Chapter 10

The next morning Brendan woke up and looked around at Ady's living room. He saw pictures on the wall of her and her friends, and even more pictures of her and John. He groaned in disgust. "He's not so special now, is he? Nope, not since he got into the hospital. Now, she'll have more time for me, and she'll forget about him." He stood up and walked around, looking at the digital clock in the kitchen. It was 7:34. He sat back down on the couch and looked out the window, watching people walking their dogs. He lost interest after a while and began to watch TV, since he couldn't go back to sleep.

A while later, Ady woke up and sauntered out of the bedroom, yawning and rubbing her watery eyes. She noticed Brendan on the couch and smiled. "Morning."

He smiled back. "Good morning, beautiful."

She sat down next to him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks so much for being my rock last night. I really needed it."

He stretched and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "No problem. I really care about you, and I know you needed someone to be there for you." He kissed her forehead.

She nestled in closer to him, feeling the comfort of his embrace. "You don't know how much that meant to me. Really."

He turned her face towards his and smiled. "Yeah, I think I might have an idea." He pulled her closer to him, their lips nearly touching.

Ady gently placed her hand on his chest to stop him. "Brendan, I can't."

He took her hand off his chest and held it, still holding her close. "Please, just once."

She looked deeply into his eyes, her first mistake. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped, her second mistake.

Brendan took advantage of her silence and moved in for the kiss. Their lips touched, and the sensation was more than Ady could bear. She tried to gently shove him off, but was mesmerized by the feel of his lips on hers. She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him closer, the kiss deepening as he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

After a few moments, Ady pulled away from him, breaking the kiss. "Brendan, I really can't."

He took in a breath and stared at her. "Why can't you?"

She gently pushed him away. "Because I can't." She started to stand up.

Brendan didn't let go of her hand, and pulled her in his lap. He held her by the waist. "I want you to tell me why."

She attempted to struggle free of his grasp, but she couldn't. "Brendan, let me go." She struggled again, but he wouldn't let her go. "What the hell has gotten into you?"

"Ady, you don't get it. I really care about you, and I mean, really, care about you."

"Brendan, I care about you too, but not in that way."

He pulled her closer to him, and overpowered her struggling. "Ady, you just don't get it."

"Brendan, don't-" Before she could finish, he was already kissing her. She tried to struggle, but melted into his embrace. His kisses were addicting, and Ady couldn't help kissing him back. Her hands caressed his body, sneaking up his shirt. He snuck his tongue in her mouth, teasing hers as he rubbed her back, sneaking his hands up her shirt. He slowly began to kiss her neck as she tilted her head back, giving him room. He nibbled and kissed her, inching his way slowly to her chest. Ady exhaled softly, biting her lip.

Brendan stopped and looked at her, smiling coyly. "I told you you'd get it."

She wrapped a hand around his neck and smiled. "Shut up, Brendan." She pulled him in, kissing him softly and deeper than before.

Just as things got hotter, Brendan scooped Ady up in his arms and took her to the bedroom, closing the door behind them, ignoring Ady's ringing cell phone echoing through the house.