In case no one told you this today - I love you. (Random - but, hey, I'm all about random!)

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When we both escape the cold air in my flat, both silent, I catch Brooke standing where I've last seen her by the couch, staring down at her phone. The sound of the door opening and closing makes her head turn up. ''Oh, thank God,'' she murmurs, looks at me firstly, then at Braden and Braden nods at her. She nods back and escapes into her room.

I frown and shift my gaze completely to Braden in a questioning way. He avoids my eyes, but I narrow my eyes at him, drop his hand and cross my arms in front of me. He sighs. ''Let's go to the kitchen. I'll cook you some dinner.''

He shrugs off his coat and waits to take mine. I take it off and I follow Braden into the kitchen, completely confused and ready to burst up because I hate not knowing what's going on when it clearly involves me somehow.

I stand in the kitchen awkwardly, not knowing how to approach this situation properly. Braden takes out a chair and points at it. ''Sit down.''

''Ooh, so demanding,'' I try to joke lightly, but my voice comes out tight and Braden's lines harden. I swallow my lump and strictly sit on the offered seat.

Braden puts his hands on my shoulders and rests them there for a moment. Then, he leans down and places a soft kiss on my cheek. And just like that his touch is gone, along with his muscular scent that I adore so much. My body stiffens against my will.

''What do you want to eat?'' Braden asks me, making me turn my head. He's already searching through the cabinets.

''Anything would be great.'' Although I can't really think about food right now. I'm not hungry at all, I'm actually nervous because something's going on that I don't know about. How can I eat when in anticipation? ''Can I help you?'' I ask in hopes to do something with myself.

Braden abruptly looks at me with sharp eyes. ''Absolutely not. You sit there and wait while I do the work.''

I want to sulk, telling him that he was working for the whole day while I basically didn't do anything, except for searching the jobs and sleeping half of the day off. It's not fair that he does everything, but his dark face prevents me from saying anything more. He's clearly in a bad mood today. I sigh.

So I just sit there while Braden starts cooking and go through the possible things Braden wants to talk to me about that are more important than going to my work and earning the money I lost back.

Is he still mad at me for not telling him about Charles? Shit, I hope he didn't find out about the phone call! I remind myself to tell him before someone else does and because I just want to tell him everything. Maybe I should start trusting him more.

I watch his back as he cooks. He looks amazing even when he's cooking. I frown a bit when I see he's still in a suit, even though he put the dress jacket off and is now in only his dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up and he has an apron wrapped around him, protecting his clothes. I can't deny his ass looks so delicious in his trousers, but I love seeing him in jeans.

''Why don't you go change into something more comfortable, Braden? I don't want you to destroy your clothes.'' I propose, almost afraid to break the silence between us. But I'm really so nervous that I have to do something before I start bumping my head down onto the desk.

Braden looks down at himself as if only now realising that he's still wearing his suit. His suits must be really expensive because they all look like they're made just for him, but it seems like he doesn't care about that anyway. ''Yeah, I suppose,'' he murmurs distantly, but not stepping away from the stove.

God, he's being really difficult today. It would be a whole lot simple if he would just come out and say what I did wrong not that I have to circle around him like mouse and cat.

''I can watch the food for a few minutes,'' I offer.

Braden looks at me again and I see he's deciding. What does he even have to decide about that? He'll just go a few meters away from me to my room to change his clothes. What a hard fucking decision, really! He's really pissing me off with his mood.

''Yeah, okay. I'll hurry,'' he says and waits until I stand up and go stand next to him. Even when I'm on my feet, holding the wooden spoon in my hand, he doesn't go away. I look at him and raise my eyebrows pointedly. Braden just goes with his hands through his hair, distressed, and then hurries out of the kitchen. I watch his back while he walks away, pursing my lips.

I see he's preparing zucchini soup, vegetable rissoles with rice and tomato salad with cucumbers. I'm surprised at the healthy food on my stove. I don't see that very often, but Braden must care about what he eats probably. Of course, he can't get a body like that from lying around and eating burgers.

Braden's back in the kitchen before I can stir the soup properly, placing his hands on my hips, saying close to my ear, ''I can take it from here, beautiful.''

I blush from his words and back away. I'm sure as hell not beautiful, at least not today. I probably look like some psycho who's ready to commit a crime. I cringe, sitting back down and anxiously watch Braden continue.

I hate how gracious he looks even when he's cooking. Jesus, who looks good when they're cooking? He does everything with ease and he's good at everything! Is that even humanly possible?

''Are there any things you're not good at?'' I blurt out.

I watch his mouth form a small smile. ''Yeah, I could probably find a few things.''

''Yeah, I highly doubt,'' I mutter, rolling my eyes.

Braden chuckles and my body becomes less tense at seeing him at ease again after so much uncomfortable tension between us.

I see Braden's coming close to finishing the dinner so I make my offer, ''Can I at least make the table?''

Braden stops what he's doing momentarily, turning his eyes on me, searching my face. Searching for what, I have no idea. He looks down at my body then and he exhales slowly as if in pain. My eyebrows furrow at his look. What is that all about?

My throat closes up. Oh, God. What if he doesn't want to be with me anymore? It sounds possible. Why would he show up otherwise, basically forbid me to go to work, cook me dinner and ignore me the whole time? Shit, fuck, double shit. I'm not prepared. He can't do this to me! Not now. Not ever.

Braden just nods his head and I hurry up to take the plates from the cabinets, ignoring vertigo that appears for a moment. Braden watches me closely, but I refuse to look at him back. I want to prolong this night. If it's really the last one between us, I want it to last as long as possible and I want to have as much time as I can with him. But I don't know how to do that and not be disappointed. He's clearly in a bad mood and I can't annoy him with my clinginess and my love.

I turn around on my heels so quick that my head swirls again. I lose my balance for a swift second and Braden notices this, gripping my upper arms tightly again. ''Christ, Rory!'' he breathes, his eyes wide. I grip the plates tightly in my hands so I don't drop them on the floor. He escorts me to the chair and sits me down, squatting down in front of me and takes my head in his hands. ''Baby ...'' he starts, but then stops, closing his mouth tightly. ''We'll eat first. And then we'll talk,'' he says seriously, brushing my lower lip lightly with his thumb, then placing a feather kiss on my lips.

I forget how to breathe. The thoughts I don't want to have come back in my mind. What other thing would he need to talk with me so urgently, than the one when he says we're over?

I place both plates on the table with difficulty, blinking back my tears. What if I'm just overreacting? God, please don't take this man away from my life. At least not yet. I need him, probably now more than ever.

I stand to get the spoons, forks and knives, but Braden turns his sharp face to me and glares me down. I lift my eyebrows. ''Sit down, Rory. And don't let me repeat myself again,'' he says, his tone turning a shade darker.

I continue standing and cross my arms on my chest. ''Don't dictate me, Braden. I want to set the table and I'll do what I damn please! Stop acting so moody or tell me what's the reason behind your actions. You're driving me crazy, God!''

Braden looks at me in stunned silence. Then a small smile stretches his mouth. I scowl. Does he think this is funny to me? My nerves will make me explode any minute and he dares to smile at me!

''Why are you smiling?'' I accuse, sounding grumpy.

He only shakes his head. ''So impatient, baby girl,'' he says in amusement, his tone hinting on many other things, making me blush. And also confused, because what, he's moody one second, angry the next one and then happy and playful? I can't follow up.

''It's not that I'm impatient, it's that you act like I can't walk properly this whole time you've been here!'' I say exasperated.

Braden grimaces as if he remembered something unpleasantly. I watch him curiously, waiting for his answer. ''We will talk after I feed you. I promise.'' He stares at me and we're both stubborn enough that neither of us adverts our gaze away. It's me who finally gives up, sighing and sitting back down. I cross my arms and glare down at the floor. Braden doesn't say anything, he just sets the table and brings the delicious smelling food on the table.

When he sits down, I stare at him pointedly. He chuckles. ''Eat, Rory.''

I cóck my head on the side. ''Start talking then.''

Braden sighs and mutters something under his breath that sounds awfully like, ''What a stubborn woman.''

I purse my lips, not wanting to give in. I need to know what's up with him.

Braden licks his lips and sits up straighter, putting his hands on the table in front of him and interlaces them. ''Brooke told me what happened today,'' he says.

For some reason, I become nervous under his hard gaze and I subconsciously shift in my seat and sit up straighter. I stare at him blankly. ''Uh, and what exactly did happen?''

''Two important things. The first one I want to discuss is you searching a new job. Really, Rory? We've already been through this. Call me a demanding man, a dictator or whatever you please, but I will nowhere in hell let you have another job and work for so many hours a day.'' I drop my hands, ready to fight him on that statement, but he's not finished apparently. ''Wipe that look off your face. I might have to pull some strings in order to prevent you going against me. And this is not me trying to order you around, it's me looking out for you.''

He puts up two fingers when I want to object again and he doesn't let me speak. ''And the second thing, the most important ... Maybe I should start with a question for this one; Why haven't you been eating?''

I close my mouth, now completely at loss with words. My forehead scrunches. ''I've been eating ...'' I mutter like a small child.

Braden narrows his eyes and brings his head closer. ''Oh, really? Then what the hell was the stunt that happened when Brooke came home? You almost blacked out, Rory. I'm not kidding with stuff like that. Your health comes first to me as it should to you, so if you're not capable of taking care of yourself, then I might just do something about it,'' he declares.

I look anywhere but at his face. I stare down at my empty plate. He has every right to be concerned, I know that. It's my fault that it happened what it did, but the feeling of being scolded? Yeah, not that fantastic. ''It's not a habit or anything. It just might have happened that food wasn't the first thing on my mind these past days, okay? Cut me some slack, Braden. I went through a lot of shock and stress was consuming me.''

Braden sighs and now I see the tenderness on his face. He puts his hands on top of mine that are resting on the table. Yes, he can be harsh sometimes, but I know he really is worried and wants the best for me. He's really a good man, despite what he thinks. ''About that, it's already been taken care of.''

I blink at him. ''What?''

He smiles. ''The money. I put some money on your bank account.''

I take a few seconds for his words to settle down and when they do, I pull my hands away from his touch. ''But why would you do that?'' I ask stupidly, not believing his words. I'm not angry nor am I happy. I'm just numb. I don't think I can be surprised much more after these past days in hell.

Braden frowns. ''And why wouldn't I do that? Rory, do you even realise how much money I have?'' I scrunch my nose. ''Yeah, I thought so. I don't want to rub my wealthiness in your face, but why would a person I care about suffer when I can obviously do something to help them? Do you get what I'm saying?''

I purse my lips, still being stubborn.

Braden rolls his eyes. ''Giving you an example, what would you do if the tables were turned? If you were a multi-millionaire and I'd gone broke? Wouldn't you try to help me?''

I sigh. He's right, I would. ''But you could at least tell me. Warn me. You can't do things like that then inform me of what you did. It doesn't work like that. True that we're not in a normal relationship, but I think it's still important that we have trust in each other and mutual agreements.''

Braden goes with his hands through his hair and messes it up. ''I'm trying, Rory, okay? I'm trying. I've never been with someone like you before and I really don't know how to act and what to do around you sometimes ... You're not like the rest of them, darling.'' I sit in silence, wanting him to continue and finish that statement. He realises what I want and gets on with talking, ''Other girls, they all wanted my money, they enjoyed my wealth and they enjoyed receiving pricey gifts and expensive clothes. You're not that girl, which you proved so many times and I'm lost, because buying expensive gifts is what worked for me so far.'' He shrugs and half-smiles, almost apologetic. ''But that doesn't work with you and that's when things start to get complicated for me.''

I snort and a small laugh escapes me. That was so sweet coming from his mouth. ''I'm not that difficult, Braden. All I want from you is your time and ...'' love, I want to say, but clamp my mouth shut before I do. ''I want you to spend your time with me, to talk to me. I'll appreciate it more than any gift you can buy with money.''

Braden smiles, although he looks like my words stunned him. ''You see, that's where I get stuck. I can smother you with jewellery, clothes and flowers, but I'm not good with words and it seems that I always say the wrong thing.''

I look at him in pure disbelief. I can't believe how much he's opening up with me. He doesn't always share many things with me, but when he does, he makes sure to surprise me with his words. And then I frown. ''You don't say the wrong things, Braden. I mean, you do sometimes, but we all do, so you shouldn't beat yourself up for that. We're not perfect and we're learning our whole lives from the mistakes.''

Braden looks at me warmly and with adoration written across his face. ''When did you get so smart?''

I blush and look down at my hands.

''I kind of need to inform you of one more thing, actually.'' I swiftly turn my gaze back on him and he smiles when he sees that he has my full attention. ''But the food will get cold so until you don't have your plate full, we won't talk,'' he continues.

Oh, that sneaky bastard. I quickly fill my platter with soup and start eating right away. Braden chuckles and I lift my expectant gaze to him. ''Curious, aren't you?'' he asks playfully.

I lift my eyebrow. ''I'm a woman. You can't say something like that to me and then say you won't tell me. You're literally begging for trouble here,'' I joke.

Braden's eyes glisten. ''Ooh, trouble? What would you do to me, baby?'' his voice drops down an octave lower, his tone becomes suggesting.

I swallow the soup I have before I choke on it and die. Well, that would be fantastic. And so very sexy. But I don't bite his vibe and I don't let him advert my attention elsewhere. ''Start talking, babe, before I'll put this spoon somewhere where it'll hurt.''

He tries hard to hide the smile, but when he sees my glare at him and me holding that spoon towards him, he breaks out in a laugh. He's literally laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes. I stare at him offendedly. ''I'm sorry. I'm so sorry ... But you were ... you were ... oh, God, I'm sorry ...'' And he continues laughing.

''Braden,'' I warn. He made me curious and it's never good when I'm curious. I can be a demanding little thing, despite what Braden thinks!

''Okay, okay. I'm sorry, what I have to tell you is important so please, don't make me laugh again.''

My mouth falls open. ''Make you laugh? I literally threatened you! I wouldn't be laughing if I was you!''

Braden laughs again. ''You threatened me with a spoon, Rory, baby,'' he coos.

I roll my eyes. ''Still,'' I mutter when I realise how stupid this conversation and the whole thing really is. ''Continue what you started before, Braden, or don't start it at all the next time.''

Braden's eyes blaze with fire. ''Oh, I fully intend to finish what I start,'' he says with that low voice of his that wakes certain parts in my body.

I shudder, a sudden lust washing down my body like a storm. This man can turn me on in merely seconds with his words only. And I kind of hate him for that sometimes. I close my eyes and turn my head away from his deep, chocolate brown eyes that are so mesmerising I could watch them for a whole day straight. ''Don't. Not now,'' I say weakly.

Braden sighs. ''Fine. It's about the bar,'' he starts. I completely stop eating and freeze in my spot. He notices it. ''No, Rory, listen to me first before coming to any presumptions.''

I nod my head, willing myself to calm down and listen to him before I start panicking.

''You're going to be the first one knowing about it and I want to be the one to tell you this. Others will be informed of this on this Saturday in the bar on a meeting.''

''What's going on, Braden?'' I carefully ask.

Braden shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. ''You already know I was working on some project that included this bar, but you didn't know what exactly I was working on. I didn't want to tell you before I was completely sure it'll happen, but, well, Redster is not going to be a night bar anymore, starting from Monday, next week, meaning it'll be a day bar from now on.''

Out of all the things he could tell me, this was not the one I expected to hear. ''What? Really?'' A big smile stretches my lips. I can't say I'm not excited. I've wanted to work normal day hours for quite some time now and now that Braden's making it possible for me to do it ... let's just say that my love grows bigger for him every day.

Braden nods his head, watching me with a pleasant and satisfied expression while I grin at him like a fool. I squeal out in happiness, jump from my chair and down on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. ''These are great news, Braden. Thank you for sharing them with me first. We both know I needed to hear something positive.''

Braden wraps his hands around my body and pulls me to him, inhaling my scent. ''If I knew you'd be this happy about the news, I'd tell you way sooner,'' he murmurs in my hair.

I lean back, wrap my palms around his face and stare deeply into his eyes, showing my gratitude with them. We stare at each other for some intense moments, before I lean in and lightly put my lips over his in a slow sensual kiss that quickly turns into a make-out session in the middle of the kitchen. Braden quickly has his hand in my hair and his other one on my ass, pushing me closer towards him, toward the evidence of his need pushing against the zipper of his jeans.

''You two, some of us eat in here, just for your information,'' Brooke's voice suddenly rings in the room, making me jump back from Braden's touch and him groaning out in displeasure.

''Jesus, Brooke, you really know how to choose a moment,'' he says, closing his eyes as if in pain.

Meanwhile, I deal with embarrassment, my cheeks colouring red.

''Excuse me? This is my kitchen, Braden, and I would like to eat here without remembering you two doing whatever stuff you like to do alone,'' she says in a disgusted voice, scrunching her nose up. She also points out the last word, looking pointedly at Braden.

I blush even harder. ''Sorry, Brooke,'' I mutter.

''No, Rory, don't apologise. This is your flat now, too,'' Braden says, staring pointedly at Brooke.

Brooke lifts an eyebrow. ''Well, damn, if that means you two can have a make out session in the kitchen I share with Rory, then let's see how kindly you'll react when I start making out with someone in the middle of your kitchen the next time, Braden.''

Braden glares at Brooke as an answer, and then looks away, obviously giving up. I watch them interact with amusement. They're basically the typical sibling, mocking each other, but you can still feel the love radiate from miles away from them.

''I think we'll just have to move this to your room, then. What do you say, baby?'' Braden says close to my ear, but loud enough so Brooke can her. My whole body becomes red from embarrassment.

''Urgh,'' Brooke makes a disgusted noise and stomps loudly out of the kitchen.

I roll my bottom lip in my mouth to hold in my laugh. ''Sometimes I really question your age,'' I say to Braden. I'm still sitting on his lap with my legs on either side of his, my hands wrapped around his neck. He's looking up at me with a happy glint in his eyes.

He chuckles and I get to stand up. Braden pats my ass firmly. ''Let's finish this dinner so I can take you to bed already.''

Never in my life have I eaten any food so fast.

***

True to his promise, Braden did take me to bed, where we are currently lying, wrapped around each other. But that's all we did, much to my disappointment. He said he knows I have some rough days now and he doesn't want to pressure me into anything.

''You know, I was really rushing to get to you today. And when I saw you outside, trying to go to work after you almost blacked out and didn't feel well just made me mad that you'd be so irresponsible. And then that kiss. Really, Rory?''

I scrunch my nose up. ''What kiss?'' I ask, looking at his face to see what he's talking about.

Braden is looking up at the ceiling as if remembering something. ''When you said goodbye when trying to go to work earlier. You gave me a small peck on the cheek as a goodbye.'' He looks at me, his face all serious, his mouth set straight.

I hollow my cheeks, but the laughter gets the best of me and I start laughing. ''Are you for real? Are you really mad about that?''

He raises an eyebrow at me as if making a point and I start laughing even harder, the tears welling up in my eyes. Oh, God. He can't possibly be serious, can he? ''How else do you want me to say a goodbye the next time, then?'' I mock him.

But when he puts his palm on the side of my face and stares deep into my eyes, my laughter completely dies down, replacing it with the intensiveness of the situation. ''Like this,'' is his reply before he attacks my mouth in a promising kiss that makes my whole body tingle with anticipation.

A low groan of appreciation makes out of his throat and I sigh into his mouth in a bliss. He breaks the kiss all too soon, but long after my body gets all heated up.

Braden lays down on his back and covers his eyes while I watch him in pure confusion. ''Why did you stop?'' I say huskily, my voice on the verge of pleading.

Braden peeks at me with one eye from under his arm. ''I don't think we should continue this, Rory.''

My stomach clenches. He's clearly aroused, as am I. What's the reason for stopping? We haven't stopped before. I frown at him and I'm sure I'm pouting, too. ''We've never stopped before, Braden,'' I argue, my tone whiny. Am I really that desperate for his touch?

Braden stares at me for a few long seconds, before he shakes his head and looks up at the ceiling. ''No. Let's leave it at that, I don't want to feel you forced to do anything.''

I furrow my eyebrows. Forced? Does he even know how much I want him? I don't feel forced to do anything. Not with him. Never with him. I take a deep breath and pray to god I don't embarrass myself when I climb in his lap, sitting with my legs on the either side of his, making sure I press my centre right against his rigid hardness.

I reposition myself and wiggle on him, making myself rub against him. Braden groans out, his groan so low and raspy it makes my insides clench together. He puts his hands on my hips and sits up as fast as he can. ''What are you doing, Rory?'' He looks at me with his eyes half closed in lust, his mouth partly open. Seeing that he's only in his boxer briefs and nothing else and me in my panties and one of his shirts, I'm sure he feels how wet I am. Braden licks his mouth, his eyes falling down to my nipples, being visible erected through the thin material of the shirt.

I move my hips again and Braden slowly throws his head back and closes his eyes, his throat moving up and down with visible restraint. ''Rory ...'' he exhales shakily.

It's good to know I did this to him. To make him so weak.

''Seriously, babe, what are you doing?''

I smirk at him and attack his neck with my mouth, leaving a trail of wet traces behind as I move up and down. I torture him like that for some moments until his hand shoots up on the back of my head, wanting to take control, but I'm too fast. I move my mouth close to his ear and whisper, ''Just taking what belongs to me.''

I grip his cóck and Braden exhales slowly through his nose. I barely hide my smile. ''You can just lie here and let me take what I want or you can help me ...''

Before I can say anything more, he has me pinned under him, my hands in a tight grip above my head and his lips moving harshly against mine in pure need. ''Ah, dear,'' he says, taking control now. ''I have every intention of taking what's mine.''

He pushes my shirt up, revealing more flesh to his eyes and his lips instantly attach on my nipple, making my breath hitch in pleasure and my core to tighten. When he wants to put his lips lower, I don't let him, instead, I roll us around again so I'm on top again. Braden watches me in amusement, his eyes glistening in a desire for me.

I smile sultry at him and start trailing kisses down from his jaw all the way to his navel, where I stop and lift my eyes to his. He's watching me with hard concentration. I can see some sweat already glistening on his forehead, his fists are clenched and the muscles on his stomach are clenched. I lick my lips and he groans quietly, his breathing becomes rigid.

I decide to get him out of the misery and push his boxers down, revealing the prize. I take him in my hand and stroke him lightly and slowly, making him moan at the first touch. I watch his expression for some moments before I lower my head and put him in my mouth, as far as I can take him. Braden puts his hand on the back of my head, keeping me in place, while he thrusts upwards, the movement seems almost subconscious. ''God, yes, Rory, baby, suck me ...'' I bob my head up and down, wetting his hard shaft, stroking him with my hand where I can't come with my mouth. ''Just. Like. That ...'' Braden pants.

I hollow my cheeks and try to take him deeper. ''Shit, that's so good ... You got to stop ...'' Braden says, but his voice is weak and it comes out as a half moan. I don't stop, though, but Braden does it for me, grabbing my upper arms and he pulls me upwards. I bite my lip so I don't whine, but Braden makes it easier when he puts his lips on mine in one hot kiss.

''I want to come buried deep inside you, baby girl,'' Braden says. He pushes my panties aside and inserts two fingers inside me. ''Christ, you're already prepared for me.''

Now it's me who moans out. ''Let me have you,'' I say to Braden, literally in need to have him inside me. To feel him.

Braden doesn't object, he just puts one hand on my hip and wraps other around his shaft, searching for my entrance. I sit down slowly on him, biting my lip, but not taking my eyes off him. I start moving up and down, back and forward, making us wild with pleasure and making myself reach the highest point in just minutes.

I fall limply on Braden's chest and he wraps his arms around me, then repositions himself so he can thrust upward in my willing body, I hear his low grunts and moans close to my ear. I know when he's close, because he tightens his arms around my body, locking me in place. ''That's so good, Rory ... Just like that, don't move, baby,'' he says out breathless. ''Don't you dare to move,'' he say tightly, thrusting upwards with some more force and power and then the sound of his pleasure rises and his hips still. He spills inside me, holding me tightly in his embrace.

We both lay like that for a few seconds, wrapped around each other, before Braden puts his hand protectively on my hair, brushing it back, and putting a light, feathering kiss on my temple. I smile weakly.

''Well, I certainly don't have anything against goodbyes like this,'' I murmur in Braden's neck and giggle. Braden chuckles, too and pulls me tighter to his warm body.