Playing House: A Small Town Brother’s Best Friend Romance (The Playboys of Sin Valley Book 1)

by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  “Sure. I guess so.” I shrug. When she chuckles, I challenge her. “What’s so funny?”

  “You sound…unenthused.” She twists in her seat, angling her body to face me. “What’s the worst part of being on the road for six and a half days at a time?”

  I cock an eyebrow. “Hmm. So, you’ve been counting the days I’ve been gone? You been missing your husband, Baby Girl?”

  She gets flustered and tries her best to hide it. “Stay on topic, Bellino. What’s the worst part about being on the road for so long?”

  I’m done playing around. I look her dead in the eyes. “The worse part was I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

  Holding my breath, I wait, desperate to hear what she’ll say next.

  I couldn’t stop thinking about you either…

  Let’s not wait any longer…

  Take me now…

  “I found a lawyer who can fit us in next week.”

  “What…?” I blink.

  “I picked up her card when I was out shopping with the girls earlier today. I spoke to her on the phone.” Sera slips her hand into her clutch and pulls out a business card. “Her price is pretty reasonable. So bonus points for that. I just need your availability so we can make an appointment.”

  I grunt. “Cool. I’ll check my calendar. I’ll let you know.” I hop out of the car and slam the door.

  I spent my day trying to come up with ways to win her over. She spent her day researching the quickest—and cheapest—way to get rid of me.

  Fuck. That stings.

  I hear Sera’s door close, too. Then, she’s hustling along behind me, her high heels reverberating in the echoey garage. “It doesn’t have to be next week,” she calls out appeasingly after me. “The lawyer said we have sixty days following the wedding to file for the annulment. So that still gives us a few weeks.”

  I don’t look back. I hit the elevator call button and climb on. “Great.”

  Sera blinks at me, her brows furrowed. “Uh…You okay?” The lift’s doors close right behind her.

  “I’m great.” I jab the button for my floor and the elevator starts to climb. “Just glad we’re on the same page now.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She folds her thin arms across her chest.

  Fuck—I could use some mozzarella right about now.

  When the doors open, I march off ahead of her and grab my keys from my back pocket. I hear her calling out from behind me. “Jace. Talk to me.”

  Nah. I’m not about to leave myself raw for this girl again. I don’t know why I got my hopes set on her in the first place. I know better than to get invested in anything or anybody. I learned a long time ago that people aren’t reliable. No point in getting attached to anyone if they’re just going to abandon you in the long run. But Sera is one of the few people who have been there for me. Our friendship was always comfortable, safe. I thought I could trust her. I thought things could be different with us.

  Before I can open the front door, Sera slides her body in front of me, blocking the lock. “Talk. To. Me,” she demands, her pretty lips puckered, her tiny hands planted firmly on my chest. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  I want to shut down. But because I can never say ‘no’ to this woman, I crack. “It just doesn't feel fair, all right?”

  Her chest heaves. “I know. I'm sorry. I’ve turned your life into a mess with the accidental marriage. But we can get it annulled. The lawyer I talked to—”

  “Fuck the annulment, Sera!” My voice booms in the shadowy hallway. My heart pounds against her palm. “It doesn't feel fair that I don't get a shot with you…”

  Her jaw drops open. “Wh-um…I… A shot at what?”

  “A chance to be the guy to touch you… to kiss you… to fuck you. A chance to be your husband.”

  “Jace…” She continues to stare at me in gape-jawed shock.

  Her dark irises are burning up. Her palm moves down my chest. Her fingers curl in my waistband.

  With her hand on me like that, I’m tired of being patient and playing nice. I’m ready to show her what we’d be like together.

  Explosive. Fucking explosive.

  I grab my wife by the shoulders. I slam her against the door. And I kiss her.

  Sixteen

  Sera

  We’re stumbling into the dark apartment, tripping over each other’s feet, our mouths locked together. Jace’s large hands are shoved into my hair and I fist the front of his shirt. I can't breathe, but I’m not even sure I want to.

  Fuck breathing.

  Fuck anything that will distract me from the feel of Jason Bellino’s body against mine.

  He’s grabbing me all over, trying to rip my clothes off, like he just can’t wait. I feel so sexy. So amazing.

  In the middle of the living room, Jace spins me around. He traces hot, wet kisses up my neck as he tears down my dress zipper. The fabric falls to the floor and I step around it. Then I turn and loop an arm around his neck to pull him in for more kissing. Can’t get enough of the kissing.

  We’re in the hallway when he unhooks my strapless bra and it goes tumbling to the floor. My bare torso against his makes my tummy flutter. His skin is hot and his muscles are hard and there’s electricity moving between our bodies.

  By the time we get to the bedroom, his hand is down the front of my panties as we make out.

  My fingers search blindly for the bottom of his T-shirt and I manage to pry it off him.

  Breathing hard, Jace circles his broad hot fingertips around my clit a few times before giving the little nub a soft tug. “Jace…” I purr, arching against him.

  He eases further between my thighs to spread my swollen folds. “Jesus—you’re so fucking wet, Baby Girl.” He pants against my mouth. “Tell me all this is for me.” He breaches my opening with two fingers as he leans down and bites my shoulder.

  A biter. Yes.

  My eyes roll into my head and I thrust into his hand. “It’s…it’s for you,” I croak out.

  “D’you want this, Sera? Do you want me to make you feel good?” He takes his slick hand from my panties and squeezes one breast then the other, making sure to stroke my nipples with his slippery fingers. Then, he dips his head and takes one throbbing, little nub between his lips.

  My breath hitches in my throat and I moan. “I want it, Jace. Please.” Right about now, he could get me to say just about anything with the way he’s touching me.

  He pauses. He brings his lips to my ear. He growls. “Then get on the fucking bed.”

  I follow his orders without hesitation. I’m staring up at him from my perch on the mattress, trying to figure out what it is about this man that makes me do things I know are a bad, bad idea.

  It's the dimples...The dimples are a safety hazard. Little, tiny grenades that explode every time he flashes that tempting smile. All they cause is destruction.

  Fireworks in my belly.

  Dynamite between my thighs.

  Panties reduced to a smoldering scrap of wreckage.

  Yeah, those dimples are no good for me.

  His gaze slides over me, full of appreciation. “Dammit—Sera. You’re beautiful.”

  I whimper.

  That’s about the extent of my brain function right now. My nerve endings are too busy trying to absorb all the pleasure, lust and sexy stuff that’s going on.

  I watch as Jace lowers to his knees. He pulls my panties down my legs in a slow, sensual movement before dropping them to the floor. I’ve still got my glasses and my high heels on but I’m not interrupting the moment to take them off.

  He spreads my knees wide and his heated gaze slides over my mound. I must be a soaking mess.

  He smiles to himself and bites his lip. “Fuck—I’m gonna eat this gorgeous pussy good.”

  My breath hitches. Before I can utter a word, his head is buried there. He kisses a slow circle around my mound, stopping to lick and nibble the crease of my thigh. Then, he zeroes in on the prize.

  W
hen his tongue swipes up my clit the first time, I gasp and arch my spine. By the second swipe, I’m clenching the sheets. He enters me with two fingers, moving in and out as he gives attention to my clit with his mouth.

  “Oh god, Jace.” I reach down, grasping a fistful of his hair. I work my pussy on his mouth and he moans like it’s delightful.

  Everything is slippery and wet and too damn sensitive. Especially when he hums against my opening and murmurs my name. “You feel so good, Sera. I promise, when I get my dick inside you, I won’t be able to control myself. Baby Girl, I’m gonna fuck you hoarse.” His tongue enters me.

  “Mmm. I want that,” I beg quietly. “I want you to fuck me. Right now.” I reach for his shoulders, trying to pull him up.

  “Hold on. Let me taste you.”

  “Please. Please, Jace.”

  I squirm against the sheets. I’m wound so tight. I need release before I snap in two.

  He smiles wickedly. “You’ll get my dick when I say so. In the meantime, you can just lay back and enjoy this.”

  “You’re torturing me.”

  He licks the inside of my thigh. “I can barely remember our first night together. I’ll be damned if I don't savor every second with you tonight."

  His mouth finds my wetness again.

  Defeated, I whimper. He’s an arrogant bastard with that filthy mouth of his. And of course he’d be fucking stubborn in bed, too.

  I continue begging and squirming. It’s all in vain. The man seems determined to split me in half with pleasure.

  “You’re gonna get my cock. And it’ll be worth the wait.” His tongue swirls deeper as his thumb gently pushes my clit back and forth. “But first—come for me. Come on my face.”

  The words are like a magic spell. Because, in an instant, I crack. I slide my fingers through his hair and clench hard as I ride his mouth like a gladiator riding a chariot into battle.

  Whoa—that was a weird analogy.

  But as I was saying, my thighs clench around his cheeks, my spine curves off the bed and I scream as my body hits release.

  Seventeen

  Jace

  I crawl up her heaving body, kissing every inch of her along the way.

  My kisses reach her neck, her jaw, her mouth. “Hey…” I whisper against her pillow-soft lips.

  “Hey…” Sera says back.

  She grins, dazed and breathless, staring at me through her crooked glasses. Hair all messed up. Skin flushed and slick with a thin layer of sweat.

  That’s a satisfied woman if I’ve ever seen one. The girl is fucking sexy.

  “You ready for the best dick of your life?” I smirk and brush my fingertips over her ribs.

  She gives me an adorable eyeroll. “You’re so arrogant, it’s cringeworthy.”

  Gently, I remove her glasses and set them on the bedside table. “I can back it up, baby…You’ll find out soon enough.”

  I kiss her again, swirling my tongue inside her mouth. She groans and sucks on my lips. I think she loves tasting her own juices on my tongue.

  Dirty girl. I’m into it.

  I remove her heels and fling them to the floor. My eyes explore every inch of her as I rise from the bed and reach into the dresser for a condom.

  My cock is so hard. It points up at the ceiling like a compass searching for due north. I sheathe it in a condom before I embarrass myself.

  Sera spreads her legs wider and I climb on top of her. She pulls me down for a kiss that leaves me dizzy.

  It’s better than Christmas morning. Seraphine Rodriguez—the Sweetheart of Sin Valley—lying on my sheets with her tanned skin and her sensual curves and her legs spread wide, waiting for me.

  I pull back to get another look at her. “Shit, am I a lucky bastard…”

  She laughs softly. “Why’s that?”

  “Because every part of you is beautiful…And you’re mine.” Whether you know it or not.

  Before she can object, I cover her mouth in another kiss. Deep and unrelenting.

  Our lips sealed together, I angle my cock at her entrance and penetrate her with a slow, sure movement of my hips. She gasps and her walls contract around me.

  I’m barely holding myself together as I slide in and out of her slick heat. Her pussy is a tight, wet inferno and I have to force myself not to be an animal and completely lose control.

  “Am I making you feel good, Baby Girl?” I slide my hands under her supple ass and slightly lift her off the bed. I give her sweet globes a squeeze as I thrust.

  “Yes…Yes…So good.”

  Her eyes are shut and her body is arching into mine as she whispers my name. She’s meeting each of my thrusts with a sensual roll of her hips. Her warm, little hands slide up my back.

  My palms smooth up the backs of her thighs and I lift her legs over my shoulders.

  Fuck. So deep…So tight…So wet…And this angle. Christ…

  When she cups my ass, spreads her legs wider and presses me deeper inside her, that’s when I fucking lose it.

  I grab her by the hips and I bear down, pounding her sweet body with ravenous lust.

  With each thrust, this thing I feel for her swells bigger in my chest. This is so fucking weird. With any other woman, my survival instinct would have kicked in by now, telling me to run. But with Sera, I’m willing to give in to it, to drown in it, to be overcome by it.

  I stare into her eyes. I hope you’re willing to drown with me, too…

  “Oh, God. Jace.” Her tits bounce in a hypnotic rhythm as I fuck her.

  “Is this how you want it, Sera?” My nostrils flare as I struggle to breathe. “Is this how you want me to fuck you?”

  “Please. Please please please please. Yes, Jace. Please.” She leans up and sinks her teeth into my bicep. Like she’s trying to keep from screaming.

  I’m tense all over and my groin feels like it’s about to explode. As much as I want to be a gentleman, I’m not sure how much willpower I have left.

  “You need to come, Sera. Right this…fucking minute. You need to…come for me ‘cause I can’t hold back…any…more.”

  My palm slides up the front of her neck, forcing her head down onto the pillow. I fuck her mouth with mine as a devastating orgasm throbs its way through my body.

  Sera’s pussy clenches like a fist, strangling my spasming cock. We come together, hard and long, the urgency exploding between us as our bodies ride the sensation.

  I collapse onto the bed beside her, still struggling to catch my breath. We snuggle for a while, getting our sweaty limbs all tied up beneath the orgasm-drenched sheets.

  “This is what it could be like, Sera. You and me.” My lips come to her shoulder and I give her a little bite. “This is what it could be like if you give me a shot.”

  Her eyes fill with terror. I can see her pulse stomping at the base of her throat. “Please, don’t—”

  I flip her onto her back and brace myself above her, staring down into her pretty face. “What do we have to lose? You’re already living here. We’re already married. We could just delay the annulment thing a little while longer. See if we can make this marriage work.” I give her a no-big-deal smirk although my heart is tearing itself up in my chest. “What do you think?”

  Sera rubs her soft lips over mine as her fingertips trail down my chest. “I think you’re doing too much talking. Not enough kissing.”

  Before I can get another word in, she pulls me down and we’re getting lost in each other again.

  Eighteen

  Jace

  Sera stumbles out of the bedroom, drowsy-eyed and bewildered, wrapped in nothing but a sheet. She beats her way through a wall of pungent smoke.

  “Oh my god. Jace? Are you in here?”

  I cough into the crook of my arm as I wave a dish towel in front of the shrieking smoke detector. “In here. I’m in here.”

  She coughs, too. “I’m not wearing my glasses so hell if I know where I’m going.” Her panicky hands fumble to fit her frames over her eyes. She bumps
into a stool and grabs her shin. “Ouch!”

  When she reaches blindly to grab the counter for balance, she swipes a bowl over the edge. It hits the floor then rebounds, covering her bare legs in the lumpy pancake batter that turned out nothing like the guy in the YouTube cooking video promised it would. When the cold, sludgy mess hits her skin, she yips, slips and drops the sheet, falling ass-first onto the hard kitchen tiles.

  This is not the romantic morning I’d envisioned.

  I’d envisioned surprising my wife in bed with perfectly folded crepes, berries and whipped cream.

  I’d envisioned slow, lazy morning sex as she passionately confessed how much she wants to be with me.

  I’d envisioned getting a blowjob, dammit.

  Instead, I’ve got a sleepy-faced Sera sitting bare-assed in a puddle of pancake batter, blinking at me through a cloud of smoke and coughing up a lung.

  This. Is. Not. Romance.

  Thankfully, the alarm stops screaming. I drop the kitchen towel and rush over to her side. “You okay?” I ask as I crouch down in front of her.

  She flinches and rubs her tailbone. “I thought the building was on fire…” she coughs some more. “Is the building on fire?”

  My eyes are watery from all the smoke. “Nah. I just sort of lost control of breakfast.” I give an impish grin as I slide my hands under her armpits and ease her up to her feet. “Let me open some windows.”

  When Sera is stable on her feet, I push open the glass above the sink. Clean air slowly starts filtering into the room and the pollution trickles out. I can finally breathe again and Sera stops coughing, thank god.

  My eyes sweep around the kitchen and my body fills with horror. Flour, milk puddles and smashed eggshells next to the stove. The juicy bits of the strawberries I was chopping are dripping down onto the floor. I managed to get coffee grounds everywhere, too.

  In movies, the guy gets this right. But clearly, I’m fucking up in an epic way.