Brad

I am on an emotional high after leaving the Mad Designs office. Of course, I can’t be sure how the guys took the news, or what transpired after I left, but I am feeling good about it. While one of my goals is to repair my family, I feel some satisfaction for having said what needed to be said and clearing the air. No matter how this all winds up, I can move on to what’s next in my life.

If Jacob and Tyson accept me back into their lives, in whatever fashion they choose, that would be great. If they don’t, it would be okay too. What I didn’t realize until now, is that the family goal could go in a number of directions. I’m in a relationship with Mika, and with Mika comes Jared. I’m not saying that I would take on the role of a father, but if our relationship continues on its current path, I would have her and him as part of my new life – the beginning of a different family. And I would be all right with that.

My mind is on autopilot as I drive away from the city and stop directly at the curb in front of Mika’s house. I turn off the engine and am out of the driver’s side before my mind could stop me. I walk up the steps to her front door and knock on her door, without a thought that I could be intruding on her personal time.

She answers the door and opens it wide for me to enter. I kiss her quickly on the cheek as I walk in. As she closes the door, I turn to face her, all the while bouncing on the balls of my feet and wearing a smile so wide you could fit a coat hanger in my mouth. Her eyes meet mine, but they aren’t as bright as they normally are.

“You all right?” I ask her, stepping forward and pulling her into my arms.

“I’m fine. It was just a long day. How are you? You seem in a good mood.”

“I just met with Jacob and Tyson.”

“Wow. That’s not what I was expecting,” she says, perking up.

“It was a last-minute meeting that Jacob’s wife put together. I basically have no idea how it went from their perspective, but I laid everything out on the table and I’m fine with whatever the result is.”

“I’m glad. Congrats, that’s good news. Want anything to drink?” she asks, pulling away from me and walking towards the kitchen.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll take whatever you’re having.” I follow her into the kitchen and lean against the counter. She hands me a can of beer and then smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“You sure you’re okay?” I ask with a tilt of my head.

“Yeah. I’m good. Jared’s at his dad’s, so it’s just us. Do you want to stay over tonight?” she asks.

“Sure. Have you eaten dinner yet?”

“I think you should know me enough by now to know the answer to that.”

“Diabetes Treats?” I tease her.

“Only the best for my body.”

“Milk does do a body good, and I have to say yours is a damn masterpiece.”

I busy myself in her kitchen as we make small talk about my conversation with the guys and her work day. She seems a bit off, but I don’t want to pry too much. If she doesn’t want to talk about it, then she won’t and I shouldn’t force her. I want her to feel like she can talk to me.

I guess this is what a relationship is like. I find myself thinking about her when I’m not with her, and I find myself wanting to always be near her. It’s an all-around different feeling than what I felt with Candy – something more welcome, something warmer.

It’s getting late and while I know she has tomorrow off, I’ve got to be up for work in the morning, so we make our way to her bedroom. I lead the way and walk her backwards to the bed while peppering light kisses along her shoulder and up her neck. She cranes her head to the side to give me better access. My hands cup her breasts before I remove her top. Her hands are on my forearms and when our lips meet, our tongues mingle and all my senses explode. She grips the hem of my shirt and pulls up, removing my shirt. My hands go to my belt buckle and I quickly do away with my pants at the same time she removes hers. We’re all legs and arms as we fall to the bed, my body on top of hers and her soft moans escaping her mouth between kisses.

My dick is rock solid and her scent is filling the air. She grabs my hips and pulls me closer to her. My dick brushes against her wet center and I use all the control I have not to thrust myself into her. Her hand goes in between our bodies and she grabs my dick and starts to stroke vigorously. I didn’t think my dick could get any harder, but the moment her hand made contact, I felt even more pressure.

“I need you,” she moans. Her back arches and the crown of my dick making contact.

We’ve had sex with and without condoms. At first I always asked, and now I let her lead. I don’t need any more confirmation than those three words and I’m pushing in. I’m seated in her, and her pussy feels so fucking good. Too fucking good. The warmth, the wetness, every piece of her is heaven.

“Put your hands over your head. Lace your fingers together, and do not let go,” I say and I drag my dick in and out of her tight channel. Her hips move up to meet my thrusts, matching my rhythm as I plunge in deep. Her lust-filled gaze meets mine as I pull out. I fist my dick in my hand and bring it back to her. I let the crown sink in a fraction of an inch, as the walls of her pussy squeeze me. I let out a satisfied moan and I thrust myself in fully.

Pleasure races up my spine, and when I feel my orgasm is on its way, I move my hand to her pussy and find her clit. She’s breathless and begging me silently with her eyes as I circle her nub. She squirms and releases a loud moan. Her pussy clenches and my orgasm erupts. I throw my head back and grunt as I pump into her faster, chasing my release. Her thighs tighten around my hips and her hands come to my side. Her jaw goes slack as I push into her two more times before I crumble.

“That was exactly what I needed,” she whispers, as her fingers stroke my shoulder blades.

“You are everything that I didn’t know I needed,” I say into her hair. I’m unsure if she heard me, but I couldn’t care less either way. I am in love with her.

Mika

I wake up with half of my body on the bed, and the other half resting on Brad. I decided to go talk to Reed about the stuff Derek said to me today I know Reed isn’t a lawyer, but he may be able to point me in the right direction of one since he has legal contacts.

After last night, It was loud and clear that I’m falling in love with Brad. I didn’t have any sort of mental freak out after the confession he made as we were drifting off to sleep. I haven’t had a relationship since Jared was born out of fear that either Jared or Derek would feel threatened and, of course, the first guy that I get involved with in a serious way, that’s exactly what happens. I know that I should have mentioned to Derek that I was seeing someone, someone who has a past like Brad’s, but I didn’t think to mention it since I get no say in the parade of women that Jared tells me comes in and out of Derek’s home. Maybe, if I would have mentioned it, I wouldn’t be going through any of this right now.

Brad’s alarm on his cell goes off and his arm moves slowly to turn it off. I adjust myself on him and push my face into his chest as his arm wraps around my shoulder.

“I love my job and all, but I would much rather spend all day in bed with you,” he says, his voice full of gravel.

I say nothing in return, choosing instead to revel in the warmth and happiness I feel being cherished and - dare I say it - loved by Brad. I get excited when I know he’s on his way over, and I relish that anticipation for his touch. Brad’s arm tightens around me and he kisses the top of my head as I breathe in and smile.

“I need to get up, babe. Duty calls,” he says, gently tapping my shoulder. I remove myself from him and continue to lie in bed.

When he returns, I’m still in the same spot. He looks at me quizzically from the doorway.

“Lazy morning?” he asks, leaning against the door frame.

“I’m going to meet up with Reed today.” I should tell him. I need to tell him. I take a deep breath.

“Everything okay?” He regards me, silently trying to assess the situation.

“Man, that’s a loaded question. Yes and no, I’m not really sure.”

He approaches and sits on the bed beside me.

“Talk,” he directs.

And I do. For the next thirty minutes, I stammer out everything that transpired when Derek came over. Brad stays calm and listens intently. When I am finished, he leans over and kisses me sweetly on the lips. His hand cradles my jaw and, as he pulls back, he holds my gaze.

“I know we haven’t been dating long, but this relationship of ours, it’s something big. It’s more than lust and it’s not some fleeting affair. This is new territory for me, but I’m not running. I’m sticking around for you and for Jared. I have no foreseeable plans other than to be with you and with him, that is, if you let me. Whatever you need, I will support you. If you want me to talk to Derek, I will.” He lays his forehead against mine, closes his eyes and breathes in.

“Thank you, but I think he’s so angry that he wouldn’t agree to meet with you. He’s already got a perception of you that knowing how Derek is, it won’t change. He’s into labels and he’s labeled you.” I whisper. It feels like I just got through the hard part, but I know there’s a storm brewing ahead of me.

“There’s no thanking here. I’m serious. This is something that I want in my life now,

I don’t know much about relationships, but I think we should talk about these topics when they come up,” he says.

“What makes you such an expert now?”

“I watch movies.” He shrugs with a smirk.

“I’m sorry. I guess I’m trying to figure out how to navigate this too. I wanted to tell you right away, but I didn’t want to add any unnecessary drama to our relationship since it’s still new-ish.”

“Being in a stable relationship is still a new concept for me, but I don’t want you to feel like you need to hold anything back. We’re both in this together, so I think that for us to be something amazing, we need to be open and honest. And you know that I appreciate honesty.”

“Sounds like you’ve read some relationship advice books.” I smirk.

“You said you were in love a bunch in high school. I don’t think I’ve ever been in love prior.”

“Prior?”

“Yeah, to you.” He shrugs nonchalantly.

I scramble up onto my knees, still clutching the sheet around my chest.

“Wait just a minute here. Prior to me? Did I miss something important, something vital?” I rack my memory for any recollection of Brad telling me that he loves me and I’m coming up empty.

“I’m lost. What just happened?”

“You said you’ve never been in love ‘prior to me.’.”

“Shit. Out loud?” he asks.

“Yup.”

“Um, yeah. So, okay, that wasn’t the plan. I like you; I like you a lot. My like for you is mixed in with love. So yeah, I love you too. It’s like the like and the love is mixed like paints and because of that—”

“Brad?”

“And the colors are all vibrant and shit—”

“Brad?”

“Then the fact that I’ve never felt like this ever has me all confused and so then there’s that…” He looks off into the distance, just above my shoulder.

“Brad!” I say louder.

“Yeah?” He shakes his head, his eyes focus, and he looks at me.

“I love you too.”