Two

Brayden sent a dozen roses to her home. Her aunt received them and read the note. “Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at 6pm. Your Fiancé” it said. Marilou smiled, thinking maybe this man would be a good husband to her niece after all. Jada was surprised by the flowers and the invitation. She had barely dated in high school. There wasn’t much time or money for such things. She smiled slightly, thinking of the handsome man. He wasn’t as rude as he seemed. He was fun to talk to in the lobby last night, she thought.

Marilou came over that afternoon and gave Jada a makeover. Hair, nails, dress, shoes, jewelry, etc. Fortunately, Marilou wore the same size clothing and had some very nice-looking outfits and shoes. She chose a royal blue sparkly low-cut dress that came to her mid thigh. The shoes were black strappy heels 3” high. Jada protested, saying she felt very uncomfortable. “We are trying to show this man what he’s getting, dear. You look fabulous!” she said, admiring her work. She spritzed her with a pleasant floral scent as the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Marilou said, excitedly running to the door. “Well, hello there handsome,” she flirted. Jada heard Brayden clear his throat and ask for her. “Yes, she’s available, but then so am I,” she teased. “Auntie!” Jada scolded, coming to save the man from his aunt’s teasing.

“Hi,” Jada said, giving him a shy smile. Brayden was speechless at her beauty. He eyed her up and down, his raised eyebrows betraying his thoughts. “Isn’t she beautiful?” Marilou asked, putting her arm around Jada’s waist. “Yes Mam,” he said, putting his hand out to her. “Are you ready?” he asked. Jada nodded nervously. “Well, go on, take his hand!” her aunt urged, practically shoving her into him. Jada shyly placed her hand in his and was shocked by the tingling electricity at the contact. She lifted her eyes to his and was surprised to see a hint of a smile that softened the edges of his dark hooded eyes.

Jada walked to the Limo with the man, and he opened the back door for her. Marilou was watching from the porch and waving excitedly. Jada covered her eyes with her hand and shook her head in embarrassment. “Your aunt is quite lively, isn’t she?” he asked, grinning slightly as he moved in beside her and closed the door.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asked. “Do you have water?” Jada asked, clearing her nervous throat. “Yes, of course,” he said, opening a mini fridge and handing her a bottled water. He wrapped a napkin around it and opened it for her. Their fingers touched as he handed it to her, and they both felt the tingling sensation again at the contact. Jada’s eyes flew up to him and discovered him staring at her. She nervously dropped her gaze and concentrated on her water.

Brayden watched as her lips touched the water bottle and groaned slightly at the sensuality of it. He thought of kissing those soft pink lips and felt his body react slightly to the mental image. “You really do look lovely tonight, Jada,” he said, staring into her eyes. Jada blushed at his compliment. “I don’t normally wear anything so…I mean, I’m way out of my comfort zone here,” she admitted.

“So, if I put my hand right here you would really be uncomfortable, then, huh,” he teased, placing his hand on her thigh. “Move it or lose it!” she warned. Brayden chuckled and moved his hand off her leg. “There she is, there’s the feisty girl I met last night,” he said, smiling. “Take us to Landers, Gerard,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, Sir,” Gerard answered, signaling to turn.

Brayden remembered that the girl was not old enough to drink, so he decided to drink iced tea with his meal. They ordered chicken and broccoli fettuccine and salads with breadsticks, and Jada thought it was delicious. She had not eaten out at a nice restaurant but a couple times in her life, and the whole experience was very pleasant.

“How are you, Jada?” he asked. “I know yesterday was quite traumatic for you,” he said thoughtfully. She assured him that she was fine. “Listen, I understand that this is not the way you had hoped to start out your adult life, but maybe when this time is over, you can start a new life with your family and be happy,” he suggested, wrapping his fingers around hers. Jada jerked her fingers back, shocked by his familiarity with her.

“I have a gift for you, Jada,” he said, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a small black box. He opened it to reveal a stunning white sapphire circle flanked by four marquee diamonds in a white gold setting like vines. She stared at the ring with awe, but then pushed it gently away. “You don’t have to do this, Mr. DeRoya,” she said, dropping her gaze to her hands in her lap that were now feeling damp.

“Jada,” Brayden said softly. “You deserve this and so much more for what you are sacrificing for me and for your family. You are one of the most selfless people I have ever met in my life,” he said, taking the ring out of the box and placing it on her finger. “You deserve the very best,” he said, bringing her fingers up to his lips and placing a kiss on them. Jada looked at him with her lips parted slightly and swallowed hard, surprised at the man’s kindness. No one had ever made her feel quite so special before. “Thank you, Brayden. It’s beautiful,” she said, looking at the ring picking up the light. Brayden watched the girl, and it touched his heart how appreciative she was over his gift. All the women he had ever dated expected nice gifts. This young lady truly appreciated them. She was something special indeed, he thought to himself.

“I wanted to talk to you about a wedding date. How long do you need to prepare?” He asked. “I have no idea, I don’t know anything about these things,” she admitted. Brayden considered her life of poverty and realized what she was saying. “I tell you what, I’ll take care of all the wedding preparations, and you just show up, how’s that?” he asked. Jada nodded, glad for his offer.

“How is next Saturday, then? Will that work for you?” he asked. “Well, I work…. oh, I suppose I need to quit my job, huh?” she asked. Brayden pressed his lips together and nodded. “I can’t have a DeRoya bride waiting tables, now, can I?” he teased. “I suppose not,” she answered.

Brayden opened the limo door for her and walked her to her door. “Can I kiss you, Jada?” he asked. “I guess so,” she answered, blushing, and hanging her head down shyly. Brayden gently lifted her chin and pressed his lips firmly to hers, lingering there for a moment. He could see her rapid breathing from the rising swell of her breasts. He reluctantly pulled his gaze away from her breasts to look into her beautiful hazel eyes. “Goodnight, Jada,” he said, letting go of her chin. Jada was speechless as he walked away and got into the limo.

As soon as she came inside, she was drawn from her reverie by Marilou’s insistence to hear every detail of their evening. “He was very nice, a classy gentleman in fact,” she told the woman. Marilou squealed as she saw the gorgeous ring on her finger. “Oh, my heavens, would you look at that rock!” she exclaimed. Jada smiled at her excitement. “He said I was one of the most selfless people he had ever met and that I deserved this and so much more,” she told her, blushing again at his words. “Well, I’m glad he realizes how special you really are, Dearie,” she said, hugging her.

Jada told her aunt that the wedding would be next Saturday, and he was taking care of all the arrangements. “He said all I have to do is show up,” she said, smiling. Marilou nodded in appreciation. “So, you like him, then?” she asked. “Well, yes Auntie, but I’m just marrying him for a public show. It’s not a real marriage. In fact, he said he won’t be sleeping with me. They are making me get pregnant by artificial insemination,” she said, dampening her mood. “We will see about that. Once he sees you in that wedding gown, he will change his tune,” Marilou assured her. A part of her hoped that her aunt was right.

The next day, she told her boss that she was quitting after her shift. Her boss told her that she would be sorry for burning her bridges. Jada told her that her fiancé did not want her to work. “Well, who is this Mr. money bags that he doesn’t want you working?” She asked Jada. “Mr. Moneybags DeRoya at your service, Ma’am,” Brayden said, surprising Jada. Brayden shook Emily Anderson’s hand and she almost fainted in surprise. “Mr. DeRoya, so nice to meet you,” the woman breathed out in exasperation. “Actually, she’s quitting right now,” he informed the lady, whisking Jada away with his arm around her waist. “Make sure her bonus is on her paycheck,” Brayden spoke back to the woman. Emily stood looking helpless as the two walked away.

“What bonus?” Jada asked. “I don’t know, but I’ll bet she adds one,” he joked as he ushered her out past the awestruck staff. “What are you doing here?” Jada asked him once they got outside. “I came to take my fiancée shopping for her wedding gown,” he said, smiling as he put her into the limousine. “Did you see Emily’s eyes when you said Mr. Moneybags DeRoya at your service?” Jada said, mocking him. “It was priceless,” he said, reaching to move a lock of hair from her eyes, staring at her.

“What are you doing, Brayden?” She asked, getting anxious. “Oh, looking at my fiancée, thinking how beautiful she is, wanting to do this…” he said, surprising her with a soft kiss. He pulled her over onto his lap and she called his name but didn’t resist him as he deepened the kiss. Jada looked at him, wanting more. “Have you ever been kissed like that before, My Love?” He asked, seeing the wantonness in her eyes. Jada shook her head and answered, “never”.

Brayden kissed her once again, touching her outer thigh. Jada gasped at the contact. “Don’t be scared, I won’t do anything,” he promised, continuing to kiss her. Not that he didn’t want to, he thought. He just had to have a taste of her neck though. When he did, she let out a slight moan of pleasure, though, and that was almost his undoing. Brayden took a deep breath and decided he had better cool this down before he lost all control with this innocent girl.

He lifted her up and sat her back on her seat, turning his heated face away from her. “Gerard, could you put some cool air back here? I’m roasting,” Brayden told his driver by speaker. Suddenly cool air started blowing on them. Jada watched him ignoring her and wondered why he suddenly stopped kissing her.

“Did I do something wrong?” Jada asked innocently. Brayden stared at her several seconds before he could answer. “No, my Love, but I don’t want to do anything wrong to you is why I had to stop,” he explained. “You are intoxicating, Jada. I am drawn under your spell, and I just want more of you. I want all of you. But not now, My Love,” he explained, his eyes shining with lust for her.

Jada held her arms and shivered, the cool air making her chill. “Oh, my love, I’m sorry. Gerard, turn the AC down, the lady is cold,” he said over the speaker. The cold air stopped blowing. Brayden opened a cubby and pulled out a lap throw and put it over her shoulders. “Thank you, she said, snuggling under the warm throw. “You’re welcome,” he said, smiling at her.

They got to the bridal shop and Brayden told Gerard to go to lunch and relax and he would call when they were done shopping. Jada tried on seven gowns before they found the one they both loved. Then Brayden took her to buy shoes and finally to pick out the jewelry she would wear with her gown. He also bought her some hair clips with diamonds and pearl to wear with her veil. They chose the flowers and the cake and planned to have their reception catered. So, it ended up being a full day of walking and shopping for the couple.

“I’m exhausted!” Brayden said, carrying bags in both hands. Jada too had her hands full with shopping bags. “Me too, but I had so much fun, Brayden. Thank you so much for all this. I’ve never even had a birthday party let alone something this special,” she said, smiling at him. “I always dreamed of a grand wedding celebration, dressed like a princess and you’ve made it possible,” Jada told him. “You deserve it, My Princess. This is your day,” he said, remembering how she looked in the gown they chose.

He called Gerard to come and pick them up so that they could have dinner together. He took her to an Asian restaurant this time, and she had her first taste of Hibachi cuisine. “Its delicious!” Jada said, enjoying her meal. “I’m glad you like it, My Love. Asian cuisine is one of my favorites,” he told her. She ordered three to go meals for Auntie and the kids as he suggested, and she was excited for them to try it.

When they got back in the limo, Brayden pulled her legs over onto his lap and started massaging her feet. “Oh wow! Where have you been after an eight-hour shift?” She asked, enjoying the massage. He balled up her throw and told her to lay back and relax. He started caressing her legs and reveled in the softness of them. “Your legs are like satin, Jada. They are so beautiful and soft,” he commented. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before,” she said. “Good, because I don’t want anyone touching these legs but me,” he said possessively.

Brayden wanted to reach up to her thighs, but he decided he had best stay where he was safe. Rather where she was safe from him. He had never been out with a virgin before, so it was really testing his willpower touching her beautiful legs. He knew that he told her that they would not sleep together as man and wife, but that’s exactly what he wanted to do. His mother would not be happy, but he planned to have a love marriage with Jada. Since the first day he met her, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Now he couldn’t wait to make her his wife.

Jada dozed off with her legs across Brayden’s lap and he also fell asleep holding onto them. When Gerard opened the door, he smiled at the way they had fallen asleep. “Sir, we’re here,” he said, waking Brayden up. “Jada, Jada you’re home honey,” he said. Jada was startled and quickly put her legs down, pulling at her skirt, embarrassed at her predicament. Gerard had the decency to turn around while she adjusted herself.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “I never imagined I would fall asleep,” she said, embarrassed. “It’s okay, I did too,” Brayden admitted. “Okay Gerard, let me take her to the door and drop off her packages and I’ll be right back,” he told his driver.

Once they got to the door, Brayden set the bags down and reached for Jada’s lovely face, cupping it in his hands as he gave her a lingering kiss. “Goodnight, my lovely princess,” he said. “I’ll text you later,” he promised. “Brayden…thanks for everything. You really are a prince,” she said, touching his face. He winked at her and turned to leave.