“So lazy.”
“How do you get up so early?”
“I’m used to it. Been doing it for years.” He shrugs and examines my hands. “You have tiny hands.”
“I’m a girl. They’re supposed to be small.”
He kisses my knuckles softly and then pulls something out of his back pocket. “I need to talk to you about this.”
“What?”
“I’ve been invited to a charity ball thing. It’s formal, and I usually don’t go, but I thought that you might like to go to this one.” He shifts uncomfortably, and looks almost nervous, piquing my interest.
“What’s the charity?”
“Seattle Children’s,” he replies, his eyes on mine.
A slow smile spreads across my face. He wants to take me to a formal ball in honor of what I’m passionate about. Because he knows what it means to me.
Because he loves me.
“Will, this would be amazing.”
He smiles and looks down at the silver-embossed invitation and then passes it over to me.
“It’s next weekend?” I ask in a panic. Shit! I don’t have anything to wear!
And no money to buy anything.
“Yeah, is that a problem?” He’s watching me closely, so I gather myself and smile reassuringly.
“No.”
“Bad liar. What is it?” he asks and takes my hand again.
“Nothing, really.”
“What are you worried about?”
Damn it, he knows me too well already.
“I’ll just have to figure out what to wear.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. “It’ll be okay.”
Will narrows his eyes in thought but then just smiles at me. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I have to work in a little while.”
“Let’s get you home then.”
***
~Will~
I drop into the Shelby and pull my phone out of my pocket before even leaving Meg’s house. I just walked her to her door so she can get ready for work tonight. I hate that she works nights.
She works too fucking hard.
But, then, I suppose most nurses do. It never occurred to me before I met her that patients need around-the-clock care. Of course, it makes sense, but not really something most people think about.
She still works too fucking hard. And I hate that she drives home alone in the middle of the night in that piece-of-shit car of hers.
I told her to keep the Rover, but she refused.
Damn stubborn woman.
I dial Jules’ number and wait impatiently for her to answer.
“This is Jules.”
“Hey, it’s Will. Do you have time to meet up with me tonight?”
“Um…” I can hear her shuffling papers and typing on her keyboard. “Yeah. I should be done here around seven. Why?”
“I just want to take you and Natalie out to eat,” I answer innocently.
“Where’s Meg?” she asks.
“She works tonight.”
“Have you talked to Nat?”
“Not yet. I called you first.” I run my hand down my face and sigh. “I just need to talk to you guys, and I haven’t seen much of you over the past few months.”
“Hey, I’m not complaining. Sure, I’ll pick Nat up and meet you. Where are we going?”
“Just come to my place. I’ll order in.”
***
“So,” Natalie begins, taking a bite of an egg roll. She’s adorable, and looks happy, which is all any of us have ever wanted for her. She’s as much my sister as Jules is. “What’s up with you and Meg?”
They’re both fucking nosy as hell. But this is why they’re here.
“I’m completely in love with her,” I reply calmly and load my plate full of lo mein and chicken and egg rolls and dig in. I pause and look up at the girls. They’re frozen. Jules’ chopsticks are paused halfway to her gaping mouth, and both sets of eyes are wide.
“What?” I ask.
“Did you just say you’re in love with her?” Jules asks and sets her chopsticks down.
“Yes.”
“Okay,” Natalie says. They look at each other and then back at me. “Have you told her that?”
“Yep.”
“What did she say?” Jules asks.
I squirm. I really don’t want to admit to these two that Meg hasn’t said it back. They’ll never let me live it down.
“Has she said it back?” Natalie asks softly, her eyes full of sympathy, and all I can do is shake my head.
“No.”
“Fuck,” Jules whispers. “Will, Meg has trust issues—”
“I’m aware,” I interrupt her. Do they think I don’t know this shit? Of course I know. “I didn’t ask you here for this.”
“Well, I think we should talk about it,” Jules answers stubbornly. “Meg is fantastic, and I’m so glad that you guys are doing well.”
Natalie nods in agreement. “Definitely. Meg is awesome, and I’m glad that she’s back in our lives. I’ve missed her.”
“Look, guys, I know you like her. That just makes a relationship with her that much easier. She’s great.” I shrug and smile at my sisters.
“Don’t hurt her,” Jules whispers, her pretty face completely serious. “Honestly, Will. Meg is strong, but she has already had enough shit thrown at her in this life.”
“I know, Jules. Seriously. I’ve met Sylvia up close and personal and have removed her from Megan’s life.”
Their eyes bug out again.
“How did you manage that?” Natalie asks.
“I paid her.” I shake my head as I remember the look on that bitch’s face as she signed the contract severing all ties with her only child. “She got a shitload of money to disappear. She signed a contract. She won’t bother Meg again. If she does, I’ll sue the shit out of her.”
“Wow.” Natalie swallows and laughs ruefully. “I wish I had thought of that.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to afford it back then,” I answer softly.
“How much did you pay her?” Jules asks.
I just shake my head again. “More than she expected. Look, this isn’t why I asked you here. I need a favor.”
“Okay, shoot.” Jules stuffs half an egg roll in her mouth and chews with her mouth open.
“You’re so fucking classy,” I mutter.
“Thanks.” She smiles and stuffs the other half in her mouth.
“I’m taking Meg to the Children’s Hospital Charity Ball next Saturday, and she needs a dress. I need you to buy one for her. I’ll give you my card, and then I need you to tell her you’re lending it to her.”
“Why?” Nat asks with a frown. “Just take her shopping.”
“She wouldn’t let me.” I shake my head in frustration and sigh. “I know her. There’s no way she’ll let me take her out and spend a bunch of money on her.”
“You’re right. At least you didn’t land a gold digger.” Jules shrugs and then keeps eating, ignoring my scowl. “Okay, we can buy her something. What should we get?”
“Oh!” Nat jumps in her seat and takes a drink of water. “There’s a local designer who makes the most beautiful gowns that are totally Meg’s style. Rocker-ish but elegant. Here.” She pulls up her iPhone and starts tapping it, and when she finds what she’s looking for, she turns it so Jules and I can see. “See? Look at this one.”
It’s perfect. The dress is flesh-colored with red and orange flowers beaded in small patches. It’s gathered lightly at the stomach, giving it definition. There are cap sleeves, and a low V-neck so it’ll show off her amazing cleavage.
It’s Meg.
“That’s perfect. I want that dress.”
“Will, I don’t know if that exact dress is available.”
“I don’t care how much it costs. That’s the dress.” I shake my head and glare at them. How hard can it be? “Just call the designer and tell her I want it.”
They look at each other and then at me and start
laughing their little asses off.
“Oh, Will, you’re funny.” Jules wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good.” I sit back, satisfied that Meg will have the perfect dress for the ball, and grin. “Thanks, guys.”
“You’re welcome.” Natalie grins at Jules. “You know, she’s going to need shoes, too.”
“And lingerie.”
“Lingerie?” I ask. “What kind?”
Oh God, this might kill me.
“Don’t worry about it.” Jules waves me off, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She’s up to something.
“This is going to be fun.” Nat grins.
***
~Meg~
I’m exhausted. It’s been a long, long day. It’s three a.m. when I leave work, only an hour past my official time off.
Thankfully, I’m off now until Monday. I’ll be able to go to Jules’ party Sunday night, but I can’t get out of work Monday night because some of the other girls are on vacation. I’ll just have to suck it up.
This whole having-a-social-life thing is really starting to interfere with my work schedule. I laugh at the thought, start my old car and head toward home.
Yes, having Will, and his huge family, in my life is complicating things, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s added some fun to my life.
He’s reminded me that there’s more to life than work.
Leo would be proud.
My stomach twists the way it always does when I think of Leo. I miss him. He was my brother in every sense of the word, and having him gone from my life has left a big hole. Jules is right. His number probably hasn’t changed, but what would I say? He’s been gone for years now. He’s a big-time rock star with a band, a tour schedule, fans and responsibilities. He made it clear when he left what his priority was.
I shake the thought of Leo off and stop at a red light in a deserted part of downtown Seattle. Hell, any part of Seattle is pretty much deserted at three a.m. Just as the light turns green, and I step on the gas, my car dies.
What the fuck?
I turn the key, but there’s absolutely no response. Not even a clicking noise.
Goddamn car!
I hit the steering wheel in frustration and then lean my forehead against it. Fuck.
Well, I can’t sit here in the middle of an intersection all night. I make sure the car is in neutral, get out and push it to the side of the street, park it and climb back in, locking the door.
This is downtown Seattle in the middle of the night.
I call Will’s number and cringe. He’s going to have to get up in a couple of hours to go train.
“Hello?” he answers sleepily.
“Hey, babe. I’m sorry to wake you,” I murmur.
“What’s wrong?” I hear him sit up. “Why aren’t you here?”
“Well, I was on my way there, but my car broke down.”
“Where are you?” He’s moving around, probably looking for clothes, and I sigh.
“I’ll call a tow truck, Will. I just didn’t want you to worry when you woke up and I’m not there.”
“I’ll come get you. Where are you?” he asks again.
“Downtown.”
“What?”
“I’m downtown. In fact, I should call Jules. Their condo isn’t far from here.”
“Hell no, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Call a tow. I’m on my way.”
He hangs up, and I rest my forehead on the steering wheel again. He sounded mad. Well, screw him! He didn’t have to come get me. I told him I’d call Jules.
I call a local towing company, give my location and insurance information, and wait.
Less than ten minutes later, Will pulls up behind me in the Rover. I get out of the car and slide into the passenger seat of his SUV.
“Thanks. You didn’t have to come get me.”
“Like I’d let you sit out here by yourself, Meg. How long did the tow company say they’d be?”
“About a half hour. They’ll be here soon.”
He just nods and looks straight ahead, jaw tight.
“Will, seriously, I’m sorry. I know you have to get up early—”
“That’s why you think I’m upset?” His head whips around so he can look at me. “Because I’m going to lose a couple hours’ sleep?”
“I know you have a busy schedule today—”
“Stop talking.” He runs his hands down his face, and my jaw drops.
Did he really just tell me to shut up?
“Megan, I’m not mad at you for waking me up, or for having to come get you. You’re mine. This is part of my job. I’ll gladly come get you every night after work and bring you home, just so I know that you’re safe.”
“You don’t have to—”
“What pisses me off,” he continues, ignoring me, “is that I’ve told you that your car isn’t safe, especially for driving alone in the middle of the night, and I’ve offered you this car to keep.”
“Will, I can’t just take a car from you.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because it’s a goddamn car!” I yell back at him. “It’s not a pair of shoes or taking me out to dinner, Will. It’s an expensive car.”
“A car that I barely use.” His voice is calmer now. “Megan, I rarely drive this car. Seriously, just use it. If it makes you feel better, just borrow it indefinitely.”
I frown at him.
“You don’t have much choice. I have a feeling that thing is past the point of return.” He points to my little red car, and I sigh.
“I know.”
He takes my hand. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, but, babe, this is silly. Just use this car, okay?”
“Why do you always get your way?”
“Because I’m charming and handsome and rich.”
“And so incredibly modest.” I shake my head at him and then climb over the console into his lap. “Thank you for coming to get me and for letting me borrow your car.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How can I ever repay you?” I ask and weave my fingers into his soft dark blond hair.
“Hmm…I think we can work on payment when we get home.” His eyes are happy now. A smile plays on his lips, and I tip my head to lay my own on them.
“You smell good,” I whisper.
He wraps his arms around me and kisses me softly, nibbling my lips playfully, then across my jawline and over to my ear, where he knows I’m ticklish.
“You taste good,” he murmurs.
Just then a tow truck pulls in front of my car and backs up to my front end.
“Stay here,” Will instructs me as he gets out of the car. “And lock this door behind me.”
“Yes, sir,” I respond playfully.
“I’m gonna spank you later.”
“Oh, good.” I grin at him, and he shakes his head as he meets the driver by my car.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Who called them?” Natalie asks drunkenly and points a finger toward the door.
We follow her manicured hand to find Caleb and Matt sauntering toward us, trying not to smile.
Gosh, the Mungumrys are pretty.
“We don’t want to go home yet.” Jules pouts.
“The bar is trying to close, Jules,” Matt tells her. “We need to start taking you guys home.”
“I’ll call Nate and have him pay them to stay open longer.” Jules reaches for her phone, but Matt just laughs at her.
“Uh, Jules, it’s against the law for them to stay open any later than this.”
“Well, shit,” Sam mutters.
“Yeah, shit,” I mutter in agreement. “Okay, let’s go.”
We all slam our last shots, grab our bags and head toward the door.
Thank goodness, my feet are still intact this time.
“I’m gonna go get some orgasms!” Natalie announces to all of us as we stand on the sidewalk and wait for Caleb to bring the car around.
&nb
sp; I grin and raise my fist to bump hers. “Hey! I can get some this time, too! Wait.” I turn my blurry eyes to Matt. “Did Will get home?”
Will had to travel to New York this weekend for an away game. I hate it when he’s gone.
“Yes, he’s waiting for you at home,” Matt replies with a half smile.
“Good! Orgasms for me!”
The girls all laugh and high-five each other, half of us missing the others’ hands in our drunken stupors.
Caleb pulls up to the curb in a minivan that he must have borrowed from someone to cart us all around. He hops out of the driver’s seat to help Matt get us all in and settled, then Matt gets behind the wheel and Caleb gets in the passenger seat.
“I need orgasms.” Brynna pouts.
She is hilarious drunk. This dark-haired woman is a vixen when given some liquid courage.
“That one guy who was dancing with you would have given you some,” I remark with a smirk, and Caleb’s head whips around so he can glare at us.
“What man?” he asks, his voice low and hard.
“Just some dude who wanted to get his groove on,” Natalie responds. “And by groove, I mean giving Bryn some orgasms.”
We all laugh, like that’s the funniest thing we’ve ever heard. ’Cause it is.
“Hey, are you guys good at giving orgasms?” I ask the brothers and then smirk when Matt shakes his head ruefully and Caleb puts his hand over his eyes, trying to hold on to his patience. “I bet you are. I bet it’s ’netic, ’cause Will can give some fucking good orgasms.”
“I want some rough sex,” Sam responds. “I like to be spanked.”
“Seriously?” Brynna asks, her eyes wide.
“Haven’t you ever been spanked?” Sam asks her, and Brynna shakes her head no.
Hmm…I think I’ll have Will spank me tonight.
“It’s totally hot,” Sam tells her, and we all nod in agreement.
Matt shakes his head again as we turn a corner.
“What’s wrong, Matt?” I ask.
“Must you guys talk about sex?” he asks. “I’m related to most of you.”
“What’s wrong? You don’t like it rough?” Brynna asks with a smirk.
Because I’m sitting right behind him, I hear him mumble, “You have no idea how rough I like it.”
“Dude,” Caleb scolds him. “Shut it.”
With Me in Seattle Bundle One Page 82
