by Reese Ryan
“No, of course not.” Bree forced a smile, not wanting to reveal her discomfort at Wesley’s words.
* * *
Wes tried to ignore the sound of the shower running in the Jack-and-Jill bathroom between his room and the guest room Bree would be sleeping in. Tried to ignore the vision of water sluicing down Bree’s back, between her firm breasts and into the valley between her long legs.
He tried, but failed miserably. His body ached with want and left him with an unsettled feeling in his chest.
He wanted her. In a way that made it clear that what he craved was more than just her body. No matter how many times he tried to tell himself otherwise.
“Wes?” There was a knock at the bathroom door that led to his room.
He cleared his throat and edged closer to the door.
“I hate to bother you, but I can’t find another towel.”
“Sorry about that.” Wes groaned. He meant to restock the towels after he’d taken his shower earlier. “I’ll get you one.”
Wes retrieved some towels from the hallway linen closet and returned to the door. He took a deep breath before he knocked. “Got them.”
Bree cracked open the door slightly. The room was still filled with steam and her hair hung in wet curls that clung to her face.
“Thank you.” She reached one arm out while shielding her body with the door. “I’ll be out in a second, if you need to get in here.”
“All I want is you.” His gaze held hers. “Naked. In my bed.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. She closed the door and bustled around the bathroom, but still hadn’t answered him.
Wes groaned, his forehead pressed to the bathroom door. Brianna had gotten under his skin in a way no other woman had. Maybe it was good she hadn’t accepted his proposition. She was saving him from himself.
Suddenly, the door opened and she stood before him in one of the fuzzy, cream-colored towels he’d just given her. She gave him a shy smile, but heat raged in her brown eyes.
“I believe you invited me to your room. Does the offer still stand?” Bree seemed to enjoy the stunned look on his face.
He didn’t speak. Didn’t nod. Instead, he leaned down, cradled her head and pressed his mouth to hers. Slipped his tongue inside her warm, minty mouth. Pressed his body against hers.
Bree wrapped her arms around him, her hands pressed to his back as she murmured softly, her head tilted.
Her skin was soft and warm and she smelled sweet and sensual. He wanted to taste every inch of her heated skin. Make love to her until they were both sweaty, exhausted and fully satisfied.
Wes slid his hands to her back, then down to her bottom, pulling her against him. He let out a soft sigh at the intense pleasure of her wet heat pressed against him there. He slid his hands beneath the towel, gripped her naked flesh before he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his bed.
Bree’s smile was hesitant. Filled with want and need. And something more. Something that tugged at his chest and felt oddly familiar.
He didn’t have time to ruminate over it. She took his face into her hands and pulled his mouth down to hers. Kissed him slow and sweet in a way that revved up his body and ignited a flame deep in his chest. It was a feeling that could only mean trouble for both of them.
Wes stripped Bree of her towel and shed his T-shirt and boxers. He trailed kisses from her neck to her center, wet and glistening. Tasted her there. Lapped at her with his tongue while teasing her with his fingers. Until she shattered, her knees trembling and her lips pressed together to muffle her whimpers.
He kissed his way back up to her belly. Laved her hardened, beaded nipples as he slid inside her and rocked them both into a delicious abandon that made him want to forget everything but her.
“You’re an incredible woman, Brianna Evans. In every way.” Wes kissed her damp forehead and held her tight against him. “Thank you.”
Bree was silent for a moment before she pressed a hand to his chest and lifted her head so her eyes met his. “Thank you for what?”
“For being here with me.” Wes pulled the damp, curly strands of hair back and tucked them behind her ear so he could study her elegant features in the moonlight. He kissed her cheek. “For being so kind and thoughtful to my mother.”
She smiled softly. “Thank you for letting me meet her. I know that isn’t something you usually do.”
He chuckled. “Try never.”
“Why?” Bree hesitated before continuing. “Most guys who feel that way...to be honest, they’re probably doing womankind a favor by not getting deeply involved with anyone. But you aren’t like that. You’re a genuinely good man. You deserve to be happy. To have a full life. So why are you so dead set against getting involved?”
Wes sighed heavily, folding one arm behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. “The men in my family haven’t had a very good track record of being good mates.”
“My mother gave me up at birth and hasn’t wanted anything to do with me since.” Bree shrugged, resting her chin on his chest. “Doesn’t mean I’d do the same to my kid. Besides, we aren’t our parents, Wes. Who we are is based on the decisions we make every single day. Like you making the choice to be there for your mother as she battles her illness. That’s why this tournament is so important to you, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” He traced her bare shoulder with his calloused fingertips. “And I’m not basing my decision on parental history alone.”
“We all make mistakes, Wes.” Bree was quiet for a moment when he didn’t respond. “Doesn’t mean that’s who we are or that we don’t deserve happiness. What matters is that we try to rectify our mistakes and that we learn from them.”
“A caged bird escaping its gilded cage.” Her gaze dropped to the tattoo on the left side of his chest. The bird was designed of sheets of musical notes. The door it escaped looked like facing capital letter Gs. She traced the ink lightly with her fingertips. “Is that you?”
“No. Got it not long after I graduated university as sort of a tribute to my mother.”
“You hoped your mother would go after her dreams again, once you and your brother were no longer her responsibility. That’s sweet. You’re sweet.” She leaned in and kissed his mouth.
“But you shouldn’t feel guilty about your mom missing out on the life she might’ve had. You should see the glow on her face when she talks about you and your brother. She doesn’t seem to regret a moment of her life. I can’t imagine she’d want you lugging around this burden of guilt on her behalf.” Bree studied his face, waiting for his reaction.
It was a weight he’d been carrying for years. One not easily budged. He met her gaze. “This is who I am, Bree. It’s who I’ve been most of my life. Sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“I’m sorry, too.” She sighed softly, the corner of her mouth tugged down in a slight frown. “Good night, Wesley.”
Bree climbed out of bed, gathered her towel and wrapped it around her again.
“Are you angry with me?” He sat up in bed, pulling the sheet up around his waist.
“No, of course not.” There was pity and sadness in her voice. “I just think it’s better if I sleep in my room. In case your mother comes looking for one of us in the morning.”
Her excuse wasn’t very convincing to either of them.
“I don’t expect her to hobble up the steps. That was the whole point of moving her downstairs. If anything, she’ll call upstairs.” Wes kept his voice even. It needed to sound as if he was stating a fact, rather than the passionate plea it was.
He liked the idea of waking up to Bree in his arms.
Bree didn’t acknowledge his statement. “See you at breakfast.”
She exited through the bathroom door. He groaned when the distinct click of the door locking on the ot
her side of the bathroom indicated she had no intention of returning.
Wes groaned, one arm folded behind his head. He should be glad Bree was honoring his request to keep their relationship casual. Instead, he was pouting like a child whose favorite toy had just been taken away.
Chapter 16
“Another trip with Wes, huh?” Bex’s observation was more than a passing interest.
“Uh-huh.” Bree turned away from Bex. They were using the video messaging app on her phone, which was propped on the nightstand. She stuffed her makeup bag into her luggage and zipped it. When she finally turned back to the phone, her friend had her arms crossed and one eye cocked. “What?”
“You know what. This isn’t just business anymore, and it’s obviously escalated beyond banging-buddy status. I’m worried about you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Bex’s tone had shifted from exasperation to genuine concern.
“I won’t.” Her statement lacked conviction.
“Even you don’t believe that.”
It’d been more than a month since she and Wes had taken their trip to Asheville. They’d continued their affair in secret, not even telling their best friends. But Bex knew her too well. She’d threatened to hop the next plane to Pleasure Cove if Bree didn’t level with her.
So she’d told Bex the truth. She and Wes were friends who just happened to also enjoy sleeping together. A lot. But they were not a couple. Nor would they become one, because that wasn’t what either of them wanted right now.
That part was a lie. One Bex saw right through. It was the reason she was so concerned.
Though she tried to allay her friend’s concerns, they both knew the truth. In the recesses of her heart, Bree quietly believed Wes to be The Trifecta. The elusive man who would satisfy her body, heart and mind.
Each moment spent with Wesley Adams convinced her that he was the man with whom she could happily spend the rest of her life.
Though their no-strings agreement still stood, Bree was sure Wes cared for her more than he was willing to let on.
It was in his kiss. In his touch. In his voice when he whispered in her ear in the wee hours of the morning. It was in the depths of his dark eyes when he made love to her. In his stolen glances at her when he thought no one else was looking.
What they shared was more than sex or even friendship.
Bree wouldn’t call it love, but it was deeper than lust or affection. Still, if Wes wasn’t willing to explore his feelings for her, what did it matter? The end of summer would bring the volleyball tournament they’d both worked so hard on, and eventually, the end of their relationship. He’d stay in Pleasure Cove and she’d return to California, as if what they’d shared over the summer meant nothing.
The thought made her chest heavy with grief.
“I can handle whatever happens between us this time.” Bree hoped her tone was more convincing.
“Then go to London and have a good time with your friend.” An uneasy smile curled the edges of Bex’s mouth. “How’s his mom?”
“She’s doing well.” A wide smile tightened Bree’s cheeks when she thought of Lena. Wes had hired an aide to help his mother around the house. Still, he’d visited Lena each week and Bree had accompanied him twice—at Lena’s insistence. She went gladly, because she genuinely enjoyed Lena’s company. “The air cast came off yesterday and she’s getting around well. Still, I hate that neither of us will be here.”
“You sound like a dutiful daughter-in-law.” Bex peered into the camera, one eyebrow raised.
“She’s an amazing woman. Funny and interesting. I can’t help but adore her.”
“Just don’t get too attached. Walking away from Wes at the end of the summer means walking away from his mother, too.”
The doorbell rang and Bree said goodbye to her friend, glad not to have to respond to Bex’s very salient point.
It was too late. She’d already fallen for Wes and his mom.
* * *
A noise startled Wes awake. According to his mobile, it was a little after three in the morning. Yet, Bree was no longer in bed. He followed the sound to his sitting room.
The lights were off, but he could make out Bree’s form as she stood in front of the large windows that had enticed him into purchasing the flat. She stared into the distance at London’s skyline.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.” She turned toward him, her face barely visible in the light streaming through the window. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I couldn’t sleep. Figured it was a good time to take in this beautiful view.”
“I fell for this place the moment I saw that view.” He studied her silhouette in the moonlight. Wearing the sheer white lingerie he’d surprised her with, she managed to look naughty and angelic all at once.
“You look amazing.” He stood behind her, slipped his arms around her waist and planted soft kisses on her warm neck. Inhaled her scent. Her soft murmur vibrated against his chest, making him want her more. Wes pressed his body to hers as he slipped the white fabric from her shoulder and trailed kisses there. “And as much as I love seeing you in this, what I’d really like is to see you out of it again.”
Bree blushed in the moonlight, the corner of her mouth curling in an adorable grin that warmed him.
He couldn’t resist smiling in response.
They’d been carrying on their affair for more than a month. Bree had initiated things that night in Asheville. Yet, at her core she was demure and, at times, bashful. He loved that she could be both a wily, determined temptress and the sweet, blushing girl next door.
“You have a big meeting this morning, remember?”
“It’s this afternoon,” he whispered in her ear, his lips brushing her skin. “Gives me plenty of time to spend with you.”
“I like the sound of that.” Bree turned around, her gaze meeting his as she slid one hand down his chest and beneath his waistband, taking him in her palm.
Wes sucked in a deep breath as she palmed his heated flesh. Her cool hand warmed as it glided up and down his shaft.
Her nostrils flared and the corner of her mouth curled with satisfaction. She seemed to enjoy the power she had over him as she stroked him, bringing him closer to the edge.
He cradled her face and claimed her mouth in a frantic kiss. Bree had him teetering on the edge. But he was desperate to be inside her again. To stare into those brown eyes, her bare, sweat-slickened skin pressed to his, as he erupted with pleasure.
Wes scooped her in his arms and she squealed, looping her arms around his neck so she wouldn’t fall. He carried her to his bed, each of them shedding their clothing. He settled between her thighs and trailed kisses down her neck and between her breasts.
“You do realize I wasn’t finished in there.”
“But I nearly was, and we couldn’t have that.”
Scraping one beaded tip between his teeth, he gently teased it with his tongue. Bree squirmed beneath him. Her soft, sensual murmur stoked the fire building inside him.
Wes hated that he’d pulled the heavy curtains shut. He wanted the satisfaction of seeing Bree’s lovely face as she called his name in the throes of her climax. A delight he never tired of.
He sheathed himself, then entered her slowly, groaning with pleasure as her snug heat welcomed him.
They moved together, heat building between them and a light sheen of sweat clinging to their skin. Bree’s murmurs grew louder. Her breath came faster. She repositioned her legs and pressed her bare feet to his shoulders, allowing him to penetrate deeper.
She clutched the sheets, her back arched as she called his name, riding the wave of her orgasm. Nearly there, he continued his thrusts until his spine stiffened and he shuddered, cursing and moaning. Calling her name.
Breathless and swea
ty, he gathered her in his arms and kissed her damp hair.
Bree Evans was the first woman who’d made him question the wisdom of his commitment to remaining unattached. She made him want to believe he was capable of giving her the things she wanted.
Love. Marriage. A family.
More and more, he’d allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to have those things with her. And it didn’t feel stifling or confining. The images in his head filled him with warmth and contentment.
He could get used to having Bree in his bed every night, but he wouldn’t delude himself by believing he could become something he wasn’t. He’d already ruined one woman’s life and caused them both irrevocable harm. He wouldn’t do that to Bree. No matter how much he wanted her.
Chapter 17
“He’s a pretty spectacular fellow, isn’t he?”
The woman’s voice startled Bree from what she often found herself doing these days—stealing loving glances at Wesley Adams when she thought no one was looking. His event manager, Nadia, obviously was.
The woman had done a poor job of hiding her disbelief when Wes had introduced her as a friend. Standing in the corner, staring at Wes like a lovelorn fool, didn’t help.
“He is...very good at what he does, I mean,” Bree clarified as she sipped her champagne. Wes and his team were working the party. So they weren’t drinking. She had no such constraints. “I’ve learned a lot from him since we started working on the project together.”
“I’ll bet.” Nadia was barely able to hold back her grin. “He’s taught me quite a lot about the event-planning and promotions business. Still, I’ve a lot to learn before I’ll be anywhere near as gifted as he is.”
“Well, he’s certainly confident in you,” Bree reassured the woman with a smile. “He’d never have entrusted his business to you if he wasn’t.”
“Thank you.” Nadia beamed. “And if you don’t mind me saying so, I’ve known him long enough to realize that what he feels for you is special.” She looked over at Wes, who stood on the other side of the room staring at Bree. “I’ve never seen him light up the way he does when he looks at you. He’s completely smitten and it scares him half to death.”
