Chapter Twenty-Three
Imala
I’m relaxing on the porch drinking some fresh squeezed lemonade while pretending I live somewhere hot and humid like the southern United States when Wyn pulls up in his Maserati SUV. He looks as sexy as ever with his hair free of product and fall in his face, black shades firmly in place, and his t-shirt pulling against his chest in all the right ways. But, it’s his smile. He’s truly relaxed and happy. That’s somehow more arousing than usual.
It’s strange to witness Wyn and Berke laughing together while looking like their own dark-haired versions of sex and heartache but it’s welcomed. Placing my glass on the table, I stand to greet them as they climb the steps of the veranda. The sunlight reflects off Berke’s beard to reveal slight streaks of red. Our eyes connect and he wraps me up in a bear hug before I can react. His big body squeezes the air out of me. The speed is almost dizzying. His clean yet spicy scent invades my nostrils and provides more contrast between him and Wyn.
“What are you doing?” I croak between squeezes.
“Put my wife down,” Wyn laughs but doesn’t intervene.
“No, it’s time for the little warden to know what it’s like to have a big brother.”
He puts me down with enough false security for me to try to walk away then wraps me in a headlock to rub his knuckles across my scalp.
“Cut it out,” I warn before my teeth sink into his shirt to pierce his side.
Berke flinches but doesn’t make a sound. He releases me after another pass of his knuckles then pats my head. I get a flash of his sculpted torso once he lifts his shirt to check out his side. A faint impression of my teeth pinken some of his skin.
Berke’s grin is sultry when our eyes meet again. “Don’t tease me, sweetheart. Wyn isn’t into sharing.”
I stare at his back with my mouth open as he begins to disappear into the house.
“That would be correct, asshole,” Wyn confirms while hugging me from behind. There isn't any bite to his words.
Berke laughs but doesn’t respond or turn around. He’s forgotten when Wyn kisses me just below my ear. I lean back deeper into his embrace. We were interrupted this morning and I need my fix.
“You’re rubbing your ass against me. We have too much staff to go at it right here.” Wyn’s warning is contradicted by his hands snaking under my shirt.
“Grab my lemonade and let’s go inside for a quickie,” I suggest although I haven’t moved.
His lips ghost over my neck before he responds. “Why a quickie? I want to take my time.”
“We have plans tonight. Jagger wants to do karaoke. We gotta go rock the mic.”
Wyn pushes me inside the house after plucking my drink from the table .
“Why don’t you rock my mic instead?”
We opt to be driven to the bar so we don’t have to worry about a designated driver. Ramsey, who just returned from a much needed vacation, accompanies us as our security for the night. Berke chats with him as he ignores us. It didn’t take them long to fall back into their usual camaraderie since Berke accepted that Ramsey was doing what was best for him at the time.
Wyn draws circles on my thigh as he chats with Dallas on the phone. It still amazes me how he can look so innocent after saying and doing such dirty things.
“Alright man. Be careful on your trip. Say hello to your mom.”
After they discovered Dallas was part of the Hale clan, Oran released his trust with a bonus and he brought the mom in and cleared her debts. He knew he could be a surrogate for Elmer but he wanted Dallas and his mom to know that all Hale’s weren’t like his dad. Dallas had taken his mom and stepdad to Founder’s Island Theme Park and was adamant about hitting all locations around the world.
I thought it was cute that he wants to be a big kid but Wyn thinks his little cousin is up to something. Either way, he’s already out of the country,
Caerwyn dips his head and nuzzles my neck. The soft bite of his cologne drives me to distraction when he’s close.
“You’re looking at me like you want to fuck.”
Wyn was whispering but Ramsey’s trained ears hear every damn thing. “Oh lord,” he grumbles with a head shake.
“Just ignore them. I do. Those two are damn rabbits. All they do is fuck.”
My face flushes but Caerwyn only chuckles and pulls me into a kiss. The slide of his tongue inside my mouth makes our company disappear until Berke speaks again.
“See what I mean? My little brother loses his virginity and now doesn’t know how to keep his dick in his pants.”
Wyn breaks our kiss with a chuckle. “Fuck you. I wasn’t a virgin before I got married, dumbass.”
I rest my head on Wyn’s shoulder and watch them do the brother thing. It’s cute although Berke’s only setting is asshole.
“Are you sure about that, mate? You’re like a teen who doesn't know what to do with his dick.”
“Or,” I interject. “Is it possible you’re sexually frustrated?”
Berke snorts. “Have you ever really just looked at me, sweetheart? Pussy falls in my lap. If anyone is sexually frustrated, it’s this princess,” he says as he jerks his head in Ramsey’s direction.
Ramsey, who’s my definition of mysterious, looks up from his phone. “Have you ever really looked at me, sweetheart? Pussy falls in my lap,” he mocks Berke in a fake English accent. His hazel eyes find me. “I keep telling this dude my sex life isn’t his concern.” He crosses a leg over the other, his black polo shirt fights with his tattooed biceps when he crosses his hands over his knee. With his glasses, he reminds me of Beast from X-Men or Bruce Banner: super smart but will kill you if provoked. “I told him we should explore his fascination with what my dick does in its free time…”
“Shut the hell up, man. Get out. We’re here,” Berke pushes him towards the door while Ramsey’s deep laugh fills the cabin. Something about his chuckle tells me he’s a sadistic bastard when provoked.
“Ignore 3B, Ramsey. He missed his nap this afternoon.”
Berke looks at me. “3B?”
“Big British Bastard,” I supply.
He grips his chest in mock pain. “That hurts. I really am a bastard.”
His face breaks into a smile when I laugh and he winks at me. Okay, this version of him is much more fun.
Someone bangs on the window and Ramsey checks. “Let’s fucking go. Oran and them are already inside,” Jagger bitches from the other side of the door.
We all laugh because none of us bothers to say what we thought out loud.
Inside, everyone is chatting and getting drinks. I see a girl I haven’t seen before but that doesn’t mean a damn thing since I’m the youngest. Markos is whispering to her while Bowie is close by. I tamp down my excitement because I can’t be the only one jumping up and down at the sight of a Rockstar. Unlike the rest, I didn’t know him in any capacity outside of being a superstar. I fall in step behind Wyn, almost too shy to talk to a star. How in the hell am I supposed to do karaoke?
Esme is at the bar downing a shot when she damn near hisses at the man next to her. I cannot tell who it is outside of him having dark hair. She’s been acting weird since going to the gallery opening. I know it has nothing to do with residual feelings for Markos because she didn’t have any and when she heard he was in critical condition her worry was of a friend and not of someone with deep feelings.
Although what she said looked like a threat, the man with dark hair throws back his head and laughs. He answers his phone then disappears out the door after he pats her ass. She turns and sees me first.
“Don’t ask,” she mouths with an eye roll.
I nod but narrow my eyes to silently tell her we will revisit the topic. She turns and orders more drinks then joins us at the table. After a round of greetings, I’m struck stupid by Bowie Hanlon standing in front of me.
Damn, he’s gorgeous.
He gives me a smile that I know has melted millions of women’s panties then pulls me into a
big hug. I don’t know if it was a tactic to shock me out of my stupor, but it worked. I giggled like an idiot then introduced myself.
The woman, I found out, is Bambi and she just moved back after fourteen years.
Wyn pumps me with liquid courage while they all pass usual asshole banter.
She’s up first and does a few songs while I continue to drink. I was quite amused by her rap until Bowie confuses me by pulling her away from Markos after he plucked her off the stage and kissed her.
But I thought...Oh, shit now they’re making out.
Markos pretty much announces that Karessa and Esme have another wedding to plan and continues to chat like his girl kissing his best friend is normal. It reminds me of Berke’s warning about sharing.
Could they b...Well, damn there’s my answer.
I lean in completely fascinated as Markos pulls her to him and begins kissing her like he missed her for years. Hot damn where’s my popcorn. Now I understand Berke’s amusement when Wyn and I jump each other.
Everyone is just as stunned as I am which makes me happy I’m not late on the latest gossip anymore. Surprisingly, I’m the first to throw a question out there then a series of questions fly their way. Berke of course has to find a way to ask Markos and Bowie if they’re fucking.
We are all called to the stage for Ludacris' What’s Your Fantasy Remix. Karessa and Ainslee share Trina’s part, Esme and I decide to share Shawnna’s part. Now, all the other girls have rapped and said dirty things yet I’m the one who gets looked at crazy for doing my part. Berke looks at me with respect and Wyn looks aroused. Oran, however, is pale like I asked Wyn to fuck me on stage. I don’t get to finish the last part when he escorts me off stage while Bambi does Foxy’s part.
He sits me back down next to my husband and gives me a Shirley Temple. Karessa rolls her eyes from the stage. He pats my hand with concern then gives Wyn a stink eye.
“I see you’ve been a bad influence on my angel.”
I snort with laughter but bat my eyes innocently as he lectures Wyn. Karessa finds her way in Oran’s lap and redirects his attention.
The music plays on as other people go. Wyn squeezes my thigh under the table
“You’re going to pay for that,” he threatens.
I fight the desire to squirm in my seat but the heat in his words has me instantly turned on.
“Which part?” I ask innocently.
“All of it.”
I try to concentrate on Esme on stage with Bowie and Berke. She and Bowie are doing one of his songs. Berke is supposed to be backup but I think he’s just there to be visible to all available women. Wyn’s hand snakes further up my thigh until his fingertips are teasing me through my panties.
His warm breath on my neck makes me shudder and I know our part in the party is over.
“Let’s go, Caterpillar. We’ll send the car back for Berke and Ramsey. I’m interested in you riding me home.”
I think I’ve set the record on the fastest round of goodbyes. Berke rolls his eyes once I turn to him but the eye roll wasn’t for me.
“Who invited her nosy ass?” he grumbles after he swats my one-arm hug attempt. “I live with you, Bug,” he dismisses me on his way to the bar.
He always has me torn between laughing and punching him. But that doesn’t matter when Wyn's lips connect with the nape of my neck. I say hello and goodbye to Sienna who’s dressed in a tight cream crop top with a matching body contouring skirt. Her black hair is parted on the side and is cascading in inky waves around her shoulders. She bends slightly to hug me since her heels make her taller than me.
She’s stunning as usual but I have a date with my husband's dick. I can like her pictures on Instagram after.
Wyn whispers something to the driver as I climb inside. The partition is already in place and the music, Naked by Marques Houston, starts to blast. Wyn slides in facing me; he makes himself comfortable by spreading his legs. I watch as he unzips then unbuttons his pants. His right hand slides inside as he slings his left arm across the headrest.
“Remove your underwear. Slowly.”
He watches as I fulfill his request. He bites his bottom lip as I instinctively give him the next thing he wants. Wyn licks his lips when I open my legs for his entertainment. Without a word, he frees his erection. His fist slides along his hard dick making my mouth water.
“What do I want, baby?” His eyes, dark and full of lust, connect with mine and dares me to move.
I close the space between us, slide down his length and moan as he fills me. His eyes roll back as he grabs my hips.
“A fucking good student,” he sighs as I ride him.
Wyn’s grip tightens once I find my rhythm. One of his hands moves to my hair and pulls my head back. His beard tickles me as he attacks my neck. He’s below me but is in total control.
“I saw your curiosity,” he informs me with a thrust that has me crying out. “I’ll fuck you so good you’ll think there’s two of me.”
He pulls at the bodice of my dress until one of my breasts pop out. My walls clench in response to his teeth sinking into my hard nipple. My cries unlocked his wild side and he takes full control. I brace one palm on the roof and the other digs into his shoulder. I give in, allowing him to fuck me until I fear I’ll pass out.
Wyn kept his promise. I feel as if he’s all over me, touching me everywhere as the delicious heat floods my body. My eyes flutter closed but he stops me.
“Look me in the eyes, Imala. Pay attention to the only man who can make you fall apart and pull you back together.”
When our eyes meet, there’s only one sentiment I can express.
“I love you.”
He smacks my ass then squeezes both of my ass cheeks as he cums. We remain connected as we both fight to catch our breath. He’s right. Only Caerwyn has the power to make me feel so much.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Imala
Karessa and I watch as Esme stomps around her den like a person on a warpath. With her usually neat hair wild and her body still being donned in pajamas after noon, I know she’s in her version of distress. Since we just saw each other the night before, I must assume this is either tabloid related or about the guy from last night.
She releases a irked shriek then thrusts her phone at us. Prizm Online has a picture of her sandwiched between Bowie and Berke with the headline. Rock Bottom?
The article goes on to suggest that the “wild LeClaire” is out of control since being dumped by Markos and is now in a poly-relationship with Berke and Bowie. It further suggests that she’s with them to remain relevant since both men are notorious for being in the media.
“After the song, we group hugged and it lasted not even a few seconds! Where the fuck were the paps when Bowie AND Markos were taking turns with Bambi? That’s the real threesome! The fuck? They didn’t even get the two guys right.”
Karessa shakes her head. “That bitch likes to fuck with you because she knows the press laws keeps Dad from intervening.”
“Don’t let her lies bother you,” I offer.
“Imala, the worst she’s ever said about you is that you were late for your wedding.”
I raise my brows. “Did she? I didn’t look.”
She shakes her curls. “I try not to look either but people blow up my phone with this shit.”
“She only goes after you because your big personality makes you an easy target. Fuck her and be you.”
Esme stomps her foot again. “I swear I’m going to find a way to get her back for this. Her old ass has nothing better to do than make me look bad.” Her thoughts are interrupted when her phone vibrates. She smiles and rolls her eyes. “He gets on my nerves.”
We look at her phone when she turns it to us.
Berke: If we’re fucking, why didn’t I get some pussy last night? Doesn’t that bitch know you’d be tied to my bed with no chance of her getting a pic if we were fucking? I’m not the other Hales, love. You’d go missing for weeks. Fuck her.
Esme plant her hands on her hips and look at us. “Y’all know if Berke and I planned to fuck, it would’ve happened by now.”
“True,” we agree in unison.
“Look at it this way, is she worth you being found unkempt in the afternoon?” I pose the question although I’m totally into wearing pajamas all day. But I’m not Esme.
She pats her hair and glances in one of her many mirrors. “You’re right. Imma go beautify myself and go to lunch with Sienna looking like a radiant, unbothered bitch.”
“That’s the spirit! We know those are lies. Go live your single best life,” Karessa cheers.
Esme’s phone rings. She rolls her eyes at the display. I peek to see the display but the number isn’t programmed into her phone.
“Are you not gonna answer that?” I ask to see her reaction.
Esme sets her jaw and her light-brown eyes glow with the defiance that tells me she’s about to be stubborn.
“No. Fuck him, he’s nosy.”
I laugh harder than necessary because I’ve been hearing the male equivalent of this for months.
“You and Berke sound more alike than you think,” I tell her.
“He understands what it’s like to be the media screw up.”
“You are an independent successful woman. You are not a screw up,” Karessa insists.
Esme doesn’t respond because she’s too busy responding to a text. Her cinnamon skin scrunches at her forehead as she stabs the phone with her thumbs.
“Is that the nosy guy?”
“Asks the nosy sister,” Esme volleys as she sticks her tongue out at me.
Well played. I’ll find out who that is whether she likes it or not. I just need another tactic.
“Okay, heifers, give me a hug and let me make myself presentable.”
“You hear that?” Karessa teases. “We drop everything and sneak out on our husbands just to be called heifers.”
Hale to Pay (Arrangement Series Book 6) Page 14
