Ask Me Something (The Something Series Book 2)

by Aubrey Bondurant

  “Time to go.”

  My eyes snapped open when I realized his fingers had retreated.

  He winked, clearly enjoying the advantage.

  Snagging his hand, I captured the finger he’d used on me, sucking it between my lips seductively. I relished the flash of desire in his eyes and the hiss of his breath. Now I wouldn’t be the only one sexually unsatisfied for the next couple of hours. After releasing his hand, I touched up my lipstick in the rearview mirror and got out of the car nonchalantly.

  When Brian didn’t move, I went around to his side and opened his door, cocking my head to the side.

  “I’m not meeting your family with a hard-on,” he muttered.

  I burst out laughing. Sometimes it was nice to take Mr. Control completely off guard.

  We walked into the country club five minutes later, and it dawned on me that we hadn’t covered what our status was. “Uh, what will we tell people?” A lot of guests were already here.

  He turned me toward him and smiled. “Relax, we’ll tell them that we are friends who met at work and let them assume whatever the hell they want to. All right?”

  I let out the breath I’d been holding and met his smile. He made it sound so simple. “Okay. Ready?”

  Upon entering the private room reserved for the party in the elegant country club, we immediately ran into my parents’ neighbors. I introduced Brian, and by the time we made it to my mom and dad, three couples later, I realized he was completely at home, charming everyone.

  My parents were gracious, but I could tell my mother was surprised. My father had gotten straight to the point by asking Brian which football team he favored. With the answer of the Carolina Panthers, he had definitely passed the test.

  But most astonished of all was my sister, who looked from me to Brian and back again before forming words. “Uh, who is this?” He held out his hand. “Brian Carpenter. You must be Sasha’s sister, Addison.”

  She took his hand warily and then looked at me. “You didn’t RSVP to bring a date.”

  I was glad we were out of earshot of my parents. “You’re right, I didn’t. But considering I cut a check for half the cost, I think I can bring a plus one without a problem.”

  “That’s what you’re good at, cutting the check while I do all of the actual planning.”

  I regretted that Brian had to witness the petty sniping with my sister and was shocked when he interrupted smoothly.

  “It’s a lovely party, Addison. Sasha mentioned you’ve worked extremely hard to put this all together. Your parents must be pleased to have this many people who love them in one place.”

  She studied him for a moment, gaging his words, and must have believed his sincerity. “Thank you, and I didn’t mean to complain. It’s not that big of a deal to have one more. Um, I’d love for you to meet my husband. He’s over here at the table.”

  I found it both amusing and exasperating that Brian could charm my sister so easily when I could barely get along with her. Maybe the problem was more me than I’d like to admit. After walking over, I hugged my brother-in law, Ryan and made the introductions.

  “I’ll get you a drink Sasha. Addison, Ryan, would you like anything?” Brian offered.

  They both declined, and I tracked him across the room toward the bar while bracing myself for my sister’s questions.

  “Are you guys together?” she zeroed in.

  “We’re friends.” I enjoyed the annoyance on her pretty face probably more than I should have.

  “Uh huh. How do you know him?”

  “We used to work together in Charlotte.”

  “And he’s here in Beaufort for you and for the party, but you’re only friends?”

  “Addison, give her a break, babe,” Ryan, interjected.

  I cast him a look to convey my appreciation. Brian returned with the drinks just in time.

  I was sorely in need of one. “Are you hungry?”

  He offered me a lazy smile that let me know he was thinking of something entirely different than what I’d meant. “I’m all right. We can visit and then eat in a bit if you’d like.” He was sitting close to me but not so close as to imply that we were a couple.

  “I was asking Sasha how you two knew each other,” Addison started while Ryan rolled his eyes at his wife’s tenacity.

  Brian didn’t even sweat it. “We worked together in the Charlotte office for a number of years.” He took a pull on his beer and glanced at the label.

  “You like the hops? It’s a local brewery,” Ryan provided. And with that, the men bonded instantly over IPAs, entering into an entirely different conversation until Addison could wheedle her way back in.

  “So, Brian, what, uh, brings you to town?” she finally got in.

  He handled her like a seasoned pro. “You’re looking at her.” He put his hand on my back and rubbed gently.

  Her eyes widened. “You guys are a couple, then?”

  I was confident Ryan just kicked her under the table. God bless him.

  Brian’s eyes flashed towards me, amused, and then focused on my sister. “I think the proper classification would be friends, but I was happy to be her date tonight, meet the family, and see her home town.”

  Addison scoffed. “Considering she can hardly stand this place and avoids coming home whenever possible, I’m surprised she’d invite anyone to see it.”

  His hand squeezed my thigh, and before I could say anything, he jumped in. “Huh, that’s surprising, considering how fondly she’s spoken of y’all.”

  She was stunned momentarily and then rolled her eyes. “Oh, sure she has.”

  My temper was bubbling up and was about to let her have it when he quietly did it for me.

  “I have to say, Addison, I’m surprised at your animosity toward your sister with all the kind things she’s told me about you.”

  She arched a brow. “Really?”

  He leaned back and went directly for the sweet spot. “Don’t believe me? Okay, how’s this: you and Ryan were college sweethearts. And you have four children: Kyle, Kayla, Kevin, and the baby. Ah, Kassandra, right?”

  She nodded dumbly, and he went on.

  “She’s commented many times what a great mom you are and how your children are lovely. She flew in for each of their births, and although she doesn’t live locally any longer, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t miss a birthday for any of her nieces or nephews. Matter of fact, wasn’t it that Star Wars Lego set that I helped you pick out for Kyle’s birthday?”

  I nodded and had to bite the side of my cheek to keep from laughing. Brian remembered details about everyone in and out of the corporate world.

  My sister was more than impressed. “I had no idea.”

  I couldn’t help my shock when I observed her tearing up. “Addison—”

  She held up a hand and sniffed, looking in her purse for a tissue. “I’m such a bitch. Brian is right. You have been there. I always thought you didn’t tell anyone about us, like we didn’t exist in your world. And me being a stay-at-home mom made you dismiss me. I had no idea you thought I was a good mom. And then I never apologized for what happened over Christmas. What I said about the kids—it was horrible and untrue. I’m so sorry.” The last part was said on a near sob.

  I gave both men a look that begged them for help and was grateful when Ryan scooted close and put his arm around her.

  “Babe.”

  Brian nudged me under the table.

  Ah, crap, I needed to say something. “Uh, it’s okay, Addison. I haven’t exactly been overly pleasant to you over the last couple years, either. I don’t know where this animosity has come from, but it would be nice to put it behind us.”

  “And be real sisters?” There were tears in her eyes.

  Uh, did that mean she hadn’t considered me one before? Like I didn’t have enough of a complex about being adopted, she had to go and say that now. I sighed, trying not to read more into the comment than she’d intended.

  Brian rubbed my hand support
ively.

  “Absolutely,” I choked out.

  She practically knocked me out of my chair with a hug.

  ***

  I was sprawled naked on top of Brian after an exuberant hour-long sex session. We were going to kill one another, I was convinced. All of that foreplay in the car ride back here with no panties had worked us up to the point that we practically started in the hotel elevator.

  “Whatcha thinking?” His lips peppered my shoulder with butterfly kisses.

  “I owe you a big thanks for defusing the sibling rivalry at the party. You knocked Addison’s socks off with the fact that you could recite all of her kids’ names. Her face was priceless.”

  “I only know them because you’ve talked about them. She’s, uh, very different from you.”

  “Well, I’m adopted, so I guess that’s a given. But she’s a good mom. Maybe I needed to tell her that more often.”

  “I don’t think the adoption thing is it. Take me and my brother Benjamin. Same parents and complete opposites. Kenzie and I share a mother and didn’t grow up together, but we’re closer than a lot of siblings. And only my opinion, but maybe if Addison wasn’t busy taking shots at you, you’d be more inclined to tell her she’s a good mom.”

  I hugged him tightly. Once again, he was on my side without being asked. The fact hit me that this day could have turned out much differently if he hadn’t decided to show up. “I’m sorry that I flaked on you when you first brought up coming with me. I was taken off guard and—”

  He interrupted. “It wasn’t very good timing on my part to bring it up, given I’d just pissed you off. You have a nice family, Sasha. Your dad is intense, but I like that he’s still protective over you.”

  I smiled. “Can I ask you about your father?”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What was he like?”

  “He died when I was young,” he murmured.

  “How old were you?”

  “Seven.”

  I kissed his chest. “Tell me about a memory of him, something happy.”

  “He worked a lot,” he started, and then took a deep breath. “He, uh, one time came home on a Friday early and told my brother and me that he had tickets to a baseball game. It was only minor league, but you would have thought we were going to see Babe Ruth play. We never got time alone with him, so it was pretty special. He took us to the ballpark and got us hotdogs, cotton candy, and soda. He made us promise not to tell our mom.”

  “I bet he would’ve been really proud of you.”

  He exhaled heavily and pulled me closer. “I feel guilty that I don’t miss him more, but it’s been long enough that I don’t remember all that often. My mom changed a lot after he died. Anyhow, I’d love a change of subject about now.”

  “How about you made today a lot better than it would’ve been without you. I’m glad you were there with me.”

  He rubbed my back. “I’m glad I could be, too. Plus now you owe me.”

  I propped myself up on his chest to see his amused grin. “Owe you how, exactly?”

  “You can return the favor by coming with me to my sister’s graduation party next month in Virginia.”

  “Your mother and sister-in-law hate me. And wouldn’t Josh be there also?”

  He smiled. “Kenzie would be over the moon to have you there. And Josh will be on baby watch, so I doubt he or Haylee can come, but even if they can, you should go anyhow. And you know I don’t care about what my mother or Rebecca think.”

  “Where’s the party? I thought your sister went to school in California?”

  “The actual ceremony is the weekend before in LA, but my mom wants a party back home.”

  That made sense. “Okay. In order to set the expectation if I do come, I have to warn you. I’m probably not going to bridge any sibling rivalry, enhance any relationships, or inspire any tender moments. So you may be getting the shit end of this deal in other words.”

  He laughed. “You could assist me by agreeing to a coat closet if I need to blow off any steam from dealing with my family.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, because having my panties in my hand after sex while your mother confronted me for pouring wine on Rebecca wasn’t humiliating enough. Like I need a second bad impression.”

  “Ah, good times. I think I’d worry more if my mother did like you.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  He tensed. “If it’s about my mom, I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Okay,” I sighed, tabling my question. I’d wanted to ask why he continued to go home if she was that miserable to be around. I could guess it was for Kenzie, but considering she was out of the house, too, it begged the question why either of them still chose to do so.

  He snuggled me to his side, bringing my face within inches of his. “Is that an annoyed okay or an understanding one?”

  “Understanding. If you don’t want to talk about your mom, then I’m not going to push it. Everyone should be able to keep some personal things, well, personal.” No truer words were spoken, particularly when it came to me.

  His eyes narrowed, but thankfully he left that proverbial land mine alone for now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  The upside of having to meet with Vanessa down in Charlotte instead of up in New York was that I got to spend more time with Brian during the week. Currently, we were in his bed on a Wednesday night, and I was enjoying the feel of his strong hands caressing my back. The lull of the air conditioner trying to keep up with the unusually hot May night was making me sleepy.

  “I know dealing with Vanessa isn’t your favorite thing, but I really like that you’re in my bed during the week,” he murmured, both of us tangled up there after a bath together had made its way to the bed.

  I’d given up on idea of needing space from Brian the night before seeing Vanessa. No amount of mental preparation or separation from him could change the fact that the woman was horrible to deal with. And if I was being honest, our two-week rule no longer seemed to be enough time with him as it was, so I now took all opportunities to see him. “Mm, I like that, too. I’m going downstairs to get some water. You want anything?”

  “You, back in my bed.”

  My belly fluttered at the thought. We were insatiable even after all these months.

  “You got it.” I didn’t know when I’d gotten over the hesitancy of walking around him naked, but I proceeded nude to the kitchen. Brian was certainly good for my sexual confidence, I mused, slugging back the water bottle and then parading sexily back into the bedroom where he was now sitting up.

  I could tell instantly by his posture and pale face that something was wrong.

  “What is it?” I asked, bracing myself for bad news.

  “Juliette called. She’s getting on a plane to Florida to stay with her sister as we speak. Things with her husband, Rob aren’t good. She thinks he may be cheating on her and addicted to prescription drugs.”

  I was completely shocked. “Oh my god. Do you think I should I call her?”

  “She’s boarding any minute and until she has proof, I don’t think she wants people to know. Which I guess I should’ve thought about before telling you.”

  I tried not to take it personally. Brian would move hell and earth to help Juliette and was definitely the person she should be confiding in. But she was my friend too and knowing that she was hurting and I couldn’t reach out was tough. “So what’s the plan?”

  “Tomorrow I’m hiring a private investigator. I’d mentioned it to her a couple weeks back, so I have some candidates. It’s tricky though with Rob being a police officer, but we’ll sort it out.”

  “Let me know if I can help in any way. Do you think she’s ready for a divorce if he is cheating?”

  He nodded. “Yeah and I should probably call Mark too and see if he has any suggestions for divorce attorneys in case it comes to that.”

  Good idea, I thought. We settled down in bed needing to get some sleep.

&n
bsp; He sat up suddenly. “Shit, Sasha. Vanessa’s meeting is tomorrow. Maybe we can reschedule. I’d hate to put off doing this for Juliette. I told her I was on it first thing in the morning.”

  “No, you go and do whatever you need to, and I’ll explain there was a family emergency to Vanessa. I’m confident she’ll understand. We’re only finalizing the details for phase two. This should go smoothly considering she was happy with phase one’s magazine advertisements. And Juliette is more important.”

  He looked reluctant. “It’s not that I don’t think you’d do a great job, but are you sure you’re up for it on your own?”

  I smiled, trying to convey false confidence. “Of course. It’s my job and the proposal is sound. You said so yourself.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. Good.”

  What was the worst that could happen?

  ***

  It was hard to concentrate on business while knowing that Brian was helping Juliette navigate her own personal hell. I found myself checking my phone, waiting for him to indicate how things were going. The best action I could take to support both Juliette and Brian at the moment was to take care of Vanessa so neither of them were impacted. That’s what I set my mind to do.

  Tryon Pharmaceuticals was proving to be my most challenging client in my ten years of working in advertising. Not only was Vanessa difficult to please in general, but she obviously had an issue working with me in particular. The fact that she was keen on leering at my boyfriend in front of me didn’t help, either.

  Huh, I’d mentally referred to him as my boyfriend.

  With ten minutes to spare, I donned my headphones and blasted my music, closing myself away in my temporary office. I let today’s selection of Fight Song by Rachel Platten take over my mind. Afterwards, I put on my best client-facing smile and went into the conference room ready to do battle. Uh, that is, ready to meet with my client.