Fooled Around and Fell in Love [The Doms of Sybaris Cove 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Tara Rose

  He’d had a crush on Jade since high school. Now, she gave him a bright but slightly guarded smile, and he relived that horrible conversation with Santos all over again. She must think he wasn’t interested in her, and that killed him. Worse, if she ever found out he’d let her asshole brother run all over him, she’d think he was a wimp as well.

  “I’m fine, thank you. How are you these days? Running Phoebe’s Playthings yet?”

  He forced a laugh, which sounded ridiculously fake even to his own ears. “Not yet. But I did move up recently. You heard about Kade and Elliot quitting, right?”

  “Santos mentioned it. They’re going to open a bar or something?”

  “A club actually, on their property. And Giselle Macey is going to help them run it.”

  “What kind of a club?”

  “Music, dancing, food, and drinks.”

  “Well they own enough land for it,” said Estevan.

  “How much land do they own?”

  “About one hundred acres,” said Liam.

  “Giselle is their sub now, right?” Jade’s eyes twinkled, and Liam’s dick twitched. He’d had fantasies starring this exotic woman for so long now, and to be standing here with her, calmly discussing clubs and submissives was too much for his pent-up horniness.

  “Yes, that’s right. And up until last week all three worked at Phoebe’s Playthings.” Kade Durante and Elliot Raleigh, Liam’s cousin, had run the manufacturing department, where Giselle had worked making custom floggers. Liam had been a line manager overseeing canes and crops. When Kade and Elliot quit, Asa and Tim promoted Liam and Fernando Durante to Kade’s and Elliot’s positions. It was a huge step not only in pay but responsibility, and Liam couldn’t be happier about it.

  But as he watched Jade and Estevan exchange a look he couldn’t interpret, he realized why Jade would prefer someone like Estevan over him. They were alike. Both carefree and happy, they lived for the moment. Estevan was one of the few Durantes or Raleighs who didn’t live to serve Asa and Tim, or to move up the company ladder. He wanted nothing to do with working at Phoebe’s Playthings.

  Liam, on the other hand, didn’t know any other way of life. His father, Kurt, had started taking him to work in the summers when he was twelve years old. “Now I run the manufacturing department, along with Nando Durante. Do you know him?”

  Jade nodded. “Congratulations.”

  “Okay. So where’s the contract?”

  Liam pulled it from the folder he carried and then produced a pen as well. “I’ve marked where you need to sign.”

  Estevan leafed through it, then looked at him like he had lobsters crawling on his face. “Three pages? I have to sign a three-page contract just to paint some walls?”

  “Hey, I didn’t draw it up. I’m just the messenger.”

  “Jesus Christ. Let me read this first. I want to make sure Asa isn’t asking for blood or my first-born.”

  Liam caught Jade watching him with a thoughtful expression. No doubt she was confirming what she’d concluded two years ago. He was a corporate kiss-ass, and a mega nerd. When she asked him if he wanted a margarita, he tripped over his words telling her he’d love one. Estevan had taken the contract over to the sofa and was sitting down, reading it, so Liam thanked his lucky stars and followed Jade out onto the patio, admiring her curvy, adorable ass as she walked.

  Chapter Five

  Jade and Estevan had made another pitcher of margaritas and come back outside with their drinks after he’d put away the medallion, and to wait for Liam to arrive. Jade hadn’t known what to expect when she was finally face-to-face with him again. She’d been so baffled when he’d never called her again after their date because she thought it had gone very well. She’d concluded he must have decided she wasn’t his type or something, but it would be nice to know that for certain. Now, she had her chance to find out.

  She poured him a drink then sat down, hoping he’d do the same. He did, and then she took a deep breath and just let the words come out. “Why did you never ask me out again?”

  He nearly choked on the sip he’d just taken, and she swore it was shame that filled his handsome face. She’d always thought him gorgeous, with that blond hair and those startling blue eyes. His features were chiseled, and when he walked it was with the easy grace of someone who worked out regularly. “I’m sorry. I…I should have. But…well…certain people…”

  No. It couldn’t be. It wouldn’t have been the first time Santos had done something like that but she’d always found out about it shortly afterward. “Did my brother say something to you?”

  “You didn’t know?”

  “Son of a bitch. No, I did not know. What did he say?”

  “Look, Jade, I don’t know if I should—”

  “I’m not a child and Santos isn’t my keeper. What did he say to you?”

  Liam looked conflicted and she hated that for him. If she didn’t need her job so much, she’d quit tonight. The hell with this. Finally, he spoke.

  “He told me that because my family and Estevan’s family thought of you and Santos as ‘natives,’ and that we weren’t good enough to do anything but serve them, no Raleigh or Durante was good enough to date you.”

  “I beg your pardon?” That was low, even for Santos. When she saw him again, they were going to have it out over this bullshit, once and for all.

  Liam looked genuinely upset, but so was she. It didn’t even help that now at least she finally knew why he’d never called again. “He threatened me, Jade. I mean with bodily harm, if I called you again. I’m sorry. I should have stood up to him.” Liam glanced quickly toward the patio doors, but Estevan was still inside. “I should have told him you had a right to date anyone you wanted, and that I wanted to see you again. Because…because I had such a nice time with you, and I had wanted to ask you out for a very long time.”

  She stared at him as his words sunk in. Two years. For two years she’d assumed he hadn’t been interested, and nothing could be further from the truth. And now she was here with him and Estevan, who had also waited for a long time to pursue her. How fucking crazy was this? She’d have to deal with her brother. This had gone on long enough. But for now, she had a real dilemma on her hands.

  He cut his gaze toward the doors again. “None of my business, but how long have you two been seeing each other?”

  She smiled at the absurdity of this situation. “This is our first date. He made me dinner.”

  Liam’s eyebrows shot up. “Estevan cooked?”

  She smiled. “Yes, he did. And I brought the Cuervo.”

  “I see. I made some assumptions that aren’t true.”

  “We both did. When you didn’t call me again I thought you weren’t interested in me.”

  “Oh fuck. Not true at all. Can you ever forgive me for letting your brother run all over me?”

  She snorted. “Ah, I think I should ask forgiveness from a ton of people on this island for letting him do that to me all these years. He’s a bully. A great cop, but a bully. We will have words over this incident. Thank you for telling me.”

  “You’re welcome. Thank you for not thinking I’m a pussy.”

  She shook her head. “Not even close. I totally understand now.” Jade sipped her drink, watching his face. She wanted to go out with him again, but she was certain that Estevan wanted to pursue a relationship with her as well. It wasn’t fair that she and Liam had never had the chance to see where things might have gone, but she also didn’t want to give up Estevan so soon.

  What on earth was she going to do here?

  When Estevan finally came out onto the patio, he slapped the contract down in front of Liam and poured himself a drink. “I might need the entire pitcher after that.”

  “Sorry, man. I really am.”

  “Not your doing. You didn’t write it.”

  Jade eyed the contract. “So what did you have to promise Asa?”

  Estevan gave her a grin that sent fresh wetness to her pussy. “The blood of
a virgin. Know any?”

  She and Liam both laughed, then Estevan raised his glass. “To Asa and all the virgins on this island. Let’s hope you find each other.”

  “That sounds really perverted,” said Liam.

  Estevan took a sip. “Asa is perverted. How young is that woman he’s seeing now? The one who works in word processing?”

  “Forty-two.”

  “And how old is Asa?” asked Jade.

  “Sixty-six.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, not as wide a gap as I was imagining. But, seriously. What is it with men? I mean do you all honestly think you don’t age as well?”

  “We know we do,” said Estevan.

  “So why would you want to be with a woman half your age? Other than her youthful looks, of course?”

  He and Liam exchanged an uncomfortable glance. “It does seem shallow, doesn’t it?” asked Liam.

  “Beyond that. It’s downright silly. I mean, look at it this way. You guys are the same age as I am. We grew up in the same era. We have the same collective memories and history. Imagine if you went out with someone who was fifteen.” She held up her hands. “I know, I know. Jail bait. But just pretend it was legal and accepted. What on earth would you talk about? Boy bands? What’s new at the mall? Her least favorite class in high school?”

  The guys laughed. “I get what you’re saying,” said Liam. “But that’s Asa. He won’t let go of his perceived youth. There’s a reason he’s been married and divorced three times.”

  “Yeah,” said Estevan. “He’s a hard-nosed asshole who can’t tolerate anyone not like him.”

  “Meaning what?” Liam’s voice had an edge to it.

  “Meaning if you’re not a corporate climber, you’re not worth his time and trouble. Don’t give me that look. You know it’s true.”

  “I know.” Liam glanced away, looking even more uncomfortable now. Jade didn’t want him feeling like an outsider, especially after he’d been so kind to her and explained what had happened with her brother.

  “I can understand wanting to keep the family business prospering.” She cut her gaze toward Estevan. “It affects all of you. But it’s not right that Asa practically disowns anyone who doesn’t want to be just like him.”

  “Exactly,” said Estevan. “And it’s not only that. It’s the way he puts down the other families on this island. Our great-grandfathers stole it from them, and Asa acts like we’re all kings or something now.”

  “I do agree with you there.” Liam cut his gaze toward her briefly. “But I have to say that it goes both ways. Jade and I went out two years ago, but only once. Santos made it perfectly clear to me afterward that no Durante or Raleigh was good enough to date Jade, because our families felt no one was equal to them. I tried to tell him that we don’t all feel that way about the other families on this island, but he didn’t want to discuss it.”

  Estevan stared at her as if he’d never seen her before, and then he turned his gaze on Liam. “I didn’t know you’d gone out with Jade.” His voice had an edge to it she’d never heard, and she wished she hadn’t come over here tonight. What the hell was with these two families? Couldn’t they do anything without making it a fucking contest?

  “Only once. I let Santos intimidate me, and I’m not proud of that.” He shifted in his chair to face Estevan. “And speaking of him, why hasn’t he told you to stay away from her?”

  “Because fuck him, that’s why.”

  “I’m still here,” said Jade.

  “Does he know she’s here tonight?” asked Liam.

  She had the feeling neither man had actually heard what she’d just said.

  “I don’t give a shit if he does or not. I don’t let Asa or Tim tell me how to live my life, so I’m certainly not going to let Santos dictate who I can or can’t date.”

  “Oh, but you’re not above making money off either one.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  Liam lifted the contract and shook it. “This. Asa and Tim are paying you a pretty penny to paint a bunch of walls. And I heard in town you’re repainting the inside of the police station as well. So maybe that’s why you can invite Jade over. You have Santos’s seal of approval because you’re doing work for the cops.”

  “Hey,” said Jade, “hold on a second. I’m here by choice. My brother doesn’t own me.” Once again, neither man acknowledged her comment.

  “I don’t need anyone’s permission, Liam. And maybe if you’d been more interested in Jade than in kowtowing to authority figures, you’d wouldn’t have let Santos force you to back down.”

  “Just because I choose to have a job with a salary and benefits doesn’t mean I kowtow to authority figures. And who the hell are you to lecture me on dating skills? I have a lot more to offer a woman than you do.”

  “Oh, I see. So now we’re back to your wealth and your prestige with the company.”

  Estevan picked up the contract, and just as he was about to rip it in half, Jade reached across the table and grabbed it from his hands, knocking over the pitcher as well. She stared from one man to the other, while the two watched the rest of the margaritas trickle onto the pavement.

  “This is ridiculous.” She had to fight to keep her voice under control. Her entire body trembled from anger and humiliation. “Listen to you two. You’re worse than kids on a playground.” She slammed the contract down on the table, aiming for a dry spot and not giving a shit now if she missed. “I’m going home. Thanks for dinner.”

  She had actually reached the sidewalk out front before they both caught up with her, embarrassment gracing their features, and their words tripping over each other’s as they both tried to apologize at the same time.

  Jade held up her hands. “Enough. Please. Save it. I think under the circumstances it’s best if I simply leave and let you two work this out.” She gave Estevan a long, searching look. “Thank you for dinner. Really.” Then she cut her gaze toward Liam. “And thank you for telling me the truth about what happened two years ago.”

  Liam glanced toward the dark, thick clouds on the southern horizon. “At least let me drive you home. It’s getting nasty out here.”

  Wind whipped at her hair and skirt, but she was not about to get into a car with him. Not the way she was feeling. He’d have an earful before they reached her apartment, and that would be the end of whatever might have been between them. “The storm won’t reach the island for at least twenty-four hours. I think I can make it home by then. But thank you. Good night.”

  Jade turned and walked toward home before they could see the tears that slid down her face. How could such a fun evening have turned to shit so quickly? And what the hell was she going to do about her brother?

  The same thing had happened with every man she’d ever dated. Santos either talked her into not giving him a chance for some fucked-up reason, or he threatened the poor guy. But Jade really liked Estevan, and she’d glimpsed a side of Liam tonight that she’d never seen. He wanted to see her again, and he was jealous that Estevan had invited her over. All this time she hadn’t known he still felt that way.

  But was this worth it for a chance to get together with either of them? Their families would always oppose others, and those two were at opposite ends of the spectrum. They’d probably been fighting like this all their lives.

  What the hell was she going to do?

  Chapter Six

  Liam ran his fingers through his hair as he watched Jade walk away, fighting with every ounce of willpower not to go after her. But what good what it do? He’d blown it two years ago and now tonight he’d had a slim shot of having another chance with her, but he’d fucked it up all over again. And worse, he’d pissed off one of the only friends he had. All over jealousy and conflict about his loyalty to a man who, truthfully, made him sick to his stomach most days.

  He stuck out his hand. “I’m sorry. I was so wrong tonight. I shouldn’t have said those things about the way you live your life.”

  Estevan was
still watching Jade, and Liam could see the struggle on his face. He had it bad for her already. When she turned a corner, Estevan finally shook his hand, but it was half-hearted. “I’m sorry, too. I guess now neither one of us will have to worry about what Santos or Asa will say. She won’t be talking to us again.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I know I fucked up your evening with her.”

  “You sure did. Why did you do that? Why couldn’t you just take the fucking contract and leave?”

  He shrugged, knowing full well why he’d done it.

  “Bullshit.” Estevan walked back to the patio and picked up the contract. “You can tell Asa I’ll be there in the morning to start work.”

  Liam took the contract. It was wet, but right now he didn’t give a shit. He’d deal with that in the morning. “Estevan, I really am sorry.”

  “I know you are. So am I. But there’s nothing else to say tonight.”

  “Are we cool? You’re one of the only friends I have.”

  Estevan stared at him a long time before he finally spoke. “We’re cool, only because I know how torn apart you feel. You’re not like them, Liam. The others. You’re not Asa or Tim in the making. I wish you’d get your head out of your ass and realize that.”

  Liam sighed. “You know, that’s easy for you to say, but you aren’t me. I like working for the company. Granted, I was just fine as a line manager, but Asa must have a lot of faith in me or he wouldn’t have given me this promotion. Why should I pretend that doesn’t make me feel good about myself?”

  “Because I know you. We’ve been friends a long time. There’s another side of you, struggling to get out. The same side that Jade must have seen in you two years ago, or she wouldn’t have been so upset tonight to learn what Santos said to you.”

  Liam hated it when Estevan nailed him. “Yeah. I had no clue all this time she was still thinking about that. You know, she actually asked me why I never called her.”