Page 40 of 12 Months of Mayhem

She gives a soft laugh. “A long time ago.”

“It’s easy,” I say, swinging my leg over the seat. “Just hold on tight.”

Brandy giggles and slips the helmet on. “I think I can handle that.”

With a wink, I hold out my hand, and she takes it, climbing on behind me. Brandy’s hands steady on my shoulders before her arms tighten around my waist. The engine roars to life, and we’re off, tearing down empty streets beneath the street lights. The cool night air whips against us, but with her holding on, I almost don’t feel the chill.

As we pull up to the Imperial, its grand, old-world façade glows against the night. I cut the engine, and we step off, her laughter still echoing softly as we stride into the lobby, the warmth inside wrapping around us. We’re side by side, the world hushed as we reach the elevator, the soft chime of the doors closing like the start of something inevitable.

In her room, Brandy crosses the floor, slipping off her heels gracefully and unhurried. She sweeps back the heavy curtains, revealing a sprawling cityscape that stretches beneath us, lights twinkling like stars tossed carelessly across the dark. The whole scene is hypnotic, casting its spell over everything it touches, and I feel the pull toward her, magnetic and fierce.

I step closer, and there’s this quiet intensity between us—electric—like we’re caught on the edge of something that could burn the whole damn night down.

Brandy turns to face me, her eyes locking onto mine, a silent question hanging in the air between us. Without a word, I close the distance between us, unable to resist the pull any longer. Her lips slightly part as I cup her face gently in my hands, the warmth of her skin sending a jolt through me.

The kiss is soft at first, tentative, as if we’re testing the waters. But then it deepens, fueled by the unspoken tension that crackles in the air around us. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as if she’s trying to erase any space left between us.

Time seems to stand still in that moment, the world outside fading away as we get lost in each other. It’s like everything before this was just a prelude to now, to this connection that feels inevitable and unstoppable.

When we finally pull apart, there’s this fire in Brandy’s eyes, a fierce, unrestrained spark that mirrors the one burning through me. She steps back, slow and deliberate, letting her jacket slide off her shoulders and hit the floor without a second thought.

“I seem to remember you’re pretty good in the shower,” she says, a teasing glint in her gaze.

She backs toward the bathroom, reaching over to flick on the light, casting a warm glow that fills the space between us. Her fingers slip to her waistband, and with a smirk, she tugs her jeans down, letting them fall with a careless ease that makes my pulse quicken. I shrug out of my cut, draping it carefully over the back of a chair, then kick off my boots and unbuckle my jeans, never letting my gaze stray from her.

Brandy’s smirk turns wicked as she lifts her shirt, pulling it over her head, baring that confidence that’s so damn magnetic it hits me like a shot of adrenaline. I strip off my shirt, letting it fall to the floor, each step in sync with hers as she moves toward the bathroom. She tosses a glance over her shoulder—a silent invitation—then disappears inside.

When I reach the doorway, steam is already curling around her, filling the room with a thick, heady warmth. I follow her in, feeling the heat wrap around us, sealing us from everything beyond these walls. The water is already streaming down, a steady cascade that soaks us in seconds, mixing with the fire that hasn’t faded since we walked in together.

Brandy turns to face me, droplets tracing down her skin, her gaze locking onto mine, dark and intense. And for a moment, neither of us moves. We simply stand there, letting the water pour over us, washing away every bit of the night’s grit and grime but leaving the heat, the pull between us stronger than ever.

Brandy reaches out, her fingers grazing along my chest, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I capture her hand, bringing it to my lips, and softly kissing her knuckles. Her breath hitches, a shiver running through her as she leans in closer.

The kiss is fierce and hungry, a collision of lips and tongues that speaks of primal need. Our bodies press together, slick skin sliding against slick skin as we explore each other with a desperate urgency. Hands roam freely, mapping out familiar territory while discovering new peaks and valleys.

When we finally part, gasping for breath, the room is filled with nothing but the sounds of our ragged breathing and the steady drumming of the water against the tiles. Brandy’s eyes meet mine, a mixture of desire and something deeper swirling in their depths.

Lifting her, she wraps her legs around my waist, and I slowly ease my cock into the very depths of her. Brandy gasps as I pull out and then slam back into her. We move in an unstoppable rhythm, each thrust bringing us closer to the edge. I feel a primal connection to her that seems to come from deep within my soul. The water trickles down, almost forgotten, as the heat of this moment consumes everything.

Brandy’s nails dig into my back as she cries out, her voice echoing in the tiled space, the intensity of it sending shivers down my spine. This is not just about the physical release we’re seeking, but there’s a deeper connection being forged between us—one that will be hard to break apart.

I feel her body tighten around me, her breathing becoming more erratic as she nears her peak. And then she lets go, her release washing over her like a tidal wave as I keep thrusting, drawing out every ounce of pleasure from her body. In return, I find my release, the connection between us reaching its peak as I climax, both of us a symphony of gasps and moans echoing around the steam-filled room.

As the intensity fades, Brandy slides down my body, her eyes still locked on mine. There’s this unspoken understanding passing between us, a silent promise that goes beyond just the physical. It’s as if we’ve shared something profound and life-changing—not just about our bodies coming together, but our souls merging in a way that goes beyond words.

We clean up, dry off, slip beneath the cool sheets, and curl up together in the king-size bed. The city stretches out before us, quiet and still, just beginning to wake under the soft blush of dawn. The light filters in, casting a faint glow across Brandy’s face, illuminating the warmth in her eyes as she rests beside me, close and unguarded.

She laces her fingers through mine. “You know I can’t stay.”

It’s not a question. It’s a simple fact. And even though I’d give anything to hold on to her a little longer, I know she has a life waiting for her, a world I’m just passing through.

“Yeah,” I say, but my voice cracks a bit, betraying me. I can hear the disappointment I’m trying to hide, the part of me that hates to let her go.

She sighs, brushing her thumb over my hand. “We’re booked solid for the next two months. After that, we’re back in the studio to work on the next album.”

I manage a smile, though it’s mixed with something bittersweet. “You don’t have to explain. Hell, I’ve kept up with your tour and see how well you’re doing on the charts. The boys love telling customers they know you, the famous Brandy with the Steel Outlaws.” I chuckle, but there’s no humor in it, just a quiet resignation.

If I could, I’d keep her right here with me, tucked away from the rest of the world. But Brandy and the fire in her spirit belong to the stage, the road, and the fans who look up to her. She’s got a life carved out, and it consists of bright lights and loud crowds. What could a man like me ever offer her that could measure up to that?

---