by Sierra Rose
The second they were out of sight, we burst out laughing, doubling over at the waists and bracing against our knees as the hilarity of it overtook us completely. Little tears sprang into our eyes as we rode it out, until finally, we were able to get ourselves under control.
“I’ll get the fire. You get the booze,” she suggested.
“Done.”
She tossed me the keys to the car and knelt down to examine the mess her husband and my whatever-he-was had made, while I rooted around in the trunk for the ice chest full of drinks. By the time I emerged, the little pit was already engulfed in crackling flames.
“Nice,” I complimented, pulling out a fresh bottle of vodka and setting it on the table. “I don’t know what you’re going to tell Nick and James about it though. They’ll be crushed.”
She rolled her eyes to the heavens and unscrewed the cap. “I’ll tell them what I always tell them.”
“What’s that?”
“That lightning struck.”
“They won’t believe that.”
“You sure? They are out getting rocks for protection, aren’t they?”
“Right!” I said with a laugh.
Chapter 22
TWO HOURS LATER, THE four of us were sitting around the roaring campfire under a canopy of stars. One bottle of vodka had been emptied and was replaced with another, and sixteen proudly acquired stones were lined up at the base of the camp, plus a few smaller ones just in case of bears.
Nick looked at James. “How come we both fall for women who were hired by our dad’s? My dad hired Abby and I thought she was hot as hell, but I stayed away.”
“But not forever,” Abby chimed in.
“How could I stay away from you? I couldn’t. Fate simply wouldn’t have it.”
She kissed his lips.
“And James,” Nick said, “Della was hired by your father. When did you meet at the office?”
James and I looked at each other and laughed. Should we expose the truth? That we fucked the first night we met and had a twin swap. I laughed inwardly. The truth was stranger than fiction.
James stepped in with a grin. “I think we both went for women at the office because we want more than just a pretty face. Both of these women are awesome, smart, intelligent, passionate, brilliant, and inspiring. We want the whole package, and both these women deliver it.”
I held up my beer. “I second that.”
We all clanged beers and laughed.
“So, Della...” Nick’s blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight as he leaned toward me across the flames. “Tell us a little something about yourself. Don’t be shy.”
Abby smacked him. “Leave the girl alone, would you?”
I merely laughed, leaning farther back into James’s arms. The instinctual caution had worn off, and he was far more relaxed, enjoying he beloved lifelong friendship he’d told me about. Already, I liked Nick just as much as I liked his lovely wife, and I wasn’t intimidated by either of them anymore. “Well, my name Delilah Jones—” I began.
“Louder, love.” Nick gestured invitingly with his hand. “And why don’t you stand up, so we can all get a better look at you?”
“Fuck off, Nick.” James grinned, tightening his arms around me. “Leave her alone.”
Nick ignored him completely, keeping his hypnotic eyes fixed on me. “Unless, of course, you have something to hide.”
I laughed again, nestling my head in the hollow of James’s neck. There was a bite to the words, even though Nick said them with a smile, an overwhelming air of protectiveness that wasn’t entirely masked by his disarming charm.
“What do you want to know, Nick?” I answered with a grin. “And what would I possibly be trying to hide?”
“There’s really only one thing.” He lifted the bottle of liquor to his lips with a sudden sense of pragmatism. “As long as you’ve never slept with my father—”
“And that’s our cue,” James said, pushing to his feet immediately and pulling me up with him as he shot his friend an exasperated look. “Goodnight!”
“What?” Nick exclaimed defensively. “It’s been known to happen in the past. It’s better to find out now, right?”
“You can stop now.”
“Why?” I asked with a grin. “Did that actually happen?”
“No,” James said quickly.
“Yes,” Nick said at the same time.
“Well, sort of,” Abby answered simultaneously.
James cast them both a fierce look of warning before nodding his head toward the trees. “Why don’t you two go wander in the woods, get yourselves lost or eaten by something?”
Nick bowed his head, wearing an apologetic grin.
Abby, on the other hand, pushed to her feet and tugged on his hand. “Actually, a midnight walk might be fun. We can do a little stargazing.”
He glanced at her in surprise, then looked a bit fearfully out at the trees. “Do you think we should take along one of those rocks, just in case?”
She stretched up on her toes for a swift kiss. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll protect you.”
I clapped a hand over my heart, but James simply rolled his eyes and pulled me into the tent with him, then zipped it shut before he collapsed on the pile of sleeping bags. “Well, this is certainly not how I expected to end the day,” he said.
“You should know by now that life is unpredictable.”
He laughed. “I love your spirit, Della.”
“I’m glad you brought me along to meet your dearest friends.”
“They approve too.”
“That’s an added plus. I love them too.”
“Nick was always my side kick, but if he told the story, I guess I would be the side kick. We fought who would be the side kick.”
“Since you’re telling the story, it can be Nick.”
He laughed. “Okay then. So we were both so wild, crazy, and carefree. But then Nick settled down.”
“Do you miss the crazy times you shared?”
“No, because it’s time to grow up. Nick is so happy and content. I thought he’d be bored with marriage. But he isn’t. I watched the biggest bachelor on the planet settle down with the love of his life. And he’s never been happier. I’m happy for him, and I can’t wait until it’s my turn. Not that I’m in a rush.”
“They’ve been married for about eight years. So I don’t think you’re in a rush.”
We both laughed.
“When they invited me over for Christmas, I was speechless,” he said. “The place was all decorated and they had a big Christmas tree. I swear I was stepping into a glistening wonderland. Arabella was so excited about the holiday and we all had such a magical time. Nick dressed up as Santa and handed out presents. We spread reindeer dust all over the yard, and it shined in the moonlight.”
“Reindeer dust?”
“To feed Santa’s reindeer, of course.” He laughed. “It’s a combination of oatmeal, nuts, raisins, and edible glitter.”
I smiled. “Okay, I’m definitely feeding the reindeer this year!”
“Yeah, it was a blast. After we watched a bunch of Christmas movies, we all made cookies, sat in front of the roaring fire, and drank egg nog with Christmas music playing in the background. That visit to Nick’s really had me thinking. He has a home and a place to put down roots. He has a beautiful wife who adores him, and a precious little girl who thinks he is the king of the world. They have the perfect life together. I envy that. Someday, I want a wife, kids, a place to call home.”
“You don’t want that to ruin your playboy lifestyle, now, do you?” I teased.
“I don’t know if marriage is right for me. I mean I want it. But I’ve always been scared of it. Maybe because I’m so wild and carefree, a different breed of person. I’m the type of guy who loves to go for a midnight drive and skim around the corners at 160 mph. But lately, I feel like...I want something more.”
“You could run your father’s company.”
“I could. But I d
on’t know if I want to be tied down like that.”
“This company needs somebody like you.”
He looked up at the bright stars in the sky. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my near-death experience. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance, and that I should do something with my life. At first, I felt invincible. And I did some crazy things. Things only a lunatic would do. I’m out of control. How long can I keep living this shallow lifestyle?”
“I think Nick and Abby are having a big effect on you.”
“Maybe. I thought Nick was stupid to get married. But I’m seeing how wonderful it actually is. All my friends are settling down and starting families. I just hope one day that I can have what they do. I’m sure everyone is fed up with my outrageous playboy antics. Maybe the party is winding down. I’m tired of going home to a lonely house. Maybe I want to go home to a wife and kids, a family that loves me.” He looked away. “I think I had too much to drink. I can’t believe I’m telling you all of this.”
“Because you trust me. Or maybe you want to be redeemed for all of your sins.”
He chuckled. “No, really, I think you’re on to something. I do want redemption. I want the world to forgive my transgressions and look at me in a new light. I want to feel like I’m doing something wonderful, helping the world in some small way. Maybe I’m like my mom more than I know.”
“She sounds like a wonderful lady.”
“She is. How about you? Did you have good parents?”
“I came from a home where marriage was just incredible. We were all so happy growing up and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I hope one day I can be as happy as my parents.”
“You deserve to be happy and loved.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
He pushed a strand of hair from my face. “I seriously can’t stop thinking about you. Because meeting you was the best thing to ever happen to me. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
His lips softly grazed mine in a slow kiss.
“Thank you. I feel the same.”
He cupped my cheek. “You make me want to be a better man just so I can be more worthy of you. No woman has ever made me feel that way before.”
Tears welled up in my eyes; what he was saying was melting my heart.
“You’re the reason I haven’t left London yet,” he whispered, placing another slow kiss on my lips. “You set my heart on fire and you’re very easily becoming my world.”
“James, there is nothing I would rather do, and nowhere I’d rather be than with you. I’m falling for you hard.”
His eyes twinkled as I lay down next to him, then rolled onto my stomach before pulling myself up onto his chest. I trailed a finger down the front of his shirt, leaving open buttons in my wake.
“I’m all yours,” I said with heartfelt emotion.
James wasn’t the type to pass up such a tempting invitation. He propped himself up on his elbows, watching as my hand inch closer and closer to his belt. “Oh yeah?” His lips curved up into a seductive smile. “What do you have in mind?”
A rush of heat flushed through my body as I pushed him back onto the makeshift bed. “Lie down, Tarzan, and I’ll show you.”
Our lips crashed together in a passionate kiss.
Five minutes later, we were naked, panting, and tangled around each other to such a degree that I wasn’t sure if we could ever undo our impromptu game of Twister. His dark hair brushed against my bare shoulder as my legs tightened around his waist, holding on for dear life as he pounded into me with excruciating, exquisite thrusts.
Little tears began to form in the corners of my eyes when he flipped us suddenly upright, drawing me closer so I was straddling his lap. It had become a favorite position of ours, and we found it profoundly intimate, our pounding hearts pressed up against each other as we gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Shit!” James pulled back in alarm, staring at me in horror. “There’s a... Is that a spider on your face? It’s huge, a fucking tarantula!”
“What!?” I scrambled away from him, piercing the night with a panicked shriek. “Where is it, James? Where the hell did it go?”
“It’s okay,” he said, trying to catch my flailing hands so he could see without the shadows. “Just hold still a second. I’ll get it.”
I did as he asked, but a split second later, I felt a stinging bite on the side of my face, and all hell broke loose once again. With a mighty scream, I slapped the eight-legged freak away, and it landed squarely on his chest. He barely had time to look down before it bit him as well, drawing out a deafening profanity as he flung it away from his body, only for it to land somewhere in our mangled heap of sleeping bags and blankets.
“Where the fuck is that thing?” I screeched. I wasn’t usually squeamish about bugs, but that was no ordinary spider. It was a woodland warrior, a gargantuan nightmare like something out of a creature feature movie on Sy-Fy, and it had just sunk its fangs into the skin on my face. “Do you see it?”
James, still cursing, darted his eyes around frantically, glancing at the rising welt on his chest and generally tuning out the fact that we were both still very much in danger.
“James!” I cried again. “I think I see it!” Then, without stopping to think, I jumped on top of him, anything to get my feet off the ground before the monstrous little devil could skitter up my leg.
He caught me, just barely, then leapt back in surprise as the thing charged again, and it was that precise moment that we realized there was a faulty zipper on our tent.
Two voices cried out in the night as we went tumbling backward, falling through the door and landing on the dirt beside the campfire, completely naked and swelling up with spider bites. The tent was soon to follow, capsizing down on top of us with the deadly spider somewhere in its folds. We kicked and cursed, battling the tarp away from ourselves until, in an act of utter desperation, James lifted the entire thing over his shoulder and cast it into the fire.
It was also that precise moment that we realized Nick and Abby hadn’t gone for a walk after all.
The entire campsite stilled abruptly, except the crackling of the burning nylon, and all four of us simply stared at each other. The two of them blinked at us with wide eyes from the picnic table, and we just stood there, breathless, frozen, and as naked as the day we were born.
Finally, after an eternity of silence, Nick offered a bronzed marshmallow. “S’more?”
“S’more!” James cried. “How about some fucking arachnid antidote?”
Chapter 23
WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT to share a tent that night. Although it was suggested briefly that James and I could sleep in the car, it was quickly decided by the boys that cars were prime bear targets, and we’d all be better off sticking together for safety’s sake. We also decided that there would be no “carnal relations,” as Nick put it, since hockey-mask-wearing, machete-wielding psychos always went for the promiscuous type.
In the end, it wasn’t nearly as awkward as it could have been. The only uncomfortable moment came when we realized all our luggage had been thrown into the fire. Fortunately, James and Nick were the same size, and I managed to squeeze into some of Abby’s things as well. It wasn’t long before the four of us were huddled tightly together, blanketed under two unzipped sleeping bags, counting the long minutes until the terrible night would finally come to an end.
With the new day, came a new sense of adventure. We had all made a silent vow to never mention the fiasco of the previous night, so not a word was spoken about it as Abby and I busied ourselves collecting water and making breakfast. Meanwhile, the boys took turns holding up a little mirror so they could shave. When that little ordeal came to an end, Nick abruptly suggested we all go on a hike.
“So...” Abby began conversationally as we trailed behind the menfolk, making our way along a woodland trail. “What did you do last night?”
I shot her an incredulous look, then realized she was teasing and smacked her with a rueful g
rin. The side of my cheek was still raised and enflamed from the spider bite, and no matter how many visits I paid to the campground shower, I couldn’t get the smell of smoke and desperation out of my hair. “Yeah, this... Well, it isn’t exactly the way I saw our week going.”
Instead of being all dolled up like I wanted to, still secretly trying to seduce my man at every turn, I was wearing a huge sweatshirt I bought at the ranger’s station, over a pair of lilac leggings on loan from Abby. My hair was swept up in a brisk ponytail, and my bangs swept messily over my face. I had no makeup and no jewelry, but I was quite grateful that my purse with my wallet and the ruby pendant were still locked safely in the car.
She threw her arm around me sympathetically. “Hey, at least it’s memorable. I mean, look around us. We’ve got one tent, no food, shitty clothes, and massive hangovers, but we’re all together, right?” It was a ludicrously optimistic opinion, but it forced a smile onto my face. “Besides, no matter what happens, it’s not like things could get any—”
Her words froze as the men in front of us stopped.
“Worse?” she continued.
It took me a split second to see what they were looking at. A second after that, I didn’t understand how I could have ever missed it: a bear, a genuine, real-life, no-this-is-not-a-joke bear, right in front of us.
Lions and tigers and...oh shit!
The furry beast reared up on its hind legs as soon as it saw Nick and James. After looking the boys up and down for a moment, Winnie the Rude threw back his head and let out a mighty roar, one that sent shivers down my spine. It was the kind of ominous noise that made me instantly want my mommy.
That’s it. Forget the spider. Forget losing a fight to the death with Robert. No, this... This is how we die.
“That can’t be... It’s not a bear.”
My eyes flickered up in disbelief to see James staring confidently ahead, as if sheer willpower alone could make the thing go away.
Nick glanced at him nervously, but instinct told him to jump onboard. “Not a bear?” he echoed. “Because it sure as hell looks like it to me!”
