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Mostly though,
I missed Brandon.
I know what Mrs. Stewart told me; knew that I was just another notch on his bedpost, and story he might tell someone over beers at a bar. If he remembered me at all in a few years. That’s what Melanie had said. It burned because every night I felt his minty breath on mine, tasted his tongue as it plunged into my own, felt his cock—thick and warm—deep inside of me.
I yearned for him like I ached for a vanished part of my soul.
I parked at my complex, hopped out of the car, and waddled slowly up to the elevator in my building. Leaning against the elevator, I sighed and put my hands on my belly. I did that a lot; that instinctive need to protect the life growing inside of me. Even if I’d lost my best friend and the love of my life, at least I had a part of Brandon with me always. I cared for him so much, and this was as close as we’d ever be again.
I understood that, but I still hated it.
Burned for what I wished I had.
Opening the door to my apartment, my jaw dropped. A trail of rose petals led to the living room. Inside were sprays of roses, tulips, and carnations—explosions of color and petals in every corner of the room. The sweet smell of flowers wafted up and tickled my nose. I continued following the path to my bedroom. Confused, I opened the door, my heart pounding so hard that I thought I’d collapse.
He was there.
Brandon was there looking as gorgeous as ever in dark slacks, a red silk shirt, and a hint of stubble. He was on his knees and in his hand, was a small, turquoise ring box. I didn’t have to be able to read the label to know that it was from Tiffany’s.
I just wanted to cry.
“You’re here.”
He nodded. “Melanie let the cat out of the bag because she’s a spiteful bitch.”
Despite everything, even though I was still hesitating by the doorway, it was as if he were an illusion or a mirage, and if I got close at all, everything would disappear and fade away around me. I couldn’t bear it.
“I’m so sorry. You kept blocking me, and I didn’t want to seem like a stalker or like I couldn’t respect your space. Then Melanie shared exactly the bullshit she told you and I was pissed.” He coughed and opened the box, an enormous princess cut diamond encircled by sapphires glimmered back at me. “Tiger, I want you in my life, no matter what. I need to have you by my side. I want to have our child together.”
“She said that you’d made other ‘problems’ go away,” I said, my voice wavering as I broke into tears.
He stood and raced across the room and swept me up into his strong arms. “She lied. I’ve never and I would never.” His hand strayed down to my belly. “This baby is mine. Both you and the baby are my family.”
“But Tammy…”
“We’ll figure that out,” he said, putting his fingers under my chin and forcing me to look at him. “Do you understand, Selena? I can’t live without you, and I don’t want to.”
I nodded. “I missed you so much that it hurt.”
“Me too.”
His lips were on mine then, as hungry as ever. He still tasted of mint, but this time a hint of cinnamon was also underlying his flavor. Moaning, I pushed into him, something that was more complicated than it had been a couple months ago before I’d gained quite so much weight. To my frustration, he pulled away from me.
Tears sprang from my eyes, and I was crying hard so quickly it made my head spin. Damn those pregnancy mood swings.
“You don’t have to stop.” I held my belly in both hands. “I know I’m fat now.”
He shook his head. “You’re gorgeous, Tiger. Hotter than I’ve ever seen you, and we both know it.” Brandon knelt again before me and held out the ring. “I just need to have you wear my ring; make it official. You’re mine, baby, and you always will be.”
I nodded and held out my left hand. “God yes.” Then I reached under the neck of my shirt and pulled out my necklace. “I never gave this up. I… You’re not wrong. You do have the key to my heart.”
“And now you’re the key to mine,” he said, kissing my belly deliberately as he stood up.
“But there’s still so much to do. So many hurdles to jump.”
He stroked my cheek, and I pressed myself against the warmth of his palm. “We can conquer it all together. I believe that.”
“So—” I hiccupped, even as I wiped my eyes. “What do we do now?”
