The Man Who Wasn’t There – Part 22

Brian’s body didn’t react well to the MRI, but after a healing in Jackie’s crystal room, and a long nap, he’s feeling better.

Brian nodded, but it made him dizzy, so he stopped. He grunted instead, finding that something he could handle without a problem.

“Want something to drink?”

“Yeah, but if we go to the kitchen—noise.”

“I know. Is the ringing in your ears better?”

“Yeah,little bit. How did you know?”

She motioned around herself. “Your aura was all off. There were black lines stabbing into it near your stomach and ears. I knew you were going to puke before you did. I was lucky I had a reusable grocery bag within reach. That caught most of it.”

“Good. At least I didn’t puke on you—did I?”

“No. And it would have been okay even if you did. In sickness and in health, right?”

“We aren’t married yet.”

“But we will be. Why not start now?” She sighed, brushing hair from his brow.

“I have other things I’d rather start,” he growled softly, taking her face in his hands. Groaning, he stopped himself. “I feel like I’ve fallen off a speeding bike and it caught me in the balls.”

“I’m guessing that’s happened.”

“When I was ten.”

“Good news,” she whispered against his lips. “It didn’t damage the goods. They still work.”

Brian groaned again. “You’re aware of what that kind of talk does to me, right?”

“Sadly, no. I don’t have testicles.”

“Remember what Claude said about setting his crush’s books on fire?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t wanna burn down the house. And that’s where this is going.”

Jordan scooted away, creating a small space between them. Brian pulled her back, his lips touching hers. He kissed her deeply, tasting her. His senses revealed so much more—her hair smelled of rosemary and mint. Her skin was soft and silky. The tiny hairs on her cheeks tickled his hands, where he’d never even noticed their presence before. Her body pressed against his was torture. He was so much more aware of her femininity. She was as hot for him as he was for her and it excited him more than he could possibly describe. Trying to stop himself, he filled his mind with negative thoughts. Nothing worked. Not even knowing that they were in her living room with his parents and hers only a few yards away. It wasn’t enough of a deterrent. He wanted. He needed.

“Brian?” Jordan’s voice held concern. “What’s going on?”

Her face was red from the roughness of his kisses. Her eyes were wide with fear. She backed away from him, her hands on his chest. He realized his mouth hovered over her breast while one hand grasped the other. She was dressed, but he’d obviously tried to take her clothing off.

“I’m so sorry!” He sat back, hands in the air as if she held a gun on him. “I don’t know what happened.”

Andre came into the darkened room, sitting across from them. “You okay?”

“Yeah. No. I don’t know,” Brian replied. “What’s happening to me, Andre?”

“Wish I knew, my friend. Dad sent me in here. He knows something’s up, but he’s cool. He won’t rat you out.”

“Maybe he needs to. I need to be locked up before I hurt Jordan.”

“You won’t,” Andre assured him.

“Look at her and tell me if I’m in control.”

Andre’s silvery gaze turned to Jordan. He smirked. “She looks like a woman whose man can’t control his testosterone. Point is, you won’t hurt her.”

“I already did,” Brian countered.

“No, you didn’t,” Jordan said, touching his cheek. “And it felt all kinds of right. But not on Mom’s antique couch in the living room, with our folks a few feet away. And Andre all up in here with his sexometer.”

Andre laughed. “I prefer sexisensor.”

“Nope, sexometer is—sexier.”

“I concede to the lady’s judgment.” Andre tilted his head, rolling his eyes toward Brian. “So, we cool?”

“We’re cool.” They tapped knuckles.

“Good, cause dinner’s ready and I don’t know about y’all, but I’m starvin’.”

Jordan washed her face with cold water, hoping to do away with some of the redness. They joined the adults in the dining room. Maribelle hugged her son. Miles helped him sit. Elise dropped her bottle, expecting him to pick it up. Brian did so with a grin.

“Glad to see you’re feeling better,” Claude aid, his dark eyes twinkling.

“Thanks. Never better,” Brian said, taking a bowl from Jordan. “Don’t suppose I can miss school tomorrow?” He winked at his father.

“I think you’ll be fine,” his father said. “Any excuse, I tell ya. Send the kid to another realm, and this is the thanks we get. Ungrateful.”

Brian chuckled. Jordan giggled, putting her napkin over her face so she wouldn’t spew her food.

“I’m staying the night,” Claude said. “But I have appointments tomorrow afternoon I can’t miss. However, we will all be back for the Halloween Ball and we’ll be in attendance. If something happens, we’ll be ready.”

© 2017 Dellani Oakes 

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