He hisses when his hands glide over my breasts and the hard nipples he’s responsible for. I smile to myself when I feel his hands tremble as they slip between my spread legs. He’s quick at cleaning me, and when I think he’s done, I turn around and gasp at the impressive erection he’s sporting.
“I knew this was a bad idea.”
“I’m going to go and dry my hair while you, um, get rid of that.” I grin. “Unless, you’d like me to stay and get rid of it for you.” I step closer and he takes a step back.
“If you touch me, we’re going to be late at the airport.”
“Airport?” I raise brow in question.
“I didn’t ask you, did I?” He quickly lathers a sponge and starts cleaning his chest.
My eyes follow the movement and I watch as he makes sure he doesn’t miss anything around his groin area.
“My eyes are up here.” He smirks.
“It’s difficult to look at your handsome face,” I smile, “when you have very impressive equipment down there.” I point and notice he’s blushing when he switches the shower off and wraps a towel around his waist.
“None of that.” He taps me on the bottom. “But,” he gives me a lingering kiss, “lots more of that as soon as I can arrange it.” He kisses me quickly and taking my hand, leads me into the bedroom.
“I don’t have any clean clothes.” I bite my lip, not wanting to wear last nights clothing.
“I have a shirt you can borrow and some undershorts, but they’ll get you to you’re room.” He tosses me the clothes. “You’ll have to change quickly.”
“I can do quickly.”
Ten minutes later, we’re in my father’s car as Michael maneuvers it toward the airport. He’s braver than me driving in this country because it scares the crap out of me. I trust him, plus my father’s car is an SUV so hopefully more protection against some of the idiots on the road. It’s never busy unless a plane is due in but since Michael’s sister and her family are flying in a private jet, I’m hoping it won’t be too bad.
The heat today is showing record temperatures so I’m guessing that their baby won’t be too happy being exposed to it. I’m not so sure I’m happy with it and I’m twenty-three.
“You asleep?” Michael whispers the question so I turn my head to face him.
“No. I’m wondering how your nephew will fare in this heat.”
“They’ll probably keep him in air conditioning as much as possible.” Pulling up into a parking spot directly outside, Michael asks, “Are you okay?” while intertwining our fingers together.
“I’m happy, Michael.” I offer him a soft smile. “So, I’d say that I was more than okay.”
“That’s good.” He kisses my knuckles.
We hear the sound of jet engines and watch as his sister’s plane lands at the small airport.
My stomach knots now that I’m minutes away from meeting Michael’s sister.
38
Michael
I feel the tremor in Brooke’s hand as I lead her into the airport. It’s only slight, but enough to tell me that she’s more nervous than she’s let on about meeting my sister and her husband.
Once we’re in the air conditioning and away from the doors, I tug her closer and wrap an arm around her shoulders. “There is nothing to worry about,” I whisper against the top of her head before I place a tender kiss there. “Sirena will love you, and she’ll be happy to see me happy. She’s been more worried about my single status than I have.” I kiss Brooke again and catch sight of Garrett wrestling with their two-month-old son over the top of Brooke's head.
My grin widens as I watch Sirena snuggle up to her husband and fretting son. “They’re here,” I tell Brooke, and wrap her hand with mine as I tug her closer to the new arrivals.
Sirena sees me first and rushes into my arms, her grip tight as she wraps her arms around my shoulders. I reluctantly let go of Brooke’s hand so that I can hold onto my sister.
Brooke laughs and steps back until her eyes land on Garrett, their luggage, and, of course, my nephew. I follow her movements as she moves closer to Garrett. They exchange a few words and then, to my astonishment, Garrett hands Elias over to her. He settles immediately.
I tap Sirena on the back and when she looks up, I nod my head toward her husband and Brooke.
“Oh,” she murmurs. “That’s the most settled he’s been in a couple of hours.”
“Perhaps he could tell that you and Garrett were tired.” I shrug and follow Sirena.
My sister grins. “So Michael, you’ve been holding out on me.” She wiggles her brows and Brooke chuckles, her smile is for me though as she meets my gaze.
“Sirena, Garrett, this is Brooke Jordan.” I grin and slip my arm around her shoulders. “She’s my girl, in case you wondered.”
Sirena rolls her eyes. “Honestly Michael, I’m not blind or stupid.” Winking she adds, “And anyone with eyes can see she’s yours.” She turns to Brooke. “Would you mind holding him while we get to the car. My ears are still ringing.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Brooke grins down at Elias who is wide-awake and staring back at her. “I love babies, and he’s just so cute.”
Sirena gives me the eyes, meaning don’t let her get away. I shake my head and, unable to stop touching Brooke, I wrap my arm around her waist while I say hello to my nephew, who only has eyes for my girl.
Sirena chuckles but my gaze lands on Garrett, who looks amused. My brother-in-law coughs, but doesn’t quite hide the smirk.
“Let’s get to the hotel so Sirena can try and sleep.”
“Mitchell offered the use of his car, so it’s parked directly outside. Let’s load it up.” I quickly kiss Brooke on the side of her face, and lead Garrett outside with the luggage.
“How was the flight?”
“Long.” He loads a suitcase into the trunk. “I forgot how tiring it is flying long distance.” He shakes his head and looks toward Sirena. “Elias wasn’t too bad, until he started a couple of hours ago. There was no stopping him.” He tosses another suitcase into the trunk, storing it away. “At least he made it known how strong his lungs are.”
“I’ve heard them before.” I chuckle.
“So,” Garrett says, leaning against the car, “is she the daughter Mitchell is trying to marry off?”
I quickly shake my head. “No.” I laugh. “That’s the older one, Carrie.” I smile softly as Brooke walks beside Sirena, while carrying Elias. “I took one look at Brooke and was lost.” I frown. “I just wish her sister wouldn’t keep interfering.” I sigh and join Garrett. “There’s something wrong with her and it worries me. I don’t trust her, and I’m really hoping Brooke doesn’t either.”
“Is she jealous of Brooke?”
“Maybe she is. Brooke has so much more going for her than Carrie. Carrie is the typical party girl, whereas Brooke is more comfortable at home and around her family. Although I do get the feeling something has changed recently. I should imagine you’ll see what I mean at some point.”
“Probably, since Mitchell has invited us to dinner while we’re on the island.”
I nod just as the women join us.
Garrett helps Sirena into the back before he straps his son into the car seat they’ve brought with them. Brooke climbs in and sits with Sirena and Elias.
Driving to the Pegasus Hotel, I find that I can’t wipe the smile from my face. It feels good having Brooke sitting with me, and one of the most important people in my life, my sister.
She has her head bent toward Brook while they quietly chat over Elias who has nodded off.
“They’re plotting,” Garrett observes around a smirk. “Probably plotting your fall from bachelor status, if my wife has anything to do with it.”
“She’s like a dog with a bone when she gets started.”
He chuckles. “I wouldn’t let her hear you say that.”
“She knows. Trust me on that.”
“We can hear you back here, you both know that righ
t?” Sirena says. “There is nothing wrong with wanting my brother to be happy. Once I have Michael sorted then I need to concentrate on Charlotte because she’s losing weight with how upset she is.”
“What the heck!” I finally pull up outside of Pegasus. “Why didn’t I know that there was more to Charlotte’s distraction?”
“Us girls talk.”
“Then talk, Sirena. What’s going on with Charlotte?”
“Don’t tell her I mentioned this okay? She’s in love with someone who is supposed to be getting married.”
“What?” I explode.
“Don’t go getting all mad. I really don’t know much more than that, other than I think there is a lot more to it on his part.”
“Who?”
“I’d hold your breath. She won’t tell me who the guy is either, which has me wondering whether or not he’s anyone I know.” He glances at his wife, who looks away and blushes. “Thought so.”
“Is someone going to let me in on this?”
“No,” Sirena says, but sighs. “Charlotte is okay, Michael. If she weren’t, then I’d tell you. I shouldn’t have mentioned anything, so let’s pretend I didn’t.”
My sister is damn stubborn when she wants to be and I give up for now because I won’t get anything else out of her. “Garrett, you go and sort the room out while I direct the bellhop with the luggage.”
“You’ve started something, honey,” Garrett says, climbing from the car.
“Sirena, you should know better than to give me something and then take it away in the next breath. If you don’t tell me, then I’ll call Charlotte and ask her.” I smirk when she gasps and narrows her eyes.
Chuckling, I climb out and open the trunk so the bellhops can empty it.
“Oh, let me have the stroller.” I grab it and open it up, placing Elias’s car seat into the attachments.
Once secured, I find Brooke slipping her hand around my waist as she snuggles into my side. “He looks like you,” she comments.
I smirk because Sirena isn’t impressed when someone mentions the likeness between him and me. “He’s handsome, right?”
Brooke laughs while Sirena rolls her eyes. “He’s handsome, just like his uncle.”
“Ugh, you have to say that!” Sirena complains. “He’s your boyfriend.”
“No, I don’t have to say that.” Brooke smiles at Sirena before meeting and holding my gaze. “I’d like to think that Michael likes me for my honesty.”
I’m left speechless for a change and so is my sister.
Brooke grins. “Well, I guess that was too honest, huh?”
“Hell no!” I say.
“Welcome to the McKenzie family, Brooke,” Sirena gushes, giving her another hug.
“More female bonding?” Garrett asks.
“I guess.”
Welcome to the McKenzie family.
Those words make my heart flutter with a mixture of joy and panic. They also make me want to chat with my cousin Alexander. We’re in our twenties, but we’ve always been each other’s wingman, until now. It feels strange, but as I follow everyone through the hotel and up to the suite that Garrett has booked, the idea of Brooke as my family starts to grow on me. The panic isn’t there like it was a few moments ago.
I only have to remember how she was holding Elias to imagine her holding our own child. Something I’ve never seen with any woman before Brooke. Not that there’s been that many women.
39
Brooke
“Where have you been?”
I’m jolted out of my thoughts when I hear those words uttered in anger by Sinclair, the second I step foot through the door into the kitchen.
He’s sitting at the table with a glass of wine in one hand and crackers and cheese on the plate in front of him. “Not going to answer?” He holds my gaze and I feel my nerves dance. He’s never been like this before.
I want to be ignorant and pretend he isn’t sitting there, but instead, I pull a chair out and drop down, joining him. “I was out picking up Michael’s sister and her husband from the airport along with their two month old son. He’s so sweet.”
“I didn’t come here to see you to have you ignore me, Brooke. I thought we could work on writing that book we’ve talked about.”
Tugging my lip between my teeth, I don’t know what to say because I’d forgotten that we’d discussed our ideas. “I’m sorry.” I shrug. “I actually had no clue you would be here when I arrived, so I’d planned on reading and just relaxing.”
“I noticed the way Michael looks at you. He can’t take his eyes from you, and I don’t exist when he’s in the room. It isn’t fair to me, Brooke.”
I gasp and jump up from the chair. “What are you talking about? Me and you are just friends, Sinclair.”
He shoves the chair back, places both his hands on the table and leans closer. “We’ve been friends for years, and you know I want more.”
My heart pounds at his words and it makes me wonder whether it’s him or Carrie talking. I didn’t think, for one minute, that my sister would sit back and let me be with Michael. She’d have to cause more trouble because that’s the way she’s made. So now I’m wondering if she’s going through Sinclair to do that. I would never have thought it from him though.
“It’s because of our friendship that I haven’t been blunt and to the point.” I inhale and hope he accepts what I say. “You are more like a brother to me, Sinclair.” I run my hands through my hair at the hurt look on his face. “I’m sorry.”
Silence follows, but not for long. “Carrie said—”
“What did Carrie say?” she asks, strolling into the kitchen in her silk wrap.
“You told me,” Sinclair starts, and gets a raised brow from my sister, “that Brooke was shy and needed a nudge in the right direction.” He hisses. “You’re both liars.”
“Sinclair,” Carrie mumbles, stepping into his space, her hand on his chest.
I roll my eyes as I watch her at work. It’s no wonder she gets herself into so much trouble. Always playing a game with people’s emotions and then wondering why they react and hate her for it.
“You really don’t want to fall out with us, do you?” Her finger runs in circles over his chest. “I thought we all could go to the beach tomorrow and hang out. Like we used to.” She turns to me. “Brooke will come too, and we can all just relax and have fun. What’d you say?”
They both look at me, and without knowing how to answer properly because I don’t trust Carrie for one minute, I nod in agreement.
Carrie smiles in the way that puts me on edge and twirls in front of Sinclair. “That’s sorted then. We have a date at the beach tomorrow.”
I use their current distraction as an excuse to slip away and quickly run up to my room.
Locking the door, I sag against it and breathe a huge sigh of relief, wondering if I’ll have chance to get out of the beach trip. I probably won’t and I’m half curious as to what my sister is up to.
Shaking my head to get her out of it, I fling my clothes off and head into the shower. I have a few hours before I’m going out with Michael to have dinner with his sister and family.
My dress this evening is peach with thin straps holding the bodice up. The flared skirt stops just above my knee and, when I walk, the silky folds wrap about my legs. My gold ballerinas complete my outfit, and as I look down into the foyer of the house, I see that Michael has spotted me.
His eyes refuse to move from me, even when my father talks to him. Dad stops, frowns, and then follows Michael’s gaze before he looks between the two of us.
Dropping to the last step, Michael moves forward and enfolds my hand with his. “Absolutely beautiful,” he whispers as his lips brush against my cheek.
“I happen to agree,” Dad says from behind Michael.
Stepping to my side, Michael smiles as my dad looks the two of us over. “Michael has the right words. You’re gorgeous, which makes me think I should have put your dating age at thirty.”
>
Laughing, I hug him. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
He looks at Michael. “You treat her well.”
“Always.” Michael takes my hand again. “We need to leave, otherwise we’ll be late.”
“Is it okay to ask where you’re off to?” Dad asks.
Michael squeezes my hand, and answers, “We’re having dinner with my sister and her husband at their hotel.”
“Of course, I’d forgotten that they arrived earlier today. That’s why I loaned you the car.” He smiles. “Tell them we’ll do that dinner in the next day or two. I’ll ask Adelaide to arrange it.”
“Will do,” Michael says, urging me toward the door.
“See you tomorrow, Dad.” Ignoring the frown on his face, I let Michael lead me out.
“Your dad seems okay with you being with me, right?” Michael asks, glancing back at the house.
“He likes you Michael. You wouldn’t be here if he didn’t. But with me, yes, I think he’s okay with me being with you. I’m not sure he liked what ‘see you tomorrow’ entailed, but I’m over twenty-one so we’re good.”
I untangle my fingers from his, throw my arms around his neck, and, climbing up him, wrap my legs around his waist. His hand immediately goes to my bottom as he holds me against him.
His eyes darken with arousal but they’re still full of affection for me. This is what I love about Michael. I know how badly he wants me, but he’s forcing himself to wait until we can be by ourselves for more than a few hours. I love that he wants to do that. That he isn’t in such a big rush to get naked and inside of me.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m not going to be able to control what happens next,” he murmurs.
“Mmm,” I moan, wiggling against him. “Are we really together Michael?” I ask becoming serious. My hands cup his jaw while my eyes search his.
“You’re my girl, Brooke. I’ve never called anyone that before because there hasn't been anyone who interested me enough. But you, you’re so beautiful on the inside and out. You light from within when you’re passionate about something, or someone.” He grins and I kiss his waiting lips.
McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1 Page 21
