by D. A. Young
The last member of their team was one of the most talented, finished carpenters in the country and, they had been lucky to get him. His name was Quaid McKay, and his specialty was cabinetry, furniture making, fine woodworking, model building, musical instrument making.
Scottish and a bit of a daredevil, Quaid roared into town three years ago on his monster Harley and offered up his services which they quickly accepted. He wasn’t as quiet as Holt, nor was he as outgoing as Guy, but somewhere in between. Jack suspected he was running from his own demons because he never spoke about his personal life. As far as Jack was concerned, since Quaid past his background check and psyche test with flying colors, he couldn’t care less what the man did as long as he maintained his perfect work ethic.
It was early Saturday evening, and the pub was packed. Lots of folks had stopped by the table to say ‘hey’, and Jack found himself thinking that next time he shouldn’t stay away so long. He tapped his foot in time to the country music playing from the jukebox in the corner, as he waited impatiently for Noelle and her girls to join them. He’d received a text from her saying they were on their way ten minutes ago.
“Hey, Jackie; heard you were back in town,” a female voice cooed in his ear. He glanced sideways to see Kara Ann Winter standing next to his chair, looking as if her jeans and tank were spray painted onto her surgically-enhanced form. Her long, blond hair fell in waves underneath a pink cowboy hat, and he could see that her blue eyes were sparkling. At one time, she had been his high school girlfriend. They’d dated for three months before he discovered she created t-shirts that said “Mrs. Sullivan” on the back and told everyone how she was going to have his babies. Jack couldn’t break up with her fast enough. He nodded his head in recognition. “Kara Ann, how are you?”
“Well don’t just sit there! Gimme a hug!” she pouted, holding out her arms. “I haven’t seen you in ages! Maybe we can slip away and… catch up. I can do that one little thing you used to like. You know… make it a proper homecoming,” Kara Ann said, suggestively licking her lips. Jack could see that she’d even had those done. They looked like someone punched her in the mouth, he thought with distaste. Immediately, Noelle’s generous all natural bee-stung lips popped into his head. There was nothing in the world that compared to the feel of his woman’s lips.
“I’m afraid that I have to decline your thoughtful offer. I’m a married man now, and my wife wouldn’t like me spreadin’ my affections around,” Jack said mildly. He waved his ring finger in her face, feeling the usual wealth of satisfaction run through him at being able to say that. Besides, any girl could suck dick. He was with a woman who also blew his damn mind.
Kara Ann’s face turned red. “Well that right there tells me you went and married a damn yank, didn’t ya? Southern women are a lot friendlier and would never deny a man a little hospitality. I’m sure you’re really enjoying your highfalutin Yankee, Mr. Hot Shit,” she said snarkily.
“Tell you what, Kara Ann. You should run along before my wife shows up. I reckon you’ll be in a world of hurt if she hears you runnin’ yer mouth. She doesn’t take too kindly to shit talkers,” Jack said coolly as he snatched a buffalo wing and dipped it into the ranch dressing, watching as her face turned bright red. The other men tried to stifle their chuckles and she left in a huff. The table broke out in laughter, and Jack shook his head in disbelief. As if he’d go for someone other than his Noelle.
“So where is your hot wife, Sullivan?” Guy asked, chuckling at Jack’s dark look. “What? I can’t pay your wife a compliment? Relax man, yeesh.”
“No, you can’t,” Jack said seriously. “And I’m gonna whup your ass if you compliment her again.”
“Do you even hear how insane you sound?” Guys asked incredulously, shaking his head. “Damn man; the next round is on you,” he pointed at the empty plates on the table. “You damn near ate all the appetizers by yourself.”
Jack looked down and was surprised to see that the wings, onion rings, and cheese sticks were gone. He didn’t recall eating that much, but he supposed it had to do with having Noelle on his brain since the night she’d touched him. Just remembering how her soft hands felt sliding over his flesh was enough to make his dick hard as rock, and he shifted subtly to avoid the discomfort in his groin area.
One touch and he was a goner. He’d wanted to peel away her workout clothes, which were driving him nuts by the way the fabric clung to every curve on her body, and have his way with her. Judging from the way her breathing had changed and how dilated her pupils got; she was just as aroused as him. Jack knew it would have taken minimal effort to take control of the situation and give them both what they wanted. No, needed, so desperately, but he wasn’t that big a bastard to do so and have her thinking he couldn’t keep his word.
Although the house was fully furnished, by silent, mutual agreement, they continued to share a bed. Every night they went to bed with a respectable distance between them in the huge California King; and every morning they woke up with Noelle in Jack’s arms with his hardness ground into her bottom. It was the most exquisite agony he’d ever experienced. It was all he could do not to slide between her legs and put his mouth on her hot spot; to hear her noises of excitement, egging him on as he pleasured her to his heart’s content and fucked her deeply into the mattress.
No, Noelle had to come to him; the sooner the better so they could both be put out of their misery. Jack knew it wasn’t easy for her, because she had trust and confidence issues, but hopefully he could help her to overcome those fears. Away from all the bullshit in the city, she was a lot more carefree and appeared to be enjoying herself here in ‘The Row’. He would definitely have to arrange for them to make more trips here.
“Everything okay, Jack?” Holt asked quietly. Out of all of them, Holt was the most reserved. He never spoke unless he had something to say, he was content to just chill and listen. After their Ma died, Holt would come over and just sit with them for hours on end. He’d bring pocket knives from his uncle’s bait shop, and they’d just sit quietly whittling on wood Ian provided, not saying a damn thing. It was what helped Jack get through the first three months after Ma died, until Vivienne took them to see the shrink in D.C.
“Yeah, just thinking about some stuff I need to rearrange when I get back to New York so that I’m able to spend more time here,” Jack said. “The way things are going with all the projects we got goin’ on around here, I figure it’d be best for me to start pulling more of my weight around here.”
“So you’re really going to divide your time between here and New York? What does the gorgeous Mrs. Sullivan have to say about commuting?” Guy asked curiously, ignoring Jack’s dark look of warning.
“Yeah, Jack. What does Noelle have to say about it?” Casey asked, looking at him intently aware that there was something going on in his brother’s marriage that the couple wasn’t disclosing. Darby, who was busily shoving chili cheese fries into his mouth, also looked up with a raised eyebrow.
Jack narrowed his eyes and threw a french fry at Casey which he neatly avoided. The sound of loud heels clicking shifted their attention to the approaching newcomer who stopped next to their table, plucked a fry out of the basket, and popped it between her full, cherry-red lips.
“Mmmm, don’t mind if I do,” Kat said with a smirk as she surveyed the table.
“Hey, get your own,” Casey mock-scowled; and Kat stuck her tongue out at him as she leaned down to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving a red lipstick stain behind. She ruffled Darby’s hair affectionately and nodded at Guy who winked back at her. Holt gave her a measured stare that made her blush to her roots and she quickly looked away to address her brothers from another mother with a narrow-eyed gaze.
“So is this how brothers treat their only sister? Leave her to hang out all by her lonesome on a Saturday night?” Kat asked with a pout, and Guy leered at her.
“Well, I don’t have any sisters so I wouldn’t know about treating one badly, Kat. But wha
t I do have is vast knowledge on what women like, if you’re interested,” he said suggestively.
Kat rolled her eyes as every male at the table turned to look at him with the same unblinking stare. “Whaaaaat?” Guy said innocently. “I said if she was interested, clearly she’s not interested.”
“Stop flirting with her,” Casey ordered. “Not unless you want us to make you cry again, Pippy. Besides, what all do you know about women, big liar? You’d call an alligator a lizard all day.”
Darby turned back to frown at her. “Why the hell is your skirt so short, Kat? Does Lex know your running around parading your hoo-ha? Go grab a damn apron from Ginger and put it on.”
Kat shot him a dirty look. “You didn’t object when Gabby Ferris was sitting on your lap last week at the Founders Day Parade with a skirt at least two inches shorter than this one; and it was paired with a shirt sheer enough to show her religion, Darby Liam Sullivan;” she snorted delicately. “And did you really just say hoo-ha? No surprise you’re still single if you’re calling it that. It is a vagina. Va-giii-naaa. Or va-jay-jay. My personal favorite is kitty-”
Collectively the guys groaned and covered their ears except for Holt, who gave her a look hot enough to set her on fire. Ever since Kat bumped into him two months ago at the gas station, there’d been something brewing between them; something that compelled her every time he was around to seek him out, only to find his gaze already on her. This ‘thing’ filled her with a certain kind of feeling. It was the feeling you got as you slowly chugged up a roller coast track knowing there’s a thousand-foot drop on the other side; the kind of feeling that left you hating and loving it all at the same time.
Kat bit her lip and glanced towards the door, spying her dear friend James Leighton coming through it. He was her best friend Autumn’s cousin and was in town to pick up the ring he planned to propose to his girlfriend with. She gave an enthusiastic wave, motioning him over. The men all glanced toward the door to see a medium height, well-dressed man heading their way.
“Who the fuck is that?” Jack asked darkly, eyes never leaving the newcomer. “He looks like a damn gigolo.”
The others murmured their agreement; and from the corner of her eye, Kat saw Holt’s hand clench around his beer bottle when an idea came to her. She needed to distance herself from Holt because she had a feeling that if she didn’t, nothing good would come of it; and James would be the one to help her do it. She replied as nonchalantly as she could, “He’s not from around here. We went to school together.”
James was now at their table and confused by her beseeching expression as she reached up to give him a lingering kiss on the cheek. She whispered into his ear, “Please play along.”
He squeezed her waist to let her know he would and gave them all a toothpaste white smile that glowed against his nut brown skin as he leaned down to kiss Kat’s cheek briefly hissing, “You owe me!”
A collective growl from the seated men made him straighten up nervously.
“Hush, all of you. James, these are my brother’s, Jack, Casey, and Darby. Those two are my honorary brothers, Guy and Holt…” she finished softly as her gaze met Holt’s dispassionate one. Perhaps this wasn’t such a great idea…
“Hi, fellas; nice to meet you,” James said a little too enthusiastically as he took in their unsmiling faces. “Kat says the nicest things about you guys…I uh…feel like I already know you all already.”
Kat winced, shaking her head slightly, and James damn near swallowed his Adam’s apple when the temperature at the table dropped to thirty degrees below zero.
“Fuck what you heard. We haven’t heard shit about you,” Jack said coldly. James looked ill as he nervously pulled at his collar. Kat grabbed his hand and pulled it down to intertwine their fingers, holding on tight as he tried to yank away. Holt’s gaze lowered and remained on their locked fingers; and this time, it was Kat who had the urge to pull away.
“If you knew us, then you’d know that we despise ass-kissing,” Casey said brusquely.
“You ain’t from around here is ya?” Guy asked in a low belligerent tone as he pulled a long, wicked-looking knife from underneath his jacket to lay it on the table next to his drink. The blade gleamed evilly underneath the lights.
“No…no…sir,” James squeaked with a gulp, eyes riveted on the knife. Kat wanted to roll her eyes as she felt his hand go clammy in hers. Ewwww.
“It is my people’s belief that if a man is serious about taking a woman out, then he has to play five finger roulette for every brother she has. This game is called ‘Osiyo’. To refuse would bring dishonor to the woman, as if to say she is unworthy,” Guy explained menacingly, giving James a fierce glance that called forth his Native American warrior ancestors. “You ready to play, boy?”
“Ummm, you know Kat, perhaps this wasn’t the best idea,” James said anxiously as he looked at the knife in horror and then the hardened faces around the table. Kat stomped her tiny foot in frustration.
“Cut it out, all of you!” Kat yelled, causing other patrons to turn and look at them. “Tell him you’re not serious.” Stoic glances met her annoyed one as the men continued to silently intimidate James. Finally, Holt stood up, and James seeing his full height, took a step back and reached into his jacket, pulling out an inhaler that he quickly took two puffs of.
“Leave him,” Holt said in his deep baritone as his angry gaze colliding with Kat’s. He grabbed his beer and walked towards the bar leaving the friends to stare after him in puzzlement, missing Kat’s remorseful look as she too watched him walk away. Instead of feeling relieved that she’d caused a rift in their unspoken game, she felt like shit.
Darby turned back to James. “The Smoky Mountains ain’t no joke. It’s beautiful but deadly. A man could get lost or die tryin’ to find a way outta there. You even think about putting your hands on her, they’ll never find your body, ya hear?”
James blanched at his overly sinister tone. “Yes…s-s-sir.”
Kat rolled her eyes and pulled him away. “All y’all need to quit. Let’s go, babe. “
The group of men waited until they couldn’t see the couple in the crowd of people before speaking.
“Isn’t Osiyo ‘how are you’ in Cherokee?” Jack asked Guy mildly. “That’s the best you got?”
“I was improvising, man,” Guy said defensively. “Besides, I don’t see anybody else at this table that’s able to lay claim to a bad ass tribe of people. And would somebody please get this knife away from me? Holt asked me to hold it because my jacket has big pockets, but you know how I feel about knives.” He gave a shudder and gingerly pushed the knife towards Casey, who rolled his eyes.
“You’re such a big baby. Well I’m pretty sure we put the fear of God in him, and he’ll think twice about putting his hands anywhere they’re not supposed to be. Besides, thanks to Vivienne, Kat is pretty up there in Krav Maga. She could probably rip his spine out with her dainty little hands,” Casey mused as he grabbed his beer and glanced up to the entrance, bottle poised near his lips. “Holy hell!”
All the men turned towards the door as the noise died down in Hooligans, and everyone turned to watch the trio of black goddesses standing in the doorway, all uniquely different, but equally beautiful.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Guy gave a long low wolf whistle. “Dayyyyyum! I call dibs on either one that’s not Mrs. Sullivan,” he said quickly, causing both Casey and Darby to give him sharp looks. Simultaneously they growled: “She’s unavailable.”
“Oh come on! None are available? Is this true Jack? Jack?” Guy whined, trying to get his friend’s attention but getting nowhere.
Jack tried to appear nonchalant, but his attention was held by the second tallest of the trio, wearing a black mini tank dress that clung to her curves and showed a lot of her silky skin, and black gladiator stilettos with gold and silver jewelry to complete her look. Her hair was styled in a long braid over one shoulder, and she wore one of those chain headbands that gave h
er already exotic look another level of mystery.
Noelle glanced around the bar until she saw Jack and smiled, causing his heart to stutter. This wasn’t her normal sweet smile. It was just as beautiful, but filled with seduction and a promise of sensual things to come. A glance around the bar showed that the women were the center of attention. and the admiring looks Noelle was drawing stirred jealousy in the pit of his stomach that was quickly spreading. He wasn’t sure how it happened, but suddenly he was on his feet and in front of her; hands cupping her face and laying claim to her silken mouth in front of everyone, lest there be any doubt of exactly whom she belonged to.
***
Noelle closed her eyes as she melted under the dizzying onslaught of Jack’s possessive kiss. She wrapped her hands around his wrists and returned the kiss with fervor, loving the way his tongue was stroking hers and devouring the taste that was uniquely him. On and on it went and she wished they could stay locked like this forever. Eventually people started clearing their throats. Only when someone yelled ‘Get a room!’ and the whole bar broke out in laughter, did they separate. She opened her eyes drowsily to look into his lust-filled hazel ones. With a shy smile she said, “Hey.”
