Chapter Fourteen
Brynn
I roll over for what seems like the hundredth time in the last hour. Aaron is out cold right next to me, and I can’t bring myself to even look at him right now. My head is spinning, and I feel like I’m on a tilt-a-whirl that is out of control. Nothing can stop the spinning, and I just want to get off this damn ride.
My lips still feel his pressed against them, and my body is craving more.
I turn over again and stare at the clock on the nightstand for a few minutes before sighing. Staying here today is only going to drive me crazy. Aaron will probably take the day off and hover, making sure I’m okay, and I can’t deal with that right now.
I didn’t tell him what happened yesterday, just that a customer came in all pissed off and that is why I am a little rattled. When we got back to the apartment, he ran me a bath and was so sweet and attentive. It was nice, but something deep inside me knew that I wanted it to be Bentley there with me.
The moment I heard his voice, I knew that everything would be fine. He was finally back in town, and a small thrill ran its way through me. He was here in Las Vegas.
When I finally get tired of lying in bed and staring at the clock, I switch my alarm off and get up to start getting ready. Maybe if I head in early, I can get some work done before the guys show up. It will be quiet and peaceful.
After showering and getting dressed, I see Aaron watching me. “You going to work?”
“Yeah, if I don’t go back today, I might be too scared to go back later. They won’t let anything happen to me.” I give him a reassuring smile before turning back to the mirror to put my makeup on. After my hair and makeup are done, I walk back into the bedroom to find a pair of wedges to match my outfit. Instead of finding wedges, I grab a pair of black heels that will look amazing with my skirt.
When I come back out of the closet, Aaron is still watching me. “Dom said one of his brothers is back in town.” I swallow at the mention of that and try to keep a neutral expression. I don’t want him to think that something is going on between Bentley and me. I never told him about my connection with Bentley, and I’d like to keep it that way if possible.
“Yeah, he showed up when the customer went all crazy on me.” What I don’t mention is the kiss or how we were in his room after all that happened.
“Ah. So were you guys close before he left?” I shake my head no, not thinking about that answer too hard. I’m sure if I did, he would suspect something. But it’s the truth, Bentley and I were nothing before. We barely spoke, but the sexual tension between us most days was crazy bad. I could feel him every time he walked into the office even if he was silent.
A shiver runs down my spine at the thought of seeing him in the office again. I feel my heart start to pound, but I try to ignore it. I don’t need anything from him when I have the love of the man lying in my bed right now.
I walk over to him and press a kiss to his lips. He doesn’t say another word about me going to work, and part of me is glad for it. I don’t want to have to defend my choice to go back to work today. I mean, I should probably take the day off, but I wasn’t lying when I said that I might not be able to after what happened.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Love you too,” I whisper. After a few seconds, I pull away and walk out of the bedroom toward the kitchen so I can grab my purse and keys. As I make my way out the door, I try to shake some of the nerves away. I know that going back after what happened is going to mess with me a little, but it’s nothing that a little caffeine can’t cure, at least I hope.
By the time I make it to Wayward Cycles, it’s still a good hour before the guys typically start. Unlocking the door, I make my way inside and lock the door behind me. I’d rather be safe than sorry at this moment. I have no idea if that group of guys from yesterday will come back when they think that no one is here and take whatever it is they were here for.
Taking a seat on my chair, I start up my computer. I thumb through a few of the work orders that were left on my desk after I went home yesterday. Bending over my desk to grab a couple new file folders, I feel him before I even turn around. He’s leaning against the door frame that leads out into the shop area, and I can see a bruise under his eye and one on his jaw.
My eyes take him in, and it looks like he’s barely slept and got his ass kicked last night. I don’t say a word as I straighten upright before moving toward him. My fingers slowly run over his jaw before moving to his eye. “It probably looks worse than it feels.” His voice is low and nothing like the man I watched from afar.
“What happened?” His blue eyes lock onto me, and he shrugs.
“Said some shit I shouldn’t have to my sister. Angry brother-in-law.” He rubs at his neck, and my eyes catch the faint marks that are there as well. I move my fingers to his neck, and he grimaces. “Angry older brother.”
I don’t bother asking what he said to piss them off. Part of me thinks he deserved it. If anything, he’s always been good at talking shit.
“You okay? I mean after everything that happened?” His question catches me off guard, and I don’t know how to answer it still.
“I was terrified to come here, but since it’s early, I thought that I would have some time alone. I didn’t expect you to be here so early.”
I finally drop my hand from him, and he sighs. “I can leave if that’s what you want.” I shake my head, not wanting him to leave even though I know I should tell him to go. A sense of protection and being safe is what I get when he’s around. Like nothing will happen while he’s around.
“Please, stay.” My voice is quiet, and I feel so far out of my element that I don’t know what I’m doing. I should stay away from him. The feelings that came back with him are scary as shit, and I don’t know what to even think, let alone do.
“You sure?” I hate that he sounds unsure right now and not his cocky self. Maybe it’s better for me if he continues to act like this around me. Then maybe I won’t think about his body pressed against mine again.
His hand reaches out almost to touch me before he pauses and his hand stays suspended in the air. “I hate that you’re getting married,” he finally says. “I hate that you have someone else in your life.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat and take a steadying breath. “You made it clear that you didn’t want anything from me. I gave you a chance, and you told me that you couldn’t go there with me. That I deserved better.”
“Because you fucking do, Brynn. You deserve every fucking thing you want, and I may be able to give you some of that shit, but I can’t give you stability. I can’t promise that something won’t happen and your life is isn’t in danger. Like right fucking now. They can come after you at any time all because of me.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and watch him. Something is eating away at him, but I can’t figure out what it is. He reaches forward and tucks the hair behind my ear. “I’ve watched what this life does to the people we care about. You deserve so much better.” He leans forward, pressing his mouth against mine once before pulling away and releasing me before walking out of the office and back into the shop. He takes a seat at a station and starts working on something, not turning around again while I continue to stare at him.
What in the hell just happened?
After a few minutes, I finally pull myself away from the doorway and head back to my desk. I sit in the silence for far too long before I hear the rest of the guys start to trickle into the shop. When my phone dings with a message from Anslie, I ignore it. I’m not really ready to talk about wedding stuff or even engagement things.
Last night Aaron and I talked about the party that Anslie wants to throw and he was all for not having to plan a thing. So at some point today, I guess I’ll have to talk to her about it, but right now isn’t the time. I rather just sit here doing nothing but staring at my computer screen. A blank fucking computer screen.
Around mid-morning, a knock on the door brings my head toward the shop door. My eyes take in Dominic, and I can tell he wants to make sure that everything is good with me before he heads back out to start working. “I’m fine, “ I insist before he even gets a chance to say a word. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“You need anything; we are just outside the office.” I nod my head and go back to staring at my computer. I pull up a new spreadsheet and start to enter in the new customers’ information for all the new work orders that they’ve gotten over the last few days. It doesn’t take long, but it keeps my head from running wild for at least a good hour before it’s noon.
As soon as the clock hits noon, I feel the fear hit me. What if they come back? Same time, same place kind of thing… I look over my shoulder at the shop and notice that Bentley isn’t out there any longer. I try to look out the window to see if his bike is here, but I don’t see anything. Sighing, I continue to file a few miscellaneous papers that were left out on accident before I decide that I should go and get some food.
Fear can’t keep me hidden in this damn place.
Just as I grab my bag and put my hand on the door handle, someone is pushing it open. Fear paralyzes me slightly, but as soon as I feel him, it all disappears.
“Sorry,” he mutters pushing the door the rest of the way open when I move out of the way. “I brought you something to eat. You looked pretty freaked out when you checked the clock at eleven-thirty, and I didn’t want you to have a panic attack or something.”
I feel my heart skip a beat. “Come on, sit down.” He ushers me back to my desk where I always eat, and I sink into my chair.
“Why?” I ask, not really sure what the hell is going on right this second.
“Because you don’t deserve to be afraid to leave this place at lunch. We will always protect you.” I feel my stomach flutter. That is probably one of the nicest things he’s ever said to me. “If you’re afraid to walk out to your car, just find one of us. We will go with you.”
I nod my head, afraid of how my voice might come out. “Thank you,” I squeak out. He sets a bag down on my desk and starts to pull things from it. He places a sandwich and soup down before grabbing a spoon and some napkins.
I stare at him in awe as I recognize the name of my favorite deli from around the block. “I asked them what you always got, and the girl made sure that it was made how you liked it.” He grabs the bag and makes his way out of the office and towards the shop.
“Thank you.”
He stops dead in his tracks. “Don’t worry about it. It was my pleasure.” He turns again, continuing towards his workstation without looking back.