby and Alex joined them on the dance floor followed by Zoey and Mark.
He kissed the top of her head. “What were you girls talking about before I interrupted?” Closing her eyes, she moved slowly with him. “You.”
“Ahh, great topic, huh?”
She snorted. “We were talking about how arrogant and egotistical you are.”
Chuckling, he leaned back to look in her eyes. “Really, now?”
She nodded. “Yep. And I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
He kissed her slowly, lips lingering on hers, and brushed his hands up her sides. “I’m really lucky you’ll have me at all.” Her heart thumped as heat raced throughout her body. She narrowed her eyes seductively at him. “Well I intend on having you all night, tonight.” He groaned, drew her closer, and kissed her. “It is your birthday, after all. Far be it from me to deny you anything today.” When the music ended, Tabby pointed to the cake. With an irritated sigh, Taylor gave Brady a quick hug. “Let’s go cut the cake and then get the hell out of here.”
He held her hand and followed her to the cake table. He bent low and whispered in her ear. “Have I told you lately that I love how your mind works?”
“If you like that idea that much, just wait until you see what we do with the leftover cake."
He groaned again as he hurried everyone over to get their cake and wrap things up.