by J. S. Scott
Expecting her to push him off her, Kade shuddered as he felt her hands hesitantly push underneath his shirt and up his back, exploring and wandering across his bare skin. Her lips against his ear, she whispered, “I’m homeless and barely surviving. My boobs are too small, and I’m no seductress. I’ve only been with one man in my entire life, and sex was never something I really wanted or thought I needed. But I’m starting to crave you, and it scares me. I don’t know why you want me, but I can guarantee I want you more. I know I shouldn’t be telling you how I feel, but I can’t let you think I don’t want you back. Because I do. I want you so much it hurts.”
Kade lifted his head, his expression incredulous as he started to drown in her swirling chocolate eyes. Her words made him come completely unraveled, but he needed her to understand that he wanted more than a fuck. “I don’t care where you come from, or how much money you do or don’t have. I just want to be with you because of who you are. You’re brave, talented, smart, sexy and completely insane to want a lame, washed-up jock like me, but I’m glad you do,” he answered in a shaky, low voice, his emotions out of control. Asha had tapped into his hidden emotional well, and he was tangled in a web of need so tightly that he couldn’t extricate himself, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to escape.
“Stop it.” Asha speared her hands into his hair and pulled his face close to hers. “You’re the kindest man I’ve ever met, you’re incredibly handsome and sexy, and I couldn’t care less if you can’t play football anymore. And I think your ex-girlfriend was either crazy or incredibly superficial if she couldn’t see what she had. I want you because of who you are, too. I don’t even understand football. It’s just a silly game.”
“Whoa! Hold on. Don’t call football silly,” he scolded her in a teasing voice, resting his forehead against hers. “It was my entire life for years.”
“Maybe it’s time to make a new life,” Asha suggested hesitantly. “You have so much more to offer the world than just playing a game. I know how much it meant to you. It would be like taking away my ability to do my art. But you’re more than just one thing, Kade.”
He swallowed hard, moved by her faith in him. Yeah. Maybe it was time to start a new chapter in his life, just like Asha was trying to do for herself. And he could think of nothing better than beginning it with the woman beneath him. He could happily drown in her seductive scent, bury himself inside her until he didn’t give a shit about anything else but her. And he’d quite gladly take on the task of making her happy and keeping her that way. “Maybe it is time to do something else,” he agreed in a graveled voice, moving the few inches needed to cover her tempting, lush lips with his own.
Her instant response just fueled the flames that were already consuming him. She met his tongue stroke for stroke, squirming beneath him to unbutton his shirt. Finally, he felt the buttons pop, and his shirt parted, their bare skin finally meeting. And Kade completely lost it. The feel of her naked breasts—that he personally found to be the perfect size—sliding against his chest felt so incredibly erotic that he was desperate to get her naked, to feel their entire bodies skin-to-skin.
“Touch me,” he demanded as he pulled his mouth from hers. He needed her hands on his heated skin before he went completely insane. Her fingers had just started their shy exploration, were almost to the waistband of his jeans, when Kade heard a noise from downstairs.
“Kade? Are you here?” The voice was coming from the kitchen and it was definitely female.
“Fuck!” His sister had shitty timing. And he should have known he wouldn’t have to let her know he was home. No doubt Mia passed by his house on a daily basis, waiting. Kade wanted to lock the bedroom door and ignore it, but he knew he couldn’t, even though he was pretty sure his balls were as blue as a Smurf.
Asha froze beneath him, her expression startled. “Who is it?”
Kade clenched his jaw tightly and forced himself to move from the sweet haven between Asha’s jean-clad thighs. “It’s Mia—your new pain-in-the-ass sister-in-law.” Kade loved his sister, but considering what she’d interrupted, he wanted nothing more than for her to go away for at least a week. Or maybe two. “No doubt Maddie is with her, and probably Max.”
Kade stood and Asha scrambled to her feet, holding her buttonless shirt in front of her. “Oh, God. I’m not ready for this,” she groaned.
He grinned at her wickedly. “I guess you better find a shirt.”
Watching her scurry around the room, pulling open drawers frantically, made him smile even wider. She looked so adorable when she was frazzled. Rifling through her bag, she pulled out a bra, jerked it on and snapped it in the front. Kade scowled, thinking that was a real pity.
“Can you grab me a shirt?” she asked nervously, looking in the mirror and frowning at her reflection. “I look like I just tumbled out of bed,” she said, her voice tremulous.
“You did,” he answered, sounding pleased with himself. Knowing it was his fault that she was somewhat tousled made him want to take her back to bed and finish the job.
“I don’t want them to know that,” she hissed, pulling a brush from her purse and yanking it mercilessly through her long hair.
“Kade?” Mia’s voice sounded again, closer this time.
He strode to the bedroom door and yelled, “We’ll be down in a minute.” The last thing he wanted was to be confronted by Mia, Max, and Maddie in Asha’s bedroom. Their appearance would lead to questions he couldn’t or didn’t want to answer. He supposed he should get another shirt for himself, but he strolled to the closet and browsed the selection Mia had picked for Asha. Pulling out a bright red silk with a swirling black design, he pulled it from the hanger and walked over to Asha. He held the shirt open while she slipped her arms into the sleeves and hastily buttoned the front. He took the brush from her hand and set it on the dresser. “Stop torturing your hair. You look beautiful,” he told her gruffly, taking her hand and leading her across the hall.
He grabbed another shirt from his bedroom closet and shrugged it on before reaching for her hand again. “Ready?”
“No. I’m a coward. I don’t want to go down there,” she told him honestly, her voice panicked.
“Then don’t,” he told her simply. “I’ll go down and make something up. If you’re not ready to meet them, they can wait.”
Asha sighed. “I can’t do that to them. They’ve been nice enough to come meet me. I can’t be rude. I don’t want to hurt their feelings.”
Kade shrugged. “Sure you can. If you’re not ready, then they can wait.” Really, his main concern was whether or not Asha was comfortable. Maddie, Mia, and Max were here because they couldn’t contain their curiosity; Asha was scared shitless.
“I’m fine,” she murmured, tightening her hold on his hand.
Asha was clinging to him, but he had no complaints. She could lean on him all she wanted. He’d be there for her anytime she needed him. That was another thing he couldn’t explain—he actually wanted her to need him, to be able to count on him to have her back in any bad situation.
Shaking his head at his thoughts, he let go of her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing her body tightly against his in a protective gesture.
They left the room silently, but Kade never let her go, even after they arrived downstairs.
Asha tried really hard not to feel inferior to the women waiting in Kade’s living room, but failed miserably. Amid the introductions, she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that she could actually be related to these sophisticated, wealthy people. Not possible. They were nothing alike. She couldn’t quite believe that the handsome, dark-haired Max who had his arm wrapped around Mia could be her brother. Or that the lovely red-headed physician who introduced herself as Maddie could be her sister. These people were completely out of her league, and she inwardly cringed at what they might be thinking about her.
Her hair needed a more th
orough brushing, her jeans were tattered, and her feet were bare, the henna tattoo on her foot peeking out from under the denim of her jeans. The only nice thing she was wearing was the beautiful red blouse, and that had been provided by the two women in front of her. God…she was a mess. Even if she was related to them, they certainly wouldn’t want to claim her.
“You can come and stay with us,” Mia said cheerfully, after everyone was introduced.
“No. I want her to stay with Sam and me,” Maddie said emphatically.
Asha heard a low growling noise coming from Kade. “She’s staying here,” he rumbled, glaring at all of his guests. “She’s doing some designs for me.”
“What kind of designs?” Mia asked curiously.
“I do wall designs,” Asha answered quietly, suddenly wishing she had a more stable career, more education, or anything that would make her feel less like a loser next to these people.
“She’s an incredible artist,” Kade boasted proudly, his arm tightening around Asha’s waist.
Mia smiled at her before answering, “I design jewelry. I’d love to see your work.”
“I have some pictures upstairs,” Asha answered hesitantly, fairly certain Mia was just being polite. No doubt Mia had been to college, studied her craft. Asha was self-taught, using her gut instinct and raw talent to create her designs.
Mia’s expression lit up. “Let’s go look,” she said excitedly, Maddie’s head bobbing in agreement.
“Hold it,” Max boomed as the two women pulled her from Kade’s reassuring grasp. “I’d like to hug my sister first before you drag her off for a female bonding session.”
Asha stepped back, her whole body trembling, desperately wanting the brotherly affection that Max was offering, but terrified to accept it. She had no time to think before Max moved forward and pulled her into his arms, wrapping her into a bear hug. Strangely, there was nothing awkward about Max’s embrace, and although it was a little disconcerting for her because she wasn’t used to physical affection, she felt a sense of peace and security when he held her against his strong body. She felt nothing but acceptance vibrating from his strong frame, and tears sprang to her eyes as she hesitantly hugged him back. “I’m not used to having anyone,” she whispered huskily without thinking about her words.
Max hugged her even tighter and said, “You have us. I’m sorry it took so long to find you.” He eased up and held her by the shoulders. “I know this is overwhelming. I didn’t have family either until I found Maddie. Finding you is an enormous gift to both Maddie and me.”
“I was alone, too,” Maddie said, as she pulled Asha away from Max and hugged her almost as tightly as her brother had.
Asha felt the same sense of connection as Maddie hugged her close, and the tears streamed from her eyes like a river. These two people were so willing to accept her as a sister, to pull her into the fold of their family. It was overwhelming and wonderful, but frightening. While she hungered for family, wanted it with every cell in her body, the unknowns of the situation were also terrifying. She’d always been alone. What did she know about a real family?
Finally, she pulled away from Maddie, swiping at her tears with her hand. “We can’t be certain I’m really related.” She reminded herself of the reality that nothing was completely proven. It wouldn’t do to get attached to the idea of family and then have it all taken away. It was a seductive lure that she couldn’t let take her away from reality.
“I don’t need proof,” Max said hoarsely. “I can sense it.”
“Me too,” Maddie agreed. “It’s the same strange feeling of being connected that I felt with Max before I knew he and I were siblings. And we know we had the same mother. Her name was the same, and Max’s investigation is pretty conclusive since Kade was able to provide more information. We all share the same mother.”
“But what if it’s all a mistake? What if she just happened to have the same name or something?” Every part of her wanted to believe she had these two extraordinary people for a brother and sister, but it was so surreal that she just couldn’t believe it. Things like this didn’t happen to her.
Max dug out his wallet and pulled out a picture. “Here. This is our mother. She was very young at the time. It’s the only picture I could locate.”
Asha took the small picture from him, her heart racing with fear and anticipation. She studied it, biting her lower lip in concentration as she looked at the likeness, a woman who looked very much like Maddie—and a younger version of her own birth mother. Stroking a finger along the edge of the small picture, she murmured, “She does look like my mom.”
“Do you have a picture?” Maddie asked excitedly. “I’d like to see it.”
“I do. I have a picture of her and my father before they died.” Asha handed the picture back to Max.
“Do you remember them?” Max asked, placing the photo back in his wallet. “I know they died in a car accident. Your father was drinking and driving, according to my information.”
“Your information was wrong,” Asha answered defensively. “My father wasn’t driving and he didn’t drink. There was no alcohol in his system. But the guy driving was intoxicated. They had all gone together to a holiday party for his work. My mom and dad were in the back seat, and everyone in the car died instantly when the driver swerved and they were hit by a semi-truck.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “And no…I don’t remember them. I was only three when they died. I don’t have much left from either of them. Once their estate was settled, there was nothing but a few personal belongings.” Actually, she had gotten quite a few of her parents’ belongings, but everything had been sold off by her foster parents, supposedly to pay for her expenses, leaving her with nothing but a few photos.
Maddie put her arm around her, as though she sensed Asha’s sadness. “Let’s go look at those pictures.”
“I’m sorry, Asha,” Max said remorsefully. “No child should have to lose both of her parents so young.”
Asha shrugged. “We all did.” She knew Max had been adopted by good parents, but Maddie had done the rounds of foster homes and knew what it was like to feel alone.
“I was luckier than you and Maddie,” Max answered contritely.
She looked up at Max, and wanted to hug him again when she saw his rueful expression. “I’m glad at least one of us got adopted. It’s not your fault that I didn’t. I survived. I had foster parents who fed me and gave me a roof over my head.”
Maddie chuckled. “Don’t bother trying to tell him that. You’ll soon learn that Max feels like a brother who should have been there for his sisters, even though he didn’t even know we existed. Maybe together we can convince him that he’s not psychic and isn’t responsible for our problems.”
Asha smiled shyly at Maddie. “Things happen. It’s nobody’s fault.”
Shooting Max a warm smile, she let Maddie and Mia lead her toward the stairs.
“We’ll throw something on the grill. I’m starving,” Kade grumbled. “Don’t be gone long.”
After the three women climbed the stairs and entered Asha’s temporary bedroom, she looked at Mia and Maddie and said, “They’re actually going to cook?” She’d never once seen her foster father cook, and her ex-husband certainly hadn’t.
Mia and Maddie both flopped on Asha’s bed, making themselves comfortable. “Kade is a little scary in the culinary department, but Max is a decent cook. And Maddie’s husband, Sam, almost always cooks. He makes some incredible food,” Mia answered, folding her legs beneath her on the bed and looking at Asha with a perplexed look. “You look surprised.”
“I’ve never seen a husband who actually cooked,” she answered, still surprised that Maddie’s billionaire husband actually spent time in the kitchen.
“Sam hasn’t let me fix a meal since I got pregnant,” Maddie said with a sigh. “He’s a little freaked out that I’m having twins. Kade told u
s that you were married for seven years. Don’t tell me that your ex-husband never made a meal.”
Asha shook her head. “Never. My foster parents were very conservative Indians and so was my ex-husband. Men don’t cook.” She watched Maddie as she stretched out on the bed, noticing for the first time that her new sister had a baby bump. She hadn’t seen it beneath the flowing shirt Maddie was wearing, but it was pretty recognizable now that she was lying on the bed with the material stretched over her distended belly. “You’re having twins?” she asked, her tone slightly awed.
Maddie smiled dreamily. “Yes. Much to my husband’s dismay. He’s thrilled, but he worries about the risk factors.”
Mia snorted. “If your man never cooked, I’m surprised you lasted seven years with him.”
“It was the acceptable thing in my culture. My foster parents were very traditional immigrants and so was my ex-husband. They were used to the woman doing the cooking, cleaning, and female chores.”
“Maybe it’s time to learn more about your American culture,” Maddie mused. “Most women work or take care of children, and men share responsibilities. If they don’t, we give them a swift kick in the ass.”
Asha smiled at Maddie’s comment as she dug into her purse, looking for her photos, and continued to explain what her life had been like to Maddie and Mia because they asked what seemed like a million questions about her upbringing and her marriage. She answered all their questions, skirting around the domestic abuse part of her history. Finally, she found the photo of her mother and father, along with her pictures of her work.
“So they sold you?” Maddie said angrily, sounding as outraged as Kade, virtually repeating his words, after Asha told the two women vaguely about her marriage, minus the abuse details. “Honey, it wasn’t all about the culture. There are Indian women here who are doctors, lawyers, and rocket scientists. You’re American with Indian blood, but you’re still American and living in America. And Indian women do incredible things here, get wonderful educations. I think your foster family and your ex-husband thought they were still living in India. And I don’t think they were very nice people either, regardless of their heritage.”
