by Lauren Dane
“That’s Cal. He’s Mary’s older brother. He’s with the pretty blonde sitting across from him with the other blond guy. He’s with her too. And with Cal.”
This was the second triad he’d learned of in this group. Was it something in the water?
Big brother stares . . . Ah well, he’d had more than one in his lifetime. And this woman was clearly capable of handling herself anyway.
“Would you like a drink, Mary?” He stood.
“Yes, I would, thanks.” She stood as well and he couldn’t resist a leisurely tour from the toes of her shoes, up a pair of shapely legs over the breasts—good god, the breasts—the long neck and to her face. Gracious.
“The bar is over there.” Mary indicated the opposite side of the yard before she took his arm.
“Did you always know you wanted to be a musician like Adrian and his sister?”
“My eldest brother Ezra works the ranch with my father. He’d bribe me and my brothers to do chores with the promise of being able to use the barn to practice music in. ’Course he was a wild one too, Ezra.” He’d been in the band for a few years. But the road, the life wasn’t meant for everyone. Ezra’s demons had been rehab sized and he’d retired from the band to save his life.
Last year they’d renovated that barn and made it into a home studio.
“My parents are musical. They sang in the choir. My dad plays piano and guitar. They got me drums. Well, actually, my uncle got me drums to punish my dad.” He laughed, pausing as they got to the bar.
She ordered a beer and he wasn’t sure why, but he was charmed by that. He especially liked that she left a tip. He’d worked as a server and at parties like this one and had people treat him like crap. From then on, he’d always tipped generously.
“Anyway, so we lived in the country so it wasn’t like we could get up to trouble anywhere else. So we rode horses and motorcycles and then when I was nineteen, Paddy—that’s my next eldest brother—and Ezra started a band for real. Vaughan and me, well we just went along because why not? Once we were all of age, we played shitty clubs and couch surfed and then my mother showed up and would spend a few months at a time with us. She’d rent a house and feed us, take care of stuff for us while we tried to hit it big. And then we did.”
“I like your mom already.”
“She’s pretty impossible not to like. She’d pester you until you at least faked it. We wanted her to manage us but she refused. But she helped us find someone. That’s how we met Adrian and Erin, actually; we share a manager. To this day our mom keeps an eye on our manager and the money people. She’s smart about making sure we save for retirement and all that too.”
Mary had to admit she liked that he seemed close with his family. Her perception of musicians, especially at his and Adrian’s level, used to be that of spoiled, self-centered jerks, but all the ones she’d actually met had been lovely and warm. Centered, even.
“What about you? Has this been a lifelong thing? Cooking?”
“I’ve always liked to cook. When I was little I used to make snacks for my brothers to get them to let me play with them. Of course later I figured out they got into a lot more trouble than I did, so playing with them involved punishment and/or injuries. My god. The stuff they used to do.” She rolled her eyes.
“Anyway, it became a way for me to pay for things I wanted. Then I started these dinners at my house. One day a month. People kept saying they thought I should go into business. I started to believe it. First I had a food truck, which taught me a lot about business and dealing with regulations and all that. The dinner club grew more and more popular. I started getting a few catering jobs, which began to multiply. So I quit the truck and put down roots in a shop I share with my friend Jules. It’s her shop actually and, oh my god, you just asked a simple question and here I go. Sorry, I talk a lot.”
“I like to hear you talk, so that’s a win. How about we sit over here and look out over the party and you can tell me more. Jules is the blonde with your brother, who was staring daggers at me earlier, right?”
She laughed. “He was? Oh, he’s so silly. But he’s my brother. My other one probably did too, but he’s wilier than Cal.”
He pulled a chair out for her and she sat, happy to be off her feet ’cause the heels she had on were pretty and all, but they hurt like hell.
“So hang on one sec.” He dashed off, returning with a tray filled with all sorts of small plates. “I’m starving so I figured we could eat your food while you tell me the rest.”
She sipped her beer. “I warned you. By the way, that sauce there”—she pointed—“is perfect to put on top of the strawberries.”
He tried it and nodded. “What is this deliciousness?”
“Roasted strawberries with balsamic reduction. You like?”
“Hell yes, I like. Now, you started working from a shop. Continue. I’ll be eating and listening.”
“She runs a bakery called Tart. Probably, as you can figure out, the best tarts you’ve ever tasted, along with a variety of other awesome baked goods. So I put out some stuff from that evening’s catering gigs if I have extra so people can buy it along with her pastry. I also moved my supper club to that space twice a week and we’re fully booked for the next five months. So suddenly I’m very busy, but really excited about the prospects. It doesn’t hurt that my friend is marrying a rock star who gives my card to all sorts of people who like to throw catered dinners.”
“Wow. That’s amazing. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. To you as well.”
Music started up in the background and he shoved a few mushrooms into his mouth. “I’ve got to run. We’re doing a little something for Miles. He wanted to do a warm-up. You know, before the wedding. Which is a secret, so, god, don’t tell Gillian.”
“I can’t wait to hear it. And, of course, your secret is safe. Gillian will be so pleased.”
It wasn’t something she’d really shared with Gillian, but she did love to watch a man at his art. Be it painting, dance, food or music. The sight of Damien up there as he got behind his drum kit made her tingly and a little wet.
He rolled his sleeves up before picking up the sticks, waiting for Adrian as he spoke and addressed the crowd and his fiancée.
Gillian, Daisy and Jules stood to her left as they all watched. She was glad she wore the waterproof mascara too, because Adrian and Miles pulled out all the stops, showering Gillian with love. What they had planned for the wedding would be even more sniffle-worthy. Mary knew it would be a two-hanky day.
“You’re so lucky.” Mary leaned in to kiss Gillian’s cheek.
“I am, yes.” Gillian sniffed, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. “Thank you for being here to share it with me.”
“Where else on Earth would I be?”
* * *
It wasn’t his party. But he liked playing with Mary watching anyway. He liked the way she cocked her head, the sway of her hips. Sensual. Playing music always made him think of sex, and while he did, he watched her watch him.
And imagined fucking the hell out of Ms. Mary Whaley.
Sadly, they hadn’t any more time to really chat as the party went on but they were never alone after that.
He kissed her cheek as he left, liking the way she blushed. “See you next month at the wedding?”
“Definitely. I’m in it and you’ll be eating my food too.”
“Two great reasons to come back to Bainbridge then.”
2
That dress makes you look so sexy.” Daisy winked as she gave Mary an up-and-down look.
Mary laughed, giving herself one last glance in the mirror. They were getting dressed for the wedding, which would start in an hour. Gillian was getting her makeup done and the rest of the bridal party sat around talking and laughing.
“Yeah?”
“Double yeah. The drummer’s gonna love it.”
“I didn’t choose this dress for him.” This was technically true because the dress was one they
all wore as bridesmaids in the wedding. Daisy had one on too. As did Jules and Erin, Adrian’s sister.
“Gurl, I saw him looking at you. He wants to take a bite. And you should let him.”
“Daisy, I think you should take a class on how to say what you really feel. You’re so shy.”
Daisy laughed. “I’d try to fix you up with Levi’s older brother Jonah, but I think he’s an even bigger handful than Levi and you already have a full-time job. But a little rock-star action sure has done wonders for Gillian. Why not you?”
Mary shook her head, trying not to laugh. “You have a one-track mind.”
“Because I’m getting some on the regular-like.”
“As it happens”—Mary looked around—“he’s pretty smoking hot.”
Daisy clapped her hands, her eyes lit with mischief. “I knew it!”
“’Course you did. I told you.”
“Well, you said he was cute and you two had sparks. You gonna get some today?”
“I’m a little busy today, it being my friend’s wedding and all.”
“So I guess you don’t need to know he was asking about you earlier.”
Mary narrowed her eyes. “He was?”
“I was in the kitchen grabbing some coffee when he came through with Adrian. Asked all casual and stuff, ‘Hey, anyone seen Mary around?’ I told him you were obsessively scaring your staff most likely but would be around later today.”
“I do not scare my staff.”
Daisy waved it away with a perfectly manicured hand. Which was unusual, as she usually had paint and other stuff in her cuticles. “I’m not playing make-believe with you. I know exactly where you’ve been because that’s also where Jules was. Anyway, it was nice that you weren’t here when he asked. Gives you some mystery.”
“Mystery? Yes, nothing more mysterious than a caterer making sure the basil is nice and fresh.”
“And it was, wasn’t it?”
Mary scoffed at the very question. Of course it was. As if she’d serve anything else.
Raven turned from where she’d been working on Gillian. “You two. Ready for your makeup?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You sit there and I’ll just do you both at once. No, you don’t get any say in what colors I use. I know what’s best and I don’t work with others well unless I’m in charge.”
“That sounded totally dirty and bossy.” Daisy beamed.
Raven paused and then laughed. “It did. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done two at once.”
“You really need to share those details. Keep us entertained while you work.”
“A lady doesn’t kiss and tell. So I guess it’s good I’m not a lady.”
“Do tell.” Daisy leaned forward and Mary held still while Raven put a drape over her dress so no makeup got on it.
“I’m positively boring compared to Jules and Erin.”
Mary laughed at that as Jules and Erin both snorted. “You’re many things. Boring isn’t one.”
Raven was . . . well, not boring, that was true. She lacked filters, which made her hard to deal with in more than small doses. She was defended, closed off. But at the same time, she went out of her way to help Gillian. Even though Raven and Adrian did not like one another at all. And Erin, Adrian’s sister and someone Mary liked a great deal, adored Raven.
There was more beneath the surface to this woman. Though Mary wasn’t sure she’d ever know just exactly what. Or even that she wanted to know. But one thing was certain: Raven was compelling.
Especially as she told them randy details of a threesome she had some years before. Then again, it left Mary feeling a little itchy without anyone to scratch it for her.
She thought about asking for a different color lipstick, but Raven would have ignored her anyway. Tattoos, piercings and makeup were Raven’s art and she seemingly had all the confidence in the world over her choices.
And little tolerance for other opinions once she made up her mind. Mary wasn’t entirely sure if she admired it or was annoyed by it. Probably a bit of both.
“I see you sneaking looks at that pink gloss. You don’t need pink. Not with this dress and your hair. You’re all dark and doe-eyed. Work it.”
“You’re scary.”
Raven snorted. “I’m right.”
She stepped back, handing Mary a mirror. She had to admit, Raven had indeed been correct. “You were right about the lipstick.”
“Didn’t I just say exactly that? Of course I was. I’ve been doing makeup since I was nine years old.”
“Really? That’s got to be some story.” Daisy grinned. “I love the thing you did with my eyes.”
Raven neatly dodged the reference to her story. “I like it too. You have the perfect face for it. The vintage thing works on you.” She packed up her stuff. “Erin Brown, you are next. Get over there.” She sent a look back over her shoulder to Mary and Daisy. “I’ll see you both downstairs later. I hope Adrian realizes Gillian is way too good for him.” She sniffed and gave her attention to Erin.
“She’s like a hurricane,” Daisy said under her breath.
Mary looked to Daisy. “Yeah. But she loves our Gillian, so that means she’s got some sense.”
Daisy hugged Mary. “Totally. Also? You look gorgeous. My god.”
Mary blushed but sneaked a peek in the mirror. She sort of did. If she saw Damien Hurley, and if he made the right move at the right time, she might just, you know, let him get on it.
“You’re totally thinking about boning Damien Hurley.” Jules came up behind them, putting an arm around each one of their waists.
“Jeez, you know, you ladies get boyfriends and suddenly everything is about sex.”
Jules rolled her eyes. “I suppose it’s probably true that when you have someone who makes your life really nice, you want that for your friends. Also, it means we want every last dirty detail afterward.”
Mary snickered. “Look, this is all conjecture. He’s hot, and if the tabloids are telling any truth at all, he’s a legend with the sexytimes and all. But this is not what you have with Gideon and Cal, not what Gillian has with Adrian, or what Daisy has with Levi. If it happens, it’ll be hot sex and then it’ll be over. I’m not looking for a relationship and you know he sure isn’t.”
She had a career that was finally taking off. A business to run. Family and friends to be with. She had no time, and really no real desire for a romance. Hot sex? Sure. Forever? Too busy.
* * *
Damien milled around the yard, trying, not so sneakily, to locate Mary. He’d heard her voice a few times. Heard people talking about her. Had even asked her friend Daisy about her earlier when he’d bumped into her in the kitchen of Adrian and Gillian’s house.
He supposed he’d see her when she came down the aisle in any case.
She’d been on his mind a lot in the month since he’d first met her. Had found himself looking forward to the wedding because he knew he’d be seeing her again. He’d even talked to his mom about her. Just a mention, but enough that she’d given him a narrow-eyed once-over and said that if Mary was as nice as he’d said, and if she wasn’t like one of those floozies he’d been taking up with, that it might be a good thing if he pursued it and found himself a woman worthy of him and his family.
He wasn’t sure it was that big a deal. She was a pretty woman he liked. Different from those aforementioned floozies. Someone not from that lifestyle, but a woman a lot like him in many ways. A woman he seriously wanted to get horizontal with.
The music changed and he meandered to find a place to sit. That’s when he saw Mary’s brother Cal and figured he may as well introduce himself. He sat next to Cal and held his hand out.
“I’m Damien. You’re with Gillian’s friend Jules, right?”
The brother looked dubious but not entirely unreasonable or without manners. He shook Damien’s hand. “Cal Whaley. And yes, Jules is with me.” Cal looked around and waved at the blond guy from the engagement pa
rty. “Him too.”
“You too, huh?” He did actually know, but he didn’t want to seem like he’d gossiped about them. “I knew about Erin. Well, more power to you. Oh, and you’re Mary’s brother, aren’t you?” Ha! So smooth. He wanted to groan at what a dumbass he sounded like.
The blond came over to sit on Cal’s other side so Damien held a hand out. “I’m Damien.”
“Gideon.” He shook it.
Before they could say anything further, the music started and everyone turned to watch the procession.
And there she was. Holy shit, she looked fine in that dress. Her hair was up in some pretty bun thing but he bet it would start coming undone before the ceremony had finished.
That made him smile, as did the way her ass was so beguiling as she walked. Side to side. Side to side. Damn, he wanted to dig his fingers into that luscious flesh and take a bite.
The ceremony was nice, as wedding ceremonies went. He liked Gillian a great deal. Really liked how happy she made Adrian, who’d been a bit restless and bitter the last few years. That kid of theirs was fabulous too.
He’d spoken to Adrian about it, but Damien really felt like the boy had so much talent it would serve him to either go to an arts-based school or get him in the studio and out on the road when he could.
The kid’s mom wanted a normal life for him. And Damien respected that more than Gillian could know. His parents had made all the brothers finish school and he was glad of it. But Miles was Adrian Brown’s son. Normal was relative at that point. And talent like his wasn’t common.
But right then, Damien had other things in mind. He moved through the crowd of well-wishers, heading in her direction. When she turned and he caught her eye, she smiled and it zinged through him.
Chemistry. They had it. It made him sort of nervous and excited. Like a teenager.
“Hey there, Mary Whaley. You’re looking mighty fine today.”
As he’d thought, a curl had already won free from the pretty updo. He tugged on it and she sighed.
