Chelsea's 18th Birthday

If you haven't read Chelsea's 18th Birthday, I suggest you read it first to better understand the characters in this series.

Thanks to all for your wonderful comments. Please continue to leave them. Any suggestions or critics are welcome! Also, I'd like to invite you to make suggestions for chapter 3.

Please don't forget to vote!

*

Their precious moment was interrupted again by another intrusion.

Clay again

, Brent thought as he looked into Chelsea's disappointed eyes. But when he looked up he could only wish it was Clay.

"Who the hell is this?" A female voice filled the quiet room and startled Chelsea.

"None of your business. What the hell are you doing here and what makes you think you have the right to barge into my apartment and start asking

me

questions?!" Brent stood to his feet and walked past Chelsea, fists balled up and his face turning red.

"Oh, come on! You're just embarrassed that you got caught with this re-bound girl. I thought you wouldn't be able to make it through the weekend without me so I thought I'd come to check on you. But it looks like you got your fix last night even without me."

Chelsea was stunned but she wouldn't turn around. She always tried desperately to avoid confrontation, especially with irate lunatics. However, she knew she had to get out of there fast if she wanted to minimize her involvement.

"Danica, you crazy bitch, get out of my apartment. I told you I don't want you anymore and what I do in my own home is not your business."

"Oh. Well, is it

her

business? Did you have to get a

hooker

to replace me?" She was annoyingly loud and obnoxious at this point.

Chelsea finally stood up and turned around and found herself face to face with the notorious Danica. But what she didn't expect was for it to be

that

Danica! Her face was scarlet from embarrassment.

"Her?" Danica shouted mockingly and Chelsea dashed past her for the door. Brent could hear the breath catching in her throat and could tell she was forcing back her sobs. "You've got that girl from school in your apartment?" She giggled loudly into her hand, doubling over as she laughed.

"What is your problem, Danica?" Brent chased after Chelsea and Danica followed joyfully, almost skipping.

Out in the hallway Danica found Brent with his hand on Chelsea's doorknob. She'd gone inside to get away from that crazy girl and Brent didn't blame her.

"Brent, she's your neighbor?!" Danica erupted into hysterical laughter that carried down the halls and reverberated through the walls of Chelsea's apartment where she sat crying on the floor by the door. "You lazy bastard! You don't know where she's been!"

"That's enough! Get the fuck out of here!" Brent yelled. He would never in a million years hit a girl but he was really wanting to do something to shut her up. "I don't want you anymore. I never want to see you again. I like Chelsea. A lot. She's a sweet girl. She's not fake and she's a hell of a lot better person than you'll ever be!"

Clay came running up when he heard all the commotion. Danica scoffed at Brent and rolled her eyes. "Hey, Clay," Danica flirted and looked back at Brent for his reaction.

"Danica, you should go," Clay said neutrally.

"Are you coming with me, Clay?" she teased.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Fuck you. Both of you," she said defeated and walked toward the stairs. "Oh," she started, looking back at the pair of them, "and you can tell your little peeping tom girlfriend I said 'good luck'! You two freaks deserve each other."

Brent just glared at Clay with his hands clamped onto his hips, obviously trying very hard to bite his tongue. Then he stepped in front of Chelsea's door and stared at the ground searching for something to say that would actually mean something to her in her emotional state. "Maybe she wants to be left alone," he finally said.

"Dude. I'm sorry for all the crap I've been giving you about Chelsea, man. She's a cool girl, I guess. And if you really like her... You know. I'm happy for you or whatever. But you shouldn't leave her in there by herself for sure." Brent looked over his shoulder at his best friend. This is why Clay was his friend. For the few but important times when he knocked some sense into him.

"Shit, you're right. But I don't know what to say. Danica was so horrible to her."

"Just go inside. You'll think of something," he urged.

"I already tried. The door's locked." He gently knocked on the door with one knuckle. "Chelsea. Please let me in."

"What'd she mean by 'peeping tom'?" Clay asked.

"I don't know. Probably just more psychobabble," Brent replied without giving it a second thought.

Chelsea didn't open the door. She now stood inside, leaning against it, fighting with her shame.

"Open the door, Chelsea, please." His voice got a few notches louder.

"I can't," she cried softly through the door.

"Baby, please. You gotta let me come in, Chelse." A moment passed and still no sounds from the other side of the door. "Chelsea. You're my girl. I need to talk to you about this." Brent rested his head against the door wearily. "You're still my girl, right?"

He heard the door unlock. "Call me," Clay whispered and headed back to his own apartment.

Brent pushed open the door gingerly and saw Chelsea leaning her left shoulder against the wall facing away from him.

She must be so torn up inside

, he thought to himself remembering how just last night she talked as though she wasn't good enough for a guy like him.

After closing the door he wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her tightly around the chest in a big hug. "I'm so sorry," he whispered in her ear. "She's just..." Anger and hurt was returning to his voice now.

"It's not your fault," Chelsea interrupted.

"I'll make sure she'll never bother us again. She can't just talk about you like that and..."

"How could you date a girl like her? She's the most horrific person I've ever met. The last 2 months of school she made my life a living hell."

"But why?"

Chelsea heard everything that was said in the hallway. Including Danica calling her a "peeping tom". "I found her with a basketball player in the girls' bathroom after school. It was about 4:30. I had just finished taking a make-up test. I walked in and she was... " She blushed a bit from having to use the phrase. "...giving him a blow job. And I saw them. I watched them for a few minutes. I couldn't help it. She pulled her head up and saw me."

"Come sit on the couch," Brent offered. He sat her down and began pulling her messy hair away from her puffy tear-stained face. "That's much better," he said sweetly with the slightest hint of a smile. But all traces of it disappeared as he looked into her scared and confused eyes. "Chelsea," he choked, almost in tears now himself. He didn't want her to ever feel like this again. Ever. And he didn't want to see this look in her eyes ever again. "Chelse. I'm really, really very sorry," he managed to say, choking back tears. He wasn't usually a crier. Perhaps it's because he's never opened himself up and made himself this vulnerable before.

She could tell he was genuine. It was unmistakable. If she had ever had a doubt in her mind, she could now rest assured that he was really having some serious feelings for her. Can she trust him? She wants to so badly but she's never been in a serious relationship before and it was all so sudden and intimidating. However, his newly revealed soft side was quite appealing and touched her heart.

"Brent, it's not your fault. You were wonderful. You stood up for me and I'm ashamed to say that I didn't necessarily expect you to. It would have been easier that way anyway."

"Of course I stood up for you, Chelsea. I care about you. You know that, don't you?" Brent placed his hand on her face and kissed her forehead.

Chelsea simply nodded. "I'm so tired," she said.

"Why don't you take a nap? It's about 3 o'clock. I'll come by and wake you up for dinner."

"Dinner?"

Brent grinned. "Yeah. I thought the least I could do for my new woman is to take her to dinner after the crazy afternoon we've had."

"That would make me very happy," she said with a meek smile. "But, do you think you could lay with me? Just until I fall asleep."

Brent chuckled lightly. "Really? Okay." Man, she was so cute, even like this.

He followed her into her bedroom and they crawled underneath the sheets. He spooned her, getting as close as possible, reveling in it. His fingers ran lovingly through her hair in a hypnotic pattern sending her into a peaceful slumber.

She felt so close to him when he held her like this. Like they'd known each other forever. Like he was supposed to be here to rescue her from a life of safe love! Brent Hawkins was risky. All evidence would prove it. But she couldn't deny the attraction. It could be felt pulling from both of them on both a physical and emotional level. Like it was meant to be.

********************************************

"Chelsea." She heard a distant voice calling her name. "Baby, wake up. It's time to get dressed and ready for dinner."

Chelsea opened her eyes.

Just like an angel

, he thought. "Why don't you get in the shower first? It'll help you wake up. I'm gonna take one too before we get going." Chelsea smiled up at him and nodded feeling very lucky to have someone so thoughtful be a part of her life.

Chelsea walked to the closet to find something to wear. She furrowed her brow when she realized she didn't know what to dress for. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said.

"Well, I don't know what to wear."

"Just something pretty. You don't have to go out and buy a special dress or anything."

"How did you know I bought that dress yesterday?"

"What? I didn't say I

knew

you did. But I thought you did," he teased.

"Okay, then why do you think I did?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.

Brent walked over to her. "I dunno, you seemed a little unfamiliar with it, considering you forgot that you needed help getting it on," he said a little lower, "and off." He smiled to himself and continued, "And it looked brand new. And... I saw you out my window coming back in with a bag of goodies yesterday afternoon."

"You got me," she said defeated.

"Did you buy that make-up just for me, too?"

"Stop it." Of course she did but he's not supposed to know that! Brent wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Did you? Did you get all pretty just for me?" he teased.

"Brent, please," she said blushing. He giggled at her because he knew it was true.

"I told you we could go somewhere else if you didn't have a dress, Chelse."

"I know. I didn't really think about it until after you left." Chelsea buried her face into his neck so he couldn't see her face. Why did he like picking on her so much?

"You are so adorable when you're embarrassed," he said with a chuckle and squeezed her before letting go. "Get in the shower. I'll find something for you to wear."

She left the door to the bathroom cracked just about an inch and jumped in the shower. Brent began searching through her less than flattering clothes for something pretty. It only took him about a minute to find something suitable. Just as he was satisfied with the blue jean skirt and spaghetti strap top that he'd found he heard her calling him from the bathroom.

He opened the door a bit but didn't look in. "What's up?"

"I need a towel. Can you get me one? They're in the basket by the dresser."

"Did you not know you were gonna get wet?" he teased making her laugh.

"I just forgot."

After fetching the towel, he announced, "Okay, I'm coming in."

He saw a little hand peak around the left side of the shower curtain. The water was still running and she'd only been in for a few minutes Was she already done? He walked up to the hand and presented the towel.

Just do it

, Chelsea thought.

Her hand went past the towel and grasped onto his wrist and pulled him closer. Her right eye snuck a peak from behind the curtain. He seemed confused. With her free hand she pulled back the curtain to reveal her slightly trembling body. Trembling from the cold air coming in the door and from nervousness. (Chelsea was never this forward.)

She pulled him to her and kissed him on the mouth. Just on the lips. It was very sweet and very light. As she kissed him, her arms snaked around to his back and began lifting up his shirt. He broke the tender kiss reluctantly and gave her a curious look.

"I should have told you to get two towels."

God, that was so fucking hot

, Brent thought as he helped her take of his shirt. He was certainly not expecting such a bold move from her but it was an extreme turn on for him. He let her unbutton his pants and he slipped out of them along with his shoes and socks and briefs. For a moment, he turned away to close the door and he climbed into the shower with her and pulled the curtain closed.

Both naked once again, they stood face to face. The shower water sprayed down around Chelsea as she was struggling to maintain her confidence.

She felt his hands skim across her lower back as he looked down at her. It was like his entire face was smiling except for his mouth. Like she could see the passion and joy radiating out of him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"Because I want to remember this moment forever."

"What... What about this moment?"

"The first moment I felt like I needed someone. I need you because you've made me feel something I can't describe or control. It's like not having you is no longer an option. I'm like an addict now. I can't figure it out. And all I want to do now and for the rest of my life is make you smile."

Chelsea was taken aback by his words. She couldn't breath. Her eyes were wide and glossy as they gazed at him.

How can he say these things

, she thought.

He knows if he broke my heart I'd be devastated...

A single tear escaped and fell down her cheek.

Brent placed his hand on her face and kissed her slightly parted lips. Chelsea's hands immediately made their way to the back of his head where they ran through his hair and across his shoulders. The water cascading around them made it all the more romantic and erotic.

"I'm in love with you," he said under his breath, sounding a bit winded.

"Don't say that," she said wincing. He kissed on her neck and face carelessly.

"I love you, Chelsea."

"Don't, Brent. I can't." Her breathing was heaving and irregular. Her head was spinning.

"You don't have to say it. It's okay."

"God, Brent, why me?" He slowly urged her against the wall and continued his assault on her neck and upper chest.

"I don't know," he answered clearly, leaning into her with her back against the tile. His attentions went back to her face. "I don't know. But I'll tell you something else that I love. Last night, every time I kissed your breasts, your eyes would close, your head would roll back a bit, and you made these beautiful sounds. It was like you were transcending out of your body. It was divine." He hunched down and took her left breast into his hand and kissed and sucked her nipple. He smiled when she did just what he'd described. He continued to kiss all over her chest, alternating now and again and all the while kneading and massaging with his hands.

Brent reached over and grabbed her shower puff and squeeze on some body wash. He started to wash her body sensually. When she was covered with white soapy suds the sat the puff aside and detached the shower handle from the holder and began rinsing her off starting at her neck. As he worked his way down, he kissed the clean skin all the way to her thighs and she shivered remembering what happened the last time he kissed down there.

He handed her the puff and smiled. Chelsea more than willingly took to the task. It was her first time to really explore his body so she took her time. She mimicked the way he had rinsed her off and kissed him all over his body. When she got to his thighs she looked over at his penis that was semi-erect and remembered what it had felt like to have it inside of her. She wanted that again. She wanted it all again.

"We should get going, huh," Brent said pulling her to her feet kissing her one last time before he turned off the water.

*********************************************

What was he thinking

, Chelsea thought as she got dressed while Brent was back at his apartment.

He can't love me already. It's just infatuation! That's all... But infatuated over

me

? This has to be more than infatuation. Guys are infatuated with super models and actresses and women they can't have. But he

has

me. So it can't just be infatuation, can it? Oh, God, what if it's just a phase or something? What if I really

am

his rebound girl like Danica said? Chelsea, you can't trust him. Not yet. Don't do it. You can't! He'll break your heart. He'll do it and you'll let him. And all because he... he makes you feel so good...

She sighed, replaying the shower scene over and over in her head, reliving the intensity, giving her butterflies.

Now that he was alone, he also began thinking about what had just happened in the shower. Man, he was letting his emotions cloud his judgment.

Chelsea's a great girl but you hardly know her. You're all caught up in it. You need to bring it back down to Earth. And how the hell did you let yourself tell her that you love her? That's not cool. She probably thinks you're a desperate freak.

Tomorrow he needed to take a day to himself to get his feet back on the ground. But for now, he has to finish getting his plans for tonight in order.

*******************************************

A knock came on the door and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She was putting on the finishing touches with her modest makeup and ran to the door. He stood outside the door with a tulip in his hand. She opened the door and they both smiled. "Where did you get that?"

He chuckled softly and said, "Ms. Pumley's window garden. She won't mind. I feed her cat for her when she visits family out of town." She takes it from him and laughs sweetly at the last minute gift. "Ready?"

"Yeah."

"Ah, I forgot something in the apartment. Come on." He walked into his apartment and she lagged behind in the hallway. "Chelsea," he called. "I've got to show you something."

Chelsea stepped inside and was shocked at what she saw. Brent stood there in front of her with his hands of the back of a dining room chair. The table was set with candles, plates and silverware. She stood with her eyes wide, unbelieving of what she saw.

"Dinner's almost ready," he said smiling. "Come sit."

Chelsea walked over slowly and sat in her seat. "You freaking cooked for me?"

Brent just laughed. He was very well pleased with how things were going with his surprise. "I hope you don't mind. I'm not a 5 star chef my any means but I figured I couldn't screw this up too bad." He walked over to the table and sat a small salad in front of her and took her dinner plate. "I hope Italian dressing is alright."

"It's fine," she said, her mind still reeling from her disbelief. No one had ever taken the time or effort to do something like this for her. Going out to eat would have been so simple. But he cooked for her and surprised her with it. "Would you like a drink? I've got some screwdrivers," he joked, referring to the night before.

"No," she said sternly.

"How about some wine?"

"Water will be fine."

Soon he sat in front of her a plate with seasoned green beans, lemon peppered chicken and mashed potatoes. "Wow, this is a lot of food. I'm going to need a to go box," she joked. He just smiled and sat across from her with his own plate. In a more serious tone she said, "Thank you. I don't really know what to say. You definitely surprised me. And this looks delicious." She said feeling her face heat up and turn red. She finally looked up at him and he looked the same way he did in the shower.