A Brother's Love

Forced Kiss

Today was finally a morning I woke up early, got ready for work without a hitch and even had a filling breakfast. I cleaned up the mess of last night, texted Jake to let him know I was ready to head to work and even managed to do the laundry before heading out. It was finally an efficient day. Jake held the door open to the backseat, greeting me politely.

"Morning." I greeted back, settling in the back seat of the black SUV.

“You’re early today.” He remarked, seated behind the wheel.

He drove us to the flower shop, soft music playing in the background. I think it was jazz which surprised me. I didn’t think Jake was the type of guy who enjoyed the smooth tones. You definitely couldn’t judge a book by its cover.

“I hope every morning can go this smoothly from now on.”

“You’ll jinx it.” I could hear the smile in Jake’s voice.

“You’re right.”

Grabbing my phone I went through my messages. I ignored Serena’s messages, she was the worst friend ever and I wanted nothing to do with her anymore. I needed to find new friends. Maybe Jake wanted to become my new buddy. We were already spending quite some quality time.

“I asked Alex for his brother’s contact information.” I glanced up from my phone, my eyes scanning over the back of Jake’s head, trying to see some kind of movement which indicated he thought it was a bad idea. Because it was.

“I should hang around the shop then.”

I pouted my lips, “You think he’ll barge in again?”

When I glanced up, I met Jake's steady gaze in the rearview mirror, "He obviously didn't want to break up with you but by now you realize that no one says no to Mr. Dehn.”

Yeah, he got his way even if he had to force it. I found that out the hard way, twice. It was best to go along with whatever Easton wanted if you didn’t want to get kidnapped or drugged. Or worse …

"I'm seriously done with Alex though," I mumbled.

There was nothing about that man I found attractive now. His behavior actually annoyed me and sometimes I caught myself comparing him to Easton and thought he was lacking in everything. It wasn't supposed to be that way. Easton was obviously a bad guy. He was no good for me yet I couldn't help but have wet dreams about him. Making out on my couch had been a bad idea on so many levels.

“Obviously.”

Now Jake was just mocking me. We were definitely friends, only friends responded that way. I leaned forward which made Jake glance over his shoulder and frown at me.

“Sit back.” He warned me, “You’re not getting hurt on my watch.”

I leaned back, wiggling my eyebrows at him, “You’re afraid of Easton, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t you as well?” He threw back.

Sometimes I was afraid of the man other times I was in lust with the man. Not wanting to think about it I texted Alex again, letting him know it was urgent I spoke to his brother. Alex knew a thing or two about Easton’s meddling so I decided to play that card. I let him know Easton meddled in my life and I wasn’t okay with that. This time I did receive a text message back, he did send me Easton’s contact information which made me sigh in relief.

“I take it Alex responded.”

“I wouldn’t have to go through this if you just gave me Easton’s number.”

“I can’t do that.” He let me know in that emotionless tone I hated.

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, Yeah, whatever.” I huffed.

I ran my fingers through my blonde locks, it had been a while since I wore my hair down and I loved it. It felt liberating. Jake parked the car in front of the shop and helped me out of the car.

“Let me know when you’re ready to go home.” He told me sternly.

"I will," I reassured him.

I left Jake to it and unlocked the shop, heading inside to restock and get a few bouquets ready. I always loved making those, I could shut my brain off and only focus on creating something pretty. Around ten I opened the shop, praying for a good day.

***

It was nearing closing time when Alex walked through the door, Jake had been right about this man. He might have ended our relationship he just couldn’t stay away. If he felt that passionate about me he shouldn’t have listened to Easton, he should have stood up for himself, facing the consequences.

“What did he do?” Alex asked.

There was no one around the shop so I moved to the door and locked it, pulling down all the blinds to make sure no one could see us. I stayed by the door and viewed Alex calmly. He didn't wear suits like his older brother. Alex wore dark jeans and a light grey sweater today. His style was more laid back. It fitted him but I felt more attracted to a man in a suit now. It might be because men wearing nice suits suddenly became a part of my life.

“He came to my apartment the other night, hurt because he got shot.”

Alex’ looked shocked to hear that. He probably didn’t think his brother would expose me to their world like that. He didn’t have a clue about what I have been going through ever since I barged into that man’s office.

“I helped him and to thank me he invited me over for dinner at the mansion.”

“Did you go?” Alex demanded to know.

The anger which flashed through his eyes was uncalled for. He didn’t have the right to get upset about me having dinner with another man. I knew it was odd that it was his brother I had dinner with. But still, we were over so he couldn’t get angry at the mere thought of me sharing a meal with another man, brother or not.

“Obviously. Somehow I ended up unconscious in the guest room and when I met up with a friend of mine she told me I sent her a text last night letting her know I was with Easton and that I was okay.”

"He used your phone without permission," Alex concluded.

He knew his brother well.

“I’m not okay with that.”

Alex sighed, “There is nothing you can do about it. Easton always gets what he wants.”

I knew that he didn't need to remind me.

“I don’t want to keep quiet even if someone scares me.”

I didn’t want to become like Alex. The ex-boyfriend seemed to know what I was thinking because he suddenly moved forward, trapping me between him and the door and leaned in. His lips were pressed against mine without warning, his tongue pushing in. Not once did Alex show me so much passion before. I wanted to react, but I honestly felt like it didn’t compare to my kiss with Easton. I pressed my hands against his chest and pushed with a lot of force. Alex stumbled back which gave me time to unlock the door and open it.

“You need to go, otherwise I’ll ask Jake to take you home.”

Jake wasn’t around yet, I needed to let him know when I was ready to head home, but Alex didn’t know that. I hoped he’d fall for my little lie.

“Jake?” Alex asked, straightening his sweater.

“A driver assigned by your brother.”

Fear flashed across Alex’ eyes which made me shake my head at him. He had no backbone whatsoever. I didn’t regret pushing him away at all. Easton wouldn’t think twice about hurting me but he’d never do anything to hurt his brother. If Alex still feared his brother despite knowing that I couldn’t even look him in the eyes.

“I’ll go.” He walked past me, “Poppy-“

“We’ll forget this ever happened.” I refused to look at him as he stood in the doorway.

“Just stay away from Easton, he’s bad news.” He told me quietly, “Hanging around him will destroy the person that you are. He’ll leave nothing of the confident, beautiful girl behind.”

I closed my eyes not wanting to let his words get to me. I already knew all of it, but it was my decision to hang around Easton or not. Right now I just wanted to make my point clear, I wasn’t of the future. Alex left when he knew I wouldn't respond to him. Once he was gone I closed the door, locked it and moved to the counter. I let Jake know I was ready to go home. The man lets me know Easton asked to meet me at a restaurant. It was odd meeting the man in a public place, that meant he couldn't drug me though so I agreed. I quickly cleaned up the shop and refreshed my perfume and make-up. I wasn't exactly dressed to eat at a fancy restaurant but Easton should already know that. If he still wanted to meet up then my appearance shouldn't be a problem.