“Is there a problem with Victoria?” Lauren kept her tone professional, although inside she felt like a volcano. Too many emotions felt like lava wanting to pour out of her, trying to gain its release. Maybe Max had had the right idea, going to Europe. Maybe she should take a vacation.
“No,” Trent answered, his dark eyes directly on her. “Although we are concerned, it’s not about Victoria. We are worried about you.”
“Me?” Lauren was taken aback by his declaration. Why were they worried about her? Had they found out that the person with Victoria really was a Noble and thought she might be in danger because she tried to find them? Various reasons ran through her mind, but before she could ask, Caden answered her question.
“Yes, you. Have you had the news on lately?” Caden asked, placing his hands in his pockets. It took all her might not to look down. From her peripheral view, she could already see the outline where his slacks stretched across his groin. Again, she told herself not to take her eyes off of his. She tried to concentrate on what he was saying. “Or listened to the radio? There’s a strong hurricane expected to make landfall tomorrow evening.”
Lauren was so busy trying to obey herself that she almost missed what he said. Clearing her throat, she said, “Hurricane. Yes, I’m aware one is coming. But what does that have to do with me?”
“We don’t like that you are here by yourself,” Caden explained. “We’d like it if you would come stay with us.”
Lauren didn’t say anything at first, trying to comprehend exactly what he was attempting to convey. She was pretty sure they just said they wanted her to stay at their house until the hurricane blew through. This was the third time they had left her speechless, and it was a feeling she could do without. This needed to stop.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine,” Lauren said, cutting to the chase. “I’ve been taking care of myself a long time.”
“Lauren, before we convince you otherwise,” Caden said, taking a step closer to her, “I’d like to apologize for yesterday. Trent explained that you thought I meant being a Noble was dangerous. The comment about Victoria being in danger meant nothing about you. It was the situation as a whole.”
Lauren didn’t want him to see that his physical nearness affected her, so she stood her ground. She lifted her face to his and tried to shut off memories from yesterday’s kiss. Keeping her eyes on his, she said, “It’s of no consequence, Mr. Luca. Think nothing of it. And thank you for your concern over my safety during the storm, but I’m fine.”
Lauren mentally patted herself on the back for her response and turned to walk them to the door. The faster she got rid of them, the faster she could get her life back to normal. Maybe she’d even get a good night’s sleep tonight. She hadn’t taken two steps when Caden’s hand wrapped around her upper arm and spun her around. For the second time in two days, she found his hands wrapped in her hair and his lips melded with hers. And like yesterday, her body betrayed what her mind said to do.
* * * *
Trent watched as his brother reached for Lauren. It was one of the most sensual moments he had ever witnessed, seeing Lauren’s silver eyes flash with surprise, and then fade to lust. Her face softened right before Caden sealed their lips and her soft moan reached his ears. Nothing sounded more beautiful.
He watched as her fists landed on Caden’s chest, then flattened out until her palms lay against his shirt. For a moment, he thought she would resist Caden, but her hands slowly slid up as if to hold on to him for support. Trent wanted nothing more than to join in but knew that might make her stop feeling what Caden was stirring within her, so he was tortured with watching as his brother had a second taste of that succulent mouth. Trent watched as Caden brought the kiss to a close and slowly drew away from her. It took a moment for her eyes to open, and when they did, he knew the minute reality set in. Her silver eyes lightened, and he could have sworn he saw sparks of fury flying out of them.
“I am not one of your club women that needs to be taken care of, Mr. Luca. Or for that matter, wants to be taken care of.” Lauren glowered, taking a step back. She turned around and took a step in the direction of the door but stopped when his words reached her ears.
“No, you’re not. But can you deny that there’s something between us? And judging from your reaction to being restrained yesterday, I’d say you have more interest in our lifestyle than you are letting on.”
Lauren’s back was still facing them. Without turning, she said, “Whether or not I feel something for either of you is neither here nor there. I don’t date. Period.”
“Why?” Trent was curious as to what would make such a beautiful woman want to hide away from the world. Why would she want to shy away from cultivating warm relationships? There were no family photos, no warmth to her living space. Why did she bury herself away, and how could they find a way in?
Lauren didn’t answer and had yet to turn around. What she did do was move directly to the door. He and Caden shared a look. This wasn’t going the way they had planned. Although, what had really made him think she would just up and say she would come with them?
Lauren finally faced them, her face devoid of expression while her hand turned the knob and opened the door. “That’s not your concern, Mr. Luca. Although if you need a reason, how about I don’t mix business with pleasure?”
Trent couldn’t help the grin that tugged at his lips. Her back was up against the wall, and immediately she went on the offensive. The sarcasm dripping from that sentence said it all. He was about to say their business had technically concluded when she said it was her opinion that Vic voluntarily went away, when he saw someone in the doorway. A short man with salt-and-pepper hair sidled up and stood at the entrance, waiting for Lauren to notice him. Lauren apparently caught on that Trent and Caden were staring past her, so she turned to see who was behind her.
“Mr. Ridley. Thank you for fixing my garbage disposal the other day. Is everything okay though?” Lauren faced the man, her black hair swaying behind her. He wanted to wrap his hands in it like Caden had, take it in his fist and pull her head back to give him access to her supple neck. Damn, he couldn’t concentrate on anything but her.
“Lauren, they have upgraded the hurricane to a category three,” Mr. Ridley, who Trent assumed was the landlord of the complex, said as he shuffled his feet back and forth. He must, at least, be in his seventies. “I am just going around to see who is leaving, so in case of an evacuation, I know who is here and who is not.”
Trent saw an opportunity when one presented itself, so he stepped forward to come up behind Lauren. Knowing there was a chance Lauren would call him out on such a lie, especially with how fast her anger seemed to blow, he very quickly thought of every possible scenario that she could throw his way. Before she could speak, Trent interrupted and held out his hand in gesture.
“Mr. Ridley, I’m Trent Luca, and this is my brother, Caden.” Once Trent was done shaking the old man’s hand, Caden stepped up and did the same. Placing his arm around Lauren’s waist, he felt her stiffen but couldn’t suppress the rightness he felt to have her body against his. “We were just coming to collect Lauren. We feel uncomfortable leaving her here and know it would also help you in resting assured she is well taken care of. She speaks of you highly, saying that you watch out for her when we cannot.”
If he thought Lauren was stiff before, that was nothing compared to the way her body felt now. Her back was ramrod straight, and he felt a slight tremble, which he was positive was due to anger. He spared a glance down to see that her face went well beyond a shade of pink, most likely a reddish color. Caden obviously knew where he was going with this and, thankfully, helped lead the way.
“Mr. Ridley, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you.” Trent watched as Caden pulled out a business card and handed it to the landlord. “We will be at our residence, which is a good hour from here, but if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call us. We can assure you we will take the utmost care of Lauren
.”
Mr. Ridley beamed with happiness. Whether it was thinking Lauren thought highly of him or the fact that he didn’t have to worry about another tenant getting injured during the storm, he didn’t know. But Trent wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
“Lauren, I am so happy! You know—” Mr. Ridley leaned in toward Trent, as if they were conspiring—if only he knew. “I have been keeping an eye out for Lauren as long as I can remember. I always say to myself, such a beautiful woman shouldn’t be alone all the time. I am happy that she has you, Mr. Luca.”
Trent didn’t correct him, knowing that he thought Lauren was only with him and that Caden was just here in a family capacity. Ménages were not a common thing and were often misunderstood. He let Mr. Ridley assume, and couldn’t be happier that this man had presented them with an opportunity when they felt there was none.
“Lauren, dear, I will call you after the storm and advise you of any damage. The rain is supposed to start later today, so please try to leave beforehand. Now I must go check on Mr. Polter. I am pretty sure he is driving to his daughter’s house, up toward St. Augustine.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ridley. Please be safe yourself,” Lauren replied, her voice false with sincerity. She was mad, all right. She quickly stepped away from Trent, knocking his hand off of her hip and shutting the door. Spinning to face him, she let loose. “What the hell was that about? Are you crazy? You think you can railroad me into coming to stay with you?”
“What we think is that the storm has been upgraded to a cat three, and we are not leaving you here,” Trent softly explained. She was walking on thin ice with her attitude, and he would bet his entire life’s worth that she would enjoy her punishment more than she should. “What if the apartment complex is damaged? Do you really want Mr. Ridley to feel responsible for your safety?”
“Do you know how many times I have waited out hurricanes?” Lauren brushed past him, making sure they barely touched. Storming into the living room, she spun back around to face them. “And don’t you dare try to make me feel guilty!”
“You wouldn’t have said that if it hadn’t crossed your mind, too,” Caden said, stepping his way into the conversation. “All we are saying is that you were kind enough to drive all the way out to our house to help us locate our sister. Regardless that she is fine, you still did it. We want to return the favor.”
“You did return it. You paid my fee. That’s good enough.” Lauren crossed her arms over her breasts, bringing Trent’s gaze down to view the creamy flesh that poured out of her light-blue shirt with little bow ties on the sleeves. It was sheer, so she must have had on some sort of tank top underneath. Either way, it hugged her body in all the right places. “Why on earth do you two think a woman can’t take care of herself?”
“We aren’t saying you can’t. Just that you would be safer with us.” Trent didn’t want to crowd her, so he stayed where he was. “We built a hurricane safe room on the main level of our home. We probably won’t need to use it, but it’s there nonetheless. You are going to create a situation like that in the car yesterday. I’ve decided that you are coming with us, and whether or not you walk out of here of your own free will is the only choice in the matter.”
“You lied to Mr. Ridley. He thinks we’re together, when that’s not the case. You did it on purpose.”
“Yes, we did,” Trent confessed, again, not able to stop the grin. “Now, are you going to walk or am I going to carry you?”
Chapter Eight
She was certifiably mad. She had finally gone off the deep end.
Lauren had draped herself over the bed in the guest bedroom of Trent and Caden’s house. It was decorated with a tropical theme, palm trees all over the comforter. Little knickknacks adorned the walls with palm trees, while a couple pictures captured the ocean view at night. The sunset was caught in one, sparkling along the water as the wave was caught right before it crashed onto the sand. She wished it would whisk her away. She returned to staring at the white ceiling.
What had possessed her to come home with them? She seemed to have some deep-seated, twisted need to keep torturing herself over something she couldn’t have. When Trent had threatened her with carrying her out of the apartment, her pussy immediately wept with juices that wrecked another pair of panties. The way his tone deepened when he issued commands made her arousal spike, indicating her body wanted to be dominated. That wasn’t that case though, she reminded herself. She wasn’t submissive.
When Caden had kissed her again, this time in front of Trent, a million things had run through her mind, unlike the first time when her mind went blank. The feelings they stirred up were more than physical, and that was what she was grappling with. She’d only known them for a short time, so their actions and words should mean nothing to her. To know they worried for her safety made her body go warm from head to toe, though. They had actually driven an hour to come and get her. She was astounded, yet her mind loved the protected feeling they surrounded her with. And how could that be? A psychologist would have a field day by saying it was all wrapped up in her childhood. But isn’t that what all adult issues were based on, childhood experiences? It was all so confusing.
A rap sounded on the door, but she didn’t move. Instead, she yelled out. “Yes?”
“Dinner’s ready whenever you are.” Trent’s voice came through the door. “We’ll be in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” Lauren closed her eyes and listened as he stood outside her door. Would he do what he said and wait for her in the kitchen? Or would he try to come in? After a few seconds, she heard him walk down the hallway. She pushed aside the unwanted disappointment, confusion setting in again. Her body wanted something her mind couldn’t accept. Damn it.
Pushing herself into a sitting position, she stared at the door. She knew what the problem was. She was sexually frustrated. She hadn’t lied to them earlier. She didn’t date. Did that mean she was a lily-white virgin? No. But it had been a long time, and her body was just gravitating to what they were offering. After all, her vibrator certainly wasn’t doing the trick. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be the ones to scratch her itch, because she knew they wouldn’t be satisfied with a one-night stand. Hell, the way they were making her feel, having sex with them once wouldn’t satisfy her either.
Standing, Lauren went over to the floor-length mirror. She still had on her blue jeans, with her light-blue top. She refused to change when, after dinner, she would be returning to her room anyway. Running a hand through her hair, she stared at herself in the mirror. What had really caused her to give in and come home with them? Rationally, she knew this wasn’t going to go anywhere, regardless of what they wanted. But she did acknowledge some part of her that wished it could, and maybe it was that part that had her standing here, under their roof.
The knock on the door startled her, causing her to jump. Placing a hand over her heart as if that would calm it down, she turned to face the door. Just answer it and then walk down the hallway to the kitchen, she told herself.
“Lauren, are you okay?” Trent’s muffled voice sounded through the door again, the deep tone sending those unwanted shivers down her spine. How could a voice do that without even containing a sexual connotation? It was the same the first time she had heard Caden’s voice.
Lauren crossed the room and twisted the handle. Opening the door, she felt his presence immediately fill the room. Trent was still dressed in his jeans, although he had changed into a white button-down dress shirt, leaving a couple buttons undone on the top. A few chest curls made their way around the sides of the shirt, as if asking her to touch them. She tore her gaze away from his chest and looked up into his eyes. That was no better. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing, and now her palms were starting to get moist.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Lauren would have stepped out into the hallway if Trent had moved out of the way, but he didn’t. He seemed to come closer, if anything. “Since you and Caden made dinner, I will clean up afterwards.”
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br /> “No worries.” Trent stood there, staring at her with hooded eyes. The lust that burned there had her shuffling her feet. Why wasn’t he letting her through? “I did have a question, though.”
Lauren didn’t like the look that came into his eyes and knew whatever he was about to ask was personal. She had never been one to lie, but that didn’t mean she had to answer him. Hadn’t they already spoken about omitting facts? She braced herself for the question.
“Why don’t you date?” Trent casually placed his shoulder against the doorjamb, hooking his thumbs through the belt loops of his jeans. When he moved, more chest hair revealed itself. Her fingers itched to see if it felt like satin.
“Why do men automatically assume that women want relationships? Isn’t it a little hypocritical of you, as a man, to think a woman can’t go around having casual sex?”
“If we thought you went for casual sex, we wouldn’t be pursuing you, would we?” Trent lifted the corner of his lip in that irritating grin of his. “And it helps tremendously to know that you have submissive qualities.”
Lauren took a moment before replying. He had come right out and said they were looking for something more than casual. Hadn’t she just told herself that, too? She wasn’t surprised, but to actually hear it made it seem more real. And this is why she shied away from men like him. They wanted more than she could give. But he wasn’t the typical man who, when she said she didn’t date or didn’t want anything serious, would walk away. He and Caden seemed to be the type to find out why and then work the woman like a machine, as if she were broken and they could fix her. She wasn’t broken. She chose to be this way.
“Is there a reason you’re not pursuing a woman who belongs to your club? Why you think I have those qualities are beyond me. I’m a strong woman. I saw the equipment upstairs,” Lauren reluctantly admitted, trying not to remember what it felt like to have Caden bind her to the cross, “and you seem like the type who would want to be with someone within the lifestyle. And let’s face it, I’m so vanilla, I seem like a goody two-shoes compared to a girl scout.”
Noble Release [Nature's Nobles 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
