Brady smirked to himself as Chloe tried to recover from their kiss by distracting herself with pancakes.
~So that's how she wants to play it, huh? Like it didn't happen?Ok Chloe Lane let's see how much longer you can conceal your feelings for me.~
"Damn! I just realised that I have to readjust my plans for the coming week, since Dad has got Basic Black up and running ahead of schedule!"
Chloe raised her eyebrows in his direction pretending vague interest.
"Oh?"
Brady grinned at her.
"Yeah. I had dates lined up for all this week. Guess I better make some apologetic phonecalls."
"You had dates lined up for the rest of the week? I don't believe you."
Brady feigned hurt.
"What? You calling me a liar? You think I can't get dates?"
Chloe turned pink and stammered,
"No, Brady I didn't mean... that is I didn't intend to imply... I know you can get dates .. I just oh never mind." Chloe put a forkful of pancakes into her mouth and turned her eyes to her plate.
Brady turned his back to her to hide his smirk. He picked up the cordless phone and dialled the sports update line.
"Hi. It's me. Bad news I'm afraid, Liz. I can't go to that Kenny Chesney concert with you afterall. I know. I'm really sorry to let you down. I know you don't like changes in plans especially last minute like this.I'll make it up to you another time, though, ok? Aww you're an angel thanks for understanding.Raincheck for sure! Ok . Take care Liz!"
Brady clicked the disconnect button and then dialled the movie listings directory.
"Hey Wendy! Listen about that costume party, I can't make it afterall. I know I know I had my Zorro costume drycleaned and everything. I was really looking forward to going too! Next costume party count me in ok? Alright, will do. I miss you too!" .
Brady disconnected and dialled his own voicemail at work.
"Georgie girl! How's my human pillow? Hahaha! Yeah, it's been awhile! Listen I hate to do this but video night on your sofa is out. Yeah well Dad got Basic Black up and running early so as a working stiff I'm not going to be able to pull our all nighters anymore. Awww Georgie don't be mad at me you know I can't take that. I'm really sorry. Pleeeeasee forgive me? I'll bring Rolo ice-cream next time I'm over! I will , I'll grovel like mad , too, I promise! Hahaha!Ok. Later G."
Brady could feel Chloe's eyes boring into his back. He smiled to himself and decided he'd make one more phonecall.
"Dixie? It's Brady. I have to cut out on the fundraiser event. I know you were looking forward to me being wet ... but me in the dunk tank is just not in the cards this time. Of course you can call me for the next one! Ok, Dixie! Yep, right back at ya!"
Brady disconnected and hung-up the phone.
"Well, that takes care of that." Brady turned around and was astonished to see Chloe sitting there in tears. He hurried over and knealt in front of her. He looked searchingly into her face for a clue as to why she was crying.
"Chloe? What is it? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Talk to me."
Chloe looked at him with such pain in her eyes.
"When we kissed before, Brady, did it mean anything at all to you? Did you kiss any of them? You sure seem intimate with them."
~Way to go Black! Can you say backfired? Supposed to make her jealous not make her cry idiot!~ Brady wrapped her in a tight hug wishing he could take back what he'd done. He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair.
"Oh, Chloe! Please don't cry, Diva! I can explain. It's very stupid and I was being a jerk. Come here I want you to pick up the phone and press redial and listen."
Brady had managed to bring her to the phone, and put the handset in her hands.
"Brady, no, I don't know that woman." Exasperated with himself Brady made Chloe watch him press the redial button and he forced her to listen.
"Hi! You've reached the automated enquiries system at Salem Fitness Center. For our hours of operation press 1..." Brady disconnected.
"Chloe, look at me. I didn't talk to any of those girls. I made them up."
Chloe looked at him completely puzzled.
"Why, Brady? It's not like you to play these kinds of games? Why were you pretending to have all those dates to cancel?"
"Because after we kissed you were more interested in pancakes than in me and I thought if I could make you even a little bit jealous that you would admit you have feelings for me. Told you it was stupid. God, Chloe, I certainly didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I would never purposely hurt you. I feel like such a jerk." He wrapped Chloe in a tight embrace. He felt such a deep sense of relief when he felt her arms creep around his waist, her face pressed into his chest. Chloe let out a little giggle. Brady's hopes were raised.~Maybe if you are lucky, Black you haven't ruined your chances.~
"What made you giggle, Chloe?"
"You. I can't believe all of that was just to make me admit I have feelings for you."
"Do you?"
Chloe hung back from him and searched his face.~Does he really not
know?~ Suddenly, she grabbed his face and kissed him, deeply and passionately. She dragged her mouth off of his and whispered fiercely.
"I have feelings for you, Brady. Very strong feelings." She kissed him again. He had to break the kiss this time and catch his breath.
"So do you forgive me?"
Chloe smiled impishly at him.
"Oh, I don't know, I'm rather fond of the idea of you grovelling. It just so happens I have a weakness for Rolo ice-cream as well!"
They laughed together.
"Come over here Chloe I want to show you something."
"Oh? Are you finally going to show me how you decorated that heartshaped pancake?"
Brady looked at her in shock.
"You saw what shape it was?"
Chloe smiled nodding her head.
"I didn't say anything because it was obvious that you were trying to hide it from me." Brady blushed slightly.
"I thought I wanted to hide it from you." He picked up the plate it was on, and placed it where she could see it properly. She looked at how he had decorated it and her eyes filled with tears. She looked at him to see if it was true. He smiled and nodded his head. The outside edge of the pancake had mini-chocolate chips as a border. In the inside of the heart in mini-chocolate chips he had spelled out 'CL I'm in love with u BVB' on the plate on either side of the heart were the two ends of an arrow drawn in chocolate syrup. Chloe smiled through her tears and kissed him again. Suddenly she stopped and looked at him carefully. She looked over at the heart and back to him obviously trying to wrap her mind around something.
"Brady? You did this before we kissed. You knew you felt that way about me since... oh my God Brady this morning you asked me to have a shower with you, you weren't entirely joking were you?"
Brady grinned at the memory.
"Not at all actually!"
"But how could you be so sure of my feelings for you enough to do this heart and then the stunt you pulled earlier with the cancelled dates?"
"I wasn't sure. I heard you say stuff in your sleep and hoped it was the truth."
"What did I say?"
"I love you Brady, and then later I heard you say that you didn't mean to fall in love with me."
"Oh. All that and you still felt it necessary to fake those phonecalls?"
Brady looked down at his feet.
"Well, you were kind of distant with me after our first kiss. I started to wonder if I'd heard you right."
Chloe stood lost in thought for a moment.
"Brady? Say it out loud ... the words you wrote in the pancake. Please?"
Brady gathered her in his arms and looked deeply into her eyes. He smiled, his eyes twinkling.
"CL I'm in love with u BVB!"
Chloe laughed and hit him in the shoulder in mock anger.
"Very funny!"
Brady's expression became earnest.
"I am deeply in love with you, Chloe Lane."
Chloe's breath caught, and she felt a shiver as her heart recognised the truth in his words and in his eyes. She placed her palms on his face and looked as deeply into his eyes as she ever had.
"Oh, Brady! I am so in love with you, and I have been for such a long time!"
"So can I safely assume that you won't be getting back together with Uncle Phil?"
"What? Oh, no, Brady I'm definitely getting back together with Philip!"
Brady looked stunned, and he backed away from her.
"What?"
Chloe laughed and shook her head. "Oh, Brady! Now that was a missed Kodak moment! I cannot believe you asked that question! I confess that I"m in love with you and you still worried I'd go back to Philip? Brady Black you are so adorable!"
"That was downright mean!"
"Wasn't! I was merely teasing you and showing you that you were not being logical!"
"Yeah, well you very nearly gave me a heart attack in the process!"
"Good because my heart stops several times a day when you look at me, when you touch me, when you kiss me, when you..."
Brady's kiss silenced her and erased from her mind whatever else she had been about to say. Brady lifted his head and looking into her eyes he re-iterated his feelings.
"Chloe, I am in love with you. Will you be MY exclusive girlfriend, now? Please?"
"Awww! Do I have to give up ALL my other boyfriends?"
"Diva!"
Chloe chortled.
"Yes, Brady. I'm yours and yours alone ... goofball!"
"(Takes one to know one!)"
Chloe reached up on tip toes to kiss his laughing mouth. He returned her kiss. They both pulled away in surprise when Brady's stomach let out a ferocious growl.
"You ate while I was on the phone. Now it's my turn! I am starving!"
Chloe laughed sympathetically. "Ok while you eat I need to borrow your Polaroid camera!"
"What for?"
Chloe winked at him and sheepishly indicated the heart-shaped pancake.
"I can't eat it otherwise!"
Brady smiled at her softly.
"It's in my bedroom top drawer of my dresser."
Chloe smiled back.
"Thanks."
********************************************************************************
After they ate, they cleaned up the kitchen together. With the kitchen sparkling around them, Brady suddenly pulled Chloe into his arms and kissed her lingeringly.
"Mmmm. I definitely like the perks of having a girlfriend."
Chloe smiled up at him, her love and happiness spilling out of her eyes and directly into his soul.
"Brady, do you think anyone will be upset that we are together besides Philip I mean?"
"You worried about Tink or parents?"
"All of the above. I feel so happy right now I just don't want anyone to rain on my parade."
"Don't worry, Diva, I won't let anyone chase the happiness out of your eyes. I love seeing you look so happy, and knowing it has a lil something to do with me, makes me want to protect your happiness even more! I love you."
"Put your love where your mouth is, Black!"
"No problem!" Brady crushed her mouth with his own. His tongue explored the inside of her mouth thoroughly and Chloe did the same to him. Chloe was deliriously happy. Brady's hands were driving her wild with passion as he caressed her curves. Chloe's hands restlessly explored Brady's body, too. Things were getting a little intense and Brady feared he'd cross the line if they didn't stop. He dragged his mouth away from Chloe and pushed her to a safe arms length away. "Chloe we have to slow down." She knew he was right but she didn't like stopping. She pouted a little. "I know, Brady, but don't expect me to like it."
"Well don't make it sound like I like stopping, because I don't. Being like this with you is like a fantasy come true for me."
Chloe smiled.
"So now what, Brady? What can we do instead?"
"Actually, I need to go work out ... my girlfriend likes my hot bod so I've really got to stay in shape!" Brady winked at her.
Chloe started to laugh but then an image popped into her head of Brady glistening with fresh sweat, muscles rippling, and she drew in a ragged breath.
"Can I watch you work out?"
"If you really want to, sure, but you'll have to put up with my workout music!"
Chloe's face lit up in happy anticipation.
"Ok. I think I can handle that."
Brady took her by the hand and they went up to his room.
To be continued...
~So that's how she wants to play it, huh? Like it didn't happen?Ok Chloe Lane let's see how much longer you can conceal your feelings for me.~
"Damn! I just realised that I have to readjust my plans for the coming week, since Dad has got Basic Black up and running ahead of schedule!"
Chloe raised her eyebrows in his direction pretending vague interest.
"Oh?"
Brady grinned at her.
"Yeah. I had dates lined up for all this week. Guess I better make some apologetic phonecalls."
"You had dates lined up for the rest of the week? I don't believe you."
Brady feigned hurt.
"What? You calling me a liar? You think I can't get dates?"
Chloe turned pink and stammered,
"No, Brady I didn't mean... that is I didn't intend to imply... I know you can get dates .. I just oh never mind." Chloe put a forkful of pancakes into her mouth and turned her eyes to her plate.
Brady turned his back to her to hide his smirk. He picked up the cordless phone and dialled the sports update line.
"Hi. It's me. Bad news I'm afraid, Liz. I can't go to that Kenny Chesney concert with you afterall. I know. I'm really sorry to let you down. I know you don't like changes in plans especially last minute like this.I'll make it up to you another time, though, ok? Aww you're an angel thanks for understanding.Raincheck for sure! Ok . Take care Liz!"
Brady clicked the disconnect button and then dialled the movie listings directory.
"Hey Wendy! Listen about that costume party, I can't make it afterall. I know I know I had my Zorro costume drycleaned and everything. I was really looking forward to going too! Next costume party count me in ok? Alright, will do. I miss you too!" .
Brady disconnected and dialled his own voicemail at work.
"Georgie girl! How's my human pillow? Hahaha! Yeah, it's been awhile! Listen I hate to do this but video night on your sofa is out. Yeah well Dad got Basic Black up and running early so as a working stiff I'm not going to be able to pull our all nighters anymore. Awww Georgie don't be mad at me you know I can't take that. I'm really sorry. Pleeeeasee forgive me? I'll bring Rolo ice-cream next time I'm over! I will , I'll grovel like mad , too, I promise! Hahaha!Ok. Later G."
Brady could feel Chloe's eyes boring into his back. He smiled to himself and decided he'd make one more phonecall.
"Dixie? It's Brady. I have to cut out on the fundraiser event. I know you were looking forward to me being wet ... but me in the dunk tank is just not in the cards this time. Of course you can call me for the next one! Ok, Dixie! Yep, right back at ya!"
Brady disconnected and hung-up the phone.
"Well, that takes care of that." Brady turned around and was astonished to see Chloe sitting there in tears. He hurried over and knealt in front of her. He looked searchingly into her face for a clue as to why she was crying.
"Chloe? What is it? What's wrong? Why are you crying? Talk to me."
Chloe looked at him with such pain in her eyes.
"When we kissed before, Brady, did it mean anything at all to you? Did you kiss any of them? You sure seem intimate with them."
~Way to go Black! Can you say backfired? Supposed to make her jealous not make her cry idiot!~ Brady wrapped her in a tight hug wishing he could take back what he'd done. He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair.
"Oh, Chloe! Please don't cry, Diva! I can explain. It's very stupid and I was being a jerk. Come here I want you to pick up the phone and press redial and listen."
Brady had managed to bring her to the phone, and put the handset in her hands.
"Brady, no, I don't know that woman." Exasperated with himself Brady made Chloe watch him press the redial button and he forced her to listen.
"Hi! You've reached the automated enquiries system at Salem Fitness Center. For our hours of operation press 1..." Brady disconnected.
"Chloe, look at me. I didn't talk to any of those girls. I made them up."
Chloe looked at him completely puzzled.
"Why, Brady? It's not like you to play these kinds of games? Why were you pretending to have all those dates to cancel?"
"Because after we kissed you were more interested in pancakes than in me and I thought if I could make you even a little bit jealous that you would admit you have feelings for me. Told you it was stupid. God, Chloe, I certainly didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I would never purposely hurt you. I feel like such a jerk." He wrapped Chloe in a tight embrace. He felt such a deep sense of relief when he felt her arms creep around his waist, her face pressed into his chest. Chloe let out a little giggle. Brady's hopes were raised.~Maybe if you are lucky, Black you haven't ruined your chances.~
"What made you giggle, Chloe?"
"You. I can't believe all of that was just to make me admit I have feelings for you."
"Do you?"
Chloe hung back from him and searched his face.~Does he really not
know?~ Suddenly, she grabbed his face and kissed him, deeply and passionately. She dragged her mouth off of his and whispered fiercely.
"I have feelings for you, Brady. Very strong feelings." She kissed him again. He had to break the kiss this time and catch his breath.
"So do you forgive me?"
Chloe smiled impishly at him.
"Oh, I don't know, I'm rather fond of the idea of you grovelling. It just so happens I have a weakness for Rolo ice-cream as well!"
They laughed together.
"Come over here Chloe I want to show you something."
"Oh? Are you finally going to show me how you decorated that heartshaped pancake?"
Brady looked at her in shock.
"You saw what shape it was?"
Chloe smiled nodding her head.
"I didn't say anything because it was obvious that you were trying to hide it from me." Brady blushed slightly.
"I thought I wanted to hide it from you." He picked up the plate it was on, and placed it where she could see it properly. She looked at how he had decorated it and her eyes filled with tears. She looked at him to see if it was true. He smiled and nodded his head. The outside edge of the pancake had mini-chocolate chips as a border. In the inside of the heart in mini-chocolate chips he had spelled out 'CL I'm in love with u BVB' on the plate on either side of the heart were the two ends of an arrow drawn in chocolate syrup. Chloe smiled through her tears and kissed him again. Suddenly she stopped and looked at him carefully. She looked over at the heart and back to him obviously trying to wrap her mind around something.
"Brady? You did this before we kissed. You knew you felt that way about me since... oh my God Brady this morning you asked me to have a shower with you, you weren't entirely joking were you?"
Brady grinned at the memory.
"Not at all actually!"
"But how could you be so sure of my feelings for you enough to do this heart and then the stunt you pulled earlier with the cancelled dates?"
"I wasn't sure. I heard you say stuff in your sleep and hoped it was the truth."
"What did I say?"
"I love you Brady, and then later I heard you say that you didn't mean to fall in love with me."
"Oh. All that and you still felt it necessary to fake those phonecalls?"
Brady looked down at his feet.
"Well, you were kind of distant with me after our first kiss. I started to wonder if I'd heard you right."
Chloe stood lost in thought for a moment.
"Brady? Say it out loud ... the words you wrote in the pancake. Please?"
Brady gathered her in his arms and looked deeply into her eyes. He smiled, his eyes twinkling.
"CL I'm in love with u BVB!"
Chloe laughed and hit him in the shoulder in mock anger.
"Very funny!"
Brady's expression became earnest.
"I am deeply in love with you, Chloe Lane."
Chloe's breath caught, and she felt a shiver as her heart recognised the truth in his words and in his eyes. She placed her palms on his face and looked as deeply into his eyes as she ever had.
"Oh, Brady! I am so in love with you, and I have been for such a long time!"
"So can I safely assume that you won't be getting back together with Uncle Phil?"
"What? Oh, no, Brady I'm definitely getting back together with Philip!"
Brady looked stunned, and he backed away from her.
"What?"
Chloe laughed and shook her head. "Oh, Brady! Now that was a missed Kodak moment! I cannot believe you asked that question! I confess that I"m in love with you and you still worried I'd go back to Philip? Brady Black you are so adorable!"
"That was downright mean!"
"Wasn't! I was merely teasing you and showing you that you were not being logical!"
"Yeah, well you very nearly gave me a heart attack in the process!"
"Good because my heart stops several times a day when you look at me, when you touch me, when you kiss me, when you..."
Brady's kiss silenced her and erased from her mind whatever else she had been about to say. Brady lifted his head and looking into her eyes he re-iterated his feelings.
"Chloe, I am in love with you. Will you be MY exclusive girlfriend, now? Please?"
"Awww! Do I have to give up ALL my other boyfriends?"
"Diva!"
Chloe chortled.
"Yes, Brady. I'm yours and yours alone ... goofball!"
"(Takes one to know one!)"
Chloe reached up on tip toes to kiss his laughing mouth. He returned her kiss. They both pulled away in surprise when Brady's stomach let out a ferocious growl.
"You ate while I was on the phone. Now it's my turn! I am starving!"
Chloe laughed sympathetically. "Ok while you eat I need to borrow your Polaroid camera!"
"What for?"
Chloe winked at him and sheepishly indicated the heart-shaped pancake.
"I can't eat it otherwise!"
Brady smiled at her softly.
"It's in my bedroom top drawer of my dresser."
Chloe smiled back.
"Thanks."
********************************************************************************
After they ate, they cleaned up the kitchen together. With the kitchen sparkling around them, Brady suddenly pulled Chloe into his arms and kissed her lingeringly.
"Mmmm. I definitely like the perks of having a girlfriend."
Chloe smiled up at him, her love and happiness spilling out of her eyes and directly into his soul.
"Brady, do you think anyone will be upset that we are together besides Philip I mean?"
"You worried about Tink or parents?"
"All of the above. I feel so happy right now I just don't want anyone to rain on my parade."
"Don't worry, Diva, I won't let anyone chase the happiness out of your eyes. I love seeing you look so happy, and knowing it has a lil something to do with me, makes me want to protect your happiness even more! I love you."
"Put your love where your mouth is, Black!"
"No problem!" Brady crushed her mouth with his own. His tongue explored the inside of her mouth thoroughly and Chloe did the same to him. Chloe was deliriously happy. Brady's hands were driving her wild with passion as he caressed her curves. Chloe's hands restlessly explored Brady's body, too. Things were getting a little intense and Brady feared he'd cross the line if they didn't stop. He dragged his mouth away from Chloe and pushed her to a safe arms length away. "Chloe we have to slow down." She knew he was right but she didn't like stopping. She pouted a little. "I know, Brady, but don't expect me to like it."
"Well don't make it sound like I like stopping, because I don't. Being like this with you is like a fantasy come true for me."
Chloe smiled.
"So now what, Brady? What can we do instead?"
"Actually, I need to go work out ... my girlfriend likes my hot bod so I've really got to stay in shape!" Brady winked at her.
Chloe started to laugh but then an image popped into her head of Brady glistening with fresh sweat, muscles rippling, and she drew in a ragged breath.
"Can I watch you work out?"
"If you really want to, sure, but you'll have to put up with my workout music!"
Chloe's face lit up in happy anticipation.
"Ok. I think I can handle that."
Brady took her by the hand and they went up to his room.
To be continued...