Chapter 9

Alicia

My body felt weak as I watched him take off his clothes. I could still feel the tremors of the orgasms he’d given me. I knew they would be amazing from our stolen moments together, but raw Brandon was incredible. He wasn’t hiding anything, and that scared me as I looked into his eyes, remembering the night before.

Once he was naked, Brandon joined me in bed. He moved to his side and stared into my eyes as I blushed, feeling the urge to cover myself. “I like you here. I like seeing you.” His words were gruff, and I smiled weakly. I still needed to address the issue at hand, feeling like I went too far letting him take me against the wall. We needed to talk.

“It was great, Brandon. I think we both needed it.” I knew that I was talking softly, and he nodded. “I think we need to talk.”

“It wasn’t me,” his words were simple, and I stared at him. “I slept on the couch with one of the kids. I didn’t plan it, but it just happened. It was one of my cousins in my room with whoever the girl was.”

“That wasn’t you?” I asked in disbelief as he shook his head.

“You didn’t see them, did you?” Brandon asked as I blushed. I shook my head slowly. “He’s not a subtle guy.”

“I just assumed that it was you.” I admitted quietly.

“I would have never done that with you in the house. I only want you, Alicia. I woke up today and stayed as long as I could without looking like a psychopath. I headed here as soon as I could, wanting to make things right.” His eyes were sincere as he stared at me. “Did I?”

“That was incredible in the door.” I smiled as he chuckled. “I knew it would be amazing getting you in our own space.”

“I did as well. You’re beautiful when you’re turned on, Alicia. So open and raw.” He moved closer to kiss me and I closed my eyes as my body ached for him. I just had him, and I was ready for more. “I want you again. Then again. I want all of you.”

“It wasn’t you?” I murmured against his mouth, feeling him shake his head.

“I haven’t been with anyone since meeting you.” He promised before kissing me again. I moved against him, returning his easy passion as he rolled me to my back. This felt so right even as memories of the women eye fucking him played through my mind at his house. That was just another issue we’d have to tackle. I pushed it aside as he started kissing my sensitive skin and closed my eyes. In this position, he slowly worshiped me. His mouth tasted every part of me as he worked me into another manic state of desire.

He made me come on his tongue as I screamed his name, gripping his hair. After that, he kissed my thighs and then back up my body, biting on my nipples. Brandon surprised me by reaching for his wallet and pulling out more condoms before dropping on his back. “Ride me.” He left the strip beside him and I swallowed thickly before taking him in.

Brandon was a well-endowed man. He filled me to the brink of capacity and beyond as I played back the intimate moments between us. They were all risky given my professional relationship with his mother and the way I was beginning to feel for him.

I moved to my knees, reaching out to grip him. I slowly stroked, and her jerked up, gasping my name. I leaned in slowly as I moved my hand, needed to have this whole experience. I moved down to take his tip into my mouth, loving his groan. I teased him for a few minutes, slowly sucking him into my throat before releasing him with a pop. I knew there would be another time for this and I reached for the condom, rolling it over him as he watched with bright eyes. I moved up and straddled his thighs, reaching down to position him at my entrance.

I slid down, and we both moaned as he filled me. I thought about the angry canvas I’d abandoned for this, loving the way he filled my slick channel. I didn’t want to lose focus of that but recognized that he would be a good influence for a fleeting moment before he gripped my hips. I gave in to the lust and rocked with him, chasing my release as I felt a finger rub against my nipple. “Brandon. Oh, God.” I cried out as I felt the pressure building. “I’ve never had sex like this with anyone before now. It’s so much.”

“I could say the same,” he grunted as we moved together, coming together with a long cry. I collapsed over him and he stroked my damp skin.

I woke up and looked around to see my makeshift bedroom and then the naked man beside me. He was stunning, and I looked over every inch of his body. Brandon was a gorgeous man, and I licked my swollen lips gently before looking at the clock. We’d been sleeping for a couple of hours now and I stretched gently. I jumped as I heard my phone out in the loft, jumping out of bed to pull on a robe. I didn’t want to wake Brandon since he looked so peaceful.

I hurried to the latest canvas, answering the phone just to silence it. I was surprised to hear Marilyn’s voice and walked to my bistro table to take a seat.

“Hi. Is everything okay?” I asked softly as I looked to the windows. My eyes were drawn to the canvas with vivid splashes of dark colors and I considered the difference.

“I just spoke to another gallery. Would it be possible to have some paintings done for a small showing in two months?” I raised a brow, impressed with her eagerness to work.

“I’m sure I could. I have a couple custom orders but it’s my job. I’m blessed to have the time to pursue this.” I smiled and noticed someone staring at me from across the apartment.

“Perfect. The exposure will make you known in the city and beyond. I can’t wait to see what you give me.” I smiled at her enthusiasm and gestured for Brandon to remain quiet. “Did you have a nice holiday here?”

“I loved it. The food was incredible and everything else blew me away. Thank you again for the invite.” I offered as he walked to the fridge to get a bottle of water, dressed only in his jeans.

“I think Moira wants to have lunch soon. I gave her your number.” My eyes widened. I had no idea how to hide what was happening with Brandon from his inquisitive sister. She’d go right to his mom and it could affect everything.

“That sounds great.” I said awkwardly, relieved when she ended the call. “Oh my God. Your sister wants to have lunch. How am I going to hide anything from her?”

He sipped his water and moved forward, scanning the windows. “Just don’t talk about me. Focus on everything else.” Brandon kissed me softly, and I moaned softly against him.

“I regret the studio,” I murmured against him before he kissed me again. “Too many windows.”

“We can get privacy whenever we want it, baby.” He assured me before looking across the room. “I’m assuming that was my mom?”

“Yeah.” I replied weakly as my stomach growled. I’d been so mad coming home that I’d barely eaten anything.

“Hungry?” He teased me as I gazed into his beautiful eyes.

“I suppose. I didn’t eat a lot today.” I admitted as he looked at the fridge.

“I can cook. Do you have anything?” He asked, and I stroked his cheek with my fingers.

“It’s stocked. I’m here a lot.” I admitted before he kissed me again.

“I’ll see what I can throw together.” He moved to take a look at the pantry and I watched with a dreamy smile. This was such a boyfriend thing, but I didn’t know if that’s what we were. I just knew that we were sleeping together secretly, making me look at the windows. I was on the second story and that offered some privacy. Still, if someone wanted to see me, they could. What were the chances his family would spy on me?

I decided that was silly and wandered across the apartment to my bedroom. I changed into old leggings and a shirt that was already spattered with paint before I made my way to my canvas. Brandon was the first person that had hung out here and it felt so natural. I painted, and he cooked as some jazz played through the room, smiling at the vibe in my home. While I loved painting, it got lonely here sometimes. I enjoyed the company.

He ended up making a chicken dish with roasted veggies and a salad, pouring me some wine before he told me it was ready. I placed the paintbrush on the tray and walked over to the small bistro table, joining him as he set the glasses down. He took a look at the canvas and nodded his approval. “There’s a lot of feeling in that.”

“Yeah. I think so. Your mom is setting up a showing at a different gallery and needs some stuff done in a few weeks. I am feeling inspired.” I blushed as I smiled and glanced down at my plate. “This looks great.”

“I learned to cook with Mom when I was a kid. It was relaxing and the idea of mixing a bunch of shit and having it taste good was always appealing.” He took a bite of the chicken and I followed suit, adding a broccoli sprig on the fork. I chewed it slowly and stared at him.

“A man that is sexy and a cook. I like you.” I said as his eyes locked with mine.

“I like you, too. I’ll be here to serve whenever you want me.” His eyes darkened, and I knew that he was turned on as much as I was.

We ended up in bed again, leaving the dishes in the sink. He had energy after eating and took me hard from behind, making me cry out his name with every hard thrust. I gripped the sheets and rocked back against him, needing more. I feared that I would never get enough of this man.

When we were done, we collapsed on the bed together. I was convinced that I had no bones anymore and would probably never walk again. Brandon lay on his back with his eyes closed, looking like a god.

“You’ve slept with a lot of women that were at your house, haven’t you?” I asked out of the blue, turning red as he tensed for a fleeting second.

“I won’t lie, Alicia. I have over the years, but it never meant anything. It was more of a friend with benefits deal than anything else.” He kept his eyes closed, talking softly. “I don’t want that anymore.”

“You don’t?” I asked as he smiled and gazed at me.

“I want to play with you for a while, Alicia. I like this. I like being here and seeing your work. I enjoy eating with you. I especially love fucking you behind this curtain knowing that if we were anywhere else, people would see us.” Heat rushed over me and I pressed my lips together slowly.

“Do you like that idea?” I whispered as his jaw set.

“Yes. I’d love to take you against that window and fuck you senseless. Your face is so beautiful when you come for me.” I stopped breathing for a second. “We need to keep this on the down low, though. I get that.”

“Yeah.” I was still thinking about the window and being pressed against it. We washed the dishes, and he told me that he had to leave in the evening after we’d spent some more time in bed. I kissed him goodbye and walked him to the door, smiling as he told me to lock the door behind him. I did and poured one more glass of wine before returning to my canvas. I felt like I didn’t need to sleep anytime soon and planned on a long night of painting.

I turned on some music and focused on the paint and the colors. Brandon was on the edge of my thoughts as I worked, wondering what he was doing as I dipped my brush into the paint. I played back the times we were quiet in the bedroom over Christmas as well as the way he made me scream today.

There was no way I was going to be done with this man anytime soon.

I stayed up most of the night painting and listening to songs on shuffle. It was therapeutic, and I saw the potential in my growing talent. Maybe I would make something of myself. I stumbled into my room around five to fall asleep before the sun lit up the city, still able to smell him on the sheets.