Jasper
God, Brynn was so beautiful in that dress she wore at the wedding yesterday. It was a strapless baby blue that was flowy, and when the wind caught it, she looked like a goddess with the flowing dress. It’s all I’ve been able to think about. Her in that dress and in my arms all night.
I walked her back to her room, and I could see the desire in her eyes. It was like the one the night of the bachelor party and like that night she had been drinking. I know she wanted me to kiss her, but I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and went home. It was so hard, but I need her to open and let me in, even just a little.
We’re prepping for dinner, which should be slow, since everyone in town was out yesterday at the wedding, allowing my mind to wander, until the kitchen door opens and in walks Brynn. She isn’t in her normal shorts and a tank top. She’s wearing cut-off jean shorts that show just a hint of the bottom of her ass cheeks with a button-down shirt with just enough buttons undone to show off her cleavage, and I couldn’t turn away from her, even if I tried.
Then, a sharp pain shoots from my finger up my arms. I look down and realize I cut myself.
“Fuck!” I shout and grab the towel from my back pocket, wrapping it around my finger.
I just look at the prep guy next to me, and he starts cleaning it up, as I head back to the office.
“Oh, gosh. Are you okay?” Brynn walks over and takes my hand in hers. “Come on, there’s a first aid kit in my office.”
I don’t stop her to tell her there’s a first aid kit in my office in the kitchen. I just follow her to her office. I like the idea of Brynn taking care of me, having her hands on me, and being in her space.
“Here, sit on the couch.” She says, pulling a large kit off the bookshelf.
She sits down next to me and sets my hand on her lap. Even though, I can take care of it myself no problem, as I’ve done it before, I want her to do it. There’s just something special about her taking care of me, especially, after the last few nights.
She opens the towel and wipes away the blood, before opening an alcohol pad and cleaning the area up. She doesn’t flinch or make a face at the blood. With her hands on me and her sitting so close, I don’t feel the cut anymore, and I’m not looking at it, I’m looking at her.
The slight pinch between her eyebrows, as she assesses the cut, is endearing. How she bites her lip, as she concentrates on cleaning the cut up without hurting me, and I love that she’s taking care of me. My heart wants to leap out and make her stay and do this every day.
“I don’t think you need stitches, and it looks like the bleeding has already stopped.” She says, as she applies some cream and a Band-Aid.
When she’s done, she sets the kit on the floor and turns to look at me, taking my hurt hand gently between the two of hers.
“You have to be more careful,” she says tenderly.
I smirk, “You need to be less distracting.”
“You’re blaming this on me?” She smiles.
“Always. I can’t seem to concentrate on anything else, when you’re around.” I say and lean in a bit more.
Watching her bite her lip, all I can think about is how I want to be biting that lip myself. She leans in, and at the last second, turns and kisses me on the cheek, before she stands up.
“Be careful, and if you want to join me for a beer on the porch after dinner, I will be there.” She says and walks out of the office, leaving me staring after her.
That kiss was payback for last night; I know it was.
After dinner that night, I join her on the porch. She knew I would be there, because there was no way I’d miss a chance to spend time with her. She’s sitting on the wicker sofa, looking out over the water, as I sit down next to her, so close that our shoulders are touching.
“How’s your hand?” She asks.
“A little sore, but good to go. Only a little lettuce was damaged in the process.” I tell her and smile.
“I miss having dinner with Lin.” She says. I know her and Lin had dinner every night together, no matter what, since they took over The Inns.
“Her and Kade locked in their room?” I ask. Since the season officially kicks off this weekend, they decided to wait and do a honeymoon after season. Kade said he’d take her anywhere she wants to go, so her and Brynn have been plotting and planning.
“Yeah, but I can’t blame them. I’d spend every minute with my new husband, too.” She takes a long pull from her beer, and then grabs one from the side table, handing it to me.
“You should be careful dressing like this,” I say and lightly trace the deep cut of her shirt.
Her breathing quickens, as I trace from the low dip in her shirt, back up to her neck, and lightly ghost my hand up her jaw, and then over across her lips, before I pull back. It’s a game we’re playing to see who can hold out the longest, or who breaks down and kisses who first.
“Why, because it causes guys to attempt to chop their fingers off?” She jokes.
“It gives guys ideas that you might be dressing up for them,” I say.
“What if I am?”
“Then they’re definitely noticing,” I tell her, letting my eyes run over her body.
“You’re beautiful, Brynn, and you don’t have to go out of your way to make anyone notice that. I see it every day, so don’t change to get anyone’s attention, because you already have it.” I whisper.
Her lips part slightly, and I’m about to say fuck it and kiss her, when she clears her throat and turns back to face the water, as she drinks some more beer.
We talk some more about safe subjects, like the plans for the dinner menu next week, and local town gossip.
“Well, I think we should call it a night.” She stands, and I follow her.
“I don’t need an escort, you know.” She smirks.
“I will always make sure you get to your door. I always did, when we were kids, and I will continue. That hasn’t changed.” I tell her.
“Good, while I hope something has changed, I hope most of you hasn’t.” When she reaches her door, she turns, and her eyes rake down my body.
I step in, crowding her and wrap an arm around her waist.
“I’ve changed in the best possible ways,” I whisper against her ear and ghost my lips down her neck, before pulling back.
The frustration in her eyes is clear, and I just smile. “Goodnight, Firefly.” I turn and head back to the kitchen, making sure everything is in order, before I start my walk home.
I’m going to need to start driving to work, because there are just too many people on The Island now to enjoy the walk back to my mom’s. On the way, I get a text from Kade.
Kade: News says there are storms tomorrow night. Brynn hates storms and can’t sleep. Thought you’d like to know.
I read the text over and over, before it hits me. He’s giving me a way to get closer and work my way back in.
Me: Thanks, man. I will take care of her, I promise.
Kade: Good. Lin isn’t very happy I’m keeping her from Brynn tomorrow night, so make the most of it.
Me: I promise.
Kade: Good luck.
I don’t realize I’m smiling so big, until I walk inside, and my mom whistles.
“Looks like you’re a cat that caught the canary. Out with it, boy.” She says from the kitchen.
“Kade and Lin are doing some matchmaking is all. A little push towards Brynn.” I tell her.
“Well, don’t let her dangle too long. The season is starting, so you know she’ll use that, as a reason to keep you at arm’s length,” Mom says.
“What happened to your hand?” She lifts my hand, looking at the bandaging job Brynn did.
Mom unwraps my hand and examines it, before pulling me over to the sink and washing it.
“Ahhh, Brynn distracted me, and I cut myself. Then, she bandaged it up for me.”
Mom smiles, and then goes back to the cabinet, grabs her first aid kit, and adds some more cream and a new Band-Aid. I watched her do this for my dad many times, when he’d come home with a new cut or scrape. Once she’s done, she washes her hands and goes back to what she was doing.
“You need to be careful. You know at one point, your dad banned me from the kitchen. Said I was too distracting as well.” She smiles at me, before turning back and scooping the cookies in front of her into a cookie tin.
“What are these for?” I ask her, trying to change the subject.
I pick up a cookie to eat, when mom slaps my hand with the spatula, and then points the spatula at my face.
“These are for church. Keep your hands off. Now, you give me a daughter-in-law and some grandbabies, and I’ll bake you cookies every day. Until then, hands off.” She says with a pointed look.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Okay, and I’m working on it. Lots to make up for, Mom, so it will take time. Oh, and I may not be home tomorrow night. It’s supposed to storm.”
“What’s that have to do with the color of roses?” She asks.
She has been saying that, since I was a kid, and I still don’t get the exact meaning, but I know what she’s asking.
“Brynn doesn’t like storms, so if I get the chance to stay and comfort her, I will.” I shrug.
Mom looks at me and narrows her eyes. “Daughter-in-law, and then grandbabies. In that order, understand me, mister?” She says, and I just smile.
“Dad gave me the safe sex talk, so you’re in the clear.” I joke.
“Boy!” She calls after me, as I head down the hall.
“Night, Mom!”
She’s just too easy to rile up. What I don’t tell my mom is that I’ll take Brynn any way I can get her, even if that means babies at the wedding.