Chapter Twenty-Five – NOW

 

 

I’m jostled awake as Kyle lifts me from the floor and into his secure arms.

“Shh, baby, I got you,” he whispers.

I vaguely notice all the lights are off and the television is silent, but I’m too tired to take proper notice, so I snuggle into his shoulder, breathing in the familiar intoxicating scent of him, as he carries me down the hall to my bedroom.

He gently places me under the covers and then leans down to kiss my lips softly.

“Stay with me for a little while.  I want to snuggle,” I mumble, eyes closed, still half asleep.

“Okay, Liv, just for a little while,” he acquiesces.  The bed dips and then the warmth of his body hits my back as he spoons me.  He muscular arms wind around my waist and he holds me tight against him.  Just like that, I fall asleep again.

 

“Brant?”  My voice is full of confusion.  “Is that really you?”  Emotion clogs my throat as I look up into blue eyes I thought I’d never see again.

“Liv,” he whispers.  “You’re as beautiful as ever.”  He reaches out to cup my face and I tilt my head toward his palm.  I don’t feel his skin or the heat from his hand, but what I do feel is subtle tingles along my jaw.

“We miss you,” I say, fighting back tears.

“I’m always with you guys.  My daughter is…” his words fade but his eyes shine with unbridled love.  “God, she’s amazing.”

“She really is.”

“You’re the best mom, Liv.”

“I wish you were here to experience fatherhood, Brant.”

He nods sadly.  “It just wasn’t meant to be,” he states, his tone matter-of-fact.  “I’m okay with that, Liv,” he says gently, as my eyes fill with tears.  “I’m really okay.  She’s a beautiful girl, and you’re doing a great job raising her.”

We turn silent as we stare into each other’s eyes.  He doesn’t look any different.  The nightmares I had after his death, where he was covered in blood and gashes, deep wounds, and missing limbs, seem unfounded as I look over his perfect face.  Clean shaven, smooth skin, no marks or lingering scars.  Nothing but perfection.

“I have to tell you something,” I say, swallowing thickly as a sudden onset of guilt tightens my throat.

“It’s okay, Liv.  I know,” he beseeches.

“You do?” I breathe.

“Of course.  Looking back, I can see you always had an underlying, deeper connection to my brother.  I want you to move on.  I want you to be happy.  And if I had the chance to choose anyone I’d want you to spend your life with, it would be Kyle.”

A sob escapes my lips and tears tumble down my cheeks.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart.  Just be happy.”  He leans in and my lips tingle for a moment.

“Be happy with Kyle, Liv,” he whispers as he begins to fade away.  “Be happy.”

 

I wake with a start, my eyes snapping open and my heart pounding.  I’m warm, warmer than usual, and then I realize there’s someone behind me.  With my dream still lingering in my mind, for a split second, I think maybe Brant is still alive, and the past six years were a nightmare.  Then the scent of Kyle’s cologne washes over me and I remember.  The truth doesn’t crush me like I feared it would. Instead, I feel… okay.  Content.  Like I’m right where I’m meant to be.

It’s still dark out, but I’m wide awake, so I let myself enjoy being in Kyle’s arms for five minutes before I climb out of bed and make my way into the kitchen.  I switch on the coffee machine and fix a bowl of cereal while it percolates.  I know Kyle wasn’t supposed to stay the night, but it sure was nice waking up in his arms.  After I’ve poured two mugs of coffee, I take a sip from mine and then decide to wake Kyle up so he can be out in the kitchen when Matilda gets up.  I’m not ready for the barrage of questions she will fire at me if she knows Kyle stayed over.

“Hey,” I whisper.  “Wake up.  It’s morning.”

His eyes slowly open and a lazily grin spreads across his lips.

“Guess I fell asleep,” he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep.

“Yeah,” I say through a light laugh.  “Matilda will be up soon, so you better look alive and come and drink the coffee I’ve made you.”

“Not so fast,” he says, capturing my wrist when I try to step away.  “I’m going to need a good morning kiss.”

I smile and lean over him, placing my lips on his.  Before things get too heated, I pull back, but not before sweeping my tongue into his mouth, earning a growl and tight squeeze on my hips.

“See you in the kitchen,” I throw out over my shoulder as I practically flounce out of the bedroom.

 

Kyle joins me in the kitchen minutes later and immediately crowds me against the counter.  His lips find the sweet spot on my neck and he sucks gently, eliciting a whimpered moan from me as tremors shiver down my back.

“Uncle Kyle?” Matilda’s sleepy voice, laced with confusion, has Kyle stepping back swiftly as he turns to face my daughter.  She’s rubbing her eye with one hand and dragging her robe with the other.  “Uncle Kyle!” she repeats, much more excitedly when she realizes he really is standing in the kitchen first thing in the morning.

“Hey, sweet pea.  Did you sleep good?”  He picks her up, bringing her level to his face.

“Uh-huh.” She nods.  “I’m gonna grow my hair long just like Rapunzel and I want to get a horse named Maximus, too,” she says, referring to Tangled, the movie we watched last night.

I roll my eyes and prepare her a bowl of cereal while Kyle entertains her equine fantasies.

“Okay, miss, eat up.  You need to get ready for school,” I say, placing her breakfast in front of her. 

“I’m just going to shower and get dressed for work,” I tell Kyle.

I strip off and turn the faucets on.  While the water heats, I check myself over in the mirror, scowling and smiling at my refection, checking for wrinkles and loose skin like us women do. When the temperature is right, I step inside and let the hot water run over my body.  One of my favorite things about this house is the water strength in the shower.  It pounds my back and I take a moment to enjoy and let it soothe my muscles.

The door opens but I don’t bother opening my eyes.  I already know who it is.

“Have you finished your breakfast, sweetie?” I ask Matilda.

“I haven’t eaten yet. But I’m about to,” Kyle replies.

I squawk in fright at the sound of his voice. My eyes spring open, my heart pounds, and I clutch my chest.

“Jesus Christ! You scared the ever loving shit out of me,” I hiss.

He grins cockily as he tugs off his shirt and tosses it in the hamper before removing his jeans and walking – completely naked, hard cock on display – toward me.  I gulp, swallowing hard.  He pulls open the glass shower door and steps inside.

“Matilda?”

“Celia’s awake.  She’s getting her ready for school,” he tells me before his mouth claims mine.  He pushes me backward until the cool tiles bite into the warm skin of my back.  He palms my ass as he kisses me so deeply my knees go weak.  Then he tears his mouth away from mine, and we’re both panting.  He sucks the skin on my neck again before nipping my earlobe and growling, “Time for my breakfast now.”

I shudder as he sinks to his knees, his face right in line with my pussy.  My hands grip his hair for balance as he lifts my right leg over his shoulder and leans forward to devour me.  His tongue sweeps through my folds before flicking across my clit.  I bite down on my bottom lip to stop from crying out as he mercilessly eats me until I can’t hold back any longer.  Shamelessly, I begin grinding against his face, chasing the orgasm that is just out of reach.  Then I have it in my hands and I’m coming.  Flying over the ledge and pulsing against his tongue as waves of pleasure wash over my body.

He stands, holding my still-trembling body, and I look down to see his cock, hard and throbbing. Desperate for attention.

“Go get ready for work, baby,” he murmurs, before kissing me chastely.

“Are you sure?  Do you want something?” I ask, somewhat hesitantly.

“You can make it up to me later.”  He winks and I desperately want to climb up his tanned, solid body and let him take me.

“Promise,” I swear instead as I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself.