One Gold Star: Welcome To Wesley, #1

CHAPTER 1

The phone continued to ring. One. Two. Three. There was a pause, the silence so loud that it slid like an electric charge along her frazzled nerves. Natalie stared at the small rectangular box as the light turned back on in the darkness. Her stomach might as well be at the bottom of her feet for all the fright she felt. The phone continued to ring. One. Two. Three.

Her hands shook as she lifted up the phone, staring at the screen and the phone number boldly displayed. Closing her eyes, her heart rate ricocheted around like a pinball gone mad. How had it gotten to this point? She was sitting in her closet like a tormented child jumping at every sound. She took quick breaths. Natalie tried to find her center, if it could be found. The phone started to ring again and she dropped it. The plastic and metal made a loud thump as it landed on the wood floor.

Go away. Natalie whispered fiercely in the dark. Just go away.

Footsteps outside the door alerted her to someone’s presence in her bedroom. The light outside the large, walk-in closet was interrupted as the person approached and she held her breath. She couldn’t stop shaking, her breath locked in her chest as she tried not to make a sound. A couple of steps closer, Natalie pushed further back into the closet. Perhaps the darkness would shield her. Lord knew when she could stop hiding. Another couple of steps outside the door and she snapped her eyes tightly closed. This was it. He had found her. He promised that she would regret ever meeting him.

A loud knock on the flimsy walk-in door elicited a traitorous squeak from her mouth. Her hand clamped over her lips, tears brimming as the door was wrenched open. She couldn’t look. She didn’t want to see the end coming as surely as it was.

Nat, what are you doing in here? Brandon’s concerned voice filled the tiny space. Surprise made her open her eyes and lift them up to find his face. He stepped inside to crouch in front of her, taking her hands into his own. What is it? Why are you hiding?

Natalie’s lower lip began to tremble. I am safe here, aren’t I? The harsh whisper came from a throat that ached to give an epic explanation. Brandon’s warm eyes widened, searching her face for some sign of what was troubling her. He reached for her shoulders, gripping them with long, strong fingers and nearly lifting her up off the floor. The thunder that brewed in those dark blue eyes made her shiver with foresight. If anyone were to cross Brandon Briarton, there would be hell to pay.  

Brandon didn’t stand her up to let her bolster herself, but rather pulled her into his chest. She went willingly, unable to take the fear and shame that roiled inside her. Tomorrow. Natalie promised that tomorrow she could handle anything, if only tonight she could lean on Brandon.

THERE WAS NO DENYING that the world had taken a strange turn. Fifteen years ago, Nat had been the gangly, long-legged girl of ten years old. She was a tolerated sidekick who followed Brandon everywhere. More than once he had tried to pawn her off on his sisters, but Natalie remained firmly stuck.

He even remembered his mother telling him to be nice, because Natalie was an only child with only a father to care for her. Her father was gone a good amount of the time working for construction crews and when he was home, he didn’t show his daughter any measurable affection. It was tragic and the older Natalie got, well, the more she lived at the Briarton’s house.

Of course you’re safe here. Brandon told her as she clung to him.

Despite all the confusion and concern, he sheltered more potent feelings for the girl in his arms. He wanted to protect her, but in a much more primal way. Brandon willed his heart to slow its chaotic beating and his tumbling emotions to ease. He would only frighten her more if he subjected her to a barrage of questions right now. One look down at her face told him that she was too far gone tonight for coherent thought. Tomorrow he would get the truth from her. Tomorrow he would remind himself exactly why she was his little sister and completely off limits. Tonight, rational thinking was beyond him in the face of such terror and tears.

Promise. Natalie’s voice was a scratchy whisper against his shirt front.

The word made him smile against her hair. He had played enough tricks on her when they were children that she would often make him promise that whatever he said or did was on his honor. It was easy at that age, he didn’t know what that truly was. His baser self wished he didn’t know what it was now.

I promise. He responded solemnly, securing her in his arms. She turned her face into his chest, her cheek positioned over his heart. His lips brushed the top of her head.

She’s mine. The possessive thought kicked up his heartbeat and stirred blood to regions he had never thought would respond to his childhood friend. He couldn’t deny that it felt good. It had been too long since he had been with a woman.

The ringing of Natalie’s phone broke through his inner conversation. Her grip on his body was nearly painful as she cringed at hearing the device and Brandon was inclined to remove all fear from her life. Without thinking about the ramifications, he struck out with his boot and crashed his heel into the phone’s screen. Immediately, the device shutdown and turned off.

Why did you do that? Natalie’s incredulous voice brought his attention around as she extricated her body from his hands. Brandon was surprised by the offensive tone she had turned on him.

Nat? He tried to get a word in. He wanted to understand what was happening. The fearful woman was now a shaking, frantic dervish.

He won’t stop! It will only make him search harder. She was nearly shouting at him, panic choking her and making her face pale. Brandon reached out for her, brushing her elbows, but she stepped back until her shoulders were flush with the wall. Her distress was tearing at him, causing those protective feelings to throb uncontrollably.

Who won’t stop? Who are you talking about? Brandon had to shout over her, trying to get a grip on the situation. Natalie shook her head, her eyes wide and haunted. He put one boot in front of the other, crossing the space between them in a couple of steps. She quieted instantly, though she still shook with nervous energy. Her chest was heaving, her breasts drawing his attention until he saw the tip of her tongue wet her lower lip. His focus was pulled to those very pink, very full lips.

The tension between them was palpable, pulling and holding him firmly at the same time. God, how he wanted to kiss her. It was both a prayer and fervent wish that never found a voice. Brandon could feel her eyes raking his face. She wasn’t impervious to him. The protective, possessive part of him crowed with the steadfast belief.

Do you have feelings for him?

It came out in a low, guttural growl that he saw made her jump. It caused him pain but he couldn’t retract the question. He had to know what he was up against. Natalie stared up at him, her lashes damp from her tears.

Do you? His hands reached past her and his palms flattened to the wall. His arms caged her, putting her between two hard places. If he noticed her fear, he didn’t allow it to push him away. He wasn’t the enemy in this room.

Natalie nodded her head, a tremor running through her body. There was no denying the lance of pain that her confirmation gave to him. His gut rolled at the immense disappointment. It surprised him to hear, "I hate him."

Her soft, venomous confession brought his attention back to her face. Brandon looked at her, trying to digest what she had said. Natalie’s face softened, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she leaned tentatively into him. There was suddenly a ferocity that gleamed in the depths of her eyes causing him to rethink putting her on the defensive.

That’s a strong word. Brandon commented, suddenly wondering where this was going and what the hell he had been thinking. The tension was blossoming, somewhere between roaring and out of control. He couldn’t break eye contact with her.

It’s exhausting being afraid all the time. Her voice was eerily calm, the words collected and her intentions clear. "I want to feel something else...anything else." Fingertips brushed his chest.

Brandon swallowed hard, his body reacting to her as she stepped into him and their clothes brushed together. She was a gypsy, all mesmerizing smoke and mirrors. If he reached out to touch her, would she disappear into some warped dream? This was Natalie Black. This was his kid-sister sidekick that never gave him a moment’s peace. Memories of the past warred against the determined, broken pixie in front of him. It was difficult to reconcile the two.

The soft fabric of his t-shirt was tugged from his jeans and his breath caught as her fingers grazed his bare stomach.

"Nat, we can’t." He nearly choked on the words. They were the words of a gentleman who had honor, but he wished he could forget it. His eyes were drawn to her breasts again and his hormones gave his conscience a swift kick.

It wouldn’t be right. I can’t take advantage of you this way. His mind was overriding his base impulses, forcing words passed his lips that he didn’t completely agree with. Damn it, what he wanted to do was strip her bare and make her his girl in a mad instant.

"Oh, cowboy, I think it might be me taking advantage of you." Natalie’s voice was all silky smoke as she pressed herself up against him. Her lips were inches from his own, but her hand was already on him. Like a greenhorn, Brandon had to look down to confirm that she was indeed unzipping his jeans. He closed his eyes, praying he didn’t make a fool of them both.

Nat, you’re beautiful and amazing. If you still feel this way in the morning, I promise we will discuss this.

Brandon found his mouth suddenly occupied by hers. She tasted sweet and she was incredibly responsive to the way he fenced with her tongue. He wanted to plunge in head first and worry about the consequences later. His hands found their way around her waist, settling on her hips as if they were made to rest there. The touch of her fingers to the opening of his jeans brought him up, gasping for air and searching for some will power.

"Baby, no, Brandon whispered, his husky voice a testament to his feelings. Not this way." His fingers clutched her wrist, noting the fast pulse underneath the dainty skin beneath his grip. Misty green eyes searched his face, finding every shred of insecurity he had.

No? She asked him, pressing his hand to touch her body. His sly brain knew exactly where she drew him and his mouth was salivating with the need to taste. Don’t you remember what happened when you told me no when we were children?

Did he ever! She had never taken no for an answer. Natalie had done exactly as she pleased despite him trying to discourage her. Still, it wouldn’t do to encourage her now so he shook his head. Natalie’s chin firmed, her jaw set as she stretched up onto her toes so that her mouth was as close as possible to his. The quiet of the closet was painfully loud to his ears. Having her hovering on the other side of a make believe line felt like a cruel injustice of his own creation. These eyes, the ones looking into his soul, would haunt his dreams for the rest of his life. Of this one thing he was completely sure.

Yes, you do. Natalie’s breath fluttered against his lips. He wanted to shake his head, break the trance and set her away from him. He could do it. Push her away, walk out the door and leave the house, never mind that he lived here. He could bed down in the barn for the night...one long, lonely night. Hell, who was he trying to kid! It would last as long as Natalie was under the same roof.

This could change everything. Brandon hoped his words came out right, because he couldn’t even remember speaking. She still hovered a kiss away, but something had already changed. The haunted look was gone while the desperation remained.

I’m hoping for it. The careful diction of her words was enough to release her wrist from his fingers. Brandon hooked one long digit in the top of her jeans and gently pulled her hips into him. Natalie’s lips crashed into his, instinct taking over. She leaned her chest into him and she drove her hand downward to cup him. The deliberate touch nearly took the breath from his lungs. A ghost of a smile touched her lips and he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to feel her skin against to his own.

Brandon pulled her butter soft t-shirt up, exposing her stomach and the lacy bra underneath. Regrettably, it forced her to remove her hand from his jeans, but it was worth the view. He couldn’t resist the urge to touch her, stroking her stomach with his fingertips and causing her to squirm. His thumbs snuck underneath the underwire of her bra and pressing into the soft, warm flesh. Natalie’s eyes closed as she stood there allowing him access to her body. There was another unexpected need to possess every part of her heart, body and soul that caused Brandon to swallow hard. He was a drowning man without any hope of a life-jacket.

Slowing sliding his gaze up and over Natalie, he gave a nudge to turn her around. Trailing his finger from the base of her neck down her spine elicited a breathless giggle that reminded him more of a purr from a cat. He smiled, focusing to unhook the clasp of her bra and slide it over her shoulders. Natalie pulled the undergarment from her body and let it drop to the floor. As if his hands were operating of their own accord, Brandon felt the soft weight of her breasts in his hands as he stood behind her. Her breathing was quick, coming in puffs that touched his wrists as she watched him touch her. Brandon didn’t think there was anything sexier in the whole world than watching a woman come apart in his hands.

Brandon lowered his mouth to her shoulder, pressing tender kisses to the hollow of her neck. His hands kneaded and stroked as he ran his tongue along the tender curve of her earlobe. The girl was fairly vibrating in his hands and a wicked thought took hold. He wondered what response he would get when he combined their bodies. Would she cry out? Would she meet him stroke for stroke? Each erotic thought made his jeans constrict more and more until he had to push them lower on his hips. In an effort to make the movement as inconspicuous as possible, he kissed his way down her spine, paying special attention to the tender spot just above her tailbone.

"Brandon." He heard Natalie whisper his name, her own hands cupping her breasts as he turned her back around. Beautiful green eyes watched him as he knelt before her, following every move as his