“Say it again.” Leave it to my girl to inform me she loves me at the same time calling me a fuckwad. In so many words.
“You can’t break your promises.” The smirk gracing her face gives away her teasing.
“Embe, don’t make me take matters into my own hands.” I don’t know what it is with her room and me tormenting her.
“Oh, that’s hot.” Fuck, I didn’t mean actually taking it in my hands. “Some tug love. I’m game for a show. Want me to cue the music?” Oh, her sass.
I crawl up her body. “You’ll use your hands. Maybe your mouth.”
“Sweet torture. You know that doesn’t deter me?” She drives me mad. “And— I. Love. You.” Our lips meet, our tongues dance, and I’m going to worship her and make her say that every orgasm I give her. I’ll be busy.
I trail my hands up her sides and skim her breasts, following the same path in reverse as my mouth moves to her neck and lower. I have to release her skin so I can discard the shirt, and her hands grip mine. Button by button she unlatches, her lips brush my exposed skin. Tingles work through my body, and desire swims in my heart. I stand to shuck the rest of my clothes off and watch as she does the same. All obstacles removed I cover her with my body, letting the warmth we’re emitting bathe us. “Fucking beautiful.” I take her mouth, stealing her breath, and work us both into a frenzy. Rubbing my body along hers as I move down, I take a nipple in my mouth, teasing with my tongue, nipping with my teeth— as it pebbles beneath me, I suck bringing a moan from her that hits me in my dick.
Paying homage to her other nipple, my fingers find her wet center and rub her outer lips before sinking two fingers inside her. I curl them up and pull out as she begins to ride me. Her hand grabs my wrist trying to hold me in place as I chuckle and drag my mouth down her body to her core. Closing my eyes, running my nose along her and devouring her scent, I let my tongue loose to taste her. Her hand lets go of my wrist and grips her sheets. “Open wider,” I request. She obliges, and I dig in like I’m at an all-you-can-eat banquet. Alternating entering her with my fingers and tongue, she’s riding the wave, ready to crest in ecstasy. I ease off which brings her curses, and I chuckle. I seat my fingers back inside her and find her clit with my mouth. Sucking, thrusting, and licking, I allow her to go over the edge as I stare at her cresting from the pleasure I gave her.
“That was apology one,” I remind her. Her arms open, and I climb over her, pushing her legs wider with my knees. “You want more apologies?”
“I want all you can give me.” Greedy girl. I push into her with one hard thrust as she arches her back, accepting what I give her. Rolling over, I pull her tighter, sinking her farther on my cock as she throws her head back and begins rocking. Gripping her hips to hold her still, I piston up, setting an unrelenting pace she can’t keep up with. Orgasm and apology two roll through her, and she falls to my chest. “No more,” she whimpers.
“Many more,” I promise her. Pushing her up off me, I position her on her stomach and place a pillow under her hips. Sinking back in, I slow my rhythm, giving her time to recover and work her to bliss. “Three.” I’m smug, and she giggles.
“I forgive you.” Thank fuck because my balls are going to explode any second. Sitting up, I grab her and place her over me, hooking her legs behind me, and get lost in her mouth. Rolling her over to missionary, I want to finish staring at her. I ease in, and she hisses, a bit oversensitive, so I slow my pace and make love to her. Hitting the spot that sends her wild, her fingernails scrape my skin, her scream fills the air, and I fill her with everything I have.
It doesn’t take long for us to drift off, but before I’m asleep, she reminds me, “I love you, Brody.”
Neither of us have our cars, so I do the grown-up thing— adulting sucks. As the phone rings, I stare at my girl so I’ll know it’s worth it.
“What the hell! It’s eight in the morning.” His groggy voice rumbles.
“Mason, it’s Brody.” Silence. “Can you run me back to the reception hall to grab my car. I’m next door.” I hear some shuffling and murmurs—of course he has a girl in his bed.
“Uh, sure. Give me a few minutes.” He sounds just as thrilled as I am.
I throw my clothes and shoes on and head outside— I can wait for him at his car since it’s next door. I’m halfway through his yard when he comes sprinting from his door, eyeing me and looking back to his house. I don’t care who his guest is, I just want to get this over with, get my car, check in with my sister, and bring my girl some coffee. “Just come on. I’m sure your fuck doll will be there when you get home.”
He freezes and balls his fists. “You can be a dick to me all you want, but keep your mouth shut about the girl in there.” Mere inches separate us, and he’s seething.
“Whoa. Sorry. I’m a dick.” I step back and try and steal a glance at who has him wound up.
“Yeah, you are. Let’s go.” I stand, staring at him. I’m beginning to feel like Emberlee— not enough coffee to handle this day. He glares at me as I still stand in the same spot. “This isn’t a date, Princess, I’m not opening your door.” That catches my attention, and I stumble to the car, hauling my ass in the vehicle. My door isn’t shut as he starts backing out of the driveway.
“Easy, Dale Jr. Can I make sure my arms and legs are inside the ride?” Shit. I’ll need a seatbelt as well.
“Fuck off. I don’t know why I agreed to take you anywhere.” His snarl and protectiveness somehow resonates with me.
“Because you love Emberlee.” He nods. “Sorry for last night. It isn’t easy, but I’m trying to deal.” My eyes travel to his floorboard— and spot a high heel. A familiar high heel. Bending to pick it up, I ask, “Why is my sister’s shoe in your car?” I watch as his face pales, and his eyes grow wide.
He clears his throat. “I gave her a ride home last night. She was upset over the scene that played out, and I didn’t want her driving.” Fuck, my guilt grows. I didn’t recognize she’d been affected. I’m a shitty brother.
“Where is she?” I grab my phone.
“Your apartment. She wanted to be there for you.” His quick response raises my suspicion, but we pull up to my car.
“Thanks. And I hope we can put last night behind us.” I thrust out my hand for a truce.
He takes it and nods. “Let me know if you need help getting everyone’s car home.” Besides mine, there is Brecklynn’s to worry about. Brecklynn’s at the apartment, but I wasn’t heading there first.
“Thanks. See you later.” I climb in my car and grab my phone. Dialing Brecklynn, it goes to voicemail. “Hey sis. I know you’re pissed about last night, and I wanted to let you know all is fine. I was a jerk. Hate you.” I’ll deal with her this afternoon. First coffee for my girl and some more making up.
Summer is coming to an end, and I’m ready to get back to the nitty gritty of school. And I’ll be glad to have Mason and Brecklynn occupied with something other than each other . . . Brody will flip.
“Hey, you going to dinner with us tonight?” I set up this meeting with my friends so I can tell the truth about everything that has happened.
Brecklynn smiles. “Yeah, if that’s okay.”
“Are you going to drive so you can make an excuse when we leave with some place to be, circle the block, and go back to Mason’s?” Her smile drops, and her gaze sweeps the living room. “Oh, he went to get me ice cream. I’m craving it. But it won’t be long until he puts two and two together. He’s trying to figure out where you disappear to and why Mason is gone at the same time. Tick tock, Breck.”
“It shouldn’t matter who I’m sleeping with.” Her hackles are raised.
“I don’t care who you sleep with. He will. It’s his nature. In his eyes, you’re four and riding a big wheel.” She curls her lips in disgust. “I can’t help with his over bearing tendencies. He doesn’t hide his crazy, and this will feed it.”
“He’ll get over it.” She’s delusional.
“He won’t, but I ag
ree it’s your business. Why hide it? Are y’all in a relationship or having fun?” I cringe because that will be worse for Brody to deal with.
“He hints he wants to be in a relationship. I don’t know— he’s kind of a big deal with baseball and the ladies— a player in all things. Neither one of us are seeing anyone else, so for now I guess we’re exclusive. We’ll see in a couple weeks when school starts.” Hmmm. Brecklynn is the type to bust balls, and Mason is used to being center of the universe and catered to by his dates. I wonder how it’s working.
“I think you should tell your brother.” I sing song. “Before he kills me for keeping secrets.”
She giggles. “We still going to your parents’ tomorrow for lunch?” I roll my eyes. I’ve stopped therapy with my dad, and he’s consistently asking me continue. So far I haven’t had a witness to his pleading, and I don’t know why I’m hiding it.
“Yeah. Fun, fun. We need to go shopping in the morning for the skimpiest bikinis we can find.” I’ve kept Brody’s blood pressure down all summer, keeping my swimming attire neutral, but this will be the last shindig for a bit— so all bets are off. Plus, add in Brecklynn fucking with Mason, this is going to be fun. I create an event on Facebook and share it with some friends. Like three hundred and seventy six of them.
“Oh, shit. You have this look, and I know it means trouble.” She claps her hands. She’s just as crazy as I am.
“Yep. We should have some extra people joining us for lunch. I need to call my mom and let her know.” My mom is thrilled, she loves the house filled. I told her it could be close to five hundred and she shouted in glee and hung up. She’s already calling the caterers and laundry services for extra towels. What it actually means? She’s in her element, which is where I get it.
Dinner is mild, Saylor and Deacon telling us about their honeymoon— it sounds blissful. I clear my throat, “I have some things I want to share with y’all.” Brody squeezes my hand and nods. He’s got me. “So this doesn’t excuse my behavior, but I want to explain some things.” They all put their utensils down and stare.
“Go ahead, Lee Lee. But know it’s water under the bridge. We’re done with it,” Deacon speaks and it stuns me.
“So Thanksgiving I went searching for pictures, I wanted to make us collages. We’d had so many changes, and I was trying to hold tight to the past. Plus, I’d just had an encounter from the ghost of the past, and I was reeling.” I wink at Brody, and everyone chuckles. “So I found a letter instead . . .” I continue to explain it all, ending with the truth my dad told me.
“Holy shit.” Mason pushes his plate back, and it knocks his drink over. I jump to clean it, and he waves me off, mopping the mess up himself. “Why didn’t you come to us?” Anger and hurt mar his face.
“Knock it off,” Caden warns him. “So are you processing it?”
“Slowly.” I force air, trying to form a laugh. Like it doesn’t bother me reliving this.
“You process it how you need to, but don’t shut us out.” Avery gets up and hugs me. Saylor follows suit.
“We’re all good,” she promises.
“Lee Lee look at me.” Deacon’s sharp command startles me, and Brody pushes back from the table, and I immediately grab his arm and shake my head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Promise me you won’t ever let someone’s opinion of you or vision of what you should be change who you are. You’re a great friend, beautiful girl, and part of my family. Believe that in yourself.” I swipe a tear, and Brody gathers me in his arms.
“Thanks.” I close my eyes and let his arms soothe me. Somehow through it all, it’s going to be okay.
The rest of the night goes on uneventfully. Some wine, some laughs, a few tears, but I was ready to be home. Well, Brody’s apartment, which is dangerous. It’s become my fortress, and I like being here better than my own bed— that may have something to do with the man that occupies it.
He nips at my ear, “I crave you. All the time. I can’t get enough.” I giggle because it’s the same for me. “Move in with me.” The words warm my heart, but I freeze.
“I didn’t think this would happen with us, and I’m so torn. I want to be with you, but I can’t abandon Avery. I’m just getting my shit together, and my friends are a huge part of my life.” It isn't a no, but I can’t commit to that. As much as I want to. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ll compromise.” He wags his eyebrows. I really love his compromises. “Don’t abandon me. Us. I know school is starting up, but if you can’t stay here, maybe I can stay with you some.” I nod.
“We have a spare room, so Brecklynn can come.” He groans.
“Thank you.” His lips brush mine. “Where is my sister?” I swallow. God, don’t ask me stuff like that . . . I can't lie worth a damn. “You know don’t you?”
“She said she was going to some club with friends.” I suck. My voice changes, and I fidget. “She’ll be home in a bit. We’re going shopping in the morning, so we’ll meet you at my parents’.” He looks pained. “What?”
“Nothing.” He retreats, leading me to the bedroom.
“Stop it. What’s wrong?” I stomp my foot, and he rolls his eyes.
“Don’t take this wrong. I love you’re spending time with them and they’ve included all of us, but being there reminds me of what I can’t give you.”
“Do what?” My nose scrunches, I’m confused.
“I do okay. Saved tons of money while I was in the Air Force. I have school paid for and grant money . . . the job with the team, but I look at the house you grew up in, and all the things you buy, and I feel like I can’t provide that for you. It bothers me.” His pride just took an atomic bomb.
“Hey. That’s material stuff. Do I like to shop? Yes. Do I have to? No. I did it to fill a void. I don’t expect you to take care of me, and if we make a future I’ll be fine— more than fine with whatever we have.” I don’t know how adequate my words are.
“No if— when. I’ll always take care of you.” His promise rings true because the conviction and actions he backs them up with have gotten me to the point I’m at.
“I know.” I let him lead me to the bedroom and fulfill his cravings.
With her blonde hair and heliotrope eyes, the black bikini— string bikini she’s modeling is stunning. Like runway worthy. I’m dying inside, hoping her secret comes to light so I can quit lying to her brother. I refuse to sacrifice my orgasms to save her ass. “You have to get that one.”
She turns, and her ass is begging for someone to spank it. “Really?” She’s dissecting herself in the mirror.
“Uh-huh. But don’t be surprised if Mason loses his shit and outs you.” I wink.
Brecklynn flips me off. “I hope not. You getting the green one?” I nod. I know I’ll be pushing my luck with Beastman Brody, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take— I’m hoping the reward will be sweet. “Okay. I’ll get this.”
We walk into my parents’ house, entirely covered because I don’t want to spoil the surprises we’re wearing. Brody’s trying to rein his possessiveness in but does a piss poor job. I can’t say he’s working on it because it’s ingrained in him and the perverse side of me loves it. “Hey, babe.” He walks to me, giving me a kiss.
“Hey brother. I’ll pass on the greetings you’re giving.” She does give him a hug. I grab his hand and walk outside where a lot of people are enjoying the pool and spread my mom’s arranged. As ritual, I walk to my crew and hug and say hi.
“Why the party, Lee Lee?” Caden questions.
Everyone is talking, so I wink. “I may be causing some fireworks.” My eyes dart to Brecklynn and Mason.
He smirks. “Oh, fuck. I’ll think I’ll find somewhere else to sleep tonight. Those fuckers give Saylor and Deacon a run for their money in the loudness factor. Why must you scream when you fuck? Hell, whether I’m shouting or silent, I get mine.”
“You’re so eloquent. Shouting means superior. It’s okay, you’ll be a big boy one day.” I poke fun.
His offended looks set off my laughter— and attention of the others. “What are you getting into?” Brody leans over to ask.
“Nothing.” I smile around the lie I’m telling. He shakes his head knowing better but leaves it alone. Thank fuck.
The party is in full swing. I’ve introduced Brody to most of the people here, not quite a hundred showed up. I expected more, but a lot has changed in a year. The mid-day sun is blazing, so I’m ready to take a dip in the pool. I find Brecklynn and let her know, and she decides to join me.
Stripping off our clothes, I dive in, but Brecklynn decides to saunter the pool area and slink down the steps. She’s captured Brody and Mason’s attention, but her poor brother— his loyalty is divided. He wants to grab me and cover his sister. In addition to those two, close to twenty other males have taken a keen interest in her and are making it known by encroaching on her space. This is going to be fantastic.
Saylor and Avery swim to me. “What are you grinning at?” Saylor splashes water at me.
“The showdown. It’s gonna be good.” I nod my head towards what I’m watching. Mason stepping closer to the pool, and Brody is stepping towards his sister and then me. It’s like he’s a wind-up toy stuck in place.
“Oh shit. The secret is gonna blow.” Avery gasps.
“Exactly.” I tease.
“You talked her into that bathing suit.” It’s a statement because Saylor knows me.
“Yep. I can’t keep lying to Brody.” I admit, to their astonishment.
“Stay under the water!” Brody shouts as he makes his way to his sister, who is being hauled from the steps and covered by Mason— amid the groans and disagreements of the male suitors that surrounded her.
KISMET Page 18
