“Yes, you can,” Remington said.
“I’m just a kid from Reseda…”
“Honey, my parents have no idea where Reseda is or even what Reseda is.”
“Okay, but,” Wynter said then.
“Babe, stop…” Remington said. “You are beautiful, smart, and talented. You’re a damned rock star… that’s who you are.”
Wynter bit her lip, smiling at Remington as they drove up the long drive to Remington’s family home. A home that sat on an immense piece of land, and looked like something out of “Gone with the Wind.”
“What kind of horses did you say your family raises?” Wynter asked absently as Remington stopped the car in front of the huge house.
“Thoroughbreds,” Remington said, grinning as she got out.
“I’m gonna kill her…” Wynter muttered under her breath as she saw the front door open and people, who had to be Remington’s parents, come running out.
Remington had just opened Wynter’s door and had her hand out to help her out of the car when her mother threw herself into her other arm.
“Alo manman,” Remington said while hugging her mom with one arm. “Mwen te rate ou. I have missed you.”
Remington helped Wynter out of the car then, smiling at her.
A man, who Wynter guessed easily was Remington’s father, stepped forward and extended his hand to Remington. She took it, inclining her head respectfully. “Papa…” she said, smiling.
Then she turned to Wynter. “Manman, Papa, this is Wynter Kincade. Wynter this is my mother Delphine LaRoché and my father Andre LaRoché.”
“Enchante,” Wynter said smiling, her accent absolute perfection.
Delphine and Andre both looked surprised, and glanced at their daughter who grinned proudly.
“Wynter’s been learning a few things,” Remington said, her eyes sparkling proudly.
“I told you her accent was good, Delphy,” Andre said, smiling as he stepped over to Wynter, reaching for her hand.
Wynter gave him her hand, and he surprised her by bowing his head and kissing the top of her hand. It was a very old-world gesture and Wynter could immediately see Remington in him. She smiled brightly, glancing at Remington and seeing her grinning.
There was a loud exclamation from the front door, and suddenly a young woman came running right at Remington. Remington had the good sense to brace herself, right as the girl jumped on her, both arms and legs wrapped around her. Remington smiled broadly, hugging the girl tightly. It was obvious to Wynter that this was Lissette, her little sister. Lissette clearly adored her big sister, she was so excited to see her.
“Whoa!” Remington said as Lissette barreled into her, smiling all the while, and hugging her baby sister close. “How are you baby girl?”
“So happy you’re home!” Lissette said, her petite frame still wrapped around Remington’s. It was obvious she did this frequently, there didn’t seem to be a concern whether or not Remington could hold her.
“Why has it been so long since you’ve been home?” Lissette asked then, leaning back to look up at her sister pouting.
“I’ve been busy, Lis,” Remington said, nodding toward Wynter.
Lissette’s head snapped around, ready to be angry with the person who had kept her sister from coming home, and then she saw who it was. Her eyes practically bugged out of her head as she stared at Wynter.
“You’re Wynter Kincade…” Lissette said, dropping to her feet, her eyes still on Wynter.
Wynter nodded, smiling at the younger girl.
“O Bondye…” Lissette breathed.
“Steady now…” Remington said from behind her sister, feeling her sister waiver slightly. She reached out putting her arm around her sister’s waist. “So, Wynter, this is obviously my baby sister, Lissette.”
Wynter stepped toward Lissette and extended her hand to the girl. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, smiling again.
Lissette put her small hand in Wynter’s, staring at Wynter with wide eyes that were very much like Remington’s.
“I…” Lissette stammered. “I’m a huge fan,” she said in awe. “Your music is so great… and you are just so… you are even prettier in person than you are on TV…”
“Mèsi,” Wynter said, inclining her head, like she’d seen Remington do so many times. “You have yourself a fairly incredible sister.”
Lissette smiled broadly, glancing back at Remington with pride. “Mem’s awesome.”
“Mem?” Wynter queried, glancing at Remington.
“Lis could never say my name when she was little, she always called me ‘Memi,’ ” Remington explained, shrugging. “It just kind of stuck.”
Wynter nodded, smiling. “I like it.”
“Well, come inside!” Delphine said, gesturing to the house. “Remington and Andre will get the bags.”
Lissette moved to walk next to Wynter, and Delphine led the way into the house. The entry to the home was through double mahogany doors with etched glass semi-circular panels. Inside, Wynter was completely awed by the marble floors and sweeping split mahogany staircase with intricately carved spindles, rail, and posts. The entry was two stories and a huge crystal chandelier hung over their heads.
“This is so beautiful…” Wynter breathed, looking around with wide eyes.
“Mèsi,” Delphine said, smiling, “we are very happy here. Come into the sitting room, it is much warmer there.”
The sitting room was another incredible room with a huge marble and mahogany fireplace that dominated one wall. There was antique mahogany furniture that looked very sturdy, but still beautiful with warm brown upholstery that wasn’t overly fussy. It was apparent that Remington had gotten her taste from her family home.
Wynter shrugged out of Remington’s jacket, folding it over her arm.
“This is Remi’s, isn’t it?” Lissette asked.
“Yes,” Wynter said, smiling. “I’ve been stealing her jackets on the tour. She just got her Affliction jacket back today,” she said, winking at Remington as she walked into the room.
“I’m just gonna buy you your own,” Remington said, grinning.
“Uh-uh,” Wynter said, shaking her head, smiling, “’cause then it won’t smell like you.”
Lissette glanced sharply at Wynter and then at Remington.
“Are you two…” Lissette began looking shocked.
“Lissette Marie LaRoché!” Delphine exclaimed. “That is your sister’s business and not your place to ask,” she said, her tone chastising.
Lissette looked immediately contrite, lowering her eyes and folding her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Remi,” she said quietly. “I apologize Ms. Kincade.”
Wynter looked over at Remington, surprised by the formality. She noted that Remington also looked displeased with Lissette’s presumption to ask what she had. It was obvious that the LaRochés took propriety seriously. She asked Remington about it later as they walked up a second flight of stairs to Remington’s old bedroom located at the top of the house. The room itself was huge and because it was at the top of the house, it had slanted ceilings and a huge window set into the ceiling just above the bed, as well as windows that looked out over the vast property. It was painted a warm beige, with accents of navy blue and darker brown. The room also had its own master-sized bathroom complete with a steam shower and soaking tub.
“Wow…” Wynter said, looking around the room. “This is bigger than the apartment I grew up in.”
Remington grinned, setting the bags down. “I was the oldest, so I got to pick out my own room. I liked being up here.”
“I can see why,” Wynter said, smiling as she moved to look at the windows. “Is that the barn over there?” she asked pointing to the large building set farther down the property.
“Those are the stables, yes,” Remington said, leaning her arm above Wynter’s head looking out the window as well. “We’ll go see them later if you’d like but I personally need to lay down for a bit.”
> Wynter turned to look up at her, her eyes searching Remington’s. “Why was Lissette asking about us improper?”
“Because it was a very personal question asked in front of a visitor,” Remington said.
“But she was asking about you…” Wynter asked.
“And you,” Remington said.
“And that was what was wrong?” Wynter asked, trying to understand.
“Yes,” Remington said, nodding, “if it had just been a question about me, it would have been alright, but since the question related to you as well, it was too personal a question to ask.”
Wynter nodded. “Okay, I understand now. I guess I have a lot to learn about how your family is…”
Remington looked at her for a long moment. “I know it’s strange to you.”
Wynter reached up, touching Remington’s cheek. “It’s not strange, Remi, it’s just different. I just don’t want to embarrass you.”
“How could I ever be embarrassed by you?” Remington asked, her look searching Wynter’s face.
“Oh, I’m talented, I can figure out a way,” Wynter said, grinning.
Remington shook her head, grinning. She leaned down and kissed Wynter’s lips. Wynter slid her hands up Remington’s chest and pressed closer. The fire between them caught immediately and before long, Remington picked Wynter up and carried her to the bed, their lips never parting.
Laying Wynter down, she reached up and shrugged off her jacket and kicked off her boots, then moved to lie next to Wynter on the bed. Wynter pulled at her as they began to kiss again.
“I want you over me,” she told Remington huskily.
Remington obliged and began kissing then moved lower as she unbuttoned Wynter’s shirt. Wynter’s hands grasped at Remington’s head, and she moaned as Remington’s lips moved over her skin and found an already hard nipple.
“God… god…” Wynter muttered as her body trembled under Remington’s hands and lips.
Remington unbuttoned Wynter’s jeans, slid them down, and tossed them aside. Wynter grasped at Remington’s shoulders, trying to pull her up over her. Remington resisted, kissing up Wynter’s legs, eventually reaching the spot where Wynter lost all control. She grabbed a pillow to press over her face as she screamed over and over again in ecstasy. Then Remington was removing her own clothes and moving to lay over her, moving against her, making her come again quickly.
Wynter pressed Remington back, looking down at her, her blue eyes heated as she leaned down to kiss Remington again and again, pressing her body to Remington’s. Remington’s hands slid over Wynter’s skin, pulling, grasping, and caressing roughly, which only excited Wynter more. Wynter slid her hand between them, touching Remington and groaning at the heat and wetness she found there. Remington groaned loudly, her mouth capturing Wynter’s as she pressed her body harder against Wynter’s hand.
They came together, kissing all the while, which fortunately muted their loud moans and groans. Afterward, Wynter lay over Remington, both of them breathing heavily. Remington closed her eyes, shaking her head.
“Bondye, sa w ap fè m '…” she breathed.
“God, what?” Wynter asked, only recognizing the one word.
“What you do to me…” Remington told her huskily.
Wynter leaned up, looking down at Remington. “What do I do to you?” she asked in a sultry voice.
“You drive me absolutely crazy,” Remington said, though not looking displeased about it.
Wynter bit her lip sexily. “That’s because you make me so damned hot.”
“I do?” Remington asked, her look wondrous.
“Oh my god, you don’t know that?” Wynter said, sounding shocked. “Yes, Remi, you excite the hell out of me. If I’d have known how much sexual chemistry we’d have, I would have jumped you a lot sooner than I did.”
“But you were tempting me long before that,” Remington said, her look pointed.
Wynter grinned unrepentantly. “Yes, yes I was, but you just wouldn’t take the bait. I couldn’t get you to react.”
“I reacted, believe me,” Remington said. “I just didn’t let you see it.”
Wynter narrowed her eyes. “Pretty good at that… too good.”
Remington shook her head. “I react far too strongly to you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I don’t want to hurt you,” Remington said looking worried.
“You mean emotionally?” Wynter asked, looking surprised by that possibility.
“No,” Remington said, shaking her head, “physically. I’m sure I’ve already bruised your skin a few times…” she said, grimacing.
“But I love that you react to me that way,” Wynter said.
Remington shook her head. “It’s dangerous, and it scares me.”
Wynter blinked a couple of times. “Remi, you won’t ever hurt me that badly, I know you won’t.”
“How do you know?” Remington asked.
“Because you’re the most controlled person I’ve ever met,” Wynter said.
“Not when it comes to you,” Remington said, shaking her head.
Wynter bit her lip, her eyes glowing happily. “I know it’s wrong of me to say it, but I absolutely love that.”
“And you’re going to continue to use that, aren’t you?” Remington asked though she already knew the answer.
“Yup,” Wynter said, nodding. “Just like I did last night.”
“And exactly what prompted you to do that in the first place?” Remington asked.
“Billy,” Wynter said simply.
Remington looked shocked. “Billy?”
Wynter nodded, then pinned Remington with a look. “What really happened on the bus the other night?” she asked, her eyes reflecting worry. “Did you sleep with Billy?”
“No,” Remington said immediately, looking directly into Wynter’s eyes. “I would never do that. She’s married.”
“She never seemed to care about that when she flirted with you,” Wynter pointed out.
“I cannot control what others do, only what I do,” Remington said. “And I would not do that.”
Wynter nodded, loving that Remington was so ethical even when it came to sex.
“So what happened?” Wynter said. “Billy said you kissed her.”
Remington looked mildly surprised. “Did she say she kissed me first?”
“Of course not,” Wynter said rolling her eyes.
“She was telling me how stupid I was for not ‘going for it’ with you,” Remington said wryly.
“And to prove her point she kissed you?” Wynter asked, glowering at the idea. “The woman is unreal!”
“Well, she said she was going to show me what I was missing by not sleeping with a rock star.”
“Uh-huh…” Wynter said, still not looking pleased. “So how did that go?”
Remington pressed her lips together, widening her eyes and waggling her eyebrows. “It was definitely enticing, I won’t say that it wasn’t.”
“’Cause you’ve had fantasies about her for years…” Wynter supplied, her tone still sounding displeased by the very idea.
“Yes,” Remington said, her tone placating. “I can’t help that now, can I?”
“No,” Wynter said, sighing. “So why did you kiss her?”
“To prove a point,” Remington said, her hazel eyes sparkling.
“What point?” Wynter asked.
“That she should be careful who she messes with, because sometimes messing with the wrong person can buy you more trouble than you can handle.”
“So you kissed her,” Wynter said, “like you did me last night?”
Remington inclined her head, her eyes widening slightly.
“She said you lit her up like the Fourth of July.”
“And then I told her to go back upstairs to her husband so he could finish the job,” Remington said mildly.
Wynter laughed, nodding her head. “She said she kept Sky up for three hours because of that kiss.”
Wynter looked her look astounded. She started to smile.
“You are the hottest thing on the planet, Remington LaRoché, and I absolutely love that.”
Remington looked back at Wynter, her lips curled in a cynical smile, her eyes reflecting doubt about her ‘hot’ status. Instead of responding, however, she pulled Wynter down to kiss her lips, just as she had kissed Billy that night on the bus. Her lips moved expertly over Wynter’s lips, sucking at them. Her thumb moved to Wynter’s mouth parting her lips, her tongue sliding between them making Wynter groan with the sheer sensuality of it. Within minutes, Wynter was coming and grasping at Remington, her body shuddering uncontrollably.
“Jesus!” Wynter exclaimed, leaning down to kiss Remington’s neck. “No one has ever excited me like you do, Remi, no one.”
“Good,” Remington said, her tone low.
Wynter moved to look down at her, looking shocked. “What was that?” she asked, her smile reflecting her surprise.
Remington merely smiled back at her.
“’Cause that sounded just a little bit possessive Remington LaRoché,” Wynter said.
Remington nodded. “That’s because it was.”
Wynter took a deep breath, reveling in the excited feeling that ran through her. “Do you want to possess me, Remington?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.
“Yes, I do,” Remington said with a direct look.
“Good,” Wynter said, smiling.
Dinner that evening was interesting to Wynter because Delphine and Andre regaled her with tales from Remington’s childhood, much to Remington’s chagrin.
“Was she strong as a child?” Wynter asked at one point.
“Oh yes,” Delphine said, nodding, “she always lifted things that even some of the boys could not. She was always challenging them to races and contests of strength.”
Wynter looked over at Remington, who was leaning back in her chair drinking coffee and doing her best to keep out of the conversation.
“Kind of like the guys in the marines, huh Remi?” Wynter asked.
Remington nodded, smiling. “Practice,” she said.
“I always hoped that Remington would take over the farm someday…” Andre said wistfully.
Remington lips twitched, knowing that it was her father’s greatest disappointment, and that always bothered her. Wynter caught the movement and guessed that was the problem.
Lightning Strykes Page 20
