But I couldn’t deny I wanted him too. Was I too greedy?
“Nate…”
“I love you, Simone. I really do. I’ve always loved you.”
And all hell broke loose…
I’d never noticed before, but Nate had this amazing scent that enveloped all my senses. A masculine fragrance that made every cell of my being yearn for him. Perhaps it was his arousal. Maybe it was his expensive cologne that permeated his pores. Or his pheromones. I was crazy for it. My heart raced. My pussy fluttered.
Nate made me shiver. A good kind of shiver. A shiver that came because pleasure sparked like a crackling, insanely dangerous live wire. He kissed and kissed me until I completely surrendered. All I could think of was how to soothe that throbbing ache, that maddening need that echoed from cell to cell, from neuron to neuron, veins, bones, flesh and blood.
“What have you done to me, Nate? I feel hot. I’m going crazy,” I whispered to myself.
Nate tugged my chin up to meet his gaze. “It’s just instinct. The chemicals between us reacted better than I thought they would. It tells us that we’re more than compatible. As partners. As mates.”
He undressed me. All the time, he was fully in control. He used my bra to bind one wrist on the headboard and my panties the other.
“Are you into kinky stuff?” I blurted out without thinking.
Nate only smiled. It was more a grin than a smile. “A little. I just don’t want you to run and change your mind while I’m getting naked.”
I don’t know why, but being restrained like this really turned me on. My ex was lazy when it came to lovemaking. He expected me to do it all myself, and when he was satisfied, he snored himself to sleep.
I writhed as Nate removed my socks. The emergency restraints didn’t give me much room to move. He’d rendered me helpless, completely under his mercy.
Dear, Nate. Have you always been this way? Under your choirboy façade, you’re actually a perverse bastard? Behind that banker’s haircut. Behind those intelligent-looking glasses you wear…
“You’re smiling.” He noticed me, in the midst of removing his clothes.
“I didn’t expect to see this side of you,” I admitted.
He leaned down and licked my lips. “You’re going to see more than that. All sides of me.”
Nate straddled me and fisted a handful of my hair. He kissed me. He licked. He nipped. He sucked on my breasts. He painted my skin with his saliva.
I moaned. I thrashed against my bound wrists. I was his candy. His morsel of delight. He turned my brain into mush and my body into a brimstone of fire. He took his time, exploring every inch of my skin, leaving nothing untouched.
Nothing.
I bit my lip and shut my eyes when he tasted inside me. I didn’t expect him to do that so brazenly. Embarrassment washed over me at first. Then a pure pleasure took over. His mouth enclosed my sex. His teeth grazed my labia.
I was going to lose my mind.
He sucked and tongue-fucked me at the same time, and soon I could feel only fire. His mouth and my pussy were a welter of heat.
When he claimed my clit with the same ferocity, a violent climax wrenched my soul from my body and catapulted me onto cloud nine.
I died a little death. Like the French said: “La Petite Mort.”
I lingered in perhaps a fugue state for several long seconds. I couldn’t remember my own name as the unadulterated state of pleasure made me soar into the realm of twilight. When I came back to my senses, Nate pushed my legs up to my stomach, and his cock rested on my pubis. He was well endowed like his brother. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Great genes flowed in the Cody blood.
Without missing a beat, he put a condom on his cock.
“Simone, look at me,” Nate ordered.
In a trance, I did what he asked.
The fire in his eyes made him like a different person. What shade of Nate was I seeing now?
His voice was hoarse with lust. “Watch me as I fuck you.”
I widened my eyes. Coarse language didn’t befit him, not with that angelic face.
But my thoughts immediately burst the moment he penetrated me. Fucked me, as he said. It was more carnal than romantic the way he wanted me to see. He thrust. His cock spread me open despite the resistance from the rings of my vagina muscles. He didn’t stop until he hit my cervix.
Nate tugged and pulled as if he was looking for a deeper penetration. I moaned hard. I loved the sensation of being filled to the point of hurting. It was a good pain. One that was addictive. Even through thin rubber, I felt his veined shaft. The texture of his cock. The way he pulsed inside me. The way it juddered.
Oh my fucking God! I loved the way he felt. Loved it, loved it, lo—
I sucked hard through my clenched teeth. He pummeled his cock into me like a jackhammer, giving me no pause. No time to think. He forced me to feel, to surrender to a very basic human instinct.
Nate stared at me the whole time. He brushed a thumb over my lips. “Suck it.”
Like an obedient girl, I sucked his thumb. Seconds later, I knew why he’d ordered me to do that. He picked up speed and fucked me ferociously. Hard. Fast. So fucking deep.
Suddenly, a climax hit me.
Nate didn’t stop and continued battering me with that avalanche of thrusts. I yelped a little when a third orgasm raked through me. He removed his thumb and kissed me open-mouthed. Then he thrust his tongue inside my mouth like the way his cock ravaged my pussy. He fucked and fucked until I exploded again. I blacked out this time, even though it was only momentarily. He thrust once, twice, and climaxed.
Nate tore his lips away and groaned hard. Perspiration beaded his forehead. Our bodies covered with a sheen of sweat.
I cried quietly as I drifted into an afterglow.
He kissed me again before rolling off me and removing his condom. He lay next to me for a while, staring at the ceiling.
“Nate,” I called. “How about you take these things off me?” I yanked my makeshift restraints.
Nate leaned on his side. His gaze raked over my naked form. Then, a smile blossomed on the corner of his lips. “No. Not yet. I’m not done.”
Chapter Five
I discovered that sex had an effect on me like an illegal drug. I wanted it. I was hooked. Once the high and the afterglow faded away, only regret bound me like a boa constrictor’s grip. The more I struggled to get away, the more suffocated I became.
I opened up my eyes and the first thought that came to mind was why the hell did I do it? The first one might have been an honest mistake. But the second one was surely pure stupidity.
Congratulation, Simone, first you fucked Jamie, and now you’ve fucked his brother. How are you going to explain this to everybody?
Nate was still asleep beside me. He didn’t snore much. Only a deep, faint noise accompanied his breathing. He looked so peaceful. Content even.
I hadn’t noticed it before, but Nate had pretty eyelashes. They were too lush for a guy. His lips were sensuous too. Even while he was sleeping, he was still a very attractive man. Nate was also kind and smart. His ex-wife was a fool.
The guilt in my heart weighed heavily. I should have known better. I’d let my weakness ruin my newfound home, my sanctuary. I’d probably ruined Nate and Jamie’s relationship as well. What would Luke say when he discovered what I’d done?
I’m a wicked, wicked woman.
Argh. I hate myself.
I slipped out of the bed and took a shower. Nate had woken and left when I got out of the bathroom. I put my makeup on, did a light cleaning then got to the kitchen to make breakfast.
As I made batter for pancakes, Jamie came down from his room. He poured coffee and proceeded to casually peck a kiss on my cheek.
“Hi, babe,” he said.
My face burned hot. I felt as if I were a kid caught stealing candy with a hand still in the cookie jar. What made it more awkward was that Nate saw all of this.
He’d also just come dow
n from his room to have breakfast. His usually warm eyes turned icy, and his lips became a hard line. “What do you think you’re doing?” Nate asked Jamie with chastising tone.
“What do you mean?” Jamie asked back, unsuspecting.
I wiped my flour-covered hands on my apron. There was no way to avoid this situation. It was bound to happen sooner or later. “Jamie, Nate, we need to talk.”
Jamie took one good look at me, then both brothers seemed to catch on to what was going on. Jamie smiled. Any idiot could see that it was a forced smile. “Actually, I’m quite busy this morning. Can we do this later?”
“Jamie, we really need to have that conversation,” I said. I turned to Nate. “You too.”
Nate studied me. “Actually, I’m quite busy as well. I have something to discuss with Jamie first.”
“Oh. I have some documents that need to be delivered to our foreman. Can you run them to the site and give them to Lisa?” Jamie took a large manila envelope from the table and handed it to me.
This didn’t sound like a request. This was an order.
“While you’re at it, could you pick up a few items from the grocery store?” added Nate. He peeled off a sticky note and scribbled furiously.
It became clear they didn’t want me in the house at present. They preferred to have a talk without me. And since both of them were technically my employer, I couldn’t decline their request.
I took off my apron and ran the errands.
When I returned, the house was empty. The food I made for breakfast, untouched. I checked the garage. Both Nate’s and Jamie’s vehicles weren’t there.
Great. What happened after when they sent me away?
With nothing left to do but my daily chores, I did my work with dread. Jamie and Nate didn’t return for lunch, which was rather rare for them. They never missed out on my home-cooked meals. Luke called that he was busy at the office, but said that he’d come home for dinner.
After the house was clean and laundry done, I prepared dinner. I made everyone’s favorite as a peace offering. Buttermilk fried chicken for Luke, macaroni and cheese for Jamie, and spaghetti and meatballs for Nate. For dessert, I baked peach cobbler.
Luke came home first and was excited after learning we were having fried chicken for dinner. He took a shower while I laid out plates and silverware on the table. Nate and Jamie came home at the same time. They were disheveled and bruised, with torn clothes. Nate had a black eye, and Jamie had a split lip.
“What happened?” I couldn’t believe what I saw. “Were you two fist-fighting?”
“It’s not a big of deal,” said Nate, acting as if nothing had happened.
“We just had a heart-to-heart, brotherly talk. That’s all,” said Nate. “I smell something delicious. What’s for dinner?”
Apparently, I was the only one in the house who was shocked to find that Nate and Jamie had a brawl. Luke only raised an eyebrow as if that was the norm with his brothers. We had dinner as usual. Only, I’d lost my appetite.
I wanted to talk with Nate and Jamie and straighten things out, but the opportunity never presented itself. Halfway through dessert, someone pounded loudly on the front door.
Nate checked his phone. Everything wired and programmed so he could see it on his phone. He was baffled when saw who our rude guest was.
“It’s your aunt,” Nate told me.
“Aunt Rebecca?” I was completely bewildered. What did she want? I got up and went to answer the door.
The old woman in front of me was obviously running in pissy mode. I almost didn’t recognize her. Her hair had become all white and was arranged in a tight bun. Plus, she was dressed like someone who belonged in the Victorian era; someone should have put her in a glass display case.
Aunt Rebecca was two years younger than my mother, which should put her in her late sixties, but the years hadn’t been kind to her and she looked about a year older than ninety.
“Aunt Rebecca, what a surprise. What brings you—”
“Well, do you plan to see me at all?”
“Eh? I’m sorry. Would you like to come in?”
“Don’t bother. I only have a little to say to you, so I’ll be brief.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“Leave this town. Don’t ruin the memory of your mother with this shameless thing you’re doing here. Your mother was a good woman. A God-fearing woman, bless her heart. Your father too. If they knew what you were doing here, they’d be rolling on their graves.”
“What do you think I’m doing here? I work here.”
Aunt Rebecca laughed sinisterly. “I wasn’t born yesterday. You don’t think the whole town isn’t talking about it? They talk!”
My blood froze in my veins. Is it that obvious?
“Heed my words, lassie. Whether I like it or not, you’re still my niece. I wish you hadn’t elope with that Marsh boy, your mother would probably still be around if you hadn’t. You broke her heart. Sent her to an early grave. Now you come and do this…” she made fluttery gesture with her wrinkled hand. “You’ve tainted her memory.”
I felt numb. My feet were cold. My fingers were cold. Only with sheer determination was I able to hold back my tears.
Aunt Rebecca rummaged in her crocodile handbag and pulled out a fat envelope. She thrust it into my hands.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Ten thousand dollars. Cash. That was your mother’s. She saved money for your wedding, but since you eloped with that Marsh boy, this has been sitting in her bank account all these years. Take this and leave. I know that Marsh boy divorced you and left you penniless. Well, what do you expect? Your mother saw this when you started dating him. She tried to tell you so many times, but have you ever listened? No. So, take the money and go.”
“Excuse me.” Luke suddenly appeared beside me. “Can I help you, Ms. Everett?”
Aunt Rebecca sniffed at Luke with contempt. “Evening, Sherriff. Don’t mind this old lady, I’m just about to leave.” She glared at me one more time and turned around on her heels, tottering away along the sidewalk without a backward glance.
I couldn’t hold my tears any longer. At that very moment, I felt so small and insignificant. The world around me crumbled. My past sins had come to haunt me. The sin of defying my mother. The sin of loving Sam.
“Simone.” Luke grabbed my arm. “Hey, hey, don’t cry.”
Through my tear-filled eyes, I saw Jamie and Nate look very concerned. So, I wiped my eyes and forced myself to produce a smile. “Sorry. I think I’m going to turn in early. Sorry.”
“But—” Jamie objected.
“Sorry.” I pulled my arm from Luke and stormed into my room.
I cried silently in my bed until long past midnight. My sleep was restless. In my dreams, I kept seeing my mother with her disapproving glare. “You’re the worst daughter.”
By the time the dawn came, I was thoroughly convinced that I deserved every misfortune that I’d ever been through.
I made up my mind to leave Bellwood in the morning. I knew the Codys would object about me leaving, so I didn’t tell them anything. I did my routine chores as usual. However, the heavy air around the breakfast table hung like dark clouds. Even my fake cheeriness failed to improve the mood.
Jamie put down his fork and broke the ice. “Can I ask what that was with your aunt last night?”
I could feel the color draining from my face. “It was nothing. A cranky old woman, that’s all.”
“You know you can talk to us, right?” Nate added. “I heard what she said, and it’s ridiculous—”
“I’m fine,” I interjected. “I really am. Anyone want more bacon?”
Jamie and Nate traded a glance. Luke stared right into my eyes.
I pretended I didn’t notice and busied myself cutting my pancake. I shoveled it into my mouth and ate without tasting.
After breakfast, I did the laundry and ironing. I wanted the guys to have clean clothes when I left. Jamie went
to the building site. Luke had a call from the office and took off. Nate was in his room doing his trading work.
It was time for me to go.
Sayonara everyone.
I’d made some sandwiches and a potato salad for lunch while waiting for the guys to do their routine stuff. I’d packed my measly belongings when I first woke. I’d written my resignation letter too. I left it on the table in the kitchen. I carried my bags and box to the garage. My beat-up Chevy was parked next to Nate’s new SUV. I knew me leaving like this was despicable. Cowardice. I was coward. I couldn’t look them in the eyes and tell them I was resigning.
It was for the best. I’d fucked up my place of work and my sanctuary. I’d fucked up Jamie and Nate’s relationship. I didn’t deserve to be here anymore.
I opened the garage then started my car.
The damn thing wouldn’t start.
Great! It was as if the unpleasantness of yesterday kept bearing gifts. I’d made brothers fight. I’d shamed my aunt, and now my fucking car had gone kaput. I gave up my attempt to start the engine and lay my head on the steering wheel. I couldn’t believe this piece of shit had given up on me like everything else in my life. It was true then, misery loved company.
“Going somewhere?” said a voice.
I was startled.
Nate leaned on his SUV. His arms were folded in front of his chest. His handsome face scowled like a headmaster who’d caught his student doing something bad.
I gaped. Getting out of the car, I was lost for words. “I’m sorry for everything,” I said. “It’s better this way.”
“Bullshit. Better for whom?” Nate seemed genuinely pissed. “You’ve run away from problems your entire life. When are you going to start facing them? You ran from Bellwood. You ran from your ex and now you want to run from us?” Nate closed the distance between us in two steps and pinned me against the Chevy. He kissed me so suddenly that I didn’t have time to react. “I love you. You’re not going to run. Your home is here.”
I pushed him away. My throat was hoarse. My chest hurt. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I did terrible things in this household, and I can’t face anyone anymore.”
Luke’s truck pulled up behind the garage. The window was rolled down and I could see Jamie riding shotgun. The brothers got out of the truck. They didn’t seem surprised to see me leaving.
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