Mirage Chapter 4

Life had a switch button, Brad swore, because it had switched to perfect overnight. Since her confession, he’d gone to bed smiling and waking up to finding the smile was still there. There was a part of him still that was doubtful this was all a dream. He was afraid he’d wake up and she wouldn’t be smiling at him when he entered the bakery. He didn’t want to go a day without kissing her. Her fragrance was a delight to inhale and her eyes were a joy to stare into. Everything about her was perfect and his life was now completed by the sound of her laughter. He’d been prescribed life’s sweetest gift.

            He always got his usual coffee and blue berry pie in the morning and took her out to lunch. Then when she got off work, he took her to his home where he cooked them a meal. Their evenings ended with them on the couch discussing books, debating which author was more brilliant, and which artist brought out better visuals. She loved watching him work and loved his paintings. He asked to draw her a few times, but she refused because she said she was too shy to have him draw her. One day, he would convince her of her natural beauty and she would slowly ease into the role in his eyes.

            Brad’s days were spent with clients who wanted his services of painting and his nights were spent discussing with her about various topics. He showed her the appreciation of art and the beauty of sculptures that amazed him. She showed him how to make desserts that melted in his mouth. Together they laughed and learned, danced and talked, and the best parts were the kisses that made his heart flutter. The kisses that tugged at his heart in the middle of the night, that made his soul ached for her, that delivered the ultimate fulfillment of life. Late at night when he would wake, he wished she was sleeping next to him so he could hold her. He’d kissed her enough times, but he always stopped himself before he got further because she wasn’t ready. He knew she appreciated it and holding her in his arms was more than enough. He was going to let her lead him to making love because he would be willing to wait.

            Tonight, it was a dinner at his house, followed by a slow dance that allowed him to hold her. Now, sitting outside on his patio, they were looking over the glow of the city lights. She was wearing a pink summer dress and on the way out, she grabbed a shirt he had lying on the couch to wear. They sat together with their hands entwined and their bodies touching.

            “When can I see where you live,” he asked.

            She turned around to look at him. “You want to see where I live?”

            He nodded. “Can I?”
            “You can. Before Luke died, he inherited his grandparents’ home and when he died, I couldn’t bring the heart to sell it. So I moved in. It’s an old Victorian house out by the country side. No city lights like this, but there are the stars and a small pond with an old turtle.”

            He laughed. “Sounds very romantic.”

            “You don’t mind?”

            “Mind what?”
            “That it belonged to Luke?”

            He shook his head. “Why should I? I think it’s kind of you to not give up his last heritage.”

            A smile curved her lips. “How is it that you can understand and not my mother?”

            “And I still need to meet your mother.”

            She laughed. “Oh, yes, get ready because she’s one hell of a character.”

            “I’ll bet, if she’s anything like you.”

            “She’s a lot stronger than me. My father left for another woman. I know that there are times where she’s struggled with herself as to what part of her wasn’t good enough. Although she was a single mother, she never once let me feel her anger for it. I wish I had her strength. She never let me saw her suffer.”

            Brad took her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Angie, don’t say that. I can’t bear it when you say you’re not strong. You are, very strong, indeed. And I love you very much.”

            She reached out a hand and touched his face. “Thank you.”

            When she shivered, he stood up. “Come on; let’s go inside where it’s warm.”

            Once inside, he shut the patio door and was about to light the fireplace for her, but she took his hand and led her to his bedroom. He swallowed hard and felt his heart race. When they entered his bedroom, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. The look in her eyes was bright and clear as she rose up to kiss him gently. When she pulled away, he saw that she was trembling.

            “Angie, we don’t have to do anything,” Brad said.

            She smiled. “I know, but will you hold me tonight? Just hold me?”

            He wrapped his arms around her. “It would be my dream.”

 

            Midnight’s darkness filled Brad’s room as he lay awake staring at her sleeping on his arm. It had been close to hours since she fell asleep, but he just couldn’t dare close his eyes. He wanted to watch her because for him, reality hadn’t really sunk in yet. Yes, he held her in his arms at this very moment, but it was so unreal that he kept denying the pleasure. For so long, he’d been trying to picture this moment and never did he imagine how content he would be. She’d gone to sleep with his shirt on and her hair was spilled across his pillows. Her body was pressed against his and she held on to his arms. He leaned in close and inhaled her fragrance, closing his eyes, feeling the beauty of the love for her deep inside. He would never let her go. She was everything he’d ever desired and she alone could calm the rage inside him. No one had been able to do that and with her at his side, he knew that he could face all the wrath the world handed him. He ran his fingers down her cheeks and then kissed her lips lightly. She turned toward him and snuggled into his shoulder. Her hand reached over and found itself tangled in his shirt. He almost laughed as she fell back asleep. He kissed her forehead and lay down on the pillow.

 

            Brad woke up alone and didn’t like the feeling. The side where she slept was empty and the shirt she wore lay on the chair. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed deeply. But the sigh disappeared when he realized the shower was running and the door was left wide open. That was when he saw the trail of clothes she’d left for him. The summer dress she wore, the pink bra he’d seen peeking out, and a pair of white lacy undies that made his toes curl. He picked up each piece of clothing and entered the bathroom thinking she was already in the shower. But what he saw made him drop everything at the door. She was standing in the middle of the room naked as the day she was born with her hand outstretched to him. He gulped, unable to breath, his heart pounding so hard he thought it would jump out at him. He needed support and he leaned against the sink, gasping for breath. She smiled and walked to him, slowly unbuttoning each button of his shirt. Her eyes were hooded, deeply arousing him, as her fingers worked on his buttons. She slid the shirt off, ran her fingers down his biceps and he shuddered. Then she reached for the belt buckle on his pants and he swallowed hard. When his pants were at his ankles, he stepped out of them. He watched as her eyes never left his as her slender fingers slid inside the waistband of his boxers.

            “Last night, I slept peacefully for the first time since he died. Last night, I had no dreams of him or of anything. This morning, I woke up with a hunger for something I couldn’t quite define. I watched you sleeping and then I realized what it was. I hungered for you,” Angie said.

            Brad couldn’t speak. His vocal chords were gone and all he could do was look at this beautiful creature who stood before him. When she reached for the t-shirt he wore, he stopped her. She placed a hand on his chest and she licked her lips.

            “Your heart is beating so fast,” she whispered.

            He touched her hair. “It’s because everything I’ve wanted is about to happen and I’m not sure how to react.”

            She smiled and took his hands guiding them to her chest. “I’m yours, Brad, this moment, I am all yours.”

            Brad took that as his invitation and claimed her lips. She tasted sweet as he picked her up and opened the shower door. Once underneath the water, he explored every inch of her body from her firm breasts to her waist to her long legs. When he felt as if he was going out of control, she begged for more and he gave it to her until she let out a moan of satisfaction. He was careful, knowing it had been a while since she’d been with someone. But the moment their bodies joined together, he felt his heart take flight and leave the darkness behind. He found light in how she returned the favor, how she kissed him deeper than anyone had, and how in her eyes, she gave him all of herself. When they collapsed together, finally spent, he could feel the need for her growing again.

            “Can you do that again?” Angie asked.

            He laughed. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

 

            “Mom, this is Brad,” Angie said as her mother entered her house with a surprised look on her face.

            Angie knew it was time for them to meet. Tonight, dinner was at her house and after Brad had taken his time exploring the house Luke had lived in, and explaining how lovely it was, her mother arrived with no idea she was going to meet a man like Brad. The look on her mother’s face was priceless.

            “Oh, gosh, if I knew, I would have dressed up a bit,” Dawn said running her fingers through her hair.

            “Nonsense, you look beautiful!” Brad said as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

            Her mother blushed and laughed. “Oh, why, thank you.”

            They spent an afternoon together with a light lunch and her mother wowing over everything Brad said. Angie watched in awe as Brad spoke about his parents, how he grew up alone, and the tragic experience he had with life. She was awed because he turned out to be amazing and didn’t have one flaw in him. He was so relaxed with her mother and she loved it. He joked at the right moments when things got too heavy and spoke seriously when needed. Her mother was also intrigued with him and she could see it in her mother’s eyes, especially when Brad would reach over and hold her hand.

            When Brad left for the day, she and her mother went to sit down by the pond with a cup of coffee in their hands. It had been a wonderful day and she’d enjoyed it. She’d forgotten how fulfilling life could be. It was ok to move on and it was ok to laugh. She knew that now and although Luke still lingered in her heart and came up at moments when unexpected, she learned to accept it because Brad had too.

            “He’s wonderful,” Dawn said.

            “I’m glad you think so.”

            “He seems like he loves you. How do you feel?”

            Smiling, she replied, “I’m close to that too. He’s amazing, mother. He understands so much about everything. He gives me all the moment in the world to keep up with him. He’s one of a kind, really.”

            “I’m glad you’re happy, Angie. I really am. For the longest time, I was worried.”

            Tears filled her eyes. “I’m still a little tender about things, but I’m learning that moving on is ok. As long as I keep a place for Luke in my heart, I can step forward without feeling as if I’ve betrayed him. And Brad understands that. I just want to live my life without worry and without pain. I’m learning how to do that with Brad.”

            Her mother smiled and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. Mostly, I’m happy that Brad understands everything about you.”

            “Me, too.”

            The following day at work, Angie spent the day making coconut cupcakes with Susan for a customer’s order. Between that and maintaining the front counter and taking care of the incoming customers, she was drained when the day came to an end. She was exhausted and her feet were burning. When she stepped outside to go home, Brad was waiting for her. Susan said a quick hello to Brad and jumped into her car, roaring off before Angie could say good-bye. But when she saw Brad, all exhaustion came to an end and she smiled. He saw her fatigue and hugged her, pulling her close to him. She sighed and felt as if she would be ok just by having him near her.

            “You must be exhausted,” he said.

            “I am, but having you here makes me feel better.”

            “How about I take you home and draw you a hot bath? Some of that delicious food I can whip up, and I’ll take care of you for tonight?”

            She smiled and looked up at him. “Right now, I’ll go just about anywhere with you.”

            “Good answer.”

           

            Candles lit around her, soft music, and a tub full of bubbles as Brad massaged her feet. Angie was in heaven as she let the water soak her skin and his fingers worked on her sore spots. She had her eyes closed and she was comfortable to the point of sleeping in the bathtub. After a delicious home-cooked meal, he drew a bath and took his time taking her clothes off. She liked being taken care of and it showed his love for her. When his hands stopped massaging, she opened her eyes to find he was gone. She sat up as he entered again, naked, to join her. He slipped in behind her and began to massage her neck and shoulders.

            “God, you know how to please a woman,” Angie moaned.

            He kissed her ear as he continued to massage her. “I aim to please.”

            She turned around and slipped her arms around him. “You do please me. But I want to please you. You turn around and let me massage you.”

            “No, let this be your night.”

            Angie gave him her puppy eyes. “Please?”

            He shook his head. “No.”

            “Oh, come on.”

            He suddenly lost his smile and got out of the tub. She frowned at the sudden intrusion of his coldness and got out. She put on his robe and found him in the bedroom wearing another robe of his. She walked to him and put her arms around him from behind.

            “I’m sorry,” she said.

            He touched her hands. “It’s not your fault. I’m not comfortable with anyone seeing my back.”

            She turned him around. “Why?”

            Angie watched as his eyes filled with tears and then he turned away. When he remained silent, she slowly walked to him and touched his shoulder. He turned around and there were tears on his face. Shocked, she reached up and wiped them away. He struggled to contain his emotions, but failed, and he turned away from her to keep her from seeing him cry. She walked around him and cupped his face.

            “Brad, whatever it is, I’m here to be with you. Please don’t shut me out,” she whispered.

            He grabbed her hands and held them together. “Angie, I’m afraid that if you see it, you’ll not love me anymore.”

            “I’ll always love you.”

            He slowly let her hands go, turned around, and lowered the upper half of the robe. What Angie saw slammed her heart to the core and she hid her gasp. Across his back were thick, crooked scars of back lashes that he’d received. It covered his entire back and she now understood why every time they made love, he kept his shirt on. She ran her fingers over the scars and tears flowed from her eyes making her ache for his pain. When he turned around to face him, she threw her arms around him.

            “Brad, I love you.”

            He held her and tightened his grip. “Do you know now what I mean when I say that you calm the rage in me?”

            “Where did this come from?”
            “From my father.”

            “Why?”

            “Because he felt I deserved to be punished for being his son.”

            Angie pulled away and grabbed his face in her hands. “You don’t deserve anything but happiness and love.”

            He swallowed hard as a tear escaped. “Can you give me that?”

            She nodded and kissed him deeply. “Yes, I can.”

            “Do you promise you won’t ever leave me? If you do, I’m afraid this storm may find its way back into my heart.”

            “I won’t leave you. I promise. I love you.”

            With the windows opened and the wind blowing in, lifting the curtains, Angie and Brad lay on the bed lost in each other’s pleasures. She was in a world of sinful pleasures where Brad pleased her everywhere and gave what she needed. She in turn erased all the memories he carried with her kisses and her touch. Tonight, for the first time, they made love without anything between them. He allowed himself to open up to her and she gave him everything without holding back. It was a tangled mess from the moment their heads touched the pillows until the moment the sun rose in the horizon.