Sultry

by Lexi Buchanan

  “She’s your sister too,” I remind her so she knows that she has family. “Reece won’t hate you for putting Sarah in her place. I mean I’m so close to smacking her it isn’t funny.”

  She laughs, but I’m not convinced she’s telling me everything, so I ask, “Are you sure that’s it? I mean we’re talking about Reece’s wedding here?”

  Now she won’t meet my eyes.

  “Dahlia, please talk to me. I promise I’ll keep it to myself if that’s what you want.”

  After a few minutes of silence, she whispers, “She’s blackmailing me.” She sighs. “If I stay away from Reece and the rest of you, she’ll keep her mouth shut about something.”

  Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.

  “I just want Reece to have an amazing wedding day without your sister spoiling it because of me. I’d never forgive myself if it was ruined because I called her bluff.”

  “What the hell is she blackmailing you with?”

  “It isn’t as big as you’re thinking, but to Reece it probably will be…. Maybe.”

  “Tell me.”

  She sighs. “You won’t say anything?” She asks.

  “I promise.”

  “About six months ago, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’d had an argument with Ryder. He’d accused me of being a whore. I was upset and pissed so I’d gone off with a couple of girls who were passing through and we ended up meeting some guys they knew. I knew I shouldn’t have gone with them, but I did. We ended up drinking and…and I did some drugs with them and finally passed out. When I woke up I got the hell out of there.”

  I sure as hell wasn’t expecting that. As I watch Ryder join Donovan on the back steps, I try to think of something to say. My brother will be pissed she did the drugs, but surely if he knows the whole situation that stemmed from her argument with Ryder. But they seem to be friends now.

  “How does Sarah know about it?”

  “She was home for the weekend and apparently gone shoping with a friend and spotted us.”

  I run my hands through my hair. “Look, my advice is to go to see Reece now. I’ll come with you. You can tell him yourself. Tell him how you told me so he knows the whole thing. It isn’t as bad as you think it is. I know what he’s like about drugs—to the point he’s obsessed, but if you tell him, you take away Sarah’s hold, and I sure as hell can’t wait to rub it in her face.”

  “Mara, she’s your sister.”

  “Huh, so are you.”

  “Good point.” She laughs.

  “You haven’t done drugs since, have you?”

  “Hell no! That’s the only time I’ve ever touched them. God, I was so sick the following day.”

  “Okay. We can go and see him now before he comes looking for you himself.”

  I link my arm with hers as we both stand and walk toward the waiting guys.

  “So you made up with Ryder?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “That isn’t an answer.”

  “I know. I’m not sure what’s going on with him. We haven’t been intimate. I think he’s lonely and decided I’ll do as a friend because he’s lacking.”

  “He’s cute.” I nudge her hip with mine.

  She nudges me back. “No, he isn’t.”

  “He’s hot.” I shove her harder this time.

  “He’s just a friend.”

  “Hmm. I’ll let you off the hook for now, but only because we’re going to talk to my brother…um…our brother.” I grin. “We need to take your stuff over to my house once we’ve spoken to Reece. You can get ready in my room and Mom says we’re going last at getting our hair put up.”

  “You’re bossy for eighteen.”

  “I get it from Reece…I seriously can’t wait to see Sarah’s face when you show up. I’ve never been close to her, but since we’ve been home this time, it’s as though a switch has been turned on.”

  “Perhaps something’s going on in her life, which is making her such a bitch to everyone else.”

  I’ve thought of that, but I really don’t know anymore. I just want to forget about her and the trouble she’s causing. My brother is getting married and I’ve got the sexiest guy in town as my boyfriend. So I’m going to concentrate on those two things instead of the doom and gloom from now on, although I’m going to end up saying something to her sooner rather than later because I have a problem keeping my mouth shut.

  Chapter Twenty

  Donovan

  “You’ve got it bad,” Ryder smirks.

  “I’m not the only one,” I grin.

  I do have it bad for Mara, and anyone looking at me when I’m watching her is going to know just how bad. She’s really is ‘my everything’ and tonight I’m going to treat her like a princess. The scented candles are bought and already laid out around my bedroom ready to be lit. They are cinnamon scented ones because that’s one of the only scents she likes. She says it reminds her of Christmas, her favorite time of year. So who am I to disappoint.

  Much to my embarrassment, there is also a pot of strawberry massage oil hidden in my bedside drawer along with an unopened box of condoms. Hopefully we won’t need those thanks to the injection she’s had. I just want to be prepared in case she wants me to suit up because I’m not sure I’ll survive not being inside her this time.

  “Yep, really bad,” Ryder says, climbing to his feet and wrapping Dahlia up in his arms.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nods her head and steps clear of him.

  Ryder frowns.

  “We need to go and see Reece. Can you take us there?” Mara asks me.

  “Sure.” I’m not sure how Reece will take me turning up with two of his sisters, but I’m not about to leave them to walk when my truck is right out front.

  “Dahlia—”

  “I’ll be fine Ryder. I’m going to tell Reece about what happened with Mara there for backup.” She gives him a hug but he keeps his hands on her when she pulls back. “I’ll see you later at the wedding. You’re still coming, right?” She asks biting her lip, and I grin when I see Ryder’s eyes darken at the move. He’s going down and I hope I’m around to witness it when he does.

  “Donovan, c’mon we’re running out of time. We have about an hour before we have to get back to my house to get ready for the wedding.”

  “Don’t worry,” I wrap my arm around her neck and pull her into my body, needing this contact with her. “I’ll have you both back with time to spare.” I hope.

  ~*~*~*~

  “Why are you hiding out here?” Phoenix asks standing beside me.

  “More importantly what are you doing out here? Don’t you have a bride to get ready for?”

  “Stop changing the subject. What’s really going on?”

  I let out a sigh. “Something is going on with Dahlia. She’s in there with Reece and Mara. I think Mara’s there for backup.” He gives me the ‘tell me more’ look. “I seriously don’t know anything. They had a private talk at Kix and then asked me to drive them here.”

  “He’s going to find out before you tell him at this rate.”

  “I know.”

  I shove my hands into my hair and tug, probably leaving it sticking up everywhere with the shit I’ve put in it to get it to behave for the guys’ wedding pictures. Wiping my hands down the legs of my jeans to try and get the sticky stuff off, I hear Phoenix chuckle.

  “We’ll tell him after he’s married. In a couple of days, when he gets back from his couple of nights away with his new wife.” I grin.

  “Yeah, he should be mellow by then.” Phoenix looks back toward the door. “How long have they been in there?”

  “About thirty minutes.”

  He shakes his head. “I’m heading back.” He starts to move away. “You have an hour to be ready.”

  Shit!

  “I’ll be ready.”

  I watch him go before heading toward the door of the cabin Reece and Callie have been staying in since they got back here. Whatever they are discussing
in there needs hurrying along. I’ve no idea how long it’s going to take Mara and Dahlia to get ready, but they need to get a move on.

  Making a louder noise than usual, I open the door and walk in and see Mara standing up to her brother, who is practically nose-to-nose with her. My first instinct is to go and pull her behind me—to protect my girl.

  “You’re a dick,” she fumes at him.

  My girl sure has a way with words, but I don’t think Reece would agree with that right now. His eyes narrow as he gets closer to her.

  Okay, I’m stepping in because I can’t stand here and watch him get pissed at her. I know he won’t hurt her, but he still looks threatening, which I can’t handle when its directed at Mara. What I can’t understand is where has Dahlia disappeared to, and why isn’t he mad at her instead of Mara. What the hell has Mara said to get him worked up?

  They’re so distracted with each other that they haven’t seen me yet, but as I step in close to Mara, Reece raises his eyes to look at me. Mara whips around and stumbles against me. Reaching out, I help her stay steady by wrapping an arm around her. She shivers at my touch and it takes everything in me not to haul her against me and ravish her mouth. With great reluctance, I pull my eyes from her and meet Reece’s gaze above her head. Okay, this isn’t the best move I’ve ever made.

  “Take your hands off my sister,” he growls.

  “What the fuck, Reece.” Mara whirls back around and stomps on her brother’s foot.

  I grin, but pick her up and put her behind me.

  “Why are you pissed at Mara?”

  “He’s pissed at me, and taking it out on Mara,” Dahlia says coming back into the room. “She has nothing to do with this. She’s here because she persuaded me to tell you the truth.”

  Reece is like a bull in a fuckin’ china shop sometimes, and doesn’t think things through before he reacts—like now. He shakes his head and I see the anger fade away in his eyes before he runs his hand over his face. He has definitely calmed himself down and it’s clear in his tone. “Fuck. I’m sorry Mara, but I’m not going to be sorry for what I say to Sarah. She’s causing too much trouble for me to sit back and say nothing.”

  “That’s fine.”

  What the hell has she done now? I know she’s trying to interfere between Mara and me, but Dahlia as well, that’s just plain crazy.

  Right now though, especially since it looks like everything is solved between Reece and Dahlia, I need to get them back. “Okay, girls I need to get you both over to the house to get ready. We’re running out of time.”

  “Let’s go,” Mara says, stepping around me to hug Reece. “It’s your wedding today so please forget about this for now. Callie won’t forgive you if you screw this up with that temper of yours.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll put it on hold.”

  Reece hugs Dahlia as well before shoving everyone out the door. I usher them to my truck and feel my heart sink when Mara climbs in the back. Dahlia hesitates, but climbs into the front mumbling about something I don’t quite catch.

  Turning out of sight from the cabin, Dahlia unclips and starts climbing into the back.

  “Go sit up front with your guy,” she tells Mara.

  Within seconds, Mara is over into the front and pressed up against my side. I slide my fingers between hers and hold on tight to her hand.

  We drive back to her house in silence and pulling up in front, I watch as Dahlia gets out and is called inside by Cindy. I climb out and pull Mara out through my door and into my arms. We’re slightly sheltered from view by the door with the darkened glass, but anyone really looking will see how close our feet are beneath the truck.

  I cup her face in my hands and meet her lips with mine. She moans and opens her mouth to me. As our tongues caress in wet heat, other parts of my body come alive and press against her stomach. She rubs against me causing an ache deep in my balls. One of my hands slides down her back to caress over her bottom. I press her into me and groan as my cock enlarges and leaks with excitement. Feeling her hard nipples against my chest isn’t helping any, and it’s making me want to rip her clothes off to taste her. Think her mom might have something to say about that though, at least while we’re outside her house.

  Breathing heavily, I place both hands on her hips and move her away from my aching body. “Tonight. Tonight I want you to stay with me. All night in my bed.” Talking about tonight isn’t helping to calm me down. Imagining her all warm and naked in my arms—wet and tight as I slide inside her—having her walls massage my length.

  Groaning, I release her completely and rest against the side of the truck while I try to calm my body down.

  “Are you okay?” she asks, rubbing my back.

  “I’m fine, but please don’t do that.”

  Her hand pauses on me.

  “I want you like crazy and with you touching me, I’m so close to saying, to hell with this and shoving you back in to my truck and bringing tonight forward.” I turn my head to look at her.

  “Okay,” she smiles, “I’ll leave you alone for now, but promise me something.”

  I nod.

  “Promise me that no matter what, you’ll dance with me tonight at Reece and Callie’s wedding.”

  Moving away from my truck, I lazily walk toward her, “How can I not,” I quickly kiss her, “dance with my girl. Now go in there and get ready.” I kiss her again. “I’ll see you there.”

  “Okay. I miss you already,” she shouts over her shoulder as she runs towards her house.

  After she’s gone back inside, I climb into my truck and pulling away I’m wishing my life away to this evening to when I’ll have Mara to myself. I only hope I survive.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Mara

  As soon as I walk inside my home, the chaos hits me. Both Callie and Thalia are getting ready here, which also means both sets of parents are here somewhere, probably hiding out in the lounge. My four sisters look to be nearly ready with their hair and make-up sorted. Even with all the business, I catch Sarah glaring at me across the room.

  She will have seen Dahlia here or at least seen her on the way to my room. Letting out a loud sigh, which has Jessie and Robin looking my way. I ignore them and walk toward Sarah, taking hold of her wrist as I pull her out of the room with me and towards the downstairs’ coat closet.

  Opening the door and dragging her inside, I slam the door shut and standing in front of her; I try to catch my breath. I don’t want to start a shouting match with her, but my need to keep the peace for Reece and Callie today is making me say something to her when in reality I’d rather avoid her.

  “Look Sarah, I’ve no idea what’s wrong with you but you need to stop pissing everyone off. Reece knows all about what you had over Dahlia,” her eyes widen, “because she told Reece not too long ago. So can we please try and all get along, at least for today? Reece is pissed, but I’m sure if he can hold off so can you.”

  She narrows her eyes at me and takes a step forward. “Why Mara? Why did you take Donovan away from me? He’s mine. He’s always been mine, but you, my sister, have taken him away from me. You’re a whore and I hate you.”

  She grabs the door handle and shoving me, aside stomps out.

  I’m left floundering. Whore? And what the fuck did she mean? He’s always been hers. I very much doubt Donovan knows that.

  She’s crazy.

  I wonder if she was adopted.

  ~*~*~*~

  Both Callie and Thalia are glowing right now in their wedding finery. They have both gone for simple, but elegant. Thalia’s dress is a fitted bodice with tiny beading creating flower patterns all over with a straight long skirt. Her skirt is long in the back to form a small train, but the front has a slit up to mid-thigh, which is going to give Phoenix something to think about when he catches sight of his bride.

  I chuckle though when I catch sight of the white and silver cowgirl boots on her feet.

  And then there is Callie, looking happy, but nervous in her white
dress. Callie’s dress is off one shoulder with beading like Thalia’s, but that’s where the similarity’s end. Callie’s dress is fitted to her curves and drops to the floor where I can see the toes of her red boots sticking out. I’d watched her pull them on. She had laughed and told me that Reece had a thing about her in her red, cowgirl boots so she’d figured she really would get his blood going today by wearing her new thigh high boots that Reece hasn’t seen yet.

  It was too much information really, but whatever. I can’t wait to get around to the back of Phoenix’s parents house to where Donovan will be standing with Reece. He’s gorgeous in a suit, but in a tux, he’s going to make me pant. And seeing four gorgeous guys standing together might make me feel light headed as well. Liam, Phoenix’s brother is standing for him. So yeah, three hot guys and my brother.

  “You ready?” Mia, Liam’s wife asks.

  “I am. I can’t wait to see how everything looks and the guys in their tux.”

  She grins. “Oh, they look mighty fine. Liam’s already had to dress twice,” she smirks.

  My eyes pop wide.

  “Stop catching flies. I can’t help it if I find my husband sexy in his tux. I’ve already been scouting for somewhere private for later because I’m not going to be able to wait.” She grins and carries on, “I’m constantly horny at this time of month. Liam loves it.”

  “I bet he does.”

  I’ve known Mia for most of my life, but right about now she could do with a filter on her mouth.

  Why does everyone keep giving me too much information today? I guess I better stay away from Aunt Betty who has no sensor whatsoever. God knows what she’ll come out with.

  “Girls, come on. Get into position, we’re about to go.” Callie and Thalia link their arms with their fathers.

  I’m walking behind them, but my eyes are on the vast amount of flowers that are covering anything and everything. Hopefully, there won’t be anyone with a bad case of allergies because this would start it up.