Page 69 of Before We Were Us

“She gives me hope.” Somehow telling my mother that the woman lights me on fire from the inside out seems like a little much. So I stick with the more subtle version.

“She fits right in too.”

“Yeah she does. That should scare the hell out of me, because Naomi and Jenna are enough. But I love it, seeing them all together.” It’s almost like she’s known them both for years. But Brynn has the kind of personality that's impossible to hate.

“All I’ve ever wanted is to see all my children happy, the girls both have found good men, you and Brynn.” My mother sighs as she dries her hands on the dish towel. “Now if I could just get your brother to stop frolicking and find a good girl to settle down with.”

I laugh and reach out, placing my arm over her shoulders. Pulling her in close I offer her a side hug. “Mom, I hate to tell you this, but I’m not sure there is a woman out there that could tolerate Myles.” She laughs and smacks at my arm.

This triggers Brynn and the girls to look in our direction and I offer my beautiful girl a wink.

“Should we join them?” I ask as I lead her into the living room and spend the next hour listening to the four most important women in my life carry on like they’ve known one another a lifetime.

My mother is right, I am at peace.

“That went well.” Brynn yawns as we exit the elevator of her apartment building and start down the hallway leading to her place. “I think Jenna might be my kindred spirit.”

As we reach her door, she pulls her key out and I hook her waist and pull her around in front of me. Her eyes widen a fraction, until I back her up to the wall next to her door.

“You’re amazing.” She watches me, her eyes softening at my words. “You took me by storm baby, blew me off my feet,” I confess. “Not just tonight but every time I see you, it's like it happens all over again. You are incredible.”

She tips her head to the side, still watching me.

“I love you.” The words fall so freely. “I’m so in love with you.”

Suddenly Brynn is gripping my face, pulling me in close as her lips press to mine. For a few minutes I am lost in our kiss, until she pulls back and looks up at me.

“Please don’t hurt me,” Brynn whispers with a vulnerability I’ve rarely seen in her and it makes my heart ache. I swear she can bring me to my knees.

“Never.” I know I’ve made her doubt us and for that I will spend every day reassuring her of my feelings for her.

“I don’t think I could take it.” Her confession is hoarse as she fights her emotions.

“Baby, I promise you your heart is safe with me.” I offer her a soft kiss, as I rest my forehead to hers.

“Good,” Brynn takes a deep breath, “because I love you too.”

My body sags against hers, like I’ve been holding the weight of the world on my shoulders. With those words, she’s lifted the weight, she’s giving me more in these few minutes than I’ve ever had with any other woman before.

“Now, take me to bed and don’t let me leave the bedroom until I’m thoroughly loved.” I smile with my lips pressed to hers and take the keys from her hand. Working the lock loose, I pull her inside with me.

“My pleasure,” I whisper, walking her backwards down the hallway to her room. The apartment is dark, I assume Taylor has already gone to bed.

Closing and locking Brynn’s bedroom door behind us, I guide her to the bed and carefully lay her down.

With quick moments I remove my clothes until I am standing before her in nothing but my boxers. I watch in amazement as she does the same. My heartbeat is racing as I glide my hands up her thighs and she parts her legs. A small strip of silk separates me from where I want to be. Lowering to my knees, I hook the sides of her panties and begin to lower them. She lifts, allowing me to remove them completely and I toss them to the floor.

Bryan’s knees part once more and I look up to find her watching me. Her chest rises as she does everything to control her breathing. She wants this as badly as I do.

A connection, and completion to the words we just shared. This woman holds my heart in her hands.

Moving in closer, I kiss along her thigh and her back arches. The anticipation of what is to come almost more than she can take. Her hands fist the sheets at her sides and I gently drag the tip of my tongue over her, a gasp escapes her.

So sweet, so needy.

“Is this what you want, Brynn?” She nods her head, looking down at me as I move in closer, her eyes locked on my movements. I lick her slowly and suck softly on her clit causing her to buck her hips. Placing my palm against her hip, I do what I can to hold her in place as I give her exactly what she wants.

Tasting everything she has to offer, I push one finger inside of her and she calls out my name. Brynn’s hips move as she rides out the pleasure, her lips parted, her head thrown back. Everything about her reaction is so beautiful.

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