by RG Alexander
I thought you’d be smart enough to listen to me and take the movie, but you’re just like your father. You want to control me and force me to be something I’m not. You’ll go home to that backwards town and make barbecue sauce and I will be the mother of nobody special. I won’t go back to being no one. I deserve more.
He should have called Trudy. He should never have let Jennifer in. He’d spent a few days studying whiskey bottles and trying to forget what a sucker he’d been, suddenly seeing his father in a whole new light. Matt Adams wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t his fault that his wife had left. She was always going to leave. In hindsight that was easy to spot. No amount of love or attention could change who a person was at their core.
Jefferson might have lost himself to self-pity, but then Caroline jumped into his pool and saved him. Had it only been yesterday that she’d come back into his life? That she’d wrapped his wound and healed his hurt and let him find a kind of pleasure in her arms he never knew existed?
She was the one who deserved more.
He shook off his morbid thoughts when he saw her lips twitch. She frowned, shifted in the bed and started speaking with her eyes still closed. “You don’t think it’s a little creepy watching somebody while they sleep?”
Jefferson smiled. “You wish I was watching you.”
She chuckled, her lashes fluttering open sleepily. “How long have I been asleep?”
“About an hour.”
She frowned again. “I’m sorry. I was dreaming about us.”
“Really? What were we doing?”
“We were in a scary forest of glowing violet wands and vicious rope vines, searching for a way out. I saw a light so we ran toward it. There was a door. It was a cold door, almost frozen. When you opened it, I knew we were safe and that everything was going to be okay.”
“Why?”
“Cheesecake.”
He snorted, studying her playful expression. “You want cheesecake don’t you?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She pulled the covers up to hide her smile. “It’s in the refrigerator. I’d get up but I’m frail and weak and I might faint and nap again.” She winked. “If you go get it I’ll share it with you.”
“How can I resist an offer like that?” He leaned down to kiss her, loving the way she instantly responded.
When he lifted his head her eyes were wide and dark. “Why would you try to resist?” she joked softly. “It’s really good cheesecake.”
As he walked to the kitchen he had the strangest sensation he was about to fall.
Hell.
Chapter Eight
Trudy waited until John took Jefferson outside after dinner before she cornered Caroline. “When were you going to tell me?”
“What?” Caroline took a step back, grabbing a plate and moving toward the sink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Trudy joined her at the sink to make sure Caroline caught her look of disbelief. “You and Jefferson is what I’m talking about. Showing up as the date of the fan favorite to the live finale while I watched from home is what I’m talking about. Sending me smiling text messages with wedding details but not calling to tell me a single story about the club for two weeks is what I’m talking about.” She stopped short. “Oh my God, has this been going on for that long? Don’t you think that’s mandatory best friend information?”
Caroline shrugged, unable to stop her cheeks from heating. “I believe there’s an exception if said best friend is the sister of the man you’re…” What? Submitting to? Having wild, dirty marathon sex sessions with? Dating? Falling for? “Seeing,” she finished weakly.
“You might have a point,” Trudy conceded, sucking in her lower lip. “I mean, it would be weird and twisted if I wanted details since my brother is involved, wouldn’t it?”
They both stared at each other in silence for less than a minute before Trudy grabbed her arm playfully. “I want details, damn it! Just skip the X-rated parts so I don’t need therapy.”
That made Caroline laugh. “If I skip those, we might not have anything to talk about.”
“Oh God.” Trudy let her go to bury her face in her hands, then peeked through her fingers. “Therapy it is. Spill it. It is your turn.”
“I’m not sure where to start.” She went to pour herself a cup of coffee, stalling for time.
“Well you don’t have to go all the way back to the cowboy hat and heels caper. Been there. Accidentally saw that.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” She really didn’t know where to begin. The last two weeks had been intense. She and Jefferson had hardly left each other’s side for more than a few hours at a time. Both seemed to feel possessive over what they’d found with each other, unwilling to take a single moment for granted. Or leave a sexual whim unfulfilled. But it was more than sex now. At least, it was for her.
He’d come with her to her father’s house several times, much to David Aaron’s delight, and listened for hours to the stories her dad told about his life behind the scenes. He’d even done some chores for Sylvie and helped her father finish his wedding present for Trudy.
She shivered and cupped her hands around the warm mug. He’d come with her to the club where she’d met his sister all those years ago, not to play but to watch. He’d only had one condition, that her partners were women. Since they were more often than not, Caroline readily agreed.
Her two talented friends, Dawn and Casey, had chained her to a Saint Andrew’s Cross and gone to great lengths to get her attention, but the man watching her being touched and tickled and whipped from the shadows was the only one she could see.
After the scene he’d held her in his lap on one of the corner couches, comforting and caressing her as people she’d known for years came by to greet them. Many knew Trudy too and were invited to her wedding in La Grange. When they realized who Jefferson was, they’d sent Caroline wicked smiles and made a few comments that made her feel like a deviant friend…and a little bit of a cougar.
It had bothered her more than she wanted to admit until Jefferson had walked her to the car later that night. He’d thrown her in the backseat and given her five brain-boggling orgasms before he was willing to start the car. By the time he was done, all her doubts were forgotten.
When he had to rehearse for the finale, she would work, and late at night, when they were both too exhausted to move, they’d lie in bed together and talk. Those were some of her favorite times.
“Why do I feel like you’re having the best part of this conversation with yourself?” Trudy’s voice interrupted her memories. “Is it serious? Is he going back to California with you after the wedding?”
She turned to look into her friend’s worried expression. “Yes…and I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it. It’s only been two weeks.”
Two of the best weeks of her life.
Trudy reached out to take her hand. “Well, hell, hon. I fell for John in less time than that.”
“Two weeks and more than a decade,” Caroline corrected, desperately wanting to change the subject. The last thing she needed to be reminded of was the two-week deal John and Trudy had made. The one that had led to their wedding. “Jefferson and I never had any time limits and we didn’t have a long history of pining and yearning. That is what they say down here, isn’t it?” She forced a laugh. “There’s no comparison. We shouldn’t be talking about me anyway. I’m just the maid of honor. The legendary wedding of Trouble and the Big Bad is less than a week away.”
Trudy shook her head, dismissing her words. “Yes, yes. I’ll be bursting out of my wedding dress, I feel like I’m going to be sick every five minutes and I cry every ten. We can talk about that later. I won’t be distracted.”
Caroline frowned. Her enviable breasts were looking more enviable than usual, but sick and crying? “Are you having second thoughts? Do I need to smuggle you back to California in my suitcase? Just say the word and it’s done.”
Trudy started to laugh but it instantly turned into a
sob. “No! I want this wedding. I’ve never been so happy in my life, damn it. I was just waiting until the wedding night to tell John I was pregnant. I wasn’t going to tell you unless you told me about you and Jefferson, but I have to tell someone.”
Everything made sense now. Caroline glanced out the window to make sure the men were still sitting by the pond outside, then she took Trudy out of the kitchen and headed for her bedroom. “Girl-talk time.”
They curled up together on the bed and whispered their secrets. Trudy had just found out a few days ago, and she’d wanted to call Caroline right away but she was still in shock. “I’m not even sure how to bring it up to him. All these people descending for the wedding, and since the show the demand for Troublemaker has been insane—we’ve even had to hire a few new people. Diego was not happy about that. Not to mention the new house he’s determined to build. John has a lot on his plate.”
“Are you kidding me?” Caroline chided. “You told me yourself he started making plans for the new place as soon as you mentioned children. I predict Big Bad bliss. How can you doubt it?”
“I don’t.” She pushed her curls over her shoulder and hugged her pillow. “It just took us so long to get together and now everything is happening so fast it scares me. I don’t want to mess this up. Crazy hormones talking, right?”
“No, I understand.” She had no idea how much. Caroline reached out and placed her hand on Trudy’s still-flat stomach. “I’m going to be an aunt.”
Trudy’s smile then was breathtaking. “I’m going to be a mom.”
Caroline thought about all Jefferson had gone through with their mother. Trudy needed to know but she and Jefferson had both decided to wait until after the wedding. It made even more sense now.
“You’re going to be the best mom,” she assured her. “And John will be a proud papa who will spoil them rotten. I’m betting on a pony. That is one lucky baby cooking in there.”
Trudy covered Caroline’s hand with her own. “Your turn.”
She sighed. “I can’t explain what’s happening, Trudy. And no, he doesn’t match all the must-haves on my list which, by the way, thank you for telling him about.”
She made a face and Trudy cringed. “I was trying to save you from unwanted advances.”
“I know.” Caroline looked up at the ceiling, as if the answers would be there. “I can’t remember feeling like this before. It’s not just chemistry, though that is just—”
“Pregnant sister,” Trudy interrupted. “Just, you know, in case you forgot who you were talking to.”
Caroline smiled at her. “I didn’t. But when you’re ready for therapy, I have stories.”
“Not listening… Go on.”
“Let’s just say I don’t care if he never gets a tattoo and I wouldn’t mind being his slave—household or otherwise.”
Trudy gasped. “My brother must be a sex god. Or a hypnotist.”
“He’s actually kind of wonderful.” Caroline’s eyebrows rose when Trudy started sniffling again. “Honey, no. Don’t cry.”
She wrapped her arms around her friend and pulled her close. She’d really missed her. It had been hard, not sharing each detail of her time with Jefferson. Not sharing everything she’d been feeling over the last few weeks. Trudy was more than a best friend and closer than a sister. For years she’d been the one Caroline turned to first—for advice, for distraction, for empathy. If Trudy didn’t know about it, it didn’t feel real.
She knew the basics now, at least. Caroline hadn’t told her she thought she was in love with her brother. The thought made her want to join Trudy’s crying jag.
A low, deep voice stopped her before she shed a single tear. “Are you taking advantage of my future bride, Caroline Aaron?”
She looked up in time to see the smile fade from John Brown’s handsome face. “Trouble? Honey, what’s wrong?” His blue eyes snared Caroline’s gaze. “Why is she crying?”
She kissed Trudy’s cheek and whispered, “Tell him now,” before pulling away from her friend and sliding off the bed. She laid a hand on John’s ridiculous forearm. “Well, she’s not crying because I slept with her brother. Just so we’re clear.”
Trudy laughed between her sobs on the bed, just as Caroline knew she would, and John looked at her oddly. “You slept with Jefferson? Again?”
She rolled her eyes. “Does everybody know, Trudy? Never mind. You two need to talk. But it’s a good talk, big guy, I promise. I’ll grab Junior and leave you to it. We won’t be back until breakfast.”
As she walked out of the room, she heard John’s worried tones and Trudy’s soft responses. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but by the time she got to the sliding glass doors and heard the masculine shout of joy and victory she’d been expecting, she smiled.
She really liked Big John.
Jefferson met her at the door, a question in his eyes.
“It’s time to leave the lovebirds alone.” She reached for his hand and led him down off the patio to walk along the edge of the pond. “They’re celebrating.”
His slipped his hand from hers and lifted her in his arms. “Thank God.”
She laughed. “Sick of wedding talk already, best man?”
“No,” he muttered, holding her tight against him as he continued walking. “Sick of not being able to touch you. You haven’t kissed me since we turned in to the driveway this afternoon.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his jaw. “I gave you a kiss five minutes before we arrived.”
He’d pulled over on the back road on the way to his land, almost in the same spot where Trudy and Caroline had run into the Gieses on her last visit, and turned off the rental car they’d picked up at the airport. When she asked him why, he’d gotten out of the car, walked around to her side to open her door and started unbuckling his belt.
Caroline smiled when she remembered his demand as he pulled his thick erection out of the opening in his jeans and stepped closer to the car. “Kiss me, Caroline.”
And she had. Right there on the side of the road with the sun shining brightly she’d taken him into her mouth, loving the sound of his loud, passionate growls as he thrusts his hips against her. Her name on his lips when he came.
Jefferson was now passing the rental car and going to the old, beat up truck everyone called Loco instead. “Get in.”
She bit her lip. “Are we doing something Texan now? Four-wheeling or cow-tipping, that kind of thing?”
He opened the passenger door with a sigh and lifted her into the seat. “I get it. It’s funny because you’re from California.”
“Hey!” But she laughed. She couldn’t help it. She loved his teasing as much as she loved his ability to dominate her. “Tell me.”
“I’m showing you what your wedding madness has wrought.”
The keys were in the ignition. These were a trusting people. Then again, they were the only people for miles.
He started driving, following a road that wasn’t really a road, and she leaned back to study him. “Is it nice to be home?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “It’s nice to see everyone again. John and Manly. Trudy, of course. I’m glad they’re doing work on the old house. They’re even adding on a room or two, I hear. It’s time for a change.”
She put a hand on his thigh, knowing he was thinking about his parents. She needed to touch him, too. Thinking about him staying here when she went back home made her heart ache. She had to change the subject. “I’m kind of excited to meet the new employees Diego is so upset about. I bet they’re after Glory.”
Jefferson smirked. “Who knows? It could be Manly they really want. He is a handsome guy.”
“That joke doesn’t work on me because I’m a big city temptress. And now I’m turned on.”
He reached out with one hand to tickle her, knowing exactly where to pinch to have her squirming in her seat to escape him. “Stop! Stop, I’m sorry. I’ll never think about you and Manly kissing agai
n.”
“You are begging for a spanking.” He turned off the un-road and parked the truck with the motor still running. “We’re here.”
She looked out the window. The headlights were shining on what looked like a raised wooden deck in the middle of nowhere. “You’ll have to be more specific, Jefferson. Where is here?”
He opened the door and stepped out, going around the back of the truck and grabbing something before he opened her door. “Here,” he responded, putting his hands around her waist to help her to the ground. “is the old Giese land John bought for the new house. Here is where your wedding planner has built the gallows upon which Trudy and Big John will hang for their crimes of passion.”
Her jaw dropped. “No.” With that single wooden beam crossing over the deck in the center, it did kind of look like… “Oh no. I’m going to kill him.”
Jefferson chuckled. “John mentioned it after dinner. More than once. He’s convinced Trudy she can’t come out to take a look because it’s a surprise. He told me that you need to talk to your guy before he takes matters into his own hands.”
“Trust me, I will handle this. The wedding will be beautiful or that little man will be missing an important body part.”
“Now that that’s settled…” Jefferson pulled her into his arms and claimed her mouth with his. The kiss was impatient and hungry, his tongue tangling with hers, his teeth biting hungrily at her lips. Caroline clung to him, feeling just as desperate. Just as hungry.
When he started to walk her backwards she gripped his shoulders for balance. “Where are we going now?”
“I’ve always wanted to take you under the stars.”
She shook her head when he lifted her up onto the large wooden deck and climbed up to join her. “You can tape stars to your bedroom ceiling. I’m not a camping kind of girl.”
