Please Don't Be Mad...

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon needed to come clean to Jo about what had passed between him and Kevin. He didn’t know whether the boy would come to Jo and demand an explanation or not, but he figured it would be better coming from him. That said, it was hard to pull himself away from Melanie. Since the night before when Brandon confronted Kevin, she had been a worried mess, constantly on the verge of tears. He hated it, hated that Kevin was ignoring her because of what Brandon had done, but he was also angry with himself. He didn’t mean to hurt Mel in all of this; he didn’t think Kevin would take it this hard. In his eyes, Kevin was acting like a god damned child, sulking because things didn’t go his way. It pissed him off, but there was nothing he could do about. It had only been a day and Kevin probably needed some time to cool off…the big baby. He needed to talk to Jo, though. He’d promised to come by today, anyway, and he brought a bouquet of roses to soften her up before he told her what he’d done. Brandon was forced to remember what had happened with Kit and he was mentally bracing himself for a similar blow-up.

At Jo’s door, he knocked, hiding the roses behind his back with a charming smile. She opened the door and he grinned wider. “Hello, beautiful,” he greeted. “I brought you something.” He pulled his hand out from behind his back and presented her with the bouquet of one dozen perfect red roses. Satisfied with her reaction, he smiled wider and leaned in to kiss her. Be smooth… He stepped into her apartment, casually dressed in jeans, a white t-shirt and his standard brown leather jacket. Slipping his coat off, he tossed it over the back of a chair before turning back to Jo. His eyes wandered over her noticeably, taking her in, and then he smirked as he came back to her. “You look good enough to eat,” he teased, his arms coming around her again before he kissed her. If he charmed the hell out of her first, she might not be as angry. His kiss was deep and passionate and with a smile he dipped her back playfully. He had to remind himself that now was not the time to literally eat her like he wanted to; now was serious time.

Brandon straightened again, pulling Jo up with him, and he moved his lips from hers. He was smiling as he opened his eyes, but his stomach was tying into knots. “Before I take advantage of you, I have a confession to make.” With a sigh, he scratched the back of his hair, avoiding her stare for a moment. “Last night, I uh…I talked to Kevin. About what you told me.” He could feel her anger, but he wanted to explain before the whole place went up in a mushroom cloud. His hands grabbed his shoulders before she could start yelling. “But I had a good reason to, okay? He lied and told Mel that he was raised by his grandparents for some reason, and that’s why I was curious when you brought it up last night. I should have told you why I was asking, but…well, I’m sorry. I just needed to talk to him first, see how he would react.” He looked down at his feet like a little boy getting in trouble. “And now he’s not talking to Mel because I told him he needed to come clean or I would tell her for him. I’m giving him a week.” His eyes peeked back up at his girlfriend, waiting for the fight to start.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Jo was stoked when Brandon offered to come over. She had neatened her place up and got dressed in a cute dress with high boots since she figured they might be going out. A jacket was over her dress and she felt good about herself. Brandon made her feel pretty and sexy and all that good stuff! When she heard him at the door she all but skipped over, opening it up and beaming at him. “Hello, beautiful,” she was swooning already. “I brought you something.” She moved her head to try and catch a glimpse of what was behind his back, and when he pulled out roses she practically fainted. Jo was pretty sure she had NEVER gotten roses from anyone before and her heart swelled the size of a cantaloupe.

"Oh, Brandon.." She whispered, taking them and sniffing them. "They're perfect.. thank you!" She met his kiss vigorously, and then shut the door behind him, still thrilled about the flowers. She was about to go to the kitchen to fetch a vase when he moved to wrap his arms around her. “You look good enough to eat,” She giggled and let him envelope her in his arms. "Is that so." She teased coyly, letting him kiss her and meeting his gusto with her own, humming into his lips gently. God she wanted him already! When he dipped her she shrieked a little and laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck though she was still holding the flowers, giggling still.

He put her back down and she bit her bottom lip, the corners of them still up, as he smiled at her. “Before I take advantage of you, I have a confession to make.” She was expecting more playful compliments from him and put the flowers down on the coffee table, figuring they had a minute or twenty before they would begin to wilt. "Oh? And whats that?" She asked teasingly. “Last night, I uh…I talked to Kevin. About what you told me.” The smile on her face faltered and then faded away to a frown. "What?" She was sure she had misheard him. Why would he talk to Kevin about what she'd said? After she had very clearly asked him not to? His hands were on her shoulders and her brows furrowed. “But I had a good reason to, okay? He lied and told Mel that he was raised by his grandparents for some reason, and that’s why I was curious when you brought it up last night." She was shaking her head, trying to make sense of it. He had used her to pry information about his sisters boyfriend? "I should have told you why I was asking, but…well, I’m sorry. I just needed to talk to him first, see how he would react.” "Brandon!" She scolded and he looked down at his feet. How could he?. “And now he’s not talking to Mel because I told him he needed to come clean or I would tell her for him. I’m giving him a week.” Her jaw dropped. Was he serious!?

The frowned at him. "How could you!" Her tone teetered between angry and hurt. "I trusted you!" She looked down at the flowers, not feeling so good about them anymore. He had come over with flowers just to soften the blow, which hurt more. It was like he though he could just do whatever he felt because he brought her flowers?! Sure, they were beautiful but they were tainted now with his bullshit. "I specifically said not to say anything, now he's going to hate me! And Kit!" She cupped her face with her hands and groaned. Kit was going to go APESHIT on her if Kevin uttered a word about this to him, which he would. "You had no right to do that to me.. or Kevin! Do you have any idea what he's been through? It would have come out when he was ready, and yea.. maybe he shouldn't have lied but.. You ruined everything!" She barked pushing him. "Now Kit's going to freak out on me, and Kevin's going to hate me and your sister's probably going to get dumped and it's my fault for trusting you! That was really shitty, Bran! That was just...it was just really shitty!"

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“How could you! I trusted you!” Brandon hated how hurt Jo sounded. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but she just didn’t get it yet. Still he held his tongue until she said her piece. “I specifically said not to say anything, now he’s going to hate me! And Kit!” His brow furrowed. Who cared what her ex thought? Why did it matter what Kit said or did? “You had no right to do that to me…or Kevin! Do you have any idea what he’s been through? It would have come out when he was ready, and yeah…maybe he shouldn’t have lied, but…You ruined everything!” Had Brandon ruined everything? He felt lower than dirt for looking out for his sister, and it pissed him off. He didn’t want to be sorry for looking out for her. Jo pushed him, and he gritted his teeth in anger. “Now Kit’s going to freak out on me, and Kevin’s going to hate me and your sister’s probably going to get dumped and it’s my fault for trusting you! That was really shitty, Bran! That was just…it was just really shitty!” Maybe it was shitty in some ways, but Brandon had his reasons. Jo just didn’t know them yet! Before he could stop it, everything he was thinking poured out of his mouth.

“I think the fact that he lied to my sister is pretty shitty! You think he would have told her? From his reaction, he had no intention of ever telling her! He just wanted to keep lying for God knows what reason! And when it all came out, who do you think would be the most hurt by all of those lies? Kevin’s not the only one who’s had to deal with tough shit. I’ve seen Mel broken too many times to just stand by and watch it again. You haven’t seen her when she’s depressed, Jo; you don’t know what that’s like for me. She can barely move, she just lays there and cries and it’s like watching my fucking father all over again; no matter what I do, I can’t fix it! It kills me every time and I can’t watch it again. I feel like I’ll lose her too! I won’t let Kevin hurt her any more than he already has because I can’t bear the thought of her tying a rock around her waist and jumping in the ocean too!” He stopped, realizing that he was revealing much more about himself than he had intended to. Brandon didn’t talk about his father to anyone; he hardly talked about him with his sister. He ran a hand through his hair and turned his back on Jo, trying to compose himself again. A few steps away, and his hands came to his hips, looking down at the ground.

“Maybe I did ruin everything. But if Kevin can’t respect her feelings and he can be perfectly okay with lying to her, then I’m glad I ruined it. Melanie has been my whole life since our father died. She’s all I have…and you. At least I hope I still have you.” He glanced over his shoulder at her then looked away again. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you, okay? But…I’m not sorry for looking out for Mel. I will never, ever be sorry for that. And if…if Kit gets mad, just send him my way. He shouldn’t be mad at you for trusting me.” His voice was significantly quieter and he felt like running. He didn’t like opening up his dark feelings and memories to anyone. Brandon was a trickster, and tricksters don’t have dark sides like that. With a sigh, he rubbed his eyes, waiting for her to tell him to leave. He didn’t know what would happen if she did, but he knew he’d dug himself a pretty deep hole.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

They had been official for less than three days and already they were going at it! Jo knew it would happen sooner rather than later. How did she always manage to find guys who would fight with her? Couldn't she find a completely sexy pushover just once? “I think the fact that he lied to my sister is pretty shitty! You think he would have told her? From his reaction, he had no intention of ever telling her! He just wanted to keep lying for God knows what reason!" Jo knew perfectly well why Kevin would lie. She had a rough life, but after knowing Kit she knew his had been worse in a lot of ways. To be unwanted like they had all been did a lot to a person, and she could understand not wanting to share that part with someone. It wasn't okay, and it was still lying, and he shouldn't have done it, but Jo understood. She understood more than Brandon ever could. "And when it all came out, who do you think would be the most hurt by all of those lies?" It was clear what he was getting at. He didn't want his sister to get hurt and as he continued on his rant it was clear she had been the reason that Brandon had misused the information Jo had so willingly coughed up and asked him not to repeat.

Bran was right; she had never seen Melanie hurt before and she had no idea what it would do to her, but she also knew that it just wasn't Brandon's business to get involved. He was protecting her too fiercely! "She can barely move, she just lays there and cries and it’s like watching my fucking father all over again; no matter what I do, I can’t fix it! It kills me every time and I can’t watch it again. I feel like I’ll lose her too! I won’t let Kevin hurt her any more than he already has because I can’t bear the thought of her tying a rock around her waist and jumping in the ocean too!”

She watched him turn away, torn. The stubborn side of her was still seething, but there was a kind side that felt genuinely bad for Brandon. She understood why he defied her, but she still didn't agree with it. He could have done something other than flat out calling him out. Maybe asked him about it, encouraged the truth! He had left her and gone right to him and spilled what she said not to!

“Maybe I did ruin everything. But if Kevin can’t respect her feelings and he can be perfectly okay with lying to her, then I’m glad I ruined it. Melanie has been my whole life since our father died. She’s all I have…and you. At least I hope I still have you.” She watched him as he peaked over at her, feeling her heart hammer suddenly at the look in his eyes. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you, okay? But…I’m not sorry for looking out for Mel. I will never, ever be sorry for that. And if…if Kit gets mad, just send him my way. He shouldn’t be mad at you for trusting me.” Only he would be mad at her for saying anything at all. She knew Kevin, and she knew he was probably not taking this well. Kevin was the sulking kind. He was strong when he needed to be, but she knew it wasn't really strength, he just sort of slipped on the cruise control and did what needed to be done, but when confronted... she knew he was probably just as much a mess as Brandon claimed Melanie was.

"You wouldn't have known if it weren't for me, and that's what Kit will thinks." She grumbled, flopping down on the couch, her shoulders hunched forward and her arms crossing over her lap. Jo bowed her head, her hair slipping down towards her eyes. "I know you were trying to protect Melanie, but.. you shouldn't have used me that way. You may have been looking out for her but you completely threw me under the bus to do it, and I know your sister comes first, and she will always come first, and I'm okay with that, It's just... my feelings matter, too." Her tone was soft and still hurt. Jo bit on her lip and sighed, looking back up at Brandon. "You shouldn't have rushed to handle this, because clearly you did it out of anger. You should have said something to me. You knew I knew Kevin, you should have had the foresight to realize I would have known how to properly handle this situation, but you didn't even trust me to do that." Her doe eyes were sad as she gazed up at him again. "I mean.. I know Melanie's your number one priority, but how do you think Kevin feels right now having just been outted? Having to face an ultimatum? How do you think I feel that my boyfriend misused information I gave him about a friend to hurt him, and didn't even trust me to help make things right?" Her eyes were penetrating his, trying to find an answer.

"I don't want this sort of relationship." She said quietly, honestly. She liked Brandon a lot. He knew he'd fucked up and brought flowers, but she didn't want to think he fucked up every time she got flowers, which she would now. The sex was amazing, but that wasn't a reason to stay with someone. He was sexy and funny and sweet, but if there was no trust...then there was nothing. "I don't want to be with someone who I can't trust, and who clearly doesn't trust me. I've had it before, too many times. I'm not a baby anymore, I'll be thirty in a year and a half. I want a grownup relationship. I want to find someone I can settle with, but I don't know Brandon.." She hung her head again. "I don't want to break up with you, but I don't want this to be the kind of relationship we have."

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“You wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for me, and that’s what Kit will think.” Brandon watched wearily as Jo flopped down onto the couch, her shoulders hunched. He felt awful for putting her in such a tight spot, but he felt he’d had no choice. “I know you were trying to protect Melanie, but…you shouldn’t have used me that way. You may have been looking out for her but you completely threw me under the bus to do it, and I know your sister comes first, and she will always come first, and I’m okay with that. It’s just… my feelings matter too.” Of course they did. He felt even worse for making her feel like she was second best. He didn’t want to do that, not to his girlfriend. Hell, she’d only been his girlfriend for a couple days and he was already fucking it up. His brows were knitted up when she looked at him, frowning at her with shame from where he stood. “You shouldn’t have rushed to handle this, because clearly you did it out of anger. You should have said something to me. You knew I knew Kevin, you should have had the foresight to realize I would have known how to properly handle this situation, but you didn’t even trust me to do that.” He looked even more concerned. No, it wasn’t about not trusting her…he just hadn’t thought to ask her how to handle it. He hadn’t really thought at all. She was reading more into his angered actions than she should have, and while he wanted to explain, she had more to say. “I mean…I know Melanie’s your number one priority, but how do you think Kevin feels right now having just been outted? Having to face an ultimatum? How do you think I feel that my boyfriend misused information I have him about a friend to hurt him, and didn’t even trust me to help make things right?” Brandon shook his head, turning to her. “No, baby, that’s not it.” His voice was soft and he had to think of how he could explain this to her so she would believe him. He didn’t give two shits how Kevin felt—he shouldn’t have lied in the first place. But he cared more than anything how Jo felt. He hated that he made her feel like this.

“I don’t want this sort of relationship.” Brandon felt a surge of fear rush through him. No, he didn’t want to lose her… “I don’t want to be with someone who I can’t trust, and who clearly doesn’t trust me. I’ve had it before, too many times. I’m not a baby anymore, I’ll be thirty in a year and a half. I want a grownup relationship. I want to find someone I can settle with, but I don’t know Brandon…I don’t want to break up with you, but I don’t want this to be the kind of relationship we have.” He stepped toward her, shaking his head. “No, no, no.” When he reached her, he kneeled on the floor in front of her, taking her hands in his and making sure she was looking at him. His eyes were big with fear. “It’s not that I didn’t trust you Jo. I didn’t even think to ask you how to handle it. Honestly, I was being selfish, and I wasn’t thinking straight. I was pissed that Kevin lied to my sister; still am! But it had nothing to do with not trusting you.” He kissed her hands, afraid he was losing her. Jo was the only woman he’d been interested, truly interested in, in a very long time. He didn’t want to lose his little spitfire. His eyes came back to hers, pleading. “Jo, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done what I did. I should have asked for your help. I will never, ever do that again, I swear it. I want you to be able to trust me and I’ll do anything to prove that you can. Please don’t give up on me.” He searched her eyes, trying to figure out if anything he was saying was getting through to her. With a sigh, he rested his forehead against their hands in her lap.

“I really, really like you Jo. I don’t want you to ever feel second best again. Mel is my blood, but you…” He looked up at her again, his black eyes begging. “I haven’t cared for a woman like I care for you since I was just older than you. And I’m about thirty years older than you.” A thin smile tugged at his lips, giving her hands a light squeeze. He kissed them again before looking back up at her. “Please Jo, just tell me what I have to do to show you can trust me. I’ll do anything you ask me to, I promise. Just don’t break up with me, okay? Please…” He kept his eyes on hers, hopeful and scared and absolutely sincere. Brandon wanted nothing more than to prove he could be trusted. Jo was his girlfriend and he wanted to keep it that way for much, much longer. He would do anything to get back in her good graces. He didn’t want to be another shitty boyfriend to her. She deserved much better than that, and he wanted to treat her exactly how she deserved.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

“No, no, no.” Jo bit her bottom lip as Brandon came to her, kneeling. She looked down into his eyes as he explained further that he hadn't meant to put her in that position, apologizing over and over. He was being so genuine, not his normal playful self. It was a good feeling to know that he was willing to fight for this, that he cared that her feelings had been hurt. Kit would have stormed off and called her a baby. Other boyfriends might have apologized, but not like this. Not so sincerely. "I will never, ever do that again, I swear it. I want you to be able to trust me and I’ll do anything to prove that you can. Please don’t give up on me.”

Jo genuinely felt bad for Brandon. She could see he felt bad for letting her down, for hurting her and that his intentions weren't ever to throw her under the bus. It was commendable and she was warming to his apology. “I really, really like you Jo. I don’t want you to ever feel second best again. Mel is my blood, but you…” Her heart stopped. But her...what? “I haven’t cared for a woman like I care for you since I was just older than you. And I’m about thirty years older than you.” He was smiling but she was staring at him almost confused. They'd only been dating a short while. Did he care that much for her already? Had she made that much of an impact? She suddenly felt guilty. She liked Brandon. She liked Brandon more than she'd liked anyone in a long time, but she couldn't help but feel he was the lover in this relationship. She knew it was because her love life had been tainted and she just didn't get close to men as quickly anymore, but it felt odd that someone would care this much for her. She was so used to not being good enough, and suddenly she had the potential to be some mans world. It threw her for a loop and made her almost dizzy.

“Please Jo, just tell me what I have to do to show you can trust me. I’ll do anything you ask me to, I promise. Just don’t break up with me, okay? Please…” Brandon was all but groveling at her feet, and there was a sick part of her that loved it. She loved that for once she was on the opposing side. Someone was begging her not to go. How many times had she been in Brandon's shoes over the years? Too many to even count.

"Well.." She said softly, warming to him. "You can start by not buying me flowers to tell me something's wrong. You're the first man to ever bring me flowers and I don't want them to symbolize bad news." There was a hint of a smile playing on her lips, and she reached down grabbing a fistful of his white t-shirt, pulling him towards her as she leaned down. "Next, you can kiss me." She said, bringing her lips to his and kissing him hard, but not deep. Her lips lingered on his for a moment before loosening her grip on his shirt and pulling away a little, biting her lower lip again.

"Next time you give me a reason not to trust you, I'm going to make you hand wash my delicate's in the sink, among other obnoxious chores which will most certainly include cooking for me in only my apron. And yes, I will be photographing everything."

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“Well…” Brandon just looked up at Jo, waiting with baited breath for her answer. “You can start by not buying me flowers to tell me something’s wrong. You’re the first man to ever bring me flowers and I don’t want them to symbolize bad news.” He smiled a little, and even more so when she grabbed a fistful of his shirt. He moved up as she came down, watching her lips approach. “Next, you can kiss me.” Before he had a chance to do so, she was kissing him, but he returned it with his brow lowered over his eyes. It wasn’t deep, but it was hard and passionate, and he was perfectly fine with that. When she pulled away, he opened his eyes to hers, smiling more at the way she bit her lip. She was cute, whether she thought so or not. Maybe it was strange that he was so attracted to such a young-looking, stick-figure of a woman, but she had such large, beautiful eyes that pulled him in. It wasn’t just her looks that attracted him, either; it was her whole personality that made her beautiful. Could he get a woman more textbook physically beautiful than Jo? Probably. But to find her equal in personality would be all but impossible. They fit, and he didn’t want to lose that.

“Next time you give me a reason not to trust you, I’m going to make you hand wash my delicates in the sink, among other obnoxious chores which will most certainly include cooking for me in only my apron. And yes, I will be photographing everything.” He chortled and shook his head. “I’m not giving you another reason not to trust me, so you can figure out some other way to manipulate me into doing your chores.” His tone was going back to teasing, restoring some sense of normalcy between them. He put his hands on either side of her legs on the couch and slowly made his way up, bringing his face closer to her with a crooked smile. “As for the cooking, I’ll cook naked for you whenever you want. No need for the apron.” His lips pressed against hers, now crouching instead of kneeling in front of her. The kiss he gave was passionate, but not quite needy. He moved up higher so he could sit next to her on the couch, but he kept his lips on hers. When he pulled away he smiled again, a little more warmly. He was just glad they weren’t fighting.

“How about I bring you flowers just because? You can have a new bouquet every time I see you.” His grin was wide as one arm came around her waist, pulling her a little closer to him. He would shower her in flowers if it would make her happy. Brandon had grown up in a very different time and he liked to do traditional things for the women he dated, like bringing flowers and holding the door and treating them to nice things. Of course, he hadn’t properly dated in just under ten years, but that just meant he was that much more willing to treat Jo. He truly wanted to be the kind of guy that she dreamed about. Anything less wasn’t an option to him. It was all or nothing. He kissed her again, letting his fingers sweep through her short hair as he did so, and he hoped she wouldn’t stay mad at him for too long. When he pulled away, he ran the hand on her waist up her back gently. “Anything else I can do?” he asked, a small grin on his face. He was feeling repentant and figured he might as well give her the opportunity to exploit it.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

“I’m not giving you another reason not to trust me, so you can figure out some other way to manipulate me into doing your chores.” She smiled and a soft, throaty giggle escaped her closed lips. "Oh, I'm sure I could think of a few ways to coerce you into doing chores.." She teased as he came up closer to her. “As for the cooking, I’ll cook naked for you whenever you want. No need for the apron.” Her brows popped up but she didn't have time to explore that proposal before his lips were on hers again. She hummed into his lips as he moved to sit next to her on the couch, glad things were okay again despite her still minor feelings of hurt. She would forgive him this time, but she was still dreading Kit coming after her, and Kevin being mad at her. She would apologize later, though.

“How about I bring you flowers just because? You can have a new bouquet every time I see you.” She laughed a little and shook her head. "I don't need you killing flowers every time you see me! But once in a while would be more than a nice surprise." She leaned in as he kissed her again, his fingers combing her hair while his other arm wrapped around her waist, bringing her closer. She couldn't deny his allure. Brandon was more than charming, and he liked her. He truly cared about hr and there was no way she could deny that now. He was genuinely afraid of losing her, which was probably his biggest saving grace. He cared about her feelings. He might not have showed it at first, but he did.

“Anything else I can do?” "Hmm..." A wolfish grin creased her lips and she climbed off the couch, kissing him as she went. "I might have something." She moved to the kitchen and went into one of her draws, pulling a cloth out and bringing it back to the living area. She beckoned him with one finger, the coy smile still on her lips. "I think I'm hungry, and it just so happens I have a nice apron for you." She teased, holding the apron up for him to see. "C'mere and strip."

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“Hmm…” Brandon smiled as Jo kissed him again, moving to get off the couch. “I might have something.” He watched her go with a furrowed brow and a curious look. What was his little mouse thinking? She went to the kitchen, and when she returned she had…a very, very pink something in her hands. He raised an eyebrow as he looked up at her face. “I think I’m hungry, and it just so happens I have a nice apron for you.” His lip curled and his eyes widened at the apron she held up. Not only was it frilled and pink, but it had a bright yellow bow and cupcakes all over it. “C’mere and strip.” He looked back in her face and sighed heavily. “Oh, hell…” he grumbled, getting to his feet. His shoes kicked off as he worked on loosening his buckle. There was an unhappy smile on his face as he moved toward her. “I guess I asked for this, huh?” He pulled his shirt over his head just before he reached her, kissing her as he tossed his shirt away. Couldn’t he just fuck her senseless and not have to wear the stupid apron? Nope, apparently she was serious about this.

When Brandon’s jeans and boxer briefs were pooled around his ankles, he stepped out of them and pulled his socks off. “So what are you hungry for, my dear?” His tone was playful and he planted another kiss on her lips once she draped the apron over his head. He lifted his arms out to the side, feeling her trying to tie a bow around his torso. When he pulled back, he smiled at her before looking down at the bow she was tying. That made him grimace. “You know, I did say I would go naked…” He pointed out, raising his eyes to hers again. “And if you take pictures, you better not put them anywhere on the internet. The last thing I need is some fat old porn junkie stalking me for my sexy ass.” He smirked with a cocky sort of look on his face. Really, though, Brandon was mortified at the thought of one of his shipmates finding these on the internet. If any of them knew how far he’d gone to get back in Jo’s good graces…If their relationship ever went bad, Brandon was going to have to find some way to delete those photos off of her computer.

Sighing heavily, he strutted into the kitchen, trying to ignore the fact that he was wearing something that could belong to a 1950s housewife. He gave Jo a playful snarl before opening the fridge to see what she had by way of ingredients. What could he cook? He found chicken in the freezer and he frowned a little in contemplation. “Where are your spices?” he asked, setting the chicken on the counter. When she answered him, he moved to the right cabinet and inspected her cache. Everything he needed was there and he smiled back at her. “I’m going to make you some fried chicken.” With a big grin, he took down all of the ingredients and began thawing out the chicken in her microwave. He found a bowl and began to mix the batter. “Can you get me a deep pan and some oil, please?” he requested, looking over his shoulder at her. Forget that he was butt naked in an apron, he was excited for fried chicken. He hadn’t had it in a long time and he was looking forward to the taste.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Jo tried to conceal the smirk on her lips as Brandon reluctantly got to his feet, kicking his shoes off as he came and loosening his belt. She got that familiar stir in her stomach when he got too close to her. “I guess I asked for this, huh?” She nodded, full on smiling now as he pulled his shirt over his head. She admired his sexy chest beneath that damn harness. God, was he sexy. She graciously accepted his kiss, smiling into his lips. “So what are you hungry for, my dear?” His tone was playful and she slid the neck of the apron over his head before he planted another kiss on her lips. "Isn't that the question of the day.." She teased, knowing exactly what she was hungry for, but she wasn't letting him off the hook that easily.

Jo wrapped her arms around Brandon and grabbed the sash of the apron, wrapping it around to his front and tying it on the side. “You know, I did say I would go naked…” "Stop whining." She shot back quickly with a giggle. “And if you take pictures, you better not put them anywhere on the internet. The last thing I need is some fat old porn junkie stalking me for my sexy ass.” He smirked at her which made her roll her eyes. "Please, and share all this with the world? Okay, yeah.. I kind of want to, but this is mine. The whole package.." Her hand slid over his groin "accidentally" as she moved away to admire him, a hand on her chin. Strangely enough, this was a major turn on and she wondered why she had never thought of doing this before. Oh, because she'd never had anyone willing to do it before.

"Now cook for me, stud!" She demanded playfully, receiving a sigh in return. The girl hopped up onto the counter and sat there, her legs crossed at the ankle and watched him move around the kitchen like he owned it. There was nothing sexier than a man being domestic, especially in nothing but a girly apron. She slid her phone out and opened the camera discreetly.

“Where are your spices?” he asked, setting some chicken on the counter near her. "Just in there." She said pointing to a cabinet that held all sorts of spices and herbs. “I’m going to make you some fried chicken.” Fried chicken? Her stomach would hate her later, but who cared. That sounded delicious! "Mmm!" She hummed, swinging her feet back and forth a little.

“Can you get me a deep pan and some oil, please?” He asked and she narrowed her eyes playfully as she got off the counter and moved to grab the pot and some oil. She slid the pan on the stove and poured in the oil, leaving it on the counter for him if he needed more later. She then pulled out a plate and lined it with a few paper towels for him as well. When she was finished she grabbed her phone and took a quick picture of just his ass with the frilly apron framing it, giggling afterwards. "For my own private collection." She teased, biting her lower lip as she grinned at his bashfully. "You know, if this is my reward, I might like for you to cross me more often." She teased, shimmying her way back onto the counter to watch the rest of this way too sexy show.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon gave Jo an exaggerated grin of pleading to convince her to get a pan and oil for him. She did, thankfully, and he went back to mixing the batter. She even took out a plate and put paper towels down so he could place the finished chicken on it. He was going to give her a kiss to thank her, but she pulled out her phone and aimed it at his ass. It wasn’t like he was going to avoid getting the picture taken, so he stuck his butt out more and posed a little for her. She giggled and he grinned, turning back to the batter. “For my own private collection.” He raised his eyebrows at her and pointed a flour covered finger in her direction. “It better be.” His warning was playful enough, but he genuinely feared it getting out that he had appeased his girlfriend by stripping naked, putting on her apron, and cooking her dinner. It was the apron that would kill his image.

“You know, if this is my reward, I might like for you to cross me more often.” He smirked at her perching herself on the counter again, shaking his head. “Oh, I don’t think you know what you’re asking for.” His eyes took her in, sitting on the counter…perfect height. The grin on his face widened as he found a towel and wiped his flour covered hands off. He made his way over to her, strutting a little as he did so and was very careful to remove the flour. When he made it to her, he tossed the towel on the counter beside her and let his hands glide up her thighs to her hips, stepping between her thighs. “I could always tease you about being small. Or liking cheese.” He laughed at her reaction, making it clear he was teasing her. His hands on her hips, he slid her across the counter closer to him so that her pelvis pressed against his. He kissed her again, gently at first, but it quickly heated up. There was just something so tempting about her sitting on that countertop.

When his lips pulled away, they only did so to kiss down her cheek, across her jaw, and into her neck. His hands kept her close as he riled her up, riling himself up in the process. Before he could get too excited, he pulled away and grinned at her. “You’re distracting me.” With that tease, he gave her a light tap on the ass and moved away to continue mixing the ingredients for the batter. He liked teasing Jo; maybe this time he could set a record for how quickly she would finish. Just the thought of that challenge…well, it was going to be difficult to hide his excitement at that prospect if he kept thinking about it. He had to focus on chicken now. The spices all mixed for the batter, he sampled it with his finger before adding just a little more cinnamon and then went to her fridge for some eggs to coat the chicken in. “You ever had home cooked fried chicken before?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at her. “Because this is my dad’s secret recipe.” He gave her a wink before pulling a bowl down to break the eggs into. It was one of the few dishes he cooked very well, and he moved through Jo’s kitchen as if he owned it. He had to open a couple drawers and cabinets to find what he was looking for a couple times, but he figured it out soon enough.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

“Oh, I don’t think you know what you’re asking for.” He teased as he began strutting towards her, wiping his hands clean. She raised a brow, a flirty smirk on her lips as he slid his hands up her thighs to her hips and nestled there between her legs. She definitely got a rise out of it, her flirty smirk turning coy. “I could always tease you about being small. Or liking cheese.” Jo's eyes narrowed and she poked him hard in the chest. "You could, but you might seriously regret that. Those are sensitive topics." She said sternly but she wasn't being serious. He laughed and then moved in to kiss her.

Jo wanted to push him away, but she was too quickly captivated by him and it didn't take much for their kiss to deepen. A quickie on the counter wouldn't hurt, would it? She was considering the possibility when his lips moved down her cheek and across her jaw, and into her neck. He was sealing his fate with her and she could feel her legs open some to allow him to get closer as her hands moved up his chest. He was way too hot for his own good.

All too quickly he was pulling away, leaving Jo breathless and starving for more. “You’re distracting me.” He teased, patting her ass and making her eyes narrow again. "You're cheating! You're not allowed to play dirty, servant boy." She grumbled at him playfully, tilting her head and watching his ass through the opened back of the apron.

“You ever had home cooked fried chicken before? Because this is my dad’s secret recipe.” He threw a wink her way over his shoulder and she smiled back as he made himself at home. She liked him doing that. "I've never had your home cooked fried chicken before." She said playfully. "Or fried chicken with cinnamon." She sighed and looked around. "Is it me or is it getting hotter in here?" She asked, fanning herself a little. She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it up over her head, just in her bra. "Much better." She smirked at him innocently as if this was just naturally what should be done when one got too hot in the kitchen. She tossed the shirt on the floor and leaned back a little on the counter, her head hitting the cabinet behind her. "So is this your specialty?" She asked, genuinely curious.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“I’ve never had your home cooked friend chicken. Or fried chicken with cinnamon.” Brandon scoffed lightly, smiling as he turned the stove on to start heating the oil. “I’m sure you have, you just didn’t know at the time.” His reply was off-handed, but not condescending. There were a lot of ingredients in fried chicken that most people wouldn’t have guessed were there. “Is it me or is it getting hotter in here?” The guy shrugged. “Well, I just turned the stov—” Brandon turned midsentence and stopped cold what he was saying. Jo had pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her in just her bra. Damn, she looked tempting… “Much better.” Her flippant comment made his eyes wander over her. She tossed her shirt away and leaned back so her head was touching the cabinet. He knew she was trying to get him to crack, come back and seduce her…and she was doing a damn good job of it. “So is this your specialty?” Her question made him grin mischievously and he bit his lip to try and hide it. He moved toward her slowly, leaving the food abandoned on the counter again.

“No, this isn’t my specialty,” he replied, sauntering closer to her. With the way he was walking, he obviously had forgotten he was in a frilly pink apron and butt naked beneath. When he reached her, he had a big grin on his face and he was back between her legs, his rough hands sliding to her back. “My specialty is sausage. I’ve been told I serve up sausage pretty well.” He grinned wide at his own lewd joke. His hands crept down to her butt, pulling her closer against him and let her feel just how excited she could get him. “I could make some of that instead, if you’d like.” He grinned while she responded, his hands gliding back up her back. His lips came to her collarbone and then slowly, gently trailed up her neck. He sucked lightly at the soft, delicate skin, more than teasing this time. His fingers moved down her back again and traced along the waistband of her pants to the front where he popped the button on them his lips moving up to her ear.

“I don’t think you’re really hungry, since you keep distracting me.” His lips brushed against her ear as he talked and when he finished, he smirked, brushing his nose along the side of her head. This was the second time he’d let himself get distracted, but he wanted her bad. That chicken could wait if she encouraged him to go any further. A quickie on the counter would not only be satisfying, but incredibly hot. His fingers worked on her zipper slowly, kissing along her jaw now.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

“No, this isn’t my specialty,” She saw the fire in his eyes which made her own light up as he sauntered over. He looked so silly in that apron, and sexy at the same time. It was a little intense since it made Jo feel a little weak but like she wanted to crack up at the same time. He wriggled his way between her legs once more and she bit her lower lip, stifling a sultry smile as his hand slid to her back, making her body tingle with desire for him.

“My specialty is sausage. I’ve been told I serve up sausage pretty well.” He smiled and she couldn't help the laugh that slid from her mouth, bringing her hand to cover her mouth. "Oh my God!" She giggled, shaking her head at him, feeling his hands sliding to her read and then back up. “I could make some of that instead, if you’d like.” Jo squirmed on the counter a littler knowing clearly what he was insinuating, especially when he began to kiss her collarbone, moving to her neck. Her head tilted to the side to allow him access as she squirmed again below him, chewing on her bottom lip as she reached for the tie wrapped around his waist, just gripping it gently as he kissed her neck. She felt his hands moving around to the front of her pants, knowing exactly what he was up to. "I'd love to try some of that specialty sometime.." She said softly, attempting to sound silly, but her throat had grown a little dry as he unbuttoned her jeans.

“I don’t think you’re really hungry, since you keep distracting me.” His lips caused goosebumps to form all over her body and she panted slightly when he pulled the fly of her jeans down. He was toying with her and she was taking the bait. Jo let her eyes slip shut, enjoying the feeling of him adoring her this way, but she didn't want to give in too quickly considering the whole Kevin thing. She slid her hands to his shoulders and pushed him away enough so she could see him. "I think you underestimate how much I want to try your chicken before your sausage. Now cook for me, servant boy." Jo wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close, kissing him and letting her hand slide over his bare ass before giving it a sharp little smack. "Hop to it, because I want my dessert." She pecked his lips again, implying he was dessert, before nudging him back to the chicken.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Jo’s hands came to Brandon’s shoulders and he sighed as he pulled away reluctantly. She didn’t push him back far and he grinned as she talked as if he wasn’t really listening to her. “I think you underestimate how much I want to try your chicken before your sausage. Now cook for me, servant boy.” He chuckled as she pulled him back in, kissing him as her hands slid around to his back. Well, she didn’t seem like she wanted that chicken right now. Before he could react, her hand pulled back and gave his ass a sharp smack, making him jump before the stinging started. He grunted against her lips before she pulled back, and his brows were furrowed despite his smile.

“Hop to it, because I want my dessert.” With another peck, he gathered he was dessert. Brandon didn’t want to be dessert—he wanted to be the appetizer. She nudged him, but he didn’t go far, giving her a wicked smirk. “You sure? Because I kind of like each dessert before dinner.” He came back to her, ignoring her protests and stopped them with his mouth over hers. If she really, really didn’t want to do it, he would leave her alone. But something told him that as soon as his hand got into her pants, she wouldn’t be opposed to his plan at all. With one arm wrapped around her back to keep her from squirming away, his hand dove into her jeans and found her more than willing. He hummed a moan of approval against her lips, loving the way she reacted to his touch.

“I’m in the mood to eat something else. I can be a slave in places other than the kitchen,” he said in a low, soft voice against her lips. As he kissed her hard, he yanked at her jeans, having to steal his hand back momentarily. It didn’t take long for her to wiggle out of them, and his lips moved back to sucking on her neck. Fuck the chicken—he could cook after they were satisfied in other ways. He stepped back only to throw her bottoms away and then he pulled her to the edge of the counter, smirking with his forehead pressed to hers. “Bon appétit,” he practically whispered before quickly squatting to bring his chin to the edge of the counter. There weren’t any objections to be heard after that.

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