Brooklyn patted my back and then pulled away. “I came with Nellie.”
“Oh, yeah?” I turned to walk with her. “Are you planning to get drunk or something?”
She rolled her eyes and huffed a quick laugh. “No, my car has a flat tire, and I haven’t had a chance to change it yet because I needed to get ready to come here.”
I scanned her simple sundress quickly and then returned my attention to where I was going. The last thing I wanted to do was run into the wall because I was too busy checking her out. Plus, I didn’t really want her to catch me checking her out.
“Well, I think you look very nice. It seems your time was well spent.”
“Corbin Fields…I think that just might be the first compliment you’ve ever given me.” A smile lit up her face, which surprisingly did me in. My stomach dipped at the sight of her innocence.
The urge to wrap her up in my arms and protect her from the world was a feeling I didn’t recognize—except when it came to my sister. Which kind of made sense, because like Nell had said, Brooklyn was like my little sister, too.
That was a crock of shit, because I didn’t have one brotherly thought when it came to Brooklyn. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It was like I’d been teleported back to high school, because for some reason, I couldn’t control my reactions. I shoved my hands into my pockets uncomfortably.
“If you want, I can swing by after dinner and change your tire for you.”
“That’s really sweet of you to offer, but it’s okay. I can get it.” She let out a long sigh and stilled a few feet from the open double doors that led into the dining room.
I knew the cause of her hesitation, and it had nothing to do with her flat tire. The fact that she seemed anxious to walk into a room with my parents told me she hadn’t seen them yet. That meant she’d gone straight to the restroom after coming inside.
“It’ll be okay. Come on, let’s get this over with.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dining room with me. There was something exhilarating about walking in together, hand in hand. However, Brooklyn quickly slipped hers from mine as soon as we crossed the threshold.
Nell and my parents were already seated at the long ten-person table, which had five place settings. When they had dinner parties, it could stretch out to seat as many as forty.
My parents got up and came over to greet us. In my peripheral vision, I saw Brooklyn take a step backward. My mom rushed forward and enveloped her into a warm hug. Brooke went stiff, and I could tell that my mom noticed, but thankfully, she didn’t say anything. Mom had way too much etiquette to call someone out like that.
“I’m so glad you accepted our invitation, dear. It’s been too long.” She patted Brooklyn’s hand while beaming at her with a bright smile covering her face. I knew my mom well enough to know it was a sincere grin.
It took considerable effort to keep from pointing out that Brooke hadn’t accepted my mom’s invitation but mine, because Mom hadn’t invited her. I had. Then again, she wouldn’t be my mother if she hadn’t taken the credit for everything.
My parents sat at either end of the table, Nellie across from me. There was an empty place setting on my sister’s right, and disappointment flooded my core, which soured my mood. I really thought she would’ve been seated next to me, even though that didn’t make any practical sense. She was Nellie’s best friend, not mine. I hadn’t seen her in years until a week ago. Now it felt as if she’d always been by my side instead.
“Tell us how your work is going, dear.” My mom gestured to the server to fill our wine glasses. Sunday dinner was formal as far as serving and manners were concerned, but etiquette went out the window when it came to our conversations. Every topic had been unearthed at this dining room table. Although, most were initiated by Nellie or me trying to get each other in trouble with a myriad of confessions.
One of the most embarrassing was the topic of my virginity, and if I’d done the deed.
Brooklyn’s face lit up, like it had when we’d discussed her work a couple nights ago. She waved her arms animatedly as she described the students she worked with and how rewarding it was. She’d just downed her second glass of wine and the waitstaff quickly refilled the burgundy liquid. I wanted to shout at him to slow it the fuck down and fill her water instead. I’d had drinks with her twice now, so I knew her well enough to call her a lightweight. She never finished more than two drinks when we’d gone out. And that had been nursing them over hours, not downing them in a mere five minutes.
Boredom covered Nellie’s face. She tried to look interested, but she had probably heard her friend tell the same story a million times.
“I just feel completely fulfilled, and nothing I’ve ever done in my life has made me feel half as good. I truly love it and know I made the right decision in continuing through this arduous process. There’d been so many times I’d wanted to quit for numerous reasons. But I persevered and stayed the course. Now that I’m so close to the finish line, I sometimes want to spread my arms open wide and sing from the mountaintops like Maria Von Trapp in the Sound of Music.” She giggled, and then her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She looked around the table apologetically before grabbing up her third full glass of wine.
My heart stopped at the sight, and I suddenly felt grateful for the truth serum she’d consumed. I had never witnessed so much passion for something. Part of me was envious because I wanted to experience what she had found in her career. Part of me was astounded that work could be thought of as fun and adventurous. Those were certainly not words I would’ve ever used to describe my career. But the part that was hardest to come to terms with was the pride. She’d come such a long way and fought so many battles to arrive where she was today. And she wasn’t bitter at all.
We had good idle conversation throughout the remainder of dinner. My parents were openly happy to hear about her achievements, no matter what Brooklyn thought. Nellie and Brooke demonstrated their lighthearted banter, which was still as alive today as it had been years ago. I observed the evening and felt like a spectator, and that’s when it hit me—I was only a bystander of my life. I had no real connections to anyone. I still hung out with the same guys from high school and college, but those friendships lacked depth. My life held no true meaning.
My parents excused themselves after we finished dinner to leave us kids to have dessert. It was comical the way everything fell into the same routine, yet nothing felt familiar.
I didn’t belong.
Chapter 6
Brooklyn
This evening had been way more enjoyable than I’d initially thought it would be. Corbin had stayed quiet almost the entire night, but I chalked it up to him being tired. However, the later and later it got, the more dazed he looked.
“Corbie, are you on crack?” Nellie snickered, and I mildly joined in.
He offered a small smile, and that’s when I knew something was definitely up with him. In the past, he’d always provided a witty, albeit stupid, comeback for Nellie’s snide remarks, so the fact that he only smiled—if you could even call it that—was incredibly alarming.
“I’m going to the kitchen to get more vanilla ice cream. Be back in a sec!” Nellie raced out of the room as if her underpants were on fire. She really should stop leaving me alone with her brother if she knew what was good for her.
“Are you okay, Corbin?” Concern laced my voice. I didn’t know why I cared all of a sudden, but I did. Although, I ignored the confusing emotions that ran through me in order to hear what he had to say.
“Yeah. Fine. You?”
“I actually had a pretty good time.” I offered a shy smile and tipped my head toward the table to hide my burning cheeks. Damn, why was it suddenly so hot in this room?
Corbin threw his napkin on the table and abruptly stood. “Take a walk with me?” He held out his hand while I sat there like a bump on a log, not knowing how to respond.
It was just a stupid stroll, but that wasn’t why the red flags were
blatantly waving in my face. I knew Corbin would never let anything hurt me, not in a million years. He didn’t have it in him. He was too good. But something flashed in my brain to stay put.
“Suit yourself.” His arm went limp before his dejected strides took him toward the side exit.
I knew that door well because it was the one we always snuck in and out of as kids. I hadn’t expected all the nostalgic memories tonight, but ever since I’d arrived, the flood gates had opened, and they’d poured right in. Blame it on the wine or the laughter we’d shared during the meal. Before I could second and third guess my decision, I leapt up and joined him on the stoop outside.
“It’s a beautiful night,” I whispered, taking a seat beside him on the ornate garden bench. I wasn’t sure why I kept my voice so low, it just seemed right. The evening air had grown dark with night and the usual suspects offered their singsong chirps. “When I was younger, I never stopped to admire the beauty of this place. Of course, I used to think how magnificent it was, but that was due to the wealth and prestige this place holds. Not the nature that’s so obvious to me tonight.” Peacefulness cloaked us along with the starry, purple sky.
“I don’t fit in here,” Corbin softly uttered, then sighed.
Unsure if I’d heard him correctly, I took his hand, and he allowed it. “What do you mean?”
“You guys all had so much fun this evening, laughing around the table. I didn’t feel like I belonged.”
“I’m sorry if you felt left out.” I exhaled. “Several of our friends have accused Nellie and me of living in our own bubble, regardless of who else is around. We tell inside jokes only we know and forget about everyone else. We just have that connection, and sometimes, it makes others uncomfortable.”
“That’s not it.” He shook his head adamantly, stood, and began to walk toward the lake.
I jumped up and began to chase after him, trying to keep up with his pace—which was nearly impossible. He was a foot taller than me, and while I wasn’t short by any means at five-foot-six, he had the height to make anyone feel tiny. But everyone in his family was tall—a curse Nellie constantly complained about. At five-nine, she could’ve been a runway model, especially with those long, slender legs and lean figure. Sure, when I wore heels, we were the same height, but where she was flat, I was curvy, and where she was sexy, I was frumpy. Okay…not frumpy, but certainly not worthy of being a Victoria’s Secret angel.
“Are you trying to outwalk me? Because if you keep up this stride, you’re going to leave me in your dust.” I tried to jab his sense of humor but only earned a grunt, even though he did slow a bit.
The lake was beautiful at night, all shimmery silver above the water and mysteriously dark beneath the surface. Nighttime had always been my favorite part of the day. I’d always felt like I could escape into the darkness and nothing could hurt me. It also gave me time to think, allowed me to be alone with my own thoughts. I’d written some of my best papers for school during the midnight hours, especially when Mom had been sick. That had been tough. And no matter how many times I told myself she was in a better place now, if I let too many thoughts creep in, I would cry.
God, I missed her.
I must’ve been too lost in my thoughts, staring out over the glassy top of the lake, because I gasped when someone grabbed me from behind. He effortlessly spun me into a wall of muscle, where I buried my face into his chest and started to cough incessantly; there was a good chance I had swallowed a fly when Corbin startled me.
“Shit, Bridge…are you okay?” he asked while gently patting my back the way one would when someone choked on food.
My coughs immediately turned to hacking laugher, which was interrupted by hiccups. Between the wine and the hilarity of the situation, I pressed my hands against the hard planes of his chest and dropped my head back, my fit of giggles and breathy hitches escaping into the night.
“Being scared is supposed to get rid of hiccups, not cause them.” Humor filled his husky voice, causing me to clench my thighs together. But nothing affected me as much as when he took my face in his hands and blew a long puff of air into my open mouth.
“What was that for?” I asked while keeping my head cocked back, my face close to his.
“I just thought it might help the hiccups go away.”
My fingers curled into his button-up shirt, gathering a decent grip on him so I could pull him closer. I closed my eyes at the sound of his soft exhale, seconds before yielding lips met mine. Surprise had turned to amusement, which then quickly became heated desire at the feel of his tongue.
My arms looped easily around Corbin’s waist, and I leaned into him. I held all the doubt and red flags at bay. I didn’t want to stop, so I wasn’t going to listen to anything but the sensual awakenings that raced through my body. His lips were soft, especially for a guy—softer than anything I’d ever experienced before—and it didn’t take long until the kiss deepened. I couldn’t even tell which of us took it to the next level. Hell, maybe we both did simultaneously.
His tongue was warm and smooth as he glided it along mine. I eagerly met his advances and then brought forth my own. The way he encouraged me showed his expertise and pulled several moans from my chest. I was borderline ready to hump his leg if he didn’t do something to relieve the ache that had developed between my thighs. I’d never experienced something that produced this many jolts to my system.
Only one thing was absolutely certain: I wanted more and felt like I’d do anything to obtain it. I quickly began to unbutton his shirt in a desperate attempt at removing it, and the closer I got to the last one, the harsher he gripped my hips. I wasn’t sure if he held onto me so tightly to restrain himself, or if it was his way of encouraging me to continue. Either way, as long as he didn’t let me go, I was good with it.
Although, it would’ve been better had he used his hold on me to grind me into him.
As soon as I had his shirt open, I slipped my palms up his torso over the thin tee he wore beneath the collared one until I had my fingers interlocked around the back of his neck. I used that as leverage to pull him impossibly closer, finally pressing my front against his.
Holy. Shit.
If I thought his mouth had lit a fire within me, nothing—and I mean nothing—compared to the inferno caused by his massive erection against my lower stomach. Had I been able to focus on anything other than that, I would’ve heard myself moan in sexual hunger.
Corbin Fields would be the death of me.
At least I could definitively say that I was capable of being turned on by someone other than Chase. Which was both good and bad news. Good news because I’d convinced myself that I’d be a lonely old cat lady if he never came to his senses about us, but bad because the simple thought of my ex had the same effect as being doused with a barrel of artic water.
I immediately pulled my face away, though I was smart enough not to drop my arms or take a step back. At least I still possessed some common sense—based on the way I’d practically mauled him like a dog in heat, I wouldn’t dare say I had very much.
“I’m so sorry, Corbin,” I panted while frantically trying to read his expression in the glow from the moon. “I have no idea what came over me.”
He flexed his fingers so that they dug a little deeper into the meaty parts of my hips, his breathing raspy and ragged. “Could’ve been all the wine you pounded back during dinner. But I can’t let you take all the credit for this—after all, it wasn’t like I did anything to stop it.”
With a rushed exhale, I dropped my forehead to his chest, my arms still wrapped around his shoulders, fingers locked behind his neck, and closed my eyes. It seemed I was full of bad decisions tonight, because that one move did nothing but deepen the hole I’d begun to dig for myself. After releasing all the air from my lungs, I now had to refill them, and since my face was pressed against the front of his body, my sense of smell became consumed by whatever cologne he had on.
I never remembered him smelling this good.
I was a sucker for cologne, and he wore one that complimented him completely. It made me want to bury my nose further into his shirt and breathe all of him in, so I did. Either there was more than fermented grapes in the wine tonight, or Corbin Fields had a way of impairing my self-control. Based on the fact that I couldn’t seem to stop myself, regardless of how mortified I knew I’d be once I stepped away, I figured it might’ve been both.
“What cologne are you wearing?” I wasn’t sure if he could hear my question beneath the hedonistic moans that flooded my voice, but I didn’t care. I also didn’t stop sniffing him…I mean, I’d already gone this far, why stop, right?
His laughter rumbled his chest and seeped out into his words when he answered. “Cool Water for men. I take it you don’t like it?”
“Don’t like it?” I pulled my head back and stared at him in shock, though that didn’t last long. Reality hit me with the waves of humor that slipped past his smiling lips, bringing with it a level of embarrassment that I had wished would drown me. “Oh, you were being sarcastic.”
Damn, I needed a straw so I could suck down half the water in the lake. I would need that much to sober me. Oh, who the hell was I kidding? I needed to tie a cinderblock to my ankle and jump in. Not only would it counteract the alcohol, but it would also solve the issue of my humiliation.
“Hey…” He lifted one hand, trailing his fingers up my side over my ribs, while holding me against him with the other. “Whatever’s going through that pretty head of yours, stop it. I wasn’t making fun; I thought your reaction was cute.”
Cute. Exactly what every girl wants to be called after trying to seduce someone.
But before I could groan in complaint, Corbin lowered his head to the side of mine, brushing my cheek with the stubble that lined his. I had to admit, it was slightly awkward with the drastic height difference, yet not enough to put on the brakes. Then again, I wasn’t the one craning my neck so far just to keep from separating our bodies. I was just the one who stood there while Corbin buried his face in my hair—he likely tried to reach the crook of my neck, but without stepping back to bend over, the side of my head was about as far as he could go.
The unEXpected Plan Page 6
