Sugar Pie (Sweet Beginnings Book 2)

by Loni Ree

  Chapter Four

  Devin

  What the fuck is she wearing? If she takes a deep fucking breath, that thin piece of silk will shred, and every motherfucker in this restaurant will see her naked body. Her taut little nipples poke at the fabric, and the lack of panty-lines screams that she isn’t wearing any damn underwear. I’ve had the urge to get up and throw my jacket over her slim shoulders ever since she walked in the door fifteen minutes ago. If one more of my asshole brothers hugs Tricia, I’m going to lose my mind and shed blood in the Sweetbriar Country Club. “You’re looking kinda worked up.” Harden walks over to the bar where I’m standing.

  “Work problems,” I lie and down another drink. I look down at my watch and wonder how long I have to stay. This is fucking torture, and tomorrow will be even worse.

  Harden leans over, orders two drinks, and then sighs. “Would you please just drag the woman off to your cave and be done? The rest of us are tired of dealing with your cranky ass.”

  “Fuck you. You don’t want to deal with my crazy ass? Well, I’ll skip your fucking wedding so you won’t have to.” The alcohol talks for me as I slam my glass down on the bar and rush out the door.

  Mitchell, my oldest brother, grabs me by the collar as I hit the sidewalk and pulls me into the parking lot. “What the fuck has gotten into you? Harden is your brother, and I refuse to let you ruin his wedding by acting like a spoiled little boy.” Mitchell shakes me a little, and I feel like I’m sixteen again. “If you want the girl, either go get her or act like a man and let her go, but no matter what, man the fuck up and be there for your brother.”

  When Mitchell shoves me away and storms back into the Country Club, I realize he’s right. I need to put my personal feelings aside and perform my best man duties, even though it may kill me.

  Watching Tricia laugh and smile at every other fucking man makes me want to put my fist through the wall. This will go down in history as the longest night of my life. The party finally starts winding down, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I’ll be able to escape soon. My first stop is going to be my massive stone shower. All my brothers gave me hell when I insisted on installing the fancy shower, but it’s been the one place I can let my thoughts of Tricia go down the drain, literally. Along with my thoughts, a gallon of cum I’ve been building up while watching Tricia shake her ass all night long will be filling my shower drain, too.

  “Tricia, let me give you a ride back to Mitchell’s.” I hear my brother, Justin, call to Tricia, but there’s no fucking way I’m letting the little asshole drive her.

  I slip behind the exit door and wait for him to walk through a few seconds later. “If you even think about taking Tricia anywhere, they won’t find your body until after the ceremony.” His eyes widen as I hold him up against the outside wall by his neck.

  Justin shoves out of my reach then straightens his tie. “You need to learn to relax. You’re way too wound up.” He tries to joke, but I’m not in the mood. Justin shakes his head and mutters under his breath while walking away.

  I’m standing there, trying to figure out what the hell to do next, when the door opens and Tricia’s unique scent hits me. My cock instantly hardens, and I groan in the back of my throat. Fuck. I’ve managed to avoid direct contact with her all night. Before I can escape, I’m going to have to act civilized. She walks out and glances in both directions. Her eyes widen when she sees me leaning against the brick building.

  “Oh, I thought Justin was waiting to take me back to Mitchell’s house.”

  Fucking A. I can’t get away from my jealousy no matter what I do. “No, he had to leave. I’ll drop you off.” What the hell? Did those words really come out of my mouth?

  “That’s okay. I’ll find a ride with someone else. Logan said he has to drive right by Mitchell’s house.” The thought of her getting in a vehicle with another man causes me to see red.

  Before I can control myself, I growl, “I’ll drop you off. Stop being such a pain in the ass.”

  When Tricia’s eyes narrow, I’m ready for her to argue, but she sighs then points her head at the parking lot. “Lead the way. The sooner I get back to Mitchell’s house, the sooner I can get away from your bitchy ass.”

  Knowing the only way I’ll make it to my brother’s house without either killing her or fucking her is to keep quiet, I place my hand on her back and lead her to my truck. As I help her into the front seat, I can’t help but mention, “Filling up the gas tank and having my truck washed and vacuumed was very nice, considering you stole it and left me stranded. But I have to tell you, Sugar Pie, the box of tampons on the seat was completely unnecessary.”

  Tricia’s eyes narrow before she spits out, “If you get to have a cute little name for me, then I’ll start calling you Sheriff Asshole.”

  Shaking my head, I climb in the driver’s seat and hope to make it to my brother’s house quickly. The sooner I get home to my shower, the better. Things don’t exactly go as planned. They go much better in some ways, and in other ways, they completely suck cow balls.

  Chapter Five

  Tricia

  Holy hell, that was some vivid dream. My lady parts are even sore from it. In my dream, Devin Mackenzie worked my born-again virgin hoochie over like he owned it. Then, he took me to the shower and showed me how to get clean and dirty at the same time. That dream was the best thing ever. My mind begins waking up a little more, and the room comes into focus. The navy blue drapes are nothing like the floral drapes hanging on Mitchell and Libby’s guest room window. I sniff the pillow, and Devin’s scent pours through my body. Everything is getting way too real. Oh shit, dreams don’t give you internal rug burn, and the muscular arm wrapped around my waist feels way too genuine. The huge cock that caused my internal rug burn is the same one digging into my ass right this moment, and I begin hyperventilating. What the hell have I done?

  Fuck a duck. Devin Mackenzie’s monster dick is poking my ass—I am a slut. Devin’s even breathing tells me my freak-out hasn’t woken him up, so I take a deep breath and pray to the morning after gods to have mercy on my sinning soul as I attempt to slip out from under his huge arm. There’s someone listening to my pleas because I manage to crawl from the bed and find my dress without the big jerk budging.

  Podunk Sweetbriar doesn’t have Uber, but it does have Libby Mackenzie. She’s willing to rush over and save my ass for the small fee of all the down and dirty details. We’re sitting at her table having coffee as I explain, and Libby’s eyes get bigger and bigger before she laughs. “Girl, you are in deep doo-doo. My brother-in-law is going to raise the roof when he wakes up and finds you gone.”

  I shake my head and disagree. “He’s going to be relieved. No one likes to face their one-night stand and have an awkward morning after. By the time the ceremony comes, he’ll realize we made a mistake and will move on.” Libby looks unconvinced, but I smile and decide it’s time to get ready for the torturous day ahead. “I’m going to head up and start getting ready.”

  I stop by Megan’s room and give her a hug. “I’ll be back in a while. I need to shower and get started on my hair.” She’s so caught up in last-minute wedding details that she misses my appearance. Thank God.

  I grab my toiletries and step into the bathroom. Everything drops from my hands when I turn and look in the mirror. Did I spend the night with Dracula? Holy shit! My neck looks like a plaid blanket. How the hell am I supposed to hide all those purple marks today? My freaking dress is strapless. Sheriff Asshole just became Hoover. From the looks of my neck, he has way more suction than any vacuum I’ve ever used.

  After showering and doing my best to cover all the purple bruises, I throw on my robe and run back to my room. The concealer covers about fifty percent of the marks, but anyone with eyes is going to either believe I fought with a Hoover vacuum or realize some asshole decided to mark me really good the night before my best friend’s wedding. My pale blue, strapless, floor-length dress does nothing to hide any of the damage. I’m staring at my n
eck in the mirror when the bedroom door opens behind me. I turn to snap at whoever opened it without knocking, but the words die in my throat at the look on Devin’s face. “What the fuck were you thinking, running the hell out on me?” he growls before I manage to find my words.

  Oh, that’s where fang boy wants to start, huh? Fine. “I was thinking you’d be happy to avoid the uncomfortable morning after, Hoover,” I furiously whisper, praying no one else can hear our argument.

  Devin shakes his head and blinks a little before I point to my neck. Understanding dawns in his eyes, and he shrugs. His indifference causes me to snap. “You don’t have to stand next to your best friend at her wedding while your neck looks like someone took a weed whacker to it.”

  We both pause as voices get louder down the hall. Devin’s phone buzzes in his pocket, and he looks at me and growls, “Hold on one second,” like I have anywhere else to be.

  “Leave. We can go over the drama later.” I try to get the big jerk out of the bathroom, but he leans against the door and checks his messages.

  After a second, he looks at me, and an evil smile passes over his face. “I need to get to Harden’s to get ready.” The next thing I know, I’m staring at his tight ass as he runs down Mitchell’s long staircase.

  “Uh, Devin. Harden will have heart failure if you and the maid-of-honor both skip the wedding,” Mitchell warns from the living room doorway. Libby is standing on the side of him, biting her lip.

  Devin doesn’t even pause as we fly by. “Don’t worry. He’ll have his wedding party.”

  Hoover drops me into the front seat and glares. “Don’t test me today. Sit your little ass right there and don’t move.” I only listen to the big jerk because he called my ass little. Those words win him a few points.

  Devin loses all his extra points when we pull up at Harden’s house, and he turns to me and growls, “That’s some fucking nerve you have. Blowing my mind, then sneaking out in the middle of the night.”

  I’m still trying to think of an appropriate reply when Devin races around the truck and throws me back over his shoulder. Does Hoover think this is the only way to take me places? His shoulder poking into my stomach is starting to make me a little queasy, and I’m about to complain. “Is that Tricia you have thrown over your shoulder?” Harden is laughing so hard I forget my pain as anger courses through me.

  “Holy shit. The town Sheriff finally turned caveman and kidnapped a little lady.” I can’t tell which brother is talking now. I’m ready to get off the big asshole’s shoulder, so I dig my fingernails into the skin above his waistband. Devin yelps right before he smacks my ass hard. Way too fucking hard. Hoover is going to get a piece of my mind when I finally get down from this mountain.

  “Hoover, you asshole, let me down,” I scream over his shoulder and hear laughter fill the room.

  “Oh, I definitely need this explanation.” Now, I know it’s Bryce, Devin’s older brother, who’s in the kitchen with Harden. Suddenly, the lights from the kitchen spin around me, and I blink to clear the dizziness for a second. Harden and Bryce come into focus. They have matching smirks on their faces.

  Harden’s eyes zero in on my neck, then he throws his head back and laughs. “A Hoover vacuum has nothing on you. Did you have to do that the night before my wedding pictures?” Bryce looks at my neck and bursts out laughing.

  “You see, Hoover! This is what I’m talking about. Now, I’m going to have to deal with this kind of crap for the next week.” I push on Hoover’s shoulder, but he doesn’t budge.

  Chapter Six

  Devin

  If the crazy woman calls me Hoover one more time, I might spank her ass. I can’t believe I lost my mind last night and left her neck looking like a road map. I unleashed six months of built-up desire on the side of her neck. Holy hell. Memories from last night run through my mind, and my cock starts to grow hard in my pants. You’d think after four fucking times in a six-hour period, the big bastard would be satisfied, but that taste of Tricia’s luscious pussy only woke him up. Today will be the longest day of my life. I look over, and Harden is chatting on his cellphone like nothing is imploding in my life.

  “So, you kidnapped me. Any other plans, Hoover?” Tricia asks, and all the various plans run through my head.

  “Sugar Pie, I have so many plans, I don’t even know where to begin,” I answer truthfully.

  Hunger and a little bit of fear flash through Tricia’s eyes, but my nephew chooses this exact moment to rush into the room. “My dad called and said we have twenty minutes to get over to the main house. Oh, and he said that Uncle Devin needs to return the maid of honor or Mom is going to start making people’s lives hell, and the first one will be yours.”

  After Fischer’s announcement, chaos ensues as we try to get everyone out the door dressed and ready. There isn’t time to worry about our issues, so I attempt to push last night to the back of my mind. Telling myself I’ll have a chance to talk to Tricia later helps me get through the next hour of insanity.

  The backyard looks like someone puked purple silk and lace. All the women worked feverishly to give Megan her dream wedding, and if she loves purple, I’d say they managed to pull it off. Off to our right, they’ve set up a tent for the reception, and even the tent is draped with purple silk and white flowers. Harden already warned the women he was stealing Megan so for them not to expect a long reception.

  After the mad dash to get here, things have finally calmed down. I’m standing next to Harden, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Out of the corner of my eye, I peek at Harden, and the small bead of sweat running down the back of his neck is the only outward sign of nerves he’s displaying. When the music begins, I look toward the back of the aisle, and my breath catches in my throat at the vision of Tricia walking down the aisle. “Keep it together through my fucking wedding,” Harden growls out the side of his mouth, and I glare at him before turning to watch Megan follow her down the aisle. Visions of Tricia walking toward me in a wedding dress cloud my mind as I attempt to pay attention to the minister’s words.

  Somehow, I manage to stand at Harden’s side while he marries Megan and ignore my cock as it insists I grab Tricia and continue the morning we were denied when she fucking ran out on me. The ceremony is blessedly short and sweet. The true test comes after the minister announces we can all head back down the aisle. As Tricia wraps her soft hand around my arm, I feel her touch through the layers of material, and electricity flows through every nerve in my body. This entire day is an exercise testing my restraint.

  To save my sanity, I decide to avoid Tricia as much as possible and pray the night passes quickly. After the speeches and pictures, I disappear into the house to hide away from temptation. After grabbing a glass of Mitchell’s good whiskey, I wander through the empty house, looking for somewhere to hide out until the torture is over. I’m sitting in the den, rubbing the back of my neck when Justin walks by, shaking his head. “You are one sorry sucker, Hoover.”

  I don’t even have the energy to kick his ass. Laying my head back against the sofa, I take a deep breath and flip him off while promising, “Karma will bite you in the ass one day.” My younger brother ignores my warning and laughs as he walks away. I remember the good ole days when I acted just like him, but now, I’ve learned my lesson from a little pink-haired, blue-eyed spitfire who fucking calls me “Hoover.”

  I hesitantly return to the backyard and vow to avoid Tricia so we can make it through the rest of the night without me pulling her into a back room and fucking the hell out of her. I’m able to maintain my distance until all the women begin dancing together. My eyes refuse to listen to my orders to look away. There’s no way that flimsy excuse for a dress is going to hold her curves back for very long, especially when the barely legal moves begin. Holy hell, there are children here tonight. Who’s in charge? Why am I the only person outraged by this display? “Because you’ve turned into an old fuddy-duddy, Uncle Devin.” I guess I asked my question out loud because Fischer answe
rs. I’m ready to strangle the little shit when he sighs. “Aunt Megan’s friend is super hot. For an older woman, she has some moves.” I take several deep breaths and try to control my temper.

  “Fischer, your mom will kill me if you come home damaged. Leave your uncle alone tonight.” Mitchell’s amused voice cuts through our conversation, and I shake my head. Now, even the young Mackenzies are trying to torture me over my feelings for Tricia. Fuck.

  I’m standing at the buffet when I overhear Libby and Megan talking about Tricia’s plans. She’s staying in Sweetbriar for the next week while Megan and Harden are on their honeymoon. Tricia is going to run The Sweet Beginnings Café and watch the poor animal my brother gave to Megan for protection. Harden lets Megan dress that Rottweiler up in sweaters and bows. At least I have a week to figure out my feelings for Tricia and hopefully find a way to do something about them.

  After Megan and Harden have left for the hotel, I round the corner and see Tricia talking to Mitchell. I stand behind a large evergreen bush and wait for her to walk past, then wrap my hand around her upper arm. “Jesus, Hoover. You scared the shit out of me.” As she slaps her hand over her heart, I follow the movement, and memories from last night whip through my mind. I remember my hand sliding over Tricia’s luscious breast while her tight pussy gripped my dick until I saw stars. “Hey, are you okay?” She’s looking at me funny, and I realize I’ve been standing here with a fucking hard-on, fantasizing about last night.

  “Do you need a ride back to Harden’s?” I know she’s staying a Harden’s house all alone. If I have my way, I’m going to change those plans for the next week.

  “Uh. Well, I thought Mitchell and Libby were going to give me a ride.” Tricia swallows, and my eyes are drawn to the little bruises scattered all over her elegant neck. The effort she made to cover them did little to hide the damage my lips caused last night. My only thought while I tasted her soft skin was making sure every man in Sweetbriar knows that Tricia is off limits. Neanderthal, maybe, but very effective, so far. Not one brave fucker even tried to dance with my girl at the reception tonight. Her expressive blue eyes narrow before she snaps, “Why are you staring at my neck?”