“Today couldn’t have been more perfect.” Wrapping my arms around Erin, I pull her in for a hug, careful not to mess up her hair.
Her wedding went off without a hitch, and after endless smiles and photographs we all piled into a trolley, stopping at a few of her and Jacob’s favorite bars before coming to the reception hall. The dinner was delicious, and now it’s time to kick back and dance.
Erin sighs. “It really was perfect.”
Pulling apart, we look out at the room. Beautiful floral bouquets are on each of the tables, lights twinkle from above, and people are dancing and laughing as little kids peek over the edge of the dessert table.
“So perfect,” I murmur, my eyes catching on Dante and Rex. They’re standing together near the bar, talking with JJ and some unfamiliar guy, and I can’t seem to look away.
“Excuse me a second,” Erin says, hiking up the skirt of her dress. I nod, and she steps away to wrap her arms around an older woman I’ve never met. My eyes wander back toward Rex and Dante.
Since receiving the letter, I’ve been excited and scared at the prospect of having a sibling, but now that I know who that sibling is, I’m not sure of the right thing to do.
Obviously, Dante deserves to know, but am I the one who should tell him? I want to. I want to march over there and spill my guts, but I’m not sure of the repercussions. The morning after I found out about Dante, I was excited. All the worry and shock from the night before sort of fell to the wayside in light of what I was gaining. It was easy to laugh and talk with Rex the next morning because I was genuinely happy. But every day since then has become more uncomfortable, because I feel like I’m lying to Rex.
I did lie to Rex.
He flat-out asked me what happened at his mother’s, and I lied to him, but what else was I supposed to do? No matter what solution I come up with, it seems wrong. I’m respecting Isa’s wishes, but why are her wishes more important than Rex?
You’re doing what you have to do to keep yourself safe—to keep Dante safe.
“Good evening, Shae. You look beautiful.”
My body stiffens at the sound of Isabella’s voice.
“Isabella. I was just thinking about you.”
She pastes on a sugary sweet smile as someone walks by us, but it quickly fades once we’re alone. “Please tell me you haven’t said anything.”
“Seriously? You really think if I’d told Rex or Dante that we’d be standing here right now? That they’d be standing there right now?” I nod toward the two men.
“No. I suppose you’re right.”
“You have to tell them. I don’t know how much longer I can keep quiet.”
Her jaw clenches tight. “I know I do. And I will. I’m sure it’s hard for you to keep this from Rex—”
“It’s not just Rex,” I admonish. “It’s Dante. He’s my brother, and I want to get to know him as such. I don’t like hiding this from either one of them.”
“I just need a little more time.”
I’m not sure now much more time I can give her. “You have one week, and then I’m sitting them both down and telling them everything.”
Her eyes grow as big as saucers. “One week?” she whispers, glancing around to make sure no one is watching us. “This is a delicate situation. I’m going to need longer than a week.”
“Then you should’ve thought about that when you sent me the letter. That was months ago. I’m sorry, but I refuse to keep lying to them. They deserve better than that from me, and from you.”
“But what about you?”
“What about me?”
“If you tell them, you’ll have to explain who you are, and once my husband finds out you’re not Shae Black, you’re actually Bianca DiMarco, rest assured that all of the other families will find out as well. What happens then?”
Damn it. She’s right. Dread and fear wash over me. I’ll have no choice but to run or fight for my life.
“I guess we both have a few things to work out, but I’m not kidding, Isabella. One week.”
“Hello, Mother.” Dante walks up, kissing her on the cheek. “What are you two over here chatting about?”
She pats his cheek, smiling sweetly. “I was just telling Shae how beautiful she looks. Erin did a fabulous job picking out such flattering dresses.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my eyes lingering on Dante, as they have been all day—searching for my father and simultaneously wondering if he’s ever noticed that he has zero resemblance to the man he believes to be his biological father.
As far as facial features, Rex and Dante take after their mother. But when it comes to build, the two are entirely different. Rex is taller, leaner. Dante is a little shorter, stockier—the same frame as my father.
“Shae?”
“Huh?” I blink up at Dante. His brows are furrowed.
“You okay? I said your name three times.”
“I’m sorry. I must’ve spaced out.”
“Would you like to dance?”
I look past his shoulder. The music has slowed to a soft ballad. Erin and Jacob are cuddled in the middle of the dance floor, swaying softly as their guests pile in around them. My gaze slides to Rex. He’s still sitting at the bar, his back to us, only now there’s a stunning, familiar blonde at his side.
“I’d love to.”
I slip my hand in Dante’s, allowing him to guide me to the floor, refusing to acknowledge the sheen of tears in Isabella’s eyes.
We find an empty spot, and he gathers me in his arms, careful not to draw me in too close. Our bodies are a good six inches apart, and I smile internally because we’re not only dancing as friends, but as siblings.
The weight of the last week settles around me, and I close my eyes, allowing myself to picture Dante as family. His warm hand engulfs mine, and if I concentrate, I can almost feel my father’s presence.
“She’s no one,” he whispers, spinning us around.
“Who?” I ask, opening my eyes.
“Liza.” He nods toward the bar, and I look over his shoulder.
“Oh. Right.” Except I wasn’t worried about Liza. I’m still not worried about her. I know where Rex and I stand, and that’s a damn good feeling. “I trust him.”
“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”
I bring my eyes back to his. “Why’s that?”
“He deserves happiness. He deserves someone as great as you.”
“I’m not all that great. I have skeletons.”
“We all have skeletons. But you’re good for him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this happy.” He pauses. “I have a confession to make.”
“I’m listening.”
“I warned him away from you.” He flinches at his own words.
“I know.”
“You know?”
I nod. “He told me.”
“And?”
Our movements have slowed to the point of standing still as he waits for me to answer.
“And we’re here, aren’t we? Together.”
Dante takes a deep breath and blows it out. “So you know about my father?”
I nod, smiling because I know more about his father than he does, and I can’t wait to fill him in. I also know he’s not talking about that father.
“And you’re still here?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I’m not leaving Rex, and I’m sure as hell not leaving you. We’re family. Blood.
“Mind if I cut in?”
Dante hands me over to JJ, but not before placing a chaste kiss on my cheek and a whispered thank you in my ear.
“You look happy,” JJ says, wrapping an arm around my waist.
“That’s because I am.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but love looks good on you.”
I laugh. “Did you think it would look bad on me?”
“No.” He smiles softly. “But there was a time when I wondered if you’d ever allow yourself to feel it and accept it.”
“There was a time when I wondered the same thing.”
“Where is loverboy?” JJ asks, scanning the room.
“I’m right here.” Rex inserts himself between JJ and me, earning a glare from my best friend.
“I just got her,” JJ scoffs.
“You’ve had her for the last five years. Now it’s my turn.”
Holding up his hands in surrender, JJ steps back and for the third time in the last five minutes, I’m swept up in the arms of a handsome, kind man. Only now the music has picked up, but that doesn’t stop us. We probably look like fools, slow dancing to a jazzy beat, but I don’t care.
“This dress is too low cut.” Rex’s hand rests on the small of my back, and he’s right. It is low cut. The cut-out back stops mere inches from my ass.
“I feel sexy in it.”
“You look sexy in it. Remind me to send Erin a thank-you card.”
I laugh, pushing up on my toes so I can kiss him. A fluttering starts deep in my stomach, and the urge to get Rex home and show him just how lucky I feel to be with him trumps anything else.
“I’m ready to call it a night.”
“What?” Rex glances at his watch. “It’s only ten.”
“I know. And I’ve fulfilled all of my bridesmaid duties, and now I’d like to go back to your place—or mine—and strip you out of this sexy suit.” I run my hands up the lapels of his coat, fisting them so I can hold him close.
Rex’s eyes smolder. “Only if I get to strip you out of this dress first.”
“I’ll insist on it.”
“But let’s keep the heels,” he says, kissing the outer rim of my ear.
“You like the heels, huh?”
“I fucking love the heels, and I think they’ll feel fantastic digging into my ass while I’m pounding into that sweet pussy of yours.”
“Rex,” I whisper, looking around as I rub my thighs together to ease the ache. “I don’t think I can wait.”
“Neither can I, baby. Neither can I.” Lacing our fingers together, he leads me across the dance floor, ignoring the people who call out to us. With each step we take, my desire to be with him grows, and as soon as we make it outside, I turn on him, shoving him up against the building.
“I can’t wait.” Desperate fervor takes over, and I slam my lips against him, reaching for his zipper.
“Shae.” He grabs my hand, wrenching his lips from mine. “What’re you doing?”
During Erin and Jacob’s wedding ceremony, I locked eyes with Rex. Through each vow and every promise they made to love and care for one another, my gaze stayed connected with Rex’s, and something inside of me blossomed. An overwhelming warmth and fullness seeped into my head and heart, and when he smiled, I knew that what I was feeling was pure, unconditional love.
I love Rex.
I love him.
More than I’ve loved anyone since my parents and sister died.
Heated desperation rushes through my veins, bringing the need to show him exactly what he means to me.
“Please. I need you, Rex. Please.”
“Fuck, Shae, it kills me when you beg.” Standing up straight, he looks around and drags me around the side of the building. Placing his hands on my neck, he backs me against the brick wall. Everything happens so fast, there isn’t time to think about the risk. He pushes my skirt up to my waist and rips my panties off. His hands roam up my thighs, cupping me, and when a cool breeze whips around us, I suck in a breath.
“Always so fucking ready for me,” he pants, pushing a finger inside.
“Rex.”
Unzipping his pants, he frees his cock. Strong fingers wrap around my thigh, bringing it to his hip, and in one quick thrust, he pushes inside of me.
I press my lips to the side of his neck and snake my hands around his back, pulling his body flush with mine, wanting to be as close to him as I can get. Thrusting his hips, Rex slams into me as he palms my ass. My fingernails curl into his back the same way my heel digs into his ass.
“Harder,” I gasp.
My back scrapes against the brick wall, a reminder of where we are and what I’m wearing, but I don’t have time to worry about my dress, and I certainly don’t have time to worry about whether someone will walk around the corner and see us.
Frankly, I’m not sure I care.
“Rex, please. Harder.”
“Fuck, baby. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You can’t,” I gasp, matching his thrust. “You won’t. Just as I won’t hurt you. Ever.”
The rough sounds of his grunts fills the air, and I shift my hips, opening myself, allowing him to hit the deepest parts of me. A few hard thrusts, and I fly apart. Sparks of color explode around me, my muscles going lax as Rex continues to slam into me, chasing his own release.
“Shae.” His entire body shudders against mine, his muscles tightening as he grinds himself against me.
It takes everything I have to stay standing. When he’s finished, Rex brushes a strand of hair from my damp face.
“God, Shae. I—” His eyes search mine, and I silently beg him to say the words I know are sitting at the tip of his tongue, but he doesn’t. Instead he kisses me tenderly and says, “Let’s get you home.”