277 Supporting each other

Monday

6:31 PM

Max entered Ashton's room and found Sabrina and Elizabeth chatting with Ashton.

"Hello, beautiful…" Max murmured while pulling Liz into his embrace. "Your handsome boyfriend came to pick you up from work."

Liz smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Aren't I the lucky one?"

Sabrina smiled while looking at her brother who is kissing Liz like no one else is in the room. She can't believe that only a few months ago this business-oriented doting boyfriend was a fickle partygoer who was giving headaches to their father.

"How are things here?" Max asked when his lips parted from Liz's.

Liz wanted to respond, but she was slightly dazed from his kiss which made her mind spin, and she ended up leaning into his embrace. "I need a minute…"

Max chuckled. Ah, Liz is wonderful.

"Updates from your side?" Sabrina asked Max.

"About two hours ago, Jack was admitted to the General Hospital. He has no ID and most of his teeth are missing, so it will take them some time to identify him and notify his parents."

Sabrina nodded in approval, and she wanted to know one more thing… "His condition?"

Max pursed his lips while thinking about how to respond. "Alive. For how long, it will depend on his luck and on the skill of the doctors."

"What about Adams and Stone families?"

Max's lips curved into a malicious smile. "Both Mark and Greg wanted to see me. Foxy told them that I'm busy, and they got meetings scheduled for later in the week."

Sabrina's expression morphed into concern. She knows that those meetings will not be pleasant. No matter how powerful Max is, Mr. Stone and Mr. Adams see Max as a child who is playing around. The age difference is giving them a false sense of importance. "Will you see them?"

"Of course. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Max assured Sabrina before his focus moved on Ashton.

"How are you doing?"

"Much better." Ashton responded as usually, while trying to stay in good spirits.

Behind that smile, Ashton is frustrated that he is stuck in the bed and that he can't move. And he hates that he can't remember what happened for him to end up like this. And the fact that Sabrina and her brothers are cleaning up the mess, is making him feel useless. 

Max looked at Ashton for a second and he understood that the encouraging response is a façade. He looked at Liz. "How is Ashton?"

"Considering what he went through, he is fine. I would like to keep him here for another few days, just to make sure he is fine before he can go home. Once he is discharged, I will pay him a few visits to make sure he is doing well."

"I took time off from work to take care of him." Sabrina added.

Other than a quick trip home to freshen up and change her clothes, Sabrina didn't leave Ashton's side.

Ashton told Sabrina that is not necessary. He knows how much she values her studio. But Sabrina didn't want to hear about it. It's not that she feels guilty about Ashton's condition, but she would not be able to focus on work while worrying about how he is doing.

Max and Liz didn't stay long. They went home, and shortly after, Hunter and Mia arrived, with boxed dinner.

As promised to Sabrina, Hunter apologized to Ashton.

"I'm sorry that I acted like a prick. When you get back on your feet, feel free to hit me until all the wrongs are fixed."

Ashton appreciated the apology, but… "Hitting pricks doesn't make me feel better."

Sabrina laughed. "I am glad that you are well enough to crack jokes…", she said and started feeding Ashton.

The next few days passed peacefully.

Every day more bandages came off from Ashton, and his bruises faded. The cut on his lip was barely visible, and if not for the neck brace and cast on his hand, he would look fine when covered with a blanket.

…

~ New York ~

Friday

4:05 PM

Brianna went to answer the door of her apartment. She is expecting a buyer to come and check the bed.

"Quentin…" She said under her breath when she saw a familiar face.

"I missed you…" Quentin said sincerely. He observed that she is stunned and part of him feared that there is a man in her apartment, like the last time when he visited. "Is this a bad time?"

Brianna snapped out of her daze. "No, no… please, come in…"

Quentin exhaled the breath he was holding while scolding himself internally for thinking that Brianna is with another man. They speak often on the phone, but she refuses to see him, and considering her past, what was he supposed to think?

Quentin paused when he noticed that most of the furniture is missing and he connected the clues. "You are moving?"

"I was about to tell you when I come to Seattle." Bri said in a low voice.

"Where are you moving to? When?"

"My lease expires at the end of the month. I'm trying to sell as much as possible until then. And I am going to San Francisco."

"San Francisco?"

Brianna confirmed. "It's a decision driven by finances. That is where my family is, and I will get a proper job."

Quentin was not sure what to think about this. "Why are you keeping this from me?"

"When I came to Seattle, we had only a few days, and I didn't want to spoil the mood by talking about my finances and the upcoming move. I thought that I will tell you later, over the phone, but then it didn't sound right because it should be done in person. And I decided to add a few days in Seattle before going to San Francisco, so that we can spend some time together, and then I would tell you." Brianna inhaled and observed Quentin's expression. "Don't be upset. Once I move, we will be closer."

Quentin wrapped his arms around Brianna. "San Francisco is far away."

Brianna smiled in relief that Quentin didn't scold her for keeping this from him. "One step at a time, Quentin." She hugged him tightly. "I missed you."

"I missed you more."

Brianna felt that his grip on her is increasing and her core immediately responded by aching in need.

"Show me…" Brianna breathed.

Quentin's lips landed on Brianna's with urgency. He lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom without interrupting the kissing frenzy.

They were halfway in removing their clothes, when they heard the doorbell.

Quentin paused his movements. "Are you expecting someone?"

Brianna groaned in frustration. "Buyer for the bed."

"Which one?"

Brianna tilted her head toward the massive circular bed behind her.

"I will buy it." Quentin said and his hands moved to undo the buckles of her bra.

Brianna wiggled away. "I looked for this buyer for a long time. You have no idea how difficult is to sell this custom bed."

Quentin pulled her back toward him. "No matter how much you are asking for it, I will give you double. This is the bed where we made love for the first time and I will not allow anyone else to soil it."

Brianna made a hum in protest, but she didn't stop him from unbuckling her bra.

The two of them fell on the bed behind Brianna and ignored the doorbell which stopped ringing after some time.

About two hours later…

After several rounds of intense lovemaking, Quentin is cradling Brianna in his arms.

"When will you move to San Francisco?"

"In about two weeks. I plan to spend a few days in Seattle, and I will let you know as soon as I get the tickets."

Quentin looked at Brianna nervously. He knows that he will push it too far, but he has to try... "Why don't you stay in Seattle? My apartment is big enough for both of us. I am more than happy to take care of the expenses, and you can continue working on your blog, or on the movies, or on whatever you want."

Brianna looked at Quentin. "Do I look like a woman who wants to depend on a man?"

"I am not just any man. I am your man."

Brianna smiled. "You are. But I want to stand on my own feet. Independence is important to me." She saw that Quentin is not convinced, so she explained: "I left the security my family is providing with confidence. And I messed up. Now I need to return and to pay for my mistake."

"We will be far away. Are you OK with that?" Quentin whined.

"No." Brianna admitted. Staying away from Quentin so far was torturous and she would not do it again if she has a choice. "I have a plan. Give me six months."

Quentin was curious. "What happens in six months?"

"My family's business has a strong presence in the South West, but not on the North. I plan to convince my father to branch out to Seattle. Once that happens, I will ask you if your apartment is still big enough."

Quentin likes the possibility that she will come to Seattle. The two of them living together sounds like a dream come true, but... "Do you think that you can do it in six months?"

"I will try. I understand that six months is a long time, and I don't dare to ask you to wait for me. But if you don't find someone else, will you support me?"

Quentin frowned. "Someone else? From where is that coming from?" No matter how displeased he is with that comment, he has to answer her question. How is he supposed to respond when his fiery Goddess is asking him for help? "I will always support you…"

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