Playing the Player: Falling for Best friend's sister. (The Hartford Brothers Book 2)

by JA Low

  “It was good playing with you again,” I tell him sincerely.

  “Not sure if my body is up to the same level as you are now. Fuck, I’m done. I need a beer and a beautiful woman on my lap to ease my sore muscles.”

  “Come on, let’s get cleaned up because you fucking stink. Don’t think the ladies will appreciate our stank as much as the ponies do,” I tease.

  Once we are fresh and ready from our showers, we head over to the large white tents set up around the field where everyone is partying. As soon as we step inside the bustling tents, you can tell everyone has had one too many drinks, but the atmosphere is jolly. We’re stopped constantly, Dom and I, as we maneuver our way through the crowd toward the bar area.

  “How do you stand there with a smile on your face entertaining these rich assholes while they suck up your ass?” Dom asks as we order our beers.

  “Part of the job,” I tell him, clapping him on his shoulder.

  “Is part of your job eye-fucking the rich guy’s young wife too?” Dom quips with a grin.

  “Not my fault if her husband wants to arrange private polo lessons for his wife. I always offer a full-service lesson.”

  “You’re such a dick.” Dom groans at my comments. “One of these days, some woman is going to have you by the balls, and you are going to be powerless to stop it. And I’m going to sit back, watch, and laugh,” Dom teases me. Little does he know some woman already has me in knots.

  “There’s more chance of you settling down before I do,” I tell him as we rough house around with each other at the bar.

  “You’re probably right. And if I do, I ain’t bringing her around anywhere near you. I don’t want my bride to be giving you come fuck me eyes like all these other women do,” he jokes with me, but I feel the sting of truth peppered beneath his words.

  “Hey, come on, I’m not that bad,” I say, grabbing our beers from the barman. Dom glares at me as if to say “I’m that bad” before taking a gulp of his beer. Whatever, he’s just jealous. We run into some of our old polo friends as we continue through the party. I haven’t seen Nell anywhere. There is no way in the world she is missing her family’s event; she has to be somewhere.

  An hour later, I notice a gorgeous blonde dressed in a blue and white sundress, and I know exactly who it is. It’s as if my body can sense that she is near as tingles race through me.

  “Oh, there’s my sister.” Dom reacts first, pointing to the blonde across the tent. “Do you mind if we go over and say hi?” he asks.

  “Of course. I haven’t seen Nell in ages,” I explain to him as if we are old friends catching up.

  “Do not touch my sister. There are a million other women here tonight that you can have. Leave her alone,” Dom warns me.

  “I’m not interested in your sister, Dom,” I tell him. Yes, I feel like a dick lying to my best friend, but if I say otherwise, he is going to watch Nell and me like a hawk all night, and if he does, it means I can’t whisk her away and fuck her in the stables again like old times. Dom’s eyes narrow on me for a couple of beats, and when he sees that I’m being honest with him, he drops it. We head on over to where the girls are standing, talking, and taking selfies.

  “Ladies, long time,” Dom greets the girls happily. They are all so happy to see him and welcome him warmly. When it’s my turn to say hi they are not as equally excited to see me. I get it, they are loyal to Nell, and they still remember me as the idiot that cheated on her years ago.

  “Congrats on your win. You guys played really well today,” Nell compliments us both.

  “Please, it was all this guy. He’s the star of it all,” Dom says, slapping me in the stomach with his hand. I wave his compliments away.

  “Don’t be modest, Remi. That’s not like you,” Nell teases me.

  “It was a team effort,” I tell her. She just raises a manicured brow in my direction but gives me a warm smile. This is good, she’s happy to see me, it’s a start.

  “Says the world’s number three,” Nell jokes.

  “Number two, actually. He’s just gone up in the rankings,” Dom answers for me.

  “No way. That is amazing,” Nell exclaims warmly, and it feels nice that she’s acknowledging my accomplishments. She makes me feel invincible. “Next season you’ll be number one.”

  “Hell, yeah, he will be.” Dom grabs me around my neck and tries to ruffle my hair, but I have a good inch or two on him and we rough around a little, laughing amongst ourselves.

  “Right, well, all this testosterone is making me thirsty, so I’m going to go grab a drink from the bar. Dom, you want to come?” Rainn asks through long, thick lashes. Dom releases me quickly and trails after Rainn as she heads toward the bar. Is there still something going on between them?

  “Um. Yeah. I’m going to go grab a drink too,” Audrey adds, not wanting to stay with Nell and me.

  Now we are alone together. “You’re looking good,” I say as I rake my eyes down her sundress, admiring her subtle curves.

  “I know that face, Mr. Hartford, and it means trouble,” Nell warns, crossing her arms in front of her.

  I take a step forward and lean in toward her ear. “You do not know the amount of trouble I want to cause with you,” I whisper, letting my lips touch her skin ever so gently. When I stand back, I can see her nipples are hard, pressed against her dress and her cheeks have the faintest of color set across them.

  “Fine. Meet me in my bedroom in five. And make sure no one sees you. Okay?” Those doe eyes are warning me. I nod in understanding and watch her pert little ass sway as she walks away from me before I turn in the other direction, knowing another way to get to her bedroom so that no one notices us missing.

  I take the long way around the Garcia manor and make my way through the staff entrance, which is filled with staff running around madly with empty plates and glasses. No one pays much attention to me as I dash through the kitchen. I give Chef Liam a high five as I pass through; thankfully, he’s busy and can’t stop to chat.

  “Keep killing it, Remi,” he calls out after me.

  “Will do, boss,” I call back, chuckling to myself. He looked after me well when I lived here, always having an extra bowl of his famous chili waiting for me after training. I swear it was the only thing that got me through Mr. Garcia’s insane workouts. I slip right out of the kitchen and into the main corridor of the home. Thankfully, it’s empty with everyone outside at the event. I take the stairs of the grand staircase two at a time, reaching the top with little effort. I make a right at the top of the stairs and head on down toward Nell’s wing.

  “Remington Hartford.” I still upon hearing my name. Oh shit. I turn around and there standing before me is little Portia Garcia, or should I say grown up into a gorgeous bombshell, Portia Garcia. Wow. I barely recognize her.

  “Portia?” Those familiar brown eyes narrow on me, and I know she’s seen Nell come this way and now I am too. Think quick, Remi. “Oh, my goodness, you’re all grown up.”

  “Oh, my goodness, you’re still sneaking around with my sister,” she says sarcastically, with her hands on her hips.

  “No, I’m not,” I answer quickly. She’s not buying my bullshit, judging by the arch of her brow. “Fine. I just wanted to talk to her. It’s been a while.”

  “Whatever. I don’t care. But my silence is going to cost you.”

  That sneaky little shit. “How much?”

  My question makes her smile. “Two bottles, no five bottles, of champagne for my friends and me,” she states matter-of-factly.

  “You’re underage. Your father would kill me.”

  “I just graduated from high school. I’m eighteen. I’m an adult now,” she states, giving me sass.

  “Two bottles,” I tell her, hating negotiating with tiny terrorists.

  “Three.”

  “Fine. I’ll go grab you some but give me a moment I need to talk to your sister,” I tell her, eventually giving in because I don’t have time to waste out here talking to h
er when I could be in Nell’s room, balls deep.

  “Only a moment, Rem? That’s not what the rumors say.” She chuckles.

  “Fuck you, Portia. I’ll get you your shit, now fuck off and annoy someone else, will ya.” I glare at her, which makes her laugh as she skips her way happily downstairs. Damn her for ruining my vibe. I continue down the corridor toward Nell’s room. I open the door and close it behind me, turning the lock. The click echoes through the room. Nell is staring out her window, her back is to me.

  “Did anyone see you?” she asks, turning her head and looking at me over her shoulder.

  “No. Coast was clear,” I tell her. I know that was a lie, but it’s just a white one, she doesn’t need to know her sister just extorted me.

  “Good.” She smiles before looking back out the window.

  I reach her in a couple of steps. My lips press against the curve of her neck, and she falls back against my chest. My hand is underneath her dress in a matter of seconds, and I hiss when I feel nothing but bare skin. Dammit, Nell, as my dick throbs with excitement. I kick her legs out, widening her stance for me as I slip my fingers between her soft thighs, it’s been too long. She’s already wet and ready for me. “We have to be quick, Remi. Before anyone notices we’re missing,” Nell states, looking over her shoulder at me. I wanted to take my time with her as it’s been a while since the last time I saw her, but if the woman is saying be quick, then I’ll have to be.

  “You know going quick is against everything I believe in,” I growl into her ear.

  “Yes, Remi, I get it. We will keep your reputation for being a player intact I promise I won’t breathe a word of your quickness to anyone,” Nell says with a laugh.

  “You fucking tease,” I curse as my hand comes down on her ass with a hard whack. Nell squeals as my hand connects with her skin and the delicious sound reverberates around the room. I watch in fascination as she wiggles her ass again for me, asking for more.

  “Does my handprint across your ass turn you on, Nell?” I ask before my teeth sink into her shoulder, giving her a tender nip.

  “Yes,” she answers breathlessly. Naughty little Nellie, she’s never told me about this little kink for spanking before, maybe I should have tested it more often.

  “As we suggested, I need to be quick. We might have to come back to this recent development another time,” I tell her, as my hand runs down the curve of her ass and my fingers slip between her thighs, finding her wet and wanting. I quickly undo my trousers and sheath myself before I run my dick between her thighs again, coating myself in her juices before teasing her entrance with the tip of my dick.

  “Please, Remi,” Nell begs as I continue to tease her, never giving her what she wants, which is my dick deep inside of her.

  “You better put on a show for the good people down below, Nell.” I hiss as I push forward inside of her. Nell releases a frustrated moan, and I don’t give her time to adjust to me before I slam back into her again. My fingers dig into her hip as she tries to maintain a normalcy as she stands at her bedroom window. “You like the fact that anyone could look up and see you being pleasured, don’t you, Nell?” I ask her hoarsely through gritted teeth.

  “Yes,” she answers in a moan.

  “It makes you wet the thought of being caught.” Another heated moan falls from her lips. “Who knew Nell Garcia was an exhibitionist,” I grunt as I thrust into her.

  “You love it too. You love the fact that no one knows that you’re my dirty little secret, don’t you?” She curses. “That you can fuck me in my childhood bedroom or in a nightclub bathroom then walk right out as if you didn’t just do the filthiest things to me.” Dammit, she’s right. I love it. Just thinking about it has my dick painfully hard and my thrusts lose their rhythm as the dirty thoughts of fucking Nell right in the middle of her family’s party where anyone could find us has me so fucking hard there’s no chance of me being able to stop even if I wanted to.

  “I’m addicted to you, Nell.” I curse as I thrust harder into her.

  “I know, me too.”

  “It’s fucked up I know, but I can’t help it,” I answer on a groan as I continue to fuck her. A couple more thrusts, and we are both coming. I need a moment to collect myself before slipping out of Nell.

  “Why is it always so good with you?” Nell queries on a hiss as I drag myself from her. I pull off the condom and tie it off, then grab some tissues and wrap them around it before placing it back into my pocket, last thing I need to do is leave any evidence of what’s happened in her bedroom because I know the cleaner will say something to Mrs. Garcia.

  “I’m just that good.”

  Nell turns around playfully, gives me a shove, which pushes me back a couple of steps, but she is smiling, so that’s good. Nell straightens herself up before heading over to her drawer, pulling a fresh pair of underwear out, and slipping into it. All the while, I can’t take my eyes off her.

  “What?” she asks with a frown, wondering why I’m staring at her the way I am. Instead of answering her, I walk over and grab her face and kiss her passionately. “Wow, um, what was that for?”

  “Just ‘cause,” I tell her. She gives me a little frown but says nothing more about it.

  “Right, well, I should get going because Rainn and Audrey are probably looking for me,” she says awkwardly, running her hands down her dress trying to smooth it down. I say nothing and watch her disappear out the door. There’s a sense of emptiness that fills the void that she has left inside of me, but I push it away, hoping to bury it beneath me. I suck in a breath, steadying myself before opening the door. I pray no one is in the corridor to see me leave her room. I thought I was in the clear until I get down the stairs and run right into the glare of a teen, Portia.

  “Don’t forget our promise, Remi.” She glares at me icily. This chick is crazy.

  “I won’t. I’ll send the bottles to your room. Give me twenty, okay?” I explain to her impatiently. She gives me a nod and disappears.

  Later that day, once the sun sets and most of the polo crowd have left, the after-party begins. Which is wild, the Garcia family really knows how to throw a party, all their friends turn up, even my parents show up which is great as I haven’t seen them in ages, so I spend a lot of the night catching up with them. Stirling is there with friends, and it turns out to be a great night. I’ve been so caught up in catching up with my family that I haven’t seen Nell all night, not until I stumble upon her and some guy making out in a corner of the tent away from her family. There’s a gut punch I wasn’t expecting. When they eventually pull away from each other, I see it’s the douche from her holiday in Greece, the shipping heir. I hate the way she is looking up at him as if he could deliver the moon to her. I hate how she hangs on every paltry word he is saying as if it’s interesting. I hate she is laughing at his pathetic jokes. I hate that while one of her friends distracts her, he’s checking out other girls at the party. I hate him.

  “Rem, there you are,” Dom greets me happily. “You need to come meet these girls; they are so hot, and they have accents. Double whammy.” He taps me on the shoulder as he tries to pull me toward his newfound friends. I give Nell one last look and shake my head. You wanted this, you asked for this, now deal with it.

  “Okay, man, let’s go have some fun,” I tell my best friend.

  24

  Nell

  Ugh, I feel so sick.

  I should have stayed with my family in the Maldives, but no, I had to come back to snowy Manhattan to go hang at some star-studded New Year’s Eve party when really, I should be laying in the sun with a mimosa in my hand, not a hot water bottle. I’m miserable and feeling sorry for myself because I had a cute outfit planned and now nowhere to wear it. Plus, I’m home alone as my parents gave Rhonda, our housekeeper, the holidays off so that she could be with her family.

  My phone rings beside me, and I answer it. “Hello.”

  “You sound like shit, babe,” Rainn tells me honestly.

 
“I think I’m dying,” I say dramatically, which makes Rainn chuckle.

  “Aud and I are canceling New Year’s and coming to stay with you.”

  “No. Don’t do that. I can’t let you girls get sick. Plus, you both have to go to the event; your sponsors are hosting it,” I remind her.

  “Dammit.” She curses angrily. “We will be there first thing in the morning as soon as our obligation is up.” I love my girls. “What about Dior? Can’t she come over?” she asks. I love my friend Dior, but she really isn’t the most reliable out of our friend group. She would rather be at a celebrity-filled party than stay in on the year’s biggest night looking after me. “I think she has a photoshoot next week in the Bahamas for a campaign. I can’t get her sick for that.” Silence stretches between Rainn and me.

  “If you need anything, just text Audrey or me and we will be right over no matter what, okay?” she says to me sternly.

  “I know you will, but I’m going to be in and out of consciousness, so it would be a waste of time coming over. I love you both, but please enjoy New Year’s for me. Go find some hotties and take them home and ring in the new year with orgasms.” Someone should have fun tonight if it’s not me.

  “Fine, if we must,” Rainn jokes. “But call us any time day or night if you need us.”

  “I think I’ll be calling Miles Hartford first if I need anything medical,” I tell her with a chuckle that turns into a cough.

  Ugh. I hate being sick.

  “Very true. Could be the start of something. Miles comes over and tends to you while you’re sick. You look across at each other, and he finds your bloodshot eyes and snotty nose adorable, and then you fall into bed together and live happily ever after,” Rainn teases me.

  “Hey, I like the sound of that. Great way to start the new year,” I tell her.

  “I think you’re delirious, Nell, but I’ll let you live in hope.”

  “Whatever, go have fun. Think of me. I’ll be following your socials all night so make them good.”