Heather

I whistle low, as I enter the room. The place is incredible. I turn to see Braxton with a huge grin on his face, as he takes it all in. He drops our bags by the door and stretches his arms over his head.

I chide myself for staring at his abs, while his t-shirt lifts, showing off a trail of copper hair that disappears into his jeans. Braxton has an amazing body on him. Unlike Toby, Braxton has more of a natural tan like his other brothers. He got Aunt Cass’s fairer hair, but not the fairer skin.

Heat rises in my cheeks, as I realize I’ve been staring way longer than I should. I have to tear my eyes away. If Braxton notices, he doesn’t let on. Instead, he starts to move for the bar.

“What you drinking?” he asks, as he assess the options.

I move towards the bar, taking a seat on the opposite side, right in front of him. I look up at him with a small smile. It’s his birthday, we’re in Vegas. There’s only one way to do it right.

“Are you really asking that? It’s your birthday. We can only do it the Irish way,” I beam at him.

I have to say, since we arrived my mood has shifted so much. Putting some distance between me and the drama back home is just what I needed. I’ll have time to process what happened today later. I don’t want to make this trip about me. Brax brought me along without a second thought., but this is his big day.

He places a shot of whiskey before me, taking his own in hand. I lift my glass, as he says a toast. “To birthday wishes and being who we want to be,” he croons locking eyes with me.

I feel my cheeks warm. His words hit their mark. Braxton and I have never talked about that night three years ago in the guesthouse. We swept it under the rug like it never happened.

“Salute,” I murmur, nodding my head, tossing back the shot.

Brax fills my glass again, when I set it on the bar. I welcome the burn, as it slides smoothly down my throat. It’s been a while, since I’ve allowed myself to kick back.

“So, what do we get into first? The night is young, I want to do it all,” Braxton says, with a grin.

I ignore the hidden innuendo. Noting it’s the first time in a long time, I can say I see a boyish glee in his golden eyes. Braxton is serious about his job at the firm. He may tease and joke with his brothers, but he takes his assignments very seriously. I’ve become used to seeing that part of him.

In this moment, seeing the Brax I’ve known all my life. The one that always has mirth lurking in his eyes and a plan for the best debauchery,—I want to see the real him come out and play. I want Brax to kick back and enjoy himself. Sometimes I feel like he’s always trying to grow up too fast. Twenty-one is the perfect age to kick back and have fun.

I look down into my drink. My thoughts are spinning. This is a once in a lifetime thing for Braxton. When I lift my head to meet his gaze again, I have an idea. I’m determined to see this through.

“I like what you said. Let’s be who we want to be,” I say, with a rueful smile, knocking back my second shot.

“What do you have in mind?” he lifts a copper brow.

What do I have in mind? I have a lot in mind, but none of it makes sense. What I know is, I want this to be the best birthday Brax has ever had. This kid, well, he’s not such a kid anymore. This guy has been there for me so many times over the years.

I was so glad it was his voice calling my name, when I got home from my visit with my mom. I can’t even tell you the amount of relief I felt when he embraced me. Although, I felt like shit for forgetting his birthday.

He hasn’t talked about anything else in the office, all week. I thought he and Ry were going to get into some trouble this weekend. The fact that he pushed that all aside for me,—I mean, seriously, this is his twenty-first birthday. For that fact alone, I vow it has to be done right.

“We’re here in Vegas, no one here knows us. We can do anything we want and be anyone we want to be,” I allow my excitement to takeover.

“Okay, I’m game. Lead the way,” Brax says, with that panty melting smile.

I look away. I don’t need my thoughts going there. I was already so overwhelmed, when he held me outside of the guesthouse. He smelled so damn good and I felt so right in his strong embrace.

I toss back the third shot he places in front of me. I’ll be needing a few more for liquid courage. I want to step out of my box. For Brax, I’ll try anything. He means that much to me.

“You shower and change. I have something I need to go do,” I say, slipping from the stool I’ve been perched on.

He frowns a little. “Maybe I should come with you. I can shower when we get back,” he says, with concern in his voice.

I smile at him, reaching across the bar to hug him. “I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl. Now, do as I say,” I giggle, as I give him a squeeze.

I actually giggle. Yup, this is so not like me. I pull away and turn to leave, before I embarrass myself. I’ve already taken a long inhale of his scent, hoping he didn’t notice.

I take one more glance over my shoulder, as I reach the door. Brax has a secret smile on his lips, his eyes glued on me. When I catch him watching me, his cheeks pink a little, he shakes his head at himself and laughs.

I smile to myself and head out of the door. Tonight, I’m going to cut loose. Of all the people in the world for me to feel safe doing that with, Braxton would be the one.

* * *

Braxton

Still, after her reluctance to speak, once on the way here, I vowed we’d forget all that shit and have a good time. The drive was just the start. Driving and talking with Heather just came so easy. There weren’t any awkward moments, or unnecessary lapses in conversation.

It was how I thought things would be the night of her coming home party. Just us, two friends that understand each other, none of the bullshit. It felt good to have that without my brothers and the office playing as a buffer.

I’m always focused at work. After I graduated high school, I never wanted Heather to feel weird about us working together at the firm. I didn’t go away to school like a few of my older brothers.

I knew Heather was working for Dad and Uncle Rob, that’s where I wanted to be. Everything I need is in California. I don’t need to take off and find myself.

“Don’t fuck this up,” I say to myself in the bathroom mirror.

This place has me feeling like a king. This trip has already been worth it. I brush my hair back as I dry it, styling it into place.

I think I heard Heather come back, before I got into the shower. Felix called distracting me, after Heather left. I don’t know how I forgot all about him on the way here.

Felix is the most laid back of us all. He took it well, when I told him I wanted to spend this time with Heather. Although, I know he’s going to give me shit, when I get back home. To him, I’m choosing my buddy over getting some ass. It will look that way to all of my brothers, maybe with the exception of Ry. Ry is even more observant than I am. I know he sees through Heather, just like I do.

I spray on some cologne, before making my way into the bedroom to get dressed. Pulling on a pair of distressed jeans, a white t-shirt, and a navy sports jacket, I feel ready to go. I look in the mirror, before turning for my construction boots.

I don’t want to look too dressed up. Knowing Heather, she’ll be in shorts and those black boots. I’m not complaining, that’s who she is, but she’s here. That’s all that matters to me.

Placing my watch on my wrist, I walk out of the bedroom into the common area. I look up and nearly swallow my fucking tongue. I have to blink a few times to make sure I’m seeing right.

Standing before me is Heather, but not the Heather I know. This Heather has swallowed my H and replaced her with…a dream. She has on a navy strapless dress that hugs every, single fucking curve. It looks like it’s painted on.

I’ve always known Heather’s been hiding a smoking hot body, but damn. She’s all breasts and hips. A perfect hourglass. Her body is toned from working out, and those long legs are so shapely. The dress just shows off her small shoulders, slim waist, and the perfect lines of her body. I’ve seen girls in this type of dress, but they never made them look as sexy as Heather does right now.

I can see those hot ass tats of hers. Over the last three years, she has gotten a full sleeve on the right side. The left is still unfinished, but her shoulders seem to be a part of the amazing collection of artwork.

I’m usually not for girls having so many tats. To think of it, I didn’t know Heather had so many. I know she didn’t when she moved back home. She must cover them with makeup or something for the office.

Now it makes sense. I’ve seen ink peeking out from under her long sleeve shirts before. Yet, when she has on short sleeves at work, I never noticed all this ink. It’s just plain sexy on her. The black metal bracelets on her left arm say Heather and seem to act as an extension of the art on her body.

I tear my eyes away from her body, settling on her face. I can’t breathe. I really can’t. I reach to rub the back of my neck.

I’ve never seen Heather with makeup on. Her lips look so full and so fucking kissable. There’s no color, but they’re glossed to perfection. Her lashes are making her eyes pop, while the eye makeup she has on showcases their pretty brown.

Heather’s hair being so short only enhances how gorgeous she is. However, somehow, she has long wavy locks of hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head. The look still leaves her face open and yields to her features, including that sexy long neck.

I’m too stunned for words. The transformation is magnificent to say the least. If I didn’t know her eyes so well, I would have to take several double takes. Still, I give her another once over. Needing to insure myself of what I’m seeing. I nearly groan, when I take in the spiked heels on her feet.

Shit, I thought she looked taller.

Her long brown limbs look like they belong wrapped around my waist. However, my brain is having trouble reconciling the fact that those are the feet and legs that always wear heavy black boots or a pair of Vans.

I lift my eyes back to hers, before I burst through my pants. Heather has a shy smile on her lips, it’s cute and sexy at the same time. It’s a reminder that this is still Heather.

“Cat got your tongue,” she says nervously. “Is it that bad?”

My brain kick starts and I close the distance between us. Her heels bring her a bit closer to being eye level with me, but I still need to look down at her. I lift my finger to trace her hairline, then along her cheek and jaw.

“I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful in my life,” I reply. I blow out a breath. “It has to be a sin to hide such beauty.”

Heather lowers her lashes, ducking away from my eyes. I drop my hand to my side. I don’t want to do anything that will send her running back into her room to change.

“Are you hungry?” I ask to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, I could eat,” she nods.

I place my hand on the small of her back. I try to ignore the instant zip of electricity I feel when I touch her. My hand molds to her, just like it belongs there.

“More Whiskey and steak it is,” I chuckle.

“Sounds like a party to me,” Heather looks up at me.

With everything I am, I want to dip my head and take her lips. To see her go from the tears she had earlier to this,—a smiling, happy, ravishing woman,—shifts something inside me. My sense of possession over Heather kicks up a thousand notches.

I wink at her. “It will be.”

Heather bites her lip and I can see a thousand different things running through her head. I hold my breath, waiting for her to settle on one, while we make our way out of the suite. In my head, I’m screaming for her not to turn and run from me.

I release the breath, when her lips turn up into a wicked smile, tossing me back in time. I remember that smile from when we were little. It’s the one that would take over her face just before we did something that got us both in trouble.

“Time for your first birthday wish. We can be anyone you want to be. Recording executives, looking for new talent, party promoters from out of town, checking out the scene, high rollers, looking to spend some cash…you name it.

“The choice is yours, Braxton Black. Make a wish, who are we going to be tonight?” Heather says, as we climb into the elevator. She rubs her hands together like a little villain.

I think on her words, looking her over. What the hell, I think to myself. It’s my birthday and she said make a wish. I move into crowd her space, placing my hands on her hips.

Watching her chest rise and fall,—her eyes dilate with lust,—I know I’m not the only one feeling this. Her glossy lips part, but I restrain myself from kissing her. I plan to take my time with Heather, I will savor this night.

Placing my forehead to hers, I inhale and the scent of apples fills my nostrils. Once again, I’m thrown back in time, a time when Heather was happy and carefree. When we were always together, fussing one minute and best friends the next.

I flex my fingers against her soft curves. Back then, I didn’t realize I would be so drawn to her. I never knew she would feel like she was made for me and my touch, but I’ve known for what feels like forever that she’s a part of me.

“We’re going to be us. Braxton and Heather, B and H,” I breathe. “No overthinking, no excuses for why we can’t or shouldn’t, we’re going to be what we feel. Don’t think, Heather, just be, just be mine. It’s what we both want. Tonight, we’ll just be who we are.”

I wait for her to protest, but she doesn’t. She just nods, lifting her arms to wrap around my neck. We still don’t kiss, but we don’t break the connection either.

We just stand breathing each other in. I slide my hands around her waist, gently pulling her into me. It’s not nearly close enough, but it will do for now.

I tilt my head, holding my breath, as I lean in to press my lips to hers. Just then, the elevator dings. We don’t jump a part, but we don’t complete the connection either.

I know deep inside, once I have my first taste of Heather, I’m not going to want to stop. Knowing this, I turn and lead her out of the elevator. Trust me, I’ll have that kiss before the night is over.