Brandy sat at the end of an over-stuffed brown couch with a glass of red wine in one hand. Her other hand held a white envelope. Kevin sat at the opposite end from her, one leg crossed on the couch. Light music played from the stereo system while Brandy stared suspiciously at the young man.
"Our anniversary was three months ago," Brandy informed him.
"I know, I know. Just open the thing already!" Kevin's words were gentle despite his protest.
Brandy continued to stare. "This better not be a proposal."
"Oh god no," Kevin assured her. "No no no. Trust me. I mean," he corrected as Brandy's eyes hardened. "Not that you're not worth marrying. I mean. Not that you aren't- Look, just open it before I say anything worse. Please?"
With a final look, Brandy set her wine glass down and carefully opened the envelope. She'd always been careful with personal letters and gifts, making sure to never just tear through either of them. She had a little box where she kept old letters with their envelopes. This one was simple and just her name was written on the front in black ink. Inside was a white card with an artistic red heart on the front. Brandy smiled at it.
The card was well made with thick paper rather than the cheap plastic-y gloss cards that most places sold. Sneaking a sip of her wine, she opened the card. There were no pictures or pre-printed words inside. Kevin's handwriting was normally atrocious - sloppy and quick and barely recognizable but he'd taken care with what he'd written in the card. She could almost picture him writing each letter slowly and her smile deepened.
I saw you for the first time over a year ago in that little coffee shop. You had the most amazing smile and these little dimples that made my heart melt. I listened to you talk and laugh with the customers while I waited and by the time it was my turn, I couldn't even remember what I wanted! I could barely look at you while I tried to remember my order. I didn't realize then exactly how much you'd come to mean to me but I understand now.
Hey. Look up.
Brandy looked up automatically. Kevin's face was completely red. His hands were gripped together in a tight knot and he looked incredibly uncomfortable.
"Brandy," Kevin said. "I. I, umm. God. I love you. And you don't have to say it back or anything at all. I just realized it and I wanted to-" The young woman's smile deepened until her teeth showed. She could feel her own love, hidden for a few months but suddenly surging. "Oh. There are those dimples again. Brandy-"
Kevin's words were cut off as Brandy fairly launched herself at him. She held him tight against her, kissing his neck and mouth.
"You nerd. I love you, too," she told him.
"Oh thank god. Seriously? Really? Since when? You never said anything so I wasn't sure. I thought this whole time it was maybe me and just me but I had to say something because-"
Brandy laid a finger on Kevin's lips. "You talk too much sometimes, honey. I'm sorry I didn't say anything. I've had- It hasn't usually gone well for me." She lay against her boyfriend on the large couch. Her smile faltered as she remembered the past and it took effort to push it away.
"Hey," Kevin said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stir anything up."
"No, it's fine," Brandy said. "Besides, this is about us, not anything or anybody else. Thank you for the card and for finally telling me. I know how shy you are so that had to be hard. How long did you wait to tell me?"
"A while," Kevin said, blushing again.
"'A while', huh?" Brandy said, teasing her boyfriend. "Half a year? A whole year? Love at first sight? I knew it! You fell in love with my dimples right when you saw me, didn't you?"
Kevin laughed. "No. About a month ago, when we were at the fair. We were waiting in line for cotton candy and, I don't know, I just looked at you and my heart just swelled up. I almost cried. It was weird. But, about then." His hand traced gently along Brandy's back while he talked and she sighed in pleasure.
"Well, for me it was almost two months before that. You'd left me a message while I was at work. Remember when I had that crappy day where the customer spilled her drink on me on purpose? You left a message just telling me you were thinking of me and talking about all the different things you liked about me and how you were going to take me out for ice cream after work. I still listen to it sometimes, when I'm unhappy. And now you know my dark-" Brandy stopped.
"Secret?" Kevin finished.
"Yeah," Brandy said. She pressed herself closer to her boyfriend and he hugged her more tightly in return.
It's pointless, you know,
the voice in her head told her.
He'll either find out eventually or you'll just have to dump him or leave. How long will that be? Are you going to tell him? Remember what happened last time? Did we ever hear back from Richard when we told him? No? Not a single word since he called us crazy and left.
Brandy breathed quietly. Kevin's hands worked up and down her back and the effect was more calming than she'd like to admit. She relaxed and cleared her mind until the voice grew more and more quiet.
Brandy found herself arching her back slightly and shifting around to encourage Kevin to scratch different areas. She sighed happily under his attentions as her mood lightened. She felt her arousal building - a sweet aching that boiled away the rest of the unpleasant thoughts. They rolled together until Brandy was on top, pushing herself slightly up on her hands above Kevin.
Scratches turned into light fingers that ran along her soft sides and wide hips. Brandy leaned forward to kiss under Kevin's jaw and then moaned as his hands dug into her ass. He pulled her hips down to him and she could feel his excitement. Brandy licked Kevin's neck happily and then rocked back, rubbing herself on his erection. She was suddenly incredibly turned on. Heat radiated from her stomach, racing up her body and the young woman gasped, arching her back until her hips were raised. She whined with her need, sure that her panties were completely soaked. She could
smell
herself in the air and that only pushed her arousal.
Sparing barely a moment to think, Brandy pushed away from Kevin. His hands reached for his pants but Brandy pushed his hands away. She felt drunk from her scent and the heat radiating throughout her body. The young woman reached for her boyfriend's zipper.
And then stopped.
"I-" Brandy said, her voice suddenly dry. Her cheeks and the tips of her ears burned from the urge deep within her body.
"Hey, you okay, sweetheart?" Kevin asked.
