by Marie Carnay
Trenton caught her eye. “Ready for another round?”
Willa shook her head so hard, a chunk of hair fell in her face. “No. I don’t think I’m ever playing poker again.”
Both brothers laughed and Trenton pulled her up to stand. “Then let’s go.”
HANK
He knew the minute she walked into the high roller suite that Willa was the only woman he’d ever want. One glance up from the table and the world disappeared, the lights and sounds and spectacle of the casino all fading away until all he saw was the most beautiful woman in the world smiling at him.
It wasn’t the dress or the hair and makeup or the stunning necklace she’d created that very afternoon. None of that mattered. She could have been standing there wearing rags, without an ounce of makeup, her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
Beneath all the trappings of money and beauty, Willa was perfect. Kind and generous, with an open mind and gentle heart. Not one time that day had she looked at him or Trenton as a prize she’d won. No.
Instead, she’d hesitated, told them not to be so generous, that she didn’t need it. The look on her face when the dealer had opened the table for bets had been one of shock and disbelief, not greed and excitement.
Willa didn’t climb in his bed and run her hands down his body while Trenton kissed her because she wanted their money. She did it because she wanted them. Just Hank and Trenton, not a last name on her lips.
He couldn’t believe their luck. Even with house odds, he hadn’t been able to find a woman like Willa. And there she was, standing in his penthouse, staring out at the lights of Vegas like an angel floating in mid-air.
“Did you have fun today?”
She turned to him and the necklace caught the city lights, sparkling in a rainbow on her chest. “Yes. Did you?”
“Any day I get to see you smile, is a good day.”
“You didn’t have to do any of that, you know.”
Hank walked over to her and ran his fingers down her arm. “Would you believe it was all Trenton’s idea?”
Willa laughed and another part of Hank’s heart became hers. “Yes. It’s so Trenton.”
“I tried to talk him out of it.”
“Why?”
“I thought you’d hate it. All that pomp and circumstance. But I’m glad he refused.”
Her eyelids fluttered. “You are?”
“Mm-hmm. Otherwise, I’d have missed this glorious view.”
“You live here. You can see this view whenever you like.”
Hank reached up and dragged her closer, his lips a breath away from Willa’s. “I don’t mean Vegas. I mean you.”
He kissed her, hard and deep, his tongue thrusting past her wine-coated lips to savor the taste of her.
She yielded in an instant, body molding against his, her hands reaching beneath his jacket to grip his dress shirt. God, how he’d fallen for her. Love wasn’t a word he threw around. Hell, it had been years since he’d said it to a woman. But love Willa, he did.
Life without her would be bland. Boring. No other woman would ever measure up. He slid his hands down over the velvet on her back to cup the sweet, round globes of her ass. The casino business would keep him away from her more than he liked, but they had already spent too many days tangled up in bed than they should.
But with Trenton there to pick up Hank’s slack, the two of them could be everything Willa needed in a man and then some. He pulled back as the sound of footsteps echoed across the hall.
Trenton stood in the doorway, tux jacket off and collar open. “Don’t let me interrupt.”
Willa turned and held out her hand. “You’re not.” She motioned Trenton forward and Hank swallowed down a wave of emotion.
He glanced at the necklace Willa had created. The simple gold chain held a pendant shaped like the branches of a tree, its delicate gold leaves cradling the diamond she’d picked out at their request.
“You have an incredible gift, Willa.” Hank reached out and ran his finger along the chain, stopping at the rise of her chest.
Willa turned back to Hank as Trenton came up beside her. “Thank you.”
“Does it mean anything? The necklace? Or is it just a design.”
She glanced down at the pendant before looking back up into his eyes. “I sketched it out while on the plane to come here. It just came to me out of the blue. At first I didn’t know why, it’s not my usual style.”
“But now?” Trenton had eased behind her, his hands large on the swoop of her shoulders.
“Now I think it’s supposed to be the pair of you. See?” She unclasped it and held it up for them both to see. “Each branch is one of your arms, reaching down to hold me up.”
Hank blinked. “Is that how you see us?”
Her voice didn’t waver. “Yes.”
God, what an incredible woman. He took the necklace from her and set it on the table. No more talk, no more words, nothing but Willa’s body and the passion Hank had for her. That’s all he wanted the rest of the night.
He dropped to his knees and wrapped his hands around her shins. “We’ll never stop being who you need, Willa.”
“Never.” Trenton kissed Willa’s exposed neck as he leaned down to drag her skirts up her body. Inch by inch, the black and green fabric gave way until a scrap of lace was the only barrier between Hank and the woman he planned to worship.
His fingers eased beneath the lace and as Willa spread her legs, he slid her panties to the floor. Perfect. He glanced up, over the peaks and valleys of her body, to find his brother’s eyes, heavy with lust.
“Hold her steady, Trenton.”
His brother nodded, reaching down to grab Willa’s leg before hooking his arm beneath it. With one arm wrapped around her middle and the other pinning her leg to her chest, Trenton had done Hank’s bidding and then some.
He couldn’t ask for anything more. Without a moment’s hesitation, Hank dove in, lapping hard and wide through Willa’s folds, grazing her clit as she shuddered. Desire spread across her pussy in a glistening wave and Hank feasted, lapping her sweet cream into his mouth as he flicked her clit around and around.
She whimpered above him, her single leg wobbling in her high heel as he brought her over the edge faster than ever before. The orgasm took over and Willa cried out, arms flailing for Trenton and Hank.
As Hank stood, Trenton scooped her up into his arms. “Let’s go to bed. Hank’s not the only one who gets a taste tonight.”
Chapter 17
WILLA
I have got to figure out what the hell I’m going to do. Willa paced back and forth in her hotel room, practically wearing a track in the carpet. Her flight back home was scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
In less than forty-eight hours, she’d be on her way back to Los Angeles and the life that seemed so far away. Pretending this week with Trenton and Hank never happened wasn’t an option.
She walked over to the nightstand and picked up the necklace she’d made. The diamond caught the overhead light and sparkled like fire and ice all over her hand.
The thought of leaving them behind made her queasy. But how could she stay? They hadn’t asked her to. They hadn’t said those three little words that had bounced around her head and heart for a few days.
Even if she were in love with them, did they think of her that way? She wanted it to be true. The way Hank ran his fingers over her back when he thought she was asleep, so soft and gentle, and the way Trenton reached for her hand when they walked down the street said they cared for her.
But love?
Her best friend’s words echoed in her head. A threesome was crazy and scandalous. Not something for good girls with steady jobs and a career to think about. But Hank and Trenton weren’t average guys. They were rich beyond her wildest dreams, confident and in control of their business empire, wild and sinful in the bedroom.
Willa slipped the necklace on and walked over to the mirror. Could she be their girlfriend? More?
The ringing of her cell phone made Willa jump in shock. She glanced at the number with a frown. “Hello?”
“May I speak to Ms. Willa Gordon, please.”
“Speaking.”
“Hello, Ms. Gordon, this is Dawn Hopkins. I spoke with you a few days ago at the trade show.”
The buyer. Willa nodded even though the woman couldn’t see her. “Yes. How can I help you?”
“We would like to coordinate receipt of all of your current inventory, starting with what you brought to Las Vegas.”
“Of course. What type of schedule did you have in mind?”
“If you can assemble all of your pieces today, I can pick them up from the trade show floor this afternoon.”
Willa thought over her collection and the work involved in assembling everything. She’d need to rush, but she could get it all done. “I can do that. How about three o’clock at my table?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Willa hung up the phone and flipped open her suitcase. Thank God for small favors. A few hours of steady, detailed work and Willa could stop thinking about Hank and Trenton and what the future might hold.
A glance at the clock and she picked up the pace. She needed to hurry if she wanted to finish packing her collection on time.
HANK
Did the casino smell better that afternoon or was he just high on life? Hank strolled through the gambling floor, hands in his pockets, smiling like a hopeless romantic.
He was acting like a fool, but it didn’t bother him. So what if his employees caught him wandering around like a lovesick idiot? That’s exactly what I am.
It could have been the way Willa moaned out his name when she came around his lips the night before or the way her body fit so well against him as she slept, but Hank made up his mind yesterday. He loved Willa Gordon and he was going to tell her so.
As soon as he could find her.
The morning’s mumbled goodbye against his ear was the last he’d heard from her. She hadn’t answered her phone when he’d called a few hours ago and she didn’t pick up when he’d called her room. That left the trade show.
Hank took the stairs with a bounce, smiling at every hungover partier and hopeful gambler as he entered the convention center. The jewelry show ended the next day. Then Willa was supposed to get on a plane and go back to her life. Only that wouldn’t be happening. Hank would guarantee it.
Turning down the aisle with her table, he quickened his step. There she is. His heart hammered, his lips formed her name, and it took all his self control not to rush up and scoop her into his arms.
She stood with her back to him, long, blonde hair falling over her shoulders in gentle waves, jeans hugging her hips just right. God, he wanted to run his hands up those thighs and under the loose top that skimmed her ass. But Willa wasn’t alone.
A woman stood next to her, device in her hand, pointing at items on the table. The tight bun and conservative suit said business person. Sensible shoes said hard worker.
He slowed to a stop as she glanced up. What the hell? Her eyes went wide and she blinked before turning back to Willa.
What is she doing here? Trenton hadn’t mentioned anything to him about helping Willa with her business and Willa said the buyer would take care of it. It didn’t make any sense.
Hank stalked up to the table. “Hey there, stranger.” He leaned in to Willa and gave her a quick hug. “It took me all afternoon to track you down.”
She smiled like he’d just given her a present. “Miss me already?” Willa motioned at the woman Hank had known for years. “Hank Beauchamp, I’d like you to meet Ms. Hopkins, she’s the buyer I told you about. The one who wants my whole collection.”
Hank tilted his head. “Ms. Hopkins?”
His personal assistant held out a nervous hand. “Call me Dawn.” The warning she sent with her squeeze of his fingers didn’t go unnoticed.
“I’m sorry, have we met?”
“No. I’m sure I’d remember.”
Hank pulled his hand away. He couldn’t believe his brother put Dawn up to this. If this was headed where Hank thought it was, then Trenton had ruined everything before they’d even had a chance.
He tried to smile. “So you’re a jewelry buyer? For whom?”
Dawn didn’t miss a beat. “A collection of jewelry stores here in Las Vegas. We’d like to feature Ms. Gordon’s work.”
Hank ground his teeth together as dread settled in his stomach. It burned. “Do you have a team of buyers, or is it just you?”
She faltered for a moment before plastering on a smile. “My boss actually discovered her work first. He’s the one who pointed me in Ms. Gordon’s direction.”
The bastard. Dawn had all but laid it out for Hank. He didn’t even need to speak to her later, he knew what his brother had done. One last question and he’d know everything he needed. “You’re buying everything?”
Willa elbowed him in the ribs. “Enough with the third degree, Hank. I’ve already signed the contract. Ms. Hopkins is just here to accept delivery on what I’ve brought with me to the trade show.”
Hank seethed with rage and disappointment. All this time Willa thought she’d done it, that she’d come to Vegas and made her jewelry business a success. That someone out there thought her worthy of a contract and a display in their store and possibly more.
But it had all been a lie.
Dawn stood in front of him, bravely putting on the show of jewelry buyer, all because Trenton put her up to it. Hank stared at his personal assistant and fought the urge to fire her right there.
But it wasn’t her fault, she was only following orders.
Jesus, how could Trenton be so stupid? Hank saw the way Willa doubted them when they confessed to owning the casino. He saw how she hated to be lied to or strung along. Hell, she told them as much.
And now Trenton had gone and done the unthinkable. He’d created a buyer out of thin air just so what… they could have a few days with her?
Hank ran his fingers through his hair. The truth would crush Willa. She would never see them as anything more than a pair of rich assholes who tried to buy her into their bed. Screw any chance at more.
“Is something wrong?” Willa stared up at him from under knit brows.
He propped his lips up in a smile. “No. Not at all. I just remembered a meeting I can’t cancel. Would you mind if I call you later?”
She blinked, a wave of confusion washing over her face before she smiled. “No, it’s fine. Ms. Hopkins and I need to finish up anyway. Call me later?”
Hank nodded before turning around. Damn Trenton. The first time they find a woman who not only can handle the pair of them, but might want more than a fling, and he has to ruin it. She would never forgive them for this, Hank knew it.
He stormed through the convention center and up the stairs. Trenton needed to be taught a lesson. One punch at a time.
Chapter 18
TRENTON
The door to the penthouse opened and Trenton glanced up with a smile. “Hey, big brother. Wondered where you got off to so earl—”
He should have known by the heavy tread of Hank’s shoes across the apartment, or by the murderous scowl on his face. But he never saw the punch coming.
Hank’s fist slammed into his face and Trenton stumbled backward. His mug flew out his hand as he backpedaled, coffee arcing across the kitchen as the porcelain hit the counter and shattered.
Banging into the counter, he barely had time to duck before his brother came at him again, swinging for his face a second time.
Hank’s fist slammed into the cabinet and he roared as he spun around.
“What the fuck, man!” Trenton held up his hands to fend his brother off, but Hank ignored them, barreling into Trenton’s chest with a dropped shoulder.
Wrapping his arms around Trenton’s middle, Hank propelled him through the kitchen and into the living room. The pair crashed to the floor in a heap.
“Hank! Stop it!”
“N
o!” He climbed on top of Trenton and from the look on his face, Trenton knew there was no talking him down. Hank was out for blood.
As his brother leaned back to ready another punch, Trenton twisted, his knee coming up to slam into Hank’s back. His brother howled and the pair rolled over, tussling and grunting as both landed punches on the other’s middle.
They hadn’t fought like this since they were kids. Now they were grown men with more sense than force. This shouldn’t be happening. Trenton tried to pin Hank down, but his brother shifted at the last second, his elbow landing hard on Trenton’s chest.
Fuck this. He wasn’t getting pummeled for God knows what. “You want to fight? Fine!”
Trenton was done trying to disengage. His brother needed to get some licks in for some crazy reason? He’d oblige.
He shoved hard against Hank’s stomach, both hands curled tight into fists. His brother fell back and Trenton took advantage, leaping to his feet and backing up. “Come on, big brother, show me what you’ve got!”
Hank practically screamed as he launched up, throwing a wild right hook that Trenton blocked with ease. Hank rebounded, coming at him from the left. Trenton blocked it again but missed the right jab to his ribs.
Hank’s knuckles landed hard on Trenton’s side and he absorbed the blow, tensing to give it right back. He spun and swung, fist connecting with his brother’s chest and Hank stumbled back.
It didn’t stop him at all. “You’re such a bastard!” Hank jabbed with his left hand and grazed Trenton’s temple. “You’ve ruined everything!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Trenton parried another blow before darting out to land a solid punch to Hank’s ribs.
His brother stepped back, wobbling from the intensity of the fight, but still his hands were at the ready. “You lied. To me, to Willa. You think she’s not going to find out? You think she won’t discover what you’ve done?”
It still wasn’t making sense. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
