The sound of laughter woke Brad and he sat up hurriedly as he realised 'Tanaya, Brent and Matty were walking into the house. He checked that Nicky was still asleep in the bed with him before getting up hurriedly hoping to get to 'Tanaya and the two men before they woke Nicky and Janey who was asleep out on the lounge.
"Hey," Brad murmured as he walked out of the spare room to find them heading towards the kitchen.
"We decided to come back tonight because we can't visit Ren in the morning, long story." 'Tanaya said as she smiled at Brad hopefully.
"Janey's asleep in the lounge room and I got Nicky in with me in the spare bedroom." Brad said quickly in a quiet voice.
"You did have that talk with her didn't you? How did it go? Is she okay with us or...?" 'Tanaya suddenly broke off with her excited questions as it dawned on her that Brad probably hadn't said anything to Janey for him to be staying in the other bedroom.
"We'll talk in the morning you and I, don't worry. Sorry Brent and Matty but Nicky and Janey are asleep..." Brad said softly.
"Brad? Everything alright?" Janey called in a sleepy voice.
Brad walked to the entrance of the lounge room and looked around the corner, he could see Janey sitting up in the faint light that reached the room from the toilet.
"It's just Brent, Matty and 'Tanaya getting back earlier than expected." Brad said quietly.
"Do you want to bring Nicky out here to sleep with me, so he's not in the way." Janey said softly.
"As far as I'm concerned he's fine to stay where he is." Brad said softly. "He'll be fine, I promise."
Janey looked past Brad's dark form at the end of the room but couldn't see anyone behind him, she wanted to protest Nicky staying near where 'Tanaya would be but knew she had to trust Brad. Reluctantly she lay back down and pulled the covers back up. She heard Brad move away quietly and strained her ears to hear what he was saying to the others but their voices were whisper quiet.
* * * * *
Brad watched as Janey's vehicle disappeared around the corner. It was only ten thirty in the morning but his day with Nicky had been cut short when Adam had appeared and took Janey aside for a private talk.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Adam was behind Janey having to leave, taking Nicky with her.
Brad had seen the signs of strain on Janey's face and had reframed from asking her to let Nicky stay longer. He didn't want to be the cause of trouble in her relationship even though he believed Adam was all wrong for her.
"You coming back inside?" 'Tanaya asked quietly from the doorway.
Brad turned to face her, hesitated a moment then went back inside; the house seemed empty and silent without Nicky crawling around the rooms laughing and talking to himself in his baby talk.
"You said we'd have a talk today, you'd tell me what Janey said. You did tell her about us didn't you?" 'Tanaya asked nervously.
"Yes I spoke to Janey. She's not too happy about having you around Nicky but she isn't going to make an issue out of it as long as you don't mistreat Nicky. She put several stipulations on it; her and Adam are never to be put down in front of Nicky and when I eventually settle down and my partner and I have children Nicky is not to be pushed aside or treated differently because of who his mother is. They are her main concerns." Brad said quietly.
"Janey is being quite civilised about it isn't she. And after the way I had been acting towards her, I know I wasn't rude or nasty but... I'm so glad Janey is being like she is," 'Tanaya said with a relieved smile.
"Yeah well she is being far more reasonable than I could have hoped was possible; she said she wants me to be able to get on with my life as well." Brad said recalling the long talk they had had when Nicky had fallen asleep the night before.
'Tanaya turned away with a frown as something Brad had said came to mind again, she composed her self before turning to face him again.
Brad stepped forward to enfold her in his arms; he lowered his head and sought her lips with his. He felt her lips part beneath his and plunged his tongue into her mouth hungrily. He absorbed the soft moan that came from her lips as he kissed her thoroughly.
When Brad finally stopped kissing her and raised his head 'Tanaya was clinging to him, one leg wrapped around his as she pressed herself against him. Slowly she opened her eyes to look up at him and found him studying her face with dark hungry eyes.
"So ... so what do we do for the rest of the day?" 'Tanaya asked, her voice thick and husky.
"How about we work on building a relationship?" Brad asked with a grin that spread across his face slowly.
'Tanaya swallowed unable to speak and nodded before pulling Brad's face back down towards hers, she felt his lips brush against hers before he raised his head once again.
"How about we take this to the bedroom?" Brad asked, his voice rough and husky with need. He untangled their bodies enough for him to lift 'Tanaya into his arms and carry her to her bedroom.
'Tanaya noted how gently he placed her on the bed before reaching for the fastenings of her top. She sat on the bed and allowed him to undress her. He paused after each garment taking in the sight of what part of her body he had uncovered.
Brad eased her bra off and leant close to press a gentle kiss where her neck joined her shoulder. He lifted his head to watch as he stroked a large hand across her collarbone before running his fingertips lightly down between her breasts. Her ribs lifted as she took a deep breath and he ran his hand down over them to rest flat on her stomach for a few seconds before reaching for the waistband of her jeans.
'Tanaya licked her dry lips as Brad slowly unzipped her jeans, slowly and gently he worked them down over her stomach. She lay back and lifted her hips from the bed as he pushed the jeans over her hips, one large hand skimmed under her rounded arse raising goose bumps as he leant forward to nibble as her neck just beneath her jaw.
Brad moved down the bed to slip the shoes from 'Tanaya's feet before pushing the jeans from her legs in long slow and gentle strokes. Gently he lifted first one foot then the other as he slipped the jeans off her legs. He slid his hands back up her legs slowly, skimming the outside of her hips and ribs before running his hands up the inside of her arms to her hands, raising her hands up over her head as he stretched out on the bed beside her.
Brad leant over 'Tanaya and kissed her, easing into the kiss slowly as he twined his fingers with hers. He groaned as he raised his head and sat up before pulling his shirt off over his head roughly then reaching for his boots. The boots made solid thuds as they hit the floor and then his jeans and underwear joined them.
"You got condoms in here?" Brad asked as he stretched out beside her once again.
"We don't need them," 'Tanaya said breathlessly as she reached for his shoulders.