Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters Collection (121 page)

Matt and I stand in the hallway in shock for a few minutes after they wheel Brad away. He finally pulls me into a hug and completely breaks down. It’s his turn to cry and I hold him, stroking his hair, thinking how scared he must’ve been, must still be. Eventually, he pulls away to get us some celebratory coffee while we wait.

I call and update Fran, who’s on her way, and keep checking my watch as we wait with our nasty hospital coffee for Brad to come back. It seems to take forever. How long can a scan take? Another half hour goes by and we finally see him being rolled down the hall. I stand up and hold his hand, walking with him as the nurses wheel him back into the room.

I kiss his cheek gently. “I’ll be right back, babe, I want to talk to the doctors.”

I walk back outside and join Matt.

“The scan was clear. There’s no more bleeding and all of his vitals look good. We’re going to move him up to a regular room in the morning. We just want to monitor him here overnight. He’ll probably be in the hospital for a few more days, just to be on the safe side.” Relief washes over me. He’s really going to be okay.

Matt lets out a huge sigh of relief. I hug him and feel relieved not only for myself, but for him as well. “He’s okay,” I whisper in his ear.

Matt goes to make some calls. I don’t actually think he has to call anyone, but just wants to give Brad and me some time alone. He’s so thoughtful.

Walking back in to the hospital room, Brad cracks a smile. “Come here, baby.”

Tears I’ve been holding in slide down from my eyes. I sit as close to Brad as possible, my head resting on his shoulder, and I feel him stroking my hair. I missed him so much. “I was so scared,” I whisper. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Ever so quietly, he says, “I’m not going anywhere. We superheroes are invincible.”

I smile and I’m surprised I remember what it feels like. It’s the first real one I’ve had in over a week. Brad’s eyes begin to close. He looks so drained. We both fall asleep until I feel someone nudge me on the shoulder. It’s Matt and he’s smiling for the first time, too.

“He’s really going to be okay, Gabby.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

BRAD��S HOSPITAL ROOM is an improvement from the Intensive Care Unit he was in until a few days ago. The nurse came in and removed all of his tubes and monitors, with the exception of the IV, so he’s much more comfortable. He’s still sleeping, so I take a moment to watch him. He looks so peaceful. Those long lashes fanning his face, that crinkle in his forehead, those soft lips. God, I love him. Leaning forward, I lay my face on his chest so I can feel his warmth again.

I must’ve fallen asleep, because when my eyes open, I feel Brad’s fingers strumming my cheek. I sigh, relishing the feel of his hand, and look up. He looks so much better today. The bruises are finally fading and he looks more like himself. I’ve never been so happy to see him.

His eyes meet mine and I chuckle. “To think you were worried about me walking around the city by myself. Looks like you needed your own guardian angel.”

Brad looks at me with such emotion I feel like my heart’s going to burst. “I already have my guardian angel.” He drops a kiss on my nose.

Matt pokes his head in to see if Brad’s awake and joins us. He’s heading back to Los Angeles today. I’m kind of sorry to see him go. It’s been nice to have him here. “So listen, Bro, you better do exactly what the doctors tell you to do; no messing around.”

“I will, man.” Brad looks teary-eyed. It’s hard to say goodbye to your family. Especially if you actually like them.

Matt gives Brad the biggest hug. I’m so glad they have each other. Then he walks around the bed and pulls me into one.

Brad scowls. “Hey, watch it! You’ve stolen enough of my girlfriends.”

We both laugh, but not before Matt says quietly in my ear. “Take care of him, okay?”

With Matt gone, and the nurses no longer hovering, we’re finally alone. My lips reach up and smother Brad’s face with kisses. Mid-kiss, he stops me. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, baby.”

My face contorts in my favorite eight year-old pout. “Why not? I feel rejected.”

Brad points down at the bed with his index finger. “Let’s just put it this way. This is a very thin hospital sheet, and I wouldn’t want to give the nurses an eyeful.”

I laugh. “Hmmm…true. But how about I lock the door, and you can give me an eyeful right now?”

He laughs. A rich, full laugh that I’ve missed and that reminds me why I love him. “Don’t tempt me, baby.”

Just then, Fran barges through the door. “Hey, lovebirds! I’ve come with an offering of coffee and...” she pauses and eyes Brad’s crotch. “Whoa. If I’d known you’d be this happy to see me, I would’ve come sooner.”

I throw an empty dishpan at her.

“Oh, and by the way Brad, your brother is freaking hot!” She ducks as my shoe flies past her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

BRAD’S COMING HOME from the hospital today. After five days of crappy hospital food and a really uncomfortable bed, he’s definitely ready. If we had trees in Manhattan, I’d say he’d be home just in time to see the fall foliage. The nurses are going to miss him, I’ve heard them giggling about him from time to time. It makes me laugh. He’s certainly not an eyesore around here.

When I walk into his room, he’s got a smile so big it makes my heart happy. He motions me over to the bed and I sit down by his side.

He takes my hand in his as he leans forward and reaches me with his lips. “Hi, baby.”

I look up at his lovely face and I’m suddenly filled with guilt. “I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

“It’s…my fault that you got hurt.”

Brad raises my face up to look at him. “Gabby, listen to me. It’s not your fault. Do you hear me?
It’s not your fault
.”

“But…”

Brad takes me in his arms and cradles me against his chest, stroking my hair with his fingers. “No, baby. It’s not your fault. It happened. It’s over and I’m fine. That’s all that matters.”

I swipe at my wayward tears. Brad lifts my face to his and grazes his thumb over my bottom lip. “Gabby, you didn’t hurt me, your love is what saved me.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

IT’S BEEN A MONTH since Brad left the hospital. He’s fully recovered and back at The Brew House. Digging through my purse, I find the note that Brad made me promise not to read until I got to work.

Dear Gabby,

I can’t wait to see you tonight, and show you with my body what I feel with my heart.

I love you.

Brad

I take a deep breath, running my fingers over the words
I love you
. I’m eternally grateful that I got another chance. It’s a miracle to get two chances at love, especially love like this.

I’m so excited about our date tonight that it’s hard to get through the day, especially after that note. I can’t wait to see him. The accident is behind us now and we can finally move forward. Together.

It’s really windy tonight, so I take a taxi to Brad’s apartment. I don’t want my hair plastered to my face when I get there. When the door to his apartment opens, I’m immediately warmed by the smooth trill of Jeff Buckley’s voice playing softly in the background. I can’t help but smile. It reminds me of our first dance.

I barely have a chance to get in the door when Brad grabs me. “Baby, dance with me.”

As if I could ever refuse him anything. “Sure.”

Brad pulls me to him, so close that I can feel his sweet breath massage my neck, the scent of him pulling me into a dizzying whirl. His fingers slowly brush my cheek as the warmth in his eyes wraps around my heart. He guides my hands to the back of his neck, the smooth strands of his dark hair tickling my fingertips. This moment here with Brad is like a dream, one I don’t want to wake from. But as his lips find mine, I know I’m not dreaming. He folds his arms around my waist and slips his warm tongue into my mouth, gliding over my teeth and sucking gently. The thin fabric of his polo shirt presses against my tender breasts, inciting tiny sprinkles of electricity and sparking my desire, a desire that only needs the nearness of him to be ignited.

Untangling his wet lips from mine, his tongue brushes the delicate shell of my ear as he makes his way to the curve of my neck. I let my head fall back and the feel of his heavy breath on my skin causes my heart to pound rapidly. A soft moan slips out. “
Brad
.”

The oven timer alerts us that something is ready in the oven. He whispers a curse then pauses for a moment and looks up into my eyes. “Hungry?” he breathes.

There’s only one thing I want right now, and food is definitely not it. “Not so much,” I whisper.

He leaves me, but only for a moment, to walk over to the oven. When he returns, he threads his fingers through mine and leads me down the hallway to his bedroom. Before we step inside, I’m rewarded with his soft, warm lips. “Wait here, baby.”

My anticipation builds and I’m suddenly grateful that I took Fran’s advice and wore my brand new Victoria’s Secret lacy black bra and matching underwear. I want to be sexy for him. In fact, I’ve never wanted anything more.

He sashays out of the bedroom, dreamy brown eyes alive with mischief, and motions for me to come in. When I enter, what I see takes my breath away. Candles alight the room. A trail of red rose petals lead to the bed, a single red rose on one of the pillows. Tears sting the back of my eyes at his thoughtfulness. It’s so romantic and perfect, just like him.

He walks over to me and I sweep the hair off his brow, my eyes taking in his beautiful face, looking up at him in wonder. “I can’t believe you did all this for me. Are you for real?”

He looks at me, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Baby, I’m about to show you just how real I am.” He grabs my hips, pulling me snugly against him, his erection pressing into my groin. His lips brush softly against mine. “Does that feel real to you? ‘Cause that’s what you do to me. You and only you.”

I wrap my fingers around the curve of his neck, drawing him in. His mouth inches closer to mine while his hands wander lazily down my skin, which is now burning for his touch. As his fingers begin to ease the bunched silk of my blouse up, our mouths find one another. His tongue traces the curve of my bottom lip, capturing it, sucking me into his mouth. I open my tender lips and he presses me more tightly against his toned body.

I pull my blouse over my head and feel the ridges of his defined chest press against the thin lace of my bra, unruly breaths leaking out as he pulls me hard against him. I can feel every inch of his arousal. Small moans escape my lips and I hear him gasp as he whispers, “I love you, Gabby.” The air leaves his mouth and bounces off my skin, continuing to taunt me, my nipples tightening deliciously. Slowly, he moves behind me and lifts the silky hair away from my bare shoulder, spreading soft, tender kisses across each delicate blade. His fingers make their way to the clasp of my bra, unhooking it, and I arch back against him as he reaches around and squeezes my full breasts and rolls his fingers over my nipples, which harden against his touch. He glides his hands down to unzip my skirt and it slides down my legs, leaving me covered only by the thin lace of my panties. Before I know it, I’m facing him, trying to control my now uncontrollable breaths.

Brad is staring at me, admiring me, loving me. “God, you’re so beautiful.”

I move closer to him and gently tug at his polo shirt so I can lift it over his head. His chest is smooth and muscular and I move my fingernails slowly across it, a sexy groan leaving his hot mouth. Bending down on my knees, I pull off his jeans, noticing he’s practically bursting out of his boxers.

He moves his mouth over mine tenderly before he slides his tongue inside and grabs me with his desire. Without ever leaving my lips, he walks with me until the back of my knees are touching his bed, then lowers me down gently. Never taking his eyes off mine, he eases my lace panties down my legs and I’m exposed, but not embarrassed. I want him to see me. All of me. Standing back up, Brad rids himself of the last bit of fabric covering his manhood. For the first time, I take my eyes off of his and glance down at his arousal, stirring the pot of desire deep in my belly. God, he’s so beautiful, inside and out.

He crawls onto the bed, pushing me back onto the pillows, and lifts himself over me as his tongue skims over my body setting me on fire. His wet lips surround my nipple, sucking gently as his fingers tease my other nipple and tiny whimpers fall from my lips. His tongue dives back into my mouth, our bodies pressed together like two intricate pieces of a puzzle. The feel of his heated skin against mine, coupled with his familiar scent and his warm, rapid breaths makes me ache for him. “I want to taste you,” he whispers. His words make me swollen and wet. He rolls his tongue down the dips of my neck. Trailing featherlight kisses from my breasts to my belly button, he moves lower and my hips arch into his warm mouth as I let out a strangled moan. His tongue flicks back and forth over my dampness, causing my eyelids to flutter closed and my head to fall back against the pillow. When he comes back up, his lips are glistening with my desire, his eyes filled with heat. Raising himself over me, he takes in the length of my body before returning to my face. “I love you, Gabby. Pull me inside you.” His voice is hoarse and full of emotion and I grab his erection and lead him into the deepest part of me.

I’m completely surrounded by his heat, by the feelings that seep through his veins. It’s like an infusion; he fills me with his love, and I’m lost.

He continues to push inside me, rocking his hips back and forth, back and forth. Brad whispers, “I love you, Gabby. I love you,” over and over again, his voice broken from passion.