Behind The Lies

by Dahlgren , Heather

  “Great. McKinley, move your left arm down to Jax’s waist and just keep looking at each other,” Kallie instructs.

  I do as she says and Jax and I just stare at each other. I’m so fucking glad I don’t need to smile right now because my pulse is racing being so close to Jax right now. He looks at me like Braden would, but without the emotions, I see in his eyes. I’m mesmerized by his ability to appear to care about me.

  “Awesome guys. Now I want you, McKinley, to hold onto Jax’s lapels and hike your leg up onto his hip,” Kallie says.

  I do that and Jax knows exactly what to do. He grabs my leg and pushes my dress up, holding tightly on my upper thigh with one hand and rests his other hand on my ass. It shocks me for a second and I kind of jump.

  Jax looks down at me and smirks, “Relax. There is going to be a lot of touching. You need to be comfortable with that.”

  I nod my head, not wanting Kallie to know, and mentally slap myself. This is my dream damn it, if I blow it with Jax, I’ll never make it. So, I take a deep breath and clear my thoughts.

  “Sexy guys, I love it. Now I need you guys to kiss. McKinley, hook your fingers through the belt loops in the back of his pants. Jax, your hands on her face,” she says.

  It doesn’t even phase her that her fiancé is going to kiss me. That’s how good they are at what they do and how solid their relationship is.

  Once I hook my fingers into the belt loops and Jax touches my face, he leans in and kisses my lips. It shocks me that I don’t feel anything when he does. This does everything for my confidence. I quickly realize that this is nothing more than what it is, taking beautiful photos.

  “Perfect. Now Jax dip her and McKinley grab onto his shoulders. Look at each other and then one more kiss.”

  We do and after looking at each other for a few minutes, Jax once again presses his lips to mine. After Kallie instructs us to do a few other things, she tells us how amazing they are looking and says that’s it for these photos.

  “You are doing great McKinley,” Jax whispers before going inside to change.

  “You look like a natural. I could see you relax and once you did, the photos were stunning. I’ve only got a few photos to do with Jax and Blake before you get back in. So, you can go change into your first bathing suit if you like,” Kallie says.

  I thank her and grab my bag. As I walk inside Jax and Blake are walking into the kitchen, both shirtless with swim trunks on.

  “I watched out the back door McKinley, you did such a great job. I’m proud of you,” Blake says, giving me a quick kiss on my cheek.

  “Thanks, Blake, that means a lot,” I say and they both smile at me before walking outside.

  I go into the bathroom to change and look in the mirror. The woman I see looking back at me is not the same one that rolled into town a few months ago. That McKinley doesn’t exist anymore, she was weak, used, alone and nothing good happened for her, she died when I drove away from that trailer. This McKinley is strong, supported by so many, surrounded by amazing people and her dreams are coming true. This is where I belong, with these amazing people and Braden.

  I change into my black and white bikini before putting on my cover-up, fix my hair and makeup, and smile at myself one more time. I walk outside and stand back a bit from the pool. I don’t want to get in Kallie’s way while she is shooting the guys. Watching them makes me laugh. They are horsing around in the pool as if they were just hanging out. Kallie is laughing also, but quickly snapping away from every angle she can.

  She yells to them to jump up and just sit on the side of the pool and even as they push up out of the pool, she is snapping away. What an amazing talent she has to just know when to shoot, no matter what is going on. They hop out of the pool and watching them sit on the side, I already know that this photo is going to go viral. The women are going to go fucking crazy when they see these two hot guys, wet sitting next to each other.

  “I’m done with you two. Thanks, Blake.” Kallie looks back toward me and continues, “Drop the cover-up and come over here, McKinley.”

  Not feeling any of the nerves I did earlier, I walk over with all the confidence I have and stand by her. She tells me that she wants me to stand on this side of the pool and look over to Jax. I do and she gets busy snapping away. Once that is done, she has Jax back in the water and swimming toward my side. Once he is there, he rests his arms on the side and looks up at me. I smile down at him and Kallie is very excited with the look. She tells me to slowly walk down the steps while Jax is instructed to watch me.

  Thankfully the water is warm, and I have no problem just walking in. Once I’m to the bottom of the steps, Kallie has Jax come over to me. He pulls me to him, and I instinctively wrap my arms around him. Kallie is snapping away and giving us instructions for each new move. She has me down to my shoulders now and we are once again kissing.

  “Jax, I want you to help McKinley sit on the side of the pool. McKinley, I want you to lean back on your hands with your head back. Jax, I want your hands all over her body,” Kallie says.

  We do that and once I have Jax’s hands all over me it once again surprises me that it does nothing. I don’t feel turned on or excited in any way. I was more turned on when Braden was watching me model. This revelation makes me wonder if I’m falling in love with Braden.

  Jax and I do more kissing and making out in the pool before Kallie has us move over to the hot tube. With everything that she tells us to do, my mind is completely consumed with Braden. So, when I have my back resting on Jax’s chest, with his hands on my bare breasts, I don’t even care. The only thought I have is I wish it was Braden’s touch.

  “Last shot guys. Jax, I want you to stay still, and McKinley I want you to turn around and straddle him. Press your breasts against his chest, so no nipple is showing. Jax, hands on her ass, McKinley hands in his hair.”

  We do the last shot and I’m overjoyed with excitement when Kallie says that’s it. She hands me a towel to wrap around myself and Jax helps me out of the hot tube.

  “Seriously McKinley, that was fucking hot. You would never know that this was your first shoot. These photos are going to bring you a huge fan base. I guarantee that.” Hearing the compliment from her means everything to me.

  “I agree. You did great today. One of the more professional women I’ve worked with,” Jax says.

  I beam with pride as I tuck my towel tighter around me. “Thank you, guys, so much. Not just for the incredible compliments, but for allowing me to be a part of this. I can’t express my gratitude enough.”

  After chatting with them all for a while, I finally head home and the entire way all I can think about is seeing Braden. Jax may not have turned me on but thinking of Braden doing all those things to me is turning me on as I drive. I can’t get home fast enough and that makes me smile.

  Chapter 12

  Braden

  * * *

  McKinley calls me on her way home from the shoot and I can hear the excitement in her voice. I’m so incredibly proud of her and I haven’t even heard anything yet, but I can’t wait to hear it all. I leave my place and stop to pick up a pizza on my way to her place. I’ve had her stay at my house so often that it is only fair that I stay with her every once and a while.

  I pull up to her place and walk to the door with the pizza and a dozen roses. When I knock, she only takes a minute before she opens the door. She doesn’t take notice of the pizza or the flowers, but she looks right at me and a huge smile breaks out on her face. It means so much to me that she could care less what I’ve brought her, she’s just happy to see me.

  “Hey gorgeous,” I say and step inside. I put the pizza down on the counter in the kitchen and turn to hand her the roses.

  “Braden, they are beautiful. You didn’t need to get me flowers,” she says, taking them from me and inhaling the fresh floral scent. She puts them in a vase and places them on the counter.

  “I know I didn’t need to, I wanted to. Let’s grab a slice, I want to hear
all about the shoot,” I say, pulling plates out of the cabinet.

  She takes the plates from me, places them on the counter, and slams her mouth to mine. Even though it shocks me, it’s in the best possible way. I lift her, sitting her on the counter before running my hands into her hair. She hooks her legs around me and pulls me flush against her. I break the kiss and begin kissing down her neck. I hear her moan before she pushes her hands under my shirt and runs her fingers all over. It is making me want to fuck her right here on the counter.

  “Braden, please,” she moans out.

  “Anything you want, baby,” I say, lifting her off the counter.

  She keeps her legs wrapped around me and holds onto my neck with her hands. I squeeze her ass and she rubs her pussy against me. “Fuck, I don’t know what got into you, but it’s hot as hell.”

  When we reach the bedroom, I place her down on the floor and waste no time pulling her dress off. She stands before me with just panties on, her nipples are hard, her chest is heaving with arousal, and when I look at her face, she is poking her tongue out to wet her lips.

  I pull my shirt off and unbutton my jeans letting them fall to the floor. I step out of them and stand in front of McKinley, holding eye contact. “You are stunning,” I say, pulling her to me and kissing her.

  Once our tongues touch it is electric. I let my hands wander all over her soft, satin skin, moving further down. When I reach her panties, I push my hand inside and am greeted by her wet pussy, begging for more.

  She lets out a moan that I swallow down just as I push two fingers into her. She bucks against my hand and it feels so good having my fingers inside her as her pussy rubs on my hand. I move my fingers in and out as I kiss a path to her ear.

  I nip her ear lobe and say, “I need to be inside you.” Letting out a loud moan when I hit her sweet spot I growl, “Now.”

  I pull my hand out and push her panties to the floor. I quickly bend down and pull a condom out of my jeans and make fast work of stepping out of my boxers and rolling on the condom. McKinley is watching me with heat in her eyes and stands against me, letting her tits rub on my chest. “Fuck me, Braden.”

  No more words are needed at her request. I lift her up and spin around pinning her against the door. I slam my cock into her, and she tosses her head back, hitting it against the door. It doesn’t slow my pace, nothing does. I’m so turned on, so in the moment, it’s unreal. Watching her tits bounce as I slam into her, her nails digging into my shoulders, as her heels push against my ass. “Fuck McKinley,” I croak out.

  “Oh God, it feels so good,” she whispers.

  I lean forward and suck a nipple into my mouth and tweak the other as I pound into her. The door is creaking, our heavy panting is mixing in with the sound of bodies slamming against each other. I feel her pussy tighten on me and I reach down to rub her clit.

  “Oh baby, I feel you. You are so close.”

  She doesn’t say anything, and I rub circles on her clit while I slam into her.

  “Braden, oh God,” she shouts as her orgasm washes over her.

  I follow almost right behind her, letting my release rip through me. We both ride out wave after wave and once we still, I rest my head on her chest.

  Once we both have caught our breaths, I pull back and carry her to the bed. I lay her down and climb on beside her. Pulling her to me, so that her back is against my front, I kiss her shoulder and sigh. It was so hot, so intense, and I know for sure I am falling for her. She’s not ready to hear it yet, and I’m not ready to admit it, but I know it’s happening.

  “Braden, that was…wow,” she says and giggles when I slap her ass.

  “Such a way with words, but yes, it was fucking incredible.” We lay there for a while, not saying anything, just enjoying the post-orgasmic bliss. After about fifteen minutes I say, “How about we get dressed and go reheat that pizza. I’m starving now.”

  After dressing and making out a bit along the way, we finally make it out to the kitchen. I throw a few slices of pizza in the oven while she grabs a beer for each of us. Once our plates are made, we go into the living room and sit on the couch to eat.

  “I want to hear all about it,” I say, taking a much-needed bite of pizza.

  She tells me everything, from the second she left her house until the final shot. Hearing her say that she thought of me during it, well that just makes me want a replay of what just happened. Not that I had a worry, but knowing she thought of me, hell who wouldn’t want to hear that.

  “So anyway, when they both said this would get me a huge fan base, I got really excited,” she says, finishing her story.

  “Baby, I am so proud of you. Sounds like you did amazing, and I can’t wait to see the photos.” I kiss her and take her plate to the kitchen. When I return, I sit down and pull her onto my lap. “The girls are coming next weekend.”

  I leave it at that for now because I’m not sure what I want them to know. I want them to get to know her better, but I don’t want them to be upset if something happens with us.

  “Braden, you don’t need to tell them anything. I’m your friend, that’s all they need to know. They don’t need to run home telling Sarah anything.” She kisses my cheek and I sigh.

  It makes me feel like shit; like I’m hiding her away. I don’t want to do that just because I’m scared of what Sarah might do or that the girls will like McKinley too much. How ridiculous is that? I turn her to straddle me and kiss her sweet lips. I tuck her hair behind her ears, and she smiles at me.

  “Listen, I’m in this for as long as you’ll have me. So, I think that it’s okay to let the girls know that you are more than my friend. I know we aren’t ready to say or admit much more right now, but can you tell me without a doubt that you aren’t going to run anytime soon?”

  “Braden, I’ve never been happier in my life. You are the reason why. Yes, being here, finding my brother, and making all these amazing friends, that’s icing on the cake. You are the reason I wake up smiling and go to bed smiling. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere,” she says, kissing me.

  She makes me feel exactly the same and it makes my heart happy. I didn’t think I’d ever be this happy in a relationship again, but she is my world. The only thing that would make my life perfect, is if the girls lived here too. I can see my future with McKinley, and I’ll admit it scares me, but that’s how it should be. I know it will be messy, scary, and we will fight, but it’s worth it. It’s worth it when you are with the perfect person, the one who makes me laugh, lets you cry, turns you on, and supports you fully. My heart is healing because of her.

  We spend the rest of the night cuddling on the couch watching TV. It may seem boring to most, but to me it’s everything. Being happy to just be together, no matter what we are doing, that is something special.

  She falls asleep and I carry her to her bed and lay her down. I strip down to my boxers and climb in next to her, pulling her to me. I fall asleep, just like she said, with a smile on my face.

  The next week goes by quickly. McKinley has had to work at the restaurant a lot, but regardless we have spent every night together. It’s becoming so that when she isn’t next to me, I find it hard to sleep.

  The girls are coming tomorrow, and I can’t wait. It’s been far too long since they were here last and I’ll admit, I was nervous that Sarah would be a bitch and wouldn’t let them come. Although, that would be going against court orders and I’m sure she isn’t going to take any chances at this point.

  I’m finishing up making a sandwich when my doorbell rings. Not sure who would be stopping by, I open the door wondering who it could be. Kallie, Jax, Blake, and London are standing there. “Hey, guys. What’s up?” I ask, holding the door open for them.

  “Nothing. We just wanted to stop by and see what you had planned for tonight,” Kallie says, walking into the kitchen.

  I look around at all of them and shake my head. “So instead of calling, you all just decided to show up at my house in the middle of the d
ay on a Friday?” I raise my eyebrows and turn my attention to Kallie.

  “Okay, fine. We wanted to know what was going on with you and McKinley. Are you going to tell the girls you are dating or are you just friends or what?” she asks.

  I still don’t believe that is the only reason and I motion them to sit on the deck with me. We all sit down, and I smile. “First of all, I don’t believe you. Something else is up and since you all know how I feel about lying, I think you should just fucking get on with it.”

  I know I’m being blunt, but what the hell. When the four of them show up like this, it can’t be good news.

  “Alright. So, we found out that Max and Brinley have a thing going on,” Jax says, and I smile. I don’t know what’s bad about that. They’ve been crazy about each other for as long as I’ve known them. “But they are also still sleeping around. Like a lot. We just wanted you to know that it may be something that Sarah could bring up in court and it’s best if you know so it’s not a surprise.”

  “I appreciate the concern, but I don’t think rumors of them sleeping around is going to prove much,” I say, leaning back in the chair, enjoying the breeze.

  “Actually, there’s more,” Blake says. Of course, there is. “There are videos on the internet. I don’t know who took them or what, but we called Max and Brinley. They are both in touch with their lawyers, but we wanted you to hear it from us.”

  I scrub my face, out of both frustration and anger. “How bad?”

  “Depends how you look at it. It’s hot, especially the threesome, but you probably won’t think that,” Blake says as London elbows him.

  “Braden listen. What your friends do should not reflect on the kind of father you are. You don’t have sex tapes on the internet, you aren’t sleeping around with tons of women. You are in a committed relationship with McKinley. If you’re going to let all the things in the world around you affect how you think this will play out, you’ve lost before it’s even started,” London says. We all look at her and she smiles. “I let fear run my life for far too long and look how it ended. Be bigger than the fear, fight for your girls. None of us are hiding anything from you.”