“So, you think we’re all attractive?” I tease.
She slaps her hand on her forehead. “Oh God.”
We all laugh, and I pull her into a hug. “It’s okay. As long as you think I’m the hottest.”
Royce scoffs and Elijah laughs. Midge gives me a little squeeze and looks up at me. “I do.”
Elijah starts taking things to the dining room, but Royce keeps talking.
“So, y’all were like fuck buddies?”
“Royce,” Elijah warns.
Royce laughs. “What? I’m serious. I just wanna know why the secrecy.”
Midge huffs. “You’re annoying. Look, it’s no secret that I haven’t been in a relationship for a while. Just like you hadn’t been before you met London, so shut up. I have my own issues, and before feelings came into play, I thought this would be a short-lived fling. No need for you and London to be caught up in the awkwardness when it was over. But then shit changed.” She shrugs. “Cillian’s the best man I’ve ever known, I’ve adored him since I was fifteen, and I’d be foolish to not give a relationship with him a try.”
I smile, then the rest of the room smiles. Midge blushes.
“Well, okay, then,” Royce says, finally satisfied.
Using my forefinger and thumb, I tilt her chin up and plant a kiss on her lips. “I adore you,” I say softly.
She rolls her eyes, blush tinting her cheeks once again, but her smile lets me know she’s anything but annoyed.
“All right, love birds, dinner is ready,” Elijah announces.
As we’re walking into the dining room I say, “So, E, when are you gonna get a girl?”
“Don’t start, Cillian.”
46
Midge
“For real, though,” Cillian continues. “You and Sugarfoot need a lady around.”
“Why?” Elijah asks, grabbing his fork.
Cillian looks around the table, hoping someone jumps in to help him. “Uh, you know, so you’re not lonely.”
“But I’m not lonely.”
“Right, I know, because you have a Rolodex of women’s numbers.”
“Rolodex?” Royce questions. “What year is this?”
“Well, you know, Elijah’s like an old man. I’m sure he has a rolodex in his office.”
Elijah bites down on a smile, shaking his head. “The Rolodex in my office isn’t for women’s numbers.”
“I knew it!” Cillian shouts, pointing at Elijah.
“I have a cell phone with women’s phone numbers. And just because you two have started to settle down, doesn’t mean I have to.”
“You’re the oldest.”
“I’m only thirty-five. That’s not old.”
“Leave him alone,” I say, feeling bad for Elijah.
Elijah gives me a warm smile. “Don’t worry about it, Margaret. They’re always giving me shit about something or other.”
Cillian picks up his fork. “All right, I’m sorry. I just worry about you here. You’re alone, and you weren’t dealt the easiest hand in life.”
“None of us were,” Elijah adds, picking up his water glass.
“I’m not just talking about losing Mom and Dad. You had to drop everything to finish raising us. You were already out of the house and doing what you wanted. Then you came back and took care of us three. You’ve never talked about it, but I’m sure that sucked for you. That had to be hard, and yet, you did it. Then what happened with you and Jenn…” Cillian trails off. “Anyway, I just want you to have some happiness in your life.”
The table goes quiet, everybody unsure of what to say. I shove some food in my mouth and discreetly glance around at everyone.
“I appreciate that,” Elijah says, breaking the silence. “Yes, it was hard, but it didn’t suck. Y’all are my brothers, and I’d do anything for any of you.”
Royce and Cillian nod, accepting his response, but me and London share a look across the table. Elijah didn’t say he was happy.
After everyone takes a bite or two of food or a sip of their drink, I speak up. “So, my mom’s birthday is on the fifth, and me and my dad are planning on having her party at the lake house, so is everyone gonna be available?”
“You know I’ll be there,” Cill says with a grin.
London claps her hands together. “Yes, of course.”
“Elijah, you’ll come, right?” I ask, wanting him to be included this time.
“That’s a weekend?” he questions.
“It’s Sunday. Monday is Labor Day, so most people will have that day off. Mom and Dad aren’t coming up until Sunday morning, and I plan on getting up there Friday or Saturday to set everything up.”
Elijah nods. “I can make it then. School starts up next week, but as long as it’s on a weekend, I’ll be free.”
“Awesome.”
The rest of the dinner continues without any heavy topics, and conversation runs smoothly. Cill was right. There’s no awkwardness at all. After all, we’re still friends. Nothing’s changed except me and Cillian have seen each other naked now. Okay, and maybe a little more, but still. Our friendship remains the same.
After dinner, everybody makes their way to the den to hang out. London rushes over to the wall lined with pictures and gestures for me to come over.
“Midge, you have to see this photo of Royce and Cill.”
“Oh, God,” Royce murmurs.
“Which one?” Cill asks, coming to join us.
“Look how cute!” London squeals, pointing to the picture of Royce and Cillian in the bathtub together.
I put my hand over my mouth and laugh. Cillian’s hair is all wet and spiked up in every direction. Royce’s hair is plastered to his forehead, and he’s gripping what looks like two different colored dinosaurs. Cillian has bubbles on his face like he was trying to give himself a beard.
“I’m not sure why Elijah keeps these up,” Cill grumbles.
“Mom loved those pictures,” Elijah says from the nearby armchair. “Of course they’re staying up.”
“Yeah, but where are your embarrassing photos?”
He points to a picture across the room. “Have you seen that photo of me with braces? And what was I wearing? Corduroy overalls?”
“Until you have a picture of you in the bath, not the same.”
Elijah’s phone rings, stopping the conversation.
“It’s Merrick,” he says before answering.
“Oh, our own little rock star, huh?” I say to Cillian.
“I know. I still can’t believe it. He’ll be back next month.”
“Are all the guys coming back home?” Royce asks Cillian.
Cill shrugs. “Probably. All of their families are here.”
“So, after their concert in Cleveland, they get a break?” I ask.
“Yeah. I don’t know for how long, because he said they’ll have to start working on the second album.”
“First album sold like crazy, right?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. Big time. Still selling like crazy.”
“That’s awesome.”
“Everybody’s here,” Elijah says, turning the phone to the room, so we can see Merrick’s face on the screen.
“Hey, guys,” Merrick says with a big smile.
We all wave and say hello, then Merrick leans forward, squinting his eyes.
“Is that Midge?”
I take a few steps forward and give him another wave. “Hey, Merrick. Long time, no see. You doing anything worthy of a True Hollywood Story episode on E! yet?”
Merrick laughs, his baby face looking less like a baby with the dirty blonde scruff he’s growing out. He runs his hand through his hair, a shy smile on his face. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“Oooh,” I tease.
“Is that Midge?” another voice questions in the background.
I instantly tense up. It’s Sky, their lead singer, and someone I hooked up with before they released their album and went on tour.
Sky’s face barges into the screen. He’s good-
looking, no doubt, like he was born to be a rock star. He has vivid blue eyes, black hair, and a permanent cocky smile to go with his attitude. But he still pales in comparison to Cillian.
“Hey,” I say stiffly.
“There’s my girl. Been a while, yeah? You miss me yet or what?” He smiles like he knows I’m going to say yes.
“Not really, no,” I reply.
He laughs. “Sure. You comin’ up to the show in Cleveland?”
Cillian steps up and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, we’ll be there.”
Sky turns his gaze to Cill. “Oh, are y’all...is this…” He never finishes his question.
“Yeah, we’re together now, bro. So whatever happened in the past is gonna stay there.”
Sky chuckles. “All right, man. I gotcha. No disrespect.” His eyes glance around. “See y’all later.”
Merrick comes back in, shaking his head. “Well, that’s Sky for you.”
“He’s a mess. Probably sleeping with a new chick in every city, yeah?” Royce asks.
“Sometimes two or three.”
“Jesus,” Royce mutters under his breath.
Merrick and Elijah continue talking while the four of us have our own conversations. London and Royce start talking about hosting a game night, and Cill sits down in another armchair, pulling me into his lap.
“I’m almost done with the painting,” he says softly against my neck.
I turn around. “I still haven’t seen them. And you showed London.” I cross my arms and pout.
He chuckles. “I wanted you to be surprised. And I look forward to seeing your face when you see it for the first time, one hundred percent complete.”
“When will that be? Tomorrow?”
“Middle of the week, probably.”
“Fine. I guess I can wait.”
“In the meantime, you can let me paint you,” he whispers quietly.
“I told you I am not laying around naked for hours.”
“No. Paint you,” he emphasizes, dragging his fingertip across my arm.
I stare into his eyes and bite down on my lip. “Mm, that might be interesting.”
47
Cillian
Instead of going to either one of our houses, we end up at my studio. I run in first and turn the easels around so she can’t see the paintings.
When Midge steps in, she takes in the changes. “Looking better in here.”
“Yeah, I took someone’s advice.”
“Must be a really smart someone.” She throws me a grin over her shoulder as she saunters to the new couch. “Looks comfy.” She drops down, wiggling her ass in the center cushion. “Super comfy,” she moans, leaning back.
“And no more flickering light.”
“I noticed. Now I won’t have any seizures or migraines.”
She gets up and moves to inspect some of the art on the walls.
She focuses on the one I painted several years ago. A deserted path surrounded by trees in the middle of fall. Their leaves are a mixture of bright oranges and vivid reds and yellows. The path is the middle of the woods, curving across the ground and littered with fallen foliage.
I watch her as she studies my work, a smile curving her lips upwards as she admires them. The next photo is of a couple of wild horses galloping across an open field. She carefully runs her finger over the horse, as if she were petting it.
“These are amazing, Cill.” Her voice is full of astonishment. “You’d think this was just a picture you took one day.”
“I loved working outdoors up at the lake, so I figured I’d surround myself with some outdoor work.”
“Makes sense,” she says, walking toward me.
I keep an eye on her as I add paint to my pallet. If she thought I was kidding about painting her, she’s about to find out I wasn’t.
“Strip.”
She stops. “You’re really gonna paint me?”
“Yep. And it would look much better without your clothes on.”
She tugs on the hem of her shirt. “Only if you take your clothes off, too.”
I put the paint down and rip my shirt over my head. “Done.”
She slowly pulls her shirt over her head, then drops it on the floor.
I eye her pants. “I think the pants need to go, too.”
“Then so do yours,” she counters.
“Fair,” I say with a smile.
She watches as I undress, leaving me in only a pair of white boxer briefs.
“Your turn.”
She follows suit, removing her shoes and pants. After a brief pause, she unhooks her bra and drops that too.
I arch my brow and she shrugs. “Only fair. But I’m not taking off the bottoms. No paint needs to end up anywhere down there.”
A loud laugh erupts from my throat. “Okay. Let’s get started then.”
For the next hour, I try not to let my perfectionism get to me. Otherwise, we might be here forever.
Her neck and chest are covered by a collar I created with a mixture of gold, black, teal, and blue. Intricate shapes and designs make it look pretty similar to what Egyptian goddesses would wear.
I paint her breasts and the space between them, creating jewelry and gems with the paint.
She watches me intently as I work.
“You’re so focused,” she says softly.
“I can’t mess up my new favorite canvas.”
She snorts. “I’m afraid to look down and mess up the paint. Are you turning me into a flower? A clown?”
“Definitely clown,” I say with a smirk.
I continue painting gold bands around her arms, a thin belt around her waist that connects up to the piece the falls between her breasts.
Once I force myself to finish, I take my phone from my previously discarded pants, and take a picture.
As she’s about to protest the photo, I turn it around and show her.
“Oh my God,” she gasps, taking the phone in her hands. “I look good.” She giggles, then zooms in on the picture, checking out the detail. “Wow, Cill. You’ve turned me into a model. I may have found my new profession.”
“Yeah, I’m glad I took this picture, because it’s a real shame.”
She gazes up at me. “What’s a shame?”
“That I’m about to mess all this up.”
I advance, taking my phone from her hand and putting it on the floor, then swiping a condom from my pants’ pocket. My hands find their place on her hips as I back her up until we hit the couch.
She wiggles her panties down and steps out of them. I remove mine and take a seat on the middle cushion while I rip open the condom wrapper with my teeth. Midge turns around and watches me as I roll the latex over my length.
“Come ride me, baby.”
Midge doesn’t hesitate. She straddles me, then lifts up and grabs my cock in her hand before sliding me inside of her.
Her head falls back as her eyes squeeze shut. “Ohhh,” she moans.
I grab ahold of her hips, but let her take control. At least for now.
She rocks back and forth, taking me deep.
“Fuck, Midge,” I grunt.
“Mmm,” she purrs, her eyes still closed.
I grab her throat. “Look at me.”
She listens, gazing into my eyes as she continues to move.
“So agreeable when I’m fucking you,” I say with a smirk. “I love it.”
I slide my hand up, ruining the paint, and put my thumb on her chin as my fingers curl around the back of her neck. I pull her forward and capture her mouth with mine. My tongue swirls around hers softly and gently. She shudders, and her fingers twist in my hair as the kiss becomes feverish.
She continues to grind herself on me, tortuously slow. Her pussy teases my cock, so I tease her mouth. I pull away and swipe my tongue across her lower lip. Midge attempts to pull me closer, but I back up.
I kiss her chin and the corner of her mouth, and press my hand to her lower back, stopping her movements.
I kiss the other corner of her mouth, then suck on her bottom lip before sinking my teeth into the soft flesh.
My thumb grazes her cheekbone as I plant a chaste kiss on her lips. She pushes forward, wanting more, so I finally give in to her and plunge my tongue into her mouth.
She releases a grateful moan, then begins rocking her hips back and forth again. This time, it’s fast and needy. Midge breaks the kiss, her arms going around my neck as she molds us together. Her painted chest pushes up against mine, her heavy breaths brush against my neck, and her explicit chants find my ear.
“I’m gonna come,” she breathes.
“Yeah,” I grunt, needing that tight pussy pulsating around my cock.
“Oh, God.”
Her hips move as if they’re set on fast forward, and then her whole body tenses up and she freezes, her fingernails digging into my shoulders. “Fuck!” Her pussy clamps around me, then she’s moving again, and her voice fills the studio as she cries out.
She leans to the side, resting her head on my shoulder as she attempts to catch her breath. “Jesus Christ,” she pants.
After a minute, Midge slowly climbs off of me, careful to not get any paint on the furniture, and then I stand up next to her and bring her to the side of the couch.
“Brace yourself on the arm, okay?”
She nods and I move behind her, using my knee to spread her legs out a little farther. I grab the base of my cock and slide into her wet center, then hold onto her waist as I thrust in and out.
I move faster and deeper, then shove my hand in her hair, twisting the strands around my fingers as I pull her head back.
“Yes,” Midge hisses.
I don’t slow down. I fuck her deep and hard and watch her ass jiggle as our skin slaps together.
When I climax, I release her hair and dig my fingers into her hips, shoving deep inside her.
“Fuck!”
I hunch over her back, my arm coming around her stomach, holding her up as I rest on top of her. My cock twitches, still releasing my load, and she tightens her pussy around me.
“Oh, God,” I groan.
Truth or Dare (Kingston Brothers Book 2) Page 23
