Unsound Metaphor

Maritka stomped off to spend time with her cronies, no doubt satisfied that the undesirable attention from earlier in the day had been put to bed and I settled in for a quiet night of panicked reflection. If the thought that Braith was going to be deflected by her tossing him out crossed my mind, it would have been as inaccurate as it was foolish. Having his fill of the vagaries of life, Braith was no longer waiting for the obstacles to clear on their own, so no sooner than I threw my shoes off and lay on the sofa that my solitude was surprised by banging on the front door.

Having heard no car drive up, I checked the security to discover an impatient Vanderhaven fidgeting on the front porch and I knew there was no point in ignoring him or making an attempt to send him on his way for the damage had already been done. Braith stood burning with a desire encouraged by a weakness that allowed me to sink into the luxury of strong arms and passionate kisses. Now the piper had come to collect payment and once in this house I would not be able to resist the wild hurricane of passion that ignites from no more than our combined presence. I flung open the door to face the crisp blue eyes of a man who was not about to be thwarted.

He stepped into the foyer with the same determination that Jojo and Simon had used yet the spark that initiated the storm of passion in them had faded at the first sign of adversity. For a brief second I considered what family secret or threat from Gervais would have Braith retreat as all others before him. I wondered if perhaps he was truly his own man, was he the one who could not be bought, sold or possessed, until the harsh blade of reality disclosed the truth as I realised that in our life no one was their own person, we were held by what we have. I knew when he crossed the threshold that I would not resist what he wished as a part of me longed for one who could stand beside me against my cousin. One who could not be intimidated but even as Braith might consider himself this man, as much as Braith might believe he had nothing left to lose, I knew so much better.

Whatever this could be, it would not be more than an interlude before the bitter end and while every rational thought in my head told me to send him away my emotional self was awash with a desire as raging as the fire in his eyes. It took but a brief moment before I was surrounded by him, his arms holding me while the tips of his fingers stroked my face as his eyes gazed searchingly into mine. I did not fear his scrutiny, I know where I come from and the veil of lies I use to conceal my true self would not fall so effortlessly. I knew if he was no match for me then he was no match for Gervais and still I did not send him on his way. His lips touched mine and I became liquid and melded against his hard body.

Braith did not waste words on plans, he did not murmur endearments into my hair, only a brief sigh in the back of his throat revealed his intent and I broke from him to lead him upstairs to a world with as little future as every other I had attempted when making a connection. As long as there is Gervais, there is no hope of any life beyond his whims, as long as there is Gervais there is no more than a sexual interlude as my cousin is right in one aspect of my life, he is the proprietor of my every waking moment. Braith undressed me slowly and I closed my eyes so that I did not have to hide anymore, I stood before him, the gentle touch of his hands exploring my skin until his control failed and the searing burn of his kisses left me electric for his passion.

Braith look me away to another world and for a night I succumbed to the will of his strong arms. I put aside all battles and for a few hours even Gervais did not exist as the fragile bubble of emotion carried us into desire and we did not return until the light flickered through the corners of window as dawn announced the ugly reality of a new day. I turned to watch the man sleeping beside me, his strong chiseled features handsome in repose and I could not fight the despair of loss that threatened to undo my resolve. As if sensing my inner turmoil he opened his eyes with a relaxed smile and I ached from the sight of his beauty. As he kissed my fingertips he saw the shadow cross my face and the corners of his mouth became tight from some inner tenacity. Whatever plans I might have to remove Braith, he was not going to be as amenable as my past encounters, how like me to complicate as simple murder with an evolving romance.

Before I opened my mouth he said no in an authoritative tone that brooked no nonsense and it was at this moment that I realised I had not hidden a single thought from him. He knew and yet he had come back. If he knew I was going to attempt to send him away then he would also know my plans for Gervais. The veil fell again once more in panic as I tried to conceal my turbulence but Braith was not one to be denied. He pulled me close and I understood why Liselle had gone back to Jago all these years, it was a deviant destiny, a joke of the universe that Vanderhaven men understood Dubois women.

As I lay with my head upon his chest my mind was a myriad of swirling thoughts. I realised that it was unbelievably stupid of me not to consider that Braith has his own agenda and would not be set aside as easily as I had presumed. He was not going allow me to love and leave him, not going to back off while I took care of Gervais. I seriously doubted he would even allow me to go to the compound. I wondered what madness I suffered that had me take someone I care for and put them directly in line of fire. Outside a beautiful day commenced and as if in mockery of my idiocy the birds began to sing leaving me to fear Gervais had won by the default of my stupidity.

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