A Brook’s Thanksgiving: Chapter 1

Wednesday

The day before Thanksgiving

Vernon and Naverone

Her warm, firm thigh lay lovingly across his, as her finger caressed his chest like a soft feather. Her long black hair covered his shoulder as if it were a blanket of protection. These were the things his mornings were now made of. Vernon Eugene Books found himself hating the thought of waking the beautiful woman known as Naverone. The woman made love like the goddess she resembled, with her long, luscious, bronze body, acrobatic moves and that openness to explore anything. He honestly would never be able to say if it was her loving heart, her brain that rivaled his or her ability to kick a man’s ass at the drop of a hat, including his, that he loved to the depth of his soul. Whatever it was, it had his body burning to be inside of her again. Yes, again, for their bodies were entangled partially on and off the king size bed from their almost twenty-four-hour marathon.

“It wasn’t enough.”

He smiled at the warmth of her breath against his neck as she groaned. “Thought you were still asleep.”

She stretched her leg out causing her pelvis to graze his thigh. “Brooksie growing against my leg alerted me that he needed some attention.”

Lying in his arms with her center core beginning to vibrate against his thigh, he growled. Just the scent of their lovemaking enticed his senses. “Brooksie will take his morning loving now.”

“Do you really think he is ready for me?”

The involuntary jump from his manhood answered her question. “Oh yeah.” He pulled her on top of him, her thighs straddled him, then he eased her down on him in one smooth motion.

They both sighed as the warmth of their joining filled their hearts with the knowledge of a love so strong, it could only be ordained by God.

“In three days, this will all be mine.”

Vernon put his hands on her waist, raising her body upwards meeting her strokes. “It’s all yours now, baby.”

Her head fell back on his strong thighs, sliding him deeper inside of her. “Hmm, Vernon, give me all that you have. I want every inch of you inside me.”

He pulled her hips down as he pushed up, growing thicker from   her juices coating him. Flames built from the intensity of her moves and the determination of his drive, until an explosion ripped gently through them, covering them both in the glow of morning love.

An hour later, they had showered, dressed and made it to the car twenty minutes late, but ready to face the onslaught of family that was about to take over their lives.

“Can you believe it? The weather channel is calling for snow beginning tonight. No one is going to make it to the wedding.”

Vernon Brooks, the criminal defense attorney to the rich and famous, glanced at the woman he had fallen hopelessly in love with, Rene Naverone. In the three years he had known her, she had protected his daughter, supported him through a murder trial then literally changed his life, but this was the first time he had witnessed her being nervous. The fearless ex…Secret Service Agent, now the owner of a private protection agency was finally coming unraveled.

He reached over, making certain to keep one eye on the road as he drove towards Brooks Landing Airfield, wrapping his hand around hers. “I woke up this morning counting the hours before we make you officially my wife. Frankly, I don’t give a damn if no one is there. All I need is you, the minister and me. Make no mistake, I will fly him in, if need be, to ensure a perfect union.”

“It’s a good thing we consummated this marriage beforehand. Rest assured, if we do anything without my parents there, my father will instruct each of my four brothers to take you out.”

“Your brothers love me.” Vernon smiled.

“No, baby, they don’t.” Rene shook her head in laughter. “If Reggie and Roland had their way they would have taken you out at the cookout a few months back.”

“That’s only because they hadn’t really had a chance to get to know me. If they had, they would have taken me out before I made it to the cookout.”

“I can’t figure out what their issue is with you.”

“I’m an arrogant, rich boy with shoes that cost as much as their monthly paycheck.”

“No.” Rene shook her head in disagreement. “Money doesn’t faze them. They would kick your ass whether you were wearing a three-thousand-dollar suit or a thirty-nine dollar suit. There has to be something else, something we’re missing.”

“I have no idea what, and frankly don’t give a damn.” He brought her fingers to his lips, gently kissed them, then continued towards the airfield. “I’ll tell you what.  Since it seems to be bothering you, Pop has a boxing ring in the attic. I’ll pull it out and give each one of them a chance to take me down. When I knock them out, I win your hand in marriage without any interruptions.”

Rene’s chuckle was so deep it caused him to turn to her when he parked at the hangar where the two private planes were housed.  “What’s so damn funny?”

“Babe, you have a brilliant legal mind, however, your fighting skills are questionable. I can take you down with handcuffs on, what makes you think you can take my brothers out?”

Vernon shrugged as he leaned towards her. “A man’s strength doubles when he is fighting for love. Besides, I rather enjoy when you take me down. I really don’t put a lot of effort into stopping you.” He captured her lips in a slow, sensual kiss that left her breathless.

“That was very tasty, Mr. Brooks, but I suggest you don’t do that in front of my brothers.”

“Then I strongly suggest they stay away from us for I have no intention of not putting my lips on you any day, any time, or anywhere.”

Rene smiled. “You like living dangerously, don’t you.”

There was a tap on the window.

Vernon turned to see the driver of the SUV limousine he hired to transport guests from the airport to the Brooks Estate for the wedding on Saturday. He pushed the button to roll down the window.

“The plane is landing, sir.”

Vernon looked over his shoulder as Rene looked around him. She placed her hand on his cheeks turning him to face her.

“Three days and this will be a done deal. I need you to promise me you will show the nice side of you to my brothers.”

“I’ll do anything for you, Rene.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Let’s go meet the family.”

Rene hesitated as he opened the door then walked around to her side. When he opened the passenger door, the cold air was instantly against her skin. In her spiked boots, jeans and ankle length leather coat, she put her arm in his. They turned towards the plane that was coming to a smooth stop. There was no turning back now. The Naverone family had arrived. If she had to kick all of her brothers assess to make it down the aisle on Saturday, she would do it. Their habit of bullying every man in her life was about to come to an end. She had every faith that Vernon Eugene Brooks would take out anyone who tried to delay the wedding. Therein lay the problem for her. Family was important. So she could not let Vernon make any of her brothers disappear. How in the hell could she pick between her brothers and Vernon.

The door to the plane opened. The steps were lowered to the ground. The moment her family began descending the steps all the anxiety of a moment ago disappeared. She ran and jumped right into her father’s arms.

“Daddy.” She hugged and kissed him with tears streaming down her face.

“Hello, baby girl.” All of six four, olive skin, coal black hair, a touch of gray at each temple, and a ponytail swinging in the air between them.  He hugged her tight, lifting and swinging her around, then placed her back on her feet.

Leaving his arms, Rene was quickly wrapped in her mother’s warmth. “Hi, Mom.”

“You are as beautiful as ever.” Ella Naverone smiled as she kissed each cheek then wiped her daughter’s tears of joy away. “Are you ready?”

“Now that you are here, yes.”

Without any warning, Rene jumped in the air kicking her oldest brother in the chest with her feet. She landed on the ground, bracing her fall with her hands, pushing off and flipping on her feet, as if she was doing a backwards flip. She kicked out one leg, clipping the second brother’s legs, knocking him to the ground. By then the third brother was ready, he came at her with his own kick motion, but missed. Rene anticipated the move and jumped as if going over a hurdle. When she landed, she grabbed his outstretched leg, flipping him backwards. The first two brothers grabbed her from behind, each taking an arm. Vernon started towards them.

Rennie put his hand against Vernon’s chest to stop him then shook his head. “I got this.” He walked over, banged the two oldest sons’ heads together causing them to lose their grip on Rene.

Rene took to the air the moment her last brother was within reach. She wrapped her legs around his neck knocking them both to the ground. Squeezing her legs tight around his neck she yelled out, “Give?”

“Hell no,” her youngest brother replied, laughing.

She squeezed tighter, then patted him on top of his head. “Give?”

“All right, all right, all right, damn it!”

“Say it.”

“Give, damn it. I said I give.”

Rene removed her legs from around his neck, pushed him to the side, then stood. She wiped her hands as if shaking off the dirt then walked over to Vernon.

The look on his face caused her to laugh. He was furious. 

“What in the hell was that?”

“That’s the way I let my brothers know I’m not taking any crap off of them.”

“You learn to get used to it,” one of the two women standing next to the steps of the plane stated.

“They don’t say hello, the way civilized people do,” the other woman added.

Rene laughed. “That is Richard’s wife, Angela and my brother Robert’s wife, Janice. You’ve already met my older brothers.” She took Vernon by the arm then walked up to each brother.  “Richard, Robert.” She stopped in front of the younger men and sighed. “These are the bullies, Reggie and Roland. Pay them no mind.”

Vernon hesitated, still a little miffed by what he had just witnessed. But then, the two walked up on him staring him down like they wanted a piece of him. He chuckled in his smooth arrogant way. “I’m not your sister. When I come at you it will be to take you out.”

Rennie laughed, “All that talk on the plane and Rene took you down in less than five minutes.”

“We didn’t want to hurt her before her wedding day,” her youngest brother Reggie spat at Vernon, still giving him a long stare. 

“We’re still going to have our talk.” Roland followed his brother’s motion, pointing a finger at Vernon. “Everyone gets the talk.”

“For the next three days, to get to her,” Robert added, “You have to go through us.” Robert came behind Vernon.

Richard walked up on him, completing the circle around Vernon and Rene.  “Until Saturday, you are keeping your hands to yourself, Mister.”

Vernon looked at the men, then to Rennie and Ella. He nodded his head.

“All right. I see you have the protective brother’s thing going on.” He shrugged. “I get it. I’ve been on the other side. So let me make my position clear to each of you.”

He put his hand on the back of Rene’s neck, pulled her into a deep, long jarring kiss that caused her to groan in response. 

“Oh, I can feel that over here.” Janice shivered as she moved closer to her husband, taking his hand and pulling him from the circle.

“It’s called technique.” Angela smiled as she pulled her husband from the circle.

“No, my dear,” Ella added, pushing Reggie away from the couple. “It’s called love.”

“If you are lucky, you will experience it one day,” Rennie said as he pushed Roland to the side. “Let’s get the bags.”

“The bags are already loaded, sir,” the limo driver replied.

“Thank you.” Rennie nodded. “Let’s load up.” He patted Vernon, who was still kissing Rene, on the shoulder. “Point well made.”

When Vernon did not show any signs of stopping, Rennie applied a little pressure to the shoulder. “You can release my daughter, now.”

Vernon tilted in the direction of the slight pain coursing through his shoulder as he ended the kiss. Reluctantly he pulled away, taking Rene’s hand in his because he did not want to disconnect the touch.

He passed the brothers with Rene’s hand in his then smiled as he looked over his shoulder. “How you like me now?”

Ella, Angela, and Janice laughed out loud. The brothers frowned.

“Get in the vehicle,” Rennie demanded then turned his head laughing at the shenanigans of the group.

“This is going to be an interesting week,” Rene chuckled as Vernon opened the car door for her.

“No, we’ll be good,” Vernon stated as he closed the door. He walked around the car, then slid into the driver’s seat, and started the car. He pushed a button on the dashboard. A telephone rang  in the quiet of the interior. “Pop, I need a favor.”

“Anything, son. What do you need?” Avery Brooks replied.

“I need my wing of the house to be prepped. Rene’s brothers will be staying there.”

Rene pushed Vernon on the arm. “You are not splitting my family up.”

Vernon laughed. “Okay, Pop, prepare my suites. Rene and I will be staying there until the wedding.”

Avery laughed through the phone. “Gwen, Vernon is trying to get rid of the brothers.”

“Give me that phone,” he heard his mother say.

“You’re in trouble now,” he said to Rene.

“Hello, my darling. Where is Rene?”

“I’m right here, Gwen.”

“We have enough room here for all of your family. We would love to have them. It will give Avery and I a chance to get to know them. Your parents can stay in our wing of the house and your brothers can stay in Vernon’s wing.”

“Thank you, Mother. We’ll be arriving in fifteen minutes.” He disconnected the call before Rene could respond.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she huffed. “If my family is staying there tonight, I’m staying there, too.”

“What? Why? We have a perfectly good house to stay in…..alone”

“Are you crazy? My family came in from Atlanta to spend time with me. Do you think I would just drop them off at your parents’ home and leave them?”

“You’re crazy if you think I’m sleeping under the same roof as men who want to do bodily harm to me.” He put the car in reverse, backed out, then pulled up next to the limo. “We are going to the Brooks Estate.”

“Yes, sir,” the driver replied then followed Vernon out of the parking lot.

Rene pushed the phone button on the console. The call was picked up on the second ring. “Natasha, please pack an overnight bag for me and Mr. Brooks. We’ll be staying at his parents’ home until Friday. It seems my family will be staying there rather than at our house. I realize this is uncharted territory for you, but would you mind coming to the Brooks’ Estate to help out? I’m certain they could use the extra help.”

“I will be happy to, ma’am. What time would you like for me to arrive?”

“As soon as you pack things up.”

“Very well, ma’am. I will see you within the hour.”

“Thank you, Natasha.” Rene disconnected the call.

“I don’t recall stating I was staying at my parents’ house.”

“I go, you go, Vernon.” Rene huffed. “This will save us a trip here tomorrow morning.”

“You do know your brothers started all of this.”

“You didn’t have to follow them down the dark room of the abyss. You could have ignored them.”

“And let them think they had the upper hand? I think not. You know I have brothers, too.”

“Vernon, this is not a pissing contest. This is my family coming to see us get married,” Rene gushed. “I want y’all to behave and get along.”

“I suggest you let your brothers know I don’t turn the other cheek. I am not that guy.”

“You egged them on, kissing me like that in front of them.”

“Are you complaining about my kisses?”

“My complaint is not with your kisses.” She smirked. “It was the reason behind the kiss.”

“I needed to let them know who is in control.”

“Was that important?”

“Damn right it was,” Vernon laughed. “They are on my turf. And when it comes to you, nobody…nobody gets to tell me when I can and cannot touch you. When they do try, I want them to know they will feel the wrath of Vernon Brooks.”

“Here’s what all of you need to know. Screw up my wedding with bruises or broken bones and I’m going to kick all your asses. You can take that to the bank, buddy.”

“Did you just threaten me?”

“Yes, I did. Now, try me.”

Vernon stared at her as they drove through the double wrought iron gated entrance onto the estate.

“Damn, you are so sexy when you get riled up. Call Natasha back and tell her to pack your handcuffs, I feel the need for a take down, Naverone style.”

Rene glared at him for a long while, shook her head and smiled.