Beyond Doubt (33 page)

“You’ll never lose me like that. Ever.”

“When I was on the plane I realized I would be willing to feel that type of pain tenfold rather than be without you. To have you think I didn’t love you…”

I kissed him softly as the tears began to fall.

“I love you, Brandy, more than I ever knew I could love anyone. I’ll never be able to make you forget the hurt I caused you, but I beg for your forgiveness. I should have told you sooner. I should have worked harder on finding a replacement. All of it. You were right. But I think I was using it as an escape because I knew I was falling so deeply in love with you that—” he stopped himself.

“That what?” I whispered.

“That I could never live in this world without you. You’re my soul mate.”

Our faces were only inches apart as his words settled over me. He slowly began to remove my dress. His eyes sparkled as his gaze fell down my body. I looked down and began fidgeting as if it were the first time he had taken me in.

“Are you sure this time—”

“I’ve got everything under control. Believe it or not.”

“Do you have to go back?” I murmured.

“No. I gave up my position.”

“You what?”

“I quit.”

“But why?”

“My dad was being a hard-ass and life’s too short. I’ve got some other ideas that I want to develop.”

“What about—”

“If you keep asking questions, I just might blindfold you and make you sit still until I’m done with you,” he said, skating kisses across my belly.

“Is that necessarily a bad thing?” I asked innocently enough.

He smiled and turned my chin slightly. His lips brushed mine softly, sending a quiver of longing through me as he teased me with his mouth with the power he held over me. That same power that kept me coming back for more, no matter what life threw at me, at us.

“I’d be careful what you wish for,” he said, his voice low.

“Is that so?” I asked, sliding down the bed. I wrapped my arm around his neck, but he pinned me to the bed. His lips parted slightly as his mouth traveled up my arm, to my shoulder.

“You’re absolutely beautiful,” he whispered, tracing his right hand along my thigh.

I shifted slightly, attempting to kiss him, but he restrained me gently by moving forward.

“You control so much in your life. Everything is so perfectly orchestrated,” he murmured.

I let out a small moan of pleasure as his fingers continued gliding along my thigh.

“And I think it’s time you allowed me to show you another way,” he said. “No more games. Ever.”

I slowly nodded as he brought his mouth back up to mine, his tongue diving deeper in search of quenching the need we both craved to find our forever.

I was arranging the bowls in the kitchen, trying to keep track of everything. I wanted Aaron to remember this Thanksgiving for the rest of our lives together. Gabby and Jason were on their way over and so were my parents and brothers. Aaron’s parents were in Utah visiting Carla’s elderly parents, which was kind of a relief considering the shows she put on for simple dinners. I already had enough stress wanting to make today perfect for Aaron and didn’t want to think about trying to impress the almost in-laws. I wasn’t quite ready for the Carla whirlwind.

I glanced at the clock and knew I was cutting it close. I had to get the turkey in the oven or we’d be eating at midnight. The turkey was brined and ready to go. I needed a little help shoving it into the oven. Ever since my accident, I still hadn’t been allowed to carry things that were too heavy and bending was sometimes a problem, especially if I was holding something.

“Aaron,” I hollered. “I need help getting Henry in the oven.”

“Who the hell’s Henry?” he asked, coming into the kitchen, wearing his red plaid pajama bottoms. I couldn’t have made this moment more picture perfect if I tried. His hair was still stuck up in several different directions, and the dimple in his cheek was absolutely adorable.

“Henry is the wonderful bird who is allowing us to feast on him for our glorious Thanksgiving dinner.” I adjusted my flannel nightshirt under my apron and grinned.

“Jesus! Naming the poultry doesn’t really make it all that enticing,” he laughed. “Besides, how do you know it’s not Henrietta?”

I turned around and scowled at him. “Just stick it in the oven, big shot.”

He grabbed the large roasting pan and shoved the bird in the already warm oven as I began slicing the sweet potatoes for my mom’s famous sweet potato casserole. The corn pudding was already assembled in the fridge. All I had to do was pop it in the oven about an hour before the turkey was ready. I made the garlic mashers yesterday and only had to warm them up. So really, I just needed to focus on starting the appetizers.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was on in the background as I grabbed a cutting board and took in this moment of bliss.

“Your hair is so cute that way,” I said, glancing at Aaron.

“So is yours.” His smile was gorgeous as he spoke but not as beautiful as the words he said.

I ran my fingers through my hair, which was still in its grow-out stage, and felt the bursts of hair that were sticking straight up. There were only a few places that were shaved and during the day I was able to strategically place my hair so that no one would even see the gaps. However, that definitely wasn’t the case first thing in the morning.

“Thank you.”

He grabbed the remote and switched the stereo on, blocking out the parade.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I teased. “We’re going to miss something.”

“Like a turkey float falling over? The occasion calls for some old school celebrations,” he laughed. The next thing I knew Beastie Boys was blaring through the speakers.

“Finger Licking Good?” I started laughing.

“Ah-uh,” he said, mimicking the song.

“Oh. My. God. What is the return policy on you?” I teased.

Aaron wrapped his arms around my waist just as I tugged on his pajama bottoms. “There. That’s better,” I laughed, admiring how low I teased the pajamas without him catching on. Or so I thought.

“Is that all you want from me?”

“Not all, but—”

He softly kissed me before letting go to turn off the Beastie Boys. “I’m gonna go shower.”

“That’s a shame.”

He smiled and shook his head as he left the kitchen.

Curse these appetizers!

I grabbed the package of tortillas and began spreading the cream cheese mixture over the first tortilla to make the roast beef rollups.

“Forget this,” I said tossing the half-done roll-up on the cutting board.

I heard the shower water come on upstairs and began making my way up the steps. Not every stair was my friend, but I knew the more I did it the better I’d be. Besides the payoff was worth it. As I made it to our bedroom, I saw the steam rolling out of the bathroom and tossed my nightshirt on the bed.

“Room for one more?” I asked, watching him stand under the shower.

“Always,” he said, opening the glass door of the shower.

Stepping inside the shower, I watched his gaze follow along my body as I grabbed the soap and slowly began rubbing it along his chest.

“That feels nice,” he murmured.

My hands continued moving lower and lower until I felt him in my palms. He let out a quiet moan as I gripped him more firmly. Looking into his eyes, he removed the soap from my hands and began to glide the bar along my breasts and stomach, lowering with each circular motion. His free arm cradled me next to him as he gently pressed me against the tile wall.

My heart was beating so quickly as he continued the quick circular motions, and his lips followed along my collarbone. Slowing as he got to my breasts, my body trembled as his mouth traced over each curve.

I ran my hands along his back as he lifted me up the wall. The water pounded on us both as our bodies joined together and a cry of happiness escaped from my lips. This was definitely a holiday to remember.

Our house was filled with family and friends and the amazing aromas of Thanksgiving drifted through the air.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
was on the television, and I was just happy to be in the moment.

I looked around the dining room table and felt so grateful to be surrounded by family and friends.

“I loved Onyx. Remember
Slammed
?” I asked Gabby.

She nodded her head and popped another cracker in her mouth.

Jason started cracking up and looked over at Aaron who was shaking his head.

“How old were you? Like two?” Aaron asked, his eyes narrowing. “How could you remember it?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe three. Blame my brothers.”

Mason and Ayden started laughing. “Yeah. It is our fault.”

Aaron grabbed a dinner roll and passed the basket to Gabby. “How so?”

“We performed it in third grade for the talent show at our school.”

Gabby burst into laughter. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“Yep. It’s true. So my poor developing mind had it memorized before I even hit kindergarten. I think I even got written up for singing it.”

My mom and dad started laughing, and I knew they remembered it too.

“That’s not the only thing you got written up for,” my dad chimed in.

“Really?” Aaron asked, grinning.

“I talked a lot back then.”

“Back then?” Gabby teased.

“You know…I think we even have video of it. I think the moment one of you find that special someone, it’s time to bring out the footage. You should have seen how they dressed,” I said, not letting my brothers off the hook.

Mason threw a piece of dinner roll at me and it landed in my gravy. I plucked it out of the gravy and began aiming.

“Don’t you dare,” my mom said. “It’s Thanksgiving for crying out loud.”

I looked around the dining room table and felt overcome with emotion as I saw everyone enjoying this moment. It was hard to believe that I almost didn’t make it to be here. I took a bite of the roll that was covered in gravy and glanced down at my plate.

“You okay, baby?” Aaron whispered as the rest of the family continued talking about grade school memories.

“Yeah. Just tears of joy,” I said, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. “I love you. I’m very grateful to be here.”

Aaron’s breath caught, and I watched him swallow hard. “You make the world a better place. I couldn’t imagine living on this earth without you here by my side.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that,” I whispered.

“Okay, you love birds. Enough already,” Ayden said, kicking me under the table.

And that was my perfect Thanksgiving with Aaron.