Saving Stella (5 page)

“Brayden will be coming for lunch
again today, what should I get?”

Her face lit up like a Christmas
tree. Oh lord, had I just made a mistake asking her for help?

“Are you telling me that
delicious man is coming back? I don’t know if my heart can take it Stella. He’s
just so… Ugh there are no words! My panties melt every time he walks in the
door. I just wana strip my clothes off and worship at
the
alter
that is his incredible body.”

“Woe, down girl. You’re getting a
bit carried away there sweetie. I’ll admit Brayden is something to look at but,
worship at his alter? You sound like a stalker in the making Bianca. You might
want to tone it down a little.”

“I’d stalk him any time, I mean
it Stella, if you need some recon done, I’m your girl.”

“Okay, you’re starting to freak
me out a little there sweetie. Just try focusing on lunch. What should I get?
He brought a lovely lunch on Monday. Maybe I should just get the same thing.
Can you run down to the deli for me and pick up a few sandwiches and a salad or
two. Oh and get some of those chocolate covered strawberries.”

She was already on her way out
the door by the time id finished talking. She may have been quirky at times,
but she was efficient.

Brayden had already arrived by
the time Bianca got back. We were sitting on the lounge in my office waiting on
her when she walked in. She stood there, stock still staring at him with her
big brown eyes popped right open. Like a deer stuck in head lights. It was
quite funny. I had to clear my throat to get her attention.

Her head snapped in my direction.
She plopped the paper bag from the deli down on the coffee table and scurried
out of my office without a word.

Brayden and I both started
laughing once the door clicked closed.

Our conversation flowed smoothly,
without any flip outs on my part. I felt safe and comfortable with him.
 
My attraction to him was growing by the
minute. The sexual tension in the air was stifling. I wanted him to touch me,
but at the same time I wasn’t sure if I was ready yet.

“What are you thinking Stella?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re thinking about something
really hard. You tilt your head off to the side and sometimes you even chew on
your lip when you do it. So, what are you thinking?”

“I do not! I was just thinking
about how nice this is. It’s nice having someone to talk to about mundane
things. Fergus isn’t really the talking type.”

“Who the hell is Fergus?!?”

I couldn’t help the laugh that
bubbled up from my stomach.

“Settle down, Fergus is my dog.”

“Oh.”

“Yea, Oh.
You’re getting all uppity over a dog.”

“I was not getting uppity. I’ve
already told you, you’re my lady. Then you go talking about this Fergus, give a
guy a break, how was I to know he was your dog? This is the first time I’ve
ever felt like this about anyone, you’re going to have to cut me some slack.”

I smirked at him, he was so cute.
Cute isn’t really one of the words you would usually use when describing
Brayden, more like drool worthy or sex on a stick as Bianca would say. But
right now, getting all snooty about Fergus, it was just plain cute.

“What are you smirking about
hey?”

“Nothing, you’re just so cute.”

“Cute? Are you trying to insult
me woman!”

“What’s wrong with being cute?”

“Nothin if you’re a boy, but I’m
a man damn it and you’re insulting my manliness.”

“I’m terribly sorry.”

“Good, you should be.”

The rest of our
time when by all too quickly, I wanted to ask if I could see him again but I
chickened out.
So much for my bravery.

I actually mopped for the first
time in my life that afternoon. I missed his company. My numbers were no longer
providing the comfort they used to. I just missed him.

We had a connection I couldn’t
explain. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to spend with him. I
never imagined I would feel this comfortable with a man. I felt like I could be
myself with him. I knew he wouldn’t judge me by my past. I already felt so
close to him.

By Saturday afternoon I was
missing him terribly. He had sent me a few texts through the week and after he
left on Friday, getting them made my days bearable. Then we talked on the phone
at night for over an hour. Now I was pacing in my bedroom trying to find the
courage to ask him over to my apartment.

Brayden

I was getting antsy. I had only
seen Stella yesterday on our lunch date but I already missed her face. I
decided I had to see her tonight, I just didn’t know how to make that happen.
She had already told me she wasn’t up for going out. I was racking my brain
trying to figure out what to do when my phone went off signalling I had a
message. It was Stella.

I didn’t think she would be the
first to contact me yet, but I was damn happy about it. My fingers shook as I
slid one across the screen to unlock it. I don’t do nervous, what the hell was
wrong with me?

‘Hi, I umm was wondering if you have any plans tonight? I know it’s a
Saturday night and you’re probably busy, just thought I’d ask.’

Even if I had plans I would have cancelled
them. I’d cancel anything if it meant spending time with Stella.

‘Nope, no plans. What did you have in mind?’

Twenty minutes later she still
hadn’t replied. Maybe she was having second thoughts about asking me. Or maybe
she was expecting me to have plans? Another ten minutes, and still nothing. I
was starting to worry.

‘Stella, are you okay? We don’t have to do anything. We can just chat,
like the other night. If you’d like?’

‘No, no I’m fine. I umm, I was going to see if you would like to come
to my place, maybe watch a movie?’

‘Are you sure Stella? I can wait until you’re more comfortable with
me.’

‘I’m sure. I’ll be fine.’

‘You don’t sound so sure, but I can’t say no. I wouldn’t miss an opportunity
to spend time with you. Send me your address and I’ll be there in an hour.’

Stella sent me her address and I
hurried to get ready.

Stella

I can’t believe I actually did
it. I asked a man to come to my home. I’ve never had a man here. Never. I must
be crazy. What the hell was I thinking!! I can’t do this. Oh God, I should tell
him not to come, that I’ve changed my mind. My palms were sweating, I was
pacing around my bedroom flexing my fingers. I was sure I was going to throw up
at any moment.

Then I heard a brisk knock come
from my front door. Oh Lord, he was here. I looked down at myself and realised
I was still in my bra and panties I had put on when I got out of the shower,
and nothing else.

I called out in a shaky voice
that I would just be a moment and hurried to find some clothes. I found a pair
of comfortable leggings and a long sweater that sat just below my butt. Then I
hurried to the door, stepping up to my tippy toes I looked through the peep
hole, there he was, in all his masculine glory. I think I started to drool a
little.

I wiped my hand across my mouth
just in case before opening the door.

I stood there frozen in place,
just staring at him. I felt a fool but I couldn’t make myself move. My eyes
roved over his beautiful face, down his impressive chest that was encased in a
long sleeved black t-shirt that looked a size too small the way it hugged his
torso. I continued my perusal of his amazing body, he wore a pair of dark jeans
that sat low on his hips, if he were to move just so I would catch a glimpse of
the V that I knew led below the waist band of those jeans. He cleared his throat,
effectively snapping me out of my daze.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Come in.”

I stepped back holding open my
front door for him to come through. He was so broad that even with my back
pressed against the wall his large bicep grazed my breasts on his way past me,
my nipples stood to attention immediately. What was wrong with me! I can’t
remember ever reacting like this to such a simple touch. An accidental touch at
that.

I closed and locked the door out
of habit, before squeezing past Brayden’s large body to lead him into the main
living area. I had a small apartment, I liked it like that, very basic.
Dividing my kitchen and dining area from my lounge room was a half wall I had
painted metallic silver, with photos and trinkets I had collected over the
years sitting on the top.

My heart felt like it would beat
out of my chest it was beating so hard and fast. I had a man in my apartment,
the realization took my breath away. I didn’t know what to do. My mind wouldn’t
focus. It was racing a mile a minute. I had a man in my apartment. One I was
apparently attracted to. That little revelation made my heart stop, and then
take off at an alarming rate. My hand flew to my chest above my heart; I bent
over and started heaving for air.

This was not my first panic
attack. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to focus on calming myself down and
slowing my breathing before I started to hyperventilate. Before I knew what was
happening I was wrapped in strong arms being carried to my couch. If I listened
really hard I could hear a strong yet kind voice murmuring soothing words in my
ear. I began to relax into his hold. My breathing calmed and my heart beat
slowed.

I don’t know how long we sat like
that. It could have been hours, it could have been minutes. I was spent.
 
Panic attacks always left me exhausted. I
curled into his warmth, and he wrapped his arms tighter around me. I’d never
felt so safe. In that moment I knew, Brayden Brooks was going to change my
life.

Brayden

I sat there on Stella’s couch
with her wrapped up in a little ball in my lap. She was so tiny. Whatever had
just happened to her scared the hell out of me. I did the only thing I could
think to do; I picked her up and just held her. Whispering what I hoped were
soothing words. I almost called an ambulance, but she started to settle so I
just waited it out, holding her close.

Her body started to relax and she
snuggled right into me, clutching at my shirt with her tiny hands. I held her
tighter, as tight as I could without hurting her. She seemed so small and
delicate. I just wanted to keep her wrapped up in my arms, keep her safe.

I have to talk to Sloan, I have
to find out what happened to this girl who was quickly taking over my every
waking thought, she’s even starring in my dreams. Whatever had changed her,
made her this way, I wanted to fix it.

I looked down at her now peaceful
face, her breathing had evened out, I was pretty sure she was sleeping. I can
only imagine going through something like that would be pretty tiring. I’ve
never experienced anything like it myself, and I’ve never seen it happen to
anyone before either. I was totally out of my element here.

I slipped one hand into my
pocket, careful not to wake Stella, and pulled out my phone. I switched my
phone to silent then sent Sloan a text.

‘Come to Stella’s NOW.’

‘What did you do? I’ll kick your ass if your hurt her!’

‘I didn’t do anything, she asked me over, I got here and she skitzed
out. I’ve settled her but now I don’t know what to do. Just come.’

I’ll be there in 15.’

Thank God. Help was on the way.

True to her word, Sloan showed up
and let herself in fifteen minutes later. If the scowl on her face was anything
to go by, I was on her shit list.

Sloan

When I walked into Stella’s
apartment the first thing I saw was Bray sitting on her couch hunched over. I
didn’t see Stella though. I was about to lose my shit. I rounded the couch
ready to rip him a new one, until I saw a sleeping Stella wrapped up in his
arms. She’s alright. I still wanted to yell at him, but I settled for harsh
whispering instead. I didn’t want to wake Stella up.

“What the fuck happened?”

“I don’t know, I had only just
arrived. We walked in and all of a sudden she grabbed her chest, bent over and
started breathing really hard.”

“Did you touch her?”

“What? No, I told you, we had
just walked in. I hadn’t even had a chance to say anything to her before it
happened. It freaked me the fuck out!”

“Yea, it can be pretty scary.
She’s ended up in hospital before.”

“What was it? I’ve never seen
anything like it.”

“A panic attack. She’s been
having them for a few years now. How did you get her to sleep?”

“I picked her up and brought her
over here. I’ve just been holding her. I don’t know, trying to reassure her. It
took a little while, but she calmed down, and went to sleep. That’s when I
texted you. What do I do now? I don’t want to move and wake her, but I get the
feeling she might not be cool with waking up in my arms. And I don’t want to
leave her either.”

I couldn’t help the smug
expression that came over my face. He had fallen for my sister.

“She’ll be out for a good hour or
so, they wipe her out. She hasn’t had one for a while, and it sounds like this
was a decent one. Just lay her on the couch for now. I'll get her a blanket.”

I walked down the small hall way
to her spare room and got a blanket out of the wardrobe in there. Before I
walked out I heard a whimpering noise. I turned around but I didn’t see anything,
yet there it was again, a very distinct whimper. Of course, I hadn’t seen
Fergus when I walked in. I called his name softly and he came crawling out from
under the bed.

“Hey buddy. Some protector you
turned out to be ha.”

I scooped him up in my arms and
left the room, Fergus and Blanket in hand. When I walked back into the lounge
room Bray was still sitting in the same position he was when I walked in. I
came around and sat next to him draping the blanket over the back of the couch.
He was staring at Stella. I knew that look.