YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ALONE

Brianne Goes to Hollywood

“An awards show?” Brianne repeated Josh’s words as she lay in bed that night. He wanted her to go to Los Angeles and go to an awards presentation with him. Even she had to admit it sounded exciting.

“Yeah. Can you come, baby?”

She did have some vacation time coming and he was giving her plenty of advanced notice this time. But whatever would she wear to such an event?

“We can meet at O’Hare and fly in together,” he added. That way she’d have no security hassles once she got there. “Can I book your flights, Bree? It’s mean so much more if you were there with me.”

“I don’t know what I would wear—“

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it. We’ll get you something out there. Just tell me you’ll come.” They hadn’t been together for weeks and he was a little desperate for her company. Phone calls. Instant Messaging. And emails just weren’t doing it. He was serious considering asking her to have cyber-sex with him. He was getting hard just thinking about it. He wondered how shocked that would make her.

“I’ll have to see if Denise can cover for me – and get official permission. If Jeff won’t take Big, Dad probably would. Can you call me tomorrow? It’s a little late to be calling people tonight.” But she much preferred the late night calls, hearing his voice the last thing before she fell asleep was soothing in a way she couldn’t describe.

“I’ll call. Thanks, angel.”

“You know, since I’ve met you, I’ve been racking up a few frequent flyer miles.”

Josh chuckled. “We’ll use ‘em on our honeymoon. Where would you like to go?”

“Any place with a bed and you,” she joked.

“I like the way you think, baby girl!” He kept his voice light, but her response, teasing as it was, was causing the crotch monster to wake. “I promise you a bed and me. What else?”

“I hadn’t given it a whole lot of thought.”

“Why not, baby?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been much of a traveler until I met you.” She traveled frequently now – and all at his expense. That worried her, made her feel like a gold digger.

Josh was generous to a fault. Giving at every opportunity, so she had to guard what she said. New computers for the classroom. When she complained about her old home computer, a new one arrived the next day – state of the art with all the bells and whistles complete with an armoire that tucked it out of view. The monster took up an entire corner of her living room. In passing, she had said something about a laptop being handy and within hours one arrived at the office. He was the one who had insisted on the cellphone she carried, so they could ‘be connected’ at all times. And that didn’t count the clothes he'd managed to get her on trips or the flowers and gifts he sent ‘just because’ he’d thought of her. Then there was the diamond engagement ring on her left hand and the sapphire ring on her right that branded her as his. Now a trip to tinsel town.

“Baby, are you still there?” he asked after her long silence.

“Uh-huh.”

”Something wrong?”

“You spend so much money—“

“I’ve got it. What good is it if I can’t do things for the people I love – and I don’t love anybody like I love you, Bree.”

“Some times, I feel bought and sold,” she whispered helplessly.

“Baby, no!” Josh didn’t know what to say. Money had never been an issue in any other relationship. “You give me all the time you can. You give me your wonderful love. You take me into your body and make me feel whole. No amount of money could buy those things. They’re priceless, just like you. You’re loving me is a gift without measure, Brianne.” He sighed. How could mere words relay what she meant to him? “God, I wish you were right here, right now. I’d prove to you how precious and priceless you are to me.”

“How?” she asked in a small voice.

“I’d hold you close and let our hearts do the talking,” he told her softly. He needed to write her a song. Not for the rest of the world – Brianne’s ears only. He needed to find the right words.

“Thank you, Josh.”

“Any time, baby. You get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you, Brianne.”

“I love you, Joshua. Good-night.”

“God, baby, it’s been too damn long!” he told her huskily.

"You could come and see me once in a while, you know.”

“Every time I think I can, some thing always comes up.”

“I’m running out of vacation days,” she warned.

Wrapping an arm around her, he moved forward with the rest of the entourage. “Then we’ll just have to get married, so we don’t have to worry about it.”

“I won’t even think about a date until you meet my family. I’ve met yours.”

”And they adored you.”

“That’s not the point. Daddy and Jeff deserve the same courtesy.”

“I’ll meet them I promise.”

“So, how many awards are you guys up for?” Brianne asked to change the subject.

Josh gave Brianne the window seat since she had once declared she enjoyed looking at the world from such a distance. Until her trip to Orlando, she’d only been on a plane once before. As she had said, she was racking up frequent flyer miles on his behalf. She had been fairly patient with him up until now. This was the first time she had said she wouldn’t talk wedding until he met her father and brother. If he were truthful, he was half-afraid the male Collinses wouldn’t like him. He knew from little things she said her brother had already formed his opinion – and it wasn’t favorable. It seemed Jeff Collins didn’t mind Big’s company, but he did mind the fact that his little sister was flying off to see Josh.

“What are you thinking about that’s so serious?” Brianne’s soft voice broke into his reverie.

Josh gave her a wicked smile to cover his true emotions of the moment.

“You were not!” she accused teasingly. “You looked far to serious for that.”

“Hey, that is serious business!” he laughed.

She pushed the arm dividing their seats up and out of the way. She lifted her lips to his ear. “We gonna join the mile high club?” she whispered, her breath causing a shiver in him.

“Bree!” he scolded, though his bodily reaction was immediate.

“That a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’?”

“No.”

Checking to make certain no one was watching, Brianne rubbed the hard swell at the front of his jeans.

Josh bit back a groan. Seemingly of their own volition, his hips thrust up to get more of her sure touch. “You’re killin’ me here,” he growled.

“The one-eyed crotch monster wants to join that club.”

He had to chuckle at the nickname he had given that particular body part. “I don’t think exclusively with that, you know.” His eyes met hers with great tenderness. “No, baby, I won’t have people thinking about you like that, like all we are is sex.”

How sweet he was being, she thought. “You haven’t even kissed me yet.”

“You know why.” This was an old argument. He never could leave it at one little kiss. He wanted it all.

Her hand left his throbbing member to touch his chin, to bring his face closer to hers. He so wanted her to put it back where it had been!

“Kiss me,” Brianne commanded.

Josh hesitated, knowing one little kiss wouldn’t satisfy either of them, then he lowered his mouth to hers. She opened readily to him. Her taste was sweet and hungry. He smothered a moan against her lips as her hand found him again. “Baby, have mercy!”

“I will. Meet me in the bathroom in a couple of minutes.” Brianne hopped over his lap and disappeared down the aisle.

He nearly exploded, thinking of the things Brianne could do to him in the confines of that little room – And in his tight jeans it was more than a little obvious he’d been in that state since he’d met her at O’Hare.

Stepping into the miniscule bathroom, Josh closed and locked the door. Immediately, Brianne was on her knees, her hands unfastening his pants. She pushed pants and underwear down to release his arousal. It fairly leapt out at her!

“I take it that I’m the only one joining the mile high club today,” he muttered as she stroked and pumped him.

“Is that so awful?”

“Baby, I love you. You got nothing to prove to me by doing this. I’ve been hard before and lived.”

“I dare say you have. I teased you into this condition, so I’ll take care of it.”

Her quick lick of his sacs had him leaning heavily back on the door. He reached down to stroke her hair and she set herself to pleasing him with her sweet, hot mouth. God, she was so giving! How had he been lucky enough to find her? “I’m getting close, angel,” he moaned softly.

At his words, Brianne licked the head of his shaft and then the sensitive underside.

“Oh, God!” he hissed, realizing he had to keep his voice low to prevent being discovered. “Bree, you do this so good!” With very little instruction, his little innocent schoolteacher excelled at this and every thing else! She put her heart and soul into pleasing him. Once again, she licked and sucked at him, bringing him closer to the brink. “C’mon, baby. Harder,” he urged hoarsely. “I’m there.” He thrust his hips at her as she drew on him even harder. “Damn!” He shot his load down her throat.

Brianne cleaned him up, then tucked him back into his clothes. Moving to her feet, she hugged his waist. “Better, baby?”

Josh’s arms went around her as he nuzzled her neck. “For now.”

“That’ll hold you until we get to our hotel?”

He grinned. “Probably not.” When she rolled her eyes playfully, he added, “Plan on getting horizontal.”

She released and stepped back. “You’d better go back first. Then if anyone asks, you came back here to check on me.”

Josh grunted. “Yeah, like anyone would buy that story.”

“Why not?” She grinned up at him. “I’m not hot or sweaty or flushed. I don’t look in the least disheveled.”

“In other words, you don’t look like you’ve just had a quickie,” he chuckled.

“Neither do you.”

“You are devious woman, Brianne Collins.”

As it was, the moment they hit the hotel, Brianne discovered Josh had arranged for a clothier to have gowns sent to their suite for her approval. He discovered how frustrating it was to get Brianne to choose clothing – especially expensive gowns! She was more than picky!

“I am not wearing something that shows everything I’ve got. It’s not as if I’m advertising for a mate.”

“No, but you’ve got a beautiful body,” he reminded her.

“And I intend for you to be the only one who sees it.”

He couldn’t fault her there.

Just when he thought she’d never chose, She stepped out of the bedroom in a gown that stole his breath away. It was simply cut, nothing showy. The color was flame red, complimenting her dark beauty. When she turned around, he saw she was nearly naked to the waist. The two thin straps criss-crossing her back were the only visible means of holding the gown in place.

“God, Bree!”

“You don’t like it?”

“Not like it? Baby, you look like a goddess. This is it, right?”

“Okay.”

Okay? Brianne was a woman who never seemed excited about shopping and spending money.

“See anything else you’d like to keep?” he asked as he rose to follow her into the bedroom.

“No.”

“Bree, quit thinking ‘price tag’.”

“I’m thinking practically. I have no where to wear any of these dresses.”

“I have to go to about five of these a year.”

She kicked off the matching shoes. Thank goodness, they had sent the necessary accessories. She wouldn’t have to venture out to shop. Her simple jewelry would do. “Josh, I don’t much like playing dress-up. I’m here for you, to support you. I’m not here to be seen or spend your money.”

“I know, angel.” He nuzzled her neck. “I’ll call and have the rest picked up, then we can be alone for a couple hours.”

“Not tonight?”

“Sorry, baby. I have to film a show tonight and another tomorrow.”

“Oh.” She could have flown in tomorrow.

“I wanted to hold you while we slept,” he answered her unasked question. “I love you, Brianne. I want us to be together.”

“And just why am I here?”

“For me,” he murmured huskily.

“Mmm-hmm. Right in one.”

His mouth came down on hers, his hands moving up her naked back until they were buried in her hair, holding her head still for his hungry on-slaught. Their tongues mated and danced. Her hands moved up his chest, finding the buttons of his shirt. One by one, they slipped from their holes, revealing his muscled chest.

Josh tore his mouth from hers. “Baby, I gotta call the concierge to get this stuff picked up,” he groaned.

“You make the call. I’ll put them on the sofa.”

Twenty minutes later, the gowns were gone and Brianne was slipping out of her gown. Josh noticed the only thing beneath it was little silky underwear.

”No bra?”

“For a backless dress?”

He grinned, chagrinned. “Guess not.”

“My underwear and stockings will be all that I’ll be able to get under it.”

“No pantyhose?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t like them.”

“Sexy.”

Josh stripped the bedclothes back to the sheet. He wasn’t even going to pretend they were going to do anything else besides make love. His shirt was still unbuttoned. He shrugged out of it and let it drop to the carpet.

“You’re way ahead of me, baby.”

She walked over to assist him in losing his pants. The snap gave with a tug. The zipper lowered with a hiss. Her hand found him beneath his shorts.

Josh groaned as she stroked him through the fabric. “Bree, you don’t have to turn me on.”

Brianne giggled. “I think your switch is always on, Josh.”

“When I’m around you, it is.” He slid his hands beneath her panties to cup her bottom and hauled her against him. “Nobody has ever gotten me as hot as you can with just a look.”

”Is that all it takes? I’ve been working too hard.”

He laughed. “And I love the way you tease me, baby; how you know when to keep it light.” He lifted one hand to her cheek. “No one’s ever taken such care of me, Bree,” he said in all seriousness. “When we make love, it’s like we give a piece of ourselves over to each other. We can do it, ‘cuz we know we’re safe in each other’s arms.”

“Baby, that’s so sweet.” Brianne put her arms around his neck, urging him down for a soft, loving kiss. “I do love you, Josh, so much.”

“I know it’s selfish, but I want to hear you say that constantly.” He led her to the bed. Shucking his jeans and shorts, he lifted her against him, then lay them down. “I get so desperate when we’re apart, Bree. I panic and wonder if you’re gonna came across a guy who can give you what I can’t – a sane life.”

“I don’t even see other men, Josh. My heart already made its choice,” she assured him gently.

“Yeah, but a guy who was local and worked nine to five would have to be a temptation.”

“Not if he wasn’t you.”

“You sure?”

She put her left hand against his cheek. “What’s on this hand?”

“Your ring.”

“Accepted from?…”

“Me.”

When?…”

“You agreed to marry me.”

“If I could be tempted away, I wouldn’t have accepted.”

“But you’ve had doubts.”

“I’m human. Of course, I’ve had doubts. Obviously, you have.”

He stroked her hair back. “Because we’re apart so much. Bree, if you’d—“

She knew what he was going to say – and her response would be the same. “Baby, don’t. Okay?”

Josh nodded. Hadn’t he gotten her answer earlier?

Brianne urged him to his back, coming over him. “Didn’t you bring me to bed for another reason besides talk?”

He gave her a smile. “I like talking to you. I think it’s good we can talk.”

“Yes, it is. But there’s a time for talk and a time for action – and I’m looking for some action,” she taunted.

Josh laughed. “All right, baby. I’ll give you action.” Flipping her over on her back, his lips crashed down on hers, his tongue thrusting into her sweet mouth to collect her honey. “How’s that for action?” he demanded breathlessly, when he finally lifted his head.

Brianne’s hand went to the back of his head to urge him back down. “More,” she commanded.

And he was only too glad to give her what she wanted.

“I don’t know if that’s her thing. She isn’t into celebrity at all.”

“You never know until you ask.”

Brianne hesitated to pick up the telephone when it rang. Josh wasn’t in the room – and she was certain no one would want to speak to her. “Hello?”

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Josh?”

“Yep. How would you like to go to the taping tonight?”

“Me?”

“You’re the only one I’m talking to at the moment,” he mused. “I’m not pressuring you either way.”

“Would you like me to come?”

“You know I want to spend every damned second with you I can, baby.”

Brianne could hear the sounds of gagging in the background. “Tell Justin to shut up or I’ll make him pay.”

Josh repeated what she had said and a whine of “What’d I do?” followed.

“I’ll come if you want me to, Josh,” she said in that soft, sweet way she had that made him feel warm inside.

“Thanks, baby.”

“What do I wear?”

“Jeans are fine. You don’t have to dress-up or anything like that.”

“Give me fifteen minutes.”

“She looks about fifteen,” Joey grumbled when Brianne joined them for the limo trip to the studio.

She wore snug, well-worn jeans and an over-sized tee shirt from a doggy race she had done with Big. Her face was freshly scrubbed with not a trace of make-up and her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that swung when she walked.

Josh ignored his friend’s comment, bringing Brianne to his side when she reached him. “Hey, baby.”

“This okay?”

“Perfect, Bree.”

“We’d better be going,” Lance announced.

If she looked fifteen, it didn’t faze the tall, young actor who had zeroed in on her the moment she entered the ‘green room’ before the taping. Josh was amazed that even with her engagement ring on her left hand, the guy was practically drooling on her!

“I’m only in town for a couple of days,” Brianne responded to the actor’s question. “And I’ll be busy.”

“You gotta eat sometime,” he reminded her with a laugh.

“Sure I do.” Consciously, she smoothed an imaginary stray hair back with her left hand, a blatant attempt to make him notice her ring. She couldn’t be more obvious! “But I imagine Josh will see that I eat.”

“The guy owns you?”

“No,” she said softly, meeting Josh’s eyes, “he loves me.”

Josh smiled and took her hand. “That I do, baby.”

“Josh,” the man grumbled.

“Mmm-hmm – and I’m awfully fond of him, too.” Brianne’s eyes were on her man, gentle and teasing, then they swung back to the actor. “And where I come from, a ring means ‘taken’,” she announced sharply. "In other words..." she gave him a brilliant, hard smile, “Back off, Jack!”

Everyone around them laughed at the tiny woman fairly hissing at the much bigger man like an angry kitten.

Josh swung Brianne into his arms, grinning. “Ouch! Baby, that was harsh.”

The actor slunk away.

“He deserved it, the moron.”

“Remind me not to piss you off,” Joey laughed.

“I was practically waving my ring in his face. It wasn’t as if I came in here alone!”

Josh was fairly sure the Hollywood types wouldn’t impress his practical fiancée. And he’d been right. She also seemed to know when he needed that extra bit of reassurance and delivered it. If they had been alone, he’d be kissing her breathless.

A man with a clipboard poked his head in. “You guys are up next.”

The five guys headed for the door.

“Do I stay here?” Brianne asked.

Josh looked at the guy who had tried to hit on her and made a quick decision. He grabbed her hand and led her out the door. “You stay with our security.”

“Okay.”

Josh watched as she piled her hair on top of her head, then checked the effect in the mirror. “Well, that leaves your sweet spot bare for me,” he teased.

Releasing the makeshift up-do, she poked him playfully in the ribs. “Get serious, Chasez. I’m asking an opinion here.”

He moved behind her so their images merged in the mirror. “You’re asking the guy who thinks you’re beautiful as you tumble out of bed in the morning,” he reminded her softly. “Leave your hair down.” He brushed her hair to one side, baring the side of her neck to his mouth. He started just behind her ear, trailing kisses until he hit her vulnerable spot. Feeling her shiver, he hid a smile. “Your hair is beautiful down.”

“All right,” she whispered breathlessly. “Keep that up and I’ll never be ready in time.”

“We’ve got hours.”

“We’ve got two hours. And what you’re doing requires at least one. I can’t shower, do my hair and my make-up in under an hour.”

“We could make it a quickie.”

“No such thing with us.”

Josh had to admit she was right. They liked to prolong each other’s pleasure. “Okay, baby girl.” He nuzzled the top of her head. “You win.”

“Damn!” was Josh’s reaction when Brianne stepped out of the bedroom, ready for the awards presentation. “Forget it. You’re staying here. I can’t take you anywhere looking like that!” He realized he was rambling, but he had never seen her looking so stunning!

She went to the mirror. “What’s wrong with how I look?” She thought she looked pretty good after all the effort to glamorize herself so she wouldn’t look like a country bumpkin on his arm.

He came up behind her. “You look too damned fine to be let out in public.” He settled his hands on her shoulders. “You may cause a stampede and we’ll all be killed underfoot.”

Brianne’s laughing eyes met his in the glass. “Talk about exaggeration!”

“I’m not exaggerating.”

Brianne had worn make-up when they had met at the club. She’d worn it lots of times, but tonight she had used a different hand. She looked sexy, exotic and glamorous.

“I added some eyeliner and red lipstick.”

“Whatever. It was enough.” Reaching into his suit pocket, he withdrew a small jeweler’s box. “Here.”

“Josh—“

“Bree, please.”

Opening the box, she found two ruby earrings, tiny diamonds surrounded each red stone. “Oh, my God, Josh! I can’t accept these?”

“Why not?”

“They’re too much!”

“No, they aren’t.” He reached up to take the silver studs she wore out of each ear. “The necklace they tried to sell with them…Now, that was too much.” Taking the box from her hands, he replaced her earrings with the ruby ones. He sighed at the beauty that greeted him in the mirror. “I knew they were right for you and that dress.”

“Josh—“

“Shh..Baby, you are so beautiful.” Brianne had to admit she didn’t look much like a teacher from Taylor Ridge at that moment. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome, my angel.”

The rest of the guys had similar drop-jaw reactions to the glam Brianne as they climbed into the limousine.

“And to think, I let JC snatch her from under my nose,” Joey muttered.

The lights glared. The crowd was deafening. Brianne was ready to crawl back into the limo and stay there when Josh firmly took her hand to assist her from the car.

“C’mon, beautiful, you can do it,” he assured her, whispering in her ear.

“Well, JC, who is this vision?” asked a familiar television actress with a microphone.

“My fiancée Brianne,” Josh announced proudly.

“Brianne, is this your first trip up the red carpet?”

“Actually, the first trip to California.” Brianne was pleased her voice didn’t quaver as terrified as she was!

“First of many.” Josh added with a smile.

“Has a date been set for the wedding?”

Josh didn’t know what to say. Brianne made the save. “Life’s been so hectic. Hopefully, next year.”

Next year. So, she had thought about it. That made Josh feel good.

Brianne was more than happy when the woman moved away to speak to someone else.

“Early next year?” Josh’s soft voice nearly begged.

“Let’s wait until the holidays are over to discuss this,” Brianne murmured.

He smiled down at her and gave her a quick kiss.

“JC!” another person called for his attention.

Brianne’s face hurt from all the smiling she’d done that evening. She was glad that the group had done well. But she was even gladder to kick off her high heels and scrub her face free of make-up. And once again, Josh invaded her bathroom time.

“I was going to take that gown off of you,” he complained mildly. With her robe open, he could see she wore nothing beneath. That worked, too. He had stripped down to his sportshorts immediately on their return. “Give me comfortable old jeans and a tee shirt any day.”

“Amen and hallelujah.”

With her face free of makeup, she looked more like his Brianne. He had over-heard a couple of jerks talking about her at the post-awards party. They had speculated on how long she’d stay with him. Being young and beautiful, they figured she’d be leaving him for a higher profile performer if his star began to fade. He’d been angered and ready to confront them – until she had turned to him with a sweet smile. She had heard them as well.

“Morons,” she’d whispered then winked at him. “I’m your permanent, private groupie.”

“Not groupie, baby.”

“Fan?”

“Better.”

“Lover?”

“Oh, yeah.”

She’d kissed him then and he’d forgotten to be upset.

Taking his hand, Brianne led him from the bathroom, flipping the light off as she went. Stopping by the bed, she reached her arms around his neck, easing his head down for a lingering, thorough kiss.

His hands went beneath her robe to caress her ribs. “We’ve got to make this last, baby,” he murmured when he raised his mouth from hers.

“Who knows when we’ll get the chance to be together again?” she whispered, tracing his jaw with her lips.

“I know. Bree, it’s killing me.” He lowered her arms to slide the robe from her shoulders. “You need to be with me, baby. I need you with me.” He skimmed his mouth over one shoulder. “What do I have to do, angel? What do I have to say to keep you with me? Tell me.”

Brianne didn’t have the words. When she was with him, she loved him beyond reason. When they were apart, she ached for him – but she had also become irritated by his demands when he didn’t seem to be making any concessions of his own. The longer the time they spent apart, the more like she felt like they were becoming strangers. These quick trips were not conducive to any lengthy, in-depth discussions of their problems. “You need to meet my father and bother, “ she said at last.

“Is that what I need to do, baby?”

“It would be a start.”

“What else?”

“One problem at a time, Josh.” Then she decided the honest truth needed to be told. “Until that happens, there is no future we can plan.”

His future depended on her family liking him? “And if they hate me on sight?”

“They won’t hate you, baby,” she assured him. “They know how much I love you.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Brianne got onto the middle of the bed and held a hand out to him. “Lose the shorts, lover,” she told him huskily.

Shoving his underwear off, he kicked them away. The best way to prove to Brianne she needed him as well was to let their hearts and bodies do the talking. “Brianne, I hope you don’t expect to get a lot of sleep tonight.”

“We can sleep on the plane.”

He moved onto the mattress and laid her back. “I need to make love to you all night, angel. I want you to feel me so deep, you can’t live without a daily dose of my love.” And he wished the hell she’d get pregnant. That would put an end to the debate.