Chapter 23 Until the Storms Pass

"I feel like I'm forgetting something at home," Gabriella told Brandon with a pang of uneasiness as he drove her to his house.

"You're probably just overthinking, Angel," Brandon said, "you went through a lot tonight and you're just stressed. Forget about everything and relax."

"Yes, I guess you're right," Gabriella dismissed the thought for now. She was feeling a migraine coming on from all the exhaustion and stress of the day and it was tiring her out. On top of it all, she was starting to feel famished having missed dinner.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you?" Brandon asked, as though reading her thoughts. Her stomach gave a low grumble in response. She gave him a sheepish smile.

"Don't worry. I'll cook you up a hearty meal," Brandon promised her just as the car drew near a wide set of double gates. He unlocked them automatically with a voice recognition system fixed in the wall and drove inside before the gates slid shut. Gabriella looked ahead in curiosity; Brandon's house amounted to a luxurious modern mansion. It was a two-story building with sparkly white walls and black geometric detailing. Tall glass windows dotted the walls, currently hiding the interior of the house with the curtains drawn. But the entire setup was impressive nonetheless.

"Your place is so huge. And beautiful," Gabriella commented in awe. "I'm kind of surprised you're always at my place with a house like this."

"Well, your place has something I adore very much that I don't have here."

"What's that?"

"Your presence," Brandon replied with the utmost sincerity. Gabriella lowered her gaze with red cheeks. Brandon knew exactly how to make her heart flutter with his compliments.

He helped her out of the car, taking her bag onto his shoulder as they made their way up the garden path to the house.

"Wow, the interiors in this place are amazing!" She spun in a circle as she took in the house upon entering. Brandon smiled.

"I work for a design company, remember? Naturally, I dabbled a little when it came to my own place." Gabriella took a few steps forward and heard her footsteps echo. She looked down. The floor was of sparkly black, glossy marble. She looked around, observing the rest of the house. The furniture consisted of white leather L-shaped couches facing each other on opposite sides of the room with a huge wall-mounted flatscreen TV and stereo on the side. A round glass coffee table stood in the center of the room on a fluffy white shag rug. Multiple glass baubles of light hung from the ceiling and a sleek black fireplace lined one side of the room. Beside the living room was a spacious open-concept kitchen and dining room set a few steps higher from the living room, containing a long glass dining table with about twelve white leather upholstered chairs.

"You must have a lot of company," Gabriella said wistfully. Brandon heard the low note in her voice and pulled her into his arms.

"Apart from my family and Peter, you're the first person to set foot in my house." He placed a little kiss on the side of her forehead as he spoke and immediately she felt better. She privately scolded herself for thinking otherwise – Brandon was not the kind to entertain women or hold parties even though he was from a socially elite world. She felt flattered at being the first woman to enter his house.

"So, you hungry?" Brandon asked, rolling up his sleeves and entering the kitchen. Gabriella followed him and nodded with an amused smile.

"Tonight's special is ratatouille for my Angel!" Brandon said with a flourish. Gabriella smiled at him.

"You sure you know how to make it?"

"For my Angel, I will put Remy to shame." He winked at her and got to work while she watched him. He chopped up the vegetables with accurate deftness, layering each slice of eggplant, zucchini, and tomato in the baking dish with finesse. Next, he poured the tomato passata over it and peppered the dish with pesto. Then he popped it into the oven.

"And while that bakes," Brandon prepared an amuse-bouche platter for Gabriella and served it in front of her, "my lady can help herself to some of the finest vegan hors d'oeuvres."

"Mmm, I must say, Brandon, I'm impressed." Gabriella relished the little squares of loaded crackers as she spoke. "I didn't know you had hidden kitchen skills."

"Actually," Brandon looked abashed, "I've never cooked before. I took an online crash course in culinary arts recently. I wanted to learn how to cook for you. So if ever the time came when my girlfriend had to rely on me," he reached out and caressed her cheek, "not only would I be ready, but I'd be able to provide a palatable meal for her." Tears filled Gabriella's eyes.

"You did all that for me?" She asked, touched by the lengths he went to for her.

"I'd do this and more for you, Angel," he said in a tender voice. The tears spilled from Gabriella's eyes and Brandon swiped them away with his thumb. Gabriella cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry, here you are making a wonderful meal for me and I'm blubbering! I'm a mess."

"You don't always have to pretend like everything is okay, Angel," Brandon said softly. "It's okay to cry when you want to. You don't have to hold it all in." Gabriella smiled bravely at him. True, her heart was still heavy from all of Archer's cruel words, but she didn't want to unburden herself on Brandon now. Not when he was doing everything he could to bring a smile to her face.

"I'm okay now that I'm with you, Brandon," she assured him. Feeling convinced that she was telling the truth, he relaxed and plunged into a conversation, finding out all her favorite foods which he promised to make for her. He felt relieved to see her smile through the meal which she thoroughly enjoyed and ate with ravenous gusto. He wanted her to forget about everything that happened with Archer when she was with him.

"I hope you'll forgive my unwomanly way of scarfing everything down," Gabriella said when she had cleaned the plates, "I think I was starving."

"No apology needed Angel, it brings me great joy just watching you eat." Brandon smiled fondly at her while he took the dishes to the sink. He saw her eyes grow thoughtful and guessed she was bothered about something.

"Something's worrying you again, isn't it?" He asked.

"It's about Archer…" Her words made Brandon's muscles tense up.

"What about him?" He asked.

"He won't really make good on his threat and sue you for hitting him, will he?" Gabriella asked anxiously.

"That coward won't dare. At least, not if he had a shred of pride. And besides, with all the cases I'm bringing against him, he won't have the nerve to counterattack when he knows he's licked." Gabriella sighed, unconvinced. Brandon rinsed and wiped his hands before coming to her side.

"Angel, that's not for you to break your head over. Leave it all to me. I don't want you to worry about him ever again."

"But he caused so much trouble for you as well," Gabriella went on, "it even reached your workplace—"

"Shh." Brandon placed a finger on her lips. "Everything will be fine, Angel. Have a little faith in me." Gabriella took a deep breath to calm down. She suddenly realized how close she was to Brandon and how intimate a position she was in with his hand on her lips. She shyly stepped back.

"I should get some sleep, I feel all in," she said, covering a yawn.

"Of course. I'll show you to your room." Brandon led her up the winding glass staircase to a string of bedrooms on the upper floor. He opened the first door for her.

"There's a built-in bathroom and a closet in this room. I hope you'll find it comfortable. Plus, I'm right next door so if you need anything, just ask." Gabriella nodded at him.

"Thank you, Brandon, I don't know what I would have done without you." Her eyes filled with gratitude as she gazed at him. Brandon massaged her arm.

"You don't have to thank me, Angel. You can call me anytime." He was about to leave the room when he remembered something and snapped his fingers.

"I almost forgot! Wait here, I'll be right back." He went to the next room and came back after a minute with a pair of silvery silk pajamas.

"You can wear these, they might not fit exactly but at least they'll be comfortable – oof!" Brandon stumbled back a little as Gabriella threw herself on him in a tight hug.

"I just want you to know how much I appreciate you looking out for me," She whispered in his ear. He relaxed into her grasp and hugged her back until he realized he sensed being activated at the fact that her body was pressed up against his. He cleared his throat and gently pulled away.

"I'll give you your privacy now," he said, feeling his ears heat up as he quickly stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him. Gabriella turned to the huge bed that lay before her. It was warm and inviting. She had a shower and changed into Brandon's pajamas, flushing at the thought that the fabric that had touched his skin was now touching hers. She shook her head and got into bed, knowing it wouldn't be advisable to think such thoughts.

She turned on her side to face the open window whose drapes were drawn back. The shadowy sky, speckled with a few scattered stars, stretched before her in a glorious sight. She closed her eyes after a minute of watching it, but try as she might, she could not go to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, Archer's sneering face appeared in her dreams. His piercing words kept echoing in her mind.

Whiteley's been taking you for a fine ride banging around and you've been eating out of the palm of his hand. You're nothing but a little minx. Cold sweat broke out all over her. Now that she was left alone with her thoughts, she was defenseless against the painful, false accusations attacking her mind. She began to hyperventilate in her sleep. Those words, how she wished she could forget them!

Her subconscious mind could not take it anymore. She woke up with a gasp, trembling and shivering. She gave way to the tears she had been suppressing now that Brandon was not around to see her. She burrowed her head into her knees, sobbing and mumbling, "it's not true, it's not true…" She got a start when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her and a weight sag on the bed next to her. Brandon had heard her from the next room and had come to her.

"Angel?" His tender voice made her break down completely and he pulled her into his chest where she poured out all her hurt. For a long moment, they sat there together like that, wrapped up in each other. When her sobs finally died down, he gently leaned her back onto the bed, using his arm as a pillow for her head. With his other arm, he clung closely to her, holding her against the comfort of his body.

"I should've known you'd be like this and never have left you alone," he said with regret in his voice. Gabriella looked up at him.

"I just can't forget everything he said…" She said in a weak voice. Brandon massaged the small of her back.

"Gabriella, if talking will make you feel better, please, just let it all out. I'm here for you." He pleaded with her and finally Gabriella related everything that had been ringing in her head all night. Brandon clenched his fists behind her on hearing the contemptible words that Archer had dared to poison his Angel's ears with but said nothing. When she had finished, he spoke.

"Angel, I want you to listen to me. None of that is true. You know it isn't, I know it isn't. It's all a bunch of lies spewed by that depraved reprobate to try and hurt you. He can't do that anymore and he never will again. I promise I will make sure he pays for all the trauma he's caused you." Here Brandon paused and cupped her face.

"And, Gabriella?" He leaned so close his lips were a breath away from hers, "I will never hurt you like that or take away that special moment from you like that." Her eyes glistened with tears.

"I've never been close to a man before, Brandon. And I've always wanted to share that with the man I love… I've always wanted a family…" her voice choked up.

"Shh, Angel, it's okay. When the time is right, Angel, I will be everything you want me to be for you. I just want you to forget everything he ever said and live your life free of such fears."

"The thing is, Barry, with everything Archer said, I was afraid I'd never be able to share all that with you should things get too rough," her voice softened to his ears as she continued, "And… I do want it all – with you." Brandon's heart leaped at her words. How long he had wanted to know if her love for him was as true as his for her! Now she had put his doubts to rest.

Overcome with joy, he collided his lips with hers. Although it wasn't possible, he pulled her even closer to himself, wanting to mingle everything he was with her. Under the profuse impact of his kisses, she felt her misery melt away. All the bad memories with Archer, all his cruel words… they all faded beneath Brandon's love for her.

"Angel, that is one fear I want you to put away forever," he whispered into her mouth, "because nothing, absolutely nothing, can tear me away from loving you."

"Brandon…" she whispered, desiring more of him. He responded to her need, climbing over her, gently testing his weight on her. When she didn't protest, he resumed his deluge of kisses into her mouth. She moaned, overcome by his presence; her heartbeat shot up, her body felt like a million little electric pulses were shooting through her veins and she was well aware of Brandon's weight pleasantly pressing into her. She relinquished herself to him, opening her mouth to his, each tasting the other with hungry desire. She knew he wouldn't go further than she was ready for and trusted him; it was a trust she had never given to a man before, entrusting her body, heart, and soul to him.

"Angel… my Angel…" Brandon's tongue slipped in and out of her mouth as he whispered her name over and over and the sensation made her shiver. He felt every tremor, every motion of her body against his and it heightened his senses. He nestled his own body against hers and nuzzled his cheek with hers, brushing his lips along her neck. Fresh moans fell from her lips, edging him on and escalating both their pleasure.

"Brandon…" her voice quivered and it set him off to think that he had that effect on her. He gently suckled the skin on her neck, making her gasp and grab his shoulders to anchor herself. He felt her tighten her grasp around him and it made him long to touch her. The thin fabric of his pajamas on her reminded him of how little lay between them; he knew if he went on like this, he'd lose himself and push the boundaries of his self-control. He slowly eased himself off of her to a position beside her but didn't stop smothering her lips with his kisses. Only now it was a slow, sweet tangent of touches and he let his hands outline the curves of her face as he continued drowning her with his affection.

"I love you, Brandon," Gabriella said, and Brandon noted that all traces of sorrow were gone from her voice. He slowed down, lingering on her lower lip which was already soaked in his kisses.

"I love you more than I've ever loved anyone, Gabriella," he replied against her lips. "I love you with all my heart."

"I can't compete with that," she mumbled with a little laugh. He chuckled softly, thrilled to hear her sounding so much better.

"You don't have to compete with me, Angel. All you have to do is let me love you." He felt her palms press against his chest through the opening above his shirt. Taking hold of them, he guided her inside his shirt, wanting her to feel him, feel his heartbeat. She hummed happily as her palms detected the soft alluring 'bump-bump' of his heart.

"It's yours, you know," he said, "this heartbeat. This heart." Gabriella gave him a loving smile and pressed her lips to his chest.

"I promise to take good care of it," she told him, and no more sounds were heard that night except for the beating of two hearts in love and the sweet sound of lips meeting one another. Gabriella might have been through a lot because of Archer, but until the storms passed by, Brandon's arms were the safest place in the world for her.