Let Me Stay

Taking a few deep breaths, I go back into my classroom and finish my day, even though all I want to do is curl up in Brendan’s strong arms.

Chapter 15

Brendan

“Good morning Brynn. Happy birthday,” I say, kissing her awake.

“Mmm. Morning. Thank you,” she murmurs, snuggling into my chest. Last night when she got home, she told me all about the phone call she received while at school. That clinched my decision to hire security for her. After speaking with Malachi, I got the name of the company he uses for Mallory. It boils my blood that someone out there thinks they can do this to Brynn. To my woman. It pisses me off even more that they believe they are going to get away with it. Brynn may think I cannot handle her family life, since she still hasn’t told me about it, but she has no idea what I am capable of. Capable of for her. She kisses my bare chest before I drag her hand down my abs to my already hard cock. For now, I will let her think that just her family is working on this, but I have things under control on my end as well—the tech end. I’ve been working with Bart to get to the bottom of this shitshow. “Well, well, well, it certainly is a good morning.”

“Only going to get better,” I say, kissing her again.

“I wish I had time for this right now, but I do not. Can I take a rain check?”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I have a doctor’s appointment before work,” she says, moving to get out of bed, but I stop her.

“What kind of doctor’s appointment?”

“The lady doctor,” she says, giggling.

“Oh, okay,” I say, letting her go.

“It’s just a checkup,” she says, going into the closet. When her stuff arrived from her parents’ house, I thought I would have to build her another closet, there were so many wardrobe boxes, but she made it work with two dressers and half of the closet.

“Is this a male doctor?”

“No. Don’t worry. Doctor Patel is the nicest old lady you’ll ever meet. She delivered me and my brothers and sister. I have known her for a long time.”

“Alright. Call me on your lunch break.”

“Will do. I love you,” she says. She looks beautiful in her peach-colored dress and white sweater. Her peach shoes are Chucks. I did not know they made peach ones.

“I love you too. We have dinner plans for seven tonight.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” I tell her.

“Ooh, I love surprises,” she says.

“I know. Get out of here, you are going to be late.”

“I am going. I am going.” She jumps on the bed to give me another lingering kiss. “Alright. Now I am going,” she says, laughing. I hear the front door close behind her. Now, to get everything in motion for tonight.

The yacht I rented will take us on a private cruise of the Hudson River. The crew will serve dinner and drinks, but the rest of the time we will be alone. I also arranged for a firework display near the Statue of Liberty. That is when I will ask her to be my wife. You do not want to know how much that permit cost, but it was almost more than the ring. Brynn is worth it, though.

Later in the evening, I get ready. She will be home soon so she can change. I bought a dress for her with some matching heels. Actually, I had Bella’s help. While we were shopping, she convinced me to buy a suit with a tie that matches the dress we bought. Money is a nice thing to have, to be honest. We weren’t poor growing up, we had everything we needed, but to make a big purchase without having to agonize over it, is not something I was accustomed to. It felt good.

I have two dozen teal-tinted roses for her and champagne chilling when she walks in the door. She pauses when she sees me.

“Hey there, stud. What’s the occasion?” she asks, a smile playing on her lips.

“Only the love of my life’s birthday,” I say, greeting her with a kiss.

“I love them,” she says, referring to the roses.

“I am so glad. Champagne?” I ask, about to pop the cork.

“Maybe later. I just had iced coffee,” she says in response. I place the bottle back in the ice bucket. I won’t be drinking tonight. I have to stay sharp.

“No problem. Surprise number one is on the bed,” I tell her. She takes off running for the bedroom.

“Holy shit. I love it,” she screams.

“Put the dress on,” I shout back.

Ten minutes later, she comes out in the black floor-length gown. The slit goes clean up to her thigh. Her creamy leg is peeking through. The strappy black heels she has on add a little bit of height but not much. She is still much shorter than I am. She has put her hair up into some elaborate creation with big curls hanging down. She looks like a goddess.