Talking to Trey came naturally. They sat up until almost midnight, talking about family troubles. From her perspective, the McGowan’s were perfect. Even as Trey tried to fill her in on past problems, she couldn’t imagine the family being anything but poster children for Leave it to Beaver.

She climbed the stairs almost two hours after she’d gone down for a glass of water. Somehow, she was more relaxed than when she’d descended the stairs. She fell asleep instantly instead of replaying what had happened to her over and over again, which she’d been doing ever since she’d woken up on the floor of the supply closet.

When she woke the next morning, her head felt like it was about to explode.

She groaned as she climbed out of bed. Showering helped, but when she tried to wash her hair, her fingers brushed the bandages.

Dressing in comfortable slacks and a thick sweater, she applied her makeup and tried to do something with her hair that would hide the bandages.

When she walked downstairs, it was to the smell of pancakes. Addy was standing at the stove, and Trent and Trey were setting the table.

“I think I could get use to this,” she said, sitting in the chair Trey pulled out for her.

“Too bad, I miss my husband too much,” Addy joked, setting a plate of pancakes in front of her.

Much like the night before, the four of them sat down to the meal and talked. It was nice, pretending to be part of a family, even though she knew it wouldn’t last long.

When her brother walked into the house, Darla hanging off his arm, all the happiness was sucked out of the house and out of her.

“Brent.” She stood up. “We’ve talked about this…” She took her brother’s arm, but he jerked free and walked past her.

“I figured since you had company over, I could have my own.” His eyes narrowed at her.

They had both agreed to keep his company contained to the garage.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got to get going.” Trent stood up and took Addy’s arm.

She glanced down at her watch and hissed. “We’re late.”

Trey frowned down at his own watch, then picked up his dish and carried it to the dishwasher, like Trent and Addy had done.

“Don’t worry, I’ll clean this all up, later.” She glanced towards Darla, who had made herself comfortable at the kitchen table. Even though all the food was gone, she appeared to be waiting to be served.

“Brent.” She gripped her brother’s arm. “Aren’t you going to be late for work, too?”

Brent shrugged. “If the bosses can be late…”

Her eyes narrowed, and she lowered her voice. “Go, now. Get her out of here.”

Her brother’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll leave after we have some food.”

“Ready?” Addy said, cheerfully.

Grabbing her purse and jacket, she followed the rest of them out of the house.

“Wow, talk about leaving a sinking ship,” Addy said after getting in her Jeep.

Trey and Trent had jumped in Trent’s truck and were following them to the office before Trent had to go to his meeting.

“I can’t believe Brent is seeing her.” She closed her eyes and rested her head back, then hissed when she bumped her stiches.

“Men, some of them think with their lower brains.” Addy rolled her eyes.

Dylan chuckled. “Thank god none of the McGowan’s are dumb enough to fall for that.”

“Oh, there was a time when Tyler and Darla were an item. Long ago,” she added.

“Tyler?” Dylan cringed.

“Back in school, back when Darla and I were friends.”

“I just can’t see either of those two scenarios.” She smiled over at Addy. “You’re too smart and Tyler is so in love with Kristen.”

Addy chuckled. “I hear they couldn’t stand each other when they met.”

“Really?” She leaned in and listened to Addy tell the story as they drove towards her work.

When they arrived, the three McGowan men were standing at the front doors.

“What’s all this?” she asked, stopping by Trey.

“New security system. I installed it last night.” Tyler pointed up to the new camera next to the old one. “There’s a new key pad too.” He moved inside. “It alerts anytime the door is opened and locks via a phone app.” He pulled out his cell phone. “Everyone will have to download it.”

For the next half hour, she learned the new system. It was really cool being able to see on her phone if the system was on and which doors were open. She also liked setting the alarm remotely.

By the time she sat behind her desk, she was feeling more relaxed about being alone in the space again, but all three of the brothers had changed their schedules around so that they were sitting behind their desks for the rest of the day. Tyler and Trent had cancelled their important meeting, just for her.

After the work day, she drove herself home in the borrowed company car. She’d been thinking about buying a used car herself. Maybe a Jeep like Addy’s. She seemed to like hers and talked about how nice it was to be able to get around after a snow storm.

She had, with Trey’s help, signed up for her new classes and was as prepared as she could be for her final that evening.

She took a hot shower to clear her mind from work before logging into the laptop to take her test. When her brother walked into the house with Darla hanging on his arm, she groaned and wondered what it would be like to be an only child.

Deciding not to fight with him, she gathered her things, went upstairs, and locked herself in her room. She wasn’t surprised when, half an hour later, loud music was playing downstairs.

She tried to block out the noise as she focused on the test, but part of her knew her score would be lower due to the incident.

Slamming her laptop shut, she marched downstairs to find Darla bouncing up and down on her brother’s lap, her shirt around her waist and her ample chest smacking her brother in the face.

“Oh my god!” she cried out, covering her eyes. “What the hell?” She stomped her foot. “You have your own place to do that in.”

She wasn’t surprised to hear Darla giggle. Actually, she wouldn’t have put it past the woman to have planned it this way.

“Hell, haven’t you heard of knocking?” Brent joked dryly.

“Get the hell out!” She pointed towards the door, keeping her eyes shut. “And don’t come back!”

She heard them moving around and wagered it was safe to look again. Darla had just thrown her jacket over her chest and left it open enough that Dylan could still see her belly button.

“Out!” She stomped her foot again, wondering if she’d ever get the image out of her mind.

“I pay rent here too, you know,” Brent started.

“You pay half of what I pay, which gives you full access to the garage apartment, not the main house,” she replied. It was an argument they’d had in the past a few times. She’d set it up that way on purpose after catching Darla coming down the stairs that first time. There was no way she wanted that woman to have access to the rest of the place, so she could do what she’d just seen her doing.

“Listen,” Brent started, but Darla was pulling him towards the door.

“Come on, sugar, let’s go finish our party.” Darla gave her a strange look, then winked at her.

Dylan felt a shiver of repulsiveness race through her and felt the chicken salad she’d had for dinner threatening to surface.

When they left, she locked the door and rested her head on the cold glass.

Okay, maybe instead of a car, she’d buy a place for herself? Someplace in the woods, where her brother and Darla couldn’t bother her.

Just then her phone chimed in her back pocket.

Seeing Trey’s number, she swiped the message open.

-So, did you pass?

-Ugh! Just caught Darla bouncing on my brother. I don’t know, they had the music up loud and I couldn’t concentrate.

-okay, first off… gross! Second… GROSS!

She chuckled as the image of Darla and Brent faded and Trey’s face came into focus.

She moved over to light a fire, but then stopped herself.

-What are you doing? - She text him

-Now?

-Yes.

-Well, I was about to pour myself a glass of wine and take a bubble bath. Why?

She giggled and replied.

-I thought you were a beer and shower kind of guy?

-haha, everyone knows sparkling wine and bath bombs are my kind of thing.

She was really laughing now.

-Can I join?

-Thought you’d never ask. I’ll leave the door unlocked.

Her laughter died as she typed the next.

-Seriously, I thought I’d bring over a carton of ice cream and we can chat.

-I like chocolate chip.

-Be there in ½ hour

-See you then, drive safe.

* * *

Okay, why was Trey nervous? It wasn’t as if it was the first time he’d be with a woman. It was, however, the first time he’d had one over here. Hell, the first time he’d had one anywhere since returning home. He glanced around and made sure the place was moderately clean.

When Dopey let out a bark, he took several deep breaths and moved to open the door.

She held up a bag. “Chocolate chip.”

He took the bag from her and swooped in before she had a chance to say anything else. His lips took hers as her body formed against his own. The kiss changed, and suddenly, he was pushing her backwards, pinning her to the door, which slammed behind her. The bag of ice cream dropped to the floor as he used his hands on her, over her.

“I need…” She said against his mouth.

“Yes,” he agreed and started walking her towards the bedroom. They made it to the sofa instead. She giggled as she tugged his shirt over his head.

Her eyes ran over him quickly as she bit her bottom lip. She moved closer and he felt his entire body respond to the way her hips swayed.

Stopping less than a foot from him, she pushed him on the shoulders playfully. Normally, he would have gained control, but he was still a little off kilter and felt himself falling. Reaching for her, he took her down with him and landed on the soft cushions with her on top of him.

The move didn’t slow her down. Her hands moved over his chest, gripped his shoulders, as she continued to trail kisses over him.

He was quickly losing control and desperately wanted to enjoy every moment. Using his hips, he flipped them over until she was tucked underneath him.

Her short hair was fanned out on the cushion.

“I didn’t come over for this,” she said, looking up at him. Her dark eyes ran over his chest. “But, mmm.” Her fingers traced his pecs and he couldn’t stop his muscles from responding to her touch.

“Then why?” He smiled. “For that bubble bath?”

She smiled, then giggled. “Your dog isn’t going to eat the ice cream, is he?” She glanced over towards the door, where, sure enough, Dopey was sniffing the bag.

He sighed, then rolled up and set the bag in the freezer. He walked back over to her, and just seeing the way she looked at him caused him to want to jump her on the sofa.

“How about we slow down?” He reached for her hands, then pulled her up next to him.

“Do we have to?” She wrapped her arms around him. “Do you know how long it’s been since…” She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his chest. “Too long,” she answered.

“Ditto,” he replied, “which is why I want to take things slow and enjoy myself.”

She looked up at him and after a moment, nodded. “Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Lead the way.”

He chuckled as he started to move.

“Dancing?” Her eyebrows rose.

“Why not?” He took hold of her hips and spun her towards the bedroom. “As long as we dance that way.” He nodded towards the bedroom.

She laughed again. “Or, the sofa. How about the kitchen counter…”

He covered her lips with his and she moaned with pleasure.

“Bed, first. Kitchen and sofa, later.”

“Promise?” she said as they stepped into his room. He was thankful he’d taken the time to clean up and put new sheets on the bed.

“You cleaned,” she said as they walked in.

“Stop looking around and start enjoying.” He nudged her closer and took her mouth again, tilting her head and drawing her back into the moment, losing himself a little as he did so.

Her knees hit the edge of the bed, but he stopped her from pulling him downward.

His fingers had hooked into her yoga pants and he nudged them lower as her fingers traced the skin just below his jean line, causing him to hold his breath.

“Ticklish?” she asked between kisses.

“No, and if you tell my brother’s otherwise, I’ll deny it,” he said, bending down in front of her as he pushed the material down to her knees.

He heard her gasp as he did so, his eyes taking in every curve of hers.

“Beautiful,” he whispered, his voice cracking. Her fingers dug into his hair when he moved forward to nibble on her flesh. “Mine,” he whispered next to her skin. She smelled of lilacs and tasted like nectar.

Her hands gripped him as he dipped his tongue into her skin and lapped at her until he felt her knees go weak. Only then did he nudge her to sit on the edge of the bed. He pulled her leggings the rest of the way down her legs. Using his palms, he spread her thighs wide and dipped a finger into her as his eyes locked with hers.

She moaned and threw her head back against the mattress.

“No,” he said, “look at me. I want to see your eyes change.”

Her eyes returned to his and her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip.

“My god,” he groaned, his eyes returning to what he was doing to her. “You’re perfect.” He moved inside her, and she spread her legs further, giving him full access.

With his free hand, he nudged her towards the edge of the mattress. “Wrap your legs around me.” He knelt and replaced his fingers with his mouth. She gasped and gripped his hair and shoulders, her nails sinking into his skin. Her inner thigh muscles gripped his head as he took her. Her feet rested on his lower back as she leaned back. Soft moans encouraged him onward. He felt the moment she convulsed and tasted the sweetness of her release on his tongue.

“My god,” he groaned, pulling the condom from his back pocket, then reaching for his jeans.

She was there, helping him slide them off his hips. “My turn.” She smiled up at him, then her eyes ran over him as she nudged the denim downwards.

“Wow.” She smiled up at him, her eyes remaining on his cock. “Wow.” She licked her lips before dipping her head and taking him fully into her mouth and throat.

“My god,” he groaned as his fingers tangled in her hair. Just seeing those pink lips of hers wrapped around his cock had him almost bursting.

He’d never had anyone take him as deep before, and he almost came when she licked his balls while he was fully in her mouth. He jerked her back and tossed her onto the bed. He slipped on the condom faster than he knew was possible and jerked her legs wide.

She was smiling up at him when he settled between her legs. “Hold onto me, it’s going to get crazy.”

She laughed as she pulled him in. “Good, I love crazy.”