by Lexie Davis
She took another bite. “Both.”
“What about me?”
“I want to believe you, Sin. I really do. But every time I turn my back, you revert back to your old ways. The liquor, the strippers, the trouble—I can’t be in a committed relationship with that. If you want to be with me, you need to only be with me. Don’t go out licking whiskey from women’s breasts. Don’t be fucking with married women.” She reached for his bottle of water. “I’m greedy and jealous. I can’t help it.”
“I know I screwed up. I’m sorry for it. I honestly don’t know how to do the whole relationship thing. You left pissed off at me and I felt hurt and used. I just fell back into an old comfort.”
“Well, I’m going to get pissed at you from time to time.” She smiled and pressed her lips against his. “So you need to find a new comfort.”
“Do you believe I love you?”
She tensed at his question.
“I do, you know.”
“Love takes time.” She grabbed another condom. “But lust takes a few minutes. Let’s see how big of a dent we can put in your stash.”
The Sweetest Sin
Chapter Six
Sin and Callie arrived back at his apartment around seven that night, immediately hitting the showers. After they got out, Sin ordered a pizza, then led her down the hallway.
“This is my sanctuary.” He flipped on the lights.
Inside was every type of drum she could imagine. From the standard set he normally played on stage with the band to specialty drums African tribes used. He had everything imaginable in this room and she stood amazed.
He moved across the room, taking a seat behind the main set. “I can teach you how to play if you want.”
“I’m better at watching.” She smiled at him, still wrapped in her towel. “You probably don’t know this, but I used to linger backstage and watch you practice with the other guys. It’s amazing how you use your hands and feet to create some of the coolest beats.”
“Come here.” He waved her over and she found her legs carrying her to him. He pulled her onto his lap and handed her the drumsticks. “Did you ever get hot watching me?”
Callie smiled. “Maybe.”
“Wet?”
“Maybe.”
Sin’s hand rested on her thigh. “Are you wet now?”
“A lady never tells.” She kissed his cheek.
Sin smiled and focused on teaching her the drums. He worked the foot pedals by himself and moved her hands with his as he played a very slow rendition of Darkfever’s ‘Break Me’. She loved every minute of it, laying her head back on his shoulder, watching as he showed her which drum to hit at what time.
“And that is how you play.” He chuckled before kissing her cheek.
“I think I’ll leave the playing to you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
He grinned but didn’t dispute her statement. “You’re much better at other things, I’ll give you that.”
Callie ran her fingers through his wet hair. “Marah can play the guitar, you know. She said Ben coerced her into learning. She thought it’d be funny if I learned how to play the drums and then the two of us would start our own band and give you guys a run for your money.”
Sin kissed her shoulder. “If we’re depending on you as the drummer, I don’t think Darkfever has anything to worry about.”
She slapped his arm. “I resent that statement.”
He scooped her into his arms and stood. “I guess I have to make it up to you then.”
He carried her back to his bedroom and tossed her onto the bed the very moment her cell phone rang. He shook his head at her and she held out her hand.
“Come on. It could be my sister.”
He grabbed the phone from the dresser and tossed it to her. “You’re permitted one call.”
She rolled her eyes. “What am I in jail?” The caller ID said it was Missy and she clicked it open.
“Where the hell have you been all day?” The teenager’s sentence came through the line in one breath.
“Missy, I got caught up.” She glanced over at Sin, who propped himself against the pillows.
“Caught up, my ass. You’re busy screwing Drummer Boy instead of being with your family like you said you would. We were supposed to go to the park today, remember? Just me and you. You were going to let me drive, remember? Instead though, I had to spend the day with Aunt Rose and a bunch of old women talking about flowers. Do you have any idea what that was like?”
Callie rubbed a hand over her face. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. You can be my chauffeur all day long.”
“Don’t bother. The only reason you brought me to see Aunt Rose is so someone will take the burden off your back and baby sit your teenage sister while you’re busy shacking up with the drummer.” Callie heard the hurt in Missy’s voice. “You know you always promised two things to me over the years. One—family would always come first. And two—if I ever needed you, you’d be there. You always keep your cell on, you always have it with you when one of the guys from the band demands your attention. Why didn’t you answer me today?”
Callie covered her eyes with her hand. “I left my cell in the car.”
“Figures. You broke both of your promises today.”
Missy hung up the phone and Callie clicked hers off as well.
“I should have called her. I promised her I’d let her drive to the park today. I completely forgot.” Callie checked her missed calls. Ten were from Missy. “Shit.”
Sin crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ve got to go. I know.”
Callie stared at him. “Don’t you dare give me grief about leaving.”
“I’m not.” He propped his hands behind his head. “She’s your sister, your family. Missy probably looked forward to driving. I get it.”
Callie scooted to the edge of the bed and stood. “So what am I supposed to do? She called me ten times today and I never answered her. If the tables were turned, I would be so pissed off she’d wish she’d never met me.” She grabbed her clothes and began to dress. “And the whole park thing. I told her this trip was for us. She loves Aunt Rose and I really think she enjoys spending time with her, but she hardly ever sees me. It’s spring break and the last thing she wants to do is spend it with an old woman and her group of friends.”
Sin grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. “Your sister will get over it. She’s sixteen, not two. And since I’m partially to blame here, I’ll make it up to both of you.”
Callie narrowed her eyes. “What are you planning to do?”
“You mentioned something about taking Missy to the theme park. I know the guy that owns it. I’ll call in a few favours and Missy will have the time of her life.” He pulled her mouth to his. “So stop worrying.”
Callie rolled her shoulders in an effort to release the tension. How could she not worry? “We’ll have to do pizza another night.”
Sin smiled. “At least there’ll be another night.”
* * * *
When Callie pulled in the drive, she immediately spotted Missy in the front porch swing, sullen as usual. Aunt Rose’s bedroom light was off, so Callie figured she already went to bed. Callie parked the car and grabbed her purse. She didn’t have enough energy to fight with Missy tonight, but she had promised family would always come first. She’d never broken that promise until now.
Callie got out of the car and walked up the sidewalk to the porch. Missy stared out into the dark, avoiding her gaze. Callie went inside and dropped her purse on the couch. After grabbing an afghan, she went back outside and took the seat next to Missy in the swing.
“Let it out. I give you free reign to yell at me right now.” Callie waited and then heard a sniffle from Missy. “Missy, come here.”
“Just leave me alone. I’m fine by myself.” She jerked away from her sister.
Callie sat there, head against the back of the swing, staring into the night. “At least tell me why you are crying. Are yo
u mad because we didn’t do what you’d planned? Are you mad at me for not answering the phone or calling you? Just tell me what’s wrong and I’ll fix it.”
“Why do you care? Go back to Sin. He’s the only one that wants you.”
Callie folded her hands over her stomach. “I didn’t choose him over you, Missy. I’m simply human and I forgot about our plans. I’m sorry. I love you more than anything and you know it.”
“I called you ten times, Callie.” Missy turned in the swing, her teardrops silver in the moonlight. “You always answer your cell. I didn’t know where you were, what you were doing. What if something happened to me? To you?”
Callie’s guilt went up a notch as Missy gave her a short version of the speech Callie normally gave her about leaving her cell phone off. She reached over and brushed Missy’s tears away, praying for some way to fix this.
“I’m sorry, Missy. We went out of town and I left my cell in the car.” Callie scooted closer to her and finally succeeded in wrapping her arms around her sister. “I hate it that you worried about me and I should have called. I know that. But I promise to make it up to you. We’ll go to the theme park tomorrow and do whatever you want to do.”
Callie held Missy in her arms, nearly pulling the teenager onto her lap. It’d been a long time since she cuddled her like a child, but Callie enjoyed having her sister close. Missy finally wrapped her arms around Callie and held her too.
“I love you, Missy.” She kissed her cheek. “You mean the world to me.”
Missy laid her head on Callie’s shoulder. “More than Sin?”
She chuckled. “Please tell me you’re not jealous.”
“No. But he gets to see you more than I do. It’s not fair.” Missy grabbed Callie’s hand and linked her fingers. “I had to hang out with six old women today. The whole time I so wished I was with you. At least you don’t talk about prune juice and problems with your husband’s bodily functions.”
Callie laughed. “Why, Missy Quinn, did you just insinuate I’m young and hip?”
“No. I insinuated old people need to get a life.”
They laughed. Callie missed being with Missy. Most of the time, she was yelling at her, scolding her, or grounding her from something. It was nice to sit back and talk, and cut up with each other.
“Tell you what. Let’s grab a few movies and some dinner and crawl into bed. It’s been a long time since we’ve had movie night together.” Callie stood with her hand still linked to Missy’s. “Come on. It’ll be fun making fun of Aunt Rose’s old lady movies. We can mute it and fill in the words for the people on screen. What do you say?”
“I say it’s about time you lighten up a little and have some fun.”
The Sweetest Sin
Chapter Seven
Callie and Missy arrived at the theme park around eight o’clock the next morning. Sin waited for them at the gate talking with the owner, Grayson Hampton.
“Hey.” Callie brushed her fingers along Sin’s spine. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, beautiful.” He hugged her to his side. “Grayson Hampton, this is Callie Quinn, Darkfever’s PR expert.” He kissed her forehead and then introduced Missy. “And that bright ray of sunshine is her sister, Missy.”
“Funny, Drummer Boy.” Missy crossed her arms over her chest.
He smiled. “Grayson owns this wonderful theme park. He was just telling me the water park opened up this week.”
Callie turned toward Missy. “Oh, that sounds like fun.”
“Yes. We have plenty of fun things for you to try out. All on the house, of course.” Grayson smiled at Callie with obvious admiration. “Enjoy your time.”
Grayson excused himself and left Sin with Callie and Missy.
“Well, I guess I’ll leave you to your day of fun,” Sin said.
“Stay with us.” Callie grabbed his hand.
Missy pursed her lips in annoyance. It was Sin’s first reaction to laugh, but he saw the look in Callie’s eyes and pushed the thought away.
“I don’t think Missy wants me here.”
“Missy doesn’t mind, do you?” Callie turned her attention to the sullen teen.
“No, of course not. Why wouldn’t I want to be the third wheel? The third wheel has the most fun.” Missy rolled her eyes.
“Have fun, babe.” Sin kissed Callie’s forehead and stepped past her.
“Stop it, both of you.” Callie huffed and stared at her sister. “Sin is coming with us, and Missy, you’re not going to be the third wheel. You have got to get used to him being in my life.” She shifted her eyes back to Sin. “And if you expect us to work, you’re going to have to get used to a hormonal teenager being around. I’m not giving one up for the other, so you might as well become fast friends.”
Sin stared at Callie. The only thing running through his mind was stripping her and fucking her right in the middle of the theme park. In two days, they were expected back in L.A., and he wasn’t quite sure when or if they’d even get to see each other. He wanted to be with her and he would, anyway she let him.
“Now come on. Let’s go have some fun and enjoy ourselves.” Callie walked away, leaving them no choice but to follow.
It took a few hours of riding roller coasters before Missy finally loosened up around him. It wasn’t easy finding something to talk about with a teenager, but he heard she liked Metallica and jumped at the chance to talk about music, an interest they both shared. From then on out, they debated about the best and worst bands, finding they agreed on most.
When lunchtime came, they stopped at the hotdog vender and grabbed some food. Sin wrapped an arm around Callie, loving the smile that seemed to be glued to her face. Missy chatted about deep, dark secrets from their past, hoping to embarrass Callie no doubt. Finally, they found a table in the crowded park and sat down to eat.
“I need to pee,” Missy announced, situating her food on the table. “Watch my food.”
After she left the table, Sin turned to Callie. “So, do you think she likes me yet?” He bit into his hotdog, waiting for her to reply.
“You’re doing okay. You’ve just about talked music to death, but it’s forgiven.” She smiled. “Is this the first time you’ve been around kids?”
“Kids? No. Teenagers? Yes.” He took another bite. “Midas’ sister has three kids, all a pain in the butt, but they’re great. Missy, however, is definitely more interesting. At least she doesn’t talk about the latest Barbie or ask me if she can paint my nails.”
She smiled. “Missy never played with dolls. She liked outdoors and spent most of her time on the jungle gyms, getting dared by boys to jump from the top and not break a bone.” Her smile faded. “She cried on me last night. She thinks I’m choosing you over her. Ever since our mother died and our father bailed, I’ve worked really hard to make her feel special. I’ve tried to show her that, through the bad times, I would always be there for her, and she could always count on me to love her and want her when no one else did.” She sipped from her drink before continuing, “And now that you’ve come in the picture, I don’t know how to continue that. It nearly broke my heart that she worried about me when I didn’t answer my cell. It may seem like nothing, but we tried calling mom the night of her accident and couldn’t get through. I…I just don’t want her to feel that way again.”
Sin set his food down and reached for Callie’s hand. “You’re an amazing woman, sweetheart. I didn’t think I could possibly love you any more than I already did, but I do. You always put others before you, and I admire that. It’s obvious you love your sister and nothing will ever change that. She’ll see it with time if she doesn’t already right now.”
Callie brushed her thumb against his hand. “Do you really love me?”
Sin smiled. “I wouldn’t have said it the first time if I didn’t mean it.”
“Are you in love with me?”
“Yes.” Sin leaned forward and kissed her. Overwhelming joy spread throughout his body. He wanted to shout it t
o the world like those crazy jewellery ads on TV. He was in love with this woman.
“Jeez, I’m gone five minutes and you’re already sucking face.” Missy sat and ripped open a packet of ketchup.
“I love your sister, what can I say?” Sin smiled and went back to finishing his hotdog.
Missy scrunched her eyebrows together. “How about nothing?”
Callie shook her head and began to eat her food.
The theme park closed at eight and Sin led the girls to the exit at seven forty-five. He asked Callie repeatedly to come back to his place but she refused. Even when he begged pathetically, she still declined. She said this was Missy’s day with her and she intended to keep it that way.
“Hey, Drummer Boy?” Missy pulled off a piece of blue cotton candy and stuffed it in her mouth. “Will you do me a favour?”
He smiled. “Depends on the favour.”
“I got this prom thing coming up the Friday after we get back. I didn’t really want to go but all my friends are dragging me there. Anyway, I thought it’d be really cool if Darkfever could play.”
Callie grinned at him. “She’s got you right where she wants you and she’s reeling you in.”
“I suppose so.” He chuckled when Missy pumped her fist. “If the guys aren’t doing anything, we could play a few songs.”
She ran around the car and hugged him. “I actually like you.”
He hugged her, glancing up at Callie. “I like you too, Missy.”
She pulled away and went to the passenger’s side. Juggling her cotton candy in one hand and her cell phone in the other, she dialled her friends to tell them the latest news. Sin took the opportunity to hug Callie, kissing her periodically. The sun was going down, filling the sky with oranges and reds, and making it a perfect moment with her in his arms.
“Thank you for befriending my sister and making her day with the prom thing,” Callie whispered. “I didn’t think she’d actually go to prom since she had to wear a formal gown.”
