I'm Very Taken Who: Arabella and Brian What: Flowers (and more) to cheer up a pretty lady When: 10.17 - Monday evening Where: The Zeppo, the Brian's place Warning: NSFW
Brian had collected the daffodils Evie had set aside when his shift finished. Arabella was still working, but he was sure the flowers (and hopefully him with them) would be a welcome surprise. He'd never been to the Zeppo, so he was a bit curious about the store as well.
Stepping through the door, he hoped the place wasn't terribly busy. Not that expected the clientele of a comic book shop to offer much in the way of harrowing emotional overload, but most of them were probably teenagers. Teenagers were emotional roller coasters and he had very little tolerance for the high and lows they constantly suffered.
Lucky for Brian, and for Arabella herself, the place was fairly quiet. It was a school night and most of the kids that frequented the store were already en route to their homes to avoid being late to curfew. The few that remained were older and concentrating on reading as much of whatever comic was in their hands as they could before someone noticed and told them to purchase the item or put it away. Arabella had just returned to her counter after doing just that when she spotted Brian.
She smiled more brightly than she'd been doing all day. She was still on a high from the weekend and seeing him there made her happier than she'd thought possible. She wasn't sure if she'd get to see him again but she'd been hopeful. Now she thought perhaps he was interested in her and that pleased the young woman. "Brian," she murmured. "I wasn't expecting you. What a lovely surprise."
"That was the idea," he told her, smiling softly. He set the pot of flowers on the counter. "I was trying to surprise you." Brian was pleased and heartened by Arabella's reaction. It was good to feel her genuinely happy. Especially happy to see him. "Now you know why I asked what flowers you liked best."
Seeing the flowers only brightened her smile more. "They're beautiful," she said as she reached up to gently brush her fingertips over the petals of one of the daffodils. "Thank you," she told him, flicking her eyes to the man again. "I've been thinking about you all day," she admitted, teeth grazing over her lower lip briefly at the flashes of the previous night that went through her head. "Was trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be too needy to call you when I got off work."
Brian chuckled, trying not to stare as she worried her lower lip like that. Arabella was the most charming, sincere woman he'd ever met. He had little defense against her honest, pure emotions. "You're not the only one," he assured her. "Considering I've been planning this all day myself. Evie has been needling me for details. And trying to cajole me into being more forward." He chuckled at that. "If she only knew." Not that she would ever know. Brian didn't kiss and tell as a rule.
She smiled at him, glad that she wasn't the only one feeling the way she felt. If he'd been planning this all day, her emotions weren't having the effect on him. It was his own that made him want to see her, want to get the flowers for her. She glanced at the clock, thankful that it wouldn't be long before her shift was over. "Would it be too forward to ask you what you've got planned tonight?"
No, although the feelings coming off of Arabella were only reinforcing his courage and quelling a great deal of his doubts. Now he was just having to fight to keep from giving into them and behaving inappropriately in public. She was on the clock, after all. "Not forward at all," he assured her, giving up on keeping his hands to himself and reaching across the counter to take one her hands. "Because I'd be lying if I said I hadn't come here hoping you would have time for me tonight."
Arabella grinned and let him take her hand, using the other to gently brush over the back of his hand. "I spent the morning laying in your bed breathing you in and all day thinking about you," she told him honestly. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to spend more than just some 'time' with you." There was no point in pretending otherwise. She liked Brian. A great deal.
Yes, the emotions pouring off of her were making it very hard for Brian to remember they were in public. Especially with her soft fingers caressing his hand and her talking about laying in his bed. He let out a soft moan at that idea. He shook his head and chuckled. "I feel like a fool," he admitted. "I spent the whole day doubting I could keep your interest. I've just never had much luck. But you, you're different than the others." Brian shook his head and let out an awkward chuckle. "Sorry. Your passion is all consuming. I can't think straight with how strongly you feel."
She smiled again, unable to keep the grin off of her lips when he was talking about how wonderful her feelings were. "I'm sure they're a grand improvement to Mr. X-men lover over there who resents me for telling him to stop reading all the comics before he buys them," she teased. "It won't be long before I finish up here," she told him. "If you're interested, I could come over again," she said, worrying her lower lip again.
They were definitely an improvement, but also extremely difficult to behave himself. Brian focused briefly on the boy in question and let out a soft snort. "That's not that kind of resentment, honey," he warned her. "He does this a lot on your shift, staying late?" Yes, he knew the feelings pouring off the guy now and he was pretty sure the young man had a crush on Arabella. "Suffice to say, you might have just broken his heart in an entirely different manner." He shook his head, leaning over the counter and gave into the urge to kiss her. "I would love for you to come over."
Arabella was confused by the question at first. Now that she thought of it, Wesley did come in a lot on her shifts. And he stayed late. Nearly every single shift now that she really went back and pondered. When Brian said he had a crush on her, she flushed a little and shook her head. "Unfortunately he's a bit young for me," she smiled. She returned the kiss, meeting him halfway over the countertop. "Then as soon as I collect some clothes from home, I'll be over," she told him. "Maybe I'll save the shower for when I arrive," she smirked, waggling her brows teasingly.
Oh yes, the young man had a crush on Arabella. The spike of jealousy that came from him when they kissed nearly knocked Brian over. "You're taken anyway," he murmured, then shook his head. "Sorry, I meant-" Well, that possibly was what he meant, but he didn't want to presume anything. "I- I'm not sure what I meant. Stab of jealousy from him mixed in with our own mutual feelings." He shook his head again. "I suppose I should let you finish your work. What time are you finished? You shouldn't be walking to your car alone. There's been more trouble. Some people were attacked in broad daylight yesterday."
Arabella's brows went up a little when he said she was taken. Then he stammered a bit and explained the jealousy that the boy had felt. Poor flustered Brian. She smiled and lifted her hand to gently brush over his cheek. "I am taken," she told him. "Very taken with you. In a way that makes me not want to be taken with anyone else so I suppose it's really up to you what that means," she shrugged. "I'll be finished at eight. I don't want to make you wait around for me though," she told him. "I can have someone walk me out." She frowned when he explained about there being more attacks. That didn't sound good at all. Murders and now a daylight attack? What was going on in the world?
"As I am with you," he admitted. "I've been trying to be respectful of your feelings. You know, of what you've endured." He leaned in to kiss Arabella again. "I was concerned the last thing you need was to feel pressured into another relationship. I can be a bit oversensitive at times." Now he really didn't want to leave, even for a brief period until she was off work. "I have absolutely nothing better to do right now. And no one who's company I'd rather have. Just tell me where I can wait where I won't be in the way."
She was relieved when Brian said he was taken with her too. Thank goodness. "I don't feel pressured," she told him. "If anything you've taken all this weight off of me that I didn't even realize I was holding onto. I feel light as air around you and I just want to hold onto that feeling for every second that I can," she murmured, returning his kiss and stealing one more. "You're not in the way," she promised him. "I've just got a little tidying to do and by the time I finish that, my shift'll be over. Then I can follow you back to your place," she smiled.
That was all a relief to hear. That he made her feel so good. Brian smiled and closed his eyes revelling in the kisses and the feelings coming off her. This felt so right. "I want to as well," he admitted. "It's wonderful." But yes, she was working. "I should stop distracting you from it then. Unless there's anything I can do to help? I could use something to do until you're finished, so I'm not tempted to distract you more."
"It's mostly just checking to make sure that all the books are still on the shelves and not falling off or on the floor. If you want to go that direction, I can go this way and by the time we meet in the middle, it'll be time to sign out of the register." And boy was she looking forward to eight now. The thought of holding onto him for another night was intoxicating.
Brian nodded, forcing himself to take a step back. "I can do that," he agreed. He was definitely looking forward to the end of her shift. Arabella had a hold on him for more as long as she wanted. He was definitely smitten, and those feelings were just getting stronger when reinforced with her own.
Just as she'd predicted, by the time they met in the middle, it was eight. She smiled at Brian and wrapped her arms around him for a brief embrace, breathing in his scent and telling herself she'd have to pry away from him long enough to collect her things. "I'll need to detour to my mom's place," she told him. "To get some clothes for tonight... if I'm staying. Which I probably shouldn't assume," she added, realizing that she was making a lot of plans without asking Brian what he wanted first.
He didn't want to let her go once Arabella was in his arms. He leaned down to kiss her, letting out a soft groan. "Assume all you want," he told her. "As if I ever want you to leave." She really didn't seem to understand how lonely he was and how the fact she could feel the way for him the way she did only made him want to cling to her. Make her feel nothing but wonderful things, be cherished the way her emotions promised she would. It was intoxicating and very addictive.
Arabella was lonely too, or at least she had been until Brian waltzed into her life. She'd felt more alive and had more hope for the future in the last few days than she had in so long she couldn't even remember back that far. She wanted to cling to him just as much as he wanted to cling to her. "Keep talking like that and you'll never get rid of me," she murmured.
"Why in the world would I want to get rid of you?" he asked her between kisses. They weren't going to get out of the store if he didn't stop kissing her, but Brian couldn't help himself. It just felt so good. So right. "We should go," he reminded her, trailing kisses down her neck and across one shoulder. "So I don't have to keep my hands off you any longer."
She didn't want to let go of him, especially after that last statement, but she knew she'd have to. So she caught his lips for one more kiss before reluctantly pulling back from him. "I just have to sign out and grab my things," she told him. So that was what she did. A few minutes later she was ready to leave the store and thankful that his home wasn't too far from the shop and that her mother's house was on the way. "Do you want me to meet you at your place?" she asked. "My mother's house is on the way and it'll just be a quick stop to grab a few things."
Brian reluctantly let Arabella go so she could finish up. "If you want," he told her. "Your mother might have more questions than you want to deal with right now. And I'll be little help with the state I'm in right now." Brian was terribly worked up and sincerely all he wanted to do was go back to his place and make love to Arabella. Repeatedly. "I could have a bath ready by the time you get there." That actually sounded like a very lovely idea. Brian started to reach for her again, but checked himself. "Sound like a plan?"
Her mother would have plenty of questions for her and Arabella really didn't want to think of any of them, nor deal with any of them right now. Going to her mother's place alone was likely the best bet. Especially when he was promising a nice warm bath. "I like this plan," she told him as she led him out of the shop and towards her car. "I won't be long," she promised him.
Exactly. Brian smiled when she agreed to his plan. He opened her car door for her, stealing one more kiss from Arabella. "I'll be waiting," he promised, wanting to be certain she got on her way safely before heading home himself.
Arabella didn't take long at her mother's home. She collected a few things and packed herself a bag and let her mother know she'd be staying with a friend. There was no deception, just lack of filling her in on the entire truth. It wasn't the same thing. She didn't need to know that Brian was more than a friend just yet. That could come later when she felt that she had time to explain everything and deal with her mother's questions. Heading back out to her car, she put her things in the passenger seat and then made the drive to Brian's home. Collecting her bag once more along with her purse, she slipped it over her shoulder and walked up to Brian's door to knock.
As promised, he'd drawn them a nice hot bath by the time Arabella had arrived. He was waiting by the door, feeling a bit foolish in his eagerness. Of course, that foolish feeling passed as soon as he opened the door and felt her emotions, so like his. Brian smiled as he stepped back so she could come in, shutting the door behind her. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back against him. "I want you so badly," he murmured softly against her neck, kissing her shoulder.
She let her purse and her bag slide from her shoulder, allowing them to settle against the floor before she wound her arms around his neck in turn. "I want you," she replied, burying her face in against his shoulder, the curve where it met his neck. "I swear that drive was longer this time than the last," she smiled.
Brian shuddered softly, leaning down to kiss her. Properly kiss her the way he'd been wanting to since he'd seen her again. Drawing her close against him, pressing her against him in every way possible. "It was," he breathed. "It felt like forever for me at least." He was starting to get drunk on Arabella's emotions, so strong and passionate. "We'd better go upstairs," he added reluctantly. "The water will get cold." They might not get a step further if they didn't get moving now.
It was increasingly difficult to think when he was kissing her and pressing against her like that. She managed to unwind herself from him and move towards the stairs, beckoning him with her fingertip before turning and heading towards his bathroom.
As if he could resist that siren's call. Brian followed after her, already unbuttoning his shirt as he headed up the stairs to the bathroom. He had put some scented oil in the water. It wasn't a floral scent, more of a sandalwood, but it was still soothing. Dropping his shirt into the hamper, he caught Arabella around the waist again for another kiss. "You are so beautiful," he murmured against her lips.
Arabella smiled at his gentle touches, her fingers sliding up to undo the buttons on her own shirt as she returned his kiss. "Thank you," she murmured in reply as she slid the shirt off of her shoulders and tossed it into the hamper. Maybe that would give him more proof that she didn't plan on going anywhere. "You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself," she grinned.
He wasn't concerned she was going anywhere right now. It was more that Brian had no desire to let her out of his arms now that he had her in them again. "Thank you," he replied as he caressed her bared flesh, his fingers skimming across her shoulders and down to cup one of her breasts. Brian shuddered and kissed her again, this time hungry and needing. They might not make it to the tub at this point.
Even if they didn't make it to the tub, Arabella couldn't bring herself to care overly much. She was more concerned with soaking in every ounce of Brian's affections, every single little touch he gave. She returned that kiss, her hand sliding behind her to unfasten her bra, wanting more touches of skin against skin. She carefully wriggled free of the contraption and tossed it towards the hamper too, not really bothering to look and see if it had made its way in or not.
He was quite pleased when she got her bra out of the way. His hands moved to cup both of her breasts as he leaned in to kiss her again. Brian was surprised at how aroused he was. Normally, he enjoyed foreplay more than intercourse, because women were so easy to coax into repeated orgasms with foreplay. Arabella had succeeded in making him so turned on he was shaking a bit already. He slid one hand down her abdomen, shuddering at the feel of her soft skin under his fingertips, stopping to unfasten her jeans. Then he slipped his hand into her pants, searching out her sensitive folds. He let out a gasp in her mouth as his fingers found that nub of flesh and he started rubbing it.
Arabella groaned as his hand slid into her pants and beneath the fabric of her panties. She was already practically soaked at the thought of him touching her and now that he was, she couldn't have hidden her arousal if she'd tried. She gently nipped at his lower lip, giving the bit of flesh a suck as she opened her eyes to catch his. "I didn't know I could want someone this much," she whispered.
Her words, her reaction to his fingers, her desire all combined to make Brian shudder. "Me either," he admitted against her lips. He had never had a woman desire him so badly and it was making him even more aroused and needing of Arabella. He was throbbing so hard he was nearly lightheaded. Brian was accustomed to having a great deal of control sexually, usually allowed by his partners hesitation to let go and detachment. They wanted him to make them feel good, they didn't really desire him. Arabella wanted him, and the feeling alone was intoxicating. He slid his other hand into her jeans, pushing them down past her behind. Once she was free of them, Brian lifted her up onto the counter. His fingers between her legs probed deeper, one slid inside of her heat. God, she was so wet. Hot, wet and wanting him. He didn't know which was more arousing, her body's reaction or her emotions.
She let him slide her pants and panties down and once she was on the counter, she pushed them off entirely, her shoes - thankfully slip-ons that were easily removed - dropped to the floor beneath her feet and she parted her legs a bit more for him, groaning as those slender digits sank further inside of her. She wanted him, yes. More than wanted him. Needed him. For too long sex had been more of a chore for her, something that she did to keep Dan from flipping out or going off on her in some way. This was different. This felt like two people connecting on an entirely different realm of being. This wasn't about what she had to do but instead about what she wanted to do. "Oh, yes, Brian," she breathed, the words more raspy and fully of breath than usual.
Brian looked down at Arabella's beautiful naked body, shuddering again. This was how it should always feel. Completely connected, completely in tune, holding nothing back. He gasped against her lips as she rasped out his name, clenching around his fingers as the pleasure surged through her. "Tell me what you want, sweetheart," he bid, aching so badly for her, but wanting to please her more than anything else. Give her what she wanted, make her feel so good. That was what got him off.
"I want you," she told him honestly. That was what she'd wanted all day. What she'd been needing all day. His touch, the sound of his voice, the feel of his lips against her skin. She groaned as he continued to tease her, his fingers wonderful but not quite enough. "I want you inside me," she breathed, seeking out his mouth once more for a lingering kiss.
Brian let out a gasp at her words, shuddering at the anticipation and desire pouring off Arabella. He wanted exactly that himself, if he were being honest. Breaking away from her long enough to dig in the drawer on one side of the bathroom vanity, he retrieved a condom. Handing it over to her, he unbuttoned and unzipped his slacks, sliding them over his hips. Then he went back to kissing Arabella, wanting nothing but to be close to her.
She couldn't have been more thankful for the fact that there were strategically placed condoms in his bathroom. Smart man. She took it from him and while he kissed her, she went about tearing the wrapping open, letting it fall onto the counter as she used her free hand to seek him out, wrapping around his cock and giving it a firm stroke. She groaned against his lips, sliding the condom in place as she parted her legs a bit more for him, gently tugging him closer to her.
The wasn't the first time he'd had sex in his bathroom. The tub and shower were very popular places to make love, after all. Brian inhaled sharply when Arabella stroked his length, his groan echoing hers. The invitation she offered was happily taken, and he took her by the hips, drawing Arabella closer for a kiss as he slowly pressed into her. Brian let out a soft gasp as he felt her around him, wet and hot and welcoming. His tongue slipped between her lips just as slowly and tenderly. He shuddered hard, moaning against her lips.
Arabella groaned against his mouth, parting her lips eagerly both for the noise and to accept his tongue into her mouth. She lifted her legs, winding them around his waist, her arms following suit and wrapping around his neck. Her tongue moved against his, eyes closing as she let the feel of him overwhelm her. Every little move he made, the shift of his hips, the way his tongue teased against hers, the feel of his hands on her body. She groaned against his mouth again, shifting her hips a bit, rocking them to meet his. Feeling this good, feeling so beautiful and cared for was so new to her, but damn if it wasn't intoxicating.
Intoxicating was a good description for this. Brian didn't know what felt better, her or her emotions. He was drowning in it, but didn't want to come up for air. He thrust into Arabella slow and deep, trailing kisses across her jaw to her ear, then tracing the shell with his tongue. It all felt so good, so right. Fulfilling, in a way he hadn't really experienced before.
God that was perfect. Every little shift felt like it was calculated by what she wanted. Like she'd told him exactly how to move and he was just following instructions. The fingers of one hand wound into his hair, the other slid down his back, fingernails gently scraping their way back up as she rolled her hips towards him to meet his thrusts. "Oh, God, Brian," she whispered, body shuddering slightly as his tongue slid over her ear. "Yes. God, yes."
Part of it was intentional. Brian was taking note of the way she reacted to each thrust, each angle. Her body, her emotions, were giving him explicit instructions to what she liked best. So that was what he did. He moaned against her ear as Arabella clutched him tighter. "Yes, darlin'," he drawled, suckling on her throat. Not even hard enough to leave a mark, just enough to offer her another sensation as he slowly thrust into her over and over.
Her fingers gently tugged at his hair, her hips twitching against his. She lost the ability to think, along with the ability to speak. Especially when his lips found her throat. She swallowed down her arousal, her head lolling back giving him more access to the expanse of her neck.
He didn't want her to fight it. He wanted her to come. As many times as he could make her. That was what he enjoyed, feeling his lovers fall over the edge over and over. Brian moaned against her skin, moving one of his hands to her hip, drawing her closer so he could grind at the end of every thrust. Anything to to get Arabella there, even if she dragged him over with her.
She wouldn't have been able to fight it if she tried. Every move hit her in just the right place. Every single shift drew her closer to the edge and then he shifted, pulling her closer to him and he pressed his hips against hers with every thrust. She couldn't help but come undone, the action trapping her clit between her body and his and sending her spiraling over the edge. She parted her lips in a cry much louder than she intended, her fingers fisting in his hair. Yeah, he could keep doing that. Good god.
That was exactly what Brian needed. He cried out with her, closing his eyes and fighting his own physical reaction as her waves of pleasure washed over him. God, that was fantastic. He kept thrusting that same way, breaths starting to come in quick pants as shudders ran down his spine. He was very close, but he wanted to eke one more orgasm out of Arabella before he let himself go. He caught her lips with his, kissing her deeply, tongue slicking against hers.
The way he cried out was almost enough to push her over again. She was tingling from head to toe, fingers trembling in his hair. And he kept thrusting. Kept pressing into her so perfectly. Then he kissed her and she thought the world might spin out of orbit if he made her feel any better than she already did. Why any woman in their right mind would ever leave Brian was unfathomable. Christ. She kissed him back just as needfully. Her fingers slid from his hair, nails biting against the skin of his back. Tiny aftershocks clenched her muscles around him and all at once the world burst open, light exploding in every direction and she cried out again.
Brian broke away from the kiss as she cried out and came again. He gasped hard, grabbing Arabella's hip more firmly as he kept thrusting. He wasn't going to be able to draw this out much longer, but the way she came, so loud and uninhibited, was addicting. Every snap of his hips into hers was a deliberate effort, his whole body shaking with need. He managed a few more thrusts until he finally couldn't fight his own orgasm any longer. Hilting completely inside of her, he cried out as he came, a violent shudder rocking his whole body. God, that was wonderful.
Watching him come undone was just as addicting. She wanted nothing more than to be the reason that he kept doing that. She felt boneless in his arms, barely able to keep herself upright on the counter top as she tried to bring her breathing back to something close to normal. She clutched at him, held him tight against herself. Arabella didn't want to think about him disappearing, fading away into nothing. All of this being a dream. But oh what a glorious dream it would be. If it was up to her, she would stay asleep forever.