by A. B. Medley
I roll my eyes. “Why do I feel like a teenager who just got caught?” I put my hand over my face. He yanks on a pair of blue jeans that hang on his hips in just the right way. He comes over and kisses me again.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about, baby girl. You’re most definitely not a teenager. And they have known my feelings for you for quite some time.”
“Great. They probably hate me.”
He frowns at me. “No, they don’t. They don’t know the whole story. But I can assure you they don’t hate you. They will, however, want to get to know you a lot better now.” He winks.
“Let’s go in there with them. But later tonight you’re mine.” He licks his bottom lip before smiling at me and walking out into the hall.
“Oh really?” I laugh to myself and feel the anticipation run through me.
“Tate, what’s really going on around here?” I ask as we sit down in the living room. We just heard the shower cut off. He slides a glance my way and smirks. Tate Marks is too freakishly handsome for his own good.
“Briella, I have no idea, to be honest. I know your brother has always loved Ivie. I knew it all those years ago. And I don’t know details, just that she’s back, and he’s worried about her. He’s working on a case that has something to do with her, but I’m afraid I’m not privy to those details. You’ll have to ask him.”
“Great.” I roll my eyes dramatically. “You and I both know I won’t get answers then. Not straight ones, anyway. I can see it on his face, and I’ve only been here for an hour, how deep he’s in with her. I just hope she doesn’t tear his heart out and leave again.” I fight the feeling of uneasiness in my stomach.
Just as I’m about to say more, we hear them coming down the hall to the living room to join us. Sterling is pulling a shirt over his head while Ivie steps around him with wet hair. I did not need that mental picture, inwardly cringing.
“What do you have around here for dinner, Sterling? Tate’s starving.”
Tate shoots back, “Tate my ass, Briella! You’re always hungry! Don’t blame that on me!” He chuckles. “I am hungry, though.” He winks at me.
I point a finger at him and raise an eyebrow at him while smiling.
Sterling chimes in, grinning, “Okay, you two. I can grill some hamburgers. Will that work for all of you?” He looks from me to Tate and finally to Ivie.
We all nod and Sterling heads to the kitchen. I get up and follow. “Hey, wait up, I’ll help you.” We make it to the kitchen, and he loads his arms with ground beef and jars of seasoning. I watch him as he moves around before he starts patting out the hamburgers.
“What is it, Briella? I can feel you lurking,” he says without looking at me.
“Is everything okay, Sterling? I know how bad she hurt you all those years ago when she just took off and never looked back. So why is she here now, and why does it seem like you’re getting really cozy?” I speak quietly, so Tate and Ivie can’t hear me from the living room. It looks like they turned on the TV, so that drowns us out a little more.
“Bree, I appreciate your concern, but I can handle this. You don’t know the whole story, and right now isn’t the time to explain it all. Just trust me, there’s more to this than meets the eye.” He looks back to the hamburgers.
“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? I know how bad it tore you up when she left—I was here. What makes you think she won’t do it again? Tate says she’s in trouble. Is that true?”
He sighs as he pats out the last hamburger and goes to wash his hands. “Yes, she’s in trouble, and I’m working her case, but there’s so much more than that. Like I said, now isn’t the time to talk about this. I’ll have to fill you in later.”
I walk with him to the deck as he fires up the grill. “Sterling, you’re my big brother, and I know it’s always been your job to look out for me. I’m just trying to look out for you, too. I don’t want to see you lose yourself again over this.”
He opens his mouth to speak and then closes it, shaking his head. “Please, just trust that I know what I’m doing and leave it at that where my heart is concerned.”
I walk over and kiss his cheek before heading back in the house and into the living room. Tate’s walking toward the back of the house to go outside with Sterling as I’m coming back in. I walk into the living room with Ivie.
“It’s been a long time, Ivie.” I narrow my eyes just a bit when I settle in the chair across from her.
She answers, “It has. I’ve been so busy with work, but I’ve decided to stay around for a while. My parents need me here right now.”
“How come? Is everything okay?” I ask innocently.
Ivie’s eyes meet mine, and I can tell she’s gauging what to reveal to me. “I was originally coming home to help my mom plan my dad’s surprise retirement party. I have to admit, things have changed a little, though.”
“How so?” I ask, urging her on.
She lets out a nervous breath. I’m learning how to read people with some of my classes, and she’s lighting up my radar like a Christmas tree. “Sterling’s helping me with something right now. I can’t really say much else about it.”
“From the looks of you coming out of my brother’s room, I’d say he’s helping you with a lot you don’t want me to know about.”
“Wow, Briella. You don’t tiptoe around what’s on your mind, do you?” She asks, wide-eyed.
I hold her gaze, unsmiling. “I find it best to just say what you mean. I’m not trying to be mean, but I had to watch my brother suffer after you just up and left. I knew he had feelings for you back then, even though you were dating Dean. I don’t know the whole story, and I’m not asking you to explain. I’m not saying you didn’t make the right choice for whatever was going on at that time; it’s not for me to judge. I can say whatever your intentions are with my brother now, just be straightforward. Don’t lead him on and hurt him again. He doesn’t deserve it. His feelings were much deeper for you back then than you realize.”
“Briella, I have no intentions of hurting him again. I didn’t try to when I did. You’re right, there was more going on back then than you know. I did the only thing I knew to do. I can promise you this, though, I loved Sterling then, and I love him now. I don’t have all the answers on what that means for us going forward. He knows everything about me. I truly hope to give us a real shot this time. We never got that before. It was and would have been messy because of Dean. Neither of us wanted to hurt him, and we fought our feelings for a long time. To be honest, Dean’s back in town right now, too, which means it may still be messy when people find out about me and Sterling. But I promise I’m going to do everything I can to make a real go of it this time.”
I nod in understanding, and I can’t help but believe her.
The rest of the evening went by smoothly after Briella cornered me in the living room. I can’t blame her. I admire her for it, to be perfectly honest. She has the same fire in her that Sterling does. They’re both straight shooters. Something about them makes you want to live up to their expectations. I hope I do.
Tate went back to his cabin after we ate dinner and played a few rounds of Rook. Shortly after, Briella excused herself upstairs to her old bedroom. I sent Mom a quick text and told her I wasn’t coming home tonight, so she wouldn’t worry. I was already in Sterling’s bedroom as he was locking up before turning in for the night.
He comes in the bedroom and shuts then locks the door. His dark brown eyes sparkle as he comes closer. “See, it wasn’t that bad was it?” he asks as he sits down beside me on the bed.
“It started out a little intense.” I laugh, but it’s a little nervous.
“What do you mean, baby girl?” he frowns. I sheepishly look at him, debating on telling him. “Briella cornered me while you and Tate were outside.”
He blows out a frustrated breath. “I’m sorry, Ivie. She means well. Me and her—we have a strong bond. We both tend to be overprotective of each other. What did she say?”
“Why’s that?” he asks me.
“I kind of envy what you two have—even Tate’s relationship with you both. You’re close and have each other’s back, unapologetically. I’ve never had that. I mean, I have Lucy, she’s the closest thing to a sister I’ve got and I love her, but we’ve drifted over the years. I’m just used to having to look out for myself.” I smile sadly.
He pulls me in his arms and holds me. “Baby girl, you’re not alone. I’ll always have your back. You can trust that.” He tips my chin up and kisses me.
“Will you come with me to the retirement party next weekend?” I ask him.
“You didn’t even have to ask, Ivie. You know I’m going to be where you are, but in this case, I’ll be there investigating, too.” He kisses me again.
I smile when I think about seeing him dressed in a tux for the party. “Do you have a tuxedo?”
“Unfortunately, I do.” He laughs deeply. “So, this really is a black-tie affair?”
“It sure is. I can’t wait to see you dressed up. You’re sexy all the time, but I’ve never seen you like that.” I wink at him.
He sits me on his lap and gives my butt a playful slap and grins. I guffaw.
“Enough talk, baby girl. I told you, you’re mine tonight. I plan on showing you what you do to me. I love you.”
He pulls me back onto the bed with him, and we both touch and kiss feverishly, pulling our clothes off until there is nothing between us. He turns us over so that I’m lying on my back and he’s hovering over me, taking me in with his eyes. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
He spreads my legs with his knee and lines up with my opening before sliding in slowly. He intertwines his fingers with mine and looks me in the eyes, trailing soft kisses from my lips to my breasts.
He picks up the pace but is still moving slowly. He’s truly making love to me. This is everything I hoped it would be and so much more. I turn my head to the side as I feel the pressure building. He takes his free hand and gently grasps my chin so I’m looking back in his eyes.
“I want to see your eyes, baby girl.” That’s my undoing, and I can’t hold it back any longer. My body gives into the pleasure and spreads through my core, all the while I keep my eyes trained on his as he gives in too, releasing inside me.
He kisses my lips and parts them, gaining access to my tongue. He deepens the kiss and we both come down from our highs. When he finally pulls back, he kisses my nose. I’ve never felt so loved and safe than I do right here, right now, in this moment.
We both go clean up and get in the bed, and I drift off to sleep in Sterling’s arms. My heart is overflowing with happiness and it’s telling me this is where I was always supposed to be.
The next few days fly by quickly. I went over the flash drive Rhett sent with Ivie. There were a few leads I was following from it, but so far, nothing solid. It seems this could be anyone, for any reason. It could be a reason they made up in their own head. You can’t always tell with stalkers like this, what their motives are.
This whole ordeal has me unsettled. I’m doing everything I can to get to the bottom of this. I don’t like not knowing what I’m up against here. I have even more at stake now that Ivie and I have admitted our feelings for each other. I know there’s no way we can truly move forward until this is over. I want to know she’s safe. She’s stayed with me every night this week.
Today is Thanksgiving Day, so I’m trying to put the case out of my head for a few hours while my parents are here. I invited Ivie to join us for dinner, because her dad had planned a surprise trip to Chattanooga for the holiday weekend for her mom. They had their Thanksgiving Day lunch and left shortly after to head that way.
Little does he know he’ll be getting a surprise himself next weekend. Their family is just full of surprises. Ivie should be getting here any time now. My parents have been here since lunch time. Mom’s been cooking. Briella, Tate, and I have been showing Dad around the ranch. Even though he turned it all over to me and Tate, it tears him up just a little to think about being retired.
After Ivie arrives, our dinner goes great. My parents really hit it off with her. I had no doubts they’d love her. They always liked her back then in school, although they didn’t know her well. Once my parents left, it was close to nine o’clock. Now, it’s just Ivie, Briella, Tate, and me watching TV.
Suddenly, we hear a knock at the door. I go to answer it and find Dean standing on my front porch. “Hey, man. You want to come in?” He has an expression I can’t read on his face.
“Sure. I’m not interrupting anything am I? I just thought being later, the festivities would be done by now.”
“We’re all just watching TV in the living room. You’re not interrupting anything,” I tell him. I’m unsure how he’ll react when he sees Ivie here. Here goes nothing. I want him to know about us, but I don’t want to hurt him or flaunt it.
He goes in the living room and stands with his hands in his pockets. I takeback my seat beside Ivie. Tate and Briella look at me with big eyes. They feel the tension, too. Dean looks at Ivie and then me. I can tell he’s mad, but he doesn’t say it.
Ivie breaks the ice. “Hey, Dean. How was your Thanksgiving with your family?” She gives him a small smile.
“It was really good. Did you celebrate with your folks today or have you been here at the ranch celebrating with the Briggs?” Dean isn’t beating around the bush.
Ivie looks over at me then back to Dean. “I was with my parents for lunch and came here for dinner. My dad planned a surprise weekend away with my mom, and they left right after lunch today. Sterling invited me here for dinner with his family since I was going to be alone tonight.”
“Wasn’t that nice of him?” he drawls, eyebrows raised just a bit with a pinched smile on his face. I see the accusations and anger building in his eyes.
“Can I get you a drink or anything, Dean?” I meet his gaze with a heated one of my own. I can feel the tension radiating through the room, and Briella and Tate’s eyes on me waiting for the next move.
“No, I think I’m good tonight, brother.” His tone drips of irritation. He slinks over and sits on the other side of Ivie. He leans over and kisses her cheek. “What are y’all watching?”
Briella chimes in this time. “Just reruns of police dramas. You know how much Sterling and I love shows like that.” She laughs, trying to cut through the thick tension. Dean flicks his eyes to her.
“That’s right, Briella. Sterling tells me you’re following his footsteps with a career in law enforcement, congratulations.” He smiles at her. I can tell Briella is sizing him up right now. So is Tate.
Ivie finally gets up from between us after about fifteen minutes, clearly unable to take the awkwardness anymore. “Okay, guys, I think I’m going to call it a night.” I stand and so does Dean.
“I’ll walk you out.” I step aside so she can get by me to grab her purse and keys. Tate and Briella tell her bye but stay in the living room. Ivie’s leading the way out the door with me about two steps behind her. I can feel Dean walking close behind. Once we reach the front porch, Ivie stops and turns. Her eyes land on Dean, who’s now a few feet behind me.
“Bye, Dean. It’s good to see you again.” Dean smiles and walks past me to where she’s standing and wraps her in a hug. When he lets her go, I see something cracking behind her eyes. She’s getting ready to run, I can feel it.
“Ivie, I’ll call you tomorrow so we can pick back up on those files, okay?” I search her eyes, hoping to reassure her, silently pleading with her not to run from me. Dean steps back to my porch finally.
I reach for Ivie’s hand and pull her toward me and press a light kiss to her forehead. “I’ll talk to you then.” She tur
ns on her heel and goes toward her Jeep. I shut the door and turn to Dean.
He never moves, watching us the whole time. Again, I can’t read his expression as he stands there with a defensive look, arms crossed. “Is there something I should know, Sterling?”
“What do you mean, man?” I ask.
“You and Ivie seem awfully cozy. Am I missing something? I seem to remember asking you point blank if there was anything going on between you two. You said no.”
I eye him carefully. As much as I want the world to know I’m in love with Ivie and she’s mine, I don’t want to rip out my best friend’s heart. It’s been a long time since they were an item, but I know a first love is a first love. “I said we’re working a case. I didn’t exactly say no. We’ve gotten closer in the last week or two. I care about her, Dean. I always have.”
He runs a hand over his face and blows out a breath. He strides over to me. “I don’t know what you want me to say to that, Sterling. I’ve always loved her. She was my girl. Not yours. You’re supposed to be my best friend.”
“Dean, it’s not like I planned on my feelings for her. This isn’t high school anymore—far from it. There’s more to this than you understand. I’m not trying to screw you over. We’re all adults. You’ve always been my best friend.”
He walks past me to the door. Then he stops and turns. “I was thinking about moving back here. I was going to see if I could get to know her again. I want her to be happy. I’m just not sure I can accept it if it’s with you. “
I move to go after him. “Dean. Wait.” He’s already close to his truck, and his steps don’t falter. He gets in and doesn’t bother looking back.
I pull my hair up in a ponytail and fall onto my bed. My phone goes off, alerting me to a new text message.
Dean: Can I see you?
I blow out a frustrated breath, I wasn’t expecting to see Dean at Sterling’s tonight; neither of us was. If I tell him no, he’ll know something’s up. I’m not ready to tell the world about me and Sterling yet, especially not Dean. We’re just getting our footing together.
