Chapter 14

Chloe walked into Brady's loft-like apartment to see that the party was already in full swing. She never knew that Jared and Brady had so many friends. She especially was not impressed by the amount of women that seemed to gravitate around Brady. She stared in his direction, watching as he laughed and joked with women that were complete strangers to her. He was so at ease. The exact opposite as the way he was when they sparred.

Jared came to greet her, with Brandi attached to his arm. Chloe tore her eyes away from Brady's lean form and focused on Jared and Brandi. Surprisingly, she already trusted Brandi and knew that she had the best intentions when it came to Brady and Jared. She envied her in a way; she seemed to have everything within her grasp, and she wasn't afraid to reach out and grab it. Unlike Chloe, whose own life was up-in-the-air half the time, everything seemed to fall in perfect order for Brandi, from her perfect looks, to her intelligence, to her kind heart. Jared deserved someone like her. Brandi would never judge him about his past.

The problem was Jared was so used to being closed off to the world he didn't know how to tell her things that ate him up inside. He wasn't the only one with that problem. Brady and Chloe shared this deficiency, this inability to communicate their pain, and therefore they couldn't seem to move past it. They were stuck with all the horrible images, and tormenting thoughts that plagued their dreams.

"Hi, Chloe. Glad you could make it," Jared greeted.

"Thanks. Happy birthday, Jar. Here!" she said, handing him a brightly wrapped package.

"Chloe, you didn't have to."

"I wanted to," she said, smiling.

"Well, come on in, and get yourself something to drink. The bar is right over there, where Brady is."

"Great," Chloe said, annoyed, under her breath. "I'll just navigate my way through the walking orbits in mini-skirts."

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

"Oh well, have fun. Okay?"

"Sure."

Jared watched her pass by, trying not to make it obvious that he still cared for her, more than he even wanted to admit.

Chloe made her way through the crowd. The girls near Brady had temporarily dispersed. Chloe looked up into his deep blue eyes. "Having fun?" she casually questioned.

"Yeah, you know, Jared's having a blast."

Chloe followed Brady's eye line and saw Jared laughing and playing around with his buddies. "I can see that, but I asked if you were having a good time."

"I think things are starting to look up," Brady divulged, staring back at her intently. He walked away, with her still reeling from his intense gaze.

Brady, Jared, and a bunch of the guys from work sat around a large wooden table, drinking and playing cards. The object of the game was to get everyone drunk, and it was working. Scattered around the table were a few risk-taking young women. Chloe had been at the other end of the room, watching as the guys became increasingly more intoxicated. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off Brady. He was doing much better than the rest of the men, since his body was used to the alcohol. The corners of his mouth curled into a grin as he won the next hand of poker, and the rest of the guys had to take shots.

The game quickly resulted in strip poker when the room got intolerably hot and the women got frisky. Clothes became scattered on the floor as the game proceeded and more people joined the festivities. Chloe licked her lips unconsciously as she watched Brady unbutton his shirt. It was hot, she had to admit, with all the people in the house, but things were really starting to heat up.

Chloe sipped her drink and ignored the boring chatter happening around her. She fixed her gaze once again on Brady Black. He was so different with his friends than he was with her. He wasn't so intense. There was a lightness to his laugh, and she resented it. She couldn't understand why he was never like that with her. Everything always was so serious between them. She wanted in on the game. She wanted a chance to drive Brady insane, like he so often did with her.

Brady threw down his cards in satisfaction, winning another round. He grinned widely as he watched the clothing slowly be diminished and tossed to the side. Under the table, Chloe could see a delicate hand from the woman sitting next to Brady slide onto his leg. She couldn't help but feel something she couldn't explain. She knew Brady wasn't hers to worry about, but a part of her felt like they were connected. A part of her felt betrayed. She knew she had no right to feel that way, but sometimes you can't control your heart.

Chloe watched him leave the table and make his way toward the bathroom. She grabbed a bottle of tequila and followed him. She had a strong buzz going and knew her destination. She crept over to Brady as he exited the bathroom. "What's wrong with you?" Chloe questioned, cornering him.

"Nothing. Go back to the party," Brady said, looking down at her.

"Not yet. First, you're going to tell me what's bothering you."

"Nothing, Chloe. Really, I'm fine."

"Somehow, I don't believe you, but I'll accept it. You wanna have a drink with me, Brady?"

"I think you've had enough already."

"Not yet."

Chloe edged closer to him, so she was mere inches away. Standing on her tip-toes, she poured some of the liquid down his neck, spilling some carelessly onto his shirt. Brady's face was one of pure shock. Chloe hungrily licked at his collar and his exposed flesh. Brady stared at her in wonder.

"God, Brady, it tastes so much better on your skin." Chloe placed her hand against his already quickened heartbeat. She relished in the feel of his hard muscles under her soft skin. Looking up, she met his closed eyes.

He bent his head down, turning it ever so slightly, until what little space was between them was lessened. He took her hand from his chest and held it. "I think we should get back to the party now. Don't you?"

"Not just yet."

"I can't do this."

"We're not doing anything."

"Not yet, we're not. So let's get back out there, before people start to wonder."

"Let them wonder."

"I can't do that. It's my house, my party." He turned away from her, afraid to look her in the eye anymore.

This was not the reaction Chloe had anticipated. She stood, staring blankly at him as if he was speaking another language. She watched the turmoil play on his face and knew it wasn't what he wanted, but what he had to do. He was always holding himself back from her, afraid to show any kind of real emotion. "Okay," she said in a low purr. "But you owe me a dance."

She pulled him by their still intertwined hands into the living room. The furniture had been cleared so that it was set up as the dance floor. Many of the guests lazily bobbed along to the base that blasted through the stereo. "You, ready for this, Black?" she whispered.

"Try me, Lane."

"Is that an invitation?" Chloe hissed softly against his ear.

Brady looked down at her. Shaking his head, he smiled. Chloe always seemed to get that way when she was drinking. All her inhibitions were gone, and the memories of a troubled past could be forgotten for a while.

Chloe pulled away from him and did a small alluring shake of her body. She ran her hands along the curves of her body, skirting her hips and breasts, while Brady watched. Spinning herself around once, she purposefully collided with Brady's strong features. Her back molded against his bare chest. She could feel the heat and moisture from the spilled drink. They all blended to create a sticky, sultry bond. She linked her arm around his neck and drew his head close to her nape. Slowly, she began to move as the music began to lead her body, directing her actions like a marionette. She wrapped her other arm around his solid back, moving her way down to his perfect bottom.

He laughed gently at her actions and started to move with her, becoming a willing participant in her seductive dance. Over and over, she bumped and bounced into his groin, sending waves of pleasure throughout their systems. Before he could stop himself, he wrapped his arms around her flat stomach, caressing her partly exposed mid-drift, then moving to touch her hips.

They picked up more speed, grasped onto more rhythm, becoming the focal point of the room. Without even knowing it, the guests stared in wonderment. At that moment, they could be whatever they wanted to each other, and it certainly wasn't friendship they were after. There was more to it than just a dance. Suddenly, they were open to each other. Becoming acutely aware of each other's needs and playing into them. They were sharing in ways they didn't even know. The feel of Brady's wet skin pressing against Chloe was addictive. She strained to be closer, as the base pumped through her chest.

The crowd watched as their bodies mingled together. Even Jared could not deny the chemistry between the two, but he was still not pleased. Brandi grasped his hand firmly and smiled at him, willing him to forget Chloe for the moment. She dragged him onto the dance floor and wrapped her arms around him, proving that she too was versed in the ways of seduction. The crowd began to break apart and rejoin the pair on the dance floor.

The attention that they hadn't even noticed was now on something else. All Chloe and Brady saw were each other, and it was exciting and frightening all at the same time. A dance can mean nothing, but when it's filled with passion and fire, there is a chance that it may explode, sending shockwaves through everything and everyone involved. The heat can be too intense, and if you get too close, chances are you will be burned.

The feel of Chloe soft skin under Brady's fingers was the first taste of peace he had in a long time. He wanted to desperately run away, and another part of him wanted to stay in the moment forever, to get caught up and forget that life existed. Forget there was pain, or that he was walking a fine line with his friendship with Jared. None of that mattered because he was breathing the first breaths of contentment that he had felt in a long time. The smell of her lavender-washed skin and the feel of her soft, flowing hair against his bare chest made him feel alive again. It made him remember what he had loved about life before he had been deceived by Lisa. It gave him hope. But he didn't want hope. He was content living a life where he had no illusions about love. He was content in his drab view of the world, and he didn't want anyone to change that. Least of all Chloe Lane. Still, the feel of her swaying hips against him was torturous. Reluctantly and with a hint of sorrow, he pulled away from the fiery vixen that stood so close to him.

Chloe turned to see what the problem could possibly be. She knew he wasn't willing to give himself to her. He wasn't ready to open up. She could see in his eyes the regret, and she felt her heart being crushed.

"I've got to get back to my friends," he told her.

She nodded and gave a small smile. "Sure."

He smiled back crookedly and turned around and went to the other side of the room.

Chloe grabbed the first bottle of liquor she saw and took a sip. The liquid burned going down, but she forced more into her system. She was sick of the games Brady seemed to be playing with her. She wanted him to know she didn't need his approval for anything.

As the night wore on and the guests departed, Chloe was still drowning her sorrows in a bottle, and Brady was trying fiercely to ignore her, but it tore at his heartstrings to watch her. Crossing the room, Brady stood in front of Chloe, who sat slumped on a leather chair. "Chloe, do you want me to call you a cab, or is someone bringing you home?"

"What do you care, Brady?" she slurred.

"Chloe, how much have you had to drink?"

"That's my business, not yours. So just leave me alone."

Brady couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "I really wish I could do that, Chloe. But this is my house, and the party is over."

"The party's not over, and I'm not ready to leave yet. Unless you're kicking me out?" Chloe looked up at him, her eyes as big as saucers.

She was definitely vulnerable, and Brady couldn't send her away. A part of him wanted her to stay forever. "No, Chloe, I'm not kicking you out. But I am going to take this bottle away from you and sober you up a little. Okay?"

"Fine. Whatever."

Brady took the nearly empty tequila bottle from her hand. He walked over to the kitchen and set it on the counter top, while he brewed a pot of coffee.

Jared gathered up his presents and gag gifts, with the help of Brandi. He turned to see Chloe curled up on one of the leather recliners and shook his head. There was no doubt in his mind that Chloe would be spending the night. Brady was not that heartless to send her out in the streets in her condition, but he wasn't sure whether he would resist the temptation to take advantage of the situation. Jared was not as naive as people perceived him to be. It was obvious that there was something happening between Brady and Chloe. But he also knew how hard Brady had been trying to resist his feelings. Unfortunately, everyone had their breaking point. Jared wasn't sure Brady had the will power to deny Chloe anything she wanted.

Brady came out of the kitchen to say goodbye to Brandi and Jared. Giving Brandi a light hug and Jared a strong handshake, he watched as they left his apartment. "Bye," he called after them.

He shut the door and came back inside. Turning, he saw Chloe, still in the same position on the chair. "Chloe, are you all right?" Brady said, walking over to her, concerned. When she didn't respond, he lightly tapped her cheek.

Her eyes fluttered open. "What's going on?" she asked groggily.

"Well, Miss Lane, I believe you just passed out. Do you think you can stand up?"

"Brady, don't treat me like a child. I'm perfectly capable of getting up on my own," Chloe screeched.

"Fine. Let me just go, get you that coffee, and then you can be on your way."

"Fine," she said with a sour look on her face.

Brady came back into the room a few minutes later and handed the mug to Chloe. She stared into the dark cup of java before taking a long sip. "Feeling better?" Brady asked when she set the cup down.

"Much. Like you care anyway."

"Well I guess you're fine to go then." Brady smiled at her, trying not to laugh at her openly hostile tones.

Chloe attempted to stand but immediately fell back against the chair. On her second attempt, she landed on the floor. Brady came to her side and tried to help her stand, but it was a losing battle. Finally, he lifted her in his arms.

"What do you think you are doing? Put me down now!"

"Why? So you can fall down on your face or end up breaking a bone? You are in no condition to leave. And I most certainly am not going to send you home to have you pass out and maybe hurt yourself." Much to Chloe's protest, Brady proceeded to carry her to his bedroom. He gently laid her down on his unmade bed.

"Brady, if this is your idea of some sort of seduction, you have another thing coming."

"Relax. I wouldn't want you like this anyway."

"How would you want me, Brady?" Chloe giggled, still feeling the effects of the alcohol.

"Sober, for one thing," he laughed.

"But you would want me?" Chloe questioned, sitting up despite the pounding that erupted in her head from the movement.

"Look, let's not get into this again. Now is not the right time."

"When is the right time, Brady? We spend half of our time together arguing, and the other half, we spend analysing what we are together. Then, there are times when you touch me, and none of it matters because I think that maybe I've gotten through. But I haven't. Isn't that right, Brady? You've sheltered yourself off from anything meaningful."

"You don't know what you're talking about! I can't talk to you when you're like this," Brady said, letting go of her and moving to leave the room.

"Wait!"

"What is it now?" he bit off angrily.

"Why do you hate me?" Chloe asked. The tears stung her eyes.

He turned around. He clenched his jaw together and came back into the room.