“Oh, there you are,” smiled Mimi, stepping away from a group of older ladies, in the large formal dining room. “I was getting worried about you.”
“I’m terribly sorry,” I said. “Traffic was bad. There was some kind of accident and it took me much longer than anticipated.”
Mimi nodded. “Well, I’m glad you made it, back. Let me introduce you to all of my friends.” She then pulled me over to her group of cronies and smiled. “Ladies, let me introduce you to Pastor Richie.”
***
Sinclair
Jesse and I ended up playing cards in my bedroom and drinking a little more wine than what I’d originally planned. By the time it was eight-thirty, both of us were feeling slightly tipsy.
He held out his arm for me to take. “Ready, fairest princess?” he asked, with a lopsided grin.
“Yes, fairest queen,” I said, trying to steady myself on the high heels.
He threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, we are going to be out of control tonight. I can just tell this is going to be fun.”
I put my hand on his arm and gave him a serious look. “Just remember to stick with me,” I said. “Don’t go sniffing after any hot guys and leaving me all on my own.”
“I’ll try but if I reach a breaking point, I’ll let you know.”
“You’d better behave or your parents might catch on. You can’t afford to lose that extra money, especially now.”
He sighed. “Very true. Well, let’s go crash this party and liven thing up.”
***
Reed
“So, you’re really getting married?” pouted Sherry, a pretty redhead I’d dated a few times in my early twenties.
“Ah, yeah,” I said, trying to get out of the corner she’d backed me into. Thank goodness Sela was too busy schmoozing with some of the producers Jack had invited, in another area of the house. She was obviously still trying to get into the movies.
“Too bad,” she smiled, trailing a long red nail along my forearm. “I’m so damn horny tonight and my husband is out of town.”
“Well, I’m sure there are plenty of available men here would-,”
It was then that I noticed her moving down the staircase.
Sinclair.
Jesus.
She was a vision of beauty in a red dress that hugged every curve of her voluptuous body. With every step she took, a flash of thigh peeked out from a slit in the gown, making it harder for me to breathe as I pictured my hand on that pale skin. When her sparkling green eyes finally met mine, she smiled and everyone else in the room ceased to exist.
“Reed?” said Sherry.
I cleared my throat. “Excuse me,” I answered, stepping away.
“Hey, Reed,” said Jesse, as I met him at the bottom of the stairs. “Nice turnout, huh?”
“Definitely,” I said, still staring into Sinclair’s eyes. “Magnificent, better than I could have ever imagined.”
Sinclair’s cheeks turned pink and she lowered her eyelashes.
“So, where’s that shrew of yours?” asked Jesse.
It was a struggle not to openly gape at Sinclair’s cleavage. I turned to my brother instead. “Sela? She’s around.”
“Wonderful,” he replied dryly. “I’m thirsty. Sinclair, would you like another glass of wine?”
“No, I’m okay right now,” she said.
“Party pooper,” he said, giving her a pouty look. “You sure?”
“I’d better not,” she said. “You know how I get when I’ve had a little too much to drink.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How do you get, Sinclair?”
She smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“I’ll tell you how she gets- rowdy, loud, and uninhibited,” said Jesse, a small smile playing on his lips.
“In that case,” I said. “Find us a couple of bottles.”
She shook her head and laughed.
“Listen, I’ll be right back. I’ll bring you back a wine cooler, in case you change your mind,” said Jesse, leaving Sinclair alone with me.
“Nice,” she said. “I told him not to abandon me and he does it right away.”
“Don’t worry, Sin,” I said, resisting the urge to pick her up and carry her away to my bedroom. “You’re in good hands with me.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but then changed her mind.
“What?” I asked, taking a sip of my beer.
“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head, although the sparkle in her eyes told me something otherwise.
My eyes slid back down to her leg, which was peeking through the slit once again. I thought about both of those legs wrapped around my waist and took another swig of beer.
“Nice dress by the way,” I said, my voice sounding slightly hoarse.
“Thanks.”
“Jesse better keep a close eye on you in that or someone’s bound to throw you over their shoulder and head for the nearest cave.”
She laughed. “Oh, you think so?”
I smiled wickedly. “Are you kidding? A woman like you in a dress like that?”
She pushed me playfully. “You’re terrible.”
“Now that’s one thing I’ve never been called.”
Her eyes raked quickly over my body and then she blushed. “So,” she asked, changing the subject. “Where are your parents?”
I shrugged. “They’re around. Jack’s probably in a dark corner, groping some young starlet and mom, well, she’s probably in the kitchen gossiping with friends.”
She rubbed the corner of her eye and blinked. “Darn it.”
“What?”
“I, um… I have to use the ladies room. I knew this was going to happen when I started drinking.”
I stood up straighter. “Do you want me to follow you?”
She laughed. “No, I think I know where the nearest one is by now.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll be waiting right here with Jesse, when you return.”
“Thanks.”
I watched as she walked away, her nicely rounded hips swaying as she left. I took another pull of my beer.
Chapter Eighteen
Sinclair
I walked away from Reed, relieved that he didn’t follow me. He looked so handsome in his dark, wool suit and smelled absolutely… amazing. After two glasses of wine and catching his fiancé cheating, I knew there wouldn’t be any resistance left in me. If he as so much made anymore sexual innuendos towards me, I’d more than likely pull him into the nearest closet and make him forget about the rest of the world. But for now, I just wanted to check my makeup, not really having to pee. I had this feeling that my eyeliner had run and that I really needed to fix it.
I moved through the crowd towards the bathroom, noticing that some of the faces were familiar- a couple of famous actors, a very infamous musician, and even a couple of models that were no longer in their prime but still beautiful. As I was about to enter the bathroom, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
“Hey, gorgeous,” said a tall, blond musician-type-of-guy covered in tats and piercings.
“Oh, hi,” I said, suddenly recognizing the hunky singer who I’d seen in concert as a teenager. “Look, I…”
“Where in the hell has Jack been hiding you?” he asked, with a lazy grin, his eyes trailing over my dress. “Are you an actress?”
My cheeks turned pink. “No,” I beamed up at him, unable to help myself. He was just as sexy off-stage, as on.
He leaned closer. “Not an actress, that’s cool. Do you um… party?” he asked.
I bobbed my head up and down. “Yes, I mean I’ve had a couple of drinks, already. That’s why I’m headed towards the bathroom, actually.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You’re too fucking cute.”
“Well, thanks. So are you,” I gushed. “Listen, I…”
He grabbed my hand and started pulling me away from my original destination. “This way, you sexy little thing.”
Although I still wante
d to check my makeup, I couldn’t help but be flattered that this famous singer wanted to have a drink with me. I knew the girls at Tangled were going to be so freakin’ amazed when I told them about it. As I pictured their shocked faces, we stopped abruptly.
“Going somewhere?” asked Reed, blocking our path.
“Oh, hey- Reed isn’t it?” said the singer. “Yeah, man, we’re going to have ourselves a little one-on-one time. Can we use one of your bedrooms?”
Reed’s eyebrows shot up.
“Bedroom?” I pulled my hand away and glared up at him. “You said party. I thought that meant an innocent little drink.”
The singer’s face darkened. “Looks like you have a little attitude. Glad I found out now before you busted my balls, later.”
When he walked away, I turned to Reed, who looked rather pissed.
“What?” I asked.
“You have no idea what kind of party he was talking about, do you?”
“Apparently not.”
Reed looked around and then grabbed my elbow. “I see now that I can’t let you out of my sight. Let’s go.”
“I still have to use the bathroom,” I mumbled as we started moving through the crowded room.
“Bathroom?” He swore under his breath and then changed our course towards the kitchen. “You can use the one near the pantry. It should be free.”
“Okay.”
We entered the kitchen, where it was crazy busy. Several people were preparing trays of Hors devours or pouring glasses of champagne, while the wait-staff bustled in and out, grabbing them on the fly.
“Excuse us,” said Reed as he maneuvered me out through the back entrance and then down a long corridor which must have led to the pantry. Thankfully the hallway was dark and quiet, compared to the rest of the house.
Reed suddenly stopped and turned to face me, his eyes holding me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
“Well, um thanks,” I murmured, trying to figure out why he still looked angry.
He stepped closer to me, his face strained. “What in the fuck are you doing to me?” he whispered, hoarsely.
Before I could ask what he meant, he slid one of his hands into the back of my hair and reeled me in.
***
Reed
The thought of her and the musician, together, unglued me. As far as I was concerned, if anyone was going to have some one-on-one time with Sinclair, it would be me.
I pulled her into my arms and claimed her lips with a vengeance. When she didn’t protest and opened her mouth to mine, I groaned and pushed her back against the wall, wanting to devour her. Remembering how excited I’d gotten her earlier was making my cock throb with anticipation. I needed to be inside of her, right now. Fuck the rest of the world.
***
Sinclair
His tongue was demanding as it moved into my mouth and I responded like a ravenous animal- devouring and encouraging him to give me more.
I slid my hands into the back of his hair, my fingers wrapping around the strands, pulling and tugging, trying to draw our hungry mouths closer.
I just couldn’t get enough of him.
One of his hands moved to my left breast, sliding into the deep neckline, claiming it with a rumbling groan in the back of his throat as he cupped it tightly.
I let out a soft moan as he pinched and rolled my nipple between his fingertips. It was as if an electric current was sending sexually-charged tingles to the junction between my legs, creating an ache so intense that I knew I was now totally at his mercy.
And loving every minute of it.
I was on fire as his lips moved to my neck while his other hand moved up the slit of the dress, to my leg. My breath caught in my throat as his hand began to stroke my inner thigh, slowly moving towards the place that I needed him the most. When his fingers brushed the side of my panties, I dug my nails into the back of his neck and closed my eyes, aching for his touch.
“Reed,” I whimpered in agony as he ran his finger very slowly over the outside of my panties. It had been so long since I’d had anyone touch me in that spot that my panties were already drenched.
Noticing this, he let out a strangled groan and pushed them over to the side, exposing my most intimate spot.
“Oh…” I shuddered, as he cupped my mound and slid one of his fingers inside of me. I closed my eyes and spread my legs wider as his hand began to move, creating a familiar pressure inside of my pelvis that needed to be released.
“Sinclair,” he whispered into my neck, as he made circular motions with the pad of his thumb on my sweet spot. “I need you…”
I closed my eyes. “Yes,” I whimpered as his fingers moved faster, making my legs shake.
“Hold on,” he said, removing his hand. Before I knew what was happening, his jacket was off, he was on his knees, and his tongue was making a hot, wet trail up my inner thigh.
Ohmygod…
My legs felt like jelly and my stomach muscles clenched up as his tongue continued its torment, moving closer and closer to its destination.
“Reed,” I whispered, holding on to the back of the wall as he kissed and flicked his tongue along my inner thigh. I wanted to grab him by the hair and pull him into my heat- he was moving much too slow and I was aching for his tongue. “Please,” I begged again.
Our eyes met and he grinned wickedly. He knew exactly what he was doing to me.
Reed positioned my legs even farther apart and then his tongue moved to the edge of my panties, still taunting me. He pulled them over to the side with his finger again and I knew it would only take one or two slow, steady strokes in the center and I’d be pulling his hair and screaming out his name. As I waited for the firm, wet pressure from that glorious tongue of his, the echo of voices drew near, startling us both.
“Shit,” he growled, shooting up.
Trying to compose myself, I released a ragged breath and pulled my dress down.
“Bathroom,” he ordered, pushing me towards it. “Hurry.”
I shut the door behind me just as I heard Mimi addressing her oldest son.
Chapter Nineteen
Reed
“What are you doing back here?” asked my mother. “We’ve been looking all over for you.”
I cleared my throat. “What’s going on?” I asked, moving towards her, holding my jacket in front of me.
“Sela is getting out of control,” she said. “And Pastor Richie is about to start the ceremony. Come on.”
I frowned. “Sela is out of control?”
She sighed. “Yes. I’m not sure what’s going on with that girl but she’s acting rather strange.”
I nodded. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”
“She’s in the great-room. Please do something about her.” Then she turned and walked back towards the kitchen.
Sinclair pushed the door open, quietly. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
I smiled. “Oh, just the same old shit,” I said. “Sela, acting out.”
She looked away, avoiding my eyes. “We’d better get back.”
I went to her. “I want you to know something,” I said, raising her chin up to meet my gaze. “I’m not marrying Sela. There’s no way.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry.”
My eyes widened. “You have nothing to be sorry about. Meeting you has opened my eyes and turned me back in the right direction. Jesus, I’m grateful.”
“But-“
I put a finger to her lips, to quiet her. “I’m not ready for marriage, especially with Sela. To be truthful, I’m not even sure why either of us wanted it to begin with. She’s not in love with me and I’m definitely not in love with her.”
She gave me a stunned look. “You don’t love each other?”
I chuckled and pulled her against my chest. “Not at all. Jesus, I’ve felt more in the last few hours with you then I’ve felt the past few months with Sela.”
She released a long sigh. “So, it’s not my fault.”
“I’ll gladly take responsibility for that,” she whispered.
I kissed her lips and sighed. “I’d love to continue this, but if we don’t get back, Sela AND my mother are going to raise the roof.”
“We should find Jesse, too,” she said.
I smiled. “Of course. We don’t want your boyfriend getting jealous.”
“Come on, you’ve already figured that out.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Figured what out?”
She licked her lips. “That-“
“That he’s been gay his entire life and you two are trying to pull the wool over my parent’s eyes. Why, is the real question?”
“He doesn’t want your parents to know.”
“That’s what I figured. Why in the hell not?”
“He’s afraid they’ll cut out his trust fund money.”
“That won’t happen,” I said. “They have no control over that money. It was left for us by our grandparents.”
“Doesn’t he understand that?” she asked.
“I thought he did. I guess I was wrong.”
“Well, you’d better let him know.”
“No,” I said, smiling. “It’s more entertaining watching you two.”
“That’s cruel.”
“Not giving me another kiss, before we go back, is what’s cruel,” I said, pulling her into my arms.
Fortunately, Sinclair isn’t cruel
Chapter Twenty
Sinclair
Reed and I returned to the party, which had moved outside for Mimi and Jack’s ceremony.
“Where have you been?” asked Jesse, standing next to the sauna, drinking a wine-cooler. He didn’t appear upset in the least that I’d been gone for so long. When I noticed the cute group of young men he was standing with, I understood why.
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