Tell Me Something (The Something Series Book 1)

by Bondurant, Aubrey

  His face was adorable, and I found myself laughing. “I did, and it was pretty cool. So was Coca-Cola World, for the record.”

  “The dress looks even better on you than it did in the store,” Colby declared, and I about spit out my drink.

  “This dress is from you?”

  He looked amused, and I realized my mistake.

  “Who else would it be from?”

  Holy crap.

  “Well, obviously the idea was from you as the invitation was from you, but I thought you waved your pinky and had some girl do the shopping for you.”

  Colby and Brian both raised a brow but thankfully stayed quiet. Josh didn’t say a word at all.

  ***

  After thirty minutes, I realized I’d probably imposed enough on Josh’s sensitivity since he kept stealing looks my way.

  I walked over to Colby to say goodbye. He was flanked by two beautiful women who looked as though they might have been a birthday gift from his big brother. I wasn’t going to ask. Brian was also standing nearby talking with Josh.

  “Colby, I have to go, but thank you for inviting me.”

  “Stay. You haven’t been here that long.”

  “Thank you, but I’ve got other plans. Happy Birthday.”

  “Thanks, and I’m glad you could come.” He kissed me on the cheek.

  “Good night Josh.” I murmured.

  He kissed my cheek as well and I tried very hard not to let myself look weird when he did so. “Good night Haylee, be safe,” he replied as I swallowed hard.

  “I’ll walk you out,” Brian offered, surprising me, not to mention Josh.

  “Um, okay.”

  He took my arm and led me through the crowd until we were outside of the club.

  “You still think your boss might not be into you? You should have seen him watching you all night,” he confided once we could finally hear one another without having to yell.

  “So why did you insist on escorting me out? Are you trying to make him jealous?” I returned.

  He chuckled, and his eyes lit up with mischief. “Merely helping things along. Have a good night.” He took off in the direction of the casino while I moved towards the elevator and went up to my room.

  I was absolutely ravenous. Looking at myself in the mirror after making my way back to my room, I decided to change. This was a gorgeous dress for a Hollywood party, but not so much for the midnight buffet. I had just taken my shoes off when I heard the card slide in and the door open.

  “Hi.” I smiled at Josh as he crossed the room in two strides while looking around. It dawned on me what, or rather whom, he was looking for. “You think I left with Brian?”

  “You left together.”

  “So obviously you had to see for yourself.”

  “Obviously, I did. Seems you had an eventful day with my brother buying you clothes and then Brian needing to see you out.”

  My temper rose. “I’m not even sure how to respond to that, Josh. I thought the dress was from you, and Brian simply walked me out.” I watched his jaw throb and knew he was angry. I didn’t think it would be a good time to mention that Brian had probably done it to get a reaction from him.

  “And if Brian had asked to come up to your room, what would you have said?” Lifting me up onto the dresser, he pushed my dress up around my hips and stepped between my legs.

  “I would have said I was hot for only one man and he’s not it,” I whispered, stroking his face. Then his mouth was on mine, fierce, hot and demanding. I could feel a hum of anticipation between us as his hands moved up my thighs. Soon my panties were ripped in two.

  “Those were my new ones,” I muttered as his mouth left mine and then was on my very center. “Jesus, Josh…” I came within seconds and felt his lips skim the insides of my thighs. “Are you still annoyed with me?”

  He pulled back and met my eyes. “No, and I should have never been. I’m sorry.”

  Holy shit, did he just apologize? My eyes must have conveyed my shock.

  He sighed. “Yeah, an apology. I’m trying to get better with them.”

  “God, that is unbelievably hot,” I admitted, kissing him with gusto.

  He chuckled. “If only I had known, now I will say I’m sorry all the time.”

  “Ooooh, say it again,” I teased as he lifted me down.

  “So very sorry. Now get on the bed on your knees,” he commanded.

  Aroused by his demand, I moved to do as he requested. I heard his zipper and watched him over my shoulder as he shed his pants and knelt behind me.

  “I’m going to have all of you next weekend, Haylee. We’re going to head down to my house in Charlotte early and shut ourselves in for the two days and play. Do you understand?”

  I whimpered as he stroked me with the tip of his penis.

  “I didn’t hear you,” he coerced, putting in the tip as I moved back, urging him deeper.

  “Yes, yes, this weekend.”

  Then he hit it home.

  “Fucking Christ, Haylee, your pussy is so sweet.” He pounded hard, causing me to almost lose my ability to stay on my knees. With his fingers rubbing my engorged clit he urged, “Come with me, honey.”

  I did spectacularly, feeling him do the same. I couldn’t hold myself up any longer, so I lay flat on my stomach as he broke the contact slowly.

  He went into my bathroom, and I heard him wash up. Then he was back with his face near mine. “Are you going to sleep?”

  “Actually I’m starving. I was going to go hit the buffet.”

  He kissed me softly on the lips. “I wish I could join you.”

  “I know. Me, too. But you should go and have fun with your brother.” I slowly got out of the bed and righted my dress before unzipping it completely and stepping out of it.

  “Are you trying to get me to stay?” he asked, quirking a brow.

  I smiled, enjoying a moment of female empowerment. “While that is tempting, I’m changing into jeans and now new underwear, so that I can go eat.”

  He watched as I crossed into the bathroom in order to wash up. He was still watching when I came out to don new clothes. “You all right?” he inquired, looking concerned, stopping me in my tracks.

  “Of course. Why do you ask?”

  “I want to make sure we’re good, that you don’t feel weird about, um…”

  “A quickie?” I supplied and watched his wince. I crossed over, put my arms around him, and kissed him. “I know that you respect me for a lot more than my body. I only wish you could confide in me about where these trust issues come from.”

  “Haylee, we’ve gone over this. I’m not going to burden you with my past.”

  “I don’t think of it as a burden. I see it as helping me understand and maybe be a little more sensitive to it.”

  “I need to get back.” He kissed me again and strode out, a man intent on returning to his brother’s party and avoiding the subject at hand.

  ***

  I woke up when I felt Josh climb into bed with me. I looked at the clock; it was three in the morning.

  He nuzzled my shoulder, and I realized he was completely naked. “Haylee,” he whispered.

  I found his insistent lips. “Ugh, you taste like cigarette smoke and whiskey.”

  “Sorry, I just had to feel you tonight, but I can go.”

  “No stay, but no kissing on the mouth,” I giggled, turning back around and feeling his lips on my neck.

  “Deal, and I’m sorry I smoked a cigar, but no cigarettes.”

  “Mm, you don’t have to answer to me. I merely want you to live longer because you’re sooo much older than I am.”

  He chuckled. “Feisty. I like that.”

  I felt my panties being dragged down, and then his fingers were working me.

  “You’re ready for me, aren’t you?”

  “I am, always.”

  He entered me slowly and reached around, stroking me gently. I could feel his climax building as mine did the same. I moaned, letting myself go a
nd felt his release minutes later.

  His arms squeezed me tight, and he made no move to break the contact. Then I realized he was already asleep. I sighed and curled into him, soaking up his heat and masculine smell.

  ***

  “Where are you going?” Josh questioned, his voice still rough from the night before.

  I watched him sit up slightly and grimace. I showed some sympathy. “I put some ibuprofen and a glass of water next to the bed for you.”

  “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a hangover. Thank you.”

  “You do it for me, so it’s the least I can do in return.”

  “My throat feels like crap, probably that damn cigar,” he admitted. “Come here.” He patted the bed, and I shook my head.

  “I’m going to use the gym before checkout. I need a good run.”

  He looked disappointed, and I was about to change my mind when a knock at the door surprised us both. “Did you order breakfast up?” he asked.

  “No, I didn’t.”

  The knock came again, and I waited to answer until Josh gathered his clothes and went into the bathroom. I looked through the peephole and sucked in a breath. Crap. Opening it slightly, I gave a tight smile to Colby.

  “Hi, there,” he greeted, entirely too chipper for someone who should be good and hungover this morning.

  “Hi, yourself. What brings you by?”

  “Well, I wanted to talk to you for a minute. Mind if I come in?”

  “Uh, I’m on my way down to the gym, but we can talk on the way.”

  “Sure, sounds good.”

  “Let me grab my iPod and I’ll be right out.”

  Unfortunately, I underestimated him because as I turned and went towards the desk to grab my music, he put his foot in the door and let himself in. I spun around and flushed.

  “Whatcha hiding, Haylee?” he asked, smirking.

  I rolled my eyes, trying to play it off. “Nothing. I’m simply old-fashioned about having someone I barely know in my hotel room.”

  “Mm hmm. You know, it’s funny. I went by my brother’s room this morning, and he didn’t answer the door.”

  “Maybe he’s sleeping,” I said dryly.

  “Perhaps, but I was kind of hoping I’d find him here. That possibly you two were together.”

  “Why, so that you can make bang-the-secretary jokes and comment on my qualifications?” I did air quotes and moved again towards the door, ready to leave.

  “I heard enough about your qualifications last night, actually while talking with Brian and Josh.”

  “Please don’t make me hit you again,” I threatened, watching his smile.

  “I like you, Haylee. You don’t put up with crap. And for the record, I was being sincere. But all right, I’ll walk you downstairs. If my brother isn’t man enough to come out of the bathroom and tell me, his only brother who he should trust, that he’s in fact with you, then I think I may have to do my best to convince you to give me a shot, after all.”

  The bathroom door slammed.

  I didn’t bother to turn around. Instead, I watched Colby’s eyes light up as if to say he’d been right all along.

  “I’ll be down at the gym,” I muttered, feeling annoyed and embarrassed.

  I felt Josh’s hand on my shoulder. “Haylee, wait…”

  “No, you two talk or whatever. I have stuff to do. See ya, Colby.”

  Colby moved in front of the door. “Haylee, I didn’t call his bluff to shame you. I’m sorry.”

  His eyes reflected sincerity, but I still wasn’t ready to talk about it.

  “She has nothing to feel ashamed about.” Josh’s voice was angry.

  I faced him, putting a hand on his chest where I felt the hum of fury.

  “Josh, I’m not ashamed, this is just awkward. I’m heading downstairs and will be up later.”

  That seemed to calm him down some as I left the brothers to hash it out.

  ***

  Josh was gone when I returned to my room, and there was no note. Sighing, I took a shower and started packing. My flight was leaving in a couple of hours, and I needed to check out. I was about to text him goodbye when I heard a knock at my door.

  Opening it, I was surprised to see Colby again.

  “He’s not here this time,” I said, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

  “I didn’t come to talk to Josh. I came to apologize to you.”

  “What for? You weren’t off base.”

  He sighed and crossed the room. “No, but I didn’t mean to disrespect you in the process. I wasn’t trying to make it seem cheap or anything.” He looked sincere, but it didn’t matter.

  “It’s all right. It is what it is and I know what it looks like. I’m his secretary, ten years younger, and we’re sleeping together. I guess the only silver lining is that he’s single, so I won’t get the trifecta award for the cliché office romp.”

  “There is nothing cliché about the way my brother feels about you, Haylee.”

  I sucked in my breath and must have shown my surprise.

  “You don’t know?” he questioned.

  I could only shake my head.

  “Well, now you do. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. Although I think making it public with you instead of hiding it would go a long way to ensuring you’re both happy.”

  “This is only temporary Colby and you of all people know he has hang-ups regarding the general public knowing anything private about him,” I said softly.

  He regarded me before speaking. “He does have good reason. Not that you should be penalized for that bitch of an ex-wife he was married to, but, unfortunately, he’s been burned. I guess the point I was trying to make in coming here this morning was one, to say it was really nice meeting you. Two, that I’m sorry for accosting you yesterday and embarrassing you this morning. And third, I think you’re good for him.”

  “Thanks, Colby.”

  We both jumped at the sound of the knock at the door.

  “Speak of the devil,” Colby remarked, smirking.

  I opened the door to see Josh. “Hi,” he greeted softly and then stiffened upon noting Colby over my shoulder.

  “I was just leaving,” Colby said, going towards the door. “See you in the lobby in an hour, Josh.” The door closed leaving us alone.

  “What did he want?” he questioned, appearing irritated to find him in my room.

  “He wanted to apologize,” I said simply, and watched as Josh relaxed.

  “Good. I’m glad he did. I was hoping to have you fly back with me today, but Colby and I have personal business we need to go to Florida for. I should be back later this week.”

  I waited for an explanation of his personal business, but that was all he was willing to share. Disguising my hurt that he wasn’t confiding in me, I kept my voice light. “That’s fine. I’m heading to the airport. Safe travels, all right?”

  “You too,” he responded, kissing me soundly and walking me out to the elevator.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  I didn’t see or hear from Josh the rest of the week. Nigel mentioned that he had gone to a funeral in Florida and then home to Virginia for personal reasons. It was a cruel reminder that I wasn’t really a part of his world. I wondered if we still had plans for the weekend. He had mentioned it the last night in Vegas, but he’d been drinking and it was before Colby had discovered us the next morning.

  The bright spot, however, was that by Friday I had found out I’d been accepted to all of my top schools, including Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, Yale, Columbia, and NYU. I was excited and wished Josh was with me to share the news. In texting Sasha, Catherine, and Will, I was hoping at least one of them might be up for going out to celebrate.

  It was nearly six o’clock, my normal end of work time. According to Josh’s itinerary, he had just landed. Nigel had thought he would most likely head into the office and I was torn whether or not to wait for him. Sighing, I looked up to see Brian coming off the elevator.

  He must ha
ve had the bypass code in order to come straight up. He looked amused. “It’s Friday. Why the mopey face?” he inquired, surprising me by sitting down in Nigel’s chair and scooting over towards my desk.

  “Uh, Josh’s plane just landed, if he’s coming into the office, it probably won’t be back for another hour or so. I’m packing up for the evening.”

  “I know, I just talked to him, he’s meeting me here and then we’re going to dinner. Now why the mope?”

  “I’m not. I was trying to see if anyone was available to go out tonight. I just wanted to share my news.”

  He seemed intrigued. “So share with me.”

  Why the hell not? At least he’d be happy for me. I handed over the letters.

  He glanced down and read through them briefly. “Holy shit, Haylee, you got accepted to all of them?”

  “I did,” I said, smiling. It did feel good to share the news.

  “This is a cause for celebration. Did you tell Josh?”

  And therein lay the root of the mopeyness, if there was such a word. “He’s been out of town all week. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him.”

  He looked thoughtful and then went over to Nigel’s phone to dial a number on speaker.

  I felt my heartbeat in my ears when I heard Josh’s voice answer.

  “Josh, it’s Brian. I’m at your office, but I’m going to have to take a raincheck on dinner tonight.”

  “All right, then why come to my office?” He sounded mildly annoyed, but that was nothing new.

  “Well, I didn’t find out that I had other plans until I came here, and now I’m taking Haylee out to celebrate, instead.”

  Silence. Brian glanced over at me and winked.

  “Take me off speaker,” Josh commanded.

  Brian didn’t seem the least bit concerned and picked up the phone mildly. “All right. Done. Uh huh. Yep. You got it. Talk to you later.” He hung up and then smiled at me. “I suggest we go before he gets here because he is not in the best of moods.”

  “What did he say when you took him off speaker?”

  “Not anything worth repeating and nothing to worry about,” he said, smiling.

  I doubted that highly, but I was anxious to get the hell out of the office. “Who are you calling now?” I asked as we got into a cab.