Reign: A Romance Anthology

by Nina Levine

  “How long have you been together?” Ariel asks. Here was I thinking the firing line would come from her mother. Perhaps Dylan’s wrong about her mother’s scrutinizing, and she should be worrying about her sister.

  “It’s only new. How long is it now, babe?” Throwing in the pet name is perfect for a reaction as she begins coughing. My hand moves from her leg to her back, and I pat it lightly. Gee, I’m good at this pretend-boyfriend stuff.

  She takes a drink of her water and clears her throat. “I’m not sure, maybe a month or two.”

  “You kept this from me for a month?” Her mother’s voice raises with each word. “Dylan, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Sorry, Mom. I wasn’t sure he’d hang around. You know how men can be.”

  Her mother’s brows pull together as she nods her agreement. The way the word falls from her lips, it’s obvious it has something to do with her dad. “Yes, well, we can’t compare every man to that worthless piece of—” She catches herself before cussing, then she takes a breath and continues, “Remember, every man in this world isn’t like him.”

  “I know, Mom, but I can’t help it. All the men I’ve gone on a date with have been afraid of me and my job. Is it the job? Or is it the fact that I’m a woman who’s built an empire snipping dicks for a living?”

  Ariel and Jasmine break out into laughter.

  I chew my lip, but I can’t help the grin. My hand rests on Dylan’s back still, and it’s then I register that she’s quite vulnerable when it comes to men walking away.

  What if walking away hurts her more?

  No, this is her doing.

  She asked me here.

  Well, actually, she blackmailed me.

  “Men are worthless,” Jasmine chimes in.

  “Oh, okay, tell us how you really feel,” I say sarcastically with a slice of humor in my words.

  Jasmine’s hard gaze lands on me, scrutinizing and analyzing. “What? All I’ve known is men walking away. We all have, so it wouldn’t surprise us at all if you didn’t come back after tonight.” She shrugs and adds more food to her fork then places it in her mouth.

  Clearly, they’ve all been burned at some stage in their life, and from the small amount of information Dylan gave me about her dad, it’s clear where it stems from. I could never walk away from any kid of mine. Whether its mother and I were together or not, that’s my flesh and blood, half of me, so I’d never walk away.

  Silence falls over the table. The only sound is the scrape of forks on ceramic plates.

  “Anyway, enough of that for tonight,” Ariel breaks the silence. “How did you start your career riding, Cole?”

  I clear my throat before answering, “I kind of fell into it. I’ve been riding bikes for as long as I can remember. My dad bought me one the moment I could ride a pushbike, and from there, I did club riding, and it just kept growing to where I am today. I have some great sponsors, and I enjoy the sport.”

  Dylan’s mom stabs a fork toward her. “You are not to get on the back of a bike. Absolutely not. I don’t want to hear about it if you do.”

  Laughter filters around the table slowly, erasing the sadness that coated it a moment ago.

  “Trust me, Mom, I have no intention of getting on the back of one.”

  We’ll see about that.

  “You can trust her with me.” I wink in Dylan’s direction.

  “No,” her mother states firmly. “Oh, before I forget, Dylan, there’s a letter for you on the entry table. It looks like a school reunion invitation.” A loud clattering of cutlery hitting the plate causes more silence. When I turn toward Dylan, the color has drained from her face, and she’s wide-eyed.

  “You can just throw it in the trash,” Dylan finally says and picks up her fork again.

  “You have to go,” Ariel squeals. “Go rub Cole’s and your careers in their faces.” She waggles her eyebrows.

  “Uh…no,” Dylan says, but I cut in. “Why don’t you want to go?”

  Dylan shrugs and moves some food around her plate. “Didn’t enjoy school or the people who went there. So why would I go?” I catch her chewing her bottom lip.

  The sassy, sexy woman from before has disappeared, and in her place is this vulnerable and unsure replacement.

  What happened to her?

  9

  Dylan

  The thought of coming face to face with the people from high school and the ones I went through to college with makes me feel physically ill. Going back to that place has been so far from my mind that this invitation has caught me unaware. I never intend to attend a stupid reunion. I wish Mom didn’t live in the same place we did as kids. It makes it easier for those people to reach out with these invitations.

  High school was bad enough. College was even harder.

  I worked hard. I was in love. I thought I was going to marry that man, but I was so wrong about him.

  From the moment I ended things with Luke, my career became everything to me. At least it couldn’t hurt me or expect things from me that I didn’t want to give up.

  Cole’s hand takes its place back on my thigh, and he gives it a reassuring squeeze. I stare at my half-finished plate, not wanting to look at him and see pity there. I don’t want it. That stuff is in my past, and that’s where it’s going to stay.

  “You should go and flaunt how successful you are now. Add in the fact that Cole is your famous boyfriend…well, that could earn you some extra brownie points,” Mom says.

  I almost want to laugh in their faces and tell them that I’ve fooled them. Cole will be long gone after tonight. Then, I’ll be the one left cleaning up the mess of never-ending questions as to why it didn’t work out. Again! I guess I should have thought this through. Too late now, though. Just another relationship like the other one. Of course, they believed it was all my fault, and for some reason, I have never corrected them.

  Rising from my seat, I take my plate to the sink, no longer able to take the conversation or stomach the food. My stomach’s tied up in the most sophisticated knot which won’t come undone easily. The thought of that invite out there, looming over me like a dark cloud, makes me want to squirm.

  I scrape my scraps off the plate into the trash and turn, almost running into Cole. “Don’t,” I say when I look at him. I don’t want to discuss it, and he doesn’t have a right to know either, so I look down again.

  He shifts again to step in front of me, stopping me from getting to the sink. Cole takes the plate from my tight grip and places it on the counter. My fingers curl into tight fists as his fingers come to my chin, and he lifts my face to meet his. “There’s only one way to fix this.”

  Before I can respond, his warm, soft lips are pressed to mine.

  The knot in my stomach loosens and becomes a wave of pleasure washing over me like a wave crashing against the shores of the sandy beach. Cole is the wave, and I am the sand.

  He’s tender yet rough and needy all at the same time, and I don’t want it to end. His hand wraps around my waist, tugging me against his hard-as-stone body. I can feel the outline of muscle against my stomach as my hands reach up and dive through his dark locks. They’re already tousled, so what I do won’t make a difference.

  Our breaths are heavy, and with each one, the kiss deepens. His hands clutch my ass and squeeze.

  Someone clears their throat.

  We spring apart—caught in the act!

  My hands move to my freshly assaulted lips.

  “How about you save that for when there’s no one else around? That kiss almost looked like a porn show.” Jasmine is standing in the entryway with a smug grin on her face.

  “Uh…sorry. I’m just going to finish my meal,” Cole says, giving me a sheepish look and quickly exiting the room.

  Jasmine raises her eyebrows. “He’s a looker, Dylan. Not sure how I feel about him, though. He’s one of those guys that takes any girl to bed. Just look at the type of career he’s got. I’m sure he has a bevy of women who follow him everywhere he
goes.”

  Damn, her words sting.

  She’s right, though.

  Jasmine washes her plate off and rests a hip against the counter. My lips are still tingling from that scorching kiss.

  I sigh. “I know. I guess that’s why I didn’t want to bring him around to meet everyone. For all I know, he could leave tomorrow,” I lie. It doesn’t feel good lying to Jasmine, but it’s done now.

  “Just don’t get attached. We’ve all had our fair share of heartbreak.”

  “So, are you saying that every man is like Dad and those other men we’ve all dated? If we put every guy in the same basket, we’re going to end up lonely. I’ve been alone for a long time. It’s fun, but lonely…very, very lonely, Jas.”

  “I guess I’ve never had the opportunity to fall in love. Perhaps my levels of attainability are set too high for what’s around,” she jokes.

  “You never know who’s going to walk around the corner or show up when you least expect it. And if they accept and love you for who you are, then that’s what you want. Cole didn’t go running when he showed up at my office.” However, I’m sure he probably wanted to.

  We share a sisterly moment, which come few and far between lately.

  Mom rushes into the kitchen. Damn, it’s like Grand Central Station tonight. “Oh my, Dylan. He’s such a sweet young man.” Out of nowhere, she smacks my arm, and it stings.

  “Ow,” I cry out. “What was that for?”

  “That’s for not pre-warning me about bringing someone. You’re lucky, though. He seems a keeper.”

  Yeah, yeah, everyone’s a keeper to her.

  An ache forms in my chest—if only she knew it isn’t permanent. Her glistening brown eyes stare at me, filled with hope.

  Ariel rushes in next. “I can’t believe you’re with Cole Carter. Like O…M…G.” As the baby of the family, she’s still at the stage of figuring out who she is. “I can’t believe it,” she gushes.

  “Put your tongue away, Ariel.” Jas laughs.

  The kitchen is filled with love, laughter, and happy memories.

  “I’m not sure I can. Those tats are like a piece of art all their own. I can’t stop staring at them.”

  Mom smacks her arm. Ariel flinches, but she’s still grinning like a goofball.

  “If you come home with one, I’ll disown you. They look good on him, though.” My mom’s cheeks pink a little, and I can’t help the laughter that erupts from me.

  “Mom’s a cougar,” Jasmine teases.

  Mom’s face turns to one of horror with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open.

  Someone clears their throat. “Perhaps I should get in on this conversation since it’s about me?” Cole’s dreamy voice causes me to face him.

  We’ve all been busted.

  10

  Dylan

  My cheeks heat, and I sense their change in color. “Sorry,” I mutter as silence fills the room.

  “You’ll take Dylan to her reunion, won’t you?” Ariel coos. This girl.

  “I’m not going,” I jump in before he even has time to think about answering. Cole doesn’t need to feel pressured into taking me. I have no desire to go anyway. “Can we drop the subject?” I scoot around Mom and take the warm apple pie from the oven. “Pie anyone?” I grin.

  Cole’s eyes dance from me to the pie, to Mom, then back to me. “I’d be happy to take her. What weekend is it?”

  Mom’s smile brightens, and she shuffles from the room, returning seconds later with the invitation in her hand. “It’s this coming weekend. Oh, I didn’t realize I’d held onto this for that long. It kept skipping my mind at our dinners.”

  “Yeah, because you’re always too focused on me finding a husband,” I respond dryly. I spin to Cole who has somehow found his way beside me. “And no, I’m not going to the reunion. Thanks for the offer, though.”

  “Come on, Dylan. Go. Rub your success in their faces,” Ariel says.

  “I’m sure there are those who are equally successful.”

  “Yes, but they don’t have Cole Carter hanging off their arm now, do they?”

  What is it with her and this man?

  I grab a knife and cut up the pie then begin plating. Jas follows through with a squirt of cream next to each piece.

  “Anyway, changing the subject, Mom makes the best apple pie.” I take a plate and hand it to Cole. “Enjoy.”

  “Oh, I will.” He grins.

  I swear he’s mocking me, and the kiss flashes in my mind. Solidly imprinted in my mind is his taste on my lips.

  I want more of him.

  That’s probably inappropriate, considering the situation.

  The next hour flies by, and before I know it, I’m yawning. All this lying is tiring.

  Cole’s hand rubs my leg. “You ready to go, babe?” My heart skips a beat. He’s rather good at this pretend-boyfriend thing. Thankfully, it’s only one night.

  “Umm…yeah. Mom, we’re going to head out.”

  Mom shakes her head. “You’re not getting on the back of that bike,” she demands and glares at Cole. “My daughter won’t be getting on there with you.”

  “You can trust me with her safety. I’ll even go under the speed limit if that will help you feel at ease.”

  He’s good, the way his smooth voice simmers down Mom’s strong demands.

  A small smile even plays on her lips, and she points a finger at him, issuing another order. “Under the limit.”

  Cole simply nods and places his hand over his chest. “You have my word she’ll be kept safe.”

  Ariel’s grin is from ear to ear. I can only imagine what she’s thinking. She’s going to be the one who causes us all the problems. She’s yet to experience the kind of heartbreak Jas and I have experienced, but her turn will come.

  “Who says I want to go on the back of a bike?” I declare, rising from my seat. “Last time, you weren’t very nice.” The memory of him laughing at me as I sat on the sidewalk hurt my pride.

  He stands and takes my hand. “I’ve got you.” His dark eyes burrow right into the part of my soul that I’ve kept under lock and key.

  Nope. Don’t fall for the bad boy. They’re evil.

  “Just do it, Dylan. You only live once,” Ariel says.

  “Yeah, exactly. I only live once. I don’t want to die on the back of a motorbike,” I retort.

  She rolls her eyes in response.

  “If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you can let me know, and I’ll pull over and order you an Uber myself,” Cole assures me.

  I sigh. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

  Everyone follows us outside, and now that I have an audience, I don’t want a repeat of what happened last time I tried to climb on the back of his bike. Please let me get this right.

  Cole hands me the spare helmet, and I take it in my shaky hands and place it over my head. My heart pounds against my ribcage so hard it makes me feel faint. Honestly, I can’t believe I’m doing this.

  “You alright?” Cole reaches for my hand, his voice low.

  “I may vomit. I’m so nervous.”

  He laughs, and I say, “Yeah, get that out of your system now, or you’ll be single.”

  Cole steps closer and does up my strap. “Isn’t this all pretend anyway? So, technically, we’re both still single.”

  He’s right.

  We’re not a real couple, I remind myself.

  “I need your address.”

  I quietly rattle off my address. He climbs on and starts the bike, turns, then taps the seat. I step on the footrest and hoist my leg over. My body slips in nicely behind his.

  “Wrap your hands around me,” he yells, and I quickly do as he requests. My body is now flush against his, his body heat throbbing against my chest.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I mutter under my breath.

  Within a second, we’re moving, and the urge to scream rips through me. I clamp my lips with my teeth to stop any noise from escaping and shut my eyes. />
  No. Don’t give him the chance to laugh at you again.

  The cool wind whips around me, and my grip around Cole tightens. His hand wraps around my knotted ones on his chest.

  “Shouldn’t you be holding on with both hands?” I yell.

  He may not be able to hear me.

  His head spins in my direction. “Just trust me and enjoy the ride.” His hand stays around mine until we come to a corner. We lean into the corner together, and then he speeds up. The way he smoothly maneuvers through the traffic is something like a street dance. The anxiety that ran through me when we first started has subsided, and I glance around at the cars and people around us.

  We pass a couple who are locking lips on the sidewalk, and it brings a smile to my face.

  Oh, to be in love.

  11

  Cole

  Dylan’s grip around me finally loosens, and I can breathe again. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take a full breath for the entire trip. Her cool fingers wrap around mine which rest over hers.

  We finally pull up in front of a high-rise set of apartment buildings. I turn the bike off and pull my helmet off. Turning quickly, I come face to face with a messy-haired beauty. Dylan has removed her helmet, and the look on her face is pure elation.

  “Do you need a hand to climb off?”

  She shakes her head, hands me the helmet, and slowly slides off. She stumbles slightly on the curb. I settle the bike on its stand and climb off. With one large step, I move closer to Dylan and take hold of her hips to steady her. Her hands rest on my arms.

  “I think I was so tense that it’s drained all my energy.” She giggles. Her shining eyes glitter in the moonlight right in front of me. The kiss we shared hasn’t been far from my thoughts all night. Her lips taste sweet with a hint of wickedness.

  “It’s okay; I’ve got you.” I ignore the people walking by us and keep hold of her. My hands don’t want to let her go. This is strange. It should be a quick drop-off, and then I go on my way, but I want to know more about her. Her likes. Her dislikes. The conversation I heard tonight between her and her sister really got me wondering about who has hurt her so much that she’s completely off men.