Older and Wiser

~Chapter Four~(Complicated)

I’m so scared that the way that I feel
Is written all over my face
When you walk into the room
I want to find a hiding place
We used to laugh, we used to hug
The way that old friends do
But now a smile and a touch of your hand
Just makes me come unglued
It’s such a contradiction
Do I lie or tell the truth?
Is it fact or fiction?
Oh the way I feel for you

It’s so complicated
So frustrating
I wanna hold you close
I wanna push you away
I wanna make you go
I wanna make you stay
Should I say it?
Should I tell you how I feel?
Oh I want you to know,
But then again I don’t
It’s so complicated

Just when I think I’m under control
I think I finally got a grip
Another friend tells me that my name is always on your lips
They say you’re more than just a friend
They say I must be blind
Well, I must admit that I’ve seen you watch me from the corner of your eye
It’s so confusing
Yeah, I wish you’d just confess
But think of what I’d be losing
If your answer wasn’t yes

Brady’s head snapped up at the song’s similarity to his life. He listened further, but the song still sang only to him. He dropped the proposal onto his desk, not caring that now pages were out of order and in a dribble of spilled coffee. In fact, he didn’t care that he had a meeting with clients in 30 minutes. He picked up the black office phone and dialed out.

After three rings, her voice came over the speaker. “Hello?”

“Hey, little lady,” Brady sang, happy she had answered. “What’re you up to on this beautiful Friday afternoon?”

“Huh? Why does it matter to you?” she laughed, just as happy he had called. She was anxious because he hadn’t filled her in on the details of tightight’s date.

He grinned, knowing that she was just kidding. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’ve decided to start stalking you,” he teased.

“Old news. Besides, I kinda figured that after you started hanging around my house and attacking me in elevators,” she taunted back, smile still on her face.

There was a brief silence on the other end before she heard him clear his throat. He’s been thinking about it, too, she thought. “Anyway,” he started, “are you going to tell me what you’re up to or what?”

She wrinkled her nose at the phone. “I’m getting ready to go shopping, okay?”

“Oh. For what exactly?”

“A new dress.”

“Why? I thought you were partial to the little black number from the back of your closet…” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I know, but you always poke fun at it. Besides, I think I should get something new for tonight.”

There was another pause on the line. Finally, he spoke. “I’ll come pick you up.”

Chloe frowned. He was going to pick out something tasteless and cheap, she just knew it. “I’ll be fine. Really,” she sighed.

The phone buzzed in her ear. He had hung up. Great, she thought. He’ll be over any second, the way he drives.

Without checking her hair or makeup, she grabbed heys ays and ran out the door.

~*~

Ten minutes later, she was parking at Salem Place. She looked into her rear view mirror, finally noticing that her hair was haphazardly tied back and her makeup was smudged. She quickly let her hair down and wiped her face with a napkin from the glove compartment. Satisfied, she got out of the car and locked the doors.

“Chloe!” a winded voice called from across the plaza.

She looked up to see Brady jogging towards her. She groaned inwardly, knowing that there was no escape. How did he know I was coming here? Oh, yeah. I’m near broke. There’s nowhere else I can shop.

“Hey, Brady. Maybe you really are my stalker,” she said, losing her anger as he came closer.

He stopped a foot away from her, bending over and breathing heavily. “I’m out of shape. Too many of Alice’s doughnuts during late night work sessions!” he heaved.

Chloe giggled. He was starting to become a little flabby around the edges. But she didn’t mind. In fact, he was somehow sexier because of it. “So, why do you insist on shopping with me today?”

“I just think that since I have to look at you all night, I might as well have a say in what you purchase,” he told her, grinning slyly. He couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked, hair disheveled and face clean of makeup. His smile faded a little as his eyes gazed deeply into hers.

She blushed. Shaking her head, she started walking in the direction of the Salem Fashions Department Store. It was the cheapest store with the best selection in all of Salem. However, it didn’t come close to what she wanted to buy. And Brady could sense that.

He took her arm and began leading her towards EllenWood’s. Chloe started to protest, but his hand was firm and unyielding. She walked reluctantly to the most expensive store in Salem Place.

The dress hung on the wall, near a green velvet skirt and a white lace evening gown. It was simple, light pink, and satin. It had spaghetti straps, a straight neckline, and a small slit from floor to mid-thigh. Chloe gasped when she saw it. It was the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen. Brady leaned close to her, watching her eyes glitter over the piece of cloth on the wall. The girl does have taste, he thought.

“You should try it on,” he whispered into her ear. Despite the softness of his voice, she jumped. Her face turned crimson, realizing that she was in a world of her own. “I couldn’t,” she started.

But Brady snapped his fingers towards the saleslady. The woman strode over to them, asking if she could help them. Brady pointed at the dress. “My friend would like to try it on,” he suggested.

The woman nodded. “What’s your size, deary?” she asked Chloe. “You see, that’s the only dress like that in the whole store. The girl who was to purchase it had it specially made for her.” Chloe told her and the lady’s eyes began to shine.

She took the dress down from the wall and helped Chloe into a dressing room. Chloe searched for a price ticket the second she was alone, but to no avail. She sighed as she slipped the dress over her head. Smoothing it down, she saw that the dress fit perfectly and showed her curves off well. The slit showed just enough leg to be sexy, yet was discrete enough for those with imagination.

She stepped out of the dressing room. The saleswoman, absorbed in finding the matching purse and shoes, looked up and gasped. Brady did the same. “It seems that I was mistaken earlier. That dress was made for you, honey,” the woman said.

Brady stood in awe. The Chloe he had known forever-the piggy-tailed, wide eyed, little girl-had turned into a new Chloe-a distinguished, elegant, radiant woman. She blushed as his eyes skimmed over her figure and came to rest on her blue eyes. “You’re beautiful,” he said softly.

She stood there for a moment, allowing his eyes to gaze into hers. It felt good to have him look at her in that way-like it was meant to be. Turning, the skirt flipped up a bit in back and grew full around her. Everything about the moment was perfect.

“Wrap it up,” Brady commanded. “With the shoes, size 8, and the bag.” His gaze never left hers as the saleslady let out a whoop of delight and hurriedly gathered the accessories.

“I can’t afford this dress, Brady! Let alone shoes and a purse!” Chloe steamed.

But Brady refused to listen. He simply turned his attention to the register and pulled out his wallet. Chloe stomped back into the dressing room, furious now that he would flash his money around like that. The only man who’d ever bought her anything was Philip. He had sent the Lexus as a gift for her sixteenth birthday. She barely accepted it, driving it only when necessary. She wanted to keep it only because he had bought it as a token of love. But now, that thought was tarnished by Brady’s desire to buy her something. Was he buying it out of love-or greedy lust? She couldn’t tell and was too angry to care. Gathering her things, she stormed out of the dressing room.

Brady was signing a yellow slip and the saleswoman was gift wrapping the shoes and purse. “Ah, the dress. Let me have it and I’ll hang it for you,” she said.

Chloe felt embarrassed when Brady handed the woman the dress from her arms. “I can pay for my own things, Brady,” she whispered. The anger had been suppressed again. His cologne, his eyes, his touch…she couldn’t stay angry at him. He chuckled as he plucked the packages from the counter. “I know,” he whispered back.

~*~

He followed her to her house where he placed the packages in her closet. Her wardrobe was a bit bare compared to Belle’s, but Belle had half of Salem Place in her closet. Brady noticed a small, crumpled lace ball on the floor and bent to pick it up. Before he could investigate further, Chloe strode into the room and began rummaging through drawers. He hurriedly stuffed the lace into his pocket, face red and burning.

“What’re you up to?” she asked, catching on to him as he flopped onto her pale blue comforter.

“Nothing,” he lied. The ball of lace made a small bulge in his pocket and he hoped that Chloe didn’t mistake it for something else. She raised one eyebrow at him and continued to look through her drawers.

“What’re you looking for?” he asked sheepishly.

“None of your business, Brady Black. In fact, you shouldn’t even be allowed in here. A woman’s room holds her most private things, you know.”

Brady blushed once again. His hand moved to cover his pocket. Chloe, seeing his reaction out of the corner of her eye, spun to face him. “What’re you hiding, Brady?”

When he didn’t answer, she let out a growl and leapt at him. He tried to move, but she landed f on on top of him. Her hands immediately went to his pocket, trying to get inside. He panicked. “No, Chloe, I mean…”

Instead of trying to talk his way out of the situation, he decided that something quicker and more drastic was in order. He reached up, took her face in his hands, and kissed her. Her searching hands fell limp.

He rolled her over so that he was on top of her, making her sigh with pleasure and surprise all at once. But her hands stayed near his pocket. While his body became more responsive to the kiss, his brain stayed affixed on her curious fingers. He had to make sure that she didn’t get whatever it was in his pocket. She would beat him if she knew he had been snooping.

Slowly, her tongue peeked out of her mouth and traced a line along his lips. Moaning, he allowed her to seek out her destination. As their tongues met, her hands moved upwards and circled his waist.

Brady sighed slightly. Now he could fully enjoy her warm, sweet mouth. His fingers played in her long, dark hair, allowing its coconut fragrance to be released. He drew in a sharp breath. God, the things she does to me, he thought. I’m about to go insane!

He pulled away, trying to stay in control. Then, he rolled off of her. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I don’t know what came over me.”

She sat up, frustrated and hurt. He was always pulling away from her, always keeping her at an arm’s length. She wanted more. She wanted Brady completely.

Her eyes settled on his pocket once more. He was hiding something. She knew it. But she decided that he deserved a little more antagonizing. And she needed some more of his caresses. “Brady, I want you,” she crooned.

His head turned sharply. She had a look of desire on her face and she lay back on the bed provocatively. Panic surged through his veins once more. Now what, Brady? Look where that got you! You’d better get out of here before you do something more…invasive.

He stuttered a response and stood to leave. Chloe gave a pout. “Awww, Brady. Come on. You know what you do to me.”

He backed up, hand now covering another kind of bulge. Unfortunately for him, he backed into the closet. She giggled as he toppled into her clothes. He swore aloud and picked himself up.

“Brady, you know I was just kidding, right?” she laughed.

He stared at her. Then he, too, was laughing. He gathered her into his arms, giving her a big bear hug. “I’m glad that you’re taking this so lightly,” he said jokingly.

She smiled as she placed her hand into his pocket and retrieved what Brady had hidden from her all night. Gasping, she flipped her wrist out and saw that she was holding her own white lace thongs. Brady’s face reddened and he began sputtering. “I didn’t know what that was, seriously. I mean it, Chloe. I just…I dunno…I can’t remember why exactly…um…holy shit…I’ve got clients that I have to see, so, I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?”

With that, he turned and sped out of the room and out the front door. As his truck peeled out of the driveway, Chloe snickered. How did he get a hold of these? And what did he want with them anyway? She put the undergarments into an open drawer, retrieving the item she had been looking for earlier.

Her fingers played lightly over the slick photo of Brady. She had taken it when she had taken the pictures of him and Belle. His handsome face stared at her, forcing her to smile warmly back at it. She didn’t know what the evening held for them, but she was sure that it would be a repeat of their previous date. And she definitely hoped it would be.