Still under editing

Chapter 4

Brandon

When she stepped out of the SUV, I was awestruck. I hadn’t seen her in person since Taylor’s funeral service, but truthfully I’d always found her beautiful beyond words. She’s simply breathtaking, with the face of an angel and a body that could bring any man to his knees. Her long dark hair flows over her delicate shoulders. Her dark chocolate brown eyes meet mine with a smile and my breath catches. Her fair skin is pristine, and her every move filled with grace. I hate to compare them, but Audrey’s beauty vastly differs from Taylor’s. Audrey is sweetly seductive without even knowing it, and it’s intriguing. Had I had a choice in which sister to marry, I’d have chosen Audrey. I’m assuming I was matched to Taylor because we were closer in age. She’d also eagerly latched herself to me, and made her interest known - rather obnoxiously, I might add. I’m sure James wouldn’t have taken it well had I upset Taylor by propositioning I marry her little sister instead. Just picturing her reaction is comical. I can’t help but ogle Audrey, almost mesmerized, as she glances about the room. Her small nose and pouty, pink lips. Her slender, delicate neck is kissable. Her perky breasts and perfectly round ass. I glance up at her face to find her watching me curiously. I clear my throat and put on a cool, nonchalant facade. After excusing ourselves, I decide to get a quick shower in before dinner. I close my eyes as the hot water runs down my back. My mind instantly envisions Audrey in here with me. Her wet, naked body pressed against mine. My c**k immediately responds, hardening on the spot. It was wrong, but who would know if I rubbed one off to her? I lean my forearm against the wall and fist my shaft. I picture her on her knees, with her brown eyes locked on mine. I rock into my hand and groan, imagining her pretty lips wrapped around my c**k. I curse and pump erratically, edging towards release. I rub my thumb over the tip roughly and groan. Tension leaves my body, as spurts of hot c*m shoot out the tip. I catch my breath, feeling weird about the fact I just jacked off to Audrey. If she knew the thoughts running through my mind, she’d probably be disgusted and call me a pervert. Even though she and Taylor weren’t close, I know she’s unquestionably virtuous. With the exception of holidays, they never saw each other by choice, nor did they contact each other ‘just because’. It was obvious they didn’t share a sisterly bond between them whatsoever. Taylor claimed one of Audrey’s boyfriends only got with Audrey to get to her. I always found truth behind statements like those, questionable. Taylor was a very ostentatious and egotistical woman. She aspired to one-up every woman in the room, by any means necessary. She would brazenly flirt with men in my presence, even my best friend, Lionel. He was convinced it was to provoke jealousy out of me. Which is possible, considering I never felt remotely possessive over her. All it brought me was annoyance at her foolishness. He avoided her when he could, only acknowledging and greeting her when he had to. And I don’t blame him, I’d feel uncomfortable too. She thought herself to be more seductive than she really was. Or maybe it was because I saw her, and the marriage itself, as nothing more than an obligation. I may have not been happy with my marriage but I was faithful. So when needs arose, I’d f**k. It just felt dull. I would have preferred to at least like my wife. But she’s gone now, and I grieve for my son and his loss. I’m looking at my emails when I get a text from Melinda Lawrence. I sigh in exasperated annoyance. Melinda is a family acquaintance who’s always been madly in love with me. She begged me to take her virginity when we were younger and I turned her down. My intuition told me it was a trap. She’d have broadcasted it to the world, and her parents would have demanded I marry her. I didn’t want to sleep with her anyways. She’s not ugly. A blonde with hazel eyes and a tall, thin frame. I just wasn’t attracted to her and her desperation only makes her more unattractive. When I married Taylor, her father expressed his disappointment. I’m sure he’s stoked the flames behind the scenes. She showed up to the engagement party and threw herself at me, practically begging me to reconsider. She acted like a jilted lover when I’d never touched the girl in my life. I never saw her as more than a friend. To even call her a ‘friend’ is pushing it. When Taylor passed away, she wasted no time reaching out. I found it disrespectful, but it annoyed me more than anything. And she still refuses to give up. I’ve only ran into her once since Taylor’s death, at a fundraising event my parents insisted I attend. She hung on to me like she had no intention of letting me go, so as soon as I was able to get away from her, I hightailed it out of there. She’s delusional if she thinks persistence will win my heart somehow. It only pisses me off and scares the s**t out of me, simultaneously. I’m already dealing with the aftermath from one night with crazy Katie. I don’t have the energy, nor the patience, to deal with another psycho. So I return the text deciding on a more assertive approach. Because in truth, her obsession has makes me wary and nervous. The likelihood of her having thought of ways to trap me, sends a chill down my spine.

Melinda,

While I’m glad to know you’re doing well, I will not have the time to host any visits now, nor in the near future. I’ve not only been incredibly busy, but I don’t want to give you any false hope. My stance in regards to any possibility of a relationship between us has not changed. I don’t see you that way. And I find it’s necessary that I reiterate that. As my friend, I ask that you respect that. -Brandon

Three minutes later, she returns my text with a simple ‘ok’. She never handled my rejections well but perhaps she’s matured into a sensible woman. I get a call from my father twenty minutes later. “Should I be surprised I got a call from Henry Lawrence telling me that Melinda is hysterical? He said you upset her. He wants to know what’s going on.” His tone amused.

“I told her to leave me alone. The woman’s obsessed. Her relentlessness and desperation makes me nervous. I feel like I can’t trust her.” “You can’t. Lawrence was always trying to bribe me into convincing you to give her a chance. Knowing that family, they would go to any lengths to trap you. A lot of men wanted me to set you up with their daughters. And you’d be surprised what a man is capable of to get what they want, son.” I’ve always been able to count on my dad for advice. The marriage to Taylor having been the only exception. “I’ve heard Audrey is staying with you and Ethan for a while. She was always a sweetheart. Tell her hello for me.” Audrey was always a sweet girl. I remember when I was a teenager and she was still a kid, she’d blush when she saw me. I know she had a crush on me and I can’t help but wonder how long it lasted.

“Sure thing, father. I’ll let her know.” I sit at the end of my bed and sigh. I think back to the time leading up to the wedding. It’s when I’d started to notice how beautiful Audrey is. I’d seek her out without even intending to. There was one Christmas she had me entranced. I was just stuck watching her until someone else happened to say something to me and dragged my attention elsewhere. Thinking back, I can acknowledge I felt interest in her even then. I just buried it. As a married man, that was the least I could do. But being in such close personal proximity to her now, this might prove to be more difficult than I thought.