by J. P. Comeau
“Who in the world is that?” I asked.
Karina giggled. “You like what you see?”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please, I’ve just never seen him around before. Who in the world is that guy?”
“Well, you know the rumored ‘big brother’?”
I slowly looked over at her. “That’s Clint?”
She smiled. “Yep. That’s him.”
“The guy’s that rumored to have -?”
“That’s him,” Karina assured me.
“Oh, my God,” I gasped, looking away out over the crowd.
Club Verona was a bit on the chill side tonight, which I loved. Their weekends were always loud and bombastic. But, during the week? They toned it down a bit. The lights of the club didn’t flash or strobe. Instead, the warm white and red lights set off an ambiance of relaxation while the smooth jazz music filled the club from corner to corner. A live band had been booked for the evening, and the smell of cigar smoke lingered around the entrances and exits. No one on the dance floor was gyrating or grinding. Instead, they were swaying and smiling up at their partners while the rustic band crooned and ad-libbed into their microphones.
I enjoyed it when things were toned down like that.
The leather chair greeted me as I sat with my cosmopolitan martini in my hand. Then, I crossed my leg over my knee, drawing in a deep breath of air. Fresh, too, which was almost unheard of in a club like that on the weekends. While sipping my drink, I let the taste of cranberry and cotton candy dance on the edges of my tongue. I closed my eyes, allowing the alcohol to seep through my veins. The soft, pulsing rhythm of the plucked bass downstairs made me sway and sigh. A smile crept across my lips as I leaned back against the buttery leather chair.
I could’ve stayed like that all night.
Had the girls simply left me alone.
“Kelly, here, thinks Clint’s cute,” Karina said.
Roxy squealed. “Oh, my God. That would be perfect. So, so perfect.”
My eyes snapped open. “Uh, what? I didn’t say--.”
Karina shot me a look. “Come on. A man built like that. And let’s not forget he was a Navy SEAL, yum.”
Roxy grinned. “And his nickname. Have you heard it?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care about any of that kind of stuff.”
Roxy sat down on the edge of the chair. “Seriously. He would be perfect.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Seriously? You’re going to act like you don’t know what we are talking about?” Karina asked.
I shook my head. “No. I’m not going along with something like that.”
Roxy shoved me playfully. “Oh, come on. You know it’s going to help you gain some confidence. A bit of no-strings-attached fun to get you going and get you some experience, then boom! You’re ready for the market.”
My drink sloshed onto my hand. “Thanks. You owe me another one.”
Karina giggled. “Not like you paid for it.”
I blinked. “Yeah, I did. I gave you the money for it.”
She nodded. “Yep. And Clint usurped me and bought our drinks. Yours included.”
I quickly set it down. “Wish you would’ve told me that sooner.”
Roxy sighed. “Come on, you damn party pooper. I’m tired of seeing you this way. Always moping, always pining, and never actually getting out to have any fun. This isn’t college anymore. You get to own your space now. Go out there and show them who’s boss. You’ve got your own clothing line, for fuck’s sake!”
I pointed at my sister. “Almost. I almost have my own clothing line.”
Karina took my hand. “Whatever. Get up. Don’t make a pregnant woman work, either. That’s not a good look.”
With a roll of my eyes, I stood to my feet. I slid my hands down the skin-tight dress I had on for the evening and shifted around in my heels. They were new, courtesy of a belated birthday present Mom sent me. And while the red-backed, stiletto-black heels looked spectacular, my ankles were already screaming for mercy.
And I was pretty sure one of my toes was already bleeding.
“I need more alcohol for this,” I murmured.
“If you play your cards right with Clint, that’s exactly what you’ll get,” Roxy said.
Karina slid her arm around mine. “Besides, I hear he’s really a teddy bear beneath his gruffness.”
I paused. “Wait, gruffness? No one said anything about gruffness. Why is he gruff? Is he mean?”
Roxy took my other arm. “Not like it matters since it’s no-strings-attached. Right?”
My eyes widened. “Of course, it matters! It matters to--.”
Karina interrupted me. “Hey! Clint! Can you come here for a second!”
“I’m going to kill you both,” I murmured.
Roxy giggled. “If Clint’s cock doesn’t do you in first.”
Karina hissed. “Roxy. Come on. Don’t scare the girl.”
“All I’m saying is I’d love to take a ride on it myself. Just a little test drive.”
I felt myself blushing. “I’m going to slaughter you both.”
Clint walked over to us. “What’s up?”
The girls looked at me as if I was just supposed to blurt it out. But, as I gazed up into his face, I saw what the girls saw. I mean, older men weren’t my kind of deal. Anything more than two or three years, and it felt weird to me. But, he was handsome for an older guy. A strong jawline. Sizzling eyes. A piercing stare that made my core shiver. In a good way, though, if that was possible. The cologne he had on smelled outstanding, too. It smelled familiar. Like home, almost.
Where have I smelled that before?
“Kelly? You going to say something?” Karina asked.
Roxy sighed. “I always have to do everything. Okay, here’s what’s up, Clint. My sister here is a--.”
I cut her off. “I’m not very confident in the dating world because I don’t have any sexual experience.”
Clint blinked. “Okay.”
“And the girls here apparently think that if I obtain said experience, I’d be more confident in my dating prowess.”
He blinked again. “Okay. I can understand that.”
“And, I guess what they want to try and do is ask if you’re willing to…”
Roxy wiggled her eyebrows. “Offer up your expertise in the matter.”
I smiled curtly. “You can kill me now. I’m good.”
Clint’s eye twitched. “My expertise.”
I sighed. “It’s stupid. I know it is. And the girls really seem to think--.”
Karina leaned forward. “It’s no strings attached. No dating, no togetherness. Just two people, enjoying one another while one of the parties learns the ropes. So to speak.”
Clint nodded slowly. “Uh-huh.”
I swallowed hard. “So, yeah. There it is. My most embarrassing trait, out there for someone to judge.”
“Not embarrassing at all.” He shrugged.
I paused. “It’s not?”
He shook his head. “No. It’s not.”
“Oh. Well. Thanks.”
The girls relinquished me and pushed me forward a little bit more. And I stood so close to Clint that I felt his body heat radiating against my own.
Damn, I can see his muscles through his clothes.
The navy shirt he had on clung to his physique, showcasing the chiseled lines of his chest. As my eyes continued roaming his body, I noticed the dark-wash jeans he had on. They sat against his thighs, allowing me to trace the outline of them with my curious stare. He had long legs on him. Long, powerful legs. And as my eyes slowly trickled up his arms, I saw veins bulging from his forearms. I watched them pulse, and some small part of me wondered what they might feel like against my tongue.
Get it together, Kelly.
“What’s your name?” Clint asked.
My eyes snapped up to his. “Kelly. It’s Kelly.”
He nodded. “Kelly. That’s a nice name. If you’re comfortable with this arr
angement, I’m down.”
I blinked. “What?”
I heard the girls chattering and dancing around behind me as I swallowed hard.
“You’d--you’ll do it?”
He nodded. “I’ll offer up my services. I’ll give you the night to think about it, and when we wind things down, I’ll come find you. If you’re still down, we’ll have a drink and head back to my place.”
I didn’t know what to say. “O--okay. Yeah. That--that sounds great. Thank--thanks. Yeah.”
“No problem.”
He turned and walked away from me, and my eyes couldn’t resist. They dropped to his ass, and I had to swallow back a moan of my own. The man was stacked in all the best ways, and he had just agreed to sleep with me. Which meant my fingertips would know what the lines of his body felt like. My tongue would intimately get to know the crevices of his body.
It filled me with heat as his cologne swirled around my head.
Where the hell have I smelled that scent before?
“Oh. My. God,” Roxy squealed.
“You did it!” Karina exclaimed.
The two of them grabbed my arms and ripped me back to the leather chair while they chittered excitedly around me.
“This is going to be one hell of a night,” Karina said.
“You know I’m going to want all of the details, right?” Roxy asked.
“Maybe he can teach you some things, too. I mean, there’s so much more to sex than just penetration.”
“She’s right. There’s spanking and teasing. Edging and bondage.”
“There’s also anal play, which is fabulous. And dual oral? Oh, man. You’re definitely going to have to try that. Have you ever given a blowjob before? It’ll be much better your first time around with flavored lube. The taste of a man can be jarring at first. Also, condoms. Make sure you have them. Wait, are you on birth control? Never mind, the first thing you’ll want to try out of the box is sitting on his face. I think that’s something you’ll--.”
“Girl. Are you fucking kidding me?” Roxy asked.
I looked up at Karina with wide eyes. “If you were trying to keep yours and Zane’s sex life on the down-low, you have officially failed that test.”
Karina blushed furiously. “Just don’t tell him, okay?”
Roxy squealed so loud I thought the roof would burst off the club.
“I’m asking you for all of the details later. But, right now? We focus on Kelly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Lucky me.”
The girls continued to talk over me as I plastered on the best smile I could. But, the truth of the matter was that I was panicking. Hardcore, hands down, flat-out panicking. My hands trembled so much I tucked them between my legs. I felt the hairs on the nape of my neck standing on end as if there were danger afoot. My eyes locked with one of the exit signs, and I wondered if I could slip away. If I could silently get myself out of the scenario and flag myself a cab to go home.
Then, that scent passed by me again.
I looked up, expecting to see Clint. But instead, I saw Brenden, and it clicked. That cologne. That scent. I knew exactly where I had smelled it before.
Clint was wearing his brother’s cologne.
The smell of home.
I watched Brenden walk over to Zane and Clint as they stood off to the side by the balcony. With a drink in his hand, he brought it to his lips as Zane talked their ears off about something. Clint was stoic the entire time. Not once did he crack a smile or chuckle, or really even move. It was as if he were a statue.
Not Brenden, though.
His laughter filled my ears and brightened my heart. The movements of his body were entrancing, and I found myself staring at him. My fake smile slowly melted into a real one, and my cheeks began to hurt. The only time I ever smiled so much that it hurt was when I was around Brenden. It had been like that back in college, and it was still true to this day.
If I had to choose someone to do it with, I’d do it with him.
But, I knew my feelings would get in the way. Which would only lead to heartache, with the kind of player Brenden had become.
You’re about to sleep with his brother.
The thought terrified me. What would Brenden think of that? My hands began trembling more, and I squeezed my thighs to get them to stop. A cold chill washed over me, and I started shivering. I needed a coat, even though my feet were sweating. My body felt out of control. I felt out of control. And as the girls started giving me a pep talk that I hardly paid attention to, only one thing crossed my mind.
It’s not like Brenden cares about you anyway.
I sighed. “I need a drink.”
Roxy squeezed my shoulder. “One glass of liquid courage coming right up, beautiful.”
4
_____
BRENDEN
I clapped Clint on the back. “Chattin’ up the girls already, I see.”
“Can you leave the man alone for a second?” Zane sighed.
“I did that when I went to get another whiskey. He’s had time to deal,” I told them both, sipping my drink.
Clint shook his head. “More like they were chatting me up.”
Zane quirked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“What the hell does that mean?” He had my attention.
“They want me to take Kelly’s virginity.”
I almost choked on my drink. “Come again?”
Zane’s jaw dropped. “Uh, what now?”
“Yep. Apparently, the girl’s got a dating issue because she’s a virgin. So, they’ve requested ‘my services.’”
“You’re kidding.” Zane chuckled.
I stumbled over my words. “What, uh--what--did you… they… who asked again?”
Clint looked over at me. “You good? You seemed more shocked than I am.”
I didn’t know what to say. “Kelly just doesn’t seem like that kind of girl, you know?”
“She doesn’t strike you as a virgin? Because I practically see it blaring over her head in neon colors,” Zane scoffed.
I waved my hand at him. “No, no, no. Not that. I mean, pointlessly eliciting sex. This has Roxy written all over it. Karina, too.”
Zane narrowed his eyes. “Karina’s a bit classier than that.”
“That’s what you think,” Clint murmured.
Zane’s lips parted in shock. “She’s in on it, too?”
“They all are.”
“And what did you say?” I asked.
“I told her I’d grab her at the end of the night and see how she felt about things by then. You know, away from the pressure of the girls. Poor thing looked like she was about to melt into a puddle on the floor.”
Zane snickered. “Those girls can get themselves into anything, can’t they?”
I didn’t think it was funny. Not one fucking bit. In fact, I was irritated as hell at the idea. Kelly, sleeping with my fucking brother? He’d tear her to shreds. I knew the stories. I heard the kind of shit he was up to whenever he was a teenager. He’d chew her up and spit her back out without a second thought. I couldn't let my brother sleep with her. I couldn't let him hurt her.
Especially since I was the one who wanted to experience that with Kelly
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” I said.
Zane rubbed the back of his neck. “I figured you’d feel that way.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
Clint chuckled. “Simmer down, girls.”
I shot him a look. “You keep your sense of humor out of this.”
Clint’s eyes grew hard. “You watch that mouth of yours.”
Zane polished off his drink. “Look, if this is something Kelly wants, you really can’t stop her. She’s her own woman, you know. And this is really none of your business. He had your chance in college, and you never got it done.”
I ignored him. “Clint, just leave the poor girl alone. She doesn't know what she wants. And besides Zane’s right, she’s been crushing on me for years. It’s going to
make things very, very awkward for her.”
Clint nodded. “And if she feels that way in a couple of hours, I’m sure she’ll let me know.”
“Mmm, I don’t think she will. Kelly isn’t that kind of girl. She’s a people pleaser. She’ll do whatever it takes to make someone happy.”
Clint shrugged. “Then, like Zane said, it’s none of your business in the first place.”
I gripped my glass so hard I thought it was going to shatter.
“And why do you care anyway?” Zane asked.
“That’s a good question,” Clint pointed out.
I scoffed. “Why the hell do I care about a good friend’s reputation? Gee, I wonder.”
Zane shook his head. “There is more. I’ve never seen you step up to the plate for someone like this. You’re always in it for yourself.”
“Wow. Thanks.”
Clint clapped my back. “He’s right. You’ve always been selfish, and even more so when it comes to women. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you didn’t like this because you want to be in my position.”
Zane’s eyes bulged. “Do you want to be in Clint’s position?”
I rolled my eyes. “Fuck you both.”
Clint grinned. “Ditto.”
“Look, you don’t want to settle down with anyone anyway. So, stop getting butthurt over stupid shit,” Zane told me.
I stared him down. “I’m fine, all right? Forget I ever said anything.”
“What did you say again?” Clint asked.
Zane’s head fell back in laughter as I glared at Clint. He had the cheekiest grin on his face, and I wanted to smack it right off. I restrained myself, though. Instead, I turned on my heels and walked away from them. I walked away from the asinine adventure, and from the teasing conversation, I knew it would continue if I didn’t remove myself from the situation.
And I found my gaze lingering on Kelly.
Her slender features were framed with that long blonde hair of hers. Softly curled to accent the roundness of her cheeks, her blue doe eyes looked two ticks shy of panicked as I passed by her. She had her hands tucked between a pair of delicious thighs I’d dreamt about for months back in college. The diamond earrings her father had gotten her as a graduation present sparkled against her precious earlobes as I made my way for the stairs. I resisted the urge to peek back at her as I carried my empty glass back to the bar. The soft jazz music wafted over the heads of the patrons in Club Verona. The lights slowly moved back and forth. Side to side. Creating a mesmerizing pattern that could soothe even the most tumultuous of souls.
