Chapter 21

Brady brought Chloe back to his place, and immediately she went to have a hot bath. The steam was hot as it rose from the tub and on her skin. Brady lightly rapped on the door. He had a worried expression on his face which he tried to hide unsuccessfully.

"Come in," she said quietly.

"Are you decent?" he asked, trying to break some of the tension. Without waiting for an answer, he turned the knob and walked through the doorframe. Brady put the lid down on the toilet and sat on top of it. He watched Chloe try to avoid his gaze. He could see that she had been crying again. "I think we need to talk."

"I know," she answered, blowing the bubbles from her wrinkled hand.

"You need to stop doing this to yourself."

"Doing what?"

"Keeping everything in. Maybe I wasn't there for you before, but I'm here now. Let me in. I won't judge you, if that's what you're worried about. Who am I to judge anyway?"

"That's not what I'm worried about, really. It's just hard to find a place to start. I've never told anyone, and I want to tell you. Just give me a little time, okay?"

"No problem," he whispered. "Whenever you're ready."

"So are you just going to sit there and gawk at me?" she smirked.

"That's what I was planning," he teased with a crooked smile on his face.

"Well, at least make yourself useful, and grab me a clip to put up my hair, please."

"Sure," he said and went over to her bags on the tiled surface of the bathroom floor, finding a large butterfly clip and holding it up. "This good enough?"

"That's perfect," Chloe laughed, reaching for it.

"No, here, let me," Brady told her sweetly. He gently pulled her damp hair off her shoulders and twisted it, then softly placed the clip to hold it up. He couldn't help but let his fingers linger in her hair and rest gently on her skin.

She turned towards him, the bubbles on her skin slowly vanishing. "Thanks," she whispered against the side of his face, lightly kissing his cheek.

"No problem," he whispered back. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yep," Chloe stated, surrounded by bubbles, looking very much like a child.

The way she delighted in the comfortable warmth of the bubbles and the gentle way they hugged her skin brought a smile to his face. "I'll be in the other room if you need me," Brady told her, before he left.

Chloe sank back down into the warm, bubbling water and closed her eyes, trying to forget.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chloe came into the living room, freshly bathed, and sat down next to Brady on the couch, still adorned in her lavender frilly robe.

"Feeling better?"

"Much," she confessed, pulling the afghan around her.

"Are you cold?" Brady asked protectively.

"Just a little."

He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her up. "Better?"

Chloe nodded and looked directly into his eyes. Her tone changed, and she became quite serious. "You're always there for me, Brady," she whispered. "I've never felt this safe," Chloe confessed, letting the tears collect in her eyes.

Brady pulled her tighter to him. "I want you to feel safe, Chloe. I'll never hurt you, not any more. I've been a jerk in the past, too wrapped up in my own life, my own problems, to recognize the fact that you were hurting. I see now how badly you feel. I want to take it away. I don't want you to feel like this anymore."

"Just hold me," she whispered against him, burying her head into his chest, taking in his manly scent.

Several minutes passed, and the silence was not awkward but comforting, soothing almost. "How about I make you some herbal tea?"

"Sure, that would be nice." Chloe smiled and watched as he retreated into the kitchen.

After a few minutes, she grew restless and made her way to the kitchen doorframe, leaning against it. She took in Brady's form. His back faced her as he searched the cupboards for tea bags. Chloe marvelled at the way his pants fit perfectly over his lean legs and accentuated his perfect bottom. When he bent down to look in the lower cupboards beneath the sink, Chloe had to suppress a moan, as his pants stretched tight across his backside, creating the perfect admiring view for her.

Studying him silently, she realized how close to perfection he was for her. Sure, he had his own special character flaws, but no one had ever come so close to understanding her as he had. He was gorgeous and smart, and she was finding out how sensitive he truly was. She let a sigh pass her lips, and Brady turned to look at her.

"Hey," he said, smiling sheepishly. "I can't find any tea bags."

"That's okay," Chloe told him, her gaze remaining fixed on him.

"No, I'm sure I have them somewhere," he told her as he reached to search the top cupboards once again. "Aha, here they are!" Brady announced, holding up the box for her proudly.

Chloe remained still, letting her eyes examine his lean body. Brady studied her studying him. He could see the lustful look on her face but couldn't figure out where it had come from. She continued to look him up and down, feasting on his chiselled features. Her mind clouded with desire, and all she could think about was showing Brady how much she yearned for him, how much she needed him to be close.

"I want you," she said flatly.

Then with the training of a cheetah, she circled her prey and made her attack. Destroying the distance between them, she crushed her lips to his. Harsh, hard, duelling of tongues and plump lips became the center of their universe. Before Brady had time to weigh the consequences, he joined her in another bruising kiss, infatuated by the taste of her.

Brady's hands made quick work of Chloe's robe, undoing the double knot in record time, bringing his fingers in contact with her creamy white skin. Her cheeks flushed and her skin warm, Chloe pulled away, stripping her robe from her naked body and letting it fall to the floor. Brady gorged on the sight of her, losing his breath somewhere between her navel and breasts. It had been everything he imagined in his dream, only this time he wasn't sleeping. She was real, and everything was really happening.

It took him a moment to get over the shock of her naked body, before he picked her up by the hips and set her down on the counter top. Her chest heaved as his tongue mingled between her breasts, marking out a path for later exploration. Drinking in her delicate features, he groaned at her rough touch. Chloe ran her fingers through his hair, pulling his face back to hers for another round of sensual kissing, practically devouring him. She didn't know why or even what had brought it on, but she wanted Brady like she wanted no other man. She scratched down his back, meeting the end of the fabric of his shirt. He held his arms up as she removed the shirt from his torso and over his head, flinging it into the sink over a pile of dishes, soaking it.

Then he was back on her, skin to skin now, and it was heaven and torture. The feel of his muscled chest moving against her breasts was simply uncomparable. Even for he, who had claimed multiple partners, had never felt so alive, so free, so able to give himself to another person. Chloe sraped her teeth onto his neck and lightly flicked her tongue out. Brady let out a rough excuse for a moan. Her touch, her taste, the feel of her skin, all of it, he had longed for. They had both wanted the pleasure they were experiencing, and now it was simply coming out after being held captive so long, exploding into a rush of limbs and decadent stimuli.

Touch after touch, taste after taste, it got better, exceeding all expectations and pushing their boundaries of self-control. His hand grazed her back, sending shivers down her heated body. Everywhere he touched, took from her all she was willing to give, and she moaned and writhed against him, only encouraging his efforts. He kissed her neck, and she whimpered her approval. Moving his hands along her silky thighs, he could feel the radiant heat searing her skin.

She touched the planes of his wide chest, running her hands along his abdomen, touching the fine hairs below his belly. In another minute, her hand was at the front of his pants, desperately dragging his belt from the loops of his jeans, then tossing it aside. Then his button was undone, and the zipper was being drawn down xcruciatingly slowly. He sucked in a breath, burying his head into her neck, amongst her dark flow of hair and fresh scent of her soft skin. His pants fell to the floor, and he kicked them away, not even bothering to disentangle himself from Chloe. And so he stood, not naked, but dressed in boxer shorts stretched across him.

He moved Chloe closer to him, his hands moving onto her backside lifting her against his passion. She nearly screamed then, feeling him hard against her sensitive flesh. She moved against him, feeling him squirm below her, rocking against him until she was at a plateau, waiting, driving for release. He set her back down on the counter, and on instinct she went for his shorts, pulling them down to reveal his masculine body.

He suckled at her rose-coloured nipples, exploring with his tongue. Her head jerked back, unprepared for the sudden burst that ripped through her body. She held onto him tightly, digging her nails into his skin by accident, almost afraid of her own primal instinct. He looked up at her and smiled reassuringly. She smiled back, capturing his lips once again. Delighted by the feel of his tongue exploring her mouth, she returned the favour.

Then unexpectedly, she reached between his thighs and captured him in her hand. She'd never been this bold in her life, usually reserved to missionary position or other men''s sick fantasies, but this time, she was taking control. She was exploring and testing her own limits because she felt safe enough with Brady to do so. He wasn't going to laugh or scold her.

"Braaady..." she whimpered.

He knew what she wanted, what they deserved. All the months of sexual attraction and tension were coming down to this one moment.

The kettle let out a shrill cry. They tried to ignore it, clawing at each other, needing to feel closer. Just a few more seconds, and they would be connected, working together towards the ultimate release. The sound continued to penetrate their ears, and soon Brady couldn't take it, knocking the kettle onto the stove, spilling scalding water everywhere.

"Shit!" he swore violently, looking at the mess he created and feeling the sting of the hot kettle on his forearm.

"Are you okay?" Chloe panted out, still wrapped up in their lustful activities.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he told her, bending down to pick up her robe. "Here, maybe now isn't a good time. Besides, Belle and Mimi could come home at any time," he explained apologetically. Not wanting to stop, but knowing they weren't ready.

"It's okay," she told him, taking his hand and lightly kissing his reddened arm. "Another time." She smiled, then hopped off the counter with a little help from him and went into his bedroom to change. Chloe knew there was still hidden fears and secrets between them, and until they were out of the way, they would have to wait to be intimate. They had just gotten carried away, spurred by her desire and need to feel loved.

When she was out of ear shot, Brady pounded his fist against the wall. "Damn!" He cursed himself. Chloe was vulnerable. He knew that and didn't want to take advantage of her, but he couldn't help wanting to be with her. He leaned against the counter top, breathing deeply, looking at his state of undress. He picked up his boxers from the floor and did his best to put them on. He picked up his shirt, dripping with water, and decided it was best to leave it alone. He found his jeans and again lifted them over his erection, willing it to go away. Nixing on the tea, Brady grabbed a couple of glasses and filled them with Coke. Bringing them into the living room, he set them on the coffee table and waited for Chloe to come back.

Chloe put on her pajamas and walked back into the living room, immediately sitting next to Brady and leaning against his stronger frame.

"I'm sorry----about before."

"I understand. Besides, we're not ready."

Brady looked down at her and smiled, impressed by their level of understanding.

"Remember how you said we had to start sharing ourselves with each other before we could move on?"

Brady nodded.

"Well, I want to tell you something," Chloe told him, taking in a deep breath.

"Go ahead."

"Do you remember that guy, the one that hit me?"

"Chloe, how could I forget?"

"Oh, right. You got hurt too."

"That's not what I meant. I could never forget or forgive anyone for doing that to you. Before, when we ran into this guy and he hurt you, I wanted to know who he was, but you told me you weren't ready, and I let it go. This time, I want the truth."

Chloe blushed deep scarlet. "Well, there's something I think you should know about him. About who he is-----was to me," she corrected herself.

"I'm listening."

"His name was Derek. Remember how I told you I was an orphan?"

He nodded, looking her intently in the eyes.

"Well, he lived with me in one of the houses I stayed at, and we were----friends. He was always there for me, so I guess he was kind of like an older brother."

"That's all he was to you?"

"No," she said, looking down at her hands.

"Do you know what jail is like, Brady? Sitting in a tiny cell, all day, every day. Night after night, alone."

"I can't say that I do. What is this about?"

"All you have is yourself and your thoughts. You start thinking crazy thoughts and believing them. You conspire. You feel like you're being choked, and sometimes you are. You go insane, Brady. Do you get that?"

"I get it, but what does that have to do with you?"

"That's where Derek's been for the past four years, and now he's coming back for me. I used to visit him. I watched him lose it, become even more violent than he was."

"Chloe, why did you go see him if he hurt you so badly?"

"I'm weak, Brady. I had to go to him. I had to see him. He was all I had."

"What was he in for?"

"Petty theft, grand auto, possession and distribution of an illegal substance, assault and battery, you name it. He's dangerous, Brady. He wants me back, and I'm so scared. I don't know what to do," Chloe confessed, letting a tear trickle down her cheek unnoticed.

"I'll help you. Don't worry."

"You don't understand, Brady. He really is nuts. When we were kids, I always knew that he was a little strange, but it wasn't until I was older that I realized what kind of sicko he was."

"He was your lover?"

"My first," she admitted, ashamed. "I didn't know what to do. He helped me out so much I couldn't refuse him anything. I was young then, Brady, and so innocent. I was naïïve. I didn't know..."

"Are you saying...?"

"No, he didn't rape me, if that's what you want to know. But he was very demanding. I didn't know what a real relationship was supposed to be like. I'd never even seen a happy couple growing up. He cared for me, honestly. And he helped me out a lot. Whenever things were getting rough at a new foster home, he was there to help me break out."

"So he figures you owe him something?"

"I told him I'd wait for him until he got out of prison. But he left me with no money, no home and no future. I had nowhere to turn. No place to go. Until I got a job with this nice family. For the first time in my life, I was doing things for myself, and I was happier than I'd ever been. I was a nanny for these kids, and I just fell in love with the entire family."

"Oh yeah, the place we brought the puppies right?"

"Yeah, that's it. But something happened that I couldn't predict."

"What?" Brady asked, concerned, the fear growing inside him for Chloe's safety.

"I fell in love with another man."

Brady took in a deep breath, finding it hard to hear Chloe talk so passionately about someone else. "He doesn't have to know. Just don't tell him."

"He already knows," Chloe cried.

"How could he possibly know? He was in jail all this time. Unless he had someone following you." Brady looked at her, chuckling at the prospect, but saw that she was still quite serious. "He has someone follow you?"

Chloe nodded. "I didn't know it at the time, but he knows everything. When you grow up with no family, you become very close to people who are just like you. His friends, they'd do anything for him."

"What do you mean anything?"

"At the house where I was employed lived a very powerful man. I thought he could protect me. I thought I was finally safe. But I put him and his entire family in danger. His name was Tony Scalenta."

"The mob boss?"

"Yes,"" Chloe answered, looking away.

"Holy fucking shit, this is serious, Chloe. But didn't he..."

"Die? Yes, in my arms," she told him quietly.

"Chloe?"

"He had him killed, Brady. Just like that----he killed him. It didn't matter what I did. I couldn't save him. I tried. He just died right there. There was so much blood. I'd never seen that much blood. So now you know all my secrets, Brady," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes, not daring to look at him. "You must think I'm such a bad person."

"I could never think that," Brady told her, emotion cracking his voice. He wrapped his arms protectively over Chloe.

"I just wanted someone to love me. I've made so many mistakes. I never meant for any of it to happen, but it did, and I can't change it. I have nightmares all the time. I can see it so clearly in my dreams. There was so much blood. I couldn't stop it. I tried so hard, but he didn't make it."

"Shh," he soothed, running his fingers through her hair. "It's not your fault."

"He would be alive if it wasn't for me."

"You didn't do anything wrong. Stop it. You couldn't have known."

"I should've seen it coming. I knew how insane Derek was. I should have seen it."

"Chloe, even if you had known, there was nothing you could have done to stop it. You have to stop blaming yourself and move on."

"I can't. I feel it happening all over again. He's coming for me. I know this time he won't stop until one of us is dead."

"Please, don't talk like that. I won't let him hurt you, I promise."

"I want to believe that," she sighed, meshing herself into his chest, resting her head against his shoulder.

Brady brought his arms around her and held her close to him. She was so precious, so soft in his arms. The thought that someone wanted to hurt her boggled his mind.

"I just wanted someone to love me," she murmured.

Soon, her sobs were replaced by heavy breaths. Brady looked down at her, realizing she had fallen asleep. It had taken so little for her when she was enveloped in his arms. The calming rise and fall of her chest made his heart grow weak for her. Gently, he took her still cradled against his chest and leaned back on the sofa, so they were both lying. He touched the side of her face, small even strokes against her creamy white skin. It felt right, and it soothed her as she relaxed into him, letting go of the tension in her body. Oddly enough, the light ministrations were comforting to him too. When he touched her, he knew he had a purpose. To protect her, to let her need him. And even to love her?

Just as he broached the subject with himself, the door burst open to wild hoots of laughter. Brady put up his hand from the couch, so Belle and Mimi would quiet their antics. They had been drinking. He could already tell. Not that he could condemn them. He had done his own fair share of it over the past little while, not even socially.

Brady eased Chloe off of him, and she whimpered slightly at the loss of his warmth. He stood, looking down at her, looking so small and yet so strong. After all he had learned about her, he still couldn't believe how incredibly brave she had been, and it made him shudder at his own inadequacy. True, he had faced things many of his peers hadn't, but he hadn't gone through anything quite as painful as Chloe had. He took a deep breath, expelling it slowly, thinking how selfish he had been. Shutting her out when he should have thanked the good Lord for sending someone who was truly amazing his way. Taking the afghan from the back of the couch, he lightly placed it over Chloe, tucking her in and sealing her forehead with a kiss.

Belle and Mimi just watched, unsure really what to do. Brady turned to face them, not the least bit embarrassed. Chloe was more to him than he ever realized before, and he was simply taking care of her, like she needed to be. Coming from around the couch, he met them at the door. They took off their jackets and high heels, while Brady started in on them with questions.

"Have you been drinking? Was Jared with you? Why were you out so late?"

"Only a little, Brady. Don't be so uptight," Belle giggled.

"And Jared stayed with us the whole time," Mimi cut in.

Brady was not amused, and he pressed his fingers to his lips, warning them to keep their voices down.

"Oh, sorry," they both said, almost in unison.

"Well, fine. Did you at least have fun?"

"Yeah, we had a blast. Mimi and Jared tore up the dance floor. Didn't ya, Meems?"

Mimi nodded and couldn't help her face from turning a slight shade of pink. "Everything was so awesome. I swear I love New York. Well, I guess we could have done without that creepy guy, though."

"What creepy guy?" Brady's brow furrowed.

"Just some guy that seemed to be staring at us all night. It was nothing. Don't worry about it."

"You sure?"

"We're home safe, aren't we?"

"Yeah, and drunk. I'll have to thank Jared for that one in the morning."

"Oh, Brade, lighten up!" Belle said, rolling her eyes. "Come on, Meems. Let's go to bed." Mimi just followed Belle, as she dragged her down the hall to Brady's room.

Brady watched them go and almost smiled, but caught a glimpse of Chloe and was brought back to their present situation. Walking back over to the couch, he took up his position beside her again. Quickly, she wrapped her arms around him in her sleep and relaxed back into him, content. "I won't let him hurt you," he whispered in the darkness, entwining his fingers with hers, letting his other hand run through her silky hair.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Brady woke early, lazily opening his eyes to find Chloe still beside him. He smiled down at her and lightly brushed his lips against her cheek.

Chloe eyes fluttered open, and she smiled up at him. "Morning."

"Sleep well?" he asked, stretching.

Chloe nodded, trying to suppress a yawn.

"Do you want something to eat?"

"Pancakes!" Chloe told him excitedly.

Brady laughed at her excitement and made motions to leave the warm confines of the couch.

"Extra syrup!" Chloe bellowed enthusiastically.

Brady turned to face her and could only laugh at the cute expression on her face. Her hair a tangled mess and her pajamas slightly wrinkled, she looked very much like a child. "Anything for the Diva," Brady laughed, turning towards the kitchen when he felt a pillow zoom by his head.

Chloe laughed at the unbelievable expression he wore on his face.

"You're awfully frisky this morning," he told her, picking the pillow off the ground and tossing it back towards her.

"It just feels really good not to have any more secrets," Chloe admitted, now quite serious.

"It does, doesn't it?" he asked rhetorically and continued on into the kitchen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh, I have never felt this bad in my life," Belle mumbled, holding her head, while Mimi followed equally distressed.

"Serves you right. Both of you. Breakfast is on the table."

"Oh, pancakes!"

"Hurry up and eat. Since you slept in, we'll have to high tail it to the airport if you want to catch your flight."

Mimi and Belle sat down across from each other, joining Chloe at the table.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Standing at the gate waiting to board the plane, Brady took Belle in his arms, hugging her small body against his contrasting tall, lean frame.

"I wish I didn't have to go," she cried. "I've really missed you, Brady."

"Next time you visit, you'll have to stay longer. Maybe you can even bring Shawn."

"I'd like that. I'm glad you have someone to take care of you. Chloe's good for you. Don't ever take her for granted."

"I won't," he said, smiling down at her. He released her, and Mimi settled into his outstretched arms next. "I heard Jared is planning on making a trip down to see you."

"Yeah. He's really a great guy, you know?"

"I know. You've made him happy."

"He makes me happy, too," Mimi told him, stepping back from the hug.

All the while, Belle had latched onto Chloe and pulled her into a hug also. "Chloe, I'm so happy that you're here. Please, take good care of Brady for me."

"I will."

"Oh, and Chloe, thanks for being there for him."

"You're welcome," she said sincerely. "But he's been there for me a lot, too."

Their flight was announced over the speakers, but before they could leave, Belle had to give her older brother one last hug. She tried hard not to cry, but it happened anyway. Brady felt the familiar moisture in his eyes when he saw her, but he willed his tears not to fall.

"I hate goodbyes," Belle whispered.

"Me too. Go on now, or you'll miss your flight."

"Bye!" Mimi and Belle yelled as they ran down the terminal.

"I guess it's just you and me." Brady smiled wickedly at Chloe.

"I guess so."

"I couldn't have asked for better company. So what do you want to do?" he prompted.

"Anything."

"Then let's go!" he laughed and then did something she never expected.

Reaching down, he took her hand in his. It was a simple gesture, but not one Brady made often, and it meant they had made strides in their relationship. She had opened up to him, and he had understood. Over the past few days, with the help of his menacing sister, they had discovered parts of themselves that they had denied for a long time. Realizing that the people that fell into their lives were there for a reason. Brady wanted to stop pushing Chloe away from him, and she wanted to let him. She wanted to be honest, and so did he.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They stopped at a bench as they strolled the park later that day. Brady had been so tender all day. He even shared with her some of his troubled childhood, and she had listened intently, lightly stroking the back of his hand as words dripped from his mouth that he hadn't spoken to anyone. It had been so hard to tell anyone about his loneliness he felt as a child, but not Chloe. Partly because she understood, because she had been there, and partly because he wanted to. He wanted to share everything with her, and he felt like a complete idiot for not realizing it sooner. It was just so hard to let anyone in when no one usually gave a damn to begin with. Even the occasional silences between them were warm, not uncomfortable like one would think, but almost reflective as they took in each other''s lives.

Then, for the second time in the span of twenty-four hours, Brady did another remarkable thing. He pulled back her long brown hair from the slope of her ear, gently kissing behind it, working his way to her waiting mouth. Her full, quivering, bottom lip was met with an open, intimate kiss. It wasn't harsh or rash like before. It wasn't rushed or heated with desire, but soft and sweet. With a simple soft touch of his lips to hers, he made a commitment that he could never take back. With that one tender kiss, he had shown her exactly what she had guessed.

Brady Black did care for her, and not just as a sex object. It wasn't that kind of kiss. It was a kind caress of lips that told her he needed her. He didn't want her to leave, no matter how much he pushed her away or how far a distance he put between them. He showed her how he yearned for her with the simplest of kisses, the most intimate of gestures. He showed her he loved her.