Love Block (The Love Lock Duet Book 1)

by S. M. West

  Drew makes a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, juice, and coffee, and with my final mouthful of eggs, I glance to my phone and grin.

  “Who has you smiling like that?” He stands with our empty plates in hand.

  I place the phone on the table and stare up at him. “Paige. She’s bitching about how she hates work, misses me, and wants to know when I’m coming home.”

  “My sister is needy,” he says, rinsing the plates and placing them in the dishwasher.

  “True, but I love her.” I gather my hair into a bun. “And so do you.”

  “Yes.” He kisses the top of my head. “Did you tell her?”

  His hands cup the back of my neck, and he studies my face. I’m not sure what he’s looking for.

  “I may have.” I exaggerate the coy fluttering of my eyelashes.

  His eyes glitter with laughter. I’m glad he finds me amusing because this could be a touchy subject.

  “And?” He draws out the word, his eyes prompting me to go on.

  “And she’s thrilled. In fact”—I pick up my phone and scroll through our texts—“she says, and I quote, ‘it’s about fucking time my brother gets his head out of his ass!’”

  Drew bursts out laughing, pulling me by the neck toward him. My face lands against his pecs, and I inhale his sexy, spicy smell.

  “Leave it to Paige to be obnoxiously accurate.” Leaning down, he plants another kiss on my head and I bask in his affections. “Let’s get started.”

  I’m surprised by the shift in topic. I thought he was going to mention Finn, but I’m glad that isn’t the case. He’s our biggest obstacle. My brother has to understand Drew and I are nothing like the past.

  “What’s on the agenda for today?” I ask.

  “The bathrooms. I want to replace the toilets and get started on ripping out the counter down here.”

  We get to work and the day is a blur, filled with both the highs and lows of renovations. I forget to turn the water off after successfully installing and testing the second new toilet. So when we start working on the third and final one, we end up getting soaked.

  We laugh like idiots, rolling on the wet, dirty floor. But in the end, all three toilets are replaced, and we removed the counter and cabinets in the powder room.

  Before dinner, we swim, then eat on the deck with the sun slowly sinking in the lilac sky.

  “Pip, that was awesome.” He pats his flat stomach after finishing his second helping of my lemon linguine. “Thank you.”

  It’s the one dish I do exceptionally well. So well I’ve been on the hook more than once to cook it for our Sunday gatherings, and Sam, the chef extraordinaire, now has it on his menu. My dish is one of his best sellers, or so he tells me.

  “You’re welcome.” I grab our plates, and he opens the sliding door for me. “I was worried I didn’t cook enough with the way you were chowing down.”

  He chuckles, grabbing my ass with a squeeze. “Cute. Smartass.”

  After dinner, we settle on the couch, arms around each other, and my smile won’t fade. Today has been perfect, and I’m bursting with the promise of more. That’s the thing with wishing for something for so long—now that I have it, I’m not sure it’s real. I’ve pictured this very thing, spending time together just like this, so often that it feels real but also dream-like.

  “Where are you?” he whispers, his head bent close to mine.

  “Right here.” I snuggle into him.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “How long until you go back to work?” I’ve been wondering what happens when we get back to reality. What does that mean for us?

  It’s no secret he’s apprehensive about how our families will take our union, and most importantly, Finn.

  “Two weeks. Why?”

  “Just curious. I go home this weekend. I have work, but I wish I could stay.”

  “So do I, but you’ve helped a lot. I thought I’d be alone this week, so I’m well ahead of schedule thanks to you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” He nods. “And next week, my dad, Uncle John, and some of his crew will get started on Alec’s plans. There isn’t going to be much for you to do anyway.”

  “How so?” I twist to face him. “Because I’m a girl and it’s man’s work?” My snarky tone isn’t lost on him, and he cocks a brow with a droll smirk.

  “Babe, you’re not a girl. You’re my woman.” He leans in and nips at my neck followed by a long suck on my pulse point. I yelp and moan all at once.

  “Nice try.” I push jokingly at his hard chest. “Is that supposed to make me swoon and forget everything? Answer the question. Why can’t I help?”

  “I didn’t say that. These guys will be knocking down walls and stuff. There’s only so much I’ll be able to do.”

  He spent his summers during high school and university on his uncle’s construction sites; he’s downplaying his expertise. For dramatic effect, I roll my eyes, and he chuckles, his boyish dimples—the ones that cause my ovaries to explode—popping. I rub my thighs together hoping to satiate my growing need.

  “Sure,” I say in my most disbelieving tone.

  “Besides, you’d only distract those degenerates. We’d never get any work done. They’d be too busy checking you out.”

  “Whatever.” I pat his chest. “Well, it’s a good thing I won’t be here then.”

  “I wish you could be. But you’ll come up next weekend, right?”

  All I’m able to do is nod. His needy voice and the way he looks down at me—like I’m vital to his well-being—makes my heart swell, and I’m instantly aroused.

  His lips cover mine, and the kiss starts gentle before deepening and intensifying. His tongue works against mine, and before long, his mouth and hands are mapping my body.

  The TV plays in the background, both of us oblivious. My hands rake through his hair, and his mouth burns against my skin, my nipples tight and eager for his attention.

  13

  Drew

  Loud banging pulls me from a deep sleep, and I lie there taking in my surroundings. Pippa’s head on my chest reminds me where I am, and memories of sex and the day we spent together tease a smile from me.

  The banging starts again—someone’s at the door—and my bliss fades, replaced with irritation. Who the hell is it?

  Untangling myself from Sleeping Beauty, I throw on shorts and go for the door. Half asleep, I throw it open without checking to see who it is.

  Finn and his girlfriend, Cassandra, stand hand in hand on my doorstep. My heart leaps to my throat. Pippa is in my bed. Shit.

  “Wake up, sleepy head.” Finn slaps my shoulder, barging inside.

  “Hey, Drew.” Cass hugs me before stepping in. “Sorry for waking you. This goofball couldn’t wait to see the place. He had me up before six.”

  I glance outside, searching for Colin or Tamsin, his parents or his other younger siblings, Claire or Tom. But there’s no one else. The light, breezy calm of relief floats over me, but it’s brief. I slept with his sister. I’ve got to tell him.

  “What are you doing here?” The words spill from my lips before I can stop myself.

  “What the hell does that mean?” Finn walks to the kitchen like he owns the place. “I told you we’d come.”

  “Uh, no, I didn’t forget.” I scratch the back of my neck. “Ah, but you said the weekend.”

  “Yes, that was the plan.” Cass rests her hip on the edge of the counter. “But as I said, this goofball couldn’t wait. I’m done with school.” She beams from ear to ear.

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. So Finn took a few days off, and we headed up. You’re okay with that, right?”

  Cass is no dummy and already sensing something could be off.

  “Nah, it’s fine.” Finn fiddles with the coffeemaker, clearly oblivious to any misgivings on my part. “So give us the tour.”

  He unintentionally slams the coffee can on the counter and I grimace, thinking of Pip
pa sleeping.

  “Hey, easy.” I point to his Tarzan moves. “The counter may need replacing, but I’d like it to last until I get around to it.”

  He laughs, scooping coffee into the machine. Cass examines me more closely and my chest reddens, my insides heat under her watchful gaze.

  “Hey, hon, Drew just got up.” She hits her boyfriend in the arm lightly. “Let him wake up and have a coffee before you—”

  “Drew?” Pippa calls from the hall in a ridiculously cute, sleepy voice, and I glance over my shoulder.

  She has my shirt on and nothing else. Her smooth long legs grab my attention.

  “Pip?” Finn advances. “What the hell is going on?”

  “Finn?” Pippa’s still sluggish from sleep.

  “What do you mean?” I jump in before she says something we can’t take back. “Pip came up with Paige and decided to stay and help out. She planned on catching a ride back with you.”

  My tone is nonchalant, but my heart slams against my ribcage, eyes glued to her chest. She’s not wearing a bra, and it’s hard not to miss. Or more like, her nipples are hard. Shit. Stop looking.

  “Why are you wearing his shirt?”

  Leave it to Finn to notice. His sister could be in a parka and his scrutiny would be razor sharp. Always is if Pippa is alone with me.

  “I gave it to her to sleep in. She didn’t pack enough clothes for the week.”

  “Why—” Tense, he steps toward me.

  Cass intercedes, approaching from behind and resting a hand on his shoulder. “Hon, let these guys get dressed and then the twenty questions.” Her tone is light and joking, but she’s trying to prevent him from jumping to conclusions.

  He wouldn’t be wrong if he assumed a thing or two about his sister and me, but I’m grateful for Cass’s efforts. Pippa’s now alert, arms crossed and tapping her adorable foot, her toenails painted a shocking pink.

  “Finn, what’s your point?” Pip obviously isn’t following Cass’s lead.

  “My point is—” His jaw tenses and he nears his sister, but I interject, knowing once these two get started, it’s game over.

  Pip and Finn love each other and will always have each other’s backs. But if they are on opposite sides of something, look out. The thing is, they’re a lot alike in that way—passionate about their convictions.

  “Pip, go get dressed.” I give her a persuasive look, conveying she’d be doing me a favor if she did.

  She scowls at her brother with a huff before spinning on her heel. I release the breath I was holding and block Finn’s view of his sister’s retreating form. He doesn’t need any more reminders of her in my clothes.

  “I’m going to grab a quick shower. Can you finish making coffee? Maybe some breakfast?” I glance to Cass, and she nods, sensing what a potential powder keg this could be.

  Finn’s lips are set in a tight line, and his brows are furrowed. I don’t wait for a response and leave.

  No surprise, when I get upstairs, I find Pippa stomping around looking for her bra and panties. Both of which are under the bed.

  “What the hell was that?” Skepticism narrows her gaze.

  “We can’t spring this on him…” I pause, fumbling for the right word, and she pounces.

  “What? Us?” She juts her chin out, the upper half of her body leaning toward me. “What exactly are we doing? Can you even say it?”

  “Finn’s never wanted us together.”

  “So?” She arches a brow and starts tapping her foot again. “This is my life. Not Finn’s. Are we together, Drew?”

  Her question ignites a bubbling in the pit of my stomach. The thought of being over before we get started doesn’t sit well with me. But we need to handle Finn with care.

  “We can’t spring this on him. You know that.” My grim stare conveys the weight of that fateful night years ago. Finn is still burdened by the memory like a noose around his neck. “Let me tell him. For now, we say nothing.”

  I might as well have slapped her for the way she rears back, her face twisting. She doesn’t want to be reminded of why Finn is the way he is. It’s in the past and that’s where it belongs, but her brother is still very much mired in it whether either of them want to acknowledge it or not. I understand where they are both coming from.

  “And what exactly are you going to say? I slept with your sister? I’m with your sister, huh?” She crosses her arms and cocks her hip.

  “Pip, please, let’s talk about this later. We need to dress and get downstairs.”

  “Unbelievable.” She unbuttons my shirt aggressively. Any harder or more frenzied and she’ll snap the buttons in two. “You’re unbelievable.”

  Any other circumstance, I’d take her words as a compliment and puff out my chest with pride. But she doesn’t mean it that way.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Giving you your stupid shirt.” The fabric slides off her back and down her arms.

  My throat dries instantly. She’s gloriously naked, and my dick hardens. I want her, and I can’t do a damn thing about it because my best friend—her brother—is downstairs.

  And that’s why she stripped down to her birthday suit. She knows I can’t do a thing. Or more likely, she’s daring me to do something without giving a fuck for Finn the jackass—he’s not supposed to be here until Saturday. He could walk in at any minute. She’s making a point.

  My cock throbs, trapped in my boxers.

  Point taken.

  “And what about me? Don’t I get a say in my life?” she asks, and I swallow hard, the lump swelling in my throat at how shitty this is.

  Hurt is written all over her face, and I’m stuck, wanting to make sure we tell Finn in the right way and at the right time. I rest my hands on her bare shoulders and brush my lips against hers. She’s unmoving.

  She waits a beat or two and, when she figures out I’m not giving in, she leaves, traipsing down the hall to her room. Naked.

  The slender lines of her back and her firm plump ass are the last things I see, taunting me before she slams the door.

  After my shower, I feel better, ready to face both Pippa and Finn. Much like preparing for a case, I used the time under the hot water to think of what to say to appease Pippa and also give me time to talk to Finn.

  I knock on her closed bedroom door at the same time Cass is coming up the stairs.

  “She’s gone.” Cass runs her fingers through her shoulder-length brown hair.

  “What?” My tone is frantic, and her eyes widen at my stuttered inhale.

  “She went for a jog about twenty minutes ago. She wasn’t happy.” Cass leans against the wall, her eyes scrutinizing every detail. “Finn’s outside.”

  Her brown eyes soften, and a small contented smile blooms across her lips. She has done the math. Two and two equals four.

  “I’ll be damned, it finally happened.” She smirks smugly and I keep my gaze neutral.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Drew Hayes, don’t you dare.” Wagging her finger at me, she gets in my face. “You and Pippa.”

  Her perfectly shaped brows arch upward, suspended, waiting for my reaction or confirmation or something.

  The truth is a tight band around my chest. We’ve never talked about Pippa and me, together. Sure, she would make the odd teasing comment about how Pip’s crushing on me. Or how Finn would shit bricks if anything ever happened. But she’d always do it when Finn was nowhere to be found, and that was it. I would always brush her off and she’d let it go.

  And back then, there wasn’t anything to say. Nothing was going on between us. But things are different now, aren’t they?

  Besides, what if I deny my attraction to Finn’s little sister and she sees right through me? We are good friends, but Cass’s loyalty is to Finn.

  “Cass,” I start, my mouth opening without knowing what I’m going to say next. I won’t lie.

  “Relax.” She rests her hand on my arm. “I won’t say anything to Finn. It’s not m
y business. It’s for Pippa or you to tell him.”

  I visibly exhale, deeply relieved, and her eyes twinkle.

  “If you ask me, deep down inside, Finn already knows.”

  My forehead furrows and I cock my head in confusion. Beads of sweat form on my upper lip at the thought of Finn confronting me. “What?”

  “A small part of him knows, just like I’ve always known there’s something between you two. You’d have to be blind to not see it, but Finn refuses to see the truth.”

  She pauses, both of us caught in the memories of past events that we both know have shaped and influenced Finn’s inability to see what’s right in front of him.

  “When he does find out, he won’t be happy.” Cass is solemn.

  “Fuck.” I rub the back of my neck and quickly drop my hand. “I know.”

  “Good luck, big guy.” She pats my arm. “Now, where’s the bathroom? The one downstairs looks like a war zone.”

  I chuckle and point to the end of the hall. “Cass.” I peer over my shoulder at her. “Thank you.”

  I’m giving Finn and Cass a tour of the place, heading to the master bedroom, when Pippa breezes past us on her way to the shower. Her tanned skin glistens with the sweat from her run.

  “Hey, Pip, don’t go out like that again,” Finn clips, pointing at her running shorts and sports bra. “Put on clothes.”

  She glowers. “They’re my workout clothes. I run like this all the time.” She slams the bathroom door before he can respond.

  “Shit, she’s just asking for trouble looking like that.” Finn grinds his teeth.

  “Hey—” I start, ready to lace into my best friend, but Cass beats me to the punch.

  “You did not just say that.” She slaps his stomach and given his guttural oof, her hit was hard. “She’s running, and what she’s wearing is fine. No woman asks for trouble.”

  Cass is now glaring, grimacing at his offensive comment, and Finn visibly shrinks. I smile on the inside. Finn’s a good guy, but he can be an idiot at times, running his mouth before thinking.

  “Honey, I didn’t mean it like that.” He wraps an arm around her shoulder, and she tries to shrug it off. “I’m just looking out for my sister.”