Brady and Chloe's friendship began to mend itself. Things continued to get worse and worse in Chloe and Philip's relationship. Philip was constantly jealous and Chloe became more and more disinterested. Chloe could not help but think about Brady. Once they had moved through all the sarcasm he had turned out to be a really nice guy. He would never hurt her the way Philip constantly did. Brady always pushed her to pursue her goals especially when it came to singing. Philip on the other hand saw Chloe as his trophy she was beautiful and he considered her to be his. The comfort she had felt with him had long since passed. He was now just someone to put up with. He did not understand her. How could he? Philip was always too busy to worry about his rep than to actually listen to a word Chloe said. If he was not parading her around on his arm, he was trying to get her into bed.
Brady was always there for her. She knew he hated hearing about her and Philip's latest fights. He always took the time to comfort her. He was selfless in his desire to help her. Even though he still harboured deep feelings for her. Brady would do anything for her. His love was unconditional. However, Chloe came to him with many conditions. They were never to be seen talking by Philip. They would have to meet in private and no one must know where they were going. All this had seemed ridiculous to Brady but a month ago he understood why the secrecy was a necessity.
FLASHBACK
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"I was just talking Philip. Everything is okay"
Philip grabbed her arms harshly pulling her away from a shocked Brady.
"Well now you can talk to me okay? Let's go!"
"Bye Brady" Chloe said looking back. Her face red with embarrassment.
Brady knew Philip was becoming way too possessive and saw the potential for Philip becoming abusive. That is when he agreed to meet her in private whenever she needed to talk.
END OF FLASHBACK
Whenever Chloe saw Brady all her problems with Philip seemed to disappear. He filled such a void in her life. She did not think she could be as strong without him. Even though he had said there could never be anything between them Chloe still had faith that one day they could be together. Sometimes she would still see him giving her 'the look' like he had during the summer. She could see in his eyes that he still did care.
For so long she had wanted to break up with Philip but every time she tried something got in the way, mostly Philip's temper.
"Chloe?" Brady whispered through the door lightly knocking.
"Come in quick"
"I got your note. So what's the big emergency and why did you want me to meet you here?"
"I needed to tell you something"
"What?" Brady said puzzled.
"I needed to tell you that I love you."
"Funny." Brady conjured up a fake laugh. "Okay if you're done with your games what did you really want?" Brady said sarcastically.
"No Brady, I love you. That is the truth and all I want is you"
"You're serious?" Brady said completely perplexed.
Chloe moved toward a confused Brady. She was mere inches away from him. Chloe picked up his hand and brushed her lips against the back of it. She then moved his hand onto her chest. Her heart pounded at his touch.
"Do you feel that?"
"Yes" Brady whispered.
"That is what you do to me. I'm serious Brady, trust me"
"What about Phil . . . "
"Shh"
"Chloe I can't be with you if Philip is still in the picture . . . it's not ri . . . "
"I broke up with him"
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
Chloe moved her hand up his hard body and cradled his face. Brady still caught off guard by the news of Chloe and Philip's break up stared deep into Chloe's eyes. He saw the longing, the love, the smoldering passion beyond the blues of her eyes. Chloe motioned his head toward hers. She decisively kissed his cleanly shaven jaw line. Brady caught her in an embrace. He brought his face close to her neck. He drank in her scent. She smelled unbelievably fresh. Almost like the summer breeze. Inviting and sweet.
Brady lightly covered her earlobes and neck with tender kisses. He ran his hands along her back, skirting her behind and hips. Slowly he moved his kisses to her cheek. Chloe took in his captivatingly handsome features. She looked into his enchanting blue eyes. He met her gaze with hunger in his eyes. Brady and Chloe finally greeted each other with their lips.
The feel of Brady's lips on her own made Chloe tremble. Brady allowed his tongue to slide along Chloe's begging bottom lip before the tip of his tongue met hers in quiet satisfaction. He searched the inner recesses of her mouth. Chloe closed her eyes, letting Brady's sultry exploration take her over.
Chloe pressed her body closer to Brady. Brady moved his hands lower. Grasping the material of her silk night gown. He slowly moved it up her body letting his fingers trail behind touching her bare skin. Chloe moaned at his blistering touch. She stood there in little more than her undergarments.
Chloe pulled back slightly from Brady so she could unbutton his shirt. Teasingly slow she undid each button until the shirt was open revealing his firm body. Chloe smoothed her hand over his sculpted form. She then took the shirt off, moulding his shoulders after it hit the ground. She moved her hands to his pants. She first took off his belt then seductively slid his zipper down.
Brady stepped out of his pants and removed his socks. Now only adorned in boxer shorts Brady pulled Chloe close against him. Their lips met again. Chloe's lips were soft and already warm. Her arms locked around his neck as he scooped her up in his strong arms. Still kissing her he eased her onto the bed. Brady caressed Chloe's thighs. Up and down his hand traced her legs. Chloe moaned and held tightly onto Brady.
Brady inhaled sharply feeling the soft mounds of Chloe's breasts underneath him. Brady let his hand glide up the side of her body. He met the front clasp of Chloe's bra. In one sleek motion he did away with the barricade between them. Eagerly Brady fondled and kissed. Chloe ran her fingers through his hair snaring it into a trap and then releasing it. The pleasant sensation Brady was creating took Chloe to another level.
She brought his head back to hers. She pressed his lips to hers. Her need for him became urgent. She gently bit his lower lip. Her kisses went to his neck and pectoral area, then she moved her tongue slowly across his chest. Her hands washed over his body. Chloe clasped onto his boxers easing them past his hips and thighs. Brady looked into her eyes. He saw the determination and returned the favour. Now they both were naked. Chloe pulled Brady back on top of her.
Everything melted into a muggy haze. The electricity being built between them was strong enough to cause an electrical storm. Their breathing became erratic. Brady called out her name between kisses "Chloe..... Chloe.....CHLOE?"
Brady stood outside of Chloe's bedroom door holding a post-it note that he had found on his desk. It was from Chloe at the top in big bold letters it read URGENT. Then it went on to say to meet her at her house and to come alone.
Chloe woke up to face the harsh reality of her actual situation. It was always nice to dream when your life was falling apart.
"Brady?"
"Ya I got your note. Can I come in?"
"Sure just a second. Okay " Chloe relaxed her head on her pillow trying to hide her bruised eye. Her face was flushed from such an intense dream.
"This is kind of weird I haven't been in your room since the summer. I see you still haven't taken down the boy-band posters yet. I always knew you secretly liked them" Brady chuckled to himself sitting down on her unmade bed.
Chloe remained silent but smiled up at him trying not to turn her head too much. Not only to hide her face but also to hide her embarrassment about her dream, not that he had anyway of knowing. It was too late though he had seen her eye.
"What is that?" He came closer to Chloe cupping her head in his strong hands. "Did he do this?"
Chloe looked down unable to hide her shame. The tears formed in the back of her eyes. "Chloe please answer me. Did Philip do this?" Brady's voice was soft and kind. He had the greatest sympathy for her but not for Philip. Philip would be sorry, he would make sure of it.
Regaining some composure Chloe finally told Brady the truth. She had tried to break up with Philip again but he got angry. He had grabbed her arm and when she resisted she fell, causing the bruise around her eye. Philip claimed he did not mean to do it and that he was sorry. He had promised her he would make up for it. Brady looked at her worried. She had not believed him had she? Philip had put her through so much yet she still remained loyal to him. She did not want to hurt him, despite how often he hurt her. This had been the last straw.
Brady pulled Chloe close to him.
"Chloe, what do you want me to do? If you want me to hurt him, I will! Just please tell me it's over you don't deserve any of this. This is not your fault Chloe."
"I told him it was over but I was so scared Brady. Just leave him alone. I don't want you to get in trouble just because of me"
"Chloe, I would do anything for you, don't you realize that?"
"I'm starting to." Chloe admitted, touched by his sincerity. "Brady?....could you just stay with me, just for tonight?"
"Sure"
Brady pulled the blanket over him and Chloe and laid his head against a pillow. Chloe moved closer to Brady. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. She listened to his breathing and his heart beat. She realized that Brady would always be there for her and that she had wasted months on Philip when she knew Brady would have made her happy all along. Chloe sighed to herself. She realized that all this time she had been afraid to love Brady. Afraid that as soon as she revealed her feelings he, would be taken away from her. Like every good thing in her life, she thought he would fade away or that he did not love her the way she loved him. But now things were suddenly clear Brady would alway be there like he had been all along. The only problem was, did he still feel the same way? It had been a while since his admittance. Had things changed?
To be continued......