Intertwined episode 21

🤝INTERTWINED🤝

💑EP TWENTY ONE💑

 

For once, my parents decided to behave in front of eachother as they walked me down the aisle.I was nervous as hell, my palms were sweating, and myheart was pounding wildly in,side my chest. Did every bridefeel like this? I felt scared…terrified. I felt self-conscious thatevery eye was on me.

But when I raised my face toward the altar, I saw Travisstanding there, looking magnificent in a tux. He was lookingat me intensely…as if he couldn’t take his eyes off me…as ifI were the only woman in the room. He was looking at methe way I wanted my real groom to look at me. Tears welledup in my eyes.

He looked down to me as he took my hand from myfather. He gave me a crooked smile that made my heartstop beating altogether.

“Hello, beautiful,” he whispered.

“Hey,” I managed to say.

He raised my hand to his l-ips and gave it a k-ss. Then heguided me toward the altar.Travis held my hand all throughout the ceremony. I wasnervous, but I felt lightheaded…and happy. I knew there was

no place on earth I would rather be…and I couldn’t think ofa better man to share this moment with.

“You may k-ss the bride.”

I watched nervously as Travis lifted my veil, stared at medeeply for a moment, and then leaned forward to give me adeep k-ss on the l-ips.

The touch of his l-ips on mine was the same every timehe k-ssed me—electrifying, mind-blowing, heart-stopping.He wrapped his arms around my wa-ist and pulled me to himas he deepened the k-ss.

After what seemed like eternity, he pulled away from meand watched my face carefully. I was pretty sure my blushwas making me turn violet. And as if that pleased him, hegave me a crooked smile again. Then he pulled me to him ina tight hug.

“Mrs. Travis Cross,” he whispered.I didn’t know why, but I liked the sound of that.

It was a grand celebration at the resort. My wedding wasprobably the biggest wedding my family had had since theystarted their stupid family curse. I hadn’t spent a singlecent. Travis refused to make me or my father pay foranything. He made special arrangements with mycoordinator that I didn’t know about. Like the grandfireworks at the reception. They were big and lasted for atleast twenty minutes.

Travis surprised me by smiling and laughing a lot. Justwhen I thought he’d be bored, or would give me endless do-it-and-get-it-over-with attitude, he actually looked like hewas having fun.

He was always beside me, entertaining our guests. Hewould reach out and give me a hug once in a while. Evenafter our k-ss in the church, he gave me a couple of smackson the l-ips.

When I gazed at him under the fireworks, I saw a mandifferent from the Travis I had known all my life. This was aboyish Travis I was looking at.

Then he stared down at me. I saw something in his eyes,something I couldn’t decipher. It was as if his eyes wereasking me something. That look on his face was somewhatguilty, somewhat pleading. And yet, I couldn’t even guesswhat exactly he was thinking about.

He tilted my chin up and then slowly, he leaned forwardand brought his l-ips to mine. Right there, in the middle of the fireworks, I wound my arms around his neck and lostmyself in that k-ss.I didn’t want that k-ss to end. It was…like the k-ss weshared fourteen years ago…when he took me…the k-ss thathaunted me again the other night when I had my dreamabout Travis and the night we had spent together.When the k-ss was over, Travis stared back at me, hiseyes like liquid sapphires…as if he was desperately askingfor something…like he was trying to read something in myexpression, and he was getting frustrated that he couldn’tget his answers.

“Is something wrong, Travis?” I asked him. The look onhis face wasn’t just making me nervous. It was terrifyingme. I felt like something was definitely wrong. Travis was sogood at keeping in his emotions. But now, the sad andconfused look on his face told me that he was somehowgoing through some emotional turmoil.

He shook his head. Then he pulled me to him again andhugged me tightly.

“Everything’s going to be okay Brianne, right?” It tookme a moment to realize that it wasn’t a statement. He wasasking me a question. I pulled away and blinked back athim.

“Of course, Travis. We’re going to be fine,” I assured him.

I meant that. No matter what happened, I wouldn’t letanything destroy what I had with him. We wouldn’t loseeach other…even after this marriage ended.He leaned forward again and gave me another thoroughk-ss on the l-ips. When I pulled away from him, his

expression had already changed. The boyishness was back.He had an easy smile on his face, and then he leaned hisforehead against mine.

“Tom must be itching to kick my ass in heaven,” hewhispered.

“Why do you say that?”

He shook his head. “I’ve k-ssed you too many timestoday.”

I laughed. “You married me today. It’s the least I can dofor you. Tom would understand that you are doing me afavor. And some things are…necessary.”

He laughed. “Do you really think you just pushed me toaccept this fate? Do you really believe I’m doing you afavor?”

I took a deep breath. “I don’t just think that. I know that.And you don’t have to pretend otherwise. I’m still thankfulfor you, Travis. Not just because you married me today. Ithank you for everything you’ve done for me since I’ve hadyou in my life.”

He leaned his forehead against mine. “You’re more thanI deserve, Brianne,” he said. “And I thank you. For being myonly family for years.”

He k-ssed me on the nose. When he looked back at meagain, there was a certain glitter in his eyes. He smileddashingly, and he never looked more handsome to me. Hissmile was genuine, and it reached his eyes. Clearly,whatever emotional turmoil he had been going through awhile ago, he had gotten hold of it now. I wondered how he

did that. I wished I had that ability sometimes.

I realized I was happy to make Travis look like that. And Iwanted to see him more like this…unmasked…carefree…human! He used to be dark and cold…I wanted to see himwarm and happy. Even for just a little while.

There were cheers from our guests when the fireworksfinished. They encouraged us to k-ss again. With a sly smileon his face, Travis leaned down and gave me a thoroughk-ss on the l-ips once again.

When he pulled away, I saw that confused and brokenexpression on his face again, but he was quick to mask itwith a grin. He gave me a gentler k-ss on the l-ips, and thenhe hugged me. “We’re going to be late for our honeymoon,”he said.

I pulled away from him and blinked back. “But…Travis…we…promised not to…”

He laughed. “Yes,” he leaned forward to whisper in myear. “But s€× isn’t the only thing married people do on ahoneymoon. We can do all the rest.”

I giggled. In a way, I was embarrassed. I was becomingtoo defensive. I constantly reminded him about our deal,when he might not even have been interested in that! Hemight have gotten used to just k-ssing me and hugging me.But making love was an entirely different story. We bothknew that our relationsh¡p was…special. Unique. It wasbeautiful the way it was. To cross the line…would put so

much at stake. And I didn’t think either of us was preparedfor the consequences.

“Okay.” I smiled at him. “I’ll go on a honeymoon withyou…and do everything but have s€×. But I have onecondition.”

He raised a brow. “Okay. So remind me again who’sasking whom a favor here?”

I laughed. “I know. But still, I have something to askyou.”

He sighed in defeat. “All right, Mrs. Cross. What is it?”

“I want to see you, Travis.” I placed my hand on his

chest. “The man trapped in,side. No masks. No reservations.No defenses.”

He narrowed his eyes as he stared at me. “Brianne…you’re…extorting so much from me.”

I smiled. “I deserve it. I want to know my husband.”

“Don’t you know me better than anyone already?”

“I want to know the man you haven’t shown anyoneelse. The man maybe even you do not know,” I said. “Let goof your mask, Travis. For me. Even for just a short while. Letthat be my wedding gift.”

He stared at me for a while. Then he closed his eyes. Hepulled me to him and gave me a hug.

“You’re scaring me, Brianne,” he whispered.

“You don’t have to be afraid. I love you just as you are,Travis,” I said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. I know youhave a softer side. And I want to get to know that man.”

He leaned his forehead against mine. “I may not knowhow to let go of my mask, Brianne. I’ve been so guardedsince I was a kid.”

I pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. “Followyour heart. Go with what you feel. Take the thinking,an-lyzing, calculating cap off your head. I think you’ll be justfine.”

He sighed. “You’re asking me to be a trusting, gullible, rom-nce-believing loser.”I laughed. “Maybe. But promise you won’t fall in lovewith me?”

He raised a brow. “Ha-ha. Very funny.”

“Just giving you a fair warning. I can be very charming,” Iteased.

He rolled his eyes. “Trust me, I know. How else did weget here?” I couldn’t help laughing at that. Then he staredat me for a while. “How sure are you that it will make adifference? Maybe this is really me. Masked or unmasked.

There’s nothing much underneath.”

“You don’t have to put a mask on if you don’t haveanything to hide underneath, Travis. You know that. Youwon’t be so guarded if you have nothing to guard,” I said.

“Just learn to let go. And I’ll go on this honeymoon withyou.”

“Again, I’d like to remind you that you asked me to dothis fourteen years ago. I didn’t even have to plan ahoneymoon getaway.”

“Then why did you?”

He took a deep breath. “This marriage is real. I just wantit to come as close to the actual thing as possible. Even ifwe just spend time talking to each other all week. You needto be able to stand me long enough, you know.”

“We live together, Travis. We’ve lived together longenough for me to say that I can stand you.”

“Nevertheless, everybody expects it. I want you to havea story to tell when you’re asked.”

I stared up at him. He really was sweet. No matter howmuch he tried to hide it. And more and more, I wanted tosee him the way he really was.

“Thank you,” I said. “I mean it, Travis. No masks foryou.”

He sighed and then he nodded. “And no holding back foryou?”

“Wh-what do you mean?” I blinked back at him.

He gave me a mischievous, crooked smile. Then hepulled me to him and leaned forward. Just as his l-ips werean inch away from mine, he said, “Exactly what I said. Don’thold back, my lovely wife.” And he devoured my l-ips.The world started spinning. I held on to Travis for dearsupport. His previous k-sses were…comforting, enthralling,

exciting…and with a hint of desperation, as if he wasbegging for something. Now, this k-ss…was invading, as ifhe meant to conquer, to sed-ce…it was mind-blowing…ak-ss that you lose all your memories to. The k-ss that mademe forget who I was and who he was that night I gavemyself to him.

When he pulled away, I could barely open my eyes tolook at him. I was embarrassed. I gave in. It seemed like Igave my everything in that k-ss.

When I was brave enough to look at him again, he waslooking at me carefully. There was a look of triumph on hisface, and yet, that didn’t make me feel ashamed. It mademe feel happy that somehow, I made him feel good.

“Do we have a deal?” he asked.

I smiled. “I would give up everything to get to know thereal you.”

He raised a brow. “I hope by the end of the week you’llstill think that it was all worth it.”

“Don’t worry. I have a feeling I’ll still feel that way. Wehave a deal.” I held out my pinky to him. He stared at it fora moment. His expression softened. Then he hooked hispinky with mine, but instead of pulling it away like he wassupposed to, he twisted our hands and brought my fingersto his l-ips. He k-ssed them gently. Then he stared at me.

“Deal.”

***

We barely had time to say goodbye to our guests. I had toget out of my wedding gown quickly and fix my hair.

“Did you bring all the lingerie we brought you?” Sarahwhispered to me.

“Shut up, Sarah. You know what the deal is.”

“Well, I was hoping that had changed now, with all thek-ssing and hugging! You guys couldn’t take your eyes andhands off each other all day, did you know that!?”

“Then we put on a good show,” I laughed. “Well, k-ssingis part of the deal. We decided not to pretend in that area,to make it look natural. The only thing we decided not to dois…” I trailed off, heaving a sigh.

“It’s a pity!” Sarah said. “It looks like that would goeffortlessly well for you, too.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, Sarah! I don’t want to thinkabout that.”

“Why? Because you don’t find him attractive?”

I sighed. I didn’t want to lie. I did find Travis attractive.Very! There were plenty of times that I lost my breath whenI stared at him…or when he stared at me. I felt proud whenwe were together because I knew that devilishly handsomeman belonged to me…at least officially or publicly. I lovedk-ssing him. His arms felt so safe…like home. I knew I was inso much danger of falling in love with him, too. But I had toremind myself who he was…what he was to me and what

our relationsh¡p was.

I loved Travis. With all my heart. If I lost him, I would bedevastated! As much as I was with Tom…maybe even moreso, since I’d been with him longer. I knew he loved me. Wemight have been husband and wife, but that didn’t changewhat we were…what we would always be: the best offriends.

“No, it’s not that. Travis is the one guy I can’t risk tolose. And he promised my brother he wouldn’t touch me,” Isaid. I didn’t know what it was, but when I heard myself saythat, it sounded like I had a trace of regret in my voice.

“But you want him to?”

I sighed. Deep in,side, I knew the answer to that. “Itdoesn’t matter. Because from the beginning, I’ve known thatif there’s one person who can keep a promise, make thatpromise his bible, the creed of his life, it’s Travis. I’m afraidto entertain any other possibilities. There’s just…so much atstake here. Whatever happens after this marriage…I stillwant Travis in my life.”

“And all the hugging and k-ssing all over the place is…?”

“Part of the deal,” I replied. “Part of the change in ourrelationsh¡p. He’s my husband. We’re two friends, married toeach other, making a life together, but not sleeping witheach other. k-ssing is necessary. He can k-ss me if he wants.When I asked him this favor fourteen years ago, I only toldhim that he couldn’t sleep with me. I never told him hecouldn’t k-ss me or hug me. And besides, it makes it look

real if we’re naturally affectionate.”

“Hmmm…I don’t know what you’re smoking, but I haveto warn you…it’s not farfetched that one of these days,you’ll wake up and find yourselves head-over-heels in lovewith each other! Maybe you already are,” she said. “Youalready love each other to begin with. And it looks like youlove making out anyway.”

I hated to admit it, but I thought Sarah was right aboutone thing. I did love making out with Travis!

I barely had time to wash off my makeup and take thecl¡ps and little flowers out of my hair when Travis steppedinto my room saying we should be off. He already had twobags ready.

“What about my clothes?” I asked.

“All in there,” he said. “I ordered a wh0le set of clothesfor you. One of the qualities I like about Karl is that he’s verymeticulous and very thorough. You can grab a couple morethings you want to bring. But I doubt you’ll need anythingmore.” Then he said goodbye to Sarah and told me he’dwait for me in the lobby.

Sarah gave me a box. She said that was her weddingsurprise for me. “Honeymoon-handy stuff.” She winked, andI actually glared at her. But I decided to bring it along withme. I had no time to open it and screen the contents.

In less than an hour, we were onboard the plane to BoraBora. I reclined my seat and made myself comfortable.Travis reached forward to touch the circles under myeyes. “You’re very tired.”

I smiled. “I am. It’s been a long day. But everything wasperfect.” I reached out for his hand. “Thank you, Travis.

You’re wonderful. And you laughed and smiled a lot.”

He grinned at me. “I promised you I would.”

I reached forward and touched his cheek with my hand.

“Thank you.” I pulled him toward me gently. He leanedforward and gave me a gentle k-ss on the l-ips.Then he gathered me in his arms and I rested my headon his shoulder.

“Sleep now, love. I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

We checked in to a luxurious hotel. We were staying inan over-water bungalow, luxury suite with a private plungepool.

Before we entered our bungalow, just at the doorstep,Travis grinned at me and then without warning, he sweptme off my feet and carried me in his arms.

I laughed. “Wow! This honeymoon couldn’t be morereal.”

Our suite had a huge deck and a deep tub that gave aspectacular view of the ocean while you bathed. It offered arestful atmosphere, and at the same time, it was quiteprivate.There was one king-sized bed. Although there werechairs and sofas, I noticed that there was no couch bigenough for Travis to sleep on. An unfamiliar emotion creptthrough me. I felt nervous; however, there was another hint

of emotion there that I didn’t want to entertain.

“Do you like it?” Travis asked as I checked out ourplunge pool.

I beamed at him. “I love it!”

I took a shower as soon as we got settled in. It was along flight. Travis and I had an early dinner on the deck. Wetalked about what had happened at the wedding and thefunny characters that made up the guest list.

“Was your mother surprised you suddenly…gotmarried?” I asked.

Travis shook his head. “No,” he replied. “And I don’t thinkshe really cared all that much.”

I frowned. “Travis…”

He sighed. “Love…you asked me to take my mask down.This…is me being honest about what I feel about myparents. I…have no emotion for either of them.”

“Your mother came to me,” I said. “She asked me to takecare of you. I think she cares about you more than youknow…more than you allow. She…thanked me for giving youa chance to have a better family than the one they gaveyou.”

“You’ve been my only family for a very long time,Brianne. What family was she talking about?”

“Travis…” I whispered.

“Brianne,” he cut me off and reached out for my handacross the table. “Please…” He took a deep breath. “I don’t want to think about them. For now, I don’t want to thinkabout anything else but you. You have my full, undividedattention for a wh0le week. Please…let’s talk about thissome other time?”

I realized that he was right. I could not force Travis tohave a better relationsh¡p with his parents overnight. Somuch had happened. It would take time to heal all thewounds.

I nodded. He raised my hand and k-ssed my fingers.I felt warm. Somehow, this new Travis in front of me…was far sweeter than I ever imagined he could be. He wasopen about the way he felt, and he gave me fair warningabout not liking the topic we were discussing.

We rested for a while, and then we decided to take a dipin the pool. When I came out on the deck, Travis was alreadyin. There were candles around the pool, and there was abottle of Chærdonnay beside him.

“Wow,” I breathed. There was a full moon, and itilluminated the lagoon and the pool perfectly.

I took off my robe to reveal a two-piece string bathingsuit that Karl had included in my bag.I felt a little self-conscious. The suit was tinier than whatI usually wore, and I could feel Travis’s eyes on me as I got

into the water.When I reached the center, I raised my eyes to him. He

was staring at me intently. He gave me a crooked smile and

motioned at me to come closer to him.I moved toward him shyly. When I was in front of him, Iraised my eyes to him again.

“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.

“Thank you. But remember, I told you not to fall in lovewith me,” I teased.

He snorted and said, “Yeah. I remember you sayingsomething like that.” He stared at me deeply. He pulled megently and then he leaned forward and gave me a gentlek-ss on the tip of my nose.

I thought he was going to k-ss me on the l-ips. I was€×pecting it. Travis and I had agreed on many things. But wehadn’t really agreed that making out in private was part ofthe deal…although, I didn’t think I would mind if that wasthe case.

I stared up at him. He raised a brow. “Disappointed?” heasked, reading my expression.

“Of course not!” I lied. I was embarrassed. Was I reallythat transparent?

He laughed. “My lovely wife! Have you forgotten whoyou are talking to? Or lying to?” His eyes were dancing andhe had a teasing grin on his face.

I took a step back from him. “You’re so full of yourself,Travis Cross!” I glared.

He was quick to put his arms around my wa-ist, pullingme to him. I continued glaring. He smiled at me devilishlyand said, “That’s a pity you aren’t disappointed. Because Iam!” And without warning, he k-ssed me on the l-ips.

I didn’t know what to feel. It was like sparks of fireworkserupted around us and illuminated the skies with a milliondifferent colors. The air was cold, but I felt fire under myskin, and I slowly felt myself losing control. I k-ssed Traviswith as much enthusiasm as he k-ssed me. I pulled him tome and k-ssed him with so much intensity, so much passion.

Just then, he stopped and gently pulled away from me. Istared back at him in panic. I was afraid I had donesomething wrong.

Seeing the look of alarm in my eyes, he quickly huggedme back and chuckled softly. “Easy, love,” he said. “I’m onlyhuman. Don’t make me ask you for something I know youcannot give.”

Understanding dawned on me. I laughed. “I’m sorry,” Isaid. “Was that too much?”

He leaned down and k-ssed me gently on the l-ips. “Alittle. But still tolerable.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “What’s going on

between us, Trav?”

He chuckled softly. “You’re my wife, Brianne. I think I’m

entitled to a few k-sses once in a while. I would love to have

more, but that part is totally up to you.”

I stared up at him. “Travis…we can’t…” I started. “Youknow…I can’t give myself to you and not ask for a lot ofthings in return. We have a beautiful relationsh¡p.Something that is more important to me than anything else.Are we willing to risk that for this desire that we both feel? Itwould complicate things for us even more. Don’t make me

ask you for something I know you cannot give.”

He stared at me for a long while, then he heaved a sigh.

“Fair enough. I think you stated your case well. And because

I’m such a masochist, I’m going to k-ss you as much as Iwant. Let Tom kick my ass in hell later!” And he k-ssed meagain…as thoroughly as he did before, so that I almostforgot my wh0le monologue from a minute before.

We stayed in the pool for another hour. Talking anddrinking Chærdonnay. It was a perfect setting, and I had apicture in my head of what a blissful picture we made. Icouldn’t wait to get to my easel and paint it on canvas.

It was already past midnight when we emerged from thepool. Travis wrapped a towel around me. I felt a tingle in thenape of my neck as he brushed his l-ips against the base ofmy neck.

“Travis…” I mo-ned. “Stop!”

He took a deep breath. He gave me a gentle k-ss on theneck one last time and said, “Get dressed before I cannotcontrol myself.”

I turned around and smiled at him. I got on my tiptoesand gave him a k-ss on the l-ips, and then I went into theroom. When I was alone in the bathroom, I stared at myselfin the mirror. My l-ips were probably bruised from k-ssing, myface was flushed, and I had a big smile on my face that Icouldn’t wipe off.

“What is wrong with me?” I scowled at myself. I felt likea silly little girl. And for Travis Cross no less! Well, this was ahoneymoon after all, and I’d promised him I wouldn’t holdback.

I emerged from the bathroom wearing a silk nightgownthat decently ended above my knees. Travis took one hærdlook at me and gro-ned, “So help me God!”

I laughed. “This is the most decent one your assistantpacked in the bag.”

Travis shook his head in frustration. He gave me a smackon the l-ips, and then he went into the bathroom. I lay on thebed and switched off the lights. The room was illuminatedby the moonlight coming from outside. I could hear the faintgushing of the waves below us.

I still had a big smile on my face. I don’t know what wasgoing on between Travis and me, but I was almost certain Iwas enjoying it. I promised not to hold back what I felt. Ipromised to go with the flow… so Travis could let go of hiscontrol.

Once again, he’d admitted that he wanted me. But thatwasn’t what I wanted. My relationsh¡p with him was toobeautiful to risk for just a ‘want,’ a desire. If I allowed him totouch me, I would want him to ‘love’ me…as in fall in lovewith me. And I would want to be the only woman in his lifefrom that point forward.

I knew Travis would want to stay with me forever afterthat. But that wasn’t enough. If he stayed with me, I wantedhim to do it because he felt I was the only one for him. Notbecause he was honor-bound to do so, because he didn’twant to hurt me. I would want him to stay with me simplybecause he wouldn’t be able to live without me. And I knew…that was too much to ask.