by Alexia Praks
“Sakura?” A voice echoed from the distance. “Sakura?”
Sakura stopped, wondering where the voice had come from. “Sakura?” She heard it again. “Sakura?”
Sakura searched around for the owner of that familiar voice, but he was nowhere to be found. Suddenly she saw azure eyes and a hand reached out to her.
“Sakura?”
She felt hands touching her face. Sakura blinked. In her dazed and feverish state, she felt herself being lifted and then positioned on someone’s back. She felt the person running, his breathing hard and labored. He smelled nice, of earth and pinewood. She loved his smell.
“Don’t die on me, Sakura,” she heard him say.
She didn’t know how long he’d been running, piggybacking her, nor did she know that it was getting dark. Suddenly she felt cool drops of rain on her skin. That felt nice. It cooled down her hot skin. She sighed. Her chest still hurt, though, and she groaned again.
“Hold on, Sakura. We’re almost there,” he said.
Oh no! Too cold now. Too much rain. She shivered. No! Way too cold now.
“Shit! A storm? Now?” She heard him swear.
She heard thunder clashing in the distance, and automatically she tightened her arms around him. She whimpered, afraid.
She felt him tighten his hold on her as if to soothe her fear.
“We’ll have to stay there for the night,” he said. “It’s too dark. And the storm…”
Some more running, and then she couldn’t feel the rain anymore. She felt him gently lay her on the cold, hard ground. She tried to open her eyes but found she couldn’t and closed them again.
When she did manage to open her eyes sometime later, she saw a small fire burning brightly not too far away. She felt so very cold. She shivered. Her chest still hurt. Her body ached. Where am I?
She groaned. She reached her hand toward the fire but found she was too weak to do so. Then she felt herself being moved and her body was on top of someone. The chest was bare and warm. She sighed and rested her face against the nape of the person’s neck and her body against that very warm, inviting naked body. She felt arms embracing her, hugging her, keeping her warm. She turned her face to gaze up at the boy who was hugging her. She saw azure eyes looking down at her with concern. His young face was marked with sweat and dirt.
“You have a fever,” he said softly, pulling his jacket on top of her as a blanket.
“Sebastian,” she whispered.
Sebastian tightened his arms around her as he rested his back against the cold, hard rock behind him. At least this cave would keep them dry and warm for the night. Tomorrow morning when the rain stopped, he’d take her home, and Dr. Young would treat her fever. It was from the drowning. Too much water had penetrated her lungs, and now she was infected with pneumonia. He just hoped she’d survive the night. No, he told himself firmly. She will survive this night. He’d make sure of that.
Sakura moved and touched her cold hand against his warm, bare chest. “Why did you come after me?”
He softened his face and asked, “Why did you run away?”
She bit her lip. Her heart hurt. “Because no one wants me. I don’t want to burden anybody.”
“That’s not true,” he said. In fact, everyone, except for Alaina and Tara, was out searching for her since early this morning when they’d found her gone from her room. They all had practically turned the house upside down looking for her and had to extend the search to the whole estate once they couldn’t find her.
She looked up at him again, tears in her eyes. “No one wants me.”
“What about Mom and Dad? They love you very much, Sakura. They’d be devastated if you’re gone.”
She groaned. “Mom and Dad,” she whispered. “I love them so very much too.” Then she looked up at him. “What about you? Do you love me?”
Sebastian swallowed. He hesitated. His hands fisted tight. His heart trembled.
“I see. You don’t even like me? Just a little? As your sister?”
Sebastian slowly shook his head. No, he couldn’t lie to her, not even in her state of sickness. “Sakura, I’m sorry.”
Her heart retched with pain. “I see,” she whispered, disappointed. She cast her eyes downward, hiding her tears.
Sebastian touched her chin and nudged her face so she could look at him. Very slowly he brought his face down to hers, and gently he kissed her on her lips.
Her lips were soft, and Sebastian loved the feel of her against him. His kiss was gentle and soft and very loving.
Tears burned in Sakura’s eyes. So he loves me after all, she thought. She was so happy. She relaxed against him and allowed him to kiss her deeper.
Sebastian had never kissed any girl before, and Sakura was his very first. Though he was inexperienced, his innate nature knew what it was doing. He opened his lips, plunged his tongue into her small mouth, and kissed her deeply—pouring out all of his love for her that he’d kept hidden within him for so long. His fingers dug deep into her thick hair, his thumb caressing her feverish skin.
When he moved his head back, breathless and his heart glowing with love, she smiled up at him. “Thank you,” she said and then slowly closed her eyes again.
Sebastian knew she wouldn’t remember their kiss when she woke again. He smiled sadly and thought at least for now he had her all to himself. He tightened his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “I love you,” he whispered.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 5
The Best Man Wins
When Sakura opened her eyes, it was so bright she had to shut them again. This time, she slowly fluttered her eyelids open to get used to the sharp brightness. As she stared up at the ceiling, she wondered why she was sleeping in so late and why she was feeling so tired.
Slowly she brought her fingers to touch her lips, gently caressing them. Why she was touching her lips she wasn’t sure. She was sure, however, that she’d had a dream. What was it? Why couldn’t she remember?
She continued to stroke her lips as her brain searched far and wide for that elusive dream she was sure she had last night. Then in a flash, what happened yesterday rushed back to her. Suddenly she felt that heavy burden within her chest.
She couldn’t believe she couldn’t defend herself. She was now a twenty-three-year-old woman, and Tara and Alaina had still managed to bully her. This was unacceptable. Why did she let them bully her? It just wasn’t right.
She gritted her teeth. No! From this moment forward, she would no longer allow those two vile women to hurt her. Nope! Not anymore.
At that thought, she fisted her hands and jumped off the bed, suddenly no longer tired. Yes, she knew exactly what to do. She would never drown again—ever!
Without taking a good look at herself, she rushed out the door and headed straight downstairs. With a determined look on her face, she burst through the dining room door.
The brothers, who were at that moment sitting around the table having their very late lunch since they’d just returned from their very unpleasant hairdressing experience, looked up. What they saw nearly sent them to heaven.
Sakura was in her pajamas of cotton sleep shirt and shorts. The buttons of the shirt were mostly undone from the top to midway down her chest, thus showing off her lovely flesh beneath. Since her shirt was quite long, the hem reaching down to just above her thighs, it looked as though she wasn’t wearing any shorts, thus showing off her lovely bare, long, slender legs. Not to mention her hair was a mess, her skin petal white, her lips red, her cheeks tinged a rosy color, and her eyes were wild and large as she gazed at them.
She was hot. She was sexy. And every one of the brothers wanted to ravish her.
Nicolas choked on his coffee, and his glasses nearly fell off his fine nose as he stared at the young woman at the door. Tristan blinked and blinked and blinked yet again. Logan forgot he was pouring himself a cup of coffee and kept on pouring until the coffee was pouring onto the white linen tablecloth. Sebastian had a pi
ece of sandwich in his mouth and it stayed there. Hayden had a piece of sausage on his fork, ready for his mouth, but now the sausage had escaped back onto the plate and the fork was in his mouth by itself. Darcy could only stare at her in shocked surprise. And Conrad grinned, his eyes large, his face flushed red at seeing her in such a seductive state.
Sebastian was the first to gain his wits, and after he’d finished chewing his sandwich and awkwardly swallowed, he cleared his throat and told his brothers to quit staring.
Nicolas cleared his throat also and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, returning his attention to his tablet. “You’re messing up the tablecloth, Logan!” he said.
Logan blinked, turned his attention to his coffee, and when he realized what he’d done, he swore under his breath. Tristan laughed at his brother.
Sakura closed the door behind her and announced to the room, “I’ve decided to learn how to swim.”
Sebastian snapped up his head and stared at her in amazement. Darcy widened his eyes, and Conrad smiled even wider. Tristan got up and came around to her. He had a grin on his face that made his brothers suspicious. Without warning, he grabbed Sakura, pulled her into his arms, and hugged her real tight.
“Good morning, Sakura,” he said into her ear, his warm breath fanning her skin.
“What the hell are you doing, Tristan?” Conrad asked.
“Err, good morning, Tristan,” Sakura replied uncomfortably, realizing he’d had a haircut. She blinked and turned to look at the brothers and noticed they all had their hair cut. Sebastian’s blond hair was now cropped to just past his neck and cleanly styled, which made him look even more handsome than ever. Darcy’s long hair was completely gone and now the length only reached just past his neck. He looked very stylish, like some very hot male model in a fashion magazine. His eyes met hers, and she caught her breath at the back of her throat. Oh, God! He looked so different from before and so gorgeous. As for the rest of the brothers, they had their hair professionally trimmed and styled. They definitely looked amazing.
“Morning hugs,” Tristan said. Then he cheekily added, “And now for the morning kisses.”
Within a second flat, Hayden was out of his chair and shoving Tristan back. He pulled Sakura into his arms and hugged her tightly. “I’m giving her morning hugs, too.”
“Why, you brat!” Tristan snapped.
Hayden laughed. “Go lie down, you old dog.” Then he turned his attention to Sakura and said softly into her hair, “Good morning, Sakura. Did you have a good sleep last night?”
Sebastian and Darcy eyed each other with concern.
“Err, good morning, Hayden. Yes, I did,” she said, giving him a cute smile.
Sebastian and Darcy eyed each other again. They wondered if she’d forgotten about her nightmare from last night and them in her room.
“Oi, Hayden!” Logan called out. “Let her go. You’re suffocating her.”
Hayden scowled at his brother and finally did let her go, reluctantly though. Tristan put his hands on her shoulders and his face beside her nape as he said, “Come along now. It’s lunchtime.” He gently nudged her toward the table.
Sakura felt rather weird that he was so close to her. She grinned politely and said, “But I’m only here to ask Sebastian a favor.”
Sebastian choked on his coffee and coughed loudly. Darcy frowned darkly. Tristan decided to look jealous, and Logan chuckled.
“Be careful,” Nicolas said. “It’s hot. Very hot.”
The brothers understood what Nicolas meant, but none of them were paying him any attention. After all, they liked it hot and dangerous. The hotter and more dangerous, the better.
Sebastian, after wiping himself clean from coffee, turned his attention to her and asked, “What is it?”
“Can you teach me how to swim?” she asked, her eyes pleading. “I’ll pay you.”
Tristan made her sit beside him. “Why him, Sakura? I can teach you how to swim.” He leaned closer and said softly, “I can teach you how to put on a swimsuit and take it off again.”
Darcy growled at Tristan, completed with a good scowl. “Any one of us can teach her how to swim,” he said coolly. “It’s not that hard.”
“I can teach you how to swim, Sakura,” Conrad said. “I’m totally a good teacher, and I won’t charge you.”
“Lay off it, puppy boy,” Tristan said. “Sakura wants me to teach her. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
Sakura blushed. The brothers knew Tristan was flirting with their adopted sister again.
Nicolas finally put down his tablet and said to his audience, “Since I’m the eldest, I’ll take the responsibility.” He turned to smile at Sakura. “I’ll be your swimming instructor, Sakura.”
Logan folded his arms across his chest and laughed loudly. The brothers turned to look at him as if he’d gone mad. Logan shook his head. “Don’t you think that’s rather unfair?”
Nicolas cocked his head to one side. “Your meaning?”
“Even though you are the eldest, it doesn’t mean you’re the best at swimming or any good at being a swimming instructor.”
Sakura glanced from one brother to another, confused. Good God! She was only here to ask for one favor and now look at where it got her. She didn’t like it one bit that they were fighting over who got to be her swimming instructor. She stood up and was about to say something when Hayden said loudly, “Logan has a point.”
“All right, we’ll toss a coin.” Tristan suggested.
“No!” Conrad put in. “I’ll be Sakura’s teacher.”
“How about a bet?” Tristan suggested again.
“How about a race?” Sebastian put in.
The brothers stopped arguing and looked at Sebastian, their faces impassive.
“Four hundred meters, freestyle,” he said in a challenging voice.
Conrad looked as though he were about to die. Nicolas frowned. Tristan slumped back in his chair. Logan groaned loudly. Hayden shook his head and chuckled. Darcy said calmly, “You’re on.”
Sebastian nodded and turned his attention to his other brothers. “Well?”
Tristan waved at him to just go ahead and shoot him.
Conrad said, “It’s not fair. I wish I’d trained to swim professionally.”
Hayden said, “I’m in.”
Nicolas got up from his chair and headed out the door. “Let’s go, then.”
Sakura was lost. What were they on about? Why were they competing to be her swimming instructor?
One by one, the brothers got off their chairs and headed out the door. Tristan came to stand behind her, put both his hands on her shoulders, and said very closely to her ear, “Let’s go. The race is about to begin.”
Sakura blinked. “But—”
“Don’t argue now. You know we don’t like to be kept waiting,” Tristan said, pulling her out of her chair.
Sakura reluctantly followed them out of the dining room door, and only moments later she found herself in the pool area with seven grown men.
She shrieked and nearly ran from the scene when she saw Sebastian pulling off his T-shirt. Her heart thumped so loudly in her chest and her stomach flipped so hard she thought she was going to die of a heart attack.
Oh my gosh! Sebastian looked amazing with just his jeans on. His muscles were toned and well shaped, not to mention his six-pack. Sakura had heard of women who liked to look at men, especially at their abs, and sigh with that odd feeling in the pit of their stomachs. She thought that type of thing would never ever happen to her, but she was wrong. She was feeling it right now. Her body felt all tingly, and her breathing became a bit labored.
She saw Sebastian looking at her in that strange way of his again. She bit her lip and hastily looked away, only to see Darcy taking off his shirt, too.
Compared to Sebastian, Darcy wasn’t as bulky, though his muscles were as toned and well-defined as Sebastian’s. His abs were very prominent and caused Sakura’s breath to catch at the back of her throat.
Oh God! Another hot, shirtless man.
Then Nicolas, Tristan, Logan, Hayden, and, of course, Conrad all took off their shirts. Oh, God, she thought. She hoped they weren’t going to go totally naked in front of her. She was about to run away to save herself from the embarrassment of seeing seven hot men naked when Tristan caught her by the shoulders and said cheekily, “How about a kiss for good luck?”
Sakura blushed. “I’m not kissing anybody, and what are you guys doing anyway? I’ve already asked Sebastian to be my swimming instructor.”
“Ah,” Nicolas said, taking off his glasses. “It’s already been decided.” He gave her a grin.
Sakura gasped. Oh gosh! Nicolas looked so different without his glasses. He looked very handsome. His eyes, though perhaps he couldn’t see properly, had that twinkle in them.
“If you guys keep doing this, I’ll ask Richard to teach me instead,” she said loudly, almost in sheer panic. She was panicking because she was surrounded with seven very good-looking, shirtless men who were about to take off their jeans. Breathe, Sakura, breathe, she told herself.
The brothers weren’t listening to her. Sebastian jumped into the pool with his jeans still on, followed by Conrad and Hayden.
Sebastian said loudly, “Richard is a lousy swimmer.”
“Yes, he is indeed,” Logan said, shoving Tristan to the side. “Now then,” he said, leading Sakura by the wrist to the seat near the pool. “You just sit here and enjoy the race, eh?”
Sakura didn’t want any part in their competition and was about to run when Logan chuckled and said, “You know it makes no difference whether you want us to race or not. It’s just us brothers. When we want something we like, we compete for it. And it doesn’t matter if we know we’re going to lose. We’ll still give it our best shot. So just sit there and enjoy the race. There’s a good girl.”
