Chapter 26

 

Ian opened the door to Brooke’s bedroom hesitantly before he stepped into the room. A part of him was actually fearful that she’d turn him away. After all, she had all but admitted that she was still in love with Ridge and he wondered if Brooke would ever be able to give her heart to anyone again. Silently using the techniques that he had been trained in he made no sound as he approached her however it was the shaking that of Brooke’s curled up body that stopped him. She was crying. That was obvious, however was she crying over Ridge? Ian took out a tentative hand and touched her gently on the shoulder. “ Brooke?” Brooke heard her named being called and nearly jumped. Ian had been so silent in his approach that she hadn’t heard him. Slowly she sat up with puffy red eyes looking so sad yet strangely beautiful.

“ Ian..” Brooke’s tired eyes studied his form in the darkness. Regardless of the little light except for the light that filtered through the window, she saw his muscular form. His naked chest and a pair of sweatpants that robe low on his hips. Ian cupped Brooke’s face in his hands and used his thumbs to gently take away any trace of her tears.

“ Brooke, why are you crying?” She opened her mouth to speak but she found the words lodged in her throat. How could she tell him how hurt that she had been to know that he found her to blame for what had occurred with Thorne worse yet he’d never get over his love for Sasha. She couldn’t tell him that, so she told him a partial truth.

“ I didn’t want to be alone.”, she said in a soft vulnerable voice.

Ian lowered head to Brooke’s and softly whispered. “ You aren’t alone Brooke.”

“ But…”

“ I shouldn’t have left you. I’m sorry for the way that I acted. You don’t belong up here by yourself, you belong with me.” Brooke’s soft breath could be heard within the silent room as her heart raced at Ian’s words. “ I care not for what happened earlier. At this moment, your past doesn’t matter nor does mine..”

“ It doesn’t?”

“ No. All that matters is what is happening right now. Here with you and me. When I was on that mission, all that I can think about was getting back to you. Do you understand that Brooke? All that I could think about was YOU.” Tears poured down Brooke’s face.

“ When you were gone, all I could think that was you. It consumed my thoughts everyday and night. I just couldn’t leave without knowing if I’d ever see you again.” Brooke swallowed.

“When Ace showed up and told me that you had been hurt.”

“ Shhh, no. Don’t speak of it. It’s all in past I’m not hurt.”

“ But you were shot.”

“ It was nothing.”

“ Nothing? You call almost dying, nothing.”

“ But I didn’t die. I’m here. Standing in front of you” He placed her hand on his naked chest.  “I’m standing here in front of you and I’m wanting you just as I did when I walked out the door.” Ian dipped his head and slowly took her mouth with his and she was lost in the wondrous sensation of his mouth on hers. His fingers threaded through the golden strands of her hair and cupped her head as his mouth slanted over hers. Ian groaned as he slipped his tongue into the warm crevices of her sweet mouth as she gave herself up into his kiss. Tentatively, as if she were afraid, Brooke stroked his tongue gently with her own until the kiss it’s self changed. She was filled with such longing that she wanted nothing more but to give into the feeling of being only with him. Brooke could clearly feel the hard length of his erection pushing hard against his sweat pants up against her stomach. He was hard, pulsating and full of live to give to her.

“ Ian..,” his name uttered against her lips. She wanted to remind him that it could only go so far that they had to remember the doctor’s orders, however the thought of the doctor’s warning fled her head, as his hands moved down her back to cup buttocks to bring her forward against his hard shaft. Underneath the shirt she wore nothing and his hands gently gripped the soft globes of her buttocks. He needed her. He needed to touch her everywhere. He needed to taste her, to lick her soft sweet skin and kiss every part of her. He needed to be inside of her sweet body, moving in and out of her until he found a hot release. Ian’s tongue mated against Brooke’s mimicking the movements that he so desperately wanted to be doing as his hands skimmed up lightly against her back.

“ I need you Brooke.” He murmured with the sexiest voice she had heard against her lips. Ian’s mouth took hers again passionately as his hand moved around slightly caressing her flat stomach and gently skimming down to gently touch her soft pubic hair. Ian growled against her mouth and pulled away for a moment. He took Brooke’s small hand in his and then brought them to the waistband of his sweat pants. Brooke’s eyes widened as his hand moved her overtop his straining penis underneath the soft material. “ Please Brooke, touch me,” he said in such a strangled whisper that she almost didn’t recognize his voice. Ian’s heart raced against his chest. Never, had he felt as aroused with a woman the way that he felt when he was with Brooke. It constantly amazed him that she could affect him the way that she did. She bit her lip softly as she took a hold of the tie and untied it. Slipping her hands inside of his pants, she encountered her large, hard, penis. With the other hand, she pushed the material down until she could see his fully erect penis. It was so hard, hot and smooth, more than filling up her small hand. She used her thumb to collect the liquid at the tip and then smoothed it around the head of his shaft. The muscles in Ian’s neck clinched as he watched her moved her hand up and down his shaft expertly. God, she was so amazing. Her hand was slow, making him feel every movement as she moved from the tip of this penis to the base of his shaft. As time went on, she became bolder and when she moved her finger to caress his balls, Ian groaned and snatched her hand away.

“ What, wrong, you didn’t like it?”

Ian thought that he couldn’t get any harder but he grew about two inches from her administrations. Yet it was the sensual way that she questioned him and let him know that she knew what she was doing. It was there, in her eyes, her sexy voice. Mocking him, he promised that he’d make her pay. “ I liked it alright, you little witch. Maybe too much.” Ian stepped out of his pants. “ I don’t want to come in you hand.”

Brooke licked her bottom lip and Ian wanted to suckle it into his mouth. “ So, where do you want to come?” Brooke asked seductively. She was treated to a wicked grin before her shirt was wrenched open by two strong hands. She gasped as Ian wasted no time and his hot lips took her nipple into his mouth. Sucking hard while his teeth scored her nipples, Ian causes flashes of heat to fill her body. He cupped her breast together and then administered the other breast. Brooke’s mouth hung open as he feasted on her as if he had been a starving man offered a wondrous feast ever. She cupped his head to her breast and let go. Ian felt Brooke’s body go slack and he lowered her to the bed. Reluctantly he let go over a nipple and stared down into her eyes and then down at her body. Taking a step back he licked his lips for a moment. “ Open your legs for me Brooke.”

Brooke was in a trance, even if she had wanted to say no, she knew that she’d never get the words past her lips. He was standing at the side of her bed, his body muscular and toned, naked and sporting a very large penis. Brooke opened her legs. “ Wider baby. I want to see if you are ready for me.”

Brooke opened her legs wider as Ian knelt at the bed. His fingers gently traced the folds of her heat and found her wet. “ So, wet. Just for me baby?”

“ Yes…”

“ Good.” He wanted her that way. Hot, wet and willing, for him and for no one else. He wanted her to be thinking of him and what pleasure he was going to give her. No more thoughts of lost love or Ridge. Ian lowered his head between her legs and took her with his mouth. His tongue traced the folds of her nether lips before he stroked her nub. Brooke cried out, which only aroused him more. He pulled her down, cupped her buttocks with his hands as his mouth feasted on her. Stroking her nub with his tongue over and over, he finally suckled it into his mouth. Brooke cried out however Ian didn’t let go when the tremors of an orgasm hit her, in fact he contained to stroke her until it faded an and turned into another one. Brooke gripped Ian’s shoulders with her legs and he groaned. Using his fingers, he slid two of them into of heat. Ecstasy went through his body as he felt of tighten she held onto his fingers. “ God…I need to be with you Brooke.” He slid his fingers out of her and then slipped then into his mouth. He licked the essence of her off his fingers. “ You taste so good.” Brooke watched through passion-glazed eyes as she stood. “ I’m sorry but I can’t wait anymore…” He said before he took his erection placed at her creamy opening  and thrust inside of her. Brooke cried out as an automatic orgasm hit her. Ian groaned and ushered her legs around his waist as his thrust harder in and out of her body. She was tight, so wet and her body fit him like a hot, wet fist. It was so fucking perfect.  Brooke’s body arched off the bed and he rose up and moved in and out of her. Somehow in the hurried favored passion, they found a rhythm. Ian groaned and closed his eyes as he took her, hard. Brooke felt the bed under her shake and slam into the wall as Ian moved in and out of her body. Ian’s mouth found her breast and when he took her nipple into his mouth, it was over. Brooke cried out and her nails dug deep into his back as she was hit with another orgasm. The pulsating clenching around his penis mixed with the pain of her nails biting into his back was enough to make Ian increase his pace and finally explode in a mass of fire. Ian’s sperm erupted into her body as he collapsed on top of her.

 

Bridget hung up the phone and turned toward Deacon. “All the arrangements have been made. The day after tomorrow, we are booked for a flight to Colorado.”

Deacon knew that Bridget was worried and truthfully, he was a bit worried as well. Brooke may not like him but truthfully he understood why. That didn’t mean that she hadn’t been a good mom to Bridget, she had and was. It wasn’t like her not to contact her children. He hoped to god that nothing had happened to her. He studied the strain in Bridget’s eyes. If something had happened to her mother, she’d never forgive herself. He wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her gently. Everything with him had changed and it was because of her. Bridget was a sweet alluring and everything that he could have never dreamed of . She had stood up to her family and braved their wrath without question. She had forgiven him after he had tricked and lied to her, when she should have left him. And although he had thought himself in love with Amber, time changed that and he found himself in love with a spunky eighteen year old. Wonders never ceased. Deacon was probably still a bad boy but Bridget had most likely tamed the beast in him. “ I’m just sorry that I couldn’t get tomorrow off, they we’d be able to go.”

“ It’s not your fault. I had an examine that I couldn’t get out of anyway.” Bridget leaned her back. “ Not that I’m going to do any good anyway, my focus is going to be on my mom.”

“ Bridget, I’m sure that she is alright, there just might be a problem with the phone. I searched the weather site on the internet and it stated that they’ve been hit with a lot of snow.” Deacon chuckled. “I really must love you Forrester.”

Bridget turned in his arms and smiled at her husband. “ Why do you say that.”

“ Because I hate snow. I fucking hate that stuff?”

“ And you are going for me?”

“ Yeah but just don’t tell anybody.” Deacon lowered his captured her mouth with a passionate kiss before he swept his wife up in his arms and carried her off to their bedroom.

 

Brooke lay underneath Ian’s great weight trying to catch her breath. A soft smile covered her face as she wrapped her arms around him. It took a few minutes for Ian to catch his breath. When he realized that he was squashing Brooke, he rolled off of her taking her with him so she covered his body. Suddenly he started laughing, his tight body shaking as he held her. Brooke lifted her head up to look down at him. “ I’m not sure if I should be offended at your laughter.”

Ian gripped the back of her head and kissed her fully on the lips. “ No baby. I’m not laughing at you. It’s just. Damn…you are fucking amazing.”

“ Amazing?” Brooke smiled.

“ Yeah.” Ian pulled her head down again for a kiss and Brooke felt him become hard again inside of her. Without thought, Brooke gripped Ian’s muscular thighs with her and leaned forward. The action caused a grown of desire to come out of Ian’s mouth. Brooke then sat up and was still for a moment at she adjusted to Ian’s penis inside of her. Ian smirked and put his hands behind his head. “ You’ve roused the monster. Deal with it.” She needed no more encouragement from him. Her body moved up slightly, losing him as if she were losing apart of herself before she lowered herself on him again. Ian closed his eyes as she moved over him. Her fingers traced down his chest and found his nipples, stimulating them gently she leaned down and blew on them. Ian’s eyes popped open when her tongue stroked him at the same time as she slid down his erection again. He couldn’t help it, and he arched off the bed, filling her with himself. Brooke laughed a bit before she captured his nipple again with her mouth. It was everything. It was explosive and it was erotic. Her mouth. Her heat. Ian grasped her hips and  brought her hard down on him. Brooke was hit with an orgasm and she let go of his nipple just as she moved down to meet Ian’s thrust up. In no time at all, they came again.

 

Ian’s body was sweat just as sweaty as the body next to him. After the first two times, they had finally slowed down and had made love. It was very slow, languid, yet intense the way they had stared into each other eyes.  What time it was, he had no idea, nor did he care. All that he cared about was sliding into Brooke’s sweet body again. What had come over him? He didn’t know, nor could he name it. It wasn’t like him. He wanted her more and more. Leaning down he gently kissed her back and lightly ran his tongue up it until he got to her soft neck. Brooke sighed and turned toward him. Her face nuzzled his damp chest. He looked into her sleepy eyes and felt guilt. He had kept her up most of the night with his needs and now she had shadows under her eyes. Gently he kissed her forehead and cradled her into his arms. “ Sleepy?”

“ Just a little. You know how to wear a girl out.” Brooke curled her naked body up against his. “Tomorrow, I’m probably going to be very sore.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so rough with you.”

Brooke laid her finger against his lips. “ I enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

 

Ian stepped into his bedroom and quickly urinated. He had brought a sleeping Brooke downstairs and deposited her in his bed. As comfortable as her bed had been, it was no way near as comfortable as his large bed. Besides, she belonged with him. Not upstairs in that room but in his bed in his room. Ian finished his toiletries when he discovered a small white dried spot on his inner thigh. It took him a moment before he realized what the dried spot was. It was dried semen. In his haste to have Brooke again and again, he had neglected to use a condom any of the times. Ian quickly washed off the spot and the others before he headed back to his bedroom. Brooke was resting comfortably, her hand touching lightly on her stomach. Ian pushed back he covers and removed her hand. Brooke only murmured in her sleep but other than that she wasn’t disturbed at all. Ian couldn’t help is next moved, it seemed as natural as breathing. He gently lowered his head and kissed her abdomen. Never in his life had Ian had unprotected sex with any woman other than Sasha. Brooke was the first. As upset as he should have been with himself for doing something that he had never done, forgetting to use a condom, however he wasn’t upset. Somehow the thought of her carrying his child filled him with warmth that he didn’t want to name.

 

Brooke sighed as she felt arms wrap around her body and a pair of lips caresses her neck. Then a large body spooned hers. Slowly she began to wake up. “ Ian?”

“ Mmm.” Ian teeth scraped her neck gently. “ Go back to sleep. You have very little rest. It’s still very dark outside.”

“ You aren’t going to be gone again when I awake?”

His heart clenched at her words. God, what had he done to her when she had awakened to find him gone before? “ Baby, I promise you one thing. I will always be here when you need me.”

Brooke turned toward him in his arms. Her breast where pressed up against his chest. Ian pulled her body tightly against him.

“ Really?”

“ Yes Brooke. I’m a Scotsman and we always keep our promises.” Brooke smiled gently before she closed her eyes. Never in her life had she felt as protected as she did this moment in Ian. Not even with Ridge.

 

Ridge looked that the agenda for the meeting about the up and coming fashion show. Brooke ought to be here for the meeting but again, she wasn’t. “ No instead you are  out in the woods doing god know’s what.”

“ What? Ridge did you say something to me?” Ridge looked up to find Taylor studying him with a quizzical look on her face. “ Ridge, are you alright?”

“ It’s nothing Doc. Just looking at today’s agenda.”

“ I hope that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be ANOTHER long night.”

“ Looks that way.”

Taylor frowned. “ Ridge, you’ve hardly spend any time with me or with our children. I really miss you.”

Ridge put his agenda down and looked at his wife. “ Taylor, believe me the last thing that I want to do is to spend so much time at Forrester but with Brooke gone….” Ridge’s face turned into a mask of anger. “ There is a great deal of work to do. I have to do her job and mine as well. Damn that Brooke. She doesn’t give fuck about the company. It’s getting in the way of her social life.”

“ Well, I know that Brooke being gone is making your do more work but Ridge I have to say that I’ve enjoyed not being worried constantly about her little strip teases or her plots to get your back. I know that she won’t be gone forever but with Thomas being sick for that time. I really needed to focus on the important things, you and our children. Besides, with her being gone, your mother says that Forrester has been running better than ever. Just think of all the decisions that you made without her. Getting rid of those trashy ads and maybe just maybe you’ll be able to do other things.”

“ Like what?”

Taylor sat down at the kitchen table sipping her coffee. “ The Brooke’s Bedroom. It has her name on it. “

“ And..”

“ And is SHE the person to be know when thinking of that line? Just look at what she is to the public. Just look at what she has done to Thorne. The whole world knows how she only pretended to love your brother and was always in love with you.” Taylor’s words echoed in Ridge’s head. Always in love with him? If only Taylor knew the truth. Brooke wasn’t in love with him. She had only used him and his attraction to him to try to get back at him. She had used her body and fantastic sex to snare him. Just as she had gotten him, she dumped him without thought. She didn’t care about him. Never would he thought that Brooke would treat him so badly. She had claimed to love him. Hell, he had known that she loved him. She always had. Even when she had married mother men or claimed that “they” where the one. She had really wanted him. So, why when she had him and he had been willing to leave his wife and children had she broken his heart?“ Ridge. Ridge!”

“ Huh?”

Taylor looked him and sighed. “ I was saying that maybe you have that lined changed to get the focus off Brooke. In fact, while she is gone. You ought to think of making a few more changes. After all, she isn’t around to challenge you or throw herself at you, now is she?”

“ Listen Taylor. Enough talk about that selfish bitch. I’ve got to go.” He quickly kissed his wife goodbye, picked up his briefcase and left.

“ Selfish bitch?” Taylor smiled. It seemed that whatever happened in Paris put an end to the love story and Brooke and her husband. She wished she had known what Brooke did, not that it mattered. Ridge finally saw the slut for what she was. Never again, would he be singing the praises of HIS LOGAN. Taylor picked up a muffin and broke off a piece before she popped it in her mouth. “ I almost wish that you were here, Brooke. That way you’d really see what my husband feels about you now.”

 

Brooke woke to the gentle sounds of John Mayer’s “City Love” playing in the background. She heard Ian stirring around in the other room and a secret smile covered her face. Throwing back the covers, the muzzled hair and naked she hurried to put a robe on. She splashed water on her face and quickly brushed her teeth before she made her way to living room. What she found, she had to laugh. There Ian was, cooking with wondrous smells coming from the kitchen, standing buck naked in his glorious splendor. His body was tight with muscles and butt was tight and muscular as well. Brooke realized that she was definitely turning in a ass woman.  “You know. I think that I like this kind of morning.”

Ian turned and gave her the most wicked grin. “ Good morning Princess. I’m just finishing up Egg’s Benedict for you, along with fresh bacon, hot coffee. Sorry that I could’ve whip up something more creative. We’ve got to go and get some groceries today. Well…I think tomorrow.” He turned and Brooke stared with fascination as Ian member began to swell right before her. Ian looked down. “ See what you do to me? Now, get your cute little ass back in that bed. I’m feeding your breakfast this morning.”

“ You are?”

“ Yeah. I am.”

Brooke stood frozen in her spot. If someone had ever told her that she’d be standing watching Ian cook her breakfast, naked as the day he had been born with the biggest smile she had every seen on his face, she’d tell them that they were crazy. But she was the one who was crazy. Crazy in love with this man.

“ What are you waiting for. Get back in that bed and scoot over. I’m almost done.”

Not to be one-upped by him. Brooke untied the sash on her robe and let it drop on the floor and placed her hands on her hips. She gave Ian the most wicked smile she had. “ I’ll be waiting.” Then she took her time and sauntered out of the room. Ian watched her with mouth a gape. God, it seemed that she had been created solely for him.

 

 

Love Story Chapter 27

 

 

Brooke opened her mouth and it was filled with another bite of delicious Eggs Benedict that Ian made. Chewing slowly her eyes lit with sensuality as Ian offered her another forkful. When he said that he was going to give her breakfast in bed, he wasn’t kidding. Ian had come to bed insisting that he feed her. She was currently lounging naked against his headboard with nothing with pure white sheets around her, just as pure as the gleaming white snow that was like a light filtering through his large windows. The scene from his bedroom was magnificent however it wasn’t as magnificent as the fine specimen of man who leaned over the mahogany tray that held her wondrous meal. Ian indeed was magnificent. His body was hard and muscular yet her touch was gentle. There was a small shadow on his cheeks that called that he needed a shave.  However, Brooke loved the rugged male in him. Ian used his fork to gather another bit of the eggs for Brooke and brought it to her mouth. He watched as her small pink tongue licked away the residue of the hollandaise sauce on her lip. Ian scooted closer to Brooke and feed her again. “Oh Ian. This is so good.” She said between mouthfuls.

His eyes sparkled with mirth. “ I know. I just love breakfast.” Just then, more purpose than not, a large dollop of hollandaise sauce landed on Brooke’s right breast. Brooke looked down at the dollop.

“ You did that on purpose.”

“ Now why would I do something like that?” Ian asked. “However, my mother taught me not to waste my food. So, I don’t plan too.” He lowered his head and used the bold stroke of his tongue to lick away the sauce. “ Mmm Taste so good.” Ian however wasn’t finished and Brooke was delighted that he wasn’t. Ian gently rubbed his cheek against the soft globe of her breast. The light hairs on his unshaven face caused friction against the soft sensitive skin of her breast and nipple. Ian’s fingers brushed up against her nipple, once, twice before he pinched it gently. Brooke closed her eyes with passion as he played with the nipple. Ian used his tongue to stroke the nipple. Brooke the wetness between her legs as wanting filled her. Ian stroked the nipple again before and moved his head back and blew hot air on it. Brooke bit her lip as she tried to push her nipple toward his mouth. Ian used his tongue to trace around the areola of her breast for a moment before Brooke’s whimpering finally got to him and he took the entire nipple into his hot mouth. Brooke’s hand gripped the sheets as Ian’s mouth suckled hard against her nipple. At the same time as he suckled on her breast, Ian’s hand made its way up her thigh. Ian felt need ripple throughout his body her wetness greeted him before he even touched the lips to the portal of her heat. His traced her nether lips for a moment before he used his thumb to circle her nub. Brooke gasped as his thumb found her, he stroked her with the pad of his thumb, bringing her close to orgasm. Her own scent filled the room as he then moved toward her other breast. The crash of the breakfast tray hitting the floor didn’t stop Ian’s assault on her.

 

Ian was in total need. She was so wet and so close to coming. Good. He wanted to see her climax with the rays of the sun on her golden eyes. Ian slipped two strong huge fingers into her hot sheath. Brooke cried out as filled her body and then slipped out. “ No…Please.”

“ Not yet.” He murmured against her breast before he took his mouth away from her breast.  Using her own essence, he made a trail up her glorious body and then he slipped his fingers inside of his mouth. “ You taste so sweet. I could devour you.” He then laid his wet fingers against her lower lip. “ Taste yourself.” Brooke’s pupils dilated as licked a bit of her essence off of her fingers. Ian had a way with her, and it was like she under his power. Ian grinned a moment before his mouth caught his own. He took her mouth by storm. His tongue mated against hers and she could clearly taste herself on his waiting tongue. His fingers made their way back into the crevice of her body. Brooke things opened for his access as he thrust his fingers in her hot core. Ian’s mouth took hers by storm and his tongue mated the rhythm of his fingers as they moved in and out of her. Brooke was just about to come undone when his thumb found her nub again. Waves and waves of colors hit Brooke as her body exploded. Ian continued to ride out the ways with Brooke and when her orgasm seemed to end, he brushed against her nub again starting the process over again. He pulled his mouth from hers and looked with her eyes.

“Yes…that it Princess. Come for me. Come for me Brooke.” He watched as her golden eyes darkened with passion. She was so beautiful. Naked in his bed. Her body shuddering from her orgasm. He never thought that he had ever seen anything as beautiful as that.

 

Brooke shuttered one last time before her body went lax on the bed. She lay on Ian’s bed, his fingers still hot within her. When he gently slipped his fingers out of her, she whimpered. Ian’s mouth caught hers with a slow yet sensual kiss. Wrapping her arms around him, she helped to bring his body on top of hers. He was so erotic. He slipped his fingers in her mouth at the same time his tongue invaded her mouth. Brooke let go of her control as she tasted herself and him. Closing her eyes, she felt another wave of desire hit her. Ian took his time. He wanted it to last. Starting at the top of her head, she gave her all the attention that he had been wanting to do. He kissed it, both of her eyes and moved his head to her ears. His tongue stroked the inner shell of her ear as he whispered erotic words to her. He told her how he wanted her. How he planned to take her again and again in every way that a man could take a woman. Ian knew what buttons to push and he did. This was not a fast loving. He had brought her to orgasm to taper her off until he was ready again. His kissed her a hundred times, each a little different kiss. Some were gentle where others were passionate. He found the spot on her shoulder and nuzzled it. He spent a half an hour on her breast, playing with her nipples, sucklings them and laving with attention. He rubbed his cheek against her stomach and found her navel to be just as scrumptious as the rest of her as his rubbed her tongue against it. Using his tongue he lapped up the essence that had ran down her supple thighs. He rubbed his hands up and down them and then slipped his tongue around her tiny toes. His fingers ran up and down the arch of her feet massaging them as his tongue nipped at her toes. Then, he spent another half an hour at the heaven that had lay between her legs. Taking his time, he searched out her nub with his mouth. His tongue, his hands and his mouth played with her until orgasm after orgasm hit her. He put his head on the soft hairs and rubbed his face against it. His nostrils were filled with her heavenly scent and he knew that if he were one hundred he’d never forget her wondrous smell. Just as Brooke thought that he was finished there, he wasn’t. Her body was slick with perspiration and his hard penis wanting with.  He wanted more. He turned her over onto her stomach and started by kissing the underlining of the globes of her buttocks. He caressed each globe and then kissed them before he used his tongue to sweep the line of her spine. At the same time he used his hands to caress her buttocks and then gently delved into the services for only a second causing a thunderbolt of pleasure to ripple through Brooke as his fingers brushed against her anus.  His body covered her as his mouth captured her neck and his hand moved away from her buttocks to move to her heat. He slipped another finger inside her heat and murmured something that Brooke didn’t understand. Her senses with filled with him. All around her she heard the gentle whisper of Madame Butterfly playing in the background as Ian moved again from her for only a second. She missed him. She wanted his chest pressed against her naked back and his hand cupping her breast. Ian opened the night stand and took out a condom. He rolled it up over the head of his penis and put it on. He moved back to bed taking a pillow with him. He slipped the pillow under Brooke’s body raising her so that she’d better accommodate him. Ian separated the folds of her sex and brought the head of a penis to the portal of it before he pushed a bit of himself in her. Brooke’s cry was echoed as he pushed more of himself within her. Finally filling her completely he groaned with pleasure. Then he took his time with loving her. Sliding in and out of her core, he pleasured her over and over. Brooke moved her body back against him as Ian’s hands gripped on her waist pushing her toward her ever persistent thrust. His leaned down and gripped her hard brining her up toward him. His mouth slanted over her shoulder and took hers by storm. It was so erotic and wonderful. His movements were slow and had one goal in mind, bringing her as close to heaven that he could. God, knew he could. Her cries of his name filled his ears and the cabin as he moved within her. When she climaxed, it was hard and forceful and the tightening around his penis was just enough to send him over to edge with her. Ian groaned loudly and his mouth covered her as he came, hard and swift filling the condom that he wore and for that moment, he wanted what he had the night before. He wanted her raw. God, she was going to be the death of me, was his last thought as he gently lowered her an himself on his bed.

                                                                                               

 

Thorne finished off his sandwich while he read the reports from the morning’s meeting. The agenda mainly dealt with the changes needed with the Men’s Line as well as Brooke’s Bedroom. However, as usual, it became about Brooke’s absence since Ridge and his mother refused to let a moment go without badmouthing Brooke. More than that, it seemed that Ridge was making a position that Brooke no longer cared about the welfare of the company. He had claimed that because of her absence, that certain decisions were left in that air and therefore hindered the company. Yes, Brooke had been gone and some decisions had to be made without her however that didn’t mean that she didn’t care about the company. Thorne had found himself arguing that Brooke had spend two months in Paris on Forrester business and was entitled to some time off. Thank gods, that his father had agreed with him. The last thing that Thorne wanted was an out and out war with Brooke. It would do no good. No matter what turmoil she may have caused to his personal life, Brooke owned 51% of the company and she was an excellent business woman. Truthfully, Thorne was sick of it. Yes, he had been angry at Brooke for the way that she treated him but that was months ago and in the past. He had moved on but clearly Ridge hadn’t. Throwing the reports down, Thorne left his office and headed toward his brother’s office. Without knocking he entered and found his brother making adjustments to his recent design, a blue chiffon evening gown. “ Ridge.  We need to talk.”

Ridge hardly glanced up from his position at the hem to Cierra, the model. “ Not right now Thorne.”

“ Yes, right now. This is a matter of importance.”

“ Thorne, I’m in the middle of getting this design correct. If you are having a problem with shipping or a material, talk to dad. I’m busy.”

Thorne hated the way that Ridge acted nowadays. As if he had a bug crawl up his ass. “ Ridge I don’t give a damn how busy you are. I need answers, right now.”

“ Answers about what?’

“ I want to know what happened between you and Brooke in Paris.”

Ridge froze for a moment. He looked at his brother and Thorne could swear that he felt fire in his eyes.

“ That enough Cierra, I’m done. Have Connie look at the changes.” Cierra, who had felt the tension in the room, couldn’t wait to leave. Gone was the fun loving designer who she had always thought her favorite and in its place was a cold-hearted man who hardly smiled of late.

“ No problem Ridge.”

Ridge waited until the model left before he turned to his brother. “ Lets get one thing straight, Little Brother.” Ridge pointed in the middle of Thorne’s chest to make an emphasis. “ I don’t owe you ANY explanation, nor do I plan on discussing that woman with you or anyone.”              

 

Taylor Forrester had arranged to have lunch with Stephanie when spotted her sister-in-law Amber. Amber who was loaded down with shopping bags had stopped by the little bistro to have something to eat. Taylor waved her over and helped her with her bags. Amber, who had an edge, didn’t wear the normal maternity clothes and had chosen a peasant blouse to cover her growing belly with a matching pair of white comfortable pants.

“ Looks like you’ve done a great deal of shopping.”

Amber gushed. “Yes, I just love all the things that they have in these baby shops. You should see this cute little dress that I just bought.”

“ A dress? You think that the baby is a girl?”

“ I’m not really sure. Rick wants it to be surprised, so I’m shopping for both.”

Taylor remembered how excited she was when she was pregnant with the twin. “Shopping for babies can be a lot of fun.”

“ Yeah and Rick is so excited. It seems that our lives are falling into place. A new baby, a new house.” “ So, you’ve got  the house?” Taylor knew that Rick and Amber had been looking at a home.

“ Well, the other owners are almost ready to move out so it is only a matter of time.” Amber looked up when the waiter came by and she and Taylor ordered iced teas. “ Not that I’m complaining. Brooke’s house is so amazing. It’s got everything, big rooms, a pool, a sauna, garden. Wow, she really knew what to get when looking for a home.” Amber paused. “ But then Brooke can afford it with all that money that she makes.”

Taylor nodded. “ Speaking of Brooke, have you heard from her?”

“No.” Amber made a frown. “No like she’d talk to me. God, that woman is amazing. She was running around trying to ruin MY marriage to her son, claiming that she was going to hurt him when all the while she was...” Amber trailed off remembering who she was speaking to. “ Oh..” She touched Taylor’s hand. “ Taylor, I’m sorry.”

“ No Amber. It isn’t your fault. I know what kind of woman Brooke it.”

“ Yeah. Well it seems that you aren’t the only one. I hear that Ridge isn’t too happy with her lately.”

Taylor thought about her husband. “No”

Amber peered at Taylor. “ Tell me, did you ever find out what happened between them in Paris?’

“What do you mean by that?” Taylor bristled.

“I’m just saying that no matter how chummy Brooke was always trying to get with your husband, well...Ridge always supported her and now he doesn’t.”

“ Well, I’m not sure what happened but I’m sure that Brooke threw herself at my husband once again and Ridge got tired of it.”

Amber wasn’t sure what to make of that comment. For her experiences with Brooke and Ridge, it didn’t seem that Ridge ever got tired of Brooke’s adoration. In fact, it seemed to her that he enjoyed it. However, Amber had no reason to tell that to Taylor. “ I’m sure that it is. Brooke really made a fool out of herself. I just can’t believe that Rick and Bridget don’t see their mother for what she is. Anyway, I for one am not too worried about her.”

“ Worried? Worried about what?”

“ Well, Rick and Bridget are worried because they haven’t heard from her over a week. I told them that she could take care of herself but they say that it isn’t like her.” Taylor was silent. It was one thing for Brooke not to call the company but not to call her kids, now that was a horse of a different color.”Anyway, Deacon and Bridget are going to Colorado to look for her.”

“ Colorado?”

“ Yeah that is where she said that she was. They are going tomorrow or tonight or something. I say that it’s a waste of time. Broke will come back when she’s ready. I for one just think that she embarrassed about her behavior. And she should be.”

 

Laying in Ian’s arms was pure heaven to Brooke. Her body was languid from their lovemaking and she couldn’t remember ever feeling as free, safe and secure as she had in that moment. Being with him was so different from anything else that she had experienced. She had no thoughts of tomorrow. She had no fears of getting something precious and having it ripped out of her hands. She was happy. For the first time in a long time, she was happy with herself. Ian had wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back gently as he inhaled the soft musky scent of their lovemaking. God, it was wonderful. She was wonderful. To him, this was worth getting shot. It was worth everything just being with her. “You know what?” Brooke asked in a childlike voice.

“ What?”

“ I could stay like this forever.”

Ian smiled and wrapped his arms tighter around her. “ Really?”

Brooke nodded. “ Yup of course we’d have to get up once in a while for food.”

“Naw. I could just feast on you.” Ian said as he nibbled on Brooke’s fingers.

Brooke giggled and so the giggle turned into full out laughter as Ian started to nibble on the side of her neck, her stomach, and behind her knees. Soon his exploring ands tickled her and the room was filled with the sounds of happiness, for she wasn’t the only one laughing. Ian was as well. To Brooke, it was the most beautiful sound in the entire world.

 

Ian reluctantly left Brooke to run some bath water into his Jacuzzi like tub. It was one of the things that he liked most about his home. His bathroom was the size of a bedroom. The Jacuzzi was surrounded by wonderful oak love seats that was crafted into the walls and there was a large skylight from above that allowed the sun’s rays to come down. With the snow covering it, Ian opened up the sliding panel wall behind the tub which opened up to a set of bay of windows the size of an entire way. The natural light of the sunlight reflecting off the white snow filled the room and enhanced its beauty. Pouring a natural pine scented oil in the water.  He created a heaven of bliss for Brooke. He knew that she’d be sore from their love making and he wanted her to be as comfortable as he could make her. As much as he wished that he’d be able to bath with her, he knew from experience not to get his stitches wet. So, he have to make do with  bathing her instead. Ian found Brooke curled up on the sofa in his bedroom. They had finally left the sacuary of his bed although it was close to 5 in the afternoon. He had to clean up the mess that the breakfast tray had created on the floor but he didn’t mind. He grinned to himself. He didn’t mind, not one bit. Ian sat next to her and gathered a willing Brooke into his arms. “ Mmm, I just don’t want this day to end.” Brooke said wishfully. She and Ian had spent the day making love and I was wonderful.

“ Who said that it has to?”

Brooke stroked Ian’s naked chest. Currently, he wore nothing but a pair of buttoned up jeans. “ It does.  Reality always sets in.” She said sadly.

“ Hey . . . that doesn’t sound like you.” He said hearing the touch of melancholy in her voice. He tilted her face up. “Brooke, are you alright?’

“ Yes, I’m all right. I just wish that this didn’t have to end.”

Fear touched Ian’s heart. “ It doesn’t have to.”

“Ian, sooner or later, I’m going to have to go back home. To L.A.”

Ian knew that they had to have this conversation but he didn’t want to have it now. He looked away yet continued to stroke her hair. “ Are you saying that you want to go back now?”

“No. No. I don’t want at all.”

“ I know that your job needs you and your children...”

Brooke cut him off by cupping his face in her hands. “ You are right. My job can’t wait forever. And yes, my children need me but....” Brooke looked deeply into his eyes. “I’m not ready to go home. Not yet. Not now. I need more time.” Brooke hesitated. “I want more time with you.”

Ian relaxed when he heard her words. She wanted to be with him, not running home to Ridge.“ Good because that is what I want as well.”

“Really?” She said in wonder.

“ Yes woman.” Ian said in a gruff tone. Ian took Brooke’s hand in his gently.

“ Well, in that case. I’m here.” The two were silent for a while for a long while. Each of them wondering when this time together would end. Brooke had learned that nothing lasts forever. She had responsibilities to tend with. She couldn’t stay away from her family, home and company forever. The last time she has stayed away from her family for a long absence she has almost lost her children to Stephanie. She didn’t have to worry about that but she never knew what Stephanie was plotting back in LA. Besides she wasn’t sure what Ian felt about her. He wanted her. Yes, she knew that but was it just sex to him. Could he want something more and if so was that possible after all he had a life here in Colorado.

Ian broke the silence first. “Brooke there is something that we have to talk about.”

Brooke saw the seriousness of his face. Dread filled her. “ Ian, is this about Sasha?”

“ Sasha?” Ian hadn’t expected Brooke to mention her. Nor had she been a thought on his mind.

“ Yes, I could see how seeing the other day might have bothered you.”

Ian didn’t want to talk about Sasha, after all, that was in the past. However, he saw the questions burning in Brooke’s eyes. He sighed heavily. “ How much do you know about her?”

Brooke bit her lip for a moment unsure how to start. She’d start with the truth. “ I was looking at your photo album and I saw pictures of your parent and you. And I found this drawing a beautiful woman. You have the name Sasha written on the drawing. I knew....I knew that she was the woman that you loved. I also knew that she was the woman who broke your beautiful  heart.”

 

 

 

Chapter 28

Ian was silent for a long time that Brooke wondered if he was going say anything in all. The only reason she knew that he wasn’t upset with her about her comments or her questions was because he continued to stroke her hair lightly. Finally, Ian spoke. “ She was my childhood sweetheart. Her brother Alexander and I went to high school together. We became friends when we were partnered together on some sort of Biology project. I went over to his house to work on it and that was when I saw her for the first time. She was beautiful and full life. I sometimes think that I must have been hit by a thunderbolt.”

Brooke remembered how she had left when she had first seen Ridge at his parents’ home when she had been catering at a dinner party for the Forrester’s. She stroked his hand lightly. “ It was love at first sight?”

“Something like that.” Ian shifted his body to pull Brooke closer to him. “ I had dated plenty of girls and although I didn’t take sex lightly, I had enough experience at that age.”

“ Girls liked the silent brooding type.”

“Yeah, I guess they did. But none of the girls had anything on Sasha. I wanted to protect and love her at the same time. She made me so happy but she was younger than me. Though we dated, I wanted her to choose what she wanted for life and not what was just near her. I wanted her to know that she wanted me and only me. I went away to college but still; even then, she was the one that I thought about. When I came back from college, it was like old times and when she was seventeen, I couldn’t keep my hands off of her. For the first time in my life, I made love, real love to the woman that I wanted.” Memories assaulted Ian. “ I wanted to marry her then and there. But she was young and I wanted her to think about it. She had to go and experience life before she settled down. I wanted her to have that.”

If Brooke had been Sasha, she wasn’t sure if she would have wanted that. “ It had to be hard on her, being in love with you and then letting you go.”

Ian was surprised by that comment. He had never thought about what giving Sasha her space might have done to her. All he wanted back then was her for her to be old enough to make a true decision about wanting her. “ It must have been. But I wanted her to have a chance to grow. So gave her that.”  We went our separate ways, but she was always in my heart. I became a S.E.A.L and she became a teacher.”

“ A teacher?’

“Yes. Sasha always had dreamed of teaching. She loved kids and always wanted a big family. Just like…” Ian trailed off. He remembered how he’d sometimes visit home and he’d go the school to se Sasha and the children in her classroom. He used to love to stand there and watch her. “ Although we dated other people that didn’t mean the feeling died between us. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and we started dated again. I would take trips of Colorado from Florida when I had down time but soon those trips weren’t enough. So, I asked her to marry she and me said yes. Sasha moved down to Florida with me. My mother and father disapproved of it.”

“Because of Sasha?”

“No. They liked her but they said that we ought to get married first. I didn’t have much time off then, I had a lot of missions. I thought that Sasha would live with me and we’d plan this beautiful wedding.”

“ You wanted a big wedding?”

“ Not big but beautiful. Marriage is a serious commitment. I don’t take it lightly. When I get marred, it’s forever. So I wanted something special. Sasha, I thought, felt the same way. She embraced Florida. Truthfully, I was a little surprised that she enjoyed some of the nightlife but I happy that she took to it. Things were going great, or a least I thought that they were. I have been with the S.E.A.L.S for years and have saved up my money. Although Sasha was happy living in Florida, she didn’t like the fact that I was gone so often.”

“ It was your job wasn’t it? Ace talked about the stress of being a S.E.A.L S’s wife.”

“ Ace lost his wife because he was gone all the time. I didn’t want that to happen to Sasha and me so I made arrangements to leave the S.E.A.L.S and to get a beautiful home for us.” Ian’s voice pattern suddenly changed. “ I thought that is what she wanted but it wasn’t or least, it wasn’t enough for Sasha. There was this party that Harris threw and he invited Sasha and me. Harris’s family is wealthy and has power however I never cared about that but I didn’t want to offend him. Harris has his asshole of a son, Remington. Remington and I don’t get along, we never did. He is selfish, cruel and treats others like they are servants.”

“ Of course you let him know that you didn’t care for him.”

“ Of course I did. I don’t put on airs Brooke, ever. Harris is a strong man and very capable. His son however was nothing more than a snake. The way he treated women was atrocious however they kept coming back because of the money and the fake charm his eluded. I saw what was underneath the surface, I saw him for the man he was and he knew it. What I didn’t know was that Sasha didn’t see it. I wasn’t blind, I saw the way that he looked at her but knew that Sasha would never look at a man like him or betray me.” Brooke didn’t say anything as Ian pulled away from her and stood up. She knew that this part of his story would be difficult for him. He went over toward the windows and looked outside. “ But I was wrong. When I was gone on missions, he moved in. I never knew how much Sasha was impressed with all that money. I never knew that she wanted something more than what I could give her but she did.” Ian closed his eyes as memories assaulted him. “ I was a fool back then. There certain signs but I didn’t see them. I didn’t see a thing. But I saw enough when I caught them together kissing. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was the woman I loved more than anything in the arms of Remington. Fury, hate, betrayal. I erupted and started to beat the snot out of Remington. I lost control and in that moment, I wanted to kill him.” He said regretfully.

Brooke put her arm on Ian’s shoulder. “But you didn’t.”

“ It look a few of my friends to pull me off of him. Then, Remington had the last laugh. “ He told me that he had taken her to his bed. He gave me explicit details of how he took her to his bed over and over again.”  I didn’t believe him. I knew that he had to be lying but when I turned toward her, I saw the truth in her eyes.  I couldn’t believe that she’d betray me that way. That she’d allow him to touch her when we were planning a life together.”

Tears filled Brooke’s eyes. She heard the pain in Ian’s voice. She had lost Ridge to Taylor and she remembered how she had felt when they had remarried the second time and she had gone out and seen them together, it has almost crushed her. That was nothing compared to finding the woman that you loved in the arms of the man you hated. For a moment Brooke thought about Thorne and how hurt he had been when he had overheard talking to Deacon about her feelings for Ridge. She hadn’t meant to say that the man that she never would forget about was Ridge but she did and in that moment, everything changed. Seeing how after all these years Ian was still in pain gave her a clear indication on how she had hurt Thorne deeply. Brooke was so sorry for the pain that she caused Thorne, she was also in pain for Ian. Her “betrayal” of Thorne and Sasha’s betrayal of Ian was different from each other however that didn’t make Brooke feel any better about herself. What Sasha had done was to throw her life with Ian away for sex but Ian had been hurt just as Thorne had been hurt and Eric as well. Brooke hated to admit it to herself, but Sasha’s betrayal of Ian was similar to Brooke’s betrayal of Eric with Ridge. The look in Eric’s eyes when he realized that she was going to leave him for Ridge surfaced in Brooke’s mind. She was no better than Sasha and in that moment, she hated herself for all the pain that she had caused Eric just as she hated Sasha for the pain that she had caused Ian.  “ Ian…I’m so sorry.” Brooke whispered.

Ian continued opening himself up to Brooke the way that he had never opened himself up to anyone saying the words out loud caused an ache to form in the form of a pain in the middle of his chest. Only Ace, his best friend, had known how much Sasha’s betrayal had hurt him so deeply.” Never in my life had I felt the type of pain that I did back then. I couldn’t take it. All of my plans for my life centered on her. Every dream that I had had ” He turned to look at Brooke and was surprised to see that she was crying. She was crying for him.  “ The pain was like….”  He stopped.

Brooke wanted to help him with her words. “Like nothing you ever experienced. Every dream, every hope and every plan that you ever had went up in smoke. And you were left questioning everything that you ever had. You wonder how you are going to make it. You wonder how you are going to go one and do your day to day routine without falling apart or crumbling.”  Brooke added remembering how she felt when Ridge had annulled their marriage and married Taylor two days later.

Ian’s tormented eyes found Brooke. She understood, he thought. She understood every feeling that he had. “ Yeah well…that is how I felt.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “ I had to get away. Though I had planned to resign, I just gave Harris my walking papers as soon as the charges against me were dropped.”

“ Charges? What charges?”

“ Remington pressed charges of assault against me.”

“ Oh no.” What kind of man would do such a thing after all that he had done? Brooke wondered.

“ When I assaulted him up, I broke his nose and did some other damage to his face. He had to get plastic surgery.”

Brooke was a little surprised. Although Ian had been gruff at times in his tone or scorching tongue, never had been been anything but gentle when touching her body. “ But the charges were dropped?”

Ian grinned for a second and then it vanished. “ It had been a gathering of S.E.A.L.S and we stick together. It was his word against ours and he knew everyone would state that he started it, including his own father.”

“What about Sasha? What happened to her?”

Ian was silent for a long moment. “That the irony of the whole situation. She cried, begged and pleaded for my forgiveness.”

“ But you couldn’t give it to her?” Brooke asked with fear.

Ian’s story eyes found hers. “ No. Brooke I couldn’t. She betrayed me, she betrayed us. Just like…just like Ridge betrayed you. I couldn’t forgive her, not then…”

“ Sometimes people we love make mistakes.”

“ I don’t know Brooke. Who knows what I would have done given the time to think about it. I moved here and was alone and I’m not going to tell you that I didn’t miss her because I did. Everyday and every night I would think about her. Would I have been able to forgive her eventually? I don’t know. A man doesn’t forget something like that and it didn’t happen once. The Sasha I knew was gone and she proved that to me when she married Remington four months later. Maybe my anger would have subsided but then I was never given that chance. When she married him, the final decision was made.” 

Florida

 

Sasha had the bartender to pour her another glass of Chardonnay. Her table wasn’t ready and she was still waiting for Tiffany Harper. Tiffany was the closest thing to what Sasha had as a best friend; she had been loyal to her all the years that she had been married to Remington. The one thing that she had learned being married to Remington was that most of their so-called “friends” were very loyal to him. Tiffany arrived, a beautiful blonde with a stylish bob hairstyle, was elegantly coiffed in a daring outfit of a champagne colored pants and matching lace top that dipped that just about displayed her amble bosom that her husband had bought her for Tiffany’s thirty-fifth birthday. “ Sorry that I’m late darling but I got caught up with Harry. He has now decided that he doesn’t want to go to the Tolbert’s this weekend for our annual trip in Maine.” She quickly ordered a Sour Apple Martini and continued her conversation. “ Can you believe he actually wanted to stay home?” Tiffany shook her head. “ I really think that he is starting to lose his mind. So…” as if she had just realized how miserable that Sasha looked, “ What is going on with you? Or do I have to ask?”

 

“ I’m not in a mood.”

 

“ The Hell you aren’t. I know you Sasha.” She said as she leaned forward and gave her friend a knowing grin. “ I almost know you better than you know yourself, besides, you never did have a good poker face.” Tiffany reached across the table and touched Sasha lightly on her cheek. “ What did I tell you about hiding your feeling? You show everything on your face and that can be dangerous.” Especially with your husband, Tiffany thought. Remington, in her opinion, was an asshole. Yes, he was charming, but she knew that was nothing more than a practiced façade.  Women were attracted to him because of his power and money along with handsome looks but Tiffany knew that he could be cruel. His treatment of his wife, Sasha, was a testament to that. Remington was a whoremonger, plain and simple. He didn’t even bother to try to conceal his affairs because he knew deep down that Sasha would never leave him.

 

There were times that Sasha hated that Tiffany knew her so well. “ Do I look that bad?”

 

Tiffany reached for her drink and sipped. “No honey. You look wonderful, beautiful as ever but sad and I think that I know why. Does your mood have something to do with a certain Navy S.E.A.L who was in the hospital recently? And what happened when you went to go see him?”

 

This surprised Sasha. She hadn’t discussed going to see Ian with anyone. “How did you know that Ian was hurt?”

 

“Harry talked to your husband. Remington mentioned that he heard about it from his mother. So, I know how you feel about Ian. Tell me, what happened? And what does YOUR S.E.A.L look like now?”

 

Sasha frowned. “ He isn’t my S.E.A.L.”

 

“Not that you don’t wish it.” Tiffany ignored Sasha’s look of annoyance. “ Don’t get mad because I know what is in your heart. “ What happened between you and Ian?”

 

Memories assaulted Sasha. “ I don’t compel to see him. I guess that I was a fool to somehow think that after all these years he would have forgiven me for what I did to him.  I just had to see him. To make sure that he was all right. God, he looked amazing. He always had an amazing body and his face, even with a scowl was so handsome. When I saw him, all I wanted was to turn back the hands of time and change the things that I had done to him and to us.”

 

Tiffany knew that this was hard on her friend so she didn’t say a word. She only listened to Sasha.

 

“I told that I was sorry. I don’t know what else I wanted to say but I guess that I hoped that he’d look into my eyes and see the truth.”

 

“ That you still love him.”

 

Tears filled Sasha eyes and she pushed them down. “ I do. There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by and I don’t think about what could have been between us. When I saw him, I just wanted him to take me into his arms. “

“ And into his bed.” Tiffany supplied.

 

“Yes, his bed.” Tiffany heard the wistfulness in her voice. She knew about Ian’s powerless in the bedroom from Sasha. Nothing that she had with her philandering husband had ever matched up.

 

“ So, what happened between you too?”

 

“There he was standing in hospital room in snug jeans and an open shirt with his chest displayed….”

 

Tiffany fanned herself with her napkin. “ Girl, you know how much I love a muscular man. That is why I spend so much time looking at the website of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s with the photos of her “Dark Hunters.” Tiffany spoke of one of her favorite romance novelist. 

 

“ Well, you would have loved the way that he looked. So natural. So handsome. So…Ian. He hadn’t lost his beauty or his stubbornness.”

 

“ Honey, how did he react when he saw you?”

 

“ He didn’t want to see me. I tried to apologize to him but he didn’t want to hear it. He basically told me to get out.” Regret filled her heart. “ I tried to explain that I was sorry for what I had done. He didn’t want to hear that I had only married Remington because I was out of options. He didn’t understand.”

 

“ Well, if he was passionate about it, it says something. That means that he still has feelings for you. Besides, aren’t you the one who told me that he hasn’t had a committed relationship since you? 

 

“ That’s is what I thought. He did have someone in his life. There is a woman. I don’t know who she is. As much as I hate to admit it she was beautiful. A blonde, looking like she stepped out of some Beach Boy video in her low rider jeans and her peasant shirt and perfect tan. Along with the perfect body and face, I might add.”

 

“Flat stomach?”

 

“Yup. Along with what looked to be toned arms, thighs and bountiful breast.”

 

Tiffany waved her hand as if to ward off Sasha’s comments. “ You can buy them.”

 

“ They weren’t store brought Tiffany. They were very real.”

 

“ Okay, so he is having fun with some teeny-bopper, that doesn’t mean anything.”

 

“ She wasn’t a teeny-bopper. Not at all. Although her clothes lacked elegance and she was beautiful she wasn’t young.”

 

“How old was she?”

 

“ I don’t know. In her thirties but it was hard to tell. But that isn’t what is bothering me. It wasn’t her beauty but it was how he looked at her. I know that look. He used to give it to me. This woman isn’t some simple fuck. He looked, spoke and talked to her with infinite gentleness.”

 

Tiffany reached out and touched her best friends hand. “ Sasha…”

 

“No. It’s okay.  I can’t expect him to sit and pine for me.”

 

“ No, you really couldn’t. The truth of the matter is that you are married and there is no way that you are going to leave Remington unless it’s for Ian. He on the other hand won’t look in your direction because you are married. I’m not sure where this thing with this other woman is going but it’s been five years. You have to decide what it is that you want. If you want Ian back, you are going to have to work very hard and that means leaving Remington. That is risky because you aren’t even sure that he’d forgive you for your transgression and you don’t know what this other woman means to him. Truth of the matter, Sasha, you’ve got to let it go. If you don’t, you’ll ruin what you have.”

 

“What I have? What do I have Tiffany? I have nothing. Not really. Don’t you know that I’d give it all up to have Ian again? If only I had known what I was doing all those years ago. Things would be so different.”

 

L.A (Forrester Creations)

 

Ridge Forrester had done his best to ignore his brother’s antics but it seemed that Thorne refused to let this issue of Paris go. “ Ridge you can say what you want but it won’t change my mind about finding out what happened.”

 

“ Well, you are wasting your time. I told you a couple hours ago, that I have no plans to talk with you about Brooke. Now or ever!” He was incensed. He didn’t want to talk about Brooke or Paris ever. What he thought was the most romantic trip that he had taken had turned into a true nightmare. They spent the days running the company never letting their co-workers know that something had developed between them. But the nights….ah the spent the nights having romantic dinners. They would go dancing listening to music and then, back at the hotel; they would spend their nights making love in her bed. He remembered every touch, her lick of her tongue against his body. He remembered how hot and tight her body would be when he took her. He was haunted daily by the memories of them together. The memories weren’t just of them in bed together instead they were so much more. It wasn’t just the sultry looks that she gave him or the teasing glint of her eyes. There were just the memories of her smiling or laughing about something silly that he had said or she had done. He remembered holding her hand and walking in and out of the shops, the cold air of the Parisian nights. It was a memory that he’d never forget and it was because of the love that he had for her that he hated her at the same time. He hated Brooke because he had dared to open himself up to her again. He had dared to love her with his heart and she turned her back on him.

 

“ Ridge, are you going to tell me what happened?”

 

“No. There is nothing to tell.”

 

“It’s obvious that you and Brooke had some sort of argument in Paris.”

 

Ridge put down his design. “ So what?”

 

“ So, it’s affecting your work. You have been an overbearing jerk of late. I want it to stop and so do the others.”

 

“ Thorne…”

 

“ No, you are going to shut up and listen. Something happened. What was it?”

 

“Nothing! Damn it nothing happened Thorne!” Ridge yelled and he knocked down easel, which held his latest design.

 

In that moment, awareness came over Thorne. Ridge’s passionate anger. Ridge’s insistence not to mention Brooke’s name. The look that came over his eyes when Brooke’s name was mentioned. “ Oh my god. You did, didn’t you?’ Ridge turned as his brother grabbed his shirt lapels hard. “ My god, you slept with Brooke, didn’t you? Didn’t you!”

 

Ridge tried to pull away from Thorne. “ Get off me!”

 

“ Not until you tell me the truth. Did you sleep with Brooke is in Paris?”

 

“ What does it matter Thorne? You aren’t married to her anymore.”

 

Thorne looked at his brother like he had never seen him before. “ You bastard! You slept with her in Paris. My god, you fool! What in the world have you done? Did you even think about what kind of game that you were playing at?” Thorne looked his brother with disgust as he moved away. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment to compose himself. He should have seen this coming but he hadn’t. “You just couldn’t turn her down, could you?”

 

“Thorne, this isn’t your concern.”.”

 

“You arrogant son-of-a bitch. And to hell with that sentiment that this is none of my business. Do you have any idea what this could to this family? How about your marriage? Not to mention this family. And what about Brooke, have you thought about what this is going to do to her? She can’t get over you but you just took her to bed anyway.  All because you couldn’t keep your pecker in your fucking pants!”

 

“ Like you could!” roared Ridge. My god, how long did you hold out Thorne when she offered herself up to you! She probably had you coming in your pants before you could get them off.” Ridge hardly had a time to utter that statement before Thorne hit him square across his jaw. Ridge reeled back and was dazed that his brother did such of thing. Wiping the blood off the side of his mouth Ridge glared at Thorne. “ What in the world is wrong with you?”

 

“ You bastard. You have everything! You have a wife who adores you and three wonderful children. But that wasn’t enough, you had to have Brooke as well.” Thorne thought about his ex-wife. Brooke only had one real weakness, on Achilles heal and that was Ridge. Ridge damn were knew it. Although things had ended badly between he and Brooke, he had had time to forgive her. She couldn’t help that she would always love Ridge, he accepted it. However, he was bothered that Ridge would take advantage of Brooke. “ Why couldn’t you leave her alone? Why? Why do you have to have everything Ridge? It’s no wonder Brooke hasn’t come back to work. I can imagine what happened between.”

 

“ You think that you can, Little Brother? You have no idea what happened between Brooke and I.”

 

“Yes I do. You took advantage of her knowing full well that you’d never leave Taylor or the kids. You took her to bed and god knows what will happen next.” Thorne gave his brother a disgusted look. “ It doesn’t matter who it is or who you hurt you just keep doing the same thing. You keep betraying the people that you love. First me, when you slept with Caroline. Then dad, when you slept with Brooke.” He sighed wearily as if the news of this affair was too much for him to bear. “ Did you ever think about how I’d feel about this?”

 

“ My god Thorne. You weren’t married anymore.”

 

 

“ But that wouldn’t have stopped you, would it? Well, you are right. I’m not married to her anymore but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care for her.”

 

Ridge scoffed. “ Believe me, she doesn’t need your help. Brooke doesn’t need anybody’s help.”

 

“ That is where you are wrong Ridge. You never did get it. How lucky you were?  You had her and you didn’t want her. Then you moved on to marry Taylor. When you did that, you freed Brooke up but deep down you don’t want that.”

 

“ It doesn’t matter.”

 

“ The hell it doesn’t. It’s the same old pattern. It’s no wonder she hasn’t rushed back here.”

 

“ You feel sorry for her?”

 

“ Yes, I feel sorry for her because she STILL loves you and you’ve roped her in again. Now what are you going to do Ridge? You aren’t going to leave Taylor.” Thorne looked at his brother with disgust. “ You are nothing more than a selfish bastard.”

 

“ I’m the selfish bastard?”

 

“ Yes! Yes you are.”

 

“ Well, this is the time that you are wrong little brother. You think that I used Brooke and threw her away? I didn’t. She is the one who used me!”

 

Thorne gave a condescending look. “ Like that would ever happen.”

 

“ It did. I was willing to do it for Brooke.”

 

“ You were willing to do what?”

 

“ Leave Taylor. Break up my marriage. Hurt my children and all for what? I woman who was using me as some sort of game.”

 

Thorne was confused. “ Brooke was using YOU?” That wasn’t possible. Brooke might have used him but Ridge was the star in the sky for Brooke. There was no doubt that Brooke had and would always love Ridge. He had learned that the hard way.

 

Ridge’s bitter face turned toward Thorne’s. “ I offered it all to her. A lifetime with me. My love, my commitment and even soul and she threw it in my face. She told me that it was over. That she had been angry with mother and Taylor and how they had treated her when your marriage fell apart. She stated that since they acted like she had had an affair with me, that she should anyway.”

 

“ Brooke told you that?”

 

“ Yes.”

 

“ And you believe that?”

 

“ Why not Thorne. What in the hell else should I believe? That she loves me? She ended our affair. She told me that she isn’t in love with me.” Ridge mimicked Brooke perfectly. “ I’m sorry Ridge. I care about you but I can’t live with this. I was hurting and angry, I never meant for things to go this far.”  There I was with a fucking ring in my pocket for her and she was spouting about her pain and how guilty she felt because she played me.

 

Thorne didn’t know what to say. He had no idea that Ridge had been willing to leave Taylor. If Ridge had bought a ring, then he had considered a serious commitment. As commitment that Brooke would have been willing to give her right arm for, it asked by anybody. Something didn’t make sense. If Thorne understood anyone, it was his ex-wife. Brooke had only one obsession in life, becoming Mrs. Ridge Forrester.

 

“ I couldn’t believe it Thorne. After all these years, I finally admitted it to myself. I admitted that I still was very much in love her. She was so unforgettable and I opened myself to her only to have the door slammed in my face. Well, never again! Never again with I open my heart that that bitch!”

 

“ Ridge… there has got to be or to it than this.”

 

“ No, Little Brother there isn’t. Mother was correct. After all of the years that she stated that Brooke would be no good, she was correct. She broke dad’s heart. Your heart and now she tried to do the same thing to me. Maybe this was her way of getting back at me. I don’t know. But I do know one thing. I never want to see her again!” Ridge remembered how hurt that had been when Brooke had rejected him. Brooke, who had always claimed that she was his soul mate, had taken the devotion that he had to her and thrown it away and all for nothing. Ridge turned toward his brother. “I don’t want to hear you mention her name or this to anyone. Do you understand?”

 

“ Ridge I don’t plan to tell a soul about this. I know what this would do to your marriage and to Taylor.”

 

Taylor was the only saving grace in all of this mess. Taylor, his beautiful wife who was the mother of the children, was everything that he could have asked for in his life. Taylor loved him. Taylor stood by him and she’d never play with his emotions or feelings the way that Brooke had done for him. Ridge would never allow Taylor to find out that he had thrown away their marriage for Brooke. “ I almost threw away my marriage and all for nothing.” Ridge pinched the bridge of his nose as if to ward off the pressure. “I’m just glad that I hadn’t told Taylor that I planned on ending our marriage. Can you imagine what would happen if I had done that?” He spat. “ And all for what? For nothing! For a woman who isn’t worth it!”

 

 

Brooke wandered out of the bathroom drying her damp hair with a towel. She looked for Ian, who had obviously cleaned up the bedroom and made the bed while she bathed. It didn’t take long for her to find him standing on the back balcony that led off from the dinning “room” in the cabin. The cold brisk air hit her skin as she opened the door to step outside. Ian, who had been in deep thought, turned toward her. The memories that he had thought that he had buried had resurfaced and although there was an ache, it was nothing compared to the pain that he had been in all those years ago. Brooke saw a flash of pain in his eyes for a moment before he quickly covered it with a nonchalant look. Regret filled her; she had done this to him. Brining up Sasha had hurt Ian even if he wouldn’t admit it. “ I’m so sorry.”

Confusion clouded Ian’s face. “ Sorry, why are you sorry?”

“ For the pain that you have been in. I’m sorry that I brought Sasha up. It clearly upsets you.”

“ You have no need to apologize. I think that it was time that I talked about her.”

“ I’m sorry that you got hurt. You didn’t deserve it.”

Ian only nodded. There wasn’t much more to say about it. What he deserved didn’t matter. What was was. His life with Sasha was over. Ian watched as a shiver moved through her body. “ It’s too cold out here. You’ll get sick.” He took her hand and led her back inside the warm cabin. Cupping her hands, he brought her fingers close to his mouth and blew on her fingers until they warmed.

The simple act of gentleness filled Brooke with so much longing. He was one of the most gentle of men that she had ever has known. Ian pulled her down with him on the sofa. “I’m used to the cold weather around here.” Although he wore nothing but a pair of jeans and was naked to his waist as well as his feet, the cold weather never seemed to bother him. She however was a different matter, she was used to the sun and not the cold. The thought of her being sick disturbed him.   When she got color back in her cheeks, he smiled however his smile diminished when he saw the morose look on her face.

“ Brooke, don’t look so upset. I think it was to good thing. Maybe I needed to talk about her.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. Seeing her brought back memories for me. Memories that I thought that I buried.”

“Do you wish that you have given her another chance? Maybe she wouldn’t have married Remington.”

Betrayal was something that was hard for Ian to swallow. Truthfully, even if Sasha hadn’t married Remington, he wasn’t sure if he’d forgive her. “I don’t know. My honestly, trust and my belief in her was destroyed that night. I’m not sure if I could forgive her. I loved her but…” He closed his eyes for a moment. “ I think that I would have been able to forgive her for betraying me especially for a man who didn’t love her.”

 However in all those years, Ian hadn’t had any lasting or any relationship with a woman at all because of Sasha. Was it because he had lost faith in the female sex or was it because he still yearned for her? Brooke wondered. Do you still love her? Brooke wondered however she was afraid of the answer that he’d give her. Brooke looked into the eyes of the man who had wrapped himself around her heart. She could be playing a very dangerous game with a man who could never feel for her what he had felt for Sasha. Worst yet, he could find out that she too, had been less than honest with him. Sure, she hadn’t slept with his nemesis, however she was an extremely rich woman with a past that had made Sasha’s indiscretions pale in comparisons. Was she kidding herself?

 

Ian wasn’t able to read the far away look on Brooke’s face however he knew that her mind was on his own tortured love story. “ Brooke? Are you alright?”

She blinked away the tears that stung the back of her eyes. “ Yes.” She smiled softly.

Not quite believing her, Ian wanted to get her mind off of Sasha. Sasha was an issue of the past. Although her presence was unexpected, it had made him look at things that he had thought buried and he was better off for it. “ Listen, why are we sitting here lamenting my sorry tale of love and lost when there are so much better things that we could be doing?”

Brooke smiled. “ Like what?”

“ I don’t know? But I’m sure that we could think of something.” He said as he pulled her body on top of his. He cupped her thighs and brought her directly on top of his tightening loins. “ So, lets stop all the unpleasant talk and do things that make both of us happy. No more talk anybody but us.”

“ Us.”

“Uhhun” Ian found the soft spot of her neck with his mouth and nibbled on the flesh for only a moment before she pulled away. Giving her an annoyed look but not losing her position on top of his manhood, Ian stilled her from moving away from him.

“ Ian, we can’t keep doing this.”

He rotated her on top of her penis. “ What, you aren’t wet? I can take care of that. I’ll make you dripping wet when I’m through.”

Brooke tried to concentrate as his shaft moved under her and she felt herself become all creamy and wet from his words alone. “ Ian, we’ve got to stop. We’ve broken all the rules. No sex, remember.”

“ The doctor was just jealous because he didn’t get to take you to bed.”

She tried to give him an annoyed look but it didn’t work. Her look of annoyance only came out as amusement. “ Seriously Ian. This can’t be good for your wound. I shouldn’t have allowed this to happen.”

“ Allowed? Are you kidding? THIS as you put it was going to happen. In fact, he whispered. It’s going to happen again and again. A million times and different ways.” Ian pulled his hands under his head. “ After all, I’m the patient and you are supposed to take good care of me.”

Brooke’s eyes narrowed and she squinted. “ I’ll take care of you.”

“ Good. What I want is for you…”

“ Only after you call the doctor.” She interrupted. Ian groaned and complained but Brooke only crossed her arms over her chest. “ I’m not going to take any chances with your health. Now call and find out when your doctor appointment is and then we can talk.”

Ian was constantly amazed by her. She really had no idea about who he was or the things that he had done. There was a time there he didn’t know a man who’d be willing to demand anything from him without fear but this little slip of a woman, made him burn and yearn to make her happy. If seeing the doctor is what she wanted, he'd do it. For Brooke, he realized, he’d be willing to anything for her even going to go to the doctor’s.

 

 

Love Story Chapter 29

 

Ian finished writing down the list of items that he needed from the store. He made a complete list of items that he was going to need, fresh fruit, seafood, vegetables and an assortment of desserts. Ian had added a few extra besides his toiletries and supplies for the house, he added a few boxes of Maximum condoms, massage oil and a few extras. A huge smile crept on the his face at the thought of what was to come. It had been so long since he had planned anything special for someone and now that he had the chance, he didn’t want to ruin it. He wanted something special. He wanted something perfect for he and Brooke. After the doctor’s appointment, he had planned a night of romance for he and Brooke.

 

Brooke listened as the phone rang and rang. It wasn’t until the fourth ring that it was picked up.

“Hello?” 

The screeching sound of her daughter-in-laws voice grated on Brooke’s nerves. She never did understand how her son could listen to Amber drone on and on, never less take her horrid singing. Brooke knew that she, herself, didn’t have a good singing voice. She remember how horrible she had sounded when she had song at Insomnia after that childish stunt that Macy had thrown in order to one up her in the eyes of Thorne. A smile crept on her face at the humor of the situation however it was ruined with a moment of regret because of the pain that both she and Macy had shared. It seemed like a hundred years ago but she knew that it wasn’t. Brooke thoughts were cut off by Amber. “Hello!”

“ Hello Amber.”

Amber who had been eating a big bag of pork skins and sipping on soda stopped at hearing her mother-in-laws voice. “ Brooke? Is that you?”

“ Yes Amber.”

“ My god, where have you been? Rick and Bridget have been worried about you.”

Brooke sighed. The last thing that she wanted to do was to have her children worry once again about her. She had done that enough in her life.

“ Amber, I was in Florida.”

“ Florida? I thought that you were in Colorado?”

“ I was but…it’s a long story. Amber, I don’t have time to tell you the entire story.” 

“ Well, you should have thought about your kids. They were worried.”

“ I’m sorry for that believe me. I was just an unexpected situation.”

“ What situation?”

Brooke was losing he patience. She had no intention of explaining herself to Amber out of all people. “ Listen, just let Bridget and Rick know that I’m fine and I’ll talk to them later tonight.”

“ What/ You aren’t coming home?” Amber was secretly glad. She was having a ball at Brooke’s house.

“ Don’t sound too happy Amber.”

“ I’m not.”

“ Sure, I’m sure that you can’t wait for me to return. Just remember Amber that I will be returning home so don’t get too comfortable in my house.” Brooke hung up the phone.

“Bitch.” Amber muttered. She couldn’t stand Brooke. She wasn’t any better than her yet she always acted as if she was. Amber knew about the Logans and although they hadn’t been raised in a trailer, they hadn’t been on the same level as the Forresters. Amber figured that she would call Bridget and Deacon now that Brooke had finally decided to call her children, they wouldn’t need to try to find her.

 

Bridget tried to use her phone again but it wasn’t working. “ I can’t believe this. I spent so much money of this phone and it never works when I want it too.”

“ Don’t worry Babe. I have mine.”

“ But what if Rick tries to reach us. I don’t think that he has our new one.”

Deacon kissed his wife on her forehead. “ Yes, he does. I left my new number with Megan. Come on, we can get one of those double chocolate muffins that you love before he get on the plane.”

“ Deacon, I don’t even think that chocolate is going to make me feel better at the moment. The only thing will be seeing my mom.”

Deacon knew that his wife we worried. He had done his best to wear her out with lovemaking the night before, however he had awaken at three am to find her staring at pictures of her mom.

“ I really think that she’s alright.”

“ How do we know that? When I think of how I treated her when she and Thorne had problems. I totally blamed it all of her. I was so rude and angry.”

Cupping his wife’s face, Deacon kissed her gently. “ Shh, don’t do this. You were upset and disappointed. You wanted her to be happy to find a marriage that worked. Your mom knows that you love her.”

Tear weld up in Bridget’s eyes. “ Does she? I treated her coldly and was rude. How can she know that I love her and that I’m no mad? For the last two months, she had been gone and now, this…” Bridget felt as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. She hadn’t been there for her mother the way that she should have been but that was all going to change. She was going to protect her mother from then on.

 

Soft snowflakes fell down from the sky bathing Brooke in its clear, cold beauty. Ian couldn’t help but to watch her. Today, she looked so natural and beautiful in a cream-colored cashmere turtleneck, a matching corduroy flair skirt and black high-healed boots that molded up against her calves. The woman looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine and Ian had wondered if she had only been planning time alone why did she had such an outfit. Brooke had only laughed telling him that she worked for a fashion house and that was nothing compared to the outfits that she own. With that, she had kissed him and hurried outside. Ian hadn’t told Brooke about the night that he planned however he had gone through her suitcase and picked out some clothing, underwear and toiletries for her to wear. As for dinner tonight, he had that covered. He slipped one of his brand new hardly ever-used platinum cards into his wallet before he closed and locked the front door.

 

Taylor watched her husband as he slumbered. He had another long night and hardly gotten to bed before 3 am. Ridge was working way too much lately and she was starting to wonder if he was using work to avoid being home with her and the children. “ What are you saying Taylor,” she asked herself. Why would she think such a thing? Of course Ridge wanted to be with her and the children, he just was under so much stress running Forrester in Brooke’s absence, she told herself. However deep down Taylor didn’t believe it. The truth of the matter was that Ridge had been occupied ever since Paris. And although she was glad that the friendship between Ridge and Brooke was over, part of her wanted to know what had happened between them. What in the hell did Brooke do now?

 

Brooke and Ian arrived in town of Capperville two hours later and headed straight to Ian’s doctor. Dr. Miller’s office surprised Brooke who had expected a small town doctor who probably was slightly balding with wore rounded spectacles with a small practice yet instead she found that Dr. Miller was a handsome Native American male with a state of he art practice. Ian wasn’t amused to see the attention that Brooke was given Caleb Miller. He noticed how her eyes had widened when Caleb had walked by. He coughed once and then frowned at Brooke.

“ What?”

“ You are staring at him.”

“ I can’t help it.” She said in awe.

“ You can’t?”

“No. You see he looks like this actor who played in one of my favorite movies. He looks like Uncus from “The Last Of The Mochcanns.” Bridget and I spent hours watching that movie.” He did look the character of Uncus from his beautifully dark skin, nice smile and long hair that had been pulled back into ponytails.

Crossing his arms over his chest caused Ian’s muscles to bunch under his shirt. Making him look more handsome than ever in his worn blue jeans and his white long sleeve shirt. “ Mmm. Well, if that is all you need. I’m surprised that you didn’t moon over Rabbit considering that he looks like Brad Pitt’s twin brother.” He growled. Ian didn’t like Brooke to look at anyone but him with those tawny eyes of her. It didn’t matter that Caleb was his friend or not. It didn’t matter at all.

“ Stop being silly, I didn’t even moon over the real Brad Pitt. Not that he isn’t good looking.”

Ian raised an eyebrow. “ You’ve met Brad Pitt?”

“ Yes, he and his wife had gone to Forrester to dress them on different occasions.” Brooke raised herself on her tiptoes and kissed on his forehead. “ Don’t worry, I’m only interested in one ex-S.E.A.L.”

“ Ex- S.E.A.L, huh.”

“ Un-huh.”

Dr. Caleb Miller approached the couple. “ Ian it’s good to see you. Of course I wish that it were under better circumstances. However, since you’ve been way past the time for your regular physical, it’s good to see you. Now, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Caleb studied the beautiful woman standing next to Ian.

“ This is Brooke Logan. She’s friend of mine.”

Caleb nodded. “ It’s nice to meet you.

” Caleb checked the chart. You want to go into room one.”

“ Sure.”  Ian was surprised when Brooke stood up with him.

“ I’m not letting you out of my sight. I want to hear all of Caleb’s instructions just in case you get any ideas.”

 

Sandy finished cooking breakfast and slid the hot pieces of French toast on the plate. “ Fellas, breakfast is ready.” She heard the commotion from outside stop as the as the sliding door to her kitchen opened. In strode her handsome boyfriend Thorne. Thorne Forrester had not only brought love into her life when she thought it had died with her husband Steven two years ago, he had brought joy into her 5 year old son Cody’s life. Cody adored Thorne just as Thorne adored him. He spent hours with her son taking him swimming in the ocean out side of his beach house, teaching him how to ride his bike. He had even built a small tree house in the tree in Sandy’s backyard. Thorne wasn’t just wonderful with her son; he was romantic with her as well. He brought her flowers, took her out to romantic dinners and even had a Forrester Original created just for her on a very special occasion.

“ Wow, Cody Just look at that spread that your mother created for us.” Thorne lowered the boy to the ground in front of the kitchen table.

“ Mom…it smells good.”

Sandy ruffled her son’s blonde curls. “ Go wash your hands and then we can eat.”

Cody smiled showing off the space in missing where he had lost his first tooth three days ago.

“ Thorne had to wash too. He had dirt from playing with me.”

Waving his hands in the air, Thorne agreed as the little boy ran from the huge kitchen.

Sandy wrapped her arms around Thorne. “ So you like playing in the dirt. I’ll have to remember that.”

“ You know that I love playing with you.” Thorne groaned and turned in her arms so that he could bury his head in the crock of her neck. Sandy’s gold tipped strands that ran from between a mixture of dirty blonde to light brown was cut in a flip and suited her. Agile, athletic, sweet and smart, the promising aerobics instructor had brought a joy into his life the last two and a half months that they had been together.

Sandy laughed as Thorne’s knowing mouth kiss her flesh right about her hot pink sport bra like top. Wearing that and a pair of running shorts, she knew after a light breakfast of yogurt and fruit that she would make her daily run. Thorne and Cody however were going to bike ride while she ran. “ Well, you had better wash up for breakfast.”

“ It does look good.” Thorn said smiling.

“ It’s good to see you smiling again. Especially after the way you were last night.”

He slid his arms from around her and walked toward the kitchen sink not looking at her. “ Last night?”

“ Yes.” She knew that something was wrong. Thorne hadn’t been his normal jovial self and had been very quiet. She didn’t want pry but she did want to know what bothered him. “ Do you want to talk about it?”

Thorne looked up as saw the concerned expression marring the delicate folds between Sandy’s perfectly arched eyebrows. “ Believe me it’s nothing to be worried about.”

Wringing her hands for a moment she put went over to the stove and put a plate of bacon on the table. “ Is about Brooke?”

“ Brooke? Where did that come from?”

“ I’ve seen that look before Thorne. You get it whenever you talk about her.” Sandy knew that Thorne had loved his ex-wife deeply just as she knew that Brooke had hurt Thorne. She wasn’t afraid that he still wanted to be with Brooke, he had more than proved that, but the fact that Brooke could still get to him bothered her a bit. She hadn’t met his stunning ex-wife but she had seen pictures of her and knew that Brooke was the embodiment of beautifies, elegance and power. Compared to an aerobic and yoga instructor starting her own business, who was never in the latest clothing and most of the time sweaty and covered with crayons, markers and whatever her son had spilled, she was certainly lacking. If her hair was combed properly, then she had an extremely good day.

“ Listen, it is about Brooke but it isn’t the way you think.”

“ Then what is it?”

“ I’m worried about her. I had this talk with Ridge and…”

“ And what?”

Thorne sighed. He needed to talk to someone and he knew that he could trust Sandy. “ Ridge and Brooke, they had an affair in Paris.”

 

Caleb rewrapped the bandage on Ian’s side. “ Well, it looks good. It seemed that you had the Great Sprit looking over you. I suggest you be more careful although I’m not going to answer why you had a bullet wound when you’ve got quit a few scares from bullets and knifes. Please continue to take antibiotic.”

“ I’ll make sure of that.” Brooke said giving him a knowing smile.

“ I’m sure that you aren’t going to take the painkillers if I prescribe them for you.”

“ It’s a scratch. Nothing more.”

“ Just take it easy. I’ll remove the stitches in two weeks. I want you to be very careful and don’t let them get too wet.”

“All right.”

“ Get plenty of sleep.”

“ I will.”

“ And you can resume your normal activities as long as you take it easy.”

Ian studied Brooke from a moment, envisioning her naked. “ Believe me, I plan to take it real easy. I have every intention of staying well.”

 

Rick headed out of his marketing meeting when Megan came up to him in he hallway. “ Rick, Amber called.”

“ She did? Is everything alright?”

“ She just left me a message around two hours ago.” Megan then hurried off in the opposite direction. Rick went to his office and called home.

“ Rick, thank god that you called. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Sorry. The marketing meeting ran long. What’s up? Is everything alright?’

“ Yes. I’m fine but your mother called.”

“ What? Mom called, is she alright?’

“ She sounded fine to me if you ask me.”

“ Amber…”

“ I tell you.” She said munching on fried chicken. “ She didn’t even seem to care that she worried you or Bridget. Sometimes, your mother can be pretty insensitive about what she does.”

Rich rolled his eyes.

“Amber. That’s enough. What did my mom say?”

“ Well, she didn’t say much of anything but she was alright and she was sorry that she hadn’t called. She was in Florida or something.”

“Florida? Why in the world was she in Florida?”

“ I don’t know Rick. Who knows why your mother does half the things that she does. All I know is that she is all right. Not surprising. Brooke can take care of herself.”

 

Ian held Brooke’s hand gently as they entered the small grocery shop. Instead of going to bigger markets, he took her to a quaint shop that sold natural foods and a great many of varieties of delectable dishes. A plump woman with long gray hair piled up on top of her head smiled when Ian stepped through the door and shook the snow off of him. “ Ian.”

“ Hello Grace.”

“ Well, it’s been about a month. With the snowfall, I thought that we’d be seeing you sooner than later.”

“I’ve got to stock up on my groceries.” He said as he hugged the woman with true affection.

“ So, are you going to introduce me to the beauty standing next to you? What wrong with you. Haven’t you gotten any manners at all?”

Properly chastised, Ian introduced Brooke to Grace.

Grace studied the beautiful woman for a second. “ Well, any friend of Ian’s is certainly a friend of mine. Tell me, Brooke where are you from?’

“ I’m from L.A”

“ L.A? Well, you are a long way from those sunny beaches.”

“ I know. I have to wonder if it does any but snow around here.”

Grace laughed. “ It takes time to get used to the cold and all of the snow. So,” she angled a glance at Ian. “ Are you going to stay with us long?”

Brooke looked at Ian. “ I’m not sure but I will be here for another couple of days at the least.”

“ I see. Well, have you and Ian been friends for long?”

Brooke opened her mouth to respond but Ian interrupted her by handing Grace his list. “ Here are all the things that I’m going to need. That plus anything else that Brooke will need.” Ian didn’t want Grace to ask too many questions. She was a wonderful old bird but she was also a gossip as well. “ Brooke you might want to look around. We won’t be making this trip again.”

 

As Grace led Brooke around the shop to give her a tour, Ian quietly snuck out the front door to go across the street to make a purchase. It wasn’t until 15 minutes later that he was waylaid by a feisty redhead in a pair of tight blue jeans and a very revealing blouse considering the coldness of the weather. “ Ian.”

Ian visibly groaned and turned to face Cynthia. Cynthia Jeffries had been his lover from time to time. Ian had always been honest with her about their relationship or the lack therefore of. When the need hit him, he went to her house discreetly and had sex. That was all there was to it, nothing more, and nothing less, just sex. Cynthia was no doey eyed virgin, she liked sex hard and fast and he thought that she knew better than to get attached, however a few months ago, she hinted at wanting something more. Ian, had the ended their association.

“ Cynthia.”

The redhead smiled. “ What, after all that we’ve been to one another, that is your greeting?”

She fingered the collar of his jacket. Ian pulled her hand away gently and then looked through the window where he saw Grace talking to Brooke.

Cynthia followed Ian’s gaze and was startled by he interest in his eyes as he looked at some blonde. Feeling a little slighted she moved in closer. Yes, the blonde was pretty enough but she was younger than the blonde. “ Is she your newest?”

“ What?” He had been caught off guard.

“ You ended our relationship so I figure that you had to be getting you sex somewhere.” Licking her lips in a sensual manner she moved even closer. “ I know much pent up frustration that you have when you go months without it. My god, you are like an animal. All rough and full of hot sticky…”

“ That’s enough Cynthia.”

“ That’s not what you said the last time we were in bed. If I remember correctly, you were begging me not to stop. Tell me? Does the blonde suck you off real good like I do?”

Ian’s eyes turned dark with anger. He knew that he shouldn’t be mad. Everything that she had said was the truth. The truth of the matter was that he liked sex. He liked it fast and hard and Cynthia had a mouth that was made all for pleasure. He also was a man who had needs but somehow he felt a sense of shame now for what he had been doing. When he compared what he had done in bed with Cynthia to what he did with Brooke, what he and Cynthia had was downright cheap. “Listen Cynthia, I’m not going to discuss my sex life with you.”

“It never used to bother you before.”

“ That was before.”

“ Before her?’

“No. That was before you got some silly idea in your head that you wanted something permanent. I told you before what we had together was sex and only sex. You made it something more.”

“ I just wanted to come to your house and make you dinner. In all the times that we fucked, you never had dinner with me, nor did you ever invite me to your cabin.”

“ That because it wasn’t a relationship. It was fuck. You know that. I got what I wanted and you go what you wanted to as well.”

Cynthia was pissed. She had hoped for more especially when she had overheard Grace talking to her son Mark that Ian was more than he seemed. To her surprise she found that he wasn’t some lonely good-looking man who lived along, he was some big time writer. A writer, which she heard Grace mention who was rumored to be rich. Although Grace was a big gossip, she had somehow kept that particular secret and hadn’t blabbed it to anyone and he was rumored to be rich. She had always been interested in him before since he was not only sexy and fantastic in bed but the money was just an added bonus. She gave her infamous pout that most men fell for.  “I just wanted to get close to you.”

Ian wasn’t fooled by that pout. He knew what kind of woman Cynthia was, that was why he had gone t her.  “ Well, I don’t want to be close to you.” Ian looked away for a moment He really didn’t want to be so harsh. Sighing heavily, he turned toward Cynthia. “ Look, I didn’t mean to sound harsh but it was nice when it lasted but it’s now over. You do understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I certainly understand.”

 

“ So, how did you and Ian meet? I don’t think that he has ever brought any woman to town.”

“ It’s a long story.”

“ But you are staying with him?”

Brooke felt herself turn a light shade of pink. She couldn’t believe that for a moment she felt embarrassed under the gaze of Grace. Grace chuckled. “ Don’t feel bad honey. I think that it would be good for him to have a woman’s touch around. That man has been alone for way too long. It isn’t good for him to be alone. A man needs woman you know.”

Brooke nodded gave her infamous grin however it faltered a bit when she noticed Ian talking to a beautiful redhead. Grace noticed Brooke’s gaze. Brooke’s eyes narrowed as the woman tried to move closer to Ian however he step back from her and walked into the shop. He hurried over toward Grace and Brooke, putting his arm around Brooke he finally spoke to Grace.

“ You can take care of that list?”

Grace had noticed that there were some things on his list that he had never asked before. “ I’ll have it ready within an hour or two.”

“Actually Grace. I have a prescription that I need to have refilled.”

“What prescription?” Ian was worried. Was Brooke ill?

“ It’s nothing.” Brooke said.

Ian gripped Brooke’s shoulders. “ Brooke what is it?” Ian was worried. He touched the side of her face gently. “ Baby, you can tell me. What prescription do you need filled?”

Grace saw the gentle way that Ian interacted with Brooke and moved away from the couple. “Now that we are alone, please tell me what is going on.”

“ Ian it’s nothing. It’s just, next week I’ll be on my last row of birth control pills. I need to reorder them.”

Ian relaxed. “Birth Control?”

“ Yes. And it’s a good thing that I had them considering the other night.”

Ian’s calloused hand caressed her face gently. “ The other night, I was careless.”

“ We both were caught up in the moment and with each other. However, I’ve learned from my past that the unexpected can happen. It’s a good thing that I was prepared or we might have…”

“ We might have had something unexpected happen.”

Brooke studied the dark depths of Ian’s gray eyes and wondered what he would have thought if he had known that the pill didn’t always work with her. Twice when she had been on the bill, she had gotten pregnant. However, it had been years since that had happened and there was no need to tell Ian. The prospect of being pregnant was very slim.

 

Bridget stepped off the plan and visibility shivered. Deacon put his arm around his wife. “ I know it’s cold baby but I’ll keep you warm.”

“ I just want to get our clothes so I can change them and then get on the way. We’ve got to get our rental care and get the directions to the town of Capperville. Megan says that is where the directions she gave mom started out with. We go there and then we take the directions and try to see where mom messed up. She said that she took some wrong turn off of Turner’s bridge. So, that is where we are headed.”

“ Don’t worry, we will find your mother.”

Bridget’s worried eyes found Deacon’s. “ I hope so because I really worried.”

 

Rick watched Eric as he searched for Deacon’s new phone number. “ I know that I have it somewhere but I can’t seem to find it.”

“ Well, we need to because Bridget’s phone isn’t working.”

Eric stopped searching through his desk. “ Amber said that your mother is okay.”

“ Yeah. Mom was in Florida or something.”

“ Florida. What is she doing in Florida?”

“ I really don’t know dad. Truthfully, I don’t know what is going on in mom’s head these days.”

Eric pushed back from his desk. “ I’m not sure either. I know that the thing with her and Thorne was stressful for the entire family. And then with Ridge.” Eric shook his head. “ When it comes to Ridge, your mother never could see clearly. Not that it was totally all on Brooke. Ridge and Brooke have always had a strong connection to one another.”

“ I have to wonder what happened in Paris. Ridge came back different, cold.”

“ I know.” Eric had been very worried about what had transpired in Paris. Ridge was very silent about that matter. Worse than that, Ridge was bitter. Very bitter. “ Well, I’m sure when your mother returns, I’m sure that it will all be worked out. Your mother and Ridge have had arguments before, I’m sure it is nothing.” Eric hoped it was nothing. Both Ridge and Brooke were part of the company’s very lifeblood. They not only inspired each other, they were a collaborative team. Together, they had made the company great.

 

Sandy and Thorne were lounging together in her backyard. They had consumed their breakfast, ran, washed and changed their clothes. Sandy had digested Thorne’s news about Brooke and Ridge’s affair. “ Are you upset?”

“ About Ridge and Brooke?”

“ Yes.”

“ Yes, I’m very upset.”

“Ohh.”

“ But no the way that you think. It had nothing to do with me being jealous or anything. I’ve forgiven Brooke for what happened with our marriage. I guess that if we hadn’t had so many obstacles thrown our way, we would have had a chance to date more and then maybe I would have found that her heart still belonged to Ridge. I’m upset about Ridge and Brooke’s affair because that is all it could ever be. An affair. Ridge will never leave Taylor and in his actions, he is hurting Taylor and Brooke. Brooke will never get past Ridge. What kind of life is that? To love a man who you can never have or be free from. Ridge is on selfish arrogant asshole.”

“ Thorne, I know that you are upset but doesn’t Brooke have to take responsibility for part of this as well. She knew Ridge was married. What could she had expected?”

“ You don’t know Ridge the way that I do. Ridge might have promised the world to Brooke. When it comes to Ridge, Brooke doesn’t think clearly.”

 

Brooke had been lead away to Grace’s store while Ian gave her a real tour of 

Capperville. She loved how the town was a quaint mixture of small town living and a city. Brooke noted the different shops, the restaurants and mixture of cultural history. She would have thought the falling snow and the cool air would have kept her indoors but it didn’t. She had begged Ian to go to Barnes & Nobles for hot cup of Starbucks coffee with maybe a slice of Oreo Cheesecake from “The Cheese Cake Factory.” While Ian ordered there coffee dessert Brooke wandered through the book selections. She loved to read however her work at Forrester occupied her time so much that she hardly had time for such a luxury. Brooke wandered through the Best Sellers on displayed and picked up the books. The young man behind the desk felt that he had been struck by a thunderbolt when he saw the beautiful woman wandering through his section. Greg straightened this tie and offered his assistance. Brooke turned her golden eyes to him and tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. “ Yes, I’m looking for a good read.”

“Anybody in particular?”

“ No. I’m looking for something mysterious yet thrilling with a hint of naughtiness.”

Greg’s mouth went dry for a moment before he spoke. “ I think that I have a couple of ideas.”

 

Ian had set up a table for Brooke and made a phone call before he went looking for her. He found her easily talking to some kid in the bestsellers. It wasn’t until he had gotten close to them heard them talking that he felt his heart palpitate.

“ I’m telling I.A Mac is one of the best authors. This is one of newest and as you see it’s number 4 on the bestsellers.” The young man stared deeply into Brooke’s eyes. “ I love all of his books. They are never predictable. Have you read “ The Hunted”? It’s really good.”

“ You know my assistant loves his work and my daughter does too. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to read him.”

“ He is great. There is talk of making one of his books into a movie. I certainly hope it’s true.”

Brooke turned the book on its back and read. “ This does sound good. There is no picture?’

“ No. Mr. Mac is very private man. I hear that…” Greg’s comments were cut off when a large man came up between them.

“ Brooke, the coffee is ready.”

“ I was looking for a good book to read.”

Ian took the book out of Brooke’s hand and placed it on the shelf. “ You don’t want to read this. It isn’t that good.”

Greg took exception to the man’s comments. “Excuse me but Mr. Mac is one of the leader writers and is quite good.”

“ Yeah, well I heard the man was an asshole. Now if you don’t mind.” Turning his attention back to Brooke, Ian reached across Brooke and picked up another book on the Best-selling List. “Paradise Lost” read the book. “ I think that you will like this much more than the other book.

Brooke looked at the book, which was a mixture of romance and suspense. ‘Dot Davis?” Brooke said with a question. “ I think that I’ve heard of her.”

“ Yeah, well her books are really good.” “This is about a mix matched couple of a business woman and a bank executive who are in plane crashed and marooned on an island. It’s good. You’ll love it. Ian gave Brooke a tempting look. “ I believe there is a waterfall scene that will give me certain idea.”

Brooke licked her lips and smiled. “ Really/”

“ Yes, Really.”

Greg looked at the man and frowned. “ You read romance novels.”

‘It isn’t a romance novel. It is a romantic suspense. There is a different.”

“ Thank you for the suggestions Greg.” Brooke took Paradise Lost and wrapped her arm through Ian’s extended one.

Greg gave the couple an envious stare. He didn’t know how the world that jerk got a beautiful woman like that. The man had spoken badly about his favorite author. How dare he? Some people had no class. No class at all.

 

Ian smiled at Brooke feeling a sense of relief now that his book was back on the shelf where it belonged. He knew that Brooke would enjoy the book that he picked out. It was indeed one of Dot’s best work. He had heard that many of her fans were calling for a sequel. Besides, the last thing he wanted Brooke to pay attention to I.A Mac, she might figure that it stood for Ian Alexander Mackenzie.

 

 

Chapter 30

 

 

Finishing off her Carmel Latte’ a coat of luscious whipped cream and caramel on her tongue Brooke felt herself reluctant to go outside to face the blistering cold of the Colorado Mountains. Ian, who had devoured two desserts to her one looked similar to the Chesater cat in Alice and Wonderland with his uncharactertic grin on his face. “ You know that I’m wondering what that look on your face means.”

“ What look?”

“ What look?” She traced his lips with her index finger. “ That one.” Crossing her legs, she settled back down in her chair. “ I thought that I figured out off all of your looks.”

“ I don’t have any looks. As a S.E.A.L, I learned to mask my emotions under a look of granite.

“ That’s what you think. You, Mr. McKenzie, have many looks.”  Winking at him, she elaborated. “ There is the intense brooding look that you do so well. And the “intimidating” look that you try to throw my way when I’m doing something you don’t like.”

“ That so?”

“ Yes, and then…. There is that incredible sexy look that you get when you are properly pleased.”

“ Properly pleased/ I don’t think that I’ve ever heard it called that.” Reaching across the table, he pulled Brooke out of seat and into his lap. Locking his arms around her he held her tightly.

“ What about now? What look do I have now?”

She had no intention of getting out of his strong hold because it was was she felt safe and wanted. “ Well, it is your sexy, intense look.”

Grinning for a moment, he winked at her. “ That’s right.” Not caring that they were in a middle of the Starbucks Coffee shop in Barnes & Nobles, Ian’s mouth caught a hold of her bottom lip suckling it into his mouth before he took her mouth fully. Not the least bit gentle but ever millisecond sensual, his mouth caught hers. A strangled moan, which she later realized, was her own, escaped as his mouth and tongue mated with hers. Strong hands cupped her firm buttocks as he hauled her up against his hard erection. Together they were caught up in a torrent of passion until a voice of an elderly lady stopped them along with a good-sized wallop on the top of Ian’s head.

“ Ian McKenzie, you stop that right this instant.” Ian reluctantly pulled his face away from Brooke’s to find Old Mrs. Jeffries staring at him through thick glasses. “ You ought to be ashamed mauling this woman in broad day light in plain sight of families and children.”

Brooke, who was properly shamefaced since there were in the middle of the store found herself blushing?

“ Mrs. Jeffries…” Ian stammered. Something only she and Annette could do. “ I’m sorry mama.”

Taking Brooke’s hand gently in hers she glared at him as she helped Brooke off his lap. “ Well you ought to be. This nice woman deserves more than a tickle and a lay from you.” Brooke noticed the small color of red that started at the base of Ian’s neck and was working it’s way up toward his face. Eva Jeffries turned her observant eyes to Brooke assessing her. “You look like a pretty girl. A nice girl. Now you ought to know that although he is a good boy, he is still a man and is ought to try to lead you astray. I’d say that I got to you in a nick of time before he sweet talked you into doing something.”

It took the will of God to keep Brooke from laughing. The sweet woman thought she was “saving her virtue”, little did she know. “ I’m sure that Ian’s intentions toward me were honorable.” Ian threw Brooke an amused look over Eva’s head, which she properly ignored for fear of laughter cracking up her face.

“ Well, I’m not sure if he was being honorable but we me around. I’m sure that he will be. Right Ian?” Standing up he nodded to Mrs. Jeffries. “ Now, don’t sash me boy. I don’t speak that head nodding language.’

“ Yes.”

Looking quite pleased with herself, Mrs. Jeffries pinched Ian on the cheek. “ Good boy. I always did like you.” Turning her attention back to Brooke. “ See, he is a good boy. Now, I want to show you my book store and I can find more about you.” With that, Eva Jeffries led Brooke off and was following silently with a slightly brooding look on his face.  Only Eva Jeffries could mess up his “mocking” time with Brooke.

 

Deacon cursed as he looked at the flat tire on the rented SUV. He should he relaxing in the hot sun in L.A, taking a drink, smoking a cigarette, but he was in the blasted cold freezing his balls out and all because he had swerved in the road not to hit some freaking bunny rabbit that Bridget was afraid that he’d hit. Even though he was far from a “wilderness” boy he knew how to change a flat tire, however conviently missing from the rental was the supplies to rent a car. Standing up and dusting his black pants he found Bridget sitting in the running car with a worried look on her face. Instantly, his demeanor changed. Hell, it wasn’t Bridget’s fault that she had a big heart and couldn’t stand to see anything whether it be creature or person hurt. Bridget was a softy and deep down he’d never have her be another way. Deacon had had a tough life and nothing had ever been soft for him expect for his wife.

 

Rolling down the window Bridget felt a gush of cold air hit her delicate skin and instantly whished that she had a heavier jacket to face the elements. She felt even worse that her husband was standing in the crisp, cool air. “ How bad is it?”

“ Pretty bad. We can’t drive on it and there are no tool for the spare.”

She looked down at the useless phone in her hand. She had tried in vain to get a signal but with the mountains being where there were, she couldn’t get a thing. “ So, what do are we going to do.”

“ Well,” Deacon said lighting up a cigarette. I’m going to walk and try to see if there is some town nearby or at least a phone to get some sort of toe truck. Or, even better, see if anyone has a jack. Bridget looked around. There was nothing but snow, ice and trees. “ Deacon, I’m not sure if that is wise, there might not be anyone around here. You’ve seen the directions to Capperville Town, there isn’t anything between it.

Gritting his teeth hard against the cigarette, Deacon tried not to lose his patient. “ Bridget, what else do you suggest that I do? We’ve been driving for at least an hour or more and we haven’ seen any other cars in a very look time. I’m not sure if any other car is going to pass by anytime soon. It’s getting colder and not warmer, I just don’t want to take any chances.”

“ But…”

“ Listen Babe. I promise that I’m just going to see what’s around. If I don’t find anything, I promise that I’ll come back. You have the keys there is that Molecular Biology textbook that you brought. Just read that and eat that Trail Mix that we got at the airport. He tried not to blanch; his wife was crazy about that kind of stuff.

“ Deacon, I don’t know. I mean, they say that we shouldn’t spilt up at times like these.”

“ Who are they?”

Bridget shrugged. “ I don’t know. The experts.”

“ Well, the experts aren’t out here, I am. I’m sure, as hell am not going to the wilds of Colorado if I can get us into town. I’m going to try to do just that.” Leaning forward, he kissed his wife on her lips softly before he kissed her again passionately with lots of tongue. Grinning, he thought, as he pulled away. Just the way that he liked it. “Don’t open the car door and don’t worry.” With that, Bridget watched as her husband strode away.

 

Ace was in the hanger that housed the small planes that they used for their jumps in the middle of packing his shoot when he heard the tell tale sound of heels hitting the concrete. Turning around he found Sasha coming toward him. “Shit” he muttered to himself.

Sasha found herself under the scrutiny of Ace, the one man who used to be her strongest supporter and had become her largest detractor when it came to Ian. Ace, like Ian, was a handsome man who could have his pick of the litter when it came to the ladies. Unlike Ian, Ace was almost a symbol of male perfection with his finely toned and muscular body, long flowing golden hair and face that looked as if it should be on a model. “ Whatever you have to say for yourself, save it.” He turned back to his pack.

“ You don’t know what I have to say.”

“ I don’t care.”

“ Ace, it’s be almost four years since you last spoke to me.”

“ No, at Tracker’s birthday party, you were there. I said excuse me.” Moving around the elegantly dressed Sasha in a bronze colored silk wrap around dress. “ Be careful.” He showed her his dirty hands. “ I might get your dirty.”

Rolling her eyes, she sighed. “ I don’t care about getting dirty.”

“ That I find hard to believe. Because you only want the best. The best of clothes, food and trips that money can buy. Right?”

“ Ace, I didn’t’ come here to fight.”

“ Then go.” He finished backing his pack and picked it up planning to head out of the hanger.

“ I want to talk about Ian.”

He laughed. “ Ian, since when do you give a damn about him.”

‘ That isn’t true. You know that I still…” Sasha looked away for a few painful seconds. “When I heard that he was hurt. I was so scared.”

“ Mmm Hmm”

Ignoring him, she went on. “ All these memories of all the times that we shared came assaulting back. I was so scared that I’d never see him again. No matter what I’ve done in the past, you know that I’d be devastated if anything happened to him.”

“Well, you saw him and he is fine.”

“ I won’t tell you how surprised I was to hear that he had even been on a mission.”

“ Mac, has always been a very loyal man.  He’d do anything for his friends and his loved ones.”

Feeling chastised Sasha looked down at her Prada shoes. “ You won’t let anything slide. You are as unforgiving as him.”

“ No, I’m not. You almost killed that man.”

“ I made a mistake.”

“ That you did. He gave up everything for you and you threw it all away for that bastard Remington. But I think that you know what kind of man you’ve married and the kind of man that you chose to give up.” Ace could see the pain in Sasha’s eyes however he was moved by her pain or tears. It was nothing compared to pain that his friend went through because of her. “ As far as Ian, you don’t have to worry about him. He hasn’t been your concern for the last five years. He is recovering and with under the loving touch of Brooke he’s doing just fine.

“ Brooke?” Just the utter mention of the woman sent waves of jealousy through her. “ That’s the woman that was with him.”

“ Yes, I heard that you met her. Stunning isn’t she.”

“ If you like that sort.”

“ That sort? What do you mean by that? Do you mean, beautiful, caring and extremely loving. Because that is what she is.”

“ You speak highly of her.”

“ She deserves it. When Mac was shot, she was the named that he called. She was the hope that he hung on to.”

“ You are getting perverse pleasure out of this, aren’t you?”

He grinned. Am I.

“ You bastard.”

“ Hey, is that anyway for a woman of your status to be talking.”

“ She can’t mean anything to him. I mean…they couldn’t have been seeing each other long.”

“ It’s been long enough. She makes him happy, happier than I’ve ever seen him. And god knows that after all that he has been through with you. So, now that you’ve gotten the answers to some of the questions that you had. You can let yourself out the way that you came in.” Not looking back, Ace walked away.

Blinking away her tears it took more than a moment for her to compose herself. She had been a fool to let Ian go. She had been telling the truth to Ace when she stated that the accident and fearing for Ian’s life had brought out old memories. She had made a horrible mistake of letting the man that she loved more than anything slip through her fingers. No matter what Ace said, she didn’t really believe that Ian was over her either.

 

Taylor cleaning out her closets but she knew that it had to be done. Being married to a man like Ridge she had more clothes than she knew what to do with. She had already contacted three different charities to donate old and new dresses, as well as some toys the children had never really played with. Carrying a light blue cashmere sweater and placing it in a box, she thought about Ridge’s closets. It had been a while since she had cleaned it out. Deciding to get rid of some of Ridge’s clothes as well, she headed toward his walk-in closets. Opening the doors, she took at look at her husband closets, just like her, he had separate closets for his jackets, his suits, his dress shirts and even his shoes. One section had been separated from the rest, they housed his different tuxedoes. Surmising that she’d start with them, since the fashion for tuxedoes changed just as frequency she figured that maybe it would be a good place to start.

 

Hand-in hand, Brooke and Ian crossed the street to down to the next store. Not only had Eva given her a tour of the bookstore, she had suggested that Ian give Brooke a proper tour of

Capperville. The town was a good mixture of rustic meets modern day life. With Barnes & Nobles next to a dainty quilt shop, it showed Brooke that the town was a pure treasure. Ian had taken Brooke into Kelly’s which was a lovely metal smith shop that not only had hand crafted tools, it also had some of the finest jewelry that Brooke had seen. Lovely silver earrings, tiny crafted necklaces made of sparkling and unique gems. Brooke found herself staring at the most exquisite piece of sterling silver bracelets that handcrafted designs of turtles, doves and ______. She reluctantly left the shop, hoping to come back to purchase it. Soon, the day seemed to slip by as Ian explained the history of the town. They stopped by the monument of Captain ________ who saved the town back in _______ when there had been a terrible snowstorm that left the town blanketed to the point that many would have died if he hadn’t created a “highway” of sort with his contraption that would be later called a Snowcap. Ian had been delightfully surprised at Brooke’s interest in the history of town however he hadn’t been surprised that way that she treated the people. Brooke had a big heart and it showed. She had delightfully tasted the fresh break that Emma Potter had cooked in the bakery, and had smiled with delight when she purchased on of Sara Carpenter’s quilts. Something, he was sure, that she didn’t need in L.A. But what had made him smile the most was the way that she cooed and awed at Frank and Sharon Watt’s newborn baby. Seeing like that took his breath away and in that moment, he wanted to do nothing more than to fill her with his own child. 

 

Brooke looked up into Ian’s gray eyes and wondered what caused him to get that “far away” look on his face. “ Are you alright?”

“ Yeah, but I was thinking about that long drive back to the house. We still got another hour or so before the groceries will be ready.”

“That long?”

“ Yup.”

“ Don’t you think that it’s kind of odd that it take so long?”

“Nope. That is how things are done around here. Slow and steady wins the race.”

“ Slow and steady huh? Took bad that things like that can’t be applied to the world of fashion.”

“ It’s not?”

“ No. Fashion is a risky business. What might be “in” in one season will be “out” the next. You are taking a chance that buyers will want to purchase your clothes for their stores. You never really know how they are going to react until they see the showing. Even with that, it’s risky. One bad year, you can be run out of the business.  Fashion is one of the most risky businesses around. With one bad showing, the buyers won’t touch you. They aren’t willing to take the chance that your clothes are going to stay on the racks. Designers are constantly put under pressure for something “new” and innovative however, one bad decision and it’s “all over.”

“ It sounds stressful.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she agreed. “ It can be. But we Forresters have been blessed. The business is doing well and we have built a reputation for exquisite work. With our reputation we’ve been able to make our mark. I remember one year, Grant, a man who worked for our company became angry and took our designs to another company.”

“How in the hell did that happen? Doesn’t Forrester have security?”

“Yes, however he was acting CEO while our regular CEO was out for lets just say medical reasons. It was a mistake; he became disgruntled because of personal reasons. Forrester was in a spot because we were getting ready for a showing with designs that showed a day earlier. We had to cancel our showing and without a season, it would have put us in the red.”

“ What did you do?”

“ Well, Eric and our CEO came up with an idea of a later showing in Lake Como, Italy. It was risky and we had take on the cost of flying in the buyers and the expense of the outside showing but in the end, it was worth it. We had a show that was composed of total style and elegance and the buyers were happy. We recovered and made a handsome profit. Actually from that idea, we’ve had two other showings in Italy.  We Forresters have a way of bouncing back.”

“ You make it sound like some sort of cult.”

“ What?”

“ The Forresters thing.  You said. “We Forresters” as if the Forresters are more important. Why is the name Forrester, more important than your own.”

Scratching her nose Brooke thought. “ I guess that you have a point there. For so long I was a Forrester and that meant a lot. It meant that I had to had arrived.”

“ Do you think that being a “ Forrester” somehow made you better? That you weren’t worthy before?”

“ NO, not now that I’m older. However, when I was younger, I saw them as this family of wealth, elegance and respect. Especially Stephanie Forester, to me, she was everything. A woman of high moral fiber, a pillar of the community.”

“ Stephanie Forrester?”

“ She is Ridge’s mother and the matriarch of the family. She runs the family with a tight rein and she is nothing like they present her to be instead of being a woman of style and grace, she is   a mean and cruel woman. If she doesn’t think that you are good enough for her family or most importantly her precious son Ridge, she’ll do anything to see that you are destroyed.”

Hearing the pain laced with anger in her voice, Ian knew that Brooke had a run-in with this woman. “She didn’t accept you?”

“ Are you kidding? I wasn’t from the right breeding. I was common and in her eye a slut not worthy of her son. She constantly harassed me with verbal attacks and even offered me money if I’d stay away from Ridge. The woman tried everything to get me out of the family, from having my father offered a job in Paris to move my family away, she tried to steal my children in court, she has undermined me countless of times with my children. She got a lawyer for Taylor when she “came back from the dead” to have my first marriage to Ridge declared invalid and lets not talk about the physical attacks.”

Ian stopped dead in his track and grabbed Brooke’s shoulders. “ Physical attacks? What are you talking about?”

“ It’s a long story.”

“ I’ve got time.”

“No, Ian, I don’t want to waste this beautiful day talking about HER. My problems with Stephanie are in the past; I’ve learned not to let her get away with treating me any kind of the way. “But..”

“ It’s over Ian. Let it be in the past.”

Ian didn’t like this one bit. What in the world had Brooke suffered at the hands of these Forresters?

 

Ace stepped under the spray of the hot water. The was a great deal of build up of grind and dirt from not only his jump but from working on the Shutter com. Rabbit, who had been on the firing range stopped by the lend a hand. The two had finished getting the shutter fixed when Rabbit got a call from one of his ladies friends and had to leave. The young buck seemed to have a rotating door to his bedroom when it came to the ladies, Ace thought with a grin. Hell, he couldn’t blame him; he had had his share of fun when he was Rabbit’s age. Rubbing an aching tendon that he had strained the other day, he remembered though he was in awesome physical condition, he wasn’t a spring chicken. Thoughts of Rabbit and his sex life went out of Ace’s mind when the conversation between he and Sasha replayed. He had stayed away from the woman, just as she had stayed away from him. He surmised that her guilt ate at her and it should, so her visit was certainly out of the ordinary. There had been a reason for the visit and if he were a betting man, it had to do with Brooke. Sasha thought that she had the corner to Ian’s heart and foolishly thought she’d always have it, however seeing Brooke most have thrown her into a tailspin. Not that it mattered. Sasha was married, for better or for worse, to Remington and there was nothing she could do to stop the developing relationship between a Brooke. Nothing at all.

 

Bridget turned the heat up in the rented SUV. The air around the vehicle had started to drop more and more and the cold was getting to her. More that she was worried about her husband. They had no idea where they were and worse, no body would be looking for them. Brooke has no idea that they were coming to rescue her. Looking at the falling snow, Bridget wondered who was going to rescue her and Deacon.

 

Remington looked at his watch with annoyance. He had a tennis match with Andre and he certainly didn’t plan on missing because of his wayward wife. She had been acting quite particular lately and he knew that it all had to do with Ian. That no good S.E.A.L was the “love of his wife’s life” or so she liked to act like he was. It had given his great pleasure to take her away from the Scottish bastard whom his always compared him too and found lacking. However, he wondered if it were worth the effort to marry Sasha. Yes, she was beautiful however he saw and bedded beautiful women on a daily basis. Truthfully, his wife was losing her allure. Beauty wasn’t enough and lately she had been doing quite a bit of griping. Then there was the fact that he had no children to date. He needed heirs and if he wife wasn’t able to do so, then he’d find someone who could. Hearing the downstairs maid open the front door, he made his way down the landing and watched as his flustered wife came in. Instantly he knew that she had been crying from the puffiness around her eyes. “If you continue to do that, you’ll need botox injections to clear those wrinkles out.” He stated as he came down the steps. Clearly startled Sasha ignored her husband. She didn’t have time for his games. “ Where were you and why were you crying? Or.” He fingered a tearstain. “ Do I have to wonder about whom you were crying about? Was it your precious Ian?”

“ Don’t start.”

“ He’s gone. That is what I heard.” He narrowed his eyes. Although he had thought about divorcing Sasha, he hadn’t because deep in his heart he knew that she’d go running to Ian. He wasn’t going to allow that to happen.

“ I don’t know what you are talking about.” Sasha had a hard enough time with Ace, she didn’t need Remington to start up to.”

“ Oh, I think that you do. It’s about Ian.”

“ Ian is gone. Alright.” Slamming her purse down she strode into the dayroom. “ You can stop your jealous act. Not that it matters.” Picking up a crystal decanter, she poured herself some water.

“ Ahh but it does, my sweet.” Remington caught her hand with the glass. “ You belong to me. I bought and paid for your sweet little ass, there is no way that I’d ever allow you to leave me especially for that hick.” Taunting her, he continued. “ Though I’d love to see his reaction when you went to see him. And before you lie, I know that you did. Tell me, what was his reaction.”

Sasha tried in vein to pull her hand away however Remington tightened his grip.

“ I’m not going to play your little games.”

 “ Answer me. How did the great Ian take seeing you?”

Pain flashed behind her eyes and Remington saw it. Smiling cruelly for a moment, he then laughed. “ Still as unforgiving and relentless as ever? I wished that I could have been privy for that reunion. Tell me wife, were you expecting for him to be welcoming you with open arms? Surely you know, first hand, how stubborn and honorable Ian is. Don’t worry, I’m sure that deep down, he still wanted you but he wasn’t going to admit that.” Letting his wife’s hand go, he strode to the door. “Still, you have to laugh at how things worked out. Who would have thought that he had it in him to not only write but to make millions.” Scoffing at Ian, who he knew to be a throwback from time, he found it amusing. “ Even still, with all that money he made, he still from what I hear is living in some godforsaken woods in Colorado. Just think about what all that snow and simple life would have been like. As much as you’d love to make him out to be god, you know as well as I do, that once you tasted the good life, you didn’t want to go back to being some silly school teacher from some small town.”

“ You don’t know what I want anymore. You don’t know me.” She spat.

“ I know that you’d like to play victim in this IF you could. You knew what you were doing all those years ago.”

“ You took advantage of me.”

“ Because you wanted it,” he stated as he pointed the finger at her. “ Don’t act all so innocent because you weren’t. You loved the dinners and the trips and not to mention the sex. Nobody forced you into my bed.”

Haunted with the truth, she knew he was right. “Fine, do you want me to say it? Yes, I was foolish. I was an idiot. I threw it all away. The man who loved me and was willing to give up his career to make me happy and for what? A man who was using me like some sort of pawn in his chest game in order to make Ian suffer. Tell me, if I hadn’t been Ian’s, would you have married me?”

Feeling no shame in his feelings, Remington was blunt. “ No. I wouldn’t have. You were a diversion and a good one, I’ll admit. Beautiful and so willing to be schooled in the good life. You were a project as you can see with the acquired cultured dialect, clothes and style, you my dear was a success.” His face contorted with hate. “ I’ll admit that sticking it to Ian was worth being married to you. I love the fact that every night when he dreams of you, he’ll know that you are that and mine I own you. That my dear, is worth paying your bills and staying married to a woman who can’t even supply me with a son.” Annoyed that she had taken up so much of his time he dismissed her curtly and left for his game.

 

Getting information out of Brooke was like pulling teeth, Ian surmised. She had said very little more about the Forresters and that was telling. God had a way of giving you the things that you need, even if you don’t think that you need them and deep down in his heart, Ian believed that God had sent Brooke to him. He had spent the last five years in solitude and didn’t have to worry about anybody other himself and Sam. It was time that he took care of somebody and that somebody was Brooke. It was time that she was treasured the way that she should have been. Stepping in from out of the cold and into the storefront, he found Brooke silently reading her book. As if she knew he was back, she looked up and smiled. “ Enjoying the book?”

“ Yes, I am.” She was amazed how much she enjoyed the story so far. Reading about the headstrong heroine and how she was able to take care of herself on a deserted island was enjoyable, however the interaction stubborn banker who had to depend on the heroine was riveting.

“ Well, I told you, it was good.”

“So, you’ve read this book.”

“ I’ve read lots of books.” He stated, not really giving her an answer.

Brooke hid her smile. Who would have thought that a strong willing, pain in the ass, like Ian would read a romance novelette.

Changing the subject, he sat down. “ Listen, we’ve got a small problem. _______ had a small problem that she had to take care of at home. Our order, along with my medicine, he added with great measure, won’t be available until tomorrow. So, I was thinking that maybe, since Sam is still with the Jennings, that we’d stay in town and make a night of it.”

Brooke thought for a moment and although she loved the thought of going back to the cabin and spending alone time with Ian, she had enjoyed her afternoon in town. As if he could read her thoughts, he continued. “ There is a nice Bed & Breakfast over on Cable Street that has some of the best homemade rolls ever.

“Even better than your?”

He winked. “ Much better. And there is this new _____ restaurant that opened up last year. I hear that it’ quite good.”

“You’ve never eaten there.”

Ian shrugged. “ It’s a little classy and I didn’t have anyone that I was interested in taking. But now…” He touched her finger lightly. “ I do.”

“ So, this is sort of a date.”

Thinking for a moment, he smiled softly. “ Yes, I guess that is what this is. I’m going to take you on a date.”

Smiling a smile that he was sure killed a lot of heart, she squeezed his hand. “ Ian, I’d love to go out with you.”

 

Brooke picked up the soft cashmere dress. It was simple and understated however it didn’t take away from the beauty of the dress. “ Nice, isn’t it.” Startled, Brooke turned to find sales lady behind her. “ Yes, it’s beautiful.”

“ The material is soft, however it will keep you warm in this weather.”

“Not with it falling off the shoulders although it looks as if you can adjust it to fall off one shoulder for just a hint of skin. A bit of daring.”

“ Well, in these parts, we have very little use for the skimpy dresses that are shown on T.V.”

Thinking about the cold, Brooke agreed. “That is why, the dress has a matching cashmere dress coat with matching scarf.” Showing Brooke the items the sales lady put the entire outfit together.

“ You know, with your coloring, you’d look beautiful.”

Smiling Brooke agreed. It was simple, yet elegant at the same time. Using her trained eye that she used at Forrester she turned to the woman. “What do you have in your underwear department?”

“ Well, you are in luck. I have a girlfriend who does shopping for me in New York, from time to time. With the snow and the winding roads we can’t get in the shipments that the larger towns do, but she does send me items at least one every two months.  You are in luck, I can’t tell you how much this stuff sells around here.” Opening up different tissue boxes, the sales lady took out some exquisite pieces of lingerie. “ I have to admit, this is my favorite company. They really know what looks great on a woman but what feels good.”

Smiling, Brooke didn’t need to take a long time to make a selection. After all, the lingerie carried her name. “Brooke’s Bedroom.”

“ Yes, it’s expensive but honey, you’ll look so good in it. I hear that the company even has matching bedclothes and other accessories, to go with the lingerie for those who can afford it. Imagine having your entire bedroom decked out to match your lingerie.

Smiling, Brooke nodded. “ That is something.”

“ But, I guess that is for the really rich, still, I wish I could see that just once.”

“I’m sure it’s a beautiful sight.” Taking out her credit card, Brooke gathered her items. “ I’ll take everything….”

“ Sara.”

“Thank you. Sara, I’ll take everything.”

Sara was surprised. The shop did well however she normally sold her pieces one at a time. The dress alone was expensive not to mention the coat, the scarf and the underwear. The woman had picked even picked up the intricate garters to match the hose. “ It’s going to cost a bit.”

“ It’s alright, Sara.”

Before Brooke could pay for the outfit Ian walked through the door shaking the snow off the top of his head. “ I’ve booked a room for us.”

Ian had offered to book a room at the ______ for the night. He had also said that he had made arrangements for them to have a romantic dinner. Brooke has offered to pay for the night at the quaint Bed and Breakfast, however he declined. Not wanting to cost him more money that he could probably afford, Brooke stood in front of her outfit and directed Ian’s attention to something else.

“ Did you find something that you like?”

“ Maybe. I think that I should look around a little more before we I make a decision.”

Ian wondered what Brooke was up to; after all, he had seen her talking to Sara and the clothes were all laid out on the counter.

“ If that is what you want to do, are you sure?”

Sara was confused. She had thought that the woman wanted the clothes but now she wasn’t sure at all. “ Are you saying..”

“ We’ll come back later.” Brooke stated hastily cutting her off.

Sara wasn’t sure what to make of the conversation or the couple, however she wasn’t too surprised when the clothes were purchased an hour later, however it was Ian who purchased the clothes. “ I noticed that she had the items on the counter. I’ll take care of her bill. Pulling out huge money roll, Ian purchased the items with cash. He had ditched Brooke while she had been making a phone call. Ian caught up with Brooke as she hung up the pay phone. “ Any luck?”

“No. I’ve tried and tried cell phone but I can’t reach Bridget or her husband.”

“ I’m sure that they are alright.”

“ Yeah. I’m sure that they are. I’ve just been remiss in calling my children.” Ian knew how important her children were to her. She constantly talked about them. “ I should have called them to let them know that I was going to Florida. I should really try to call Rick at Forrester but….”

Ian had an idea about what was stopping her.“ You don’t want to deal with work?”

It was more than work. It was everything. It was her war with Stephanie, her failed marriage to Thorne but worse of all, it was Ridge. “ I just don’t want to deal with the issues that come my job.” She said sadly. Hanging up the payphone, Brooke felt an overwhelming sense of sadness.

“ Don’t get me wrong, I love working for Forresters but there are times that I wish that my life was much simpler.” Tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear, she took a long hard look at her past and life. “ I’ve made so many mistakes.”

“ We all have Brooke.”

“ Not like me.” She said shaking her head. “ You have no idea what I’ve done or the pain that I’ve caused others.”

“Hey, where is all of this coming from.”

“ I guess it’s the reality of going back to what my life was.”

Not wanting to see her like this, Ian pulled Brooke into a secluded corner or the Bed and Breakfast. “ Listen, I’ve made some mistakes in my life too. There was a time that I thought that I could do no other than what I had already been doing but I was wrong. I changed. Yes, I loved being a S.E.A.L but there was more for me. I found a sense of self and I found peace.”

“ I know what you mean. The time that I’ve spent here has opened my eyes to so many different things. I’ve thought that person that I had become and I found that I didn’t like everything about me. I want to do better. I want to not only enjoy my children and my grandson, I want enjoy the simple things in life.” Smiling softly. “ You taught me that. You’ve taught me to enjoy the simple pleasures in life again. You’ve taught me to be myself, Brooke Logan. The valley girl, the mother and the chemist.” The emotion behind her words was there and Ian felt as if he had just saved the entire country from some political plot for which he was receiving an award for.

He wanted to say something, he wanted to tell her that she had taught him how to love again but it was too soon and she was already beginning to question her life, he didn’t want to make things even more difficult for her than it already was. “ You’ve taught me more than you know Brooke.” He whispered against her hair. “ You’ve taught me how to live again.”

 

Taylor had almost finished her task when she got to the last of Ridge’s clothes. She cleaned out the pocket of his suits, pants collecting the bits of change and different business cards that Ridge might have left in them when she noticed a receipt in the pocket of his pants. Noting the famous name of a jewelry store in Paris, it caught her eye. Then, the amount on the receipt caught her eye. The overwhelming price of seventy –thousand dollars caught her eyes. Shaking her head, she read it again. Yes, she had known her husband to spend a great deal of money on jewelry but that was very expensive even for Ridge. She noted the date, which was almost three months ago. Ridge hadn’t given her any jewelry since he had come back in fact…. Taylor’s thoughts stilled.

He had been in Paris with Brooke. “What did you buy Ridge? What did you buy that was so expensive.” A feeling of uneasiness filled Taylor. Sitting down on her bed, thoughts of how Ridge had been so distant since Paris came back to her, worse than that, she thought about his attitude with Brooke. Ridge was furious with her and had been so for so long that for the first time she was wanted answers why. Why was Ridge angry with Brooke? And where was this missing piece of jewelry that cost more than a car.

 

Brooke had been all over the world and had stayed in many places, however she had to admit that the suite in the Bed and Breakfast was indeed breathtaking. The suite was decorated in a Victorian style; no detail had been missed from the huge canopy bed to the handcrafted wardrobe, vanity and wicker chair. The day room was fashioned a delicate pink with a loveseat and a full fireplace. Brooke thought that she’d died and gone to heaven when she opened the bathroom with its old-fashioned porcelain toilet and slanted bathtub. It was all very lovely as well as the view from the room, the white blanket of snow covering he landscape as well as the trees was picturesque.  Feeling a pair of strong arms encircle her, she leaned back to lay her head against Ian’s strong chest. “ It’s beautiful.”

“ You are beautiful.”

Smiling, she turned in his arms and pulled his head down for a passionate kiss. Ian’s tongue gently stroked the crevices of her mouth. “ I think that this was a wonderful idea.” She said against his lips. Ian’s fingers found the clasp to her skirt and expertly unbuttoned it. Brooke giggled as she stepped out of it. Pulling his lips away from her, Ian slid down to his knees his hands sculpting against her thighs. The tingling of his fingers filled her with such anticipation that she felt herself become moist in between her thighs. It constantly amazed her how much she wanted him. How she’d go weak in the knees at a single molten look thrown her way. He had a way of making her feel so sexy and so loved at the same time. Taking his time, he caressed the back of her knees with his fingertips for a moment before he found the zipper to her boot. Sliding the boot off, he kissed the bottom of the hose covered foot before he treated the other foot with the exact treatment. Caressing her legs softly, he took his time, his fingers trailing ever slowly up until he traced the folds of her sex through the hose. Brooke’s eyes dilated as she watched his fingers rub against her aching numb. Her heart raced and she could almost smell her scent as he played with her. Looking up at her with those beautiful gray eyes he put her in a trace. “ Take off your sweater.” As if she had no free will of her own, she pulled the sweater off. The light cream-colored nylon bra with a light rose pattern encased her magnificent globes. “ Now, take off your bra.” Finding the front clasp of the bra, she opened it slowly to reveal her bountiful breast. Eyeing her nipples, Ian felt a full front of pure lust come over him. It didn’t matter how many times he’d been in her body, she was like a drug and he wanted her more and more. Using his hands to find her hose, he slid them down leaving her in a pair of skimpy nylon panties. Leaning forward, his nose found her and he inhaled. “ God, baby, you smell so good.”

Brooke thought that her knees were going to give out any moment when his mouth kissed her panty-covered center. Taking a moment to look up, Ian’s eyes darkened.

“ Touch your breast. Please I want to see your touch them.” He said in a husky voice.

Brooke was a bit startled by his command however it didn’t disgust her. Brooke gently cupped her breast with both of her hands. She felt their weight and when her fingertips brushed against her nipples, hot erotic need filled her body. Ian felt her body tense when her finger touched her them. “ Touch them again and play with them.”

Her breathing heightened and he watched as her fingers gently touched her nipples slowly. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. It was too much. As if she knew what she was doing to him, she found it exhilarating. Watching him watch her, she slowly circled the areole of her nipples before she slowly touched her hardened nipples. Her body was responding and although it was her own soft hands, her body knew no difference.

Ian knew that she had no idea how sexy she was. Her body was tensing with anticipation for what he was going to do to her. Watching her eyes close with need, he pulled her panties down her legs. His mouth found her instantly. Crying out Brooke still rubbed her own nipples as his hot mouth stroked her nub. Using his tongue expertly, he stroked her slowly at first wanting her need to build. Taking his time, he stroked again and again, tasting her essence as it flowed from her body. Not being able to take much more, Brooke’s legs buckled and she would have fallen if he didn’t catch her. Catching her, he hoisted her up until she was against the wall. Brooke needed to feel him against her; she grabbed the lapels of his shirt and tore it wide open. Exposing his naked chest and pulling him against her Brooke’s warm back met the cool wall in the bathroom. Opening his pants to free himself he quickly found a condom in his back pocket and put it on. Ian’s fingers gently parted her folds as Brooke’s mouth found his ear.

“ I need you now! Please…”

Finding her portal, he thrust upward. Finding pure bliss in her tight pulsating warmth, he filled her completely. Her fingernails made small crescent shapes on his back as he moved in and out of her body. Clutching him tightly with her legs, she gripped his waist tightly. Slowly clenching him pen*s with her inner muscles, she heightened his pleasure. Ian, with her help created a rhythm as his mouth suckled hard on one of the nipples that she had played with prior. In and out, he slid into her body, with every moment of friction the orgasm build inside of her until there was nothing left but pleasure.

 

Margo placed the diamond necklace back in the case when Henri came over to her. “ There is a call from you from America. The woman says that it’s a matter of importance.”  She picked the phone. “ Hello.”

“ Hello, this is Taylor Forrester. My husband, Ridge Forrester purchased on item from your store over three months ago. We’ve been so busy with family issues and Forrester Creations that we haven’t had the time to have the jewelry insured.”

Margo remembered the ring that Mrs. Forrester was talking about. “ Yes, well that Pink Diamond ring was exquisite piece of work especially with the 3 caret diamonds surrounding it. What seems to be the problem Mrs. Forrester?”

Pink Diamond“ Yes, your company does remarkable work. I’ve been busy and I’ve lost the claim form for the ring, could you please fax it to me.”

The Forresters was the leading family of fashion and she certainly wanted their business again. “Sure, I’ll send it to you. Just give me the number."

 

A truck pulled up the frozen car and it’s driver got out. Bridget opened the car door and stepped into the blizzard staring cold to find a man standing in the snow. “ What happened?”

“ The tire blew out.”

The man checked the tire for a moment. “ You out here alone?”

“ No, my husband, he left hours ago to find help and I’m worried.”

The stranger noted that the young woman didn’t seem dressed for the weather. “ Well, you aren’t going to find anything for miles and miles out here. I’m heading into town, why don’t you come with me.”

Bridget hesitated for a moment. “Well, I’m not sure.”

“Listen, I can understand you being hesitant but it’s getting cold now that the sun is going down and it’s going to get colder. By the look of your gas gage, you don’t have much gas left to made it through the night get keep you warm. And by the looks of the falling snow, it ain’t going to let up anytime soon. I’m not sure if anybody else is going to come along, so I might be your only change to get out of the cold. So, what do you say?”

 

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