Braydon(68)

Braydon pulled the truck into the parking garage. Being that it was Sunday evening, the garage was fairly empty. The Domain was one of Austin’s newest shopping districts. Not only did it have the equivalent of an outdoor mall, it was also lined with condominiums and restaurants. Needless to say, due to the popularity of the area, he’d had to buy tickets for the movie online. Which meant he’d been joking when he told Jessie that she actually had a choice. He’d picked some new-release chick flick for her benefit because, just like he told her, he really didn’t care what they watched. He just wanted to be near her.

Braydon unbuckled his seat belt and turned to Jessie. “I hope you enjoy tonight,” he told her.

“Is this really considered our second date?” she asked, her eyebrow cocking up slightly.

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

“Good? Why good?”

“I’m kinda excited to get to the after-the-date part.” Jessie grinned mischievously. “You know, the part where you try to get to second base and I send you on your way.”

Second base, huh? Shit. He intended to get to third base in the movie theater.

Not that he told her as much.

Braydon grinned. “I’m bettin’ you won’t send me anywhere, unless it’s right to my knees between your sweet thighs,” he whispered as he leaned in close.

A shudder ran through her and Braydon knew he’d hit one of those buttons again.

“I’m just glad we aren’t starting over completely,” she admitted softly.

Braydon placed his hand on Jessie’s cheek. “I don’t want to start over, Jess. I want to move forward. We’ve made it this far. Let’s just ride this thing out.”

Jessie nodded, then leaned into his hand. Braydon couldn’t resist. He kissed her, one hand sliding from her cheek to her neck, the other firmly wrapped around her thigh. They were both breathless by the time they pulled apart.

“Are you sure you want to go to a movie?” she asked, looking up at him with more anticipation than he’d ever seen.

“Damn straight.”

Jessie laughed and Braydon released her. They were going to be late for the movie if they didn’t get out of the truck. Not to mention, the parking garage security guard was probably going to pay them a visit if they fogged up the windows.

Braydon climbed out and then held his hand out to help Jessie. She eased to the ground and he noticed she was careful to keep her dress in place. It made him smile.



SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, after the long walk to the theater from their parking spot and then after they ventured through the check-in process, they were finally being led to the theater where their movie was playing. They followed an usher to their seats, which were fairly secluded at the top of the theater in a small arrangement of fancy reclining chairs. From what he could tell, the theater was divided into two parts, the upper section and the lower section. From where he stood, he could see the standard movie theater setup in the lower section, rows of chairs side by side.

It was the upper section that had caught his attention when he had sought the place out. There were four rows, each consisting of three sets of double recliners with aisles separating each set. From the online map, Braydon had purposely selected the set that was at the top, mainly because there were only two sets left and the other was at the bottom. This definitely allowed for a little more privacy.

Jessie took the recliner closest to the wall, and Braydon sat down beside her. He kept his hand linked with hers, and it was a good thing his arms were long because he had to reach over the center divider to do so.

Another usher returned a few minutes later, squatting down near his chair as he began explaining the process. He took their drink order and left them with a menu. Braydon did a quick once-over and the extravagant crap didn’t sound at all appealing to him. “Find something you like?” he asked Jessie after he passed the leather-bound menu her way.

“I’m not even sure what half of this stuff is,” she told him, making him laugh.

“I say we grab something on the way back to the house. Unless you want something. I’ll give it a shot if you will.”

“I’m good with a burger and fries when we’re done here if you are.”

“My kinda woman,” he replied, squeezing her hand.

The usher returned with two glasses of water and took their menu after they informed him they weren’t interested in food. A few minutes later, the lights turned down and the screen lit up.

Before the opening credits had finished, Braydon had already slid his hand halfway up Jessie’s thigh.

And to his surprise, she let him.



“ANOTHER,” BRENDON SAID, slamming the empty shot glass down on the bar as the whiskey burned its way down.

Mack shot him a look that threatened him within an inch of his life if he did it again.

Brendon did it again just to spite the surly bartender.

“Damn it, Brendon. You’re cut off.”

“Fuck you,” Brendon slurred. “I said give me another goddamn shot.”

“No,” Mack stated firmly. “You’re done.”

“You’re damn right I am,” Brendon answered, forcing his feet to the floor and sliding off the wooden bar stool. He’d been sitting there for so damn long his ass was numb.