Sweet Obsession (Men of Whiskey Row Book 1)

by D. A. Young

  “I will need to be making a generous donation on your behalf to the church, da? he asked Darby in a dry tone as he stood up. “Is there something either of you wish to tell me before I meet this man of God?”

  Darby quickly shoveled food into his mouth. “Yeah…this is some good spaghetti. Cook sure can burn in the kitchen.”

  Casey and Alexei rolled their eyes before leaving the room to wait for their unexpected guests. With a sigh, Darby reluctantly got up to follow. There was a knock at the door and, Alexei opened it to reveal a middle-aged white couple that Darby had never seen before. The woman was short and round with blonde hair braided in two plaits. She looked at Darby and gave him a smile that made him think of his dear mama’s. The man appeared to be older with receding blonde hair. He wore glasses and a stern expression. His gaze steady as he surveyed Darby. Then he turned to Alexei and held his hand out.

  “Good evening, Mr. Romankov. My name is Jim Wyatt, and this is my wife Nadine. I’m the new pastor over at First Methodist. We’ve just moved here from Rock Head, Missouri. We’re sorry to bother you at the dinner hour, but we felt it couldn’t wait another day to address the issue at hand.”

  Alexei grasped the man’s hand in a firm handshake before giving his wife a gentler one. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. These are my boys, Darby and Casey. What exactly IS the issue at hand?”

  The boys nodded politely; and Darby, fidgeting under the Pastor’s and Alexei’s speculative gazes, stared at the floor.

  “Well sir, as a servant of God I normally don’t condone violence of any kind but…I’m forever in your son’s debt and would appreciate it if you would accept our invitation to Sunday dinner.”

  Darby’s eyes flew up to meet Jim Wyatt’s tear-filled gaze. “Thank you for what you did today, son. Thank you.” The pastor said humbly, holding his hand out for Darby to shake. Not quite sure what to say, Darby nodded his head and returned the man’s handshake, pissed that he was blushing like a school girl underneath Alexei and Casey’s proud gazes.

  “Helloooo? Earth to Darby? I apologize for the rude entrance, but I’ve been emailing you reminders about our big investors meeting all week. You know the one that I attended in Nashville by myself two hours ago? You swore you wouldn’t miss it, but you did!” Ginger pointed her finger at him. “We’re partners, Sullivan. Your fuck up is my fuck up, and last I checked, I’m not in the business of getting fucked without pleasure, partner.”

  Darby winced, hoping that good Pastor Jim may he rest in peace, wasn’t looking down from Heaven, listening to his little ‘Ginny’ be so crude. She ignored his pained expression and continued on with her rant.

  “We’ve been working on this expansion deal for a long time, so I need to know that your head’s in the game before we go any further.” And with that, she slammed out of his office.

  Darby leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. Although he came off as a good time guy, he never fucked around when it came to business and making money. He needed to get focused, to stop wasting time thinking about a certain brown-eyed angel with killer curves and a sweet smile; an angel who belonged to someone else.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Finally, a moment alone,” Noelle whispered in relief as she heard Jack leave the house. This week was the best and worst of her life. It was the best because she and Jack were having fun hiking, hanging out, and decorating the house. They were instinctively on the same page in deciding what colors looked great in each room as well as the furniture style to go with it. It was the worst because the days and nights were rife with sexual tension and lustful looks between them. Her nerves were permanently stressed.

  Whenever he was in the vicinity, Noelle could feel Jack’s hot gaze on her; and even the most mundane things like watching him drink a bottle of water or painting the walls turned into some of the most erotic shit she’d ever seen. Two days ago, the sexual tension had finally boiled over, and things had been strained between them ever since.

  After doing her nightly yoga routine on the back porch, Noelle went upstairs to take a shower. When she walked into the master bedroom, Jack was just coming out of the bath, fresh from his own shower, wearing only a low-slung towel wrapped around his hips. Frozen at the sight of his near nakedness, Noelle could only stare at all that muscular flesh rippling as he started to apply lotion to his arms. His body was pure perfection- broad shoulders, slim waist with rock hard abs, and thick, muscular thighs and legs. Miguel’s “Adorn” bumped in the background.

  Jack was speaking in a low voice. Noelle couldn’t answer because she was too busy watching his erection grow beneath his white towel. Just thinking about its thickness moving so deep inside of her was making her sweat even more in her sticky workout clothes. “Noelle? Do you mind?”

  She pulled her gaze upward to focus on Jack and the bottle he was holding out to her. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

  He raised an eyebrow and grinned wickedly at her. ‘I know what you want,’ his expression taunted. But the real question was could she be bold enough to go and get it? Instead, he repeated himself patiently. “I asked if you could please put some lotion on my back.”

  Noelle stared at the bottle of lotion she’d bought for him as if it were a snake, before wordlessly taking it. You can do this, she told herself. Jack turned around and she stared at the wide expanse of golden skin in front of her. Since coming to Tennessee, he’d gotten considerably darker from being outdoors, and brown freckles were starting to appear on his arms and across his nose. Noelle opened the bottle, and the pleasant scent of lemon with verbena filled her nostrils.

  “Mmmm, that smells really good,” she murmured as she squirted a generous amount into one hand and tossed the bottle onto the extra-large king bed he’d insisted on buying. Like a brother, she reminded herself as she rubbed her palms together and placed them on Jack’s shoulders. Briskly she started to rub, and he tensed at her touch before giving a groan of pleasure and dropping his head forward, goosebumps breaking out across his skin.

  All thoughts of brotherly love vanished, as she massaged the smooth liquid into his warm flesh. Her fingers trailed along his skin lovingly and she watched as the muscles flexed beneath them when she traced his tattoo. The lotion was long absorbed but still she couldn’t resist touching him while he remained silent and still. Noelle’s body was aching for this man’s touch and she could tell he was just as affected when she saw his hands clenching and unclenching. His reaction made her feel bolder, and she dared to dip her fingers beneath the top of his towel, grazing his firm ass. The song faded and their ragged breathing filled the room.

  “That’s enough,” Jack said in a low, guttural tone and Noelle instinctively dropped her hands, shocked at how harsh and animalistic his voice sounded. With his fists clenched, he walked across the room, keeping his back to her.

  “I can only take so much, Noelle. You don’t have a clue about how bad I want to be buried inside of you, do you? That night we slept together plays on repeat in my mind; how good you smelled, felt, and tasted. So I need you to do to one of two things: You’re either gonna get naked for me, or you’re gonna walk away. Pick one or the other, but you’ve got fifteen seconds to decide. Fourteen…thirteen…”

  Jack whirled around and Noelle was shocked at how feral he looked. She lowered her eyes to see his massive erection straining against the towel as the countdown continued. “Nine..six..”

  She squealed as he slowly moved towards her, a predatory look in his eyes, and ran into the bathroom, quickly locking the door behind her. “Coward,” she whispered to her reflection, surprised to see how wild her own eyes looked in her flushed face.

  That night, she treated herself to a long, cold shower.

  ***

  Noelle wanted to give in. Oh, how she wanted to, but there was so much more at stake. He was playing for her body, while she was playing for keeps. When it was all said and done, if it didn’t work out, she’d be the one left picking up the pieces…o
f her broken heart.

  So instead of giving in to temptation, Noelle threw all her sexual frustration into cooking and baking. She’d discovered a love for southern cooking and was addicted, especially to barbeque after Jack decided to order her a plate at Darby’s bar, Hooligans. The ribs melted in her mouth; so meaty and tender that she devoured them in record time. Ginger sent her home with a to-go box full of ribs that she held on to protectively as if it were a pot of gold, much to Jack’s amusement. Although embarrassed, Noelle practically ran to the car with her bounty; and when Jack found her in the kitchen at one in the morning licking her fingers clean of barbeque sauce, she simply murmured, “Don’t judge.”

  Since then, she’d been researching cooking techniques and regional styles such as the Carolinas, Texas, Memphis, and Mid-South and was currently experimenting with sauces. Every day, Guy, Darby, Alexei, and Holt came over to help with the house; and while the guys worked, Noelle did what she loved to do most-cook.

  She made big, hearty meals, and they all sat in the backyard eating, listening to music, and playing card games. Every meal they had included sweet tea and something barbequed. They were her guinea pigs and always eager to try out her new recipes. So far, quail wrapped in bacon with Dr. Pepper barbeque sauce was the most popular. They were adamantly against eating the barbequed salt and vinegar pig’s feet and teriyaki chitlins.

  Noelle was putting the final touches on her baked salmon, when she heard a car screech to a stop and doors slam. Wiping her hands on the Kiss the Cook apron tied around her waist, she walked towards the front door and opened it in time to see Avery storming towards her dragging her hot pink roll-on luggage. She was followed by a glamorously sulking Sidra. Behind them, a classic mustang peeled off down the driveway.

  Avery, reeking of liquor, brushed past her and into the house with a mumbled, “Hey girl.”

  Noelle stared after her with raised eyebrows and turned to greet her other friend who just gave her a wan smile before going into the house and leaving Noelle standing by the open door. “Well damn,” she said loudly and shut the door.

  ***

  Noelle walked back into the kitchen to find Avery, nails tapping on the granite, glaring at Sidra as she leaned against the island and finished off a bottle of Bud Light she’d found in the fridge as Sidra avoided her gaze and plucked at her purse strap. Uh-oh, Noelle thought, eyeing the now empty bottle that Avery had killed in under a minute. Avery was a light drinker, more often than not, she only drank a fourth of whatever alcoholic beverage she ordered. Shit had to have really jumped off for her to down a beer like that.

  “Soooo…how was the trip?” she asked brightly, walking back over to the oven to check on lunch. Silence. Okaaaaay. Noelle tried again.

  “I hope you brought your appetites because per your requests, I made my famous baked salmon with a berry salad! I told Jack we’d meet him and the boys in town for a night out after we had a chance to catch up. Sound good?” Again silence. She slammed her hand down on the counter. “All right, heifers! Start talking dammit! I’ll be damned if the two of you are going to come up in my space and disrespect it!”

  Avery took a deep breath and finally looked away from Sidra. She flashed Noelle an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, babe. You know I’m always happy to see you. Thank you for having us here this weekend.” She turned to Sidra and pointed a perfectly manicured index finger at her as she spoke to Noelle “This one….I just can’t… with her. Maaaaaan listen…” She stopped to take a deep breath shaking her head in exasperation.

  Sidra rolled her eyes and turned to Noelle. “It wasn’t that bad, I swear. Ave’s totally exaggerating.”

  “I’m exaggerating?!” Avery shrieked so loud both women winced. “Really, Sidra?! I’m exaggerating? So I didn’t just spend the last three hours trapped between you and Casey as you guys slaughtered each other with insults while Darby tried to play peacemaker? It’s a wonder I’m not covered in blood!”

  Avery was the sweetest person Noelle knew. Not one to normally lose her cool, she could be counted on to see the positive side in any situation -except for this one apparently. Sidra sucked her teeth hard in defiance as Noelle really noticed her normally impeccable friend’s haphazard appearance for the first time.

  Avery’s thick, shiny hair was pulled to the side in a sloppy ponytail with strands sticking out all over. The collar of her fitted black and white gingham checked shirt was twisted and her full black skirt was severely creased. Noelle looked down at her feet and saw that her open toe black heels were slightly scuffed and the polish on her big toe was chipped.

  With a sympathetic look, Noelle walked over to Avery and gave her a hug before gently steering her towards the doorway. Speaking to her in a soothing tone, she said, “Okay, baby girl. You’re no longer a potential witness to a homicide. Why don’t you go wash up while I finish with lunch? Afterwards we’ll head out so I can show you guys around.” Noelle pulled Avery close for a reassuring hug as another shudder wracked the shorter woman’s frame.

  “I think the two of them were a serial killer couple in another life,” Avery whispered to Noelle and cringed. “You should have seen the joy they took in hurling insults at each other.” She whipped her head around to glare at Sidra. “If you even think of continuing where the two of you left off the next time you see him; you’re going to get more of what I gave you in the car. I will be all over you like a freaking spider monkey, Sidra Jane Barton.”

  The threat was enough to make Sidra clutch at her ear protectively as Avery flounced out of the room, leaving both of her friends to stare after her in shock.

  ***

  Darby eyed Casey’s hands clenched tightly around the mustang’s steering wheel, as they sped away from Jack’s house. The way his baby brother was gripping it made him think he wished it were Sidra Barton’s graceful neck in his hands right about now. Darby was amazed at the change in Casey because he wasn’t used to seeing him this rattled. Even when he was beating aggressive women off with a stick, the youngest Sullivan was charming and polite in his rebuff; the perfect freaking gentleman at all times, except when it came to Ms. Sidra Barton.

  So Darby was not surprised when Casey, upon seeing Sidra this afternoon as she entered the cabin of the private jet, started to radiate animosity. She promptly ignored him as she reached up to kiss Darby’s cheek in greeting before silently sliding into the seat across from Casey. With her eyes hidden behind large dark sunglasses, Sidra pulled out her laptop and proceeded to type away, appearing oblivious to the steam coming out of Casey’s ears as he glared at her.

  Darby started to make a joke to ease the tension, but immediately forgot about them as Avery Monroe entered the cabin. Just seeing her sweet radiant smile and sparkling brown eyes made his heart pound. She was so pretty and ladylike that she made him sweat. The goody-two shoe ones always did which was exactly why he stayed away from them. Sure they looked like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth, but he knew firsthand that behind the big eyes and fluttering lashes lurked scheming brains and hearts made of stone. So instead, Darby went for wild ones who knew the score. They had a raunchy good time and nobody was blindsided by pesky things like feelings. He’d made the ‘goody-goody’ mistake once, and it had been a hard lesson learned.

  “Well hey there, Ms. Avery. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” he murmured, watching as she blushed prettily; in the background he could hear a low-heated exchange between Casey and Sidra.

  “Hi, Darby. It’s very nice to see you as well. Thank you for the ride; it was very nice of you to offer,” Avery said warmly.

  After receiving an email from mizzmanners@hotmail.com informing him that she and Sidra couldn’t get same day flights and wouldn’t be in Whiskey Row until the next day, Darby asked Alexei if he could borrow his private plane.

  The Russian agreed on one outrageous condition which Darby readily accepted, but still had no idea how he was going to pull off. All this, just to see if what he felt the first time he’d seen the beau
tiful Avery Monroe was a fluke. Standing in front of her now and hungrily drinking her in, he realized it wasn’t, and that he was definitely up shit creek without a paddle. He had a witty reply ready; but it was interrupted by Sidra yelling, “You, asshole!” to which Casey replied immaturely, “Takes one to know one.”

  From there it was on and poppin’, with Sidra and Casey flinging insults at each other the entire flight. Some were subtle, most harshly direct. Avery tried to distract her friend, and Darby attempted to play peacemaker while the flight staff avoided them like the plague at all costs. It was only when drinks were served that Avery and Darby thought a peace treaty could be in the works.

  Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. When Sidra stood up to put her laptop in the storage compartment, Casey muttered something and Sidra froze before snatching her drink and whirling around. Darby, seeing her intent, lunged forward to grab the glass. He grabbed Sidra’s wrist and held it high, which unfortunately led to the drink spilling out over her shoulder and onto Avery. For a moment, there was silence as everyone stared at her shocked face and her now liquor-stained outfit.