Sultry

by Lexi Buchanan

  I look more closely at her and she looks nervous. Pulling my hand free, I cup her face and pull her gently into me. “Tell me.”

  Her eyes close before she opens them but with tears on her lashes. Leaning down, I kiss each one before resting my forehead against hers—one of my favorite places—wondering what the hell has happened.

  “Sarah saw us together.” My eyes widen as she offers me a wry smile. “She caught sight of us leaving the restroom and waited until you’d disappeared before letting me know.”

  Realizing she’s worried and needs comfort, I pull her into my arms and hold her close. Right now while I’m trying to reassure her with my arms around her, I don’t care who the hell sees us. She’s my girl and this is my right.

  Tell that to Reece!

  “What did she say?”

  “Just that she knows you’re making me sneak around with you and that I need to stop before she tells Reece.”

  “I told her that we’d be telling Reece and no one else would be. She didn’t like that and called me a few choice words before I stomped on her foot and went back into the room.” She kisses me on the neck before settling back against my chest. “The thing is I really don’t know why she’s being like she is. She’s my sister. Sisters are suppose to stand together not be a bitch.”

  Unable to keep the laughter bubbling inside me at bay, I let it out much to Mara’s disgust. “Sorry babe.” I chuckle. “I know it isn’t funny—this situation with Sarah,” I explain, “but you calling her a bitch, tickled me.”

  She rolls her eyes. “We better go and join the others so we don’t screw up tomorrow.”

  “In a minute. I want to hold you in my arms a bit longer before I have to act as though you don’t belong with me.” I kiss the top of her head. “It kills me seeing Phoenix and Reece happily wrapped around their girls when I can’t even hold your hand in front of them,” I admit. The next thing I hear is her sniffling against me. Is she crying?

  “Mara?”

  She shakes her head but stays buried in my chest.

  “Mara, babe. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  I finally get her to lift her head and it crushes me when I see the tears on her face.

  “It hurts me as well,” she whispers, “and now I’m not even sure I can go out there and pretend my feelings for you are platonic.”

  More tears escape her eyes and run towards my waiting thumbs, but I can’t bear this anymore so I lean in and start using my lips to catch them all before placing a tender kiss to each corner of her mouth.

  “Hold me. Hold me tight and never let me go.”

  Pulling her back in to my arms, I do what she asks, although I am going to have to let her go. But for now I can comfort my girl, and in the process comfort me.

  “Everyone is looking for you two,” Phoenix says from behind me.

  Mara tightens her grip around my waist.

  “Give us a minute.”

  “That’s all you’ve got. If I hadn’t overheard Reece telling Callie he was coming looking for you, he’d be the one standing here, although I don’t think much standing would be taking place.”

  He’s right.

  “I hear you.” I kiss Mara on the forehead and gaze into her eyes. “Will you be okay?”

  She nods and tries to offer me a smile, but it ends up being more like a wince than anything else.

  “We can do this. Only a couple more days.”

  “I guess.” Stepping out of my arms, she walks over to Phoenix and gives him a surprise hug, whispering, “Thank you,” into his ear.

  “I’m just going to clean up so I’ll meet you there,” Mara says heading back inside.

  She looks a lot better now than she did earlier, which is a relief. I just hope she holds it together long enough to get through tonight’s rehearsal before the big day tomorrow afternoon.

  Phoenix stands beside me but stays silent—lost in his own thoughts. Then after about five minutes, he says, “No matter what you’ve told me before about how she makes you feel, I found it hard to believe because of her age, but seeing you together like this and how much it was hurting you to see her in tears, I truly believe you’re in love with her,” Phoenix finishes on a smug grin.

  “I’m not going to deny it because it’s true.”

  “What’s true?” Mara asks obviously catching the tail end of my statement.

  “Me and you.” I slide my hand into hers. “C’mon, lets go before they send out another search party.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mara

  “Mara, can you go and find Dahlia? Reece is freaking out because she isn’t answering her phone and you’re the only one who goes out of your way to talk to her.”

  Rolling my eyes, I open my bedroom door to my mom who has been shouting through it about Dahlia. I do get along with her whenever we bump into each other although she was difficult to talk to at the beginning. I don’t blame her really, but I’m happy my mom seems to have accepted her in this whole weird situation.

  “Please Mara. You know Reece isn’t going to settle until she’s accounted for.”

  “I’ll go,” I drop to my bed, “but I only have—”

  “Two hours,” Mom finishes for me.

  “Kristy is already here to start on everyone’s hairstyles and she’s in Jessie and Robin’s room so you and Dahlia can be last. Just go now.” Mom starts picking my shoes up from my floor before throwing them into my closet. “Make sure you call Reece as soon as you find her so he can calm down and concentrate on giving me another daughter and maybe a grandchild.”

  My eyes widen and I start laughing. “I think for now they’re enjoying the practice of baby making more than actually making one.”

  “Your brother is very…protective of those he loves. He needs a huge distraction to take his mind off what you and Donovan are doing.”

  “Um.”

  Doing?

  “Mom.”

  “Oh, for goodness sake Mara. You’re eighteen years old—a woman. I don’t expect you to discuss things with me, but I’m not blind.” She stands in front of me, pushing the loose strands of my hair from my forehead. “You bloom, baby. Whenever he walks into the house, your whole face lights up,” she smiles, “and when you’re not looking he can’t take his eyes from you. I know, I more or less, gave you my blessing before, but honey, as soon as Reece is married you need to tell him that you’re in love with his best friend. It isn’t fair to Donovan and you, and it isn’t fair to Reece. He loves you both.” She kisses me on my cheek. “Now I’ve spoken my wonderful words of wisdom go and find your half-sister.”

  She leaves me surprised in my bedroom. “Half-sister?”

  I’m happy that she’s being cool about Dahlia today. God knows Dahlia could do with some friends in this house.

  Slipping my feet into my boots, I grab my cell and manage to escape the wedding madness here.

  It’s crazy, but I love it, and I can’t wait to witness my brother marrying Callie this afternoon, something that I certainly didn’t think would happen anytime soon. My mind of course jumps to my guy, Donovan. Wondering what he’s up to. Wondering if he’s ready to deck Reece from stressing out over Dahlia. I know I would be, I’m not the most patient of people.

  Deciding that I need to talk to him, I press short cut three on my phone and listen as it starts to ring on his end.

  “Morning babe,” he answers.

  “Morning.”

  “Mara, what’s wrong?”

  “Does something have to be wrong for me to call you?”

  “No, but you sound odd—out of sorts.”

  “I’m good, but I’m on my way to Kix, hoping Dahlia is going to be there. Apparently Reece can’t get hold of her so I figured I’d start there with her being with Ryder last night.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “At the crossroads,” I reply waving to Mr. Frederickson driving his 1953 Cadillac into town. It’s a gorgeous car; one that he’s obviously spent
a fortune on keeping in good condition. It’s a pity it doesn’t go much faster, although I have a feeling that has more to do with the driver than the vehicle.

  “I’ll meet you at Kix. You shouldn’t be going there on your own.”

  I laugh. “Donovan, it’s mid-morning not midnight.”

  “You’re not twenty-one yet. I’m not sure Ryder will let you in.”

  Why didn’t I think of that? In fact, why didn’t my mother think of that?

  “I’ll wait outside.”

  “Okay, babe. I’ll be there in five. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  Now that I’m going to be seeing Donovan, my step feels lighter. I’d wanted to go home with him last night after the rehearsal, but he wouldn’t let me. He said he wanted me too much to not make love to me, and that he hadn’t had time to get the things he wanted to make my first time special.

  I wasn’t too impressed at first but his sweet kisses along with his sweet talk had worked magic on me. So I’d gone home with my family to have a very frustrating night’s sleep.

  I’m still tired, but the excitement of the day will carry me along, and now as I’m approaching Kix I can’t help feel apprehensive at what’s going on with Dahlia. She’s having a hard time coming to terms with everything now that it’s out in the open and I guess my sisters aren’t really helping. Jessie and Robin are blaming her for Dad being such a dick, Amanda has been pleasant, but of course Sarah’s been the bitch that she’s become. I guess it can’t be easy for Dahlia not really having anyone to fall back on because Reece is in the middle of the whole thing, but he’s been distracted with Callie for a while now.

  Before I can drop to the steps, Donovan comes racing into the lot out front of Kix leaving dust in his wake. He pulls to a stop in front of me, and jumping out of his truck strides towards me with purpose. Ripping his shades off, he grabs me by the bottom, pulling me into him. My arms go around his neck as his mouth descends on mine.

  Our tongues tangle, my pussy quivers. God, it has taken seconds for me to go from zero to ten. I wrap my legs around his waist and grind against the hardness I feel in my most sensitive place. I can’t get enough of him as I chase his tongue back into his mouth, our moans mingle the higher our passion rises. His hands on my bottom squeeze and start to help me grind against him, but he pulls his mouth free and stills my movement.

  “Wow,” he gulps. “That was unexpected,” he tells me in a rough voice sounding sexy as hell.

  “I missed you.” I rotate my hips and I’m delighted when he gasps and puts me away from him.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this out here.” He breathes out while leaning against his truck. The distance between us is only a few feet, but I need to be close to him so I step closer and watch as his eyes darken. “I’m trying to get my body under control and you’re not helping.”

  “My body is just as out of control as yours is, but I need you close,” I whisper, resting against him with my arms going around his waist as I inhale his woodsy scent into my lungs.

  “Don’t we have a girl to find?”

  Dahlia. I’d forgotten.

  “We do.”

  “Before we do though I think I need to tell you what I overheard last night. When her and Ryder were leaving the club, she told him someone in your family was pretty bad to her. At least that’s how I took what she was saying to him.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. I’d bet it was Sarah, although it could have been Jessie or Robin. Amanda’s pretty cool with her and so is my mom, now.”

  “C’mon.” He takes my hand and pulls me up the steps. “Let’s go and find her because, if I have to guess, Reece is driving everyone crazy wanting to find her.”

  “I’m surprised he’s not here himself.”

  “I spoke to him on the way here to see if he’d heard from her and he said Callie will kill him if he goes AWOL on their wedding day.”

  “That figures,” I mumble.

  Donovan opens the door.

  “I hope she’s here,” I say looking around the place.

  Walking inside Kix for the first time, I’m surprised at how clean and…and nice it is. There are wooden tables throughout the place that look to have a shine to them as though they are new and the walls are covered with all kinds of memorabilia. Everything looks to have a home, which makes the place neat and tidy, but welcoming as well.

  “Hey Ryder.” Donovan drags my gaze to the guy who is responsible for the transformation, which has happened here. The whole town was a buzz with gossip during the renovation.

  If he’s surprised at seeing us together it doesn’t show as he walks closer and shakes Donovan’s hand before reaching for mine.

  “What brings you two in here? Don’t you have a wedding to be at?”

  “That’s what brings us here. We’re looking for Dahlia. Reece is going crazy not being able to get hold of her.”

  His eyes darken. “I know you’ve been good to her Mara, but other members of your family have done nothing but make her life a nightmare. She just wants to be left alone.”

  “I know what my family is like, I put up with enough shit as it is from one of my sisters, but I really like Dahlia and Reece is going to go crazy if she isn’t at his wedding. Please Ryder. Do you know where she is?”

  He assesses us for a few minutes before pointing towards the back with his head. “She’s back there. Don’t upset her.”

  “We won’t,” I reassure him wondering what’s going on between them both.

  Donovan gives a tug on my hand, which gets me moving with him to the door at the side of the bar. Pulling me through, he closes it behind me and pushes me up against it.

  “You looked him over.”

  I laugh.

  He doesn’t.

  “You’re serious?”

  He glares at me.

  I roll my eyes, and feel a bout of teasing come over me.

  “He’s a hot guy,” I reply.

  He growls.

  I slip my hand beneath his tee shirt and drag my nails over his stomach and smile when I feel it quiver.

  “You’re not distracting me.”

  Oh, yes I am.

  Dipping my finger into the front of his jeans, he hisses and closes his eyes as I feel the tip of his aroused flesh. I rub along the leaking slit.

  “You’re going to have me coming in my jeans.”

  Pulling my finger out, I slowly slide it into my mouth. While he watches, I let him see my tongue curl around my finger and then I suck it before letting it plop out of my mouth.

  “That. Was. Cruel.”

  “Let’s go and find Dahlia.” I take his hand this time and grin as he adjusts the bulge in his jeans.

  Thank god I’ve read a lot of books and know just how to tease a hot-blooded male. It gives me a thrill knowing that I can reduce him to a throbbing hard-on with words and a touch.

  Outside, I spot Dahlia sitting on a log at the end of the forest, which borders the back of Kix. Her head is lowered with her face in her hands.

  Rubbing my temples, I turn to Donovan, and ask, “Would you mind waiting here for me? She might be more comfortable with me—female to female.”

  “I’ll wait here.” He gives me a quick kiss before dropping on his ass to the back steps.

  Dahlia watches me as I walk toward her. Her expression is neutral, but as my gaze stays focused on her, I see it starting to slip. I can’t help wishing my brother had told us all about her way back when he had discovered her secret. Perhaps if he had, we could have grown up being friends as well. I like her. I always have although on one or two occasions, I’ve been jealous because of the relationship she has with Reece. I also feel sorry for her as well because she hasn’t had it good. The man who raised her as his daughter is a bastard and has mistreated her for years. I’m just glad he’s disappeared.

  Sitting beside her on the log, I look up and see Donovan sitting outside Kix where he said he’d wait for me. He’s still there and looks damn cute.

  �
�You and Donovan?” Dahlia asks.

  “Yeah,” then I turn to face her, “but please don’t tell Reece. We’re going to tell him after his wedding. In a day or two. He’s going to hit the roof so I’d rather not ruin his wedding.”

  “He loves you and only wants what’s best. He’s spent too much time with Donovan and knows what he’s like with girls.” She shrugs. “Donovan’s changed though. I’ve seen him a few times over this past week and he’s different.” She smiles. “I’m glad, Mara.”

  “Thanks.” I turn to face her, “But what about you? What’s going on?”

  “I can’t keep spending my time with a bunch of vipers. I’m sorry Mara, but I haven’t done anything wrong and I’m not going to subject myself to them anymore.” Her eyes meet mine before she averts them again. “I’ve tried, okay? I’ve tried for Reece, but…I just can’t anymore. I don’t sleep that well at the best of times, but now it’s so hard.”

  This isn’t right. Surely my family can’t be that bad. Well, apart from one person that is. Reece is going to go crazy when he finds out how she’s been treated. I feel glee knowing he’s going to go crazy at her. Kind of getting my own back. God, now I’m becoming Sarah. Ugh!

  “Dahlia, I hear where you’re coming from, but please think about Reece. He’s your best friend and right now he’s going crazy because he can’t get in touch with you. He hasn’t done anything to you, has he? It’s my sister.”

  She nods her head swiping at a tear on her cheek. “I don’t want Reece being upset with me, but…but, I don’t feel strong enough to deal with it all today.”

  This is so not like her. My brother has led me to believe that she’s a fighter and not someone to let people walk all over her.

  “Dahlia, what’s really going on?”

  She won’t look at me.

  “Is it Sarah who’s being a pain in the ass?”

  She doesn’t say anything but she flinches when I say her name.

  “It is. If it’s any consolation, she’s being a bitch to me as well, and I have no idea why. I’m presuming it has something to do with Donovan, but I’m not all that sure.”

  “She hates me. She blames me for all the trouble between your mom and dad, and she won’t leave me alone. She’s like a toothache. The only reason I’m not doing or saying anything is because she’s Reece’s sister. I don’t want him to hate me.” She sounds lost.