Don't You Dare

Minutes later, Brian was carrying Aubrey through the door of his home. She got a quick glimpse of off-white walls, high ceilings, and dark wood floors, coated by a large plush sectional sofa and matching chair and large entertainment center. Everything flowed, decorated accordingly, with framed and matted paintings and photos hanging on the walls. She was surprised to see that it wasn’t the bachelor pad she was expecting. It was a home. Brian’s home.

She placed soft kisses on his neck and shoulder as he carried her up the stairs to his bedroom, an open room, cool and quiet, illuminated only by the mellow glow of a table lamp. He set her down at the foot of his bed then kissed her. With a sense of urgency, he attacked her clothes, his hands tugging on her pants, her fingers fumbling and desperate to undo the buttons on his shirt, his mouth never leaving hers.

Everything became a blur of airborne, discarded clothes and chaotic kisses. Finally naked, he wrapped a strong arm around her waist, lifting her up and laying her back onto his cool, billowy down comforter.

Brian took a second to appreciate the sight of Aubrey on his bed, a place he imagined her many times, naked, her dark hair splayed across his white comforter as she looked up at him with the sweetest, most innocent of smiles. It made his heart flip in his chest and his own smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Remembering his overwhelming desire to be inside of her, he climbed on top of her, running his hands up her side, placing hot kisses all along her stomach.

Everywhere he touched felt like fire burning her skin then shooting straight to her core. He kissed his way up her body until their mouths met again, frenzied and desperate.

Their connection felt so much more intense and intimate and meaningful in his room, his home, his sanctuary. Being in the place where he lived made everything so much more personal, made him so much more vulnerable.

Using his knee to separate her legs, he nestled between her thighs. But before it could go any further, he suddenly slowed down, nibbling on her lower lip before he raised his head to look at her. With his arms bracketing her head, he looked into her eyes, fingers playing with her hair.

“How did I go so long without knowing you?” He wondered with a gentle voice.

“Yet I feel like I’ve known you my whole life,” she countered as her hands slid gently down his toned waist.

Between their abdomens, his cock throbbed hot and firm. His heart thumped against hers between their pressed chests.

Without warning, he thrusted in deep, invading her, filling her so much a soft gasp escaped her lips.

“God,” he groaned. “You feel so good.”

He groaned low as he began pumping in and out of her. She quickly forgot about anything in her life that ever mattered and she started to wonder why the hell she was leaving this guy, this amazing beautiful soul who made her feel so good, inside and out.

She was going back to Phoenix, but she had no intention of this being the last time they were together. She would find a way back to him somehow at some point. But in the meantime, she needed to remember every little detail about him, focusing on the smell of his skin, the feel of his breath, hot and flushed on her cheek, the way he tasted as he kissed her desperately, the feeling of him pushing in and pulling out of her pulsating sex. And the moans and groans that escaped his mouth, meeting her ear with his hot breath.

Each time he thrusted, a little helpless grunt escaped his mouth, as if he needed more of her, more of her moans, more of the roll of her hips, more of her kisses. He could never get enough of her.

Her pleasure built in a slow, blissful swelling of heat and desire that had her shivering and whimpering into his mouth. She clutched at the comforter beneath her, throwing her head back, welcoming the impending orgasm.

“Yeah,” he whispered against her neck between kisses, encouraging her to let go. “That’s my girl.”

He gripped her hip to hold her in place as he drove into her, watching her come undone with his burning eyes.

Her orgasm hit her like a ton of bricks, rendering her weak and helpless. She grabbed at his shoulders and hair. “Brian. I...” She panted, unable to catch her breath as her hips rolled. “I need…”

“I know, baby,” he groaned as if hearing her silent plea. “I know.”

Her hips revolved, bucking to meet his as he forcefully thrusted into her.

He grabbed her hand, forcing her to stay with him as he grinded his hips into hers.

He shuddered then levered himself up on his arms and pounded into her, his flesh slapping against hers.

“You’re so fucking perfect,” he rasped, moving his hips with a roll, raw and greedy.

The sensation of a second orgasm punched her without notice, making her arch up. Her hips chased his, her hands clawing at the hard swells of his shoulders.

Brian came with a long, low groan, jerking his hips as he emptied himself inside of her. He panted and grunted into her neck, holding her to his chest, pulsating, coming, giving her his all, his heart and soul, wanting her to take it all back to Phoenix with her.

Ø

Aubrey sat upright against the headboard, clad in only her lacy panties and Brian’s flannel shirt from that day, which was unbuttoned and just barely covering her breasts. He was prone on the bed, curled up beside her with his head in her lap, hugging her thighs. He gently caressed the soft skin on her leg with his thumb as she ran her fingers through his hair, running her fingernails along his scalp.

“Shit,” Brian groaned. “Now I see why Zack liked it so much when you played with his hair.”

She chuckled.

A soft silence fell over them as they indulged in each other’s presence, knowing it would only last for a few more hours.

She glanced down at him. He was staring at the wall, undoubtedly with many thoughts running through his mind. His eyelashes moved gently as he occasionally blinked. She brushed his dark hair away from his face, wanting to see it more clearly.

Her eyes traced the defined edges of his jaw, his lips in a solemn thin line. She eyed his adorable soft freckles and subtle beard stubble. His structured cheek bones. His deep eyes. All things that she appreciated collectively, but even more so as she took the opportunity to notice them individually, all of the things that made him so attractive to her.

And that attraction was only intensified knowing how pure and gentle his heart was. He had so much love to give and he didn’t even know it.

She watched as his eyelids grew heavy and his eyelashes began to flutter. With the sweetest, most content and peaceful face, he drifted off to sleep.

Aubrey continued to play with his hair until he was in a deep sleep, then she carefully snuck out of his grasp, leaving him undisturbed. She walked over to the French doors on the other side of the room and peered out the window. He had a view of the beach that was equally as impressive as the view from Val and Matt’s house. In fact, his house was closer to the ocean than their house.

She opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony, inhaling the clean air and the scent of the ocean, salty and fresh. This... This was her heaven.

In a new city, right on the beach, with great friends, and an amazing guy. That day and that night, the rest of the world didn’t exist. Her problems, they didn’t exist. She felt whole, healed, and happy.

She had made the right decision to go on tour. And the proof was all around her. Now, she needed to go back home, prove to herself that she was okay, and she could figure out a way to be with Brian again.

The floorboard creaked behind her, grabbing her attention. She glanced over her shoulder to see Brian, shirtless, with tousled hair and sleepy eyes, leaning against the doorframe. She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face.

Sometimes there are small moments in life that can’t be forgotten. Moments that seem meaningless and miniscule but they impact a life in such a strong way. A way that won’t ever be forgotten. Waking up to Aubrey’s clothes strewn around his room and her standing half naked on his balcony, wearing his shirt, smiling at him, with the sound of the waves crashing in the background and her hair blowing softly in the gentle wind. The intense emotion that the sight made him feel... That was Brian’s seemingly small, yet unforgettable moment. He’d never forget the way she looked, the way he felt, the smell of the ocean, the sound of his heartbeat thumping in his ears.

He moved out onto the balcony, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, slipping one hand into her open shirt and onto her bare skin. He kissed her head softly, nuzzling his nose into her hair, just above her ear. He hugged her tighter then looked out at the ocean in front of them.

“I wish I could freeze time, freeze this moment,” she said softly, placing her hand on his.

He nodded, understanding the sentiment, wanting to do the same, wondering if this moment was her small and unforgettable moment as well.

“I’ve never been so content,” she sighed, leaning her head into his.

“Me either, sweetheart,” he replied in a whisper.

She turned around in his arms and pressed her lips to his, kissing him with enough heat and passion to start a fire. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging on the hair at the back of his head. He sighed happily into her mouth, then gently picked her up. With her legs tight around his waist, he turned around and brought her back into his bedroom to properly say his goodbyes.

Ø

The next morning, Brian sat on the edge of his bed staring at the packed bag by the bedroom door. He could hear Aubrey freshening up in the en-suite bathroom. His gaze fluttered from the bag to the clock on the wall. His time with her was slowly coming to an end. He could feel the bile creeping up his esophagus.

His hands fidgeted with a loose thread on his shirt and his knee bounced nervously. As soon as she opened the bathroom door and appeared in his line of vision, he panicked.

“Don’t leave me,” he blurted softly.

She stopped in the doorway and furrowed her brow.

“I’m sure I’m just caught up in the moment and absolutely out of my mind, but you can’t leave me. Not after yesterday, not after last night. Don’t leave. Don’t you dare,” he rambled.

She frowned. “Brian...”

“I know it’s scary,” he rationalized. “I know it’s a risk and it’s a crazy idea, but it’s not like you and I have ever done things in a conventional, logical way. We can work out the rest of the kinks along the way.” He took a deep breath. “Just stay.”

Aubrey sighed. “Brian, you can't just wait until five minutes before I leave to beg me to stay. If that's what you wanted, why didn't you say something sooner?”

“I did! I've been bringing it up,” he defended.

“No, you haven't! You’ve asked me why I'm not staying but never actually asked me to stay,” she insisted.

“I'm sure I did,” he retorted, wondering if he ever articulated that he wanted her to stay.

“And I'm sure you didn't,” she countered, moving over to him. “I would remember you asking me to stay.”

He stared into her eyes sadly as he pulled her between his legs by her hips. She placed her hands on his shoulders as he gripped her thighs just under her butt. Simultaneously, they both sighed.

“Would it have made a difference?” He asked softly. “Would you be staying if I had asked sooner?”

She frowned, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “I don’t know. I guess not.”

He sighed.

“Give me some time, okay?” She requested just above a whisper, still cupping his cheek, caressing it with her thumb.

He nodded, sadly, giving her the sincerest puppy dog eyes.

“It’s not goodbye forever,” she promised.

“Better not be,” he mumbled, leaning into her touch.

“Promise it’s not,” she reiterated.

He nodded, glancing over at the clock, trying not to show his disappointment on his face. “We should probably get going.”

She nodded but didn’t move, not ready to say goodbye, but not able to stay either.

The drive to the bus station was silent. Brian held Aubrey’s hand the entire time, but neither said a word. What more could be said anyway?

After they arrived and her ticket was purchased, Brian carried her bags to the waiting area outside the station, where the bus would eventually park and load with passengers. But just as he set her bags down, someone’s yelling grabbed their attention.

“COME ON, WE’RE GONNA MISS HER.” A familiar voice belonging to a tall, skinny friend broke through the air.

They looked up to see Jimmy, Val, Matt, Zack, and Johnny all running from the parking lot to the station. The bus pulled up at that moment, officially marking the end of their time together.

“What are you guys doing?” Brian asked, confused yet amused, as they got closer.

“We wanted to give Aubrey an official send off,” Val said, out of breath.

Johnny breathed heavily, hunched over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “See her,” he spoke between short breaths. “One more time.”

“You guys,” Aubrey cooed as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Stop it or I’m gonna cry,” Val teased as she pulled Aubrey in for a hug.

Aubrey wrapped her arms around the girl who kept her company in a sea of boys for the last few months. A girl who she knew was a genuine soul, a true friend, even if she wasn’t necessarily her best friend.

"Thank you for everything," Aubrey said.

“Any time. You know where to find us,” Val whispered. “If you ever need anything, you know where we are.”

Aubrey nodded then pulled out of the hug.

Next was Matt, who pulled her in for a quick hug then let go and ruffled her hair. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

She smiled and nodded then turned to Zack, who gave her a sweet hug. “Take care of yourself. And thanks for the head scratches.”

“Anytime,” she laughed.

“My girl,” Johnny purred, pulling her into his arms. “Come visit.”

“I will,” she promised.

It was Jimmy’s turn next.

“AC Black,” Jimmy cooed, wrapping his arms around her. “Forever the sixth member of Avenged Sevenfold, yeah?”

“Yeah,” she agreed, nodding into his chest.

“Gonna miss the fuck outta you,” he said softly.

“Gonna miss you too, James,” she whispered back.

He kissed the top of her head then pulled out of the hug, giving her a sad smile.

Then it was time to say goodbye to Brian. They had said their most intimate goodbyes last night, but her heart still ached.

He wrapped his arms tight around her and she did the same, hugging his waist. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent one last time. She quickly memorized the way his heart beat against her cheek as she rested it on his chest.

“See you,” she said, pulling out of the hug, refusing to say goodbye.

“See you,” he whispered.

“I’ll see all of you, okay?” She promised.

They all shouted agreements and confirmations then she boarded the bus. She quickly found a window seat and sat down, looking out the window at her friends. They all waved to her, smiling but with sorrow.

She waved back as the bus’s engine roared to life. Her heart leapt into her chest when the vehicle began to move. Aubrey held Brian’s gaze as the bus began to drive away. She saw as Matt patted Brian on the back and Val squeezed his hand, his friends comforting him kindly.

And she was alone. With no one to comfort her but herself. She continued staring out of the window, long after they were out of her sight, with silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

Moments later, she felt a vibration in her pocket. She pulled out her phone; she had received a message from Brian - a message that only sent more tears tumbling out of her eyes, a message that read:

Miss you already.

Notes

Ahh, please don't hate me for this!!! I know how badly some of you guys wanted her to stay with them, but it's all for the sake of the story, I promise! Despite breaking all of your hearts, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

I'm anticipating a busy week so I wanted to hurry and get this chapter out before the chaos begins!

Thanks to everyone who read and commented on the last chapter! <3