Love Reflection (Entwined Hearts #1)

by Maria Macdonald

  “So Soph, have you been out with anyone lately?” I ask.

  Both Saul and Dane pause what they’re doing to stare at her. I can see that makes her feel unsettled and I wish the ground would swallow me whole for asking that question. Even though a month ago it wouldn’t have been such an awkward question.

  “No, not lately. I’ll probably start going out again soon. You can come with me,” she says with pleading eyes.

  I nod. “Of course, we can have a girlie night out.”

  Dane injects. “I can always come, you know, to make sure you’re both safe.” I roll my eyes then Saul adds, “I can come too, you know, I’ve always looked after you two.”

  “There isn’t much point to a girl’s night out with you two tagging along,” I point out, which gets me glares from them both. I look to Soph and widen my eyes while she’s trying not to laugh.

  “Yeah, we don’t want you two coming along. You cramp our style,” she says and winks at me.

  “It’s not like either of you are on the pull for men anyway, right?” Dane asks, but it feels more like he’s telling us.

  “Well no. I mean, I haven’t thought about it… you know… since… ” Soph says, her voice cracking.

  “You don’t need anyone Soph, except the people you’ve always had,” says Saul and I feel like it’s a dig at Dane.

  Dane just glares at Saul. “Good job you’ve known me for years too then, Soph,” he says addressing Soph, but staring at Saul and Saul glares right back.

  “Yeah, known you for years. It’s not like you weren’t always good to her, right? Not like you discarded her like a used tissue,” Saul fires back.

  “Enough!” I shout and they both shut up and turn their glares at me while Soph’s head is bowed and her shoulders are hunched over.

  “Do not talk about her like she isn’t here. She’s not a prize for you to compete over. I wanted tonight to be special. I wanted it to be something I will remember and not for the wrong reasons. I’ve had it up to here,” I say putting my hand on the top of my head. “I have something to tell you Saul and I wanted you here, so I could tell you. It’s kind of Dane’s story too, but I wanted it to come from me. Now seeing as dinner is effectively ruined by you two children, let’s move into the lounge,” I say and grab Soph’s hand pulling her with me to the other room.

  As we’re walking she leans into me and whispers, “That was bad-arse, you rock lady!” I look round at her to see she’s smiling. “I forgot what you’re like when you don’t have a cloud over you. Remind me never to piss you off,” she says with a wink.

  When everyone is seated, the guys very obviously trying to keep the glares off their faces. I take a deep breath and begin.

  “Okay, so there’s no easy way to say this, so I’m going to tell you then between Dane and myself we will explain,” I say while they look at me with confused looks, except Dane who looks at me lovingly.

  “Oh my God!” Soph says slapping her hand over her mouth. “I thought you didn’t have any romantic feelings toward him,” she says looking between us.

  “I don’t,” I reply and am about to carry on and chastise her for butting in when Dane pipes up, “You wanted to know if she had romantic feelings for me? Why would you want to know that?” The whole time Saul is glaring at Dane, but I can see the hurt in his eyes and I know why.

  “It’s not… I didn’t… I mean, it’s not like it sounds,” she says and crosses her arms over herself while Saul says, “Obviously, she didn’t mean anything by it, except for worrying about Con’s feelings.” Dane glares at him and they all start bickering and I can’t get a word in, so I shout, “Dane is my brother!”

  They all shutup, then Saul and Soph start speaking at the same time.

  “What? How?” Soph asks.

  “How long have you known? Who else knows?” Saul asks.

  “Calm the fuck down, you’re giving me a headache,” I say rubbing my temples.

  “Right, listen, Dane and I have the same dad. Dane found out a while ago and told Gran, they were going to tell me but then she died so he didn’t get a chance. He stayed away to consider what he should do as he didn’t want to upset my life, but then saw I was spiralling downwards so he found a way back into my life. He told me on Monday and nobody else knows,” I get out the condensed version quick before they all start talking again.

  Saul's eyes are working which means his brain is too. “Why didn’t you tell us on Monday then?”

  I sigh and see Dane go to open his mouth and explain, but the hostile way they’ve been toward each other tonight I decide it’s better that it comes from me, so I hold my hand up to Dane.

  “Let me,” I say and he nods, although I can see his jaw is stiff so he obviously isn’t happy that the burden is on me.

  “The reason we didn’t mention it straight away is because it’s not simple. You see, while Dane is my brother by father, he is your brother too… by mother,” I say looking at Saul.

  Saul doesn’t realise what I’m saying at first, then he jumps out of his seat. “What the fuck!” he shouts.

  “Calm down, Saul,” I say while standing in front of a now standing Dane.

  Soph doesn’t help when she sticks her thoughts in. “Oh yeah, I can totally see the family resemblance,” she says looking between the two men. I slap my hand over my face.

  “Saul, sit down, let Dane explain.” Soph pulls Saul’s arm and he sits next to her while I make Dane sit next to me. Dane explains everything to Saul and although I can see Saul visibly relax where Dane is concerned, I can also see the coldness in his eyes whenever his mother is mentioned.

  The air is tense as Dane is completely honest with Saul and a few times Saul freaks out, but Soph keeps her hand on his leg which seems to calm him. However, I notice Dane look at her hand a number of times and I know the next few months are going to be interesting.

  After everything is out in the open Saul hangs his head. “I knew she was a bitch, a cold bitch. She always has been. I didn’t think she was capable of this,” he says with his head still hanging down.

  Dane brought some paperwork for proof. I never doubted him, but I guess it makes sense for him to give them to Saul. I guess he may have thought the story was fabricated, however farfetched that seems to me.

  “Honestly… I don’t think I would’ve ever told you if you weren’t so close to Pea. I mean I wanted family, but I guess… well… I never really liked you. Sorry bro.”

  I see Saul jerk at the bro comment. Con is the only person to say that to him usually, although I don’t think Dane even realises he’s said it.

  “I was jealous of you when I found out, have been until recently, when I found out from Pea what a class A bitch she is.”

  I look over at Saul, who’s listening to everything and taking it all in.

  “Sorry,” I say and he shakes his head.

  “No point being sorry, Pea, it’s the truth. Far as I can see you’re just stating facts. Better he knows now, so he can be prepared before seeing her.”

  It’s Danes turn to jerk. “I ain’t ever going to see her. I’m not interested. All I want is a family and maybe you and I can build something here, but if not that’s fine, I respect that. Just know I’ll always be in Pea’s life, she’s all I need. I love her.” He wraps his arm around me and gives me a squeeze.

  “I love you too,” I say and smile. I’m glad that some secrets are finally being aired.

  “Now we just need to tell, Con,” I say.

  “Tell Con what?” I hear from the lounge door and my head snaps up to see Con standing in the doorway, black jeans, boots and a dark green Henley. He has his legs slightly apart and standing firm with his arms crossed, which means I can see the defined outline of his muscles. He fills my doorway and he looks divine. He also looks pretty fucked off and has his eyes narrowed on Dane’s arm around my shoulders.

  All at once everyone starts speaking. I hear words like, sister, back, and how long. But I tune out, it’s all like white n
oise, everything around me is blurry and like a dream. All I see is him. I can’t unlock my gaze and apparently neither can he. He doesn’t move, and I’m not sure whether it’s because he hasn’t heard that Dane’s my brother or because he doesn’t know what to do. My body, however, seems to know exactly what to do. I find it’s moving forward of its own accord.

  I can’t hear anything now. Maybe everyone has gone quiet, or maybe I’ve drowned them out. I don’t care. I just see him. When I get to him, I stop and look up. His forest green eyes are swirling with emotion and I study his face, the face I’ve missed so much.

  “It’s you, Con. Always has been,” my mouth says before my brain has a chance to catch up. He lifts his hand and cups the side of my face.

  “Love you, Pea.”

  “I’m so in love with you,” I whisper and he leans in and touches his lips to mine, keeping his eyes open, keeping our contact.

  “I’m back precious… for you.”

  My stomach drops. Now I have to tell him everything. Now it’s time for shit to get real.

  Before I have time to think he grabs my hand, then he looks over my shoulder. “Hey guys,” he says to Saul and Soph. Then he looks over to Dane and nods. “I guess as you’re her brother, I won’t need to call you douche canoe anymore then?” I hear Dane chuckle behind me.

  “I’m sorry to return and then dash, and I promise to catch up with you all in the next few days, but Pea and I have been dancing around each other for too long now and I can’t deal with that shit anymore, so right now I’m dragging her to my house.” I look around and see Soph beaming and Saul and Dane smirking before being led away by Con.

  We get outside to his car and I stare at it. I’d forgotten how pretty it is. If Con even thought I was thinking the word pretty he would moan. I slip inside and Con gets in and raises an eyebrow at me.

  “What? I get in cars now,” I say smiling. He grabs my hand before pulling away. “I’m just glad I have my Pea back,” he says kissing the back of my hand.

  “I was always here, Con,” I say softly.

  “I know, precious. I didn’t mean anything shitty by it.” He has placed my hand on his thigh and is rubbing the back of it with his thumb in between changing gears of the car.

  “I know, it’s just… it’s been a long road for me. I blamed myself for so many things for so long, and there are things I’ve done wrong and things I need to get forgiveness for…” I trail off.

  “Let’s worry about that shit another night, babe. I’m here now and we have catching up to do. Then I’ll be here in the future to help you heal,” he says and looks at me and I can see my love reflected in his eyes.

  “Promise,” I whisper.

  “Always,” he replies and I feel my heart twinge again knowing that he has no idea what he’s promising, and I have no way of knowing whether he will be able to keep that promise.

  “So,” he says bringing me out of my thoughts and continues, “Dane’s your brother? I never would’ve seen that coming.” He chuckles. “I’m glad though, I didn’t want to have to break his face. When I heard him say that he loves you, then you returned the sentiment, I wasn’t happy. Then I heard you say that you had to tell me, it just about broke me, Pea,” his voice is strained and he looks straight ahead. I grab his hand and squeeze.

  “You haven’t heard the best bit yet,” I say trying to move on from the sad moment we seem to be caught in.

  He looks at me then looks back at the road. “What?”

  “He’s Saul’s brother too.” Con swerves the car slightly, it’s a good job the roads are quiet.

  “Fuck! Seriously? They both have that mother?” And that little statement makes me smile. Con knowing something even I questioned for a split second, that my mum would never have had another child that she kept a secret.

  “Yeah, mad isn’t it?” I say.

  “Fuck yeah,” he replies in astonishment.

  We get back to Con’s, he parks the car and we go inside. As soon as we get into the lounge room he grabs me. “Con you haven’t even put the light on!” I say.

  “Hmmm… I don’t plan on staying in this room,” he says while kissing my neck. I let my head fall back and give him free reign, closing my eyes.

  The next thing I know he’s lifting me up in the bridal style and he stalks up the stairs with me in his arms. I snuggle my face into his neck. I know what’s going to happen and I smile. I will always let him have me. When it comes to Con, I’m a total hussy and I don’t care.

  We get into his bedroom. “Fuck me, it’s freezing,” he says and I agree by snuggling myself into him more.

  “Why is it so cold?” I mumble.

  “When I got home earlier. The place smelled musty from being locked up for so long, so I opened the windows to air it out. I shut the windows a few hours ago, but I didn’t expect it to still be cold. I’ll go and put the heating on,” he says while moving swiftly through the room. I kick my shoes off and get under the bed covers trying to keep warm whilst shivering.

  He walks back over and sits on the bed. He takes his boots off and I stare at his back seeing the muscles move, even under his top. He chucks his boots to one side and reaches behind his back to pull his top over his head. Yet again I can’t move, I just stare at his perfection. He tugs his jeans down just leaving his boxers on then gets under the covers.

  “Just to say, if you’re cold, I’m not sure stripping is the way to go,” I say.

  “Well, they say the body generates the most heat, let’s take your clothes off and see if they’re right.” He slips under the covers and I giggle like a schoolgirl.

  I can feel him tugging my leggings down and then he pops his head back up out of the covers.

  “Going commando, Pea? I like it. I may make it a permanent requirement for you.” He grins and I smile before he disappears back under the covers. I however, have no time to smile and ponder, because the next thing I’m aware of is Con’s mouth kissing my inner leg just above my knee and a sigh escapes me. He gently kisses and nibbles my leg moving upwards while pushing my legs gently apart. His hand reaches my sex before his mouth and because I’m concentrating on him kissing my thigh, it takes me by surprise when his finger slides in between my folds. He runs it up and down slowly and then pushes it inside. He brings it out and when he slides it back in, he’s added another finger and at the same time he puts his mouth over my mound and sucks. My back arches off the bed and I can feel myself already starting to let go. I close my eyes and pull my jumper and camisole off, glad that I don’t have a bra on, so I can give him access to my breasts as his hand makes its way out of the duvet and tugs on my nipple. I’m writhing to his rhythm and the sparks are taking over my body ready to ignite when he stops.

  “Ahhh!” I scream and he pokes his head out of the covers.

  “Sorry babe, but I need you to finish with me inside of you,” he says and I can already feel him at my entrance. He rubs his cock up and down my folds, coating it with my juices.

  “You’re so wet.”

  “Always for you, Con,” I say with a moan as he rocks into me. He moves back and forward pushing into me and opening me slowly.

  “Is it only me?” he asks and I know what he’s saying, so I nod as the fire lights his eyes and he pushes all the way inside me.

  “Ahhh!” I groan while he simultaneously moans, “Fuck.”

  He rocks back and forth. “More Con,” I rasp and his pace quickens. He leans down and takes my nipple in his mouth, gently nibbling on it. Then he moves forward and looks in my eyes before lowering his mouth onto mine. He gently kisses me, then it becomes more fevered as he moves faster and harder. He reaches down and uses his thumb on my pussy and the combination sends me over the edge. Just as I’m coming down, I feel his release. He settles on top of me for a second then spins us over, so I’m lying on him. We breathe hard for a few minutes then settle ourselves down.

  “You only got back today,” I ask.

  “Mmm,” he says.

 
“You came to see me on the day you landed?”

  “Mmm.”

  “You must be tired?” I ask.

  “Mmm.”

  “Con, there is so much I have to share with you, so much to say.”

  This time I get nothing, so I look down at him and he’s asleep. It’s starting to feel like I’m never going to get a chance, to be honest.

  I can feel the heat rising from the radiator as I lean against it trying to warm my body. Stupidly I came home and jumped straight into the shower without thinking about turning the heating on in the house first. Now I’m regretting it and feeling like my nipples are going to fall off at any moment.

  As my body is defrosting itself, I let my mind drift away and think over the last twenty-four hours. A whirlwind that I’ve been caught up in. It’s almost allowed me to forget my dishonesty and instead focus on this brief glimpse of happiness that I’m scared is going to be snatched away at any minute. I’ve decided though that tonight I have to be honest. He has come back for me and we obviously want to be back together, so the longer I keep this from him, the worse it will be when he finds out.

  I tried to be honest with him… okay, so I haven’t tried extremely hard. In my defence, when it’s been a while since you’ve had the big O from the love of your life, you kind of bask in it when it reappears. I’ve been enjoying him and tonight we’re off out on our first official date since he arrived back.

  I needed to get to work today, I had a late morning start at the hospital and worked all afternoon on one of the wards. Con sent me to work with a spring in my step and a couple of orgasms under my belt before eleven a.m. He also said I needed to be ready for dinner tonight and that he’d pick me up at seven. I haven’t spoken to him since. He’d sent me one text though.

  Con: Don’t forget dinner at 7. After dinner I get dessert.

  I had chuckled at his dirty innuendo and gone back to work.