Negligee Behavior

by Shelli Stevens

  He met her stare, eyes flashing. He wasn’t pleased, that much was obvious. Finally he turned and strode back to the kitchen.

  “Thanks.”

  Brandy turned her attention back to Elena. “For what?”

  “For not letting him kick me out of the bar. He probably would’ve if you weren’t here. I called the house a couple days ago and he told me not to come see him. Then I found that flier for the Band Battle and totally knew it was the way to get him to see me.”

  Why didn’t Marco want to see his sister? Brandy bit her tongue to avoid asking the question. It was obvious that part of him was pleased to see her—the way he’d hugged her had been proof enough.

  When she’d overheard the phone call that morning the same question had run through her head. And like that morning, she realized if she was meant to know then either brother or sister would talk to her about it.

  “I’m sure Marco is glad you’re here. Whether he wants to admit it or not is another thing,” she finally said with a gentle smile.

  “I know he loves me. And he loves Dad too. They’re just too proud to apologize to each other.” She shrugged. “But then they’re guys. What can you do?”

  Brandy gave a commiserating nod. “Not a lot. So…what’s the name of your band?”

  “Bitches Brew.”

  Brandy blinked. “Oh. That’s…nice. And what kind of music do you play?”

  “Alternative.”

  “I see. And what role do you have in the band?”

  “I’m the lead singer,” Elena said with a smug grin. “The bitch. They chose me over thirty-eight other people who auditioned.”

  “Hey, that’s great. Congratulations.” Brandy paused. “You know, during the school year I actually teach choir at a private school in California.”

  “No kidding?” Elena leaned back in the booth and gave her a considering look that she was used to seeing on Marco. “Well, I did choir back in middle school. No offense, but it kind of sucked, so I quit and took woodshop instead.”

  Brandy laughed and shook her head. “You know, you could have just had a bad teacher. When you have a good one, I promise it doesn’t suck.”

  “Maybe. I bet you’re a good teacher. But you look kind of young to be one.”

  “To be what? A teacher?”

  “Yeah.”

  Wow! Someone actually thought she looked young instead of old. “I’m thirty as of last week.”

  Elena’s jaw dropped. “No way! You totally don’t look that old.”

  A couple weeks ago, she probably would’ve done something ridiculous like burst into tears or overanalyzed the comment. Now it just amused her.

  “Hope you’re still hungry.” Marco crossed the bar and set down a basket with a burger and fries in front of his sister. “How are you guys doing out here?”

  “Good.” Elena snagged a fry and ate it in two bites. “Mmm. The fries are delish.”

  “Wait until you try the burger. Dante’s is famous for them.” She winked at Marco. “Your brother talked them up until I finally gave in and tried one.”

  “You know, if I recall,” he said as he raised an eyebrow. “It really didn’t take that much convincing.”

  “Actually he’s right. Thanks for the reminder.”

  “Sebastian and Val will be in any minute,” Marco murmured. “I’ll go count down the till.”

  “Oh, you know, I can do it.” Brandy started to stand but he waved her back down.

  “Stay, hang out with Elena since it’s dead in here.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  When he didn’t immediately look away from her, she felt her cheeks warm. Finally she murmured a soft, “Thank you, Marco.”

  “No problem.” He spared his sister another look. “I’ll see you ladies in a bit.”

  When Brandy looked back at Elena, the girl was watching her with open curiosity.

  “So what’s up with you two?”

  Brandy stole a fry and shrugged, tried to appear nonchalant “What do you mean?”

  “Are you guys screwing each other?”

  The fry stuck in her throat. “What?”

  “Are you sleeping together?”

  “Umm.” Her cheeks burned and she stared at the table. How the heck did she answer that? Would Marco want his sister to know—

  “Never mind. It’s written all over your face.” Elena laughed. “You’re totally getting it on.”

  Brandy lifted her head, unsure whether the news would be upsetting to Marco’s sister or not.

  Elena picked up the burger and took a hefty bite. “Damn this is good,” she muttered between chews. “You don’t lie.”

  “Why did you ask about Marco and me?”

  Elena shrugged and swallowed the food in her mouth. “I was just curious. I’m glad he’s out getting some. Marco pretty much stopped dating after Anna. Though who knows what he’s been up to the past couple of years.”

  Anna? Who was Anna?

  “You look kind of surprised, but seriously, I know he probably never mentions her anymore. They dated for like three years while they were in school.”

  “Did they?” Brandy murmured, trying for a casual attitude.

  “Yeah. But then she trashed his heart and ditched him for some guy with deeper pocket books.” Elena leaned forward and lowered her voice. “She said Marco would never be able to financially support the kind of lifestyle she was used to. Can you believe that?” She shook her head and picked up another fry. “What a materialistic bitch.”

  “I’ll say.” Brandy nearly massacred the French fry in her hand.

  No wonder Marco had been so wary of the fact she had money. Had been so slow to trust her. The poor guy. She closed her eyes, not wanting him to come back out and find her all pissed off looking.

  Never before had she experienced the need to kick someone’s ass, and it was a little odd to be experiencing the sensation for the first time at thirty years of age.

  “So…” Brandy cleared her throat and opened her eyes again, eager to change the subject. “You really like this Bill guy you’re dating?”

  Elena nodded, but not before a slight hesitation. “He’s pretty cool.”

  It was on the tip of Brandy’s tongue to ask if they were ‘getting it on’, because surely Marco would love confirmation on that tidbit. Then again, maybe that knowledge wouldn’t be so welcome. He certainly hadn’t handled the fact that she was even dating a guy very well.

  “Sometimes I think he’s a little immature though.”

  Brandy held her breath and waited for her to continue, surprised Elena was being so forthcoming.

  “Sometimes he parties too much and gets a big head over the band thing.”

  Elena pushed her half-eaten basket of food to the side. “You know how it goes. Women come up and flirt with him after a concert and he flirts back pretty hard.” She folded her arms across her chest and scowled. “He says it’s all part of the promoting aspect, and getting our name out there.”

  “Hmm.”

  Brandy drummed her nails on the table and gave the other girl a closer look. Elena’s words had been casual, but the flash of annoyance and vulnerability had lingered beneath the pretense.

  “Well,” she said carefully. “I guess you need to decide how much you’re willing to put up with.”

  “Yeah.” Elena looked away.

  “You ladies ready to head out?” Marco strode over.

  “Did Sebastian show up?” Brandy asked, sliding out of the booth.

  Marco winced and nodded. “Yeah. He’s in the back.” He cleared his throat. “So do you have your car here, Elena? I just have my bike and Brandy and I rode in on that.”

  Brandy made a mental note to ask Marco later what was going on with Sebastian.

  “Yeah, I have my car.” Elena stood up from the booth and placed her hands on her hips, lifting an eyebrow in challenge at her brother. “Are you both game to ride with me and take me around town?”

&
nbsp; Brandy exchanged a quick glance with Marco. He gave a small nod.

  “Let’s do it.” He rested his hand on Elena’s shoulder. “That way it’ll give us time to talk.”

  “So are you mad?” Brandy turned over and fluffed her pillow.

  “No, I’m not mad,” he said quietly after a moment. “I know I told her not to come, but of course she didn’t listen. Elena’s a stubborn young woman.”

  “Kind of like her brother.”

  “Hmm…Maybe.”

  “You’re glad to see her.” It was a statement rather than a question.

  “Yes.”

  Seeing his sister again had knocked the wind from him, thrown his balance off-kilter. It had hurt, but it had also been so incredibly wonderful. Two years had gone by since he’d seen her, but in that time she’d grown up so much. Too much. The pain that swept through him settled in his gut.

  “Would it be too personal for me to ask why you haven’t seen her in over a year?”

  The tension in his body increased. Yes.

  “I had a falling out with my dad a couple of years ago,” he replied, which covered about only a quarter of the story.

  But what could he say without spilling all the sordid details of the past few years? Truth be told, he just tried to ignore it. Never think about it. Because when he did it just ripped the bandage off a wound that would ever heal.

  “What happened between you and your dad?” She caught his chin and gently turned his head toward her. “Will you share with me?”

  She asked too much. He didn’t share it with anyone. Only Sebastian knew. “Brandy…”

  “Please, Marco.”

  His chest rose from the deep breath he drew in. How much could he tell her without baring it all?

  “We had a falling out…over my career choice. He pretty much told me to get lost and stay away from Elena.” He gave a grim smile. “Thought I was a bad influence.”

  “Oh my gosh. That’s terrible. Why would he do that? Just because he didn’t like the idea of you opening a bar?”

  “For the most part.” His expression once again turned grim.

  But then he couldn’t really blame his dad for reacting the way he did. His son had given up a job as one of the best damn defense attorneys in the state of Nevada to open a bar instead.

  How would Brandy react if he’d said those words aloud to her? If he’d filled in the blanks. She’d probably keel over in shock. He knew when they’d met she’d written him off as a kind of a bad boy who lived to have fun—little did she know he was the man who used to defend those guys.

  The thought of his former career sent a shiver of unease through him. He rarely thought about it. Preferred to stuff that part of his life back in the emotional closet where it belonged.

  She didn’t need to know about his past. It had nothing to do with where he was today. Besides, right now when she looked at him there always seemed to be a bit of respect there and maybe even some hero worship. He’d hate for that to be replaced with disgust, with accusation when she found out what had happened.

  “Marco…I’m so sorry.” She dropped a kiss on his chest. “Some people just…” She shook her head. “In any case, I’m glad Elena ignored you when you told her not to come.”

  “Me too.” He tightened his arms around her. She snuggled deeper into the curve on his body.

  He stroked her back, pushing all thoughts of who he used to be out of his mind and focusing on the woman in his arms. “Elena really likes you, you know.”

  “Does she?”

  “Yes. It’s kind of shocking. She’s generally pretty bitchy and wary of women.” He hesitated. “Has been since mom took off with a neighbor when Elena was only twelve.”

  “Ouch.” Brandy lifted her head to look at him. “That must have been horrible for you both.”

  He shrugged, the years of anger and pain had long since faded to a dull ache. One he rarely bothered to acknowledge.

  “She would never have won any mother of the year awards. Spent more time drunk than sober.” He closed his eyes to hide the possible bitterness reflected there. “We were probably better off without her. And Dad did a great job raising Elena and me”

  Brandy didn’t respond, but showed her compassion by dropping another kiss on his chest as her arm tightened around him.

  “Hey. So what was going on with Sebastian tonight?”

  Marco drew in a deep breath, grateful for the change of subject.

  “Bitter divorce stuff. It’s really fucking with his head.” He hesitated. “And then last night he took home another ditzy blonde from the bar. I think he regretted it.”

  “Does he do that a lot? Take women home?”

  “Not a crazy ass amount, but I’d say there’s been at least a handful since his wife filed for divorce.”

  She sighed. “Poor Sebastian. He’s always so funny, but sometimes…I just sense this sadness in him.”

  “Yeah, I have too.” He grunted. “But the Band Battle tomorrow will be a good distraction for him.”

  “Yes, it sure will. Speaking of, your sister is really excited about the competition.”

  “Yeah. I gathered from our conversation at dinner.” He paused. “You don’t think it’s a conflict of interests? Letting her band compete when she’s my sister?”

  “It would be if you were judging, but the audience judges. And no one actually knows you’re her brother.”

  “True. Do you think they’ll suck?”

  “Marco!” She swatted his shoulder and giggled. “I have no idea. Let’s hope not. Because I’ll be honest with you, I’m a tough critic.”

  “I’ll bet you are Ms. Choir Teacher.” He chuckled. “Now get some sleep. We’re pretty much pulling a double tomorrow.”

  She yawned. “It’ll be worth it. Dante’s Place is going to be the most popular bar in town after tomorrow night.”

  “Yeah, well hopefully we get some responses to the want ad then.”

  Earlier today he’d brought up the fact that she would eventually stop waitressing for them. It was a foregone conclusion. He’d tossed it out as a feeler, almost hoping she’d declare that she had no intention of quitting. Instead, she’d completely evaded the topic.

  He sighed and stroked his hand down her back. The last thing he wanted to think about was Brandy leaving him.

  Hmm. She’d gone awfully quiet now. Had she fallen asleep?

  “Good night,” he said quietly on the off chance she still lay awake.

  There was no response for a moment, then she whispered, “Good night.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The flare from the match briefly lit the motel room. Gordon held the flame to the tip of his cigarette and then waved it out.

  He scowled and sat down on the edge of the bed with a shudder, biting back a groan. Who knew what kind of body fluids had been left behind on the bedspread from the previous guests?

  He took a long drag and closed his eyes.

  For the last year he’d tried to hide his vices while dating Brandy. Never having more than an occasional smoke or drink at a party. He’d tried to keep his image squeaky-clean to convince her he was husband material. But none of it mattered now. Brandy was keeping a low profile—didn’t want to be found. And he was hiding out in some cheap hotel he was forced to pay for in cash—because he was a dead man if that fucking bookie found him.

  Gordon sneered. God, that bitch Brandy deserved to be smacked into the next zip code when he got his hands on her. But that could wait until after he got her down that aisle.

  He took another drag and closed his eyes.

  And it appeared he was getting closer. The source he’d sent out to track her had provided some fairly interesting information.

  Just as he’d known all along, she wasn’t in the goddamn Mediterranean. She was still in the Vegas area. And she’d been shopping—a lot. But the kicker was she didn’t appear to be staying in a hotel. Unless she was paying cash like he was.

  No. Otherwise she would’
ve been careful not to use her card in other places. The possibility that Brandy had found a friend to stay with just didn’t add up.

  “Hmm.” He pursed his lips and shook his head.

  Brandy didn’t have many friends that he knew of, and she’d never mentioned any in the Vegas area.

  Which left one odd and puzzling possibility. The man whose bike she’d jumped on when she’d fled the chapel. The one he’d seen running from their hotel room.

  But why? His mouth curled in dismay. Brandy had about as much energy as a sack of flour during sex. Surely she hadn’t made her way into another man’s bed.

  He stood up and crushed the cigarette out on the chipped wooden side table. Striding into the bathroom, he hit the light switch. The lighting cracked and whined, before the light reluctantly flickered on.

  He leaned in toward the mirror and stared briefly at his once perfect smile. Already the smoking habit had stained his veneers.

  With a snarl he flicked off the light again and went back to sit on the bed. It didn’t matter. Any of it. He’d find out where she was. Even if he had to go from door to fucking door to find her.

  Chewing on a fingernail, he paced through the room and took a moment to admit the seed of doubt that had begun to take root.

  He needed to consider the possibility that she may not be easily persuaded to marry him. That the chances of getting her to say ‘I do’ were growing slimmer each day.

  His soft laugh held no humor and was swallowed up in the tiny room.

  Which was fine. If he could avoid being married to her, it would be a relief. It just meant he’d need to come up with a different plan.

  He reached for another cigarette with unsteady hands and shook his head. In either case, she’d give him the money one way or another.

  The wall of sound inside the bar had reached its peak about a half hour ago. Marco looked around the room and let out a whistle that got sucked up into the mass of noise.

  He spotted Brandy walking by and grabbed her arm. “Can you believe this? This place is packed.”

  “I told you it would be.” She grinned and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “You see that one guy with that totally awesome green spiked hair?”