Disclaimer: The following fiction is loosely based on characters currently owned and operated by the producers and writers of NBC-TV's Days of Our Lives. I claim no affiliation. Gratuitous entertainment purposes only.
Stubborn and Clueless
Chapter 12
by Fidomom (with consultative credit to Karma. Thanks, Karma! :) )
Brady looked up when he heard Chloe on the stairs and smiled when he saw the outfit she'd changed into.
"Valentine's Day right?"
She grinned,
"So you do remember. Yes, this is the outfit I wore on Valentines Day. At least I know you recognise that I'm not a kid when I'm wearing it."
Brady gave her an appreciative once over.
"No, you definitely don't look like a kid anymore. You are ahem very curvy and this time I meant to say that out loud. You look just as great tonight as you did on Valentine's Day, Chloe. Maybe even better."
Chloe smirked at him,
"Maybe you've eaten too much candy. That was an awfully big lollipop and I think maybe it's turned you into a sweet talker!"
He laughed right out loud,
"Are you ready to go little Miss Clever Diva?"
She nodded her head, her eyes shining with pleasure and they went out to his jeep. He made a big show of opening her door for her and she smiled at him appreciatively. He grinned back then raced over to the driver's side and got in. When he turned the key in the ignition, the inside of the jeep was blasted with AC/DC's Fire Your Guns.
'Wild beast, I'll make you mine,
Taste your kiss, sweet lips devine
She got moves, drips of sweat
She got eyes of blue, body curves
'n legs that'll break your nerves
Fire- when she's going down
Fire- then she make you drown
Fire- then she blow you round
Yeah, you want some fun!
Fire your guns
Fire your guns
Fire your guns
Fire your guns
That lady bites, hard style
Drips of sex, eyes are wild
She got moves, long long legs
She got eyes of blue, body curves
Legs that'll shake the earth'
Brady's face turned pink and he moved to turn it off but Chloe stopped him,
"It's okay, Brady I don't mind it. You can leave it on."
He looked at her uncertainly,
"Really? Are you sure? I could put something else on."
She nodded,
"I'm sure. Didn't you tell me I should expose myself to all types of music? Besides you obviously like this and maybe if I give it a listen I'll learn something new about you."
He shrugged raising his eyebrows skeptically,
"Okay. I'll leave it on. I'm curious as to just what you are hoping to learn about me, Chloe. Do you think I'm keeping a deep secret from you or something?"
Chloe looked at him suspiciously,
"Well, no that thought never entered my mind- until now that is. Are you keeping a deep secret?"
He smiled,
"Several in fact! Guess you'll just have to stick around until you uncover them all!"
She glared at him fighting a smile,
"You're a tease."
He gave her the once over and winked,
"So are you!"
She gasped then closed her mouth and crossed her arms self-consciously turning her burning face to look out the window~What was I thinking!? He is so far out of my league! I've no clue how to flirt back when he says things like that.~
Brady looked over at her concerned he'd either offended her or hurt her feelings. Driving with one hand, he reached his other hand across the space between them and lightly rubbed her shoulder with the backs of his fingers,
"Hey, Chloe? That wasn't a complaint. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with your outfit and certainly not with you either. I was just living up to the name you called me- I was just being a tease."
She looked over at him and realised he was being sincere. She smiled a little, took his hand in hers, squeezed briefly and placed it back on the steering wheel.
"It's fine Brady. Guess I'm just being my usual moody self."
Brady digested what she said and felt like kicking himself~Damn it, Black! She's too raw to be teased right now. Behave yourself or she'll never feel safe enough to admit her feelings to you.~
"Well it just so happens I have missed your moody self very much. I know how it looked to you, it just wasn't something I wanted to broadcast. I thought I was doing what you wanted that you didn't need me or want me around anymore. That's the only reason I stayed away, Chloe. I really have missed spending time with you and I'm so relieved you're letting me take you out for dinner tonight. It means a lot to me all things considered."
Chloe stiffened and pursed her lips to stop them from trembling,
"Brady, I have so many unanswered questions. Why did you let me walk away but then choose to ignore my retraction? Why was it so easy for you to pretend I didn't exist anymore? Why did you come to my rescue and bring me to the hospital and why didn't you stay? Why did you try to hide the fact that it was you who brought me in? Why did you go to the trouble of giving me my favorite flower and then ruin it by confirming that you're never going to let me grow up? Forever just a girl to you- oh excuse me a special GIRL!"
The pain behind her sarcastic comment wasn't lost on him. More than anything he wanted to stop the jeep and hold her and reassure her but he knew she wouldn't be open to that yet. He berated himself~You know you've taken self-preservation too far when the woman you're in love with believes her absence from your life was of no consequence to you. You've been such a stubborn fool, Black. You have to make things right ... you just have to.~
"We're almost at Tuscany. While we dine I'd like us to talk some more about what a jerk I've been."
That made her laugh somewhat reluctantly. She noticed he only had one hand on the steering wheel again. Her gaze swept from his shoulder, down his strong, muscular arm to his idle hand. It was stretched towards her in a silent request for hers. She hesitated for a moment but then slipped her hand into his and he squeezed it briefly. They let out a sigh of relief at the same time and their eyes flew to each other's face. They smiled, tightened their grip, and didn't speak the rest of the way to Tuscany.
~***~
Despite plans to have a serious talk over dinner they instead avoided speaking of their recent time apart. As they ate dessert Brady filled her in on Victor's plans for Isabella's Memorial Birthday Party.
"I'm really looking forward to this party. I love to hear stories about my Mom and the person she was. I know my Mom would be as touched as I am by Grampa Vic's continued efforts to raise money for cancer research and awareness in her name."
She reached across the table and placed a gentle hand over his,
"I know this party will be a very special and important event to you. I'm glad your Grandfather thought of doing it, it really is a beautiful gesture."
His eyes filled with tenderness for her as he nodded,
"Yeah. I knew you would get it, that I wouldn't have to explain why it matters to me so much."
She wanted to hold him, but the unspoken things between them were standing in her way. He needed her arms around him.
"Chloe? Dance with me?"
She nodded and he rose from his chair. He took her hand in his and led her onto the dance floor.
I don't understand your hesitation
You always were so quick to say what needed to be said
But you're standing there saying nothing please say something
Just don't tell me I'm too late
They moved into each other's embrace. Brady cleared his throat and began a halting soliloquy.
"I'm sorry, Chloe for letting you leave that night. Everything you said was what I'd been trying to convince myself was true. I was doing you a favor by hanging out with you. You were just a teenage girl- a friend of my sister's. Yeah right! What you said back at your place about not wanting to spend time with me anymore if I wasn't getting anything out of our relationship? That got to me. I'm sorry for letting you think that what we have is so one-sided because it isn't."
Chloe looked up at him her eyes still so full of questions.
"Just what do we have Brady? Are we acquaintances? Are we like siblings? Are we friends? What's in it for you? Why are you even interested in repairing our relationship?"
It took a while for me to understand my feelings for you
"I'm getting to that. Chloe, you've been there for me and helped me through some really awful stuff even back when we were barely being civil to one another. I've never figured out why or how you managed to transport me on a bicycle to the hospital after I was mugged, but I did appreciate it. We always talk about how I know you better than anyone but the reverse is true too. You knew I didn't hurt Belle, that the very idea was absurd. Then when I was shot and paralysed you were the only one who didn't walk on eggshells and treat me differently. You didn't cut me any slack because of my injuries. It was what I needed. You treated me the same as ever and you made me feel like I was still a whole person. I never forgot that. I think it's why I wanted to be there for you when all your friends were gone. It wasn't a favor Diva it was a thank-you. Even as strangers and then as reluctant acquaintances I felt connected to you. That connection feels stronger now that we've grown so much closer. What we have does feel like friendship sometimes but sometimes it feels deeper than that. I'm ready now to tell you some of my deep secrets if you want to know them. Do you?"
With her heart pounding in her ears she mutely nodded.
"I missed you. I need you. I like you. I care about you. I don't think of you as a kid at all, despite repeated efforts to do so. Chloe, you didn't turn the camera off. I couldn't stop listening and watching. I heard you say you love me. I saw your tears and I felt your pain. I understood how you felt. Welcome to your very own romantic drama because the fact is I do love you. I'm very much in love with you, Chloe Lane, and I'm ready to stop denying it. I just hope it's not too late. Is it?"
I hope it's not too late to say I love you cuz I do
Before you turn away and the chance I had to love you is gone
You got to know I finally found the feeling
I know I never told you but I live my life to hold you
Am I too late to show myself
Is it too late to let you know
Do you feel me I'm touching you
It scares me to think you might say no
Cuz it's too late to let you go
But you're standing there saying nothing please say something
Just don't tell me that I'm too late to show myself
Is it too late to let you know
Do you feel me I'm touching you
It scares me to think you might say no
Cuz it's too late to let you go
One look into her sapphire-blue eyes told him she was furious and he knew exactly why. He waited for her to let him have it as he mentally began preparing his defense.
To be continued ...
Song Credits: Fire Your Guns by AC/DC and Am I Too Late? by Kenny Rogers
Stubborn and Clueless
Chapter 12
by Fidomom (with consultative credit to Karma. Thanks, Karma! :) )
Brady looked up when he heard Chloe on the stairs and smiled when he saw the outfit she'd changed into.
"Valentine's Day right?"
She grinned,
"So you do remember. Yes, this is the outfit I wore on Valentines Day. At least I know you recognise that I'm not a kid when I'm wearing it."
Brady gave her an appreciative once over.
"No, you definitely don't look like a kid anymore. You are ahem very curvy and this time I meant to say that out loud. You look just as great tonight as you did on Valentine's Day, Chloe. Maybe even better."
Chloe smirked at him,
"Maybe you've eaten too much candy. That was an awfully big lollipop and I think maybe it's turned you into a sweet talker!"
He laughed right out loud,
"Are you ready to go little Miss Clever Diva?"
She nodded her head, her eyes shining with pleasure and they went out to his jeep. He made a big show of opening her door for her and she smiled at him appreciatively. He grinned back then raced over to the driver's side and got in. When he turned the key in the ignition, the inside of the jeep was blasted with AC/DC's Fire Your Guns.
'Wild beast, I'll make you mine,
Taste your kiss, sweet lips devine
She got moves, drips of sweat
She got eyes of blue, body curves
'n legs that'll break your nerves
Fire- when she's going down
Fire- then she make you drown
Fire- then she blow you round
Yeah, you want some fun!
Fire your guns
Fire your guns
Fire your guns
Fire your guns
That lady bites, hard style
Drips of sex, eyes are wild
She got moves, long long legs
She got eyes of blue, body curves
Legs that'll shake the earth'
Brady's face turned pink and he moved to turn it off but Chloe stopped him,
"It's okay, Brady I don't mind it. You can leave it on."
He looked at her uncertainly,
"Really? Are you sure? I could put something else on."
She nodded,
"I'm sure. Didn't you tell me I should expose myself to all types of music? Besides you obviously like this and maybe if I give it a listen I'll learn something new about you."
He shrugged raising his eyebrows skeptically,
"Okay. I'll leave it on. I'm curious as to just what you are hoping to learn about me, Chloe. Do you think I'm keeping a deep secret from you or something?"
Chloe looked at him suspiciously,
"Well, no that thought never entered my mind- until now that is. Are you keeping a deep secret?"
He smiled,
"Several in fact! Guess you'll just have to stick around until you uncover them all!"
She glared at him fighting a smile,
"You're a tease."
He gave her the once over and winked,
"So are you!"
She gasped then closed her mouth and crossed her arms self-consciously turning her burning face to look out the window~What was I thinking!? He is so far out of my league! I've no clue how to flirt back when he says things like that.~
Brady looked over at her concerned he'd either offended her or hurt her feelings. Driving with one hand, he reached his other hand across the space between them and lightly rubbed her shoulder with the backs of his fingers,
"Hey, Chloe? That wasn't a complaint. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with your outfit and certainly not with you either. I was just living up to the name you called me- I was just being a tease."
She looked over at him and realised he was being sincere. She smiled a little, took his hand in hers, squeezed briefly and placed it back on the steering wheel.
"It's fine Brady. Guess I'm just being my usual moody self."
Brady digested what she said and felt like kicking himself~Damn it, Black! She's too raw to be teased right now. Behave yourself or she'll never feel safe enough to admit her feelings to you.~
"Well it just so happens I have missed your moody self very much. I know how it looked to you, it just wasn't something I wanted to broadcast. I thought I was doing what you wanted that you didn't need me or want me around anymore. That's the only reason I stayed away, Chloe. I really have missed spending time with you and I'm so relieved you're letting me take you out for dinner tonight. It means a lot to me all things considered."
Chloe stiffened and pursed her lips to stop them from trembling,
"Brady, I have so many unanswered questions. Why did you let me walk away but then choose to ignore my retraction? Why was it so easy for you to pretend I didn't exist anymore? Why did you come to my rescue and bring me to the hospital and why didn't you stay? Why did you try to hide the fact that it was you who brought me in? Why did you go to the trouble of giving me my favorite flower and then ruin it by confirming that you're never going to let me grow up? Forever just a girl to you- oh excuse me a special GIRL!"
The pain behind her sarcastic comment wasn't lost on him. More than anything he wanted to stop the jeep and hold her and reassure her but he knew she wouldn't be open to that yet. He berated himself~You know you've taken self-preservation too far when the woman you're in love with believes her absence from your life was of no consequence to you. You've been such a stubborn fool, Black. You have to make things right ... you just have to.~
"We're almost at Tuscany. While we dine I'd like us to talk some more about what a jerk I've been."
That made her laugh somewhat reluctantly. She noticed he only had one hand on the steering wheel again. Her gaze swept from his shoulder, down his strong, muscular arm to his idle hand. It was stretched towards her in a silent request for hers. She hesitated for a moment but then slipped her hand into his and he squeezed it briefly. They let out a sigh of relief at the same time and their eyes flew to each other's face. They smiled, tightened their grip, and didn't speak the rest of the way to Tuscany.
~***~
Despite plans to have a serious talk over dinner they instead avoided speaking of their recent time apart. As they ate dessert Brady filled her in on Victor's plans for Isabella's Memorial Birthday Party.
"I'm really looking forward to this party. I love to hear stories about my Mom and the person she was. I know my Mom would be as touched as I am by Grampa Vic's continued efforts to raise money for cancer research and awareness in her name."
She reached across the table and placed a gentle hand over his,
"I know this party will be a very special and important event to you. I'm glad your Grandfather thought of doing it, it really is a beautiful gesture."
His eyes filled with tenderness for her as he nodded,
"Yeah. I knew you would get it, that I wouldn't have to explain why it matters to me so much."
She wanted to hold him, but the unspoken things between them were standing in her way. He needed her arms around him.
"Chloe? Dance with me?"
She nodded and he rose from his chair. He took her hand in his and led her onto the dance floor.
I don't understand your hesitation
You always were so quick to say what needed to be said
But you're standing there saying nothing please say something
Just don't tell me I'm too late
They moved into each other's embrace. Brady cleared his throat and began a halting soliloquy.
"I'm sorry, Chloe for letting you leave that night. Everything you said was what I'd been trying to convince myself was true. I was doing you a favor by hanging out with you. You were just a teenage girl- a friend of my sister's. Yeah right! What you said back at your place about not wanting to spend time with me anymore if I wasn't getting anything out of our relationship? That got to me. I'm sorry for letting you think that what we have is so one-sided because it isn't."
Chloe looked up at him her eyes still so full of questions.
"Just what do we have Brady? Are we acquaintances? Are we like siblings? Are we friends? What's in it for you? Why are you even interested in repairing our relationship?"
It took a while for me to understand my feelings for you
"I'm getting to that. Chloe, you've been there for me and helped me through some really awful stuff even back when we were barely being civil to one another. I've never figured out why or how you managed to transport me on a bicycle to the hospital after I was mugged, but I did appreciate it. We always talk about how I know you better than anyone but the reverse is true too. You knew I didn't hurt Belle, that the very idea was absurd. Then when I was shot and paralysed you were the only one who didn't walk on eggshells and treat me differently. You didn't cut me any slack because of my injuries. It was what I needed. You treated me the same as ever and you made me feel like I was still a whole person. I never forgot that. I think it's why I wanted to be there for you when all your friends were gone. It wasn't a favor Diva it was a thank-you. Even as strangers and then as reluctant acquaintances I felt connected to you. That connection feels stronger now that we've grown so much closer. What we have does feel like friendship sometimes but sometimes it feels deeper than that. I'm ready now to tell you some of my deep secrets if you want to know them. Do you?"
With her heart pounding in her ears she mutely nodded.
"I missed you. I need you. I like you. I care about you. I don't think of you as a kid at all, despite repeated efforts to do so. Chloe, you didn't turn the camera off. I couldn't stop listening and watching. I heard you say you love me. I saw your tears and I felt your pain. I understood how you felt. Welcome to your very own romantic drama because the fact is I do love you. I'm very much in love with you, Chloe Lane, and I'm ready to stop denying it. I just hope it's not too late. Is it?"
I hope it's not too late to say I love you cuz I do
Before you turn away and the chance I had to love you is gone
You got to know I finally found the feeling
I know I never told you but I live my life to hold you
Am I too late to show myself
Is it too late to let you know
Do you feel me I'm touching you
It scares me to think you might say no
Cuz it's too late to let you go
But you're standing there saying nothing please say something
Just don't tell me that I'm too late to show myself
Is it too late to let you know
Do you feel me I'm touching you
It scares me to think you might say no
Cuz it's too late to let you go
One look into her sapphire-blue eyes told him she was furious and he knew exactly why. He waited for her to let him have it as he mentally began preparing his defense.
To be continued ...
Song Credits: Fire Your Guns by AC/DC and Am I Too Late? by Kenny Rogers