I attempted a second kiss, but he rejected me again. I was two seconds from grabbing his face and planting a good one on him, the teasing bastard, but he spoke quietly into my ear, “We have to keep it quiet until we tell our parents, okay? I want to tell them together, you and me. So wait until the wedding; that’s all I’m asking.”
I could see his reason. This was something that would throw them for a loop. It would be best to wait until the wedding. I would return to New York but only to gather my things and transfer to a PR firm down here. This was my home. How could I think otherwise? He was my home. I would never feel complete until I was with him, in our house with children running and playing around us.
“I agree.” I said before breaking out into a devilish grin. “After that … it’s on.”
He chuckled. “You can bet your sweet ass it is.”
We made our way back to the table with huge smiles on our faces. My mother gave me a sheepish look when I sat down, but I chose to ignore it. She would get her news Sunday, right before they left for their honeymoon. Not a moment sooner, or later. I was sure she was going to freak the fuck out. But in the state of mind that I was in, I didn’t care at all. I had Brad. So my entire world was drastically better.
Our waitress came over to our table, taking everyone’s orders. She stood there not saying a word as I focused on my menu. After I gave her my order I sipped at my wine, only to choke a second later when her voice rang out for the first time.
“You hussy! You didn’t even notice me. Girl, you’re losing your game,” Alex rushed out, chuckling when my head snapped to hers. “Might want to slow down there, teetotaler.”
I pushed my chair out, jumping up to throw my arms around her neck. I couldn’t believe that she was here. How … Why … Who? I broke the hug, glancing over at my mom and Henry. Both had warm smiles on their faces. I can’t believe they would do this for me. This was just over the top. Ever since coming back here, I’d felt lost without her. I was so fucking glad that she was here. I had so much to tell her. She would love me to, especially since I planned to blab everything.
“Oh my God! You’re really here,” I gushed hugging her tighter to me.
“You’re crushing me, sweets. Let … me … go,” she wheezed.
I pulled back, tears in my eyes, and took her in. She was dressed for the night and everything. No wonder I couldn’t get her on the phone when I had called earlier. She was in the air. I knew there was a reason she wasn’t answering me. That wasn’t like her, not at all. No matter what time it was in the day, she was always there for me. She was my sister more than she was my best friend.
“Well, who’s this piece of hot stuff?” She gestured toward Brad, drool practically from her open mouth.
I let out a carefree chuckle. “That would be Brad, my soon-to-be stepbrother.”
Her wide eyes shot back to me, disbelief evident in her bright greens. “You’re shitting me? This is the Brad, and he’s going to be your stepbrother.” At my nod, she busted out laughing. “Wow, that’s a bitch.”
We sat down at the table, my chair being next to Brad and Alex’s next to my mother. She was talking to my mother about her wedding when my phone beeped with a text. It was a little weird that I was getting a text. The only people that ever texted me were my mother and Alex, both of whom were at the table with me. Opening my clutch, I saw a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: What are you wearing underneath that beautiful black gown?
My eyes snapped up, glancing all around me. I couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but someone was definitely watching me. I swallowed the lump that began forming in my throat and texted back.
Claire: Who is this? How did you get my number?
Within seconds, a new reply came through.
Unknown: Think about it. Who else would ask you what’s on underneath your gown?
I looked through my lashes to see Brad cracking up with laughter. He was currently talking to his father. Since he was the owner of a construction company, his father didn’t press about him being on the phone. Brad had many sites that he needed to keep a close eye on, thus the usage of the phone. But his father would shit if he found out that he was texting for pleasure and not business. I typed out a reply, knowing it would rev him up.
Claire: Very funny, Brad. As for someone else asking me about my undergarments, there is no one. However, I could be convinced to change my mind.
I quickly programmed his number into my phone, laughing when his name popped up again. If someone got ahold of my phone, I was fucked. His name was not a conventional one, but damn did he live up to it.
Thick Dick: When and where, love?
I snickered at his obvious excitement.
Claire: Our tree. Midnight.
Thick Dick: Done.
Putting away my phone, I included myself in the conversation and Alex gave me a knowing smile. I winked at her in return. I was almost dead on my feet, but just thinking about being under our tree as he took me later thrusting into my wanton cunt, left me feeling like a live wire had been put to my skin. I was livelier now than I’d been all day. I tried to keep my eyes from his but caught myself looking over at him every few minutes. Watching the way his throat moved from drinking his wine was about to drive me insane. If midnight didn’t come soon, I was liable to combust from all the pent-up arousal.
After being at the country club for more than three hours, everyone finally called it quits to go home. Thank God. That left me just under an hour to get home and flake out on my mom and Alex. I knew I would have to tell Alex where I was going, and I was sure she wouldn’t put up a fuss about it. Alex was not very conformed. If a man turned her on, she went for him. Stepbrother or not. It didn’t matter to her; all that mattered to her was getting some cock.
Brad escorted Alex and myself from the restaurant, one on each arm. As we got to the bottom of the steps, he let Alex go but kept my arm hostage. He looked at me with a spark in his eyes and a gentle smile on his face.
“I’ll see you at midnight, love. Until then,” he sizzled out, going over to get into his father’s car.
My eyes stayed locked with his until Henry pulled away. Getting into my mother’s car, we made our way home. I had to come up with an excuse as to why I was leaving again when we got there. But damn if I could think of anything. My mind was already thinking about the way he would take me under our tree. It was completely lost to me when we pulled into the driveway; both Alex and Mom had already gotten out of the car.
Stepping out, I linked my arm through Alex’s and made my way inside. Once we got there I told my mother we were going to go up and get out of these gowns and hang around. She didn’t protest, since she was beat. Alex was giggling when I started dragging her up the stairs. She knew something was up. But she would soon hit the fan when I told her. I just hoped that she took it in a good way. I kicked my door closed, pinning her with a stare.
She giggled, sitting down on my bed to remove her heels. “Out with it, Claire. I know something’s going on.”
I took a deep breath, the excitement becoming too much. “Brad wants me to meet him at midnight.”
Her mouth hung open in shock. I didn’t know whether to take that as a bad thing or a good thing, so I began to pace. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea. If she was acting this way, she probably didn’t approve. I have no idea what I would do if she didn’t. She was my only friend, dammit she just had to.
“Then what the hell are you doing here, chicka? Get your skinny ass over there,” she whispered with a cheeky grin.
I stopped, staring at her. “Are you sure? I mean, if you’re not completely sure, I’ll stay here.”
She chuckled. “Go get your feathers ruffled, sweetie. I’ll cover for you here. But damn, you better give me details.”
I stood there looking at her a moment, completely amazed by her. She accepted me no matter what I did, and I believed that she always would. However, there was something eating at me, something that I needed to get off my chest first. “You don’t think this is weird, do you?”
She cocked her head to the side, smile still in place. “What, that you want to get your lid flipped by your stepbrother? Hon, I’ve never been normal, neither have you. It’s not like he is your flesh and blood. If that were the case, I’d say you were a nasty fucker. But it’s not, and he isn’t. Now get the hell out of here before I meet him in your place, because let’s face it, that man is a hot piece of meat.”
“Oh, my God! Thank you so much, Alex. I will never forget this,” I jumped up and down excitedly.
She went downstairs, playing her part of the mission impossible. She whistled, signaling all was clear. I could tell she was having fun with this. That’s why I loved her, she was down for anything at any time. After running out the door, I stopped to give her a grateful wave before getting into my car.