The Slade Brothers: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection

by Alexis Winter

  “Drake . . .” She breathes out my name and it sounds amazing leaving her lips—like nothing I’ve ever heard before.

  “What, Celeste?” I whisper against the soft skin of her breast.

  “Take me to bed,” she nearly begs.

  I scoot my chair back and it scrapes against the hardwood floor. I stand with her in my arms and carry her down the hallway to the bedroom I’ve refused to enter ever since Casey left. Tonight, this room gets a new memory. It’s time I replace the bad ones anyway.

  I lay her down on the bed and kick off my boots. I watch as she slides out of her pants and shimmies them down her legs. Only seconds go by before I crawl up her delicious body, exploring with my tongue as I go.

  Nine

  Celeste

  IN his arms, I feel safe—like nothing could ever hurt me. I’ve never been the type of woman who finds comfort in the arms of a man I don’t know very well, but with Drake, it’s different. I know we met not that long ago, and I realize that deep down, I really don’t know him. But on some level, it feels like I’ve known him my entire life. The way he looks at me with such passion and determination, the way he touches me—even innocently—it just feels so right, like we’ve been together many times before. He knows what I need without me having to say it. He innately knows how to touch me and kiss me just the way I like. He knows me on some deep level, even though I can’t put my finger on how.

  He’s between my parted knees, bare from the waist up. He kicked off his boots before climbing onto the bed, but his jeans are still in place while I’m completely naked beneath him. The way the denim rubs against me is teasing. His mouth is on mine, kissing me fiercely—his beard tickling my soft skin. His strong hands are rough and calloused from long days of working the land. The way they scratch against my hips causes goosebumps to prickle my flesh.

  “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted you, Celeste. From the day you walked into my barn, I’ve thought of nothing but moving between these sexy-as-fuck thighs of yours,” he says as his lips move down to my neck. “And now that I’ve had you, I’m never going to stop.”

  I can’t reply. All I can do is let out a needy moan as he descends my body, peppering my skin with kisses as he goes. His tongue comes out, running across my collarbone. His teeth nip at my chest. Finally, he sucks a nipple into his hot mouth. My back arches into him, needing more. His hands move to my waist, pulling me upward as he moves to the other breast. He licks, sucks, and nibbles before moving down to my stomach.

  “I haven’t been able to think of anything other than how good I knew you’d feel wrapped around me.” He softly bites at my hip, making me call out. “How sweet I knew you would taste.” With those words, his tongue runs across my slit. My hips buck upward, but his hands quickly move to them, holding me in place. “Fuck, you taste so good,” he whispers before flicking his tongue against my sensitive nub.

  My fingers grasp the blanket beneath us, needing something to hold on to as my eyes flutter closed in ecstasy. My knees are already shaking on either side of his head. “Drake, please,” I beg, needing more, needing him inside me, filling me.

  He senses my need and slides a finger inside me, though his mouth never quits. The moment he sucks my clit and his fingers touch that magic spot, I’m seeing stars. My releases washes over me—hot and heavy like a summer storm—claiming everything in its path. My hips are moving back and forth against his face as I ride out my climax, calling his name in gasps. I release the blanket and thread my fingers through his dark hair, pulling until he moves away. I drag him back up my body until his mouth is on mine once again. I can taste myself on his tongue, and more than anything, I want to taste him.

  While I’ve never been the bossy, take-charge type in bed, I’m different with him. I know what I want and I feel like he wants me to take it. I push against his chest until he allows me to roll us over. Breaking the kiss, I sit up, and my hands start working on his belt. It clanks loudly in the darkness, filling my ears and making every hair stand on end in excitement. Quickly, I work his jeans down past his hips, where he springs free. His massive length looks impressive when I wrap my small hand around it, working him up and down. A drop forms on the tip, calling to me. With my eyes on his, I lick my lips, causing a sexy growl to radiate from deep within his chest.

  “Fuck,” he whispers, tightening his hands into fists at his sides. “You’re so fucking sexy when you work me over, baby.”

  I shoot him a knowing grin before lowering my mouth to his thick cock. I lick the drop first, then move him into my mouth completely. He sucks in a hissing breath as his hand flies to my head, tangling into my hair and gently pulling at the roots. I move him in and out of my mouth as my nails bite into the skin of his thighs. He lets out a deep moan as he lifts his hips off the bed, pushing further down my throat. When I double my pace, he doubles his breathing.

  “I can’t take it anymore. I have to be inside you. Now,” he says, somehow flipping us over and placing himself at my entrance. Before I know what’s even happening, he rolls his hips and slides into me. We become one with nothing between us, and I’ve never felt anything better. He moves with precision, like he’s learning my body with each thrust. He bucks his hips against mine with a growl, as his hands maintain their firm hold on my hips.

  Unlike most men, he doesn’t just pump into me—he also grinds against me, rubbing my clit at the same moment he reaches that perfect spot inside me. His thrusts are so powerful, we’re sliding up the bed with each one. I feel like I’m being split in two, but in the best way possible. He’s too large for me, but the pain mixes with pleasure to create a delicious cocktail I can’t resist.

  His teeth scrape against my neck and he softly bites my ear before claiming my mouth with his own. My fingers lace into his hair again, pulling as I keep him where I want him—against me in every way possible.

  “You feel too good, Celeste—so hot, so tight. We have to slow down,” he says, but I think it’s more of a reminder to himself.

  Instead of responding, I bite his lower lip. I don’t want to slow down. I want to keep going just like this for as long as possible. I’ve never been claimed the way he’s claiming me now. It’s like he’s marking my skin and branding me as his own. Even though I know this isn’t forever, I’ll never be the same. Every man I’ll ever be with will now be compared to him, to this experience.

  He quickly flips us over so I’m on top. Using a pillow, he props his head up against the wooden headboard. “I want to watch as you ride me—take all of me,” he says, his strong hands squeezing my hips and egging me on.

  I reach out, placing my hands flat on his chest as I begin lifting myself up and down, slowly at first. His eyes land on my chest and slowly move upward, locking with mine. There’s fire burning beneath his dark, hooded eyes—a fire that scorches me and kisses my flesh. My back arches and my head falls back as my release begins to build. He leans forward, sucking a nipple into his mouth, almost pushing me over the edge. For all I know, I’m nearly falling off the edge of the earth. My heart pounds against my chest. My breathing doubles as I try to suck in labored breaths. Moans leave my lips, sounding nothing like me.

  “Look at me, Celeste,” he demands. “I want to watch you the moment you come for me.”

  My eyes snap back to his, watching as he bites his lower lip. I can’t help but notice the way his eyes fill with lust and passion, and the way his brows furrow together and small wrinkles form between them. His jaw flexes as he moves his hand from my hip to my stomach, running up between my breasts and then massaging one. With a slight squeeze of my nipple, I come completely undone. My eyes flutter closed and my mouth opens as gasps and moans fall from my lips. I can feel my muscles squeezing around him, making him feel even larger. He releases my breast, and his hand moves down and begins to rub my clit back and forth, only making my climax that much stronger. As it ends, I shudder and slow my pace.

  “That was so goddamn sexy, Celeste,” he says, lifting me up and
moving me so I’m beneath him once again, but this time, I’m on my knees with him sliding into me from behind. Without warning, he slams into me, making me scream out. He lets out a powerful roar of his own. His hips move back and forth quickly. The sound of skin smacking skin fills the room as the headboard begins banging. His hip bones dig into my ass, and his fingers bite into my hips. He lets out one more loud moan just as his hips become more frantic, spilling himself inside me.

  He falls forward, pressing his chest against my back as he calms his breathing. He has an arm on either side of my body, encasing me. With a deep breath, he removes himself from me and falls to the bed, keeping his arms around me as he pulls me to his chest.

  “That . . . was . . .” he breathes out.

  “Amazing?” I finish for him.

  “Better than amazing.” He nuzzles my hair and breathes me in deeply.

  My heart is still racing, but being held against him feels so good. He’s warm and strong—safe. A part of me wants to lie here all night, sleeping by his side, but another part of me starts to feel awkward. That part of me wants to get up immediately and run away so I can reflect on this moment alone. Which side will win?

  When he presses his lips to the back of my shoulder, with his beard tickling my skin, I know exactly which side will win. His hand cups my breast, which he gently squeezes before moving down over my hip to the junction between my legs. I gasp when his fingers slide between my folds. My leg lifts on its own, giving him more room to move between them.

  “Again?” I whimper out.

  “I told you, Celeste, it’s going to take many, many times before I’m done with you,” he says, moving to cover my body with his.

  Drake and I spend the rest of the evening learning everything there is to know about each other’s bodies. Sometime after the morning sun starts peeking through the slats in the blinds, I fall into a deep sleep.

  It feels like I’ve only been asleep for a short time, but I wake when I hear a dog bark. My eyes pop open and I roll over to see that Drake is already out of bed. I sit up, tug his shirt on, and stand up. His large shirt ends mid-thigh on me—it covers enough but also looks sexy at the same time. My eyes are still sleep-filled as I walk down the hallway.

  “What’s going on in here?” I ask, finally looking up and coming to a stop when my eyes land on Drake and Harrison in the kitchen, a man on each side of the island. Drake is only wearing a pair of unbuttoned jeans, and his muscular chest is bare. Harrison is fully dressed and growing more red by the second. Both of them are watching me.

  Harrison looks from me, to Drake, and back, with his mouth hanging open.

  My face heats up under their gaze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I say, quickly turning and hightailing it out of there. I slam the bedroom door closed behind me and start searching for my clothes.

  Fuck. My shirt and bra are in the kitchen, where Drake and Harrison are! I need to get out of here. Based on the look on Harrison’s face, he isn’t happy about this development. I can hear their muffled voices from the bedroom, but don’t focus long enough to figure out what they’re saying. Before I can gather all my clothing, I hear the door slam shut. Moments later, Drake walks in with two cups of coffee.

  He hands me one and sits on the edge of the bed, at my side.

  “So I’m guessing he’s mad,” I say, moving the cup to my lips and taking a sip.

  He nods, mouth full of coffee. “That’s an understatement. But who cares?” He leans over, setting the cup on the bedside table. He takes the cup from my hand and places it next to his, then he tries to move on top of me.

  I press against his chest. “Drake, wait.”

  “What?” he asks, stopping but not removing himself from me.

  “I mean, shouldn’t we talk about this? We’ve been caught. Our secret is out.”

  Finally, he sits up, removing himself from me. “I didn’t realize we were keeping this a secret.”

  My mouth drops open. “I’d just assumed . . .”

  “Well, stop.” He stands, towering over me. “I don’t give a shit what Harrison or this town thinks about us. We’re both adults and what we do is none of their business.”

  I nod. “I understand that, Drake, but this isn’t just about you. It’s about me too. It’s my reputation on the line. I just got here. I can’t have everyone in town thinking that I sleep with all of my clients. That could really drive away business for my firm.”

  He smirks. “Or bring in a whole new crowd,” he teases.

  I cock my head to the side and shoot him a warning with my eyes.

  He rolls his eyes. “All right, Celeste. We’ll be discreet. And Harrison won’t say anything. I mean,” he sits back at my side, “I’ll never hear the end of it, but it won’t leave this house or my office. You don’t have to worry.”

  I nod, thinking about his words.

  “You got plans for today?” He reaches over and picks up his coffee cup.

  I shrug one shoulder. “Not really. Why?”

  He shrugs one shoulder, mocking me. “Just thought we could hang out.”

  I can’t hold back my smile. I’d love to spend more time with him and pretend the world doesn’t exist. “What’d you have in mind?”

  The corners of his mouth pull up into a grin, but he works hard at hiding it. “I thought I’d give you a tour of the brewery.”

  “Okay, that sounds fun!” I agree. “But I’m going to need a shower and a change of clothes.”

  “Let’s go.”

  A little while later, we’re walking into my motel room. “This is where you’re staying?” he asks, walking in and looking around.

  The small room seems even smaller with his big frame in it. “Yeah, this town doesn’t offer much. Make yourself at home. I’ll be quick,” I say, heading for the bathroom. I turn on the water and start stripping out of my clothes from yesterday. As the old pipes warm up, I brush my teeth, then step beneath the lukewarm water. Ugh, I guess a lot of hotel guests have been using up the hot water this morning. I dip my head back and close my eyes, letting the water flow over me. I feel a gust of cool air smack my front. My eyes pop open and I find Drake standing in front of me, completely naked. Water bounces off me and splashes him, beading up over his hard, rippled chest and stomach.

  I can’t stop the smile that takes over. “What are you doing?”

  He takes a step closer. “I couldn’t bear the thought of you being naked one room away without my hands on your body,” he says, hands moving up to cup my face as he brings his lips to mine. Quickly, he lifts me up, pressing my back to the wall, his hardness nudging against my sex. A fire lights in my belly. How is it possible we’ve been together time and time again over the last 24 hours, and I still want him—still ache for him to touch me, kiss me, and move inside me?

  After spending more time in the shower than technically necessary, we both get dressed. As I dry my hair, Drake sits on the edge of the bed, flipping through channels. My phone rings and I see Gavin’s name flashing on the screen. Guilt eats at me. I know Gavin and I aren’t together. And I know that Drake and I aren’t together, even though Drake and I are more together than Gavin and I are. Something makes me feel like I need to let them know about each other, even though I have no idea why. I push the thought away and tell myself not to be silly. Gavin and I agreed to wait until I got back to decide if we should move forward with dating or not. Drake and I have already agreed to let things end when the time is right. It’s not like either one of them is promising to be exclusive or wait for me.

  My blonde hair is fully dry, but instead of taking the time to style it, I pull it into a messy bun on top of my head. I pull on a pair of jean shorts, a gray T-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes. Walking out, I grab my purse and stop to look at Drake. His eyes slowly rake up my body.

  “What?” I ask. “Do I not look okay?” I’m concerned that perhaps now that he’s seen me natural—no makeup and hair unkempt—he’s rethinking our agreement.


  “You look beautiful, Celeste.” He shakes his head once, like he’s clearing it. “But don’t expect me to look at those sexy long legs of yours all day and keep my hands to myself.”

  I laugh out loud as I move toward the door. “Whatever you say, Drake.”

  He follows me out. “You’ve been warned.”

  We pile back into his truck and it roars to life as he turns the key. As we drive through the quiet little town, he keeps checking me out from the corner of his eye. I giggle and shake my head.

  “You’re insatiable,” I tell him.

  He laughs but doesn’t say anything as he reaches over and places his hand on my leg. I smile as I gaze upon it. I like it there. It causes the butterflies in my stomach to take flight—tickling and tingling as they flutter their wings against my insides. His thumb slowly starts moving back and forth against my skin. It’s teasing. I’ve never enjoyed being with someone who constantly needs to touch me. I’ve always found it annoying, constricting. But with Drake, it’s like he has to be touching me in some way. It doesn’t always have to be sexual, but I’ve come to notice the small touches that some people wouldn’t even think about. Maybe I only notice it due to the tingles that take over my body each time.

  I’m enjoying the comfortable silence between us on the drive over. I’m loving the feel of his rough hand on my soft leg. So when we pull into the parking lot, I almost feel let down, even though I know the day will only get better from here.

  “Ready?” he asks, throwing the truck into park.

  “Let’s do it,” I reply, slipping off my seatbelt and waiting for him to open my door.

  He does so quickly, with a smile, causing his dark eyes to light up against the shining sun. I can’t help but look up at him, breathless.

  “Why are you staring?” he whispers, leaning in.