Adult-FanFiction.org : Celebrity

Teardrop In The Fire	By : MysticNight Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Incubus Views: 3776 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the members of Incubus. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
*

Marissa could feel her heart shatter at the sight before her. Despite the amount of times she told Brandon how much she loved him, he never returned those three words she desperately longed to hear.

Growing accustomed to the pattern of saying I love you only to have him smile in responce, had her believe that he only needed more time to discover his undying love for her…not Claire.

Her sadness converted into heated betrayal, first at Brandon, but then toward Claire.

“Thinks she can steal my man, we’ll see about that. I never lose. And I Never give up” She took out her cell phone setting her volume on silent before taking pictures with her camera phone.

“Let’s get going. People are expecting you, and I wouldn’t want Marissa putting out an APB for you” They both laughed as Claire collected her bag and Brandon placed the money with a tip on the table for the waiter to collect.

Quickly Marissa walked away from the scene, her heels clicking behind her.

“Did you hear that?” Claire paused.

“What?”

“High-heels.”

“What about them, you’re wearing flats today.” Brandon glanced down.

“It sounding like someone was just walking away from here.”

Brandon shrugged elusively “If anyone was spying on us, you'll be sure to see it on US weekly” he took her hand. “Let’s go”

Claire stood there as he moved off, tugging him back gently.

“What?” Brandon asked again.

She gestured to him holding her hand “We cant walk out there holding hands.” she smiled.

“Friends hold hands, don’t they? You hold hands with your girl-friends at times, does that mean your dating them?”

“Brandon…” she drawled, a smile still on her face.

“Fine. As long as you keep smiling, I wont hold your hand.” he pinched one of her cheeks.

Slapping his hands away from her face humorously, she walked beside him.

Marissa watched them pass her from the corner she stood behind, and bit her tongue from screaming in anguish.

“I know exactly what to do”

Searching through her phonebook, she smiled at finding the number she needed and impatiently waited for the other party to pick up the line.

“Hello?”

“Michael.” she spoke lowly into the receiver.

“What’s up stranger, I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“I don’t have time to chat. But want I do want you to do, is look inside your inbox in about a minute. I’ll show you what your girlfriend’s been up to while visiting her brother dearest on tour.”

They both hung up and Marissa went on to do as she promised.

*
Stepping out of the car, Claire was almost glad she wore her dark sunglasses to hide her widened eyes at the the streets lined with masses of people waiting to get inside the music station, that was something comparable to MTV. Some of them carrying signs proclaiming their love for Brandon, and some even containing marriage proposals.

She giggled at a white Bristol board painted with the words

“Brandon! ‘Make yourself’ my husband!” as she walked into the building.

“That is so cute! Kind of an old album-but still cute.” she commented.

Brandon shook his head elusively with an coy smile on his face. “Whatever”

Finally making it up to the floor where the interview would be conducted
Claire saw the rest of guys already there.

“Hey!” she ran up to Chris hugging him.

“..Hi?”

Her greeting definitely not the distraught, melancholy voice of last night, or before she met up with Brandon. Claire was on a good note and he wondered what caused it.

She let go of him giving everyone else a quick hug, making them suspect the same thing.

Brandon’s eyes wandered away from his band brothers, knowing they were all looking at him for an answer.

“You don’t need to look at him like that” Claire rolled her eyes “Today’s a new day, and I’m just enjoying it.
Did you guys want things to back to the way they were before?”

“No” they all seemed to say in union.

“He’s fine, and we need to keep it that way.” Mike opted to explain.

“So what are you saying? that if he was okay despite not talking to me you wouldn’t care?”

“No-” Mike cut in.

“Then what?” she interrupted maintaining her intrusive tone.

“Christ” he sighed exasperated “Are you on your period, Claire? Seriously…” he shook his head.

Claire couldn’t suppress her laughter anymore with telling him. “Nope, but I’ll be sure to let you know when I am.” she openly divulged with a broad grin.

“You’re sick, you know that?”

“I learn from the best.”

“That can’t be me.”

“Correct.” she shrugged, sitting on the couch.

Brandon standing above her, ruffled her hair.

“Will you guys stop doing that!” she complained “This morning Chris did the same thing, and at some point.. you, and you, and you, and definitely you have” she stared up at Brandon pinching him lightly “What do you guys take me for, your pet dog?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?” Jose questioned

“Do you really want me to plant my foot up your ass?” she countered continuing with “I actually took some time to put it up today.” By now she released it from the clip holding it half way up.

Brandon chuckled “Fine, there.” he matted it down with both hands.

"You're only making it worse.” she ran her own hands through it.

"You can be such a girl sometimes, you know that?" Mike asked.

"Well pardon me, if I accidentally mistook myself for one."

Just then Claire caught glimpse of Marissa, walking out of the elevator.

Lightly she pushed Brandons thighs as he stood infront of her, telling him to “Move, Marissa’s here.”

Rolling his eyes, he reluctantly walked away grabbing a transcript off a nearby table.

Ben opted to take his place by sitting next to her, talking to her while Brandon waited for Marissa to approach him.

She walked in as though she were God’s gift to men in a little pink lingerie-looking number that made Claire’s stomach turn.

She had put on too much makeup and way too much perfume, which they could all smell from across the room.

Immediately she approached Brandon, kissing him on the lips the moment he turned his head to greet her.

“Hi baby” she smiled, clearly throwing him off track.

“Hey there” he answered back, using the back of his hand to wipe away the lipstick he was sure had smeared onto his lips.

She glanced over at Claire, her smile vanishing immediately while she possessively linking her arm through Brandon's, as if to send her some sort of message.

“What some people do to remain relevant” Claire sighed, and Ben chuckled shaking his head.

“Did you say something?”

Marissa turned back so fast, Claire was surprised and slightly disappointed that she hadnt snapped her neck in the process.

A small sigh was heard in the room. All of them wondering why Marissa would ask such a question when knowing full well that Claire was not the woman to back down from her.

Claire gave a fleeting look to her brother who was already sending her a look to 'just let it go', and she did.

They were in a public atmosphere with cameras rolling, and she was not about to make the guys nor herself look bad, for that matter.

“Marissa, I’m not going to do this with you right now. If you have a problem, deal with it on your own time” Claire said with an intrusive tone, brushing her off.

“Oh I will deal with it sooner or later, Claire, I promise you that.” she scoffed.

“Mar-” Brandon cut in.

“No Brandon, let her run her big mouth, it’s what he does best.”

“I don’t have to ‘run my mouth’ Claire, everything I speak is the truth.”

“Right, and next the thing your going to tell me is that you’ve never said No.”

“I haven’t” she intrepidly resonded, sparking a quick outburst of laughter from Jose.

Instead of laughing with him, Claire stood up standing in front of her.

She had to avert her eyes upward to the leggy blonde, but could have cared less about their height difference.

“So you’ve never said ‘No’ Marissa?” she asked again, giving the woman a chance to redeem herself.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

"No...?" Claire said once more.

"No!"

“Okay.” Claire nodded while they all laughed behind her, including Brandon who found himself chuckling at how easily his girlfriend could be led astray.

Finally catching on, Marissa opened her mouth to rectify herself ‘I meant-”

“Nope” Claire cut her off walking away “Everything you speak is the truth.”

One of the set directors approached them letting them all know that the show was presently doing it’s commercial break and in about a minute or so their host would introduce them.

When all went as planned, Claire and Marissa stood off to the side watching as Brandon spoke animatedly, gesturing with his hands, as he explained something to the host whom was completely caught up in his words.

“That sounds awesome, I can't wait to hear it.” The VJ commented, now moving on.

“So Chris,”

“That’s me.” he waited for the question that turned out to be nothing but actuality.

“I heard you sister is here with you today?”

“Yeah, she took a couple weeks off to spend some time on the tour.”

Claire watched her brother talk, and then noticed what seemed like all eyes on her realizing the camera had shifted in her direction.

“Is that her?” the host asked.

She smiled shyly and tried to turn away.

“Yep”

“Wow, how beautiful is she?” he commented, and the audience went on to clap. Claire held her hand in front of her face after giving a small wave, completely embarrassed and laughing at the unnecessary attention she was receiving.

Brandon soon cast his attention into the direction Claire stood; the camera now focused back to Mike and what he was saying, while Brandon secretly took in the image of the young woman who had captured his heart.

She gave him a smile. A quiet communication that seemed to connect the two of them and at the same time set them apart from the others in the room, and Marissa caught onto it.

It was as though Brandon had read Claire's thoughts, connoting that she was different, and in the same glance communicated to her that he was different as well, and proud of it.

Now wrapping up the interview, The VJ host introduced the video for their newest single followed by them signing autographs in the audience.

When it was over, Claire commended them on the interview and punched Chris for pointing her out.

Brandon walked beside Marissa who again linked her arm through his tightly, come up with plans for their second last night in Vegas.

Walking beside Mike, he commented “I’m surprised you didn’t pounce on her for getting on your nerves like that.”

She smirked “The last time I got into it with Marissa, she was on her back with her drawers on display for everyone to see”

He laughed thinking back to that moment.

Brandon and Marissa had caught the elevator before the rest of them, so Claire was surprised to see Brandon standing by himself in the lobby of the network when they all finally reached the main floor.

“Where’s Marissa?” she asked.

“Ladies room.”

“Oh.” She nodded.

“Can I speak to you for a moment?” Brandon asked.

“Yeah, sure.” She followed him off to the side.

“You know how we talked about being quiet about things?”

“Yes.”

“Well I’m kind of in a bind.”

“How so?”

“Marissa wants to spend some time with me tonight, because she’ll be leaving the same day you are.”

“Then go.” she simply replied.

“What?”

“Brandon, she is still your girlfriend and it isn’t as though we’ve made anything official yet. You have to spend time with her, and I was thinking that Chris and I could have a little time to ourselves anyway.”

“You sure?”

“Of course I’m sure." she assured "I would be upset if you didn’t. And I’d do anything to keep her from bothering me, and you being with her will do just that. Now walk back before I do, so no one gets any ideas” she suggested.

Brandon obeyed her request but not before embracing her in a tight hug.

“Go!” she laughed, pushing him to jump start his pace.

*

The car ride was blanketed in silence, a few words here and there from Jose and Ben, but otherwise nothing.

Finally when the car stopped in front of the hotel, Claire was the first to peel out.

“I’m going to go change into something more comfortable, and meet you back at your room. We’ll watch revenge of the sith or something” she shrugged walking away.

“You’d do that for me?” Chris jokingly asked.

“No, I’ll do it because Hayden Christensen looks hot in it.” she winked.

*

Stepping into their room, Brandon pulled his phone and wallet from his back pocket resting it onto a nearby coffee table.

“So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” Marissa openly asked him.

“I don’t know, we could go out for something to eat; Get drunk in hopes of being found stranded on a dirt road the next morning; hit the slot machines; Find Elvis, the choices are endless…”

She laughed loudly “Brandon you are so silly, you don’t even like Vegas.”

“What ever gave you that impression?” he pleasantly looked up at her.

Rolling her eyes, Marissa walked over standing in front of him.

“How about…we spend some time, alone?” she playfully tugged the collar of his black button-down shirt.

“We are alone” he pointed out, attempting to sound oblivious as to what she clearly meant.

In response, Marissa draped an arm suggestively over Brandon’s shoulder with one of her legs laced around his waist.

She closed her eyes slowly and tilted her head to the slide her tongue between his lips.

Brandon moved back to catch his breath, “Mar” he tried to speak but instantly her lips came crashing down on his cutting him off.

Her hands slowly travelled to be top of his jeans attempting to unbutton them.

“Shit. You’ve got to stop.” He struggled to move her hands that seemed glued to his pants.

“Stop what?“ She purred.

He placed shaky hands onto her smooth shoulders in an attempt to push her away.

Although he was still with Marissa, he couldn’t bring himself to sleep with her.

With the way he felt about Claire, it all felt entirely wrong.

Marissa knew why he stopped her and was tempted to yell at what she saw this afternoon, but again bit her tongue.

“This is getting fucking ridiculous” she walked away to the other side of the bed.

“I just have a lot of things on my mind right now-”

“I’m sure” she murmured and he heard.

“What did you say?” The sarcasm in her tone made him press for her to explain herself.

“I said, I’m sure that you have a lot of things on your mind. With all the things you boys have to accomplish, I would expect nothing less.” she shrugged.

For a moment, Brandon stood there feeling like a complete bastard.

Here he had this woman who was more than dedicated to him, but no matter how much he tried to return the feelings, they just wouldn’t come.

Wanting to make it up to her somehow Brandon walked over to her “How about we go watch a show or something tonight?”

She stared at him, knowing it was pitty he felt for her but sucked up her pride answering “Sure, that sounds nice.”

“Good. I’m going to go borrow the newspaper I saw Mike with this morning and take a look at the entertainment section to see where we could go.”

“Sounds great” she nodded, watching him walk out the room.

*

Now changed into a pair of shorts and a simple t-shirt, Claire grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator as Chris proceeded to ask her “So how was lunch?” now putting one of the many star wars DVD’s he brought on tour with him, into the player.

“Good.” she nodded, putting a bag of popcorn into the microwave.

“What happened?”

“We talked..” she was going to continue to snake around his question but decided it wasn’t necessary. “Promise not to say anything if I tell you?”

“Do you really feel that it's vital to ask me such a question?” he asked with his eyes glued to the set up screen.

“Sorry.”

“So…”

“So…he pretty much told me he cares about me.”

“We all know Brandon cares about you Cee, that’s nothing new-”

“…That he loves me.” At that point Chris slowly turned his focus to her. “Brandon Boyd said the ’L’ word?”

“Yes, why’s that so hard to believe!” she laughed at his incredulity.

“I’m just thinking that he would get so worked up trying to find the right words that he would eventually give up and end up wallowing in self pity for the day.”

“It‘s not that bad,” she shook her head “but maybe it’s because I accidently said it first.”

“Maybe. He’s been dating Marissa for months now and hasn’t dared to tell her that." he strayed but then asked "So where does this leave you two now?”

“I don’t know, at first I was thinking that he meant the friendly kind of love, like 'I love you, dude' but something in his eyes told me it was more than that.”

“Something in his eyes? Cee, don’t get all sentimental on me” he laughed.

“My fault, next time remind me to call one of my girl friends instead of talking to you”

“You don’t have any ‘girl friends’ except for Ashely.”

"Thanks. Make me feel like a fucking pariah why dont you." she rolled her eyes "But I should really give her a call.”

"Anytime. And you really should call her, but for now how about you answer my question.”

“We’re just keeping everything D.L for now. Not rushing into anything, until we figure out what to do.”

“Well the only thing I have to say to that is, it’s about time. You were driving us crazy with the bullshit games.”

“Whatever-”

Before she could defend herself, Mike, Ben and Jose walked in.

“Hey, I got bored. And the rest just seemed to follow” Mike stated, sitting on the couch.

“What are we watching?” Ben asked.

“Guess.” Jose plainly asked.

“Star wars. Are you fucking kidding me? I think I’ve memorized just about every line in that movie because of you kilmore.”

Chris merely shrugged with a simple smile. “You took it upon yourself to come over here, I didn’t give you an invite.”

“So what’s up?” Mike asked in general.

“For now, it's Brandon and Claire being in love” Chris openly told them.

“Chris!” she widned her eyes in dismay, “You asshole.”

“Big deal cupcake, he‘s not telling us something we didn’t already know.” Mike aimlessly told her as Chris tended to the now ringing telephone.

“And It’s not like they wouldn’t have found out. Brandon was bound to tell Mike.” Ben told her.

Claire rolled her eyes knowing he was right.

“As long as everything stays inside the circle.” he assured.

“I really need to find more girl friends.” She sighed, walking over.

“Nice legs.” Jose commented.

“I know.” She sat down.

“Brandon will be here in about a minute.” Chris announced, putting the receiver down.

They all heard and somewhat nodded, but Claire decided to shift the topic before it went any further. “I hope you realize that since you all came here uninvited you have officially became my couch” she turned diagonally, stretching her legs onto Jose’s lap, and grabbing the cushion putting it on Mike’s lap before resting her head on it.

“And why cant you be my couch?” Mike asked staring down at her.

Smiling she simply replied “Because I’m a girl”

“You can always 'sit' on me” José winked suggestively.

At that point Brandon let himself in, no one really noticing besides Chris so Claire went on to put him in his place

“I'd rather 'sit' on the hot dog than 'sit' on you Jose. The only problem is, a hot dog can break inside you which can lead to an extremely embarrassing emergency room experience… or so I've been told.”

There was a gauche silence in the room, before Brandon remarked

“Why is that I always tend to walk in the midst of you saying something that I can never virtually wrap my mind around?”

“What!… It’s what I heard!” she said in defence to the assessing glances she was now receiving.

“You are fucked, in more ways than one.” Mike shook his head trying to suppress his laughter. “But I still love ya”

“Isn’t that the word of the day” Chris sighed to no one in particular, but Claire’s head immediately sprung from Mike’s lap to reach over and punch him.

“So you here to watch episode three with us?” Ben apathetically asked.

“Not really,” he walked over watching them all on the couch. “Since Mike clearly is not in his room, do any of you have the newspaper?”

“Dare we ask why?” Mike inquired.

“I need the entertainment section”

“Why?” It was Claire's turn to ask.

“Taking Marissa out tonight.”

“Sounds interesting.” she smiled.

Although Brandon didn’t say it, he was somewhat disappointed at her reaction. In all honesty he knew he would have been upset if she were going out with Michael the same night after telling him she loved him. But no, Claire appeared relaxed yet content.

Chris stood up getting it for him, as he listened to Claire talking to their friends about her favourite part in the movie.

He wished he could have stayed there instead, but with other obligations knew otherwise.

At that point Brandon was tired of being obligated to things, instead of wilfully wanting them.

“Okay, I’m heading out so I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Have fun!” Claire quipped before slapping Jose warning him “If you put your hand on my leg again…”

“What the fuck am I suppose to do with them!” he cried in defence, “Keep ‘em at my side?”

“Yes.”

With that Brandon closed the door, letting himself out.

*

“Your not mad?” Mike casually asked.

“Mad about what?”

“That he’s taking Marissa out on the town and your stuck here with us, the second last night before you leave”

“…Well when you put it like that.” She rolled her eyes up at him “But no, why would I be? We like each other, that’s it. We both still have significant others.” She shrugged, knowing her feelings for him were not as simple as she put them.

*

Marissa sat at her side of the car staring out of the windshield with a serious intensity as if she had something to say.

“What?” Brandon turned to look at her but quickly realized he was behind the wheel and turned his attention back onto the road. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Your face hardly holds the expression of a woman who has nothing to say”

“Brandon, would you lie to me?”

Already he didn’t like the direction this conversation was going. “Why would you ask me that?”

“Nothing. I have this friend and she’s going through something right now,”

“Like what?”

“She thinks her boyfriend is in love with another woman but can’t find the nerve to tell her, so he’s just dragging her along for the ride.”

Brandon gulped silently with his eyes cast dead ahead onto the streets.

“So that’s why I was asking if you would ever lie to me if were in the same situation.”

“Oh” was all he could muster up, leaving the rest of the car ride in silence.

*

Hours later when they returned Brandon knocked at Mike’s door.

“Back already?” Mike joked.

“How was the movie” he plainly asked, walking past him.

“How it’s always been, the entire 20 times I’ve seen it. How was your night?”

“Fine. But she said something that bothered me.”

Mike gestured with his hand for Brandon to come out with it.

“On the way, she asked if I would ever lie to her, so I asked why? which led to her giving this scenario about her friend’s
cheating boyfriend and that the only reason she asked me that question was because she wanted to know if I would ever lie to her if we in the same situation.”

“And you said?”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” he chuckled disbelieving “All you said was Oh in response?”

“What the fuck could I say to that? I was taken back.”

“What a way to make yourself look les-suspicious Boyd…”

“So you think she knows...”

“I barely know, but it's a possibility." he shrugged "Then again you have to remember that it’s Marissa, and the scenario she put out there may very well be true, and all it is, is your guilty conscious poking fun at you.”

“Mike, you were right, I do love Claire. And I realize the more I’ve tried to suppress it the more it comes back to kick me in my ass. She’s like a fucking narcotic, that girl.” he confessed.

“Yes we all get that Claire’s your muse, but Marissa doesn’t so tell her that!…not in those exact words, mind you…”

“You don’t think I‘ve wanted to? I feel like a cheap whore being with her every night.”

“I don’t know what else to tell you besides the fact that you need to cut your losses and do it already, it’s going to happen one way or another and all your doing right now is prolonging the inevitable.”

“It’s easier said than done.”

“Well you should know what’s more important. Your happiness, or pleasing others which you seem to constantly fucking do. You cant always be the peacekeeper Brandon.” Mike said growing frustrated at his friend.

“I know.”

“Then do something about it! As quoted by the infamous Kilmore ‘You are what you repeatedly do’ and you are continuously copping out, so guess what that makes you?”

“Mike, you make this whole situation sound so fucking simple when the fact of the matter is that you havent been in a relationship for over 3 years now and your situation was not even close in comparison to mine.”

Somewhat offended Mike responded coolly “Did I come knocking at your fucking door tonight?”

Brandon said nothing, instead he put a hand on his head exasperated.

“I may not have been in the same situation as yourself, but I am positive that if were I would have been able to man up, and handle it.”

“This was a waste.” Brandon walked out, angered at Mike’s truth.

*

Returning to his room, he stared at Marissa laying on her side of the bed and at last came to the conclusion that he would have to tell her tomorrow.

“Hey babe” she noticed his presence.

“Hi.” Brandon stripped himself of his button up shirt, trading it in for a light plain t-shirt.

“I had a great time tonight” she warmly told him.

“Great, so did I.” he somewhat truthfully replied, sitting on mattress. “You going to bed now?”

“Depends on if you are”

“I don’t think so, not yet at least. I think I’m going to get some things down on paper before I turn in for the night.”

“Okay” she watched him collect the small notebook from a draw at the bedside, then get up to walk into the living area.

“Good night” he told her, disappearing behind the door.

“Night Brandon.”

*

It was 4am and much-needed rest was calling Brandon’s name but he was doing all that he could to ward it off.

The time that he shared with Claire was precious, and he had no idea as to when he would be able to see her again after today.

Slowly, Brandon rose from off the couch he had been drawing on for over 5 hours.

Carefully he looked into the bedroom to see Marissa fast asleep.

He spent the entire night in that suite with Marissa, and would be damned if he spent the entire morning with her as well.

Carefully, Brandon retrieved the key for Claire’s door out of his wallet that sat on coffee table near the bedroom.

He felt like a convict sneaking out of the room that early, but knew it was well worth it.

Slipping on the complementary bed slippers from the hotel, Brandon carefully turned the knob, letting himself out.

*

She wasn't sure how long he had been standing there staring at her while she slept, but it had to have been longer than the average, and in all honestly Claire thought Brandon was nothing but a mere mirage from her dreams.

Glancing at the window she noticed the sky that was still a cool indigo blue. Maybe it was evening? Turning her focus to the clock, it flashed 4:05am in bright red numerics.

“Brandon?” she finally asked, her voice still scratchy from deep sleep.

“Yeah,” he answered somewhat inhibited.

She rubbed her eyes with both hands “It’s 4am”

“I’m aware.” he nodded.

“Well don’t just stand there” she yawned lightly, patting a spot beside her.

Doing as she asked, Brandon pushed the comforter aside to sit next to her.

“So what’s going on?” she turned facing him “Why are you here so early?”

“I want to spend time with you before you leave.” he truthfully answered, running his fingers through her hair to push it back.

Brandon stared at the contours of her face, as delicate as they had always seemed, it struck him at how much she looked like a porcelain doll under the moonlit sky- perfect, yet delicate.

“That’s sweet” she smiled softly. “But it’s so GD early!” she whined.

He laughed at her fear of saying the word ‘God Damn’. Claire was raised in a Christian household and eventually acquired that as her renowned religion, and although Brandon did not have a particular faith, it interested him at the certain things she would do in respect for her God.

“I know, but right now no one is awake to interject. No calls, No interviews, no rehearsals, no Marissa, no anything.”

“She didn’t hear you sneak out?” Claire asked, her smile faltering at feeling more like the ‘the other woman’.

“No, but I want to tell you something.”

She waited silently for him to go on.

“I’m going to end our relationship today. I refuse to compromise anything you and I could have because of my frivolous fears.”

“What are you afraid of?” she moved in closer.

He sighed, wondering if he would truthfully answer her.

“Come on, Brandon” she encouraged him “I wont bite, promise...unless you bite first.”

He smiled momentarily before answering “That if I put myself out there, I could very well end up like Marissa. Hopelessly in love with someone who cant return the feelings.”

Claire felt her face flush; his words so sincere that they caused her catch her breath.

Taking one of his hands, she genuinely told him “Brandon, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I tend to keep mum on the topic of your relationship with Marissa. But the one thing I’ve noticed between you two is the insincerity. And what we have…” she drew his hand to her heart “Is natural , it’s real. More real than I care to admit, which is why I’ve mastered the art of pretending to not to.” she ended quietly.

“Why though?”

“I’m stupid maybe?” she tried to laugh at the situation.

“No you’re not.”

“The fact of the matter is, we were both kind of cynical to the whole idea and did things we probably wish we hadn’t on the way to this point… I probably more-so than you.”

Brandon knew she was reffering her dating Michael, but decided it best not to talk about him if their morning were to turn out right.

“We live and we learn, remember that.” he ran his thumb over her cheek and she nodded in response.

Trying to shift to a better note, she smiled up at him “So what are we going to do?”

“You just woke up not even five minutes ago and your already effervescent.” he smirked.

“You’re the one who woke me from my beauty sleep, now get up and entertain me.” she pressed her hands against his chest.

“Why are you always pushing me? Can I push you? Hm?” what he thought as lightly nudging her, resulted in Claire falling completely off the bed with a loud thud.

“Brandon Boyd, you better not be on that bed when I find my way back up…” she growled.

His apparent laughter could be heard over her words.

“Here, let me help you up.” he looked over the edge while commenting “See, that’s why you should always do on to others as you would have others do on to you. I was simply paying it forward.”

“How the hell were you paying me forward you moron! Paying it forward is all about good deeds!” she slapped his hand away grabbing onto the mattress for support to lift herself up.

Brandon continued to laugh at the rouse he got out of her.

Standing up, she mentioned “I’m going to brush my teeth” before walking into the bathroom.

“Planning to kiss me?”

“Kiss my ass” called from the other room turning the tap on.

Brandon now got off the bed walking over to the stereo system in the room. He turned it on, glancing at what she placed in the player.

“Perfect.”

When she finally came out, he smiled broadly with inviting her to dance with him.

“Dance?” she chuckled in uncertainty, “With you?”

“Hey-”

“Yeah Yeah, you can dance like a mother fucker, I got it.” she waved him off “Brandon are kidding me?”

“I’m serious, I want to dance with you before the sun comes up.”

He didn't have to ask twice. Claire watched him press the play button on a track that seemingly was paused, and without delay she heard one of her favourite songs.

The Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s I could Die for you resonated from the speakers.

Now standing before him, Claire put a hand on his shoulder taking his offered hand in her other. She could feel the pressure of Brandon’s hand on the small of her back from him pulling her closer to him. With their faces nuzzled close, they moved together listening to the words of the song.

Brandon felt her body relax in his arms, giving herself not only to the meaning of the song, but also to him.

She had heard the chorus of the song and looked up to meet Brandon’s pensive gaze, and with a deep kiss they knew everything the other felt without having to say a word.

There would be no goodbyes or no sad thoughts, just memories of the times they shared and those still to come.
Her skin felt like the smoothest of silk and as they swayed to the music, and he caressed her back and leaned his cheek against her hair.

Brandon leaned in and kissed her once more, brushing his lips across hers as if tasting something so sweet, you dare not rush it.

“I don’t want to leave.” Claire’s voice was barely above a whisper as the pads of her fingers traced the back of his neck

“I don’t want you to,” Brandon sighed inwardly.

She could feel his breath against her neck and when his lips pressed to her jaw line she could instantly feel the butterflies swarming inside her stomach.

“Don’t say that, you’ll make me cry” she sighed into his chest.

“So? Soldiers cry, doves cry. Dogs cry, I cry. we all fuckin' cry”

She laughed pleasantly “You're too much.”

When the song came to an end they both Curled up together in bed, almost lost under the overstuffed blanket.
Claire practically fell into his arms. She wanted nothing more than to be as close to him as possible, to never have to let go. With her arms wrapped around his neck and her head nuzzled against his chest, she closed her eyes as she felt his arms wrap around her.

The heat between them was unbearable as Brandon boldly ran his hand up Claire’s leg and under her nightshirt. He loved the smoothness of her stomach against his hand and how he could feel her skin grow hot under his touch.

Claire’s chest began to rise and fall as she breathed in heavily, unsure of how long she could continue to fight off what her body was desperately pleading with her to do.

Her heart was beating so fast that she thought she would loose her breath and pass out, and Brandon picked up on it.

“Your heart's racing…”

She felt his hand begin to move toward her chest but Brandon stopped and looked down longingly at her, his eyes alone asking the question.

In their unspoken silence, Brandon sent Claire all of the questions he yearned to ask, and she told him everything that he needed to know.

They were both on an emotional plateau with their days flirting catching up with them as they collapsed into each other; Laying her down gently on her back and covering her body with his, he continued the kisses he had waited all day to give her.

Encouraged by the feel of his best friend’s hands caressing his neck and shoulders with her fingers working through his hair, Brandon’s body took over.

His skin was mouth-watering under the moonlight sky as he pulled away from Claire long enough to remove his shirt, allowing her to help him with the rest. Giving her the same care she had just given him, Brandon helped her slither out of her shirt and tossed it aside before she smoothed the palms of her hands over his broad chest. In an instant their lips were drawn back together like magnets.

Brandon had never felt so much emotion, the only thing he could think of was showing her how much he loved her, making their love come alive. His fingertips were now around her waist and the small slope that fell toward her most sacred area while he found his lips nipping and sucking at her neck.

Claire lifted her hips slightly so that he could begin removing her panties. He had her squirming and panting within seconds as he charted new found territory with his fingers; her head spinning as he explored every part of her.

Claire’s body was on fire, there wasn't an inch of her skin that didn't yearn for his touch, not a part that didn't want him inside her.

“I’ve wanted you so bad” she confessed.

“You didn’t need to tell me. I saw it in your eyes.” he whispered, arching up to manoeuvre his mouth around one of her breasts.

“Arrogant bastard.” They both chuckled, before he captured her lips once again.

Breaking their kiss, Brandon stared deep into her eyes, reading the script of her soul, learning what she needed and wanted.

Eagerly and utterly wound up, she raised up onto her elbows to meet him halfway there.

Coercing her onto her back tenderly, Brandon lifted his head just enough to watch her face as he slid into her.

Claire’s eyes snapped shut and her back arched slightly as their bodies connected for the very first time.

“...Can you handle it?” His tone was amazingly low and serious, brining in an element of suspense.

“I can handle it.” she promised moving her hips to meet his, as he directed the pace.

Claire couldn’t control the waves of hot, feverish light crashing down upon her making her feel as if she were having an out of body experience.

His skin was so soft, so smooth, and so hot under her touch. She soon felt Brandon’s hands on her back, the feeling so overwhelming for both that they felt as if they were melting together.

They fit together like perfect pieces to an intimate puzzle, the curves of their bodies, uniting to form a whole.

There were no awkward moments, no inhibitions to get in the way.

While both had been with others, for the first time in their lives they truly understood what it meant to make love.

Moist lips crashed down upon moist lips between erratic breaths of air. With laborious breaths, the slow lovemaking picked up in cadence emitting guttural moans and cries of pleasure from both participants.

With intent on maintaining control, Claire drew herself up over him so that she was on top, kicking away the sheets and straddling him. His muscular arms she pinned back behind his head so that she could watch the intensity on his face, instinctively adjusted to his pace.

Their love making was filled with something primeval, something so raw and passionate that a massive thrill slid down her spine. It all felt so incredibly private and intimate, a rare, otherwise forbidden glance into his every being.

They were both drenched in hot sweat, hers mingling with his and Brandon’s hands were now grappling her bottom as she rode him.

Maintaining himself inside of her, Brandon turned them both over so that now he was on top. Leaning down and capturing her lips in his again, he felt her body surrendering, pulsing around him, driving his over it's own edge.

A few profanities escaped them both as Brandon did not want to stop his pace, watching her being lifted into that superlative place they both longed to be.

It hit her over and over again in a series of waves and even after the feeling finally overtook him it still didn’t stop.

At last, moments later his body collapsed onto hers as he moaned into her neck trying to suffocate the sound, making her dizzy.

For a long time he didn’t move from his position within her. All his mind could think of was to keep kissing her and touching her. All he could do was continue to whisper how much he loved every inch of her body and how he loved the way that she made him feel.

Pushing himself up to look at her, Brandon struggled with his own thoughts.

“Are you okay? You're shaking a bit." He whispered, staring down into her large eyes with a hand now placed gently at the side of her face.

“I‘m more okay than I‘ve been in a very long time.” she truthfully answered, exhaustion tracing her breath.

Kissing away the sweaty hairs laying limp on her forehead, Brandon wrapped his arms around her.

Too weak to hold her eyes open Claire lay there beneath him as his lips found hers in the early morning sky.

TBC;)
- 15
- 16
- 17
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Teardrop In The Fire