Defying Fate (7 page)

Braxton leans his face, so we are inches from one another. “I know what you’re doing. It won’t work either. Already told you, she does not hold a candle to you. Now, enough with putting yourself down just to run away from me or I will smack your cute ass.”

“Pfft, seriously are you blind now in your old age?” Oh Crap. That did it. His look is daring, eyebrows raised even his lips were stretched thin.

“Who are you calling old Izzy? Surely it’s not me and if it is you are just begging to have my hand across your ass. Honey, if I had you around when I was getting my dick wet with Tiff’ I would’ve jumped on you in a heartbeat. Would have grabbed your innocent little body and never looked back.”

Oh my! My insides quiver with lustful thoughts.

I start laughing, and this is my first mistake. Braxton looks like I just slapped him right across the face. He not so gently grabs me and whips me around across his broad shoulders and smacks my ass with a very hard and loud slap. His hands are so damn big; it covers my entire ass with his one palm. Fuck that hurts.

I struggle to get out of his bear-hold as he puts me down with a smirk on his face. He enjoyed that, the Ass is hiding his smile, but I can see traces of it.

“Not flipping funny Braxton,” I tell him while rubbing my backside.

Body bent backward; he laughs at me. “Sure the hell is honey.”

Hand on my hip, I protest. “Is Not.”

“Fuck yeah, it was!”

The voices coming from reception tells me Eve has arrived. Damn it, now I’m stuck. Sensing my worry, Braxton leans in to kiss my lips ever so sweetly. I instantly melt holding onto him, and the only thing, I want, is to lose myself into those big strong arms. Snapping back to reality, Braxton is talking against my lips.

“Babe, stay in here, yeah?” Having lost any rational thoughts, I nod in agreement.

“I’ll be back soon; keep the door closed. She won’t get back here, I swear.” Finding it hard to swallow I just nod at his sweetness once again.

“Promise?” I whisper to him.

“Yeah babe.” He said kissing me one last time mumbling.

“Damn kissable lips. Fuckin’ dick is throbbing. See what you do to me?” He says, rubbing his cock in an attempt to calm it down. Good luck with that buddy. My mental high-five knowing I caused that raises an eyebrow at him as he walks out the door.

Sitting back in my chair, I try to come back down to earth. This man has me spinning in circles. His scent, his eyes, his body is all so consuming it’s over-fucking-whelming. I lose myself when I’m around him. It’s like my mind shuts down, and my body takes over. My body just happens to scream for his touch and melts under his stare. I don’t stand a chance the more I am around him. What the heck do I do, I suppose nothing for now.

Feels like an eternity, the longer I am in my office. Having time to knock some sense back into my mind, I decide. No way am I staying in this room just waiting for him to tend to his baby momma. I adore Eve, but her mother is, well no words begin to describe what I think of her.

Waiting until I hear the conversation flowing, I grab my purse and quietly open the door and peek out to see if the coast is clear. Not seeing anyone, I quietly close my door and go down the hallway toward the garage. I can only hope I can escape without being seen.

Making my way into the garage, surprisingly I don’t see any of the guys, so I hurry myself to my car. Once inside I see the coast is clear. I start my little Accord up and high-tail it out of the parking lot. The only thing is; I didn’t notice there was a bike that was following me once I was a few streets away from the shop.

Damn it, I know it has to be one of the guys because he is staying very close behind me. I know it’s not Braxton because this bike is very different from his. Braxton’s bike is definitely cool as shit; all black and sleek, chrome always polished and pretty. Asking me, who knows nothing about them in the first place, I would describe it as a very manly bike. I think he called it a Sportscaster or something, hell I have no idea. The only thing is it’s pretty damn hot when I see Braxton riding it. Hell he could make anything look sexy just by sitting on it.

This bike is black as well just not as big. The person driving is not as big and burly as my hot biker as well. Well shit, peeking closer in my rear view mirror it looks like the guy on the bike is Liam. Now why the hell would Liam be following me? Fuck. Fuck. Shit. Braxton must have told him to follow me, which means he is most likely pissed off. Great a pissed off Braxton is never a good thing. One thing for sure is Liam is the bitch’s sister, and I don’t know if I can trust him.

Driving in circles, I’m trying to see if Liam or whoever it may be following me will give up and go back to the shop. My phone alerts me to an incoming text message. Blowing out a breath before I glance at it, shit, yep, it’s who I thought it was. A pissed-off Braxton, from what I can gather. Yikes!

Braxton
: WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

Great, I am not answering him. Better yet, the more I think about it, why should I be forced to hang out in my office just to avoid Tiffany? The witch is trying to piss me off, why should I give her the satisfaction of knowing she is getting to me? Braxton or no Braxton, I am not cowering away with my tail in-between my legs. If Kara were here, she would slap the shit out of me, kind of like Tiffany did earlier, but only to get me to wake up. Kara had seen me at my worst; she was the only one who never wavered. She stayed by my side when everyone else turned the other cheek. Being forced to live through some pretty dark things is never easy. Even worse is when your own flesh and blood turns on you. Sadly, when you need them the most is when they aren’t there. Heartache and pain that’s what I knew.

Hell, I did not move here to be reminded of things better off forgotten. I would be calling my best friend later for some much-needed advice on how to handle this messy situation. Why do I always find myself in these types of situations? What I need is to live carefree. Just to fucking live without fear and worry.

Just then a new message beeps at me.

Braxton
: Izzy pickup and call me NOW!!

Followed by:

Braxton
: Pull the fucking car over and let Liam talk to you!

Shit.....

Another message from Braxton:

Braxton
: So help me Izzy when I get my hands on u. Why did u leave? I wanted u here with ME!

Great, so do I pull over or go home. Yeah, I am going home.

Pulling into my driveway, I have a bike up my ass, as he pulls up right next to my car door. Jesus. What is his issue?

Pulling off his helmet, he holds it on his lap. A smile appears to be itching to get out. “Izzy girl, what are you up to?”

Getting out of my car door, I say innocently, “What’s going on, why are you following me?” I sound cool, calm and collected.

Smirking, Liam attempts to control his chuckle. “Izzy girl, you have a very pissed off Brax breathing down my neck. I was sent to find you and make sure you’re okay. He saw you sneak off and went ape-shit. He told me, and I quote, “Get her ass back here now.” Got to say, not real happy because I was trying to make sure my sister is not up to something.

Irritated, I enlighten him. “What are you talking about? I was not about to sit in my office like a dog.” Hell no is that happening.

Getting off his bike, Liam walks with me up to my porch. “Listen Izzy, he is worried about you. He is not comfortable with Tiff’ having her claws aimed at you. He wants you safe and out of her sight. Plain and simple, he wants you.” His grin he throws my way is mischievous as hell.

Shit, the pit of my heart loves to hear this. The idea that my splendid looking biker boss wants me, little old me; fills my eyes with tears, if Liam only knew how much my heart aches for someone, especially someone like Braxton. My heart may be doing somersaults, but my head is weary. My insecurities creep in telling me I will never be good enough for a man like Braxton. I’ve been told more times than not that I am not worthy of love.

“He doesn’t even know me Liam. I am not in the mood to be involved in some drama. I left shit to move here. I don’t need to find new shit to get myself tangled in. Like him or not, I can’t do this.” As much as this hurt, it’s the truth. Makes it worse Braxton has a daughter with her. It’s like an eighteen- year sentence of them being together in one way or another. Eighteen years of me being the other woman.

I’m struggling to control the tears that are filling my eyes. “Liam, thank you for seeing me home; I’m home and not going back to the shop. Tell Braxton I am staying here, and he can deal with his daughter and her momma. That is what he should be concerned with, not me. Tell him I am going to find another job, so he should look for another office girl as well.” Feeling dejected, I say, “It’s for the best.”

Sighing heavily. “Jesus Izzy, why are you doing this to him, he just found you?”

“Pretty obvious isn’t it? She’s your sister. She will be involved with him until Eve turns eighteen years old. I am not looking to be the other woman for that long. He might decide I’m not worth the trouble.” Damn eyes won’t stop watering.

“Are you trying to piss him off or me? I see the way you two look at each other. It’s damn hot. Listen, my sister is nothing but trouble. I know she may be Eve’s mother, but she is not her mom. Damn shame, the only reason, she is in her life now, is because she heard about you and it's pissed her off.”

“Exactly and the only ones, who will suffer, are Eve and Braxton. I will not be the cause of it. Tell him I like him enough to step back.”

“He is not going to like this.”

“It doesn’t matter if he does or not, this is my life. I don’t like it, but it is for the best when a little girl is involved.” With shaky hands, I unlock my door. With barely a whisper, I look over my shoulder. “Later Liam.” I then walk inside.

Before closing my door, I watch Liam walk back to his bike muttering so loudly I can hear him. He rants on about how much shit he was going to hear from Brax, but then the words ‘damn women’ had drawn a chuckle from me before closing my front door.

Walking straight to my bedroom, I’m like a zombie stripping down to my bra and undies; I cover up in bed. Staring at my phone, I read all of his text messages. I know he is pissed, but too damn bad. I need to stay strong. Why is this so hard?

Wiping the tears that have fallen down my face, I go to call Kara, she will no doubt give me a much-needed pep talk. I can start looking for a new job, tomorrow.

As I begin to type her number, my phone beeps, causing me to jump. Shit, it’s him.

Braxton
: If you think for one minute, I am letting you go! Think again. This shit will blow over, and I will make sure Tiff’ is not a problem. I would be at your place right fuckin’ now if it weren't for the fact I have my daughter crying her eyes out. Seems her momma talked shit, and now my baby is upset. You will hear from me Iz, count on it!

Reading his text has me crying into my pillow. Same old story with me, with a glimpse of happiness, comes heartache.

With a heavy heart, I text him back.

Izzy
: Let it go Braxton. I know you will find in the long run I am not worth the trouble. Give Eve a hug from me! Take care
.

Not being able to take any more, I turn my phone off. I would cry myself asleep once again as I have done so many nights before. It’s becoming a nightly ritual for me. Life is just so damn hard; I wish I could be numb to it all. Moving here was to get away from my heartache, not to find more of it.

IT’S IN THE MIDDLE OF
the night, and I feel like I am being squeezed to death. Not being able to move very well, I start to panic, why can’t I move my arms? Within seconds, I realize I have vast arms wrapped around me. I start to scream until I hear him. His words are so gruff but sweet at the same time. It’s soothing to my storm; it’s tender when all, I feel, is utter turmoil. Turning my head to look behind me, I see Braxton. To my surprise, he looks terrible. His eyes are bloodshot, and all, I see, is tension. My only thought is to wrap my hands around him, so I do.

“Braxton honey,” I whisper to him. “What are you doing here?” Pushing aside all rational thoughts, I should be asking him how he got into my house. Instead, all, I want to do, is enjoy the fact he is in my bed…with me.

A warm smile spreads across his weary face, but I can’t help but notice the visible tension. Eyes swathed with worry lines and lips stretched thin, it’s easy to see he is distraught. “I couldn’t bear to stay away. I knew you were hurting. You being upset is not a feeling I like especially when you tell Liam you are quitting your damn job. Not to mention, in your last text you told me to forget about you. Not one thing I like about any of those things. I’m here to tell you I’m not letting you go.”

His words mean so much to me, I wish I could curl up in them and embrace all that is Braxton, but I can’t. The simple truth is he has a baby momma, and all, I see, is trouble brewing.

“Braxton this just isn’t going to work.” My words filled with regret, trying desperately for him to see my point. It has nothing to do with him or me; it all has to do with a tall fake blonde.