Hidden Pleasures

by Brenda Jackson

  Their reaction was comical at best. Only Eli had managed to keep a straight face—one of those “I told you so” expressions. The others looked shocked.

  “What do you mean you love her? The way Drew loves Eden or the way Colfax loves Velvet?” Mercury asked.

  Everyone was familiar with Mercury’s friend Jaye Colfax. He claimed he was in love with Velvet Spencer; however, he wasn’t in love with the woman, just the sex because it was off the chain.

  “It’s like Drew and Eden.”

  That confession was like a missile going off in his kitchen, and with it came a blast. Colorful expletives were discharged in different languages because he and all of his brothers spoke several foreign languages. In fact, maybe that was a good thing considering Brittany was upstairs. He hadn’t heard her moving around, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t awakened. The last thing she needed to hear was the Steele brothers discussing her.

  “Let’s speak German,” Galen suggested.

  English or German, what his brothers were saying was scorching his ears. He was being called everything but a child of God. Now he knew how Donovan felt, because Galen had been one of the first to read his cousin the riot act, as if falling in love was something he could have avoided.

  When he felt they’d pretty much gotten everything off their chests, and probably every filthy word they could think of out of their mouths, he stood and said in German, “Okay, you’ve all had your say, now get over it.”

  It wasn’t just what he said, but the tone he used that made his kitchen suddenly get quiet. Five pairs of green eyes stared at him. And then he said, “What happens to me has no bearing on the five of you.”

  He knew it was a lie even as he said it. Eden Tyson Steele wouldn’t see it that way. She would think one down and five more to go.

  “And you truly love her? This woman you met…less than a week ago?” Jonas asked, looking at him like he ought to have his head examined.

  “We didn’t just meet. I met her in New York six months ago.”

  “Hey, wait a minute,” Gannon said, as if something had just clicked inside his head. “Is she the one who got away?”

  Galen couldn’t help but smile. Gannon had a tendency to remember everything. “Yes, she’s the one, which is why I don’t plan on letting her get away again.”

  “So when is the wedding?” Jonas asked. “If I’m going to be in a wedding, I need to know when. My schedule is pretty crazy for the next few months.”

  Galen shrugged. “Don’t know because she hasn’t a clue how I feel. And chances are she might not return the feelings.”

  His brothers looked aghast at such a possibility. After all, Galen was a Steele and all women loved the Steeles. “So you’re going to have to work on her? Convince her you’re worthy of her affections?” Tyson asked, as if the thought of Galen doing such a thing was downright shameful.

  “Yes, and I intend to win her over.”

  “And if you don’t?”

  An assured and confident smile touched his lips. “I will.”

  Brittany was halfway down the stairs when she heard the sound of male voices…and they were speaking in a different language. German, she believed, but wasn’t sure. The only other language she spoke was Spanish. Why would they be doing such a thing? She stopped walking, wondering if she should interrupt.

  She shrugged. A few days ago when she’d asked about meeting his brothers, Galen had said they’d come around sooner or later, when word got out about her. They were here, so evidently word was out and she might as well get it over with and make an appearance.

  She walked into the kitchen. “Good morning.”

  The room went silent and six pairs of eyes turned to her. Her gaze immediately latched onto Galen’s as the other men just stared at her. The one thing she did notice was that they appeared to be sextuplets. All six had the same height and build and those Smokey Robinson eyes. And all were handsome as sin.

  Galen walked over to her and she felt a semblance of relief because his brothers just continued to eye her up and down. She was glad she looked pretty decent in her knit top and skirt.

  “Okay, guys, I want you to meet Brittany Thrasher,” Galen said, wrapping one arm around her waist. “Brittany, from left to right, that’s Tyson, Eli, Jonas, Mercury and Gannon.”

  She smiled warmly, then said, “Nice meeting all of you.”

  But the men didn’t reply. They just continued to gawk. “It’s not polite to stare.”

  Simultaneously, their faces broke into smiles and Brittany knew Nikki’s warnings about these brothers were true. They were Phoenix’s most eligible bachelors, heartbreakers to the core. Even the one standing close by her side.

  “Sorry. Please forgive our manners,” the one introduced as Tyson said. “Your beauty has left us speechless.”

  Yeah, right, she thought to herself. This one, Dr. Tyson Steele, was the epitome of suave and sophisticated, exuding an aura of self-assurance and confidence. Instead of saying what she really thought about his compliment, though, she decided to accept it graciously. “Thank you.”

  “My brothers brought breakfast. Please join us,” Galen invited.

  She shook her head. “That’s okay. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “And you didn’t,” Eli said. “Please join us. We insist.”

  Her gaze lit on the man who looked like he could easily grace the cover of GQ. In fact they all did, including Galen. She allowed herself a moment to size up the brothers the same way they were doing with her. They were probably trying to figure things out between her and their brother. Evidently, Galen hadn’t told them much and now they probably wanted to pump information out of her.

  She’d never had siblings, so she didn’t know how they operated collectively. But she had a feeling those Steeles were rather unique when it came to looking out for each other. She wondered if they saw her as a threat to Galen for some reason.

  Deciding to go along with the invitation, she said, “Thanks. I’d love to join you for breakfast.”

  She glanced up at Galen. His arms were still around her waist, but he had an odd look on his face. Had he expected her to turn down his invitation? Sometimes she could read him and sometimes she could not.

  This was one of those times.

  Galen leaned back in his chair watching Brittany. She conversed and joked easily with his brothers and they had definitely warmed up to her. Over breakfast she had told them about her business and in kind, they told her about theirs. That unfortunately extended their stay. He was about to suggest they think about leaving when Jonas remembered their golf game at noon, and the five reluctantly left.

  “I like your brothers,” Brittany said when Galen returned after walking them to the door with strict orders not to come back anytime soon.

  “They’re okay.” He had sat there and watched her interactions with his siblings, thinking of just how well she would fit in with his family. His parents would adore her; especially his mother. Brittany said she’d never had a family before; well, she had one now. His brothers didn’t take to people easily. They were usually guarded and reserved. But they had taken to her.

  “Did you sleep well last night?” he asked, walking over to her.

  He saw the blush that stained her cheeks when she said, “Yes. I didn’t mean to be so much trouble. I see you got me ready for bed and tucked me in.”

  And I told you a story you probably don’t remember, he thought. “You weren’t any trouble. I didn’t mind taking care of you.”

  “But you shouldn’t have had to. That wasn’t part of our agreement, Galen.”

  Damn the agreement, he wanted to say. Instead he said, “So what are your plans today? We left your car at the house. Do you want to go back and get it now or do you want to wait until later?”

  “I’ll wait until later, if you don’t mind. Do you usually work on your video games on Sunday, as well?”

  “It depends on what I have to do to it. Sniper is relatively finished except for
a few components. Would you like to see it?”

  He could tell by her expression she was surprised he’d asked. “Can I?”

  “Sure. Come on.”

  She followed him to the door that led to his garage. He opened it and then held it for her to precede him through it and down the steps. “Is this a garage or a dungeon?” she threw over her shoulder to ask.

  He laughed as he closed the door and followed her downstairs. “In a way it’s both. My house is built on a high peak, but the driveway is on a slope, which means you have to drive down to the garage. It’s a six-car garage.”

  “You have that many cars?”

  He chuckled. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. I collect vintage cars, specifically muscle cars,” he said when they reached the bottom.

  She glanced over at him. “What’s a muscle car?”

  “It’s a high-performance automobile that was manufactured in the late sixties and early seventies. I own three now and I’m always looking to add more to my collection.”

  She glanced around. “This is a huge area and I’ve never seen a garage floor that’s tiled, and with such nice stone pavers.”

  He smiled. “Thanks. Come on. I’ll show you my cars and then I’ll let you watch me work with Sniper.”

  Brittany followed Galen and admired the vintage cars he had in his collection. They were beautiful, all three of them—a 1967 Camaro, a 1969 GTO and a 1968 Road Runner. They went along with his everyday cars, the late-model SUV, Corvette and Mercedes sedan.

  “Where did you get your interest in muscle cars?” she asked, admiring the sleek design and craftsmanship of each vehicle. She didn’t know a lot about cars, but she could tell these were in great shape. A collector’s dream.

  “My father. He has his own collection,” he explained as he led her over to his work area.

  She couldn’t believe how spacious his work space was, and how neat and organized. She could see why he preferred working in his garage instead of an off-site office or warehouse. Everything was at his fingertips here.

  He offered her the seat next to his and then proceeded to explain how the video game would work and what he needed to do to get it ready for the Video Game Expo in the spring. She could hear the excitement in his voice when he told her about it. She was touched that he was sharing his work with her. He hadn’t invited her in here before and she wondered why he was doing so now. Still, it felt good knowing he had allowed her into his private space.

  Brittany scooted her chair closer as he talked her through the assembly of one of the components of the game. Everything was being designed on a huge computer screen in front of him. She was amazed at how much graphic art expertise went into the creation of a game, as well as the game engine. The more she watched, the more she admired his skill, proficiency and imagination.

  She glanced over at him. His face was set with determination and concentration. But he was her focal point as she studied him, scanned his features with the intensity of a woman who wanted a man.

  She liked watching his hands move and remembered those same hands moving over her as his fingertips caressed the curve of her breasts, cupped her backside or slid between her thighs. A rush of heat hit her in the chest as her body responded to the memories. She let out a slow breath.

  “Getting bored?” he asked, glancing over at her.

  “No, not at all. I enjoy looking at you work.” And I enjoy looking at you.

  She watched him save whatever program he’d been working on and then turn to her. Galen had a way of looking at her that left her breathless, made her hot. Made the area between her legs tingle.

  “You ever make out in the backseat of a car?”

  She clamped her mouth shut to keep it from dropping open. Was she really supposed to answer that? Evidently, because he seemed to be waiting on her response.

  “No.”

  “You want to try it?” There was that arrogant smile on his face. The one she both loved and detested.

  “Before you answer, let me tell you how it will work,” he said, leaning closer so that his heated breath came into contact with her skin. “The backseat of the car will be the ending point. We will actually start here in my work space. I want to take you all over it.”

  His words sent a surge of anticipation through her. Adrenaline pumped through her bloodstream; visual imagery danced in her head. “I’ll start off by licking you all over and then going inside you so deep, you won’t know where your body ends and mine begins.”

  He reached out and with the tip of his finger he caressed her arm. She could feel the goose bumps forming there. “And after we make love over in this area a few times…”

  A few times? Mercy.

  “Then we’ll move to the cars. You can take your pick.”

  Boy, was he generous. In more ways than one. His fingers had moved from her arm and had dropped to her thigh and were now slowly sliding beneath her skirt. One spot he touched made her quiver inside. And she was convinced her panties were getting wet.

  “So, Brittany Thrasher, what do you say?”

  She couldn’t say anything. She wasn’t capable of speech. As an intense ache spread all over her body, she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She decided to let her actions show him what she couldn’t put into words.

  Chapter 17

  Galen didn’t have a problem with Brittany taking the initiative with this kiss after he’d planted a few sensuous seeds in her mind. He would use any tactic he thought would work. He was determined to bind her to him and they might as well start here, because they did enjoy making love.

  And today he intended for there to be plenty of foreplay. When it was all said and done, Brittany would know without a doubt that she was his. Permanently and irrevocably.

  While her tongue tangled with his, she began kneading the muscles in his shoulders, heating his blood to flash point. He pulled her out of her chair and into his lap, scooting his own chair back from the table so that her body was practically draped over his.

  And then he took over the kiss and decided to seduce her Galen Steele–style. The exploration of her mouth was intense and he intended for his tongue to leave a mark wherever it went. He was on the verge of getting intoxicated just with a kiss and a touch. Then he slid his fingers into her womanly folds, and her groan sent spirals of intense longing right to his crotch, making his erection press hard against the zipper of his jeans.

  With her in his arms he stood and stripped her naked in record time, for desire consumed him in a way it never had before. When he was done with hers, he removed his own clothes and noticed her staring down at his erection.

  “You want it, Brittany?”

  She glanced up at him. “Yes, I want it.”

  “Then take it.”

  He didn’t have to say the words twice. She eased down in front of him.

  “I’ve never done this before,” she said, looking up at him, “but I want so much to do it for you.”

  He smiled down at her. “Practice makes perfect.”

  “And if you don’t like it?”

  “I’m going to like it. Trust me.”

  She held his gaze for a moment and then said in a soft voice, “I do trust you, Galen.”

  And then she dipped her head and took him into the warmth of her mouth. Every part of his body, every cell and molecule, quivered in response. Her hand gripped him while her mouth drove him crazy. Using her tongue she covered every inch of him, from the tip all the way to the base.

  He reached out and tightened his hand in her hair and let out a deep guttural groan. Had she actually thought he wouldn’t like this? How could he not like the feel of her hot tongue gliding over him, and then pulling him inside the sweet recesses of her mouth? When he felt a deep throbbing about to erupt, he quickly pulled her up and swept her into his arms and placed her on his work desk, spreading her legs in the process.

  He sheathed himself with a condom and made good his threat to lick her all over. With erotic cares
ses his tongue covered every inch of her, intent on giving her the pleasures she thought she could never enjoy. And he didn’t let up until he had her on the verge of a climax. But then he didn’t really let up; he delved in deeper, using his tongue to deliver powerful strokes. She moaned and writhed beneath his mouth.

  And then she screamed, shuddered uncontrollably and clutched the sides of his head as the intense sensations erupted inside her. Sensations Galen felt in his mouth. He hadn’t been prepared for a woman like her. He hadn’t been prepared to fall in love with her.

  But he had.

  When he pulled his mouth away while licking his lips, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Now we make out in my car.”

  Galen knew for the rest of the day he would continue to assault her mind with desire and fill her body with pleasure. He couldn’t imagine ever being inside any other woman but her for the rest of his days.

  And as he picked her up into his arms and carried her toward his 1969 GTO, he knew that sex between them would never be enough. But he intended to make it a good start.

  Brittany stepped out of the shower and caught her reflection in the vanity mirror and couldn’t help but smile. For someone who’d started out the week with hidden pleasures, Galen had done a pretty good job of uncovering them.

  Her smile slowly faded when she remembered they had only two more days and then their week together would end. She thought of her mother’s home as hers, and had even gone so far as to order repairs to those areas that needed it. And she would be interviewing a painter later today after having lunch with Nikki.

  She would leave Saturday morning to fly back to Tampa with plans to return to Phoenix in a week’s time. She had finished reading all of her mother’s entries in the journal and continued to feel the love her mother had for her. She’d thought about expanding the house and using it to open a home base for Etiquette Matters. She had discussed the idea with Galen, who thought it was a good one.