Page 40 of Make Her Mine
That’s just fine with me. But why does my heart ache so much if it’s perfectly fine?
Chapter Nineteen
Brandon
Hours had passed since I got the text that the flowers had been hand-delivered to Ella. I’ve been at the Dairy King, hoping she’d call. My number was on the note, and the delivery man assured me he handed it to her. I asked her to give me a call. But she hasn’t called.
So, I went to The Watering Hole for a few drinks to give her more time to respond. This was Ella, after all. She needed more time for just about everything.
I ordered my third beer after Clayton ditched me when Tiffany came in. “Later, braddah. I hope Ella shows up.”
Waving at Tiffany, I turned to my cell to distract me while I waited. Was it all in vain? My mind has been focused on Ella, even when I slept. I was tired of fighting it and her. I just wanted to be with her already.
The flowers were meant to show her I cared. They were not about showing everyone else—they should already know I was crazy about Ella! I might’ve been just plumb crazy, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. That must mean something.
Knowing how innocent she was, I knew we wouldn’t be getting to the good stuff as quickly as I had with anyone before her. But we’d get there. I knew we would.
My fantasies of her had been off the charts. The night before, I used the wordLovewith her. I’d never used that word with any other woman before, not even in my dreams!
Not sure that I actually loved her just yet, but I cared about her . She needed more than justsome guy. Ella needed a man who could value her. A man with thick skin who could soften her shitty attitude. A man who could douse those flames with soft kisses and unveil what’s been hidden under her rough exterior.
Ella just needed to give me a chance to uncover some of that sweetness she’d pushed far down inside of her tortured soul. I couldn’t right what had happened with her very first friend; no one could. Ella needed to come to terms with that fact of life.
She needed to know that men and women were meant to make love and complement each other. One was no better than the other; both had roles to play, but it took two to tango.
Ella needed to feel a man’s caress, to know what it felt like to be touched by loving hands, not lusting hands. No, Ella was too special and too psychologically frail. She’d need a commitment before I took her virginity. I wouldn’t expect her to accept anything less.
Ella was a rare find, and I’d treat her as such. If she’d let me begin showing her, I could be the man she needed and deserved. We could be each other’s everything. But she has to stop being so afraid.
When she told me about Lacy, it was apparent that fear kept her virginity in place. I could be gentle with her body and her mind.
Lifting the frosted beer mug to my lips, the door opened, and Kyle Finley walked in. Usually, the man looked cheerful. Not now. No, Kyle wore a grim look, his lips were formed one tight line, and his color was on the red side.
I sat there, watching him as he scanned the room. Whomever it was, I would’ve hated to be in their shoes. Kyle looked like he could spit glass at that moment.
When his eyes met mine, I smiled, hoping to lessen his anger—for whatever it was over—but then he came at me, his fists balled at his sides and flames shooting out of the top of his head.
Well, maybe not actual flames, but he sure was hot-headed. And why was he coming at me? “Hey, Kyle, buddy. What’s up?”
“Get your ass up, Brandon,” he snarled. “I’m about to kick your ass.”
“Myass?” I couldn’t believe my ears.
His eyes looked like the eyes of a rattlesnake. “Yeah,yourass.”
“Why mine?” I got up just to be on the safe side.
“You’ve got some nerve coming into our home and thinking you can play slap and tickle with my baby sister.” He put his fists up in front of him. “Get ready to get your butt whooped.”
“Slap and tickle?” What is he was talking about? “I’ve never touched your sister, Kyle. Why are you so angry? I’ve never done anything untoward to your sister.”
His fist came through the air right at my nose, and I quickly dodged out of the way, feeling the air rush by my face. “Liar!”
People, including my two brothers, began to gather around us, and a few began to chant, “Fight, fight, fight…”
“There ain’t gonna be no fight,” I said calmly. “Kyle, I can see you’re furious.”
Another blow came at me; again I dodged it just in the nick of time.
