“Not really. Brightlight is my father’s baby. He started it from scratch and Uncle Harry came on board after it was already successful. He wasn’t there for the hard work and part of me thinks he just wants all the rewards, especially now that my father is not around.”
I nod at her statement, relieved that she hasn’t made a decision yet.
“You should also know that I own this apartment building. It’s all mine,” she says with a wry smile. “I figured it was better to buy somewhere for me to live while I was at school than rent and pay someone else’s mortgage.” Now this is something I didn’t know. I’m amazed. She has a really good head on her shoulders for a nineteen year old.
“Wow, hon. That is fantastic. But honestly, I wouldn’t care if you were renting a cardboard box on the nearest street corner. I’d still be wanting to kiss you…” I lean in, giving her a deep kiss, full of meaning and suggestion. “And touch you…” I slowly move my hand down her cheek then move it down onto her now surging chest. “And nothing you can tell me would change the way I feel,” I say, leaning in to kiss her again, this time with a little more force. Pure lust is rushing through my veins.
Screw the pain. I need to show her that nothing she has said has changed how I feel about her.
I feel free. The heavy feeling I’ve had for the past few weeks, hell for the past few years, has gone. He didn’t ask too many questions but asked the right ones when needed. He has made me think about Uncle Harry’s offer and I’m glad I was finally able to admit to myself that I don’t want to sell my shares to him. I’m proud of my father’s company and his achievements, and Brightlight represents all of that to me.
Looking at Brax on the couch, I want to take care of him like he has taken care of me since the day we met. There is still one thing that is bothering me.
“Do you need to go see the Police about the mugging?” I ask.
“Nah, It was just some homeless guy who needed some food. He probably wanted some money to buy a bottle or something. I’ll be fine. It’s only a few bruises and stuff”. In typical Brax style, he’s trying to brush this off like it’s nothing.
“Brax, you have your arm in a sling which tells me you either hurt your arm or dislocated your shoulder—I’ve noticed that you can’t move that arm at all. And, from the way you are breathing, I’m thinking you have a couple of cracked ribs, too. I’m also betting you have a concussion with those stiches on the back of your head. So please don’t tell me this is just nothing. You’re worth more than that,” I reply sternly.
“Now, I want you to lie down and rest. Watch some TV, maybe make out with me a little—if you must,” I say with a smirk to rival his, “and I’ll do my best to be the sexiest nurse you’ve ever had. I may even find a uniform for you.” With a wink, I walk out of the room and look back to see his mouth drop open at the thought. Good, that took his mind off everything.
Now where do I find a nurse’s uniform?
Chapter Nine
I’ve spent a couple of days at Elle’s apartment being fed, watered and coddled over. I’m definitely starting to feel a lot better. She has been so much more relaxed since she told me about her past; we both have. I don’t have to be wary of my reactions anymore, and she isn’t tiptoeing around her past like it is a big secret. She told me that she has never wanted to pour her heart out to anyone like that before, but she wanted to be totally honest with me.
She continues to amaze me with her strength and resilience. Opening up to me like she did has simply made me fall more deeply in love with her, and I’m waiting for the right moment to tell her how I feel. There are lots of things I can’t tell her right now, but that is the one thing that I can control.
It’s been three days since the attack, and I’m almost feeling normal again—apart from my shoulder and ribs, of course. I’m itching to catch up with Shay so we can put our heads together and try and work out what the hell is really going on. We’ve been texting each other since the attack, but there hasn’t been the opportunity to talk about anything until now. Elle has a full day of classes today, so I made sure she was okay with Shay coming over while she was at school. Of course she thought it was fine, but I felt better asking her since it is her apartment.
After making sure I was set for the day, Elle leans down to kiss me goodbye. Never one to miss an opportunity, I grab her around the waist, pull her down on top of me and kiss the shit out of her. When we’ve had our fill I let her get up and watch her leave the apartment with the biggest smile on her face.
Shay lets himself in about twenty minutes later. As I walk back into the living room with two cups of coffee he curses, seeing the extent of my injuries for the first time.
“Shit, man. They really did a number on you,” he says, giving me the once over.
“Yeah, well you get that when it’s two on one and one gets you from the front while the other holds you back.” I laugh. “But I did get a couple of good shots in first.” We both laugh at that. Shay and I have been fighting together for years and we know it is always good to land at least a couple of punches in before getting your ass handed to you.
“So, what do you think about Evans being involved? His appearance has all but confirmed everything now,” Shay says, glancing at my face and wincing. It does look pretty horrendous. I’m amazed Elle has been so okay with it.
“I’m thinking either Gibbons or boss man is holding back on us, and Brimstone is getting poised to strike,” I think out loud.
Shay nods in agreement. “Yeah, but it still feels like we’re missing something.”
“I can’t put my finger on it either, bro. But when I do, we’ll be all over it,” I muse, knowing that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Elle safe.
After a full day of classes, I can’t wait to get home. I’m exhausted and just want to get home to Brax and chill out. I walk in the door and I’m hit with the aroma of garlic and tomato. Looking towards the kitchen, I see Brax standing at the stove, shirtless and cooking dinner. Putting my laptop bag down on the kitchen counter, I wrap my arms around him from behind, being careful of his injured arm.
“Hello, gorgeous. How was your day?” he asks, turning around in my arms.
“It’s a lot better now I’m here with you,” I say as he kisses me, tugging at my bottom lip.