Chapter 3

Brandon

My painting was delivered in the afternoon a week later. I left the office early to work from home in order to receive it, telling the men where I wanted it. I prepared a space above my mantel that was perfect and had some lights installed to make the painting the focus of the room. My house was luxurious, and the massive tile fireplace was a topic of conversation.

I stood back once they were gone, admiring the piece that I assumed was Alicia. It was her face, and she looked deep in thought as she looked over the water several feet away. There was a generic note of thanks included in the wrapping that I read and tossed into the fireplace. I would get so much more than that from her.

Mom stopped by for lunch the following weekend. She was feeling much better and looked impeccable in her black slacks and red sweater. I kissed her cheek and told her to sit down while I made some coffee, disappearing into the chef’s kitchen that was open to the rest of the room.

“All healed?” I asked as I used the French press.

“Finally. I hate being down for any amount of time.” She replied from the couch and I smiled. “I heard that you met Alicia the other night at the showing.”

“Moira?” I asked, and she confirmed it. “Isn’t that what I was there for?”

“Yes. No.” I frowned at the last word. “I love that you associated with the important people and impressed them. But Brandon… I don’t think hitting on her is a good idea. She’s my newest client now and there are lines in the sand.”

I made the coffee, feeling the need to throttle my sister. I brought her a cup, fixed perfectly, as I held my own. I sat down in the chair across from her and settled back, playing the casual son.

“I wasn’t hitting on her, Mom. She’s talented and I just wanted to speak further with her.” Her icy blue eyes told me that she didn’t believe me. “I bought one. You know that’s not my style.”

“I can see that. It’s lovely.” Mom murmured, tucking a strand of her sleek blonde bob behind her ear. “I am happy to see you put some feeling into this place, given it’s the first place you purchased.” I nodded and sipped the strong brew.

“I also understand that you’re a single man as much as I’d like that to change.” Great. The grandchildren lecture was coming. “Women like Alicia aren’t for you. You move fast through life and take charge, leaving so much damage in the wake. She’s an artist. She moves slower and lives a different life.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I informed her as she met my eyes.

“Sometimes, differences between people is not a good thing. She needs to stay who she is and keep up the pace of her work. It’s incredible.” I could tell that Mom had taken her under her wing and watched her for several moments as her face warmed.

I didn’t feel like Alicia was just a hook up. I didn’t know what she was enough to explain it to Mom, so we moved forward to Christmas at their penthouse. It was in a few weeks and she had been busy decorating after enjoying Thanksgiving as a family. I agreed to be there after work the day before Christmas Eve and sleep two nights as always. That was a family tradition and Mom still did Christmas Eve gifts as well as different presents that following morning. She even did stockings even though Moira, and I were now thirty and twenty-five. The food was plentiful and delicious, and I always appreciated the leftovers.

I walked her to the door a couple of hours later, hugging her goodbye before kissing her cheek again. I closed the door and locked it, shaking my head. Mom hadn’t warned me away from a girl since high school when I was in my reckless phase. I walked to the counter to grab my phone and shoot Moira a text explaining my thoughts on the subject.

Moira: Calm your tits. There’re so many women you still need to defile here. Leave the sweet one alone.

Me: I don’t need my mother telling me what good choices are versus bad at thirty, Mo.

Moira: Maybe it was Alicia that filled in the gaps. She is working with Mom now.

Jesus. What if it was? I knew that I was coming on strong as I usually did. I had Alicia blushing all night. I told myself to forget about her and find the next willing woman at a bar this weekend. I could be out the door a few hours after we fucked and that would be it. That was my life before and now after Molly. I made plans to go out with some colleagues for drinks later on, finishing up my work before taking a shower.

I dressed in black jeans that fit perfectly along with a button-down shirt that was a darker green and enhanced my eyes. I pulled on some work boots and a thick flannel jacket before catching a cab to the sports bar.

I shared a table with my four friends, sipping beer as they talked about their weeks. It was all about the money and the long hours, sprinkled in with tales about their casual flings. We were all around thirty and players, feeding off each other’s success. I sat and listened mostly, thinking about Alicia while I kept an eye on the TV to see the hockey scores. I tried to picture her here with me, tucked under my arm and drinking wine or some sweet drink as she giggled at our conversation.

No. That wasn’t Alicia like it was any other girl I gravitated towards. I focused on the moment and started talking to my friends as they searched the bar for attractive women and their night’s conquest. I ended up going home alone, taking shit from the guys about losing my touch.

`Fuck them. They didn’t know Alicia and if I had my way, they never would.

I decided to walk home from the bar and shoved my hands into my pockets as I strode down the street. There was a light sprinkling of snow on the ground and the chill hit me as I shivered. I passed several businesses along the way, only looking into a few of them. I was just flagging a cab when I noticed lavender hair tucked under a cap, blowing in the wind. The person ran up some stairs and opened a door after a few seconds, disappearing from my view. I dropped my hand and decided to walk down there first before heading home since it was late at night.

I passed the door that she walked in and started studying the building. It was one of the many apartment buildings here but when I studied the windows, I realized they were artist lofts. I counted up to the third and I could only see Alicia’s silky blonde hair. I glanced across the street and crossed when it was clear, getting a better view of the large room with several canvases spread out as well as a curtain in one corner. I assumed that was where she slept and watched for a while as she worked on a painting. I ducked into the bushes and watched as she painted slowly, thinking through her idea. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and she was dressed in an oversized t-shirt with splattered leggings as she worked.

It was clear that all of her attention was on the canvas and I watched her with fascination. I loved working with numbers and money, but it wasn’t a passion like painting seemed to be for her. It was just a means to an end. I glanced down at my phone to see that I’d been there going on forty-five minutes and my body was starting to go numb from the cold. I took one more look, watching as she turned her head to look at the window. When she looked away again, I hurried down the street to catch the cab and head home. I took a shower to warm up and climbed into bed in briefs, picturing Alicia in her element.

She was sexy. I always admired people that worked hard on their trade, but she made beautiful paintings that had heart in them. I thought about the invitation that she turned down and ran my hand over the bulge in the cotton, realizing that I had not slept with a woman in a couple of weeks now. That wasn’t like me especially after breaking up with Molly a month and a half ago. I slipped my hand inside to grip my cock, stroking a few times until I came and pictured Alicia underneath me, whimpering my name as she exploded around me.

I was never more disappointed in jerking off until this moment. I vowed to find someone to fuck within the week, so I could move forward.

Work was slammed the next week with a lot of new clients, making me schedule a lot of lunch and dinner meetings. They always seemed to want to give me their money after a good meal and some drinks. I could sell snow to an Eskimo under any circumstances, but I preferred to do it in a different setting than my office. My assistant Rachel made all of those plans for me and I found myself asking to have one dinner at a bistro located near Alicia’s studio. I’d done my homework and knew everything around it, planning on places I could show up without looking like a stalker.

I left the office on Wednesday to get there for dinner on time. They boasted a good menu of American and Mediterranean food as well as drinks planned to go with the food. I arrived early, securing my table as I winked at the hot brunette that took me there as I asked for a whiskey on the rocks to get warmed up. I sat down and waited for the couple to arrive, peering through the front windows across the room for a peek at Alicia’s building. I could see better once I was done with this shit and I glanced up as the girl brought me my drink. “Thank you.” She blushed and smiled before turning away to walk across the room, swaying her hips a little extra as my eyes followed her.

I was looking towards the front when I saw familiar hair. Alicia was here with a group of friends and they sat closer to the front windows, laughing together. There were two women and two men, one of whom sat beside her and draped his arm over the back of his chair. I narrowed my eyes at the sight before taking in her straightened mane and bold makeup as she sipped what appeared to be wine.

“Brandon?” I heard my voice and blinked as I looked up, seeing the husband and wife I was scheduled to dine with. “Is everything okay?”

“I was just thinking of the potential that you two have,” I said boldly with a confident smile. I stood up to greet them and we settled in as they ordered drinks and started to look at the menu. During dinner and the sale talk, I glanced at Alicia a few times. They were impressed with the stats I offered them on my surface as I promised them a high return. I must be fucking good if I was watching Alicia and still signing a deal at the end of the meal. We agreed to meet at the office to discuss numbers and I shook their hands, thanking them for meeting with me.

I remained at the table, nursing another whiskey as I watched Alicia’s table. The place was half-full tonight, and I knew that it wasn’t hurting business. I just got a nice tab for this dinner and I was generous with tips, so they could handle me having another drink. I smiled when Alicia stood and said something before turning my way. The bathrooms were over here, and she walked over with her black skirt swirling around her ankles. Her eyes landed on me as I smiled at her and she tilted her head for a moment. Her eyes were shimmering with the dark shadow around them and I locked on them as she approached my table.

“Brandon? What are you doing here?” She asked as her nose wrinkled in confusion.

“I had a client meeting here. I’ve heard good things about the place and it lived up to the hype,” I replied, taking in her body with a slow gaze. She blushed. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You have dinner with clients?” She asked as I remembered our first meeting.

“I have lunch with them as well. It depends on their schedule, but I find it a good place to get to know people.” I hinted as she looked into my face for a moment.

“Does that work for you?” I wasn’t sure what she was asking, but I gave her that crooked smile this time.

“Always.” Alicia blinked and moistened her pink lips with her tongue. “How about joining me sometime?”

“For lunch?” I nodded, and she glanced towards the front windows. “I actually have a place across the street. What a strange thing that you’re here.”

“It’s one of the best parts of the city, in my opinion.” I offered as she nodded in agreement. “I need to head back to take care of something at the office, but I’d like to see you again.” Alicia seemed to consider this for a moment and I watched as she reached into the small purse that crossed her body, pulling something out.

“Call me sometime.” She handed me a purple card, and I read it enough to see that it was her contact information. “I am focused on painting at the moment, so I am free at any hour.” She blushed again and glanced back at the table with her friends. They were looking our way, and she nibbled on her lip. “I need to find the bathroom and get back myself.” Her eyes were dark with need as she met my gaze with a shy smile.

“I’ll contact you soon. Be safe, Alicia.” I told her sincerely, standing and kissing her hand as her mouth dropped open. She nodded and kept moving towards the hallway as I prepared to leave. I paid the bill and tipped heavily before slipping into my winter coat, glancing at the table up front to see Alicia looking at me as her friends obviously interrogated her about who I was. I made a point to move by their table on the way out, flashing Alicia a warm smile as the girls with her stared at me with lust heavy in their eyes.

I smiled when I left, walking past the window where they sat. I didn’t look this time and strode down the sidewalk for some exercise before heading home. Her card was secure in my wallet and I planned to call her tomorrow to set something up. I hated the rules that people seemed to make about how much time they should wait for things, choosing to do things my way. I didn’t call women very often, but Alicia had been something different from the start.

I was surprised to hear from Heidi on the cab ride home. She was a hook up and drunk, wanting to come by for a while. I was feeling the desire that Alicia invoked, but I doubted that would be happening anytime soon. I told her I’d meet her at her place and redirected the driver as he grinned at me in the mirror.

I stumbled into my front door as the sun was rising, needing my bed for several hours. Work could wait, and I’d call Alicia later. I’d tried like hell to fuck her out of my mind with Heidi, but I found myself only wanting her more when I dropped against my pillow.

I was fucked. I didn’t want any woman like this and was usually happy with the idea of jumping beds. I was fresh from a breakup and that was what men did, not fall for someone else.

I wasn’t falling for her. I just needed to get her in bed and I’d move on.