Older and Wiser

~Chapter One~(The Past Is Best Left Buried)


Chloe Lane sighed as she held a very disturbed Belle Black in her arms. “I’ll never be able to find my soulmate!” Belle cried.


“Yes, you will,” Chloe soothed.


“No, I won’t. He won’t even let Shawn in the house. I just want to have a nice romantic night out with him, but he won’t let me! Brady can be such a pain in the ass!”


“He’s not a total pain in the ass. Who’s taken care of you since you were 12? Who has been there for you, even when he’s mad at you? Who stood with you when your parents died in that accident? Brady. He’s not a pain; he’s just stubborn. Maybe if you explained your feelings for Shawn to him…”


“I shouldn’t have to explain anything to him. I’m twenty-one! I can do whatever I want, without having to explain anything to anyone!” Belle sobbed, throwing her body into a defiant stance.


Not while you live in his house, Chloe thought. Brady lived in John’s old penthouse apartment, left to run Basic Black by himself. He slaved over his work day after day just to keep up the rent for the place. Not to mention paying for Belle’s shopping extravaganzas and college expenses. “You have to remember that he pays your way, Belle.”


“Only because dad left him the company!”


Chloe cringed at Belle’s whining voice. “What you don’t know is that John left your brother the company-almost bankrupt and dry of ideas. He didn’t leave Brady a single thing to go on but his own intelligence,” she spat out.


Belle didn’t care. She simply rubbed her red, swollen eyes and wiped her nose with a ratty tissue. The look of defiance still graced her face. “So, what? It seems that Brady just wants to make me miserable.”


“Whatever, Belle…If it would make you feel better, I’ll go talk to him about Shawn, okay?” Chloe said, standing to leave.


“Would you? It would mean so much to me!”


“Sure.”


“Thank you so much, Chloe! I’ll love you forever!” Belle squealed, giving her a bear hug.


“The things I do for you,” laughed Chloe.


Walking outside, she thought of Brady. He was stubborn, impatient, and had one hell of a temper. He was full of anger for having to support Belle for 10 long years with no money or help of any sort. She was used to living the high life, being rich and socially acceptable. So when John and Marlena died, leaving them nothing, he had to try to keep up that appearance for her. The last 10 years were not easy or fun.

But on the other side, Brady had a heart of gold and an inner drive to help others. Chloe shared this drive, being a first grade teacher in a nearby town. He was adorable, although he looked too old to be only 26. His beautiful blue eyes were beginning to show dullness, and the rest of his face was getting slightly wrinkled. Time had not been good to his face, but it was definitely good for his body…Let’s just say that every woman wanted him, but no one could tame his smart mouth and fast pace.

Turning her thoughts to her job, she thought about the adorable third-grade teacher, Jason Welles, whom she had been dating for the past month. They were a generally cool couple, not really warming up more than a quick peck now and then. But she didn’t really mind. She just wasn’t looking for commitment now. In fact, being orphaned by Nancy for so long, she didn’t really know how to warm up to anyone. But Brady…


Stop that! She quickly erased the thoughts from her mind. I have to have a clear head when I talk to him. Otherwise… Chloe remembered letting her feelings get ie wae way of things a time before. Brady had caught onto it and milked it for all its worth. She had left the penthouse embarrassed and horny as hell. Not this time. No way. We’ll only talk about Shawn.

She found that she was already walking down the corridor of Basic Black, towards the elevator. Not only had she daydreamed through the entire car ride over, but through the parking lot and half the building. Pressing the button and jumping inside, butterflies flew to her stomach. Brady always did that to her.

The elevator hummed as it soared up fifteen floors to the executive offices. She stepped out, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dark blue skirt. She strolled past three doors before turning at the one marked BRADY BLACK, PRESIDENT. She was about to knock when the door swung open.


Brady was at his desk, papers scattered all over. He wore a white button down and black slacks. His blazer and tie were draped over his chair, and he had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His head was bent over a sketch. “How’s my little call girl doing today?” he asked, never looking up.


Chloe blushed. “Fine,” she stammered as she entered the office.


Glancing at her, he breathed in sharply. She was dressed simply, but she looked sexy. Her long tanned legs were peeking out from under a navy blue skirt, and she donned a tight-fitting white tank top. Her hair hung loosely down her back and around her neck swayed a tiny diamond necklace. “What brings you to this end of Salem? Shouldn’t you be out teaching?”


“School’s been out for two hours, Brady. Actually, I came here as a messenger. Belle wants to be allowed to see her one true love,” she said, a little melodramatic.


“Absolutely not. Shawn’s family has caused my family a lot of grief. I don’t want her to have to go through that.”

He stood, placing the sketch down amongst the mess. He approached her with a teasing smile. “The only way that girl is going to be with Shawn is over my dead body.”


“Well,” she smiled back. “I could have that arranged.”


He let out a laugh. “Sure, Chloe. Anyway, my answer is still no.”


“What if I arranged a get-together with the lovebirds and you? Would you be okay with that?”


She was determined to help Belle out; he could see that. But he wasn’t through with her just yet. She looked too damn good. “Only if you accompany us as my date,” he replied slyly, rubbing his chin with his hand.


Her heart leapt into her throat. “You don’t plan on any special treats, do you? Because I’m saving myself, you know.”


“Wear something like that,” he told her, his gaze dropping lower and lower on her body.


“Stop that! You pig!” she laughed, giving him a playful shove.


“What? I’m a man, Chloe. A very horny man. In fact, I haven’t had sex in so long, that I don’t think I can remember how to.”


“Well then, Mr. Black, you’ll just have to practice, huh?”

She flipped around, a slight twinkle in her eye. He stared at her nice tight butt and long legs before responding.


“Practice for what?”


She smirked at him. “You really shouldn’t say things like that to your little sister’s friends.”


“Maybe not. But you’re different. We’ve known each other longer than my sister’s even been living. And, you’re sexier than any of her other friends.”


“Thanks,” she stumbled out, turning once more to face him. He was closer than she thought and she slid backwards a little. Unfortunately, she was at a wall. He pressed his arms around her, against the wall. Gasping, she looked into his eyes. All she saw was a look of control. He had her right where he wanted her. Then he spoke.


“Philip would have never made you happy. He was too stuck up to see you for your talent, your love, or your personality. He just wanted you for the sex.”


Anger welled up inside her. “You LIAR!” She shoved him hard, but he barely moved. “He loved me, Brady. You don’t know anything about Philip and I.”


His eyes showed remorse, but he held her firm. “If I remember right, after Philip died, you told me how he always tried to pressure you and that he never let you come to his house. His father didn’t want you there. That was his excuse, anyway. But his real reason was because he didn’t want you there. He was my uncle for Christ’s sake. I knew all about your relationship.”


Tears sprang to Chloe’s eyes, but she refused to give Brady the satisfaction of seeing her cry. It had been 3 years since Philip had died, but Brady had struck a nerve inside her that hurt terribly. “You leave me alone.”


His arms dropped to their sides, but his face stayed close to hers. “Okay. I’ll leave you alone on that subject. But while I’m thinking about it, how’s Jason?”


“He’s fine,” she spat. “At least he’s not as big an asshole as your little Mimi is a bitch.”


With that, Brady snapped his face away. “Mimi’s not a bitch.”


“Well, she’s a slut at least. From what you’ve told me, she keeps you unsatisfied. But from what I’ve heard on the streets, she’s giving it up to anyone that walks!”


“At least she comes to me of her own free will. Philip wouldn’t have gone out with you if it wasn’t for that bet.”


Her face turned three shades of red before reaching out to slap him. Before her hand made contact with his cheek, he grabbed it. “Uh, uh, uh, little lady. We’re even,” he said, pulling her to him.


With that, he brought his other hand to rest on her back and planted a kiss on her lips. At first, she melted. Brady was finally kissing her. It was a kiss of passion, hard and rough.


“I’ll see you at dinner then,” he whispered pulling away.


The anger rose up again. She was so frustrated when he took his sweet lips and strong arms away, that she grunted in disapproval. That man is so infuriating, she thought.


“Whatever.” Then she spun on her heel and walked out of the office.

~*~
Later that evening, Chloe called Belle to tell her the good news. “He says Shawn can go to dinner and a movie with you-if he and I can come with you.”

Belle’s groan of despair filled Chloe’s ear.

“Listen, at least he can come. You can spend most of the evening with him.”

“Yeah, with a chaperone.”

“It wasn’t my idea, Belle. He insists on it.”

“Fine…How’s Jason?” she asked, dropping the subject.

“He’s alright.”

“I told you how much Brady hates Shawn, but he hates Jason a little more, I think.”

“Why?” Chloe asked, surprised.

“Because he’s with you. Brady only dates Mimi to make you jealous, you know.”
Chloe stopped for a moment. He wanted to make me jealous? Wow, I didn’t know. “Oh…Well, I’ve got to go.”

Silence on the other end. “You still love him don’t you?” Belle asked quietly.ChloChloe cleared her throat. “I’ve got so much to do. Lesson plans, grading, etc. I really should go now.”

“I don’t know what happened, but I do remember that you were both too young,” she continued, lying.

Fresh tears wetting her eyes, Chloe sat for a moment, silent. “The past is best left buried,” she whispered.

“Sorry I brought it up. I hope you’ll still go out with us next weekend.”

“Yes, I’ll still go. For you and Shawn.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

“Bye,” Chloe repeated, hanging up the receiver. She started thinking back to high school, when…

“I can’t think about it now. I’ve got too much to do,” she spoke aloud. Then she stood up, hurrying to get her papers graded for tomorrow’s class.