by Ryan Michele
“You know you would’ve gotten sidled up with that. Don’t you?” I asked him, wondering why he didn’t leave her when he found out.
He sighed deeply as he sat in the chair. “Again. Stupid. After she told me her folks didn’t know, I should’ve called everything off then. I mean, I shouldn’t have to run my own credit report and sign up for monitoring because of the woman I’m planning to spend the rest of my life with. I’d say love is blind, but it’s not that. I think I got too comfortable, then I began to fear the change. And when stuff started building and building, that should’ve been my cue. I shouldn’t have waited so long. I knew in my gut, but I didn’t listen. You want to know what my cue was?”
“What, man?” Conner asked.
Drew’s gaze went between Conner and me. “You two. When you’re together you smile and have fun. It’s natural. There are no games. It’s pure and true. We didn’t have that. I didn’t have that, and it’s what I want.”
My heart swelled even bigger for my brother as Conner reached over and took my hand, lifting it to his lips and giving it a kiss. I smiled up at him. He was beautiful, and my brother was right.
A damn thousand-word questionnaire to find our perfect match wouldn’t have done better.
Even loving this moment, I had to ask, “Do you know if she took anything out in your name, Drew?”
His hand went to the back of his head and rubbed. “I checked my credit report and have a list of all my information. There is nothing there I don’t know about. Knowing what she was doing, I made sure. Self preservation I guess.”
I changed gears, trying to get past this. He needed a break. “You know you’re welcome to stay here. I have a guest room, and I live closer to your work than Mom and Dad.”
“I might take you up on that, just until I find a new place. I can’t stay there with her, though.”
“I’d offer, but I don’t think you want to share a wall next to where I bang your sister.” Conner laughed, and Drew went for him. We all laughed.
20
Conner
Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away.
“Thanks for coming.” I handed Drew a beer.
“Sounded important, man. What’s up?”
“Tonight’s the big night. I’m going to ask the question.”
Eyes widening, he coughed and nearly choked. “Shit. For real?”
“I know I’m ready to make the commitment.”
“You think she’s ready?”
“Guess I’ll find out tonight. I know what I want. I love your sister.”
“I’m happy for you guys. I mean that.”
I glanced at the digital clock on the stove; I knew it was time to get a move on. Quinn would be arriving soon. I needed to get everything prepared. “Help me set up.”
“You got it, bro. Just point me in the right direction.” The two of us busied ourselves with preparations. I took a hard pull off my beer and set it on the table.
“Look at you wooing my baby sister. Quinn’s going to love it.”
I went all out for my girl. Red rose petals sprinkled on the bed. Candles lit all through the house. Champagne and strawberries. I stared at the black box that held the key to my future, hoping Quinn would feel the same way.
“She’s worth it.”
“Damn right she is. You ever hurt her, and I’ll beat your ass.”
“You know I want to give her the world. Maybe I should give you the same warning. I’ve heard talk of my sister sneaking out of the guest room over at Quinn’s the past few weeks.” Quinn said that she knew Carrie and Drew were sneaking around. I’ve not asked because the last thing I wanted to hear about was my best friend banging my baby sister. Kind of like how Drew didn’t want to be witness to some of the shit going down between Quinn and me when we were in Las Vegas.
His gaze shot to his shoes.
“What was that? Didn’t think so.” I nudged his shoulder. “Look, you and Carrie are adults, but I know you just ended something serious. I’m only looking out for her.”
“We’re on the same page.”
“All right then. Thanks for all the help.”
“Anytime. I’m gonna get going. Don’t think the two of you need me here for the rest. Good luck.”
Drew headed out. Since he ended things with Rebecca it was like he’d been reborn. The old carefree Drew was back. I wasn’t exactly thrilled he moved in on Carrie so quickly, but it wasn’t my place to get involved even if she was my sister.
He was right. They were adults. They could handle themselves. If they decided whatever they had was worth pursuing, I’d support them. I was mature enough to know when to stay out of it, and they didn’t need me getting involved any more than Quinn and I wanted Drew meddling in our relationship.
Quinn and I’d been seeing each other for a month. She spent most nights in my bed. Half of her stuff was already in my bathroom, and she no longer needed to pack an overnight bag for staying over. I cleared her a spot in my closet and gave her half of the drawers in my dresser. I couldn’t be clearer about what I wanted unless I hired a plane to write it in the sky.
Glancing around, everything was in place and perfect. All I needed was Quinn.
Right on cue she came through the front door. I waited for her in the living room next to the fireplace. “Hi.” She stopped abruptly, taking in the romantic atmosphere and my attire. The house was dark other than the glow from the candles creating a soft light. “What’s all this?”
“C’mere.” I held a hand out to her. Slender fingers knitting with mine, she stepped into me looking so damn beautiful. Her silky hair styled in a braid over her left shoulder, she wore a powder blue sundress that hung off her shoulders and hit mid-thigh, molding to her sexier than sin curves. Curves I was eager to get my mouth and hands on.
“What is this? Why do you look so serious? You’re freaking me out.” Her gaze darted around the room, avoiding mine. Her hand trembled in mine.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about, babe. There’s something I want to ask you. It’s important, so pay attention.” I cupped her chin and held her face.
“Conner…” Her body tensed. I knew what she was thinking, which made her even more adorable.
“Stop fidgeting. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
Her slick pink tongue darted out to wet her lips. “I think I need a drink.”
“I’ve got champagne.”
“Champagne and candles. Oh boy. You pulled out the big guns.”
“And strawberries.” I grinned.
Her eyes dilated, going softer. “I’m going to faint if you don’t tell me what the hell is happening right now.”
“Well, if you’d calm down, I’d get to that part.” I squeezed her hand and took the little black box off the mantel. Her olive eyes went round. “We’ve been seeing a lot of each other, and I think we’re on the same page here, babe. When I look to the future all I see is you. It’s always been you, Quinn. I’m in love with you, and I’d like it very much if you’d say yes to moving in with me.”
Quinn blinked and closed her mouth. I couldn’t tell if she was relieved or pissed off. “You want me to move in?”
“That’s what I said.” I opened the box and revealed the spare key to the front door. “I made you a key.”
“It’s a key.”
“Yeah, Quinn. It unlocks and locks the front door.”
“Isn’t it a bit fast to be asking me to move in?”
“I know I love you. I’ve always loved you, and I’m not going to waste any more time when I know what I want at the end of my day is to come home to you. I’ve loved you my whole life, Quinn. Is that moving too fast, or are you going to take a leap and move in with me?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. You know it’s the next step. You can let Drew rent your house instead of finding a place you know he’ll hate to keep from sharing the house with Rebe
cca until it sells.” I wasn’t above playing a little dirty to get what I wanted in using her love of Drew and his happiness to get her to say yes.
Quinn slid her fingers over the key and glanced up to meet my gaze. “I’m moving in.”
“Right answer,” I growled, bringing my mouth down on hers. Parting her lips, my girl invited me in. Tongue slipping between her soft lips, I kissed her hard and deep. Quinn melted into me. Picking her up in one swoop she cradled her arms around my neck, never breaking our kiss. Moving through the house, I carried her to the bedroom where the rose petals, champagne, and strawberries waited.
I set her on the edge of the bed, and she kicked off her black heels. “Someone was awful sure I’d say yes. I’m impressed. Setting this up … lighting all the candles must’ve taken forever.”
“I had help.”
“Carrie?”
“Actually, it was your brother.” I popped the cork, and she jumped.
“That’s incredibly sweet.”
“The things a man’ll do for love,” I teased, handing her a flute. She took a healthy sip and sat the glass on the nightstand.
Grabbing my tie, she pulled me toward her. “Take off your pants, Mr. Davenport.” I loved the way my name rolled off her tongue, and I knew without a doubt one day soon I’d be calling her Mrs. Davenport. Nothing sounded better.
Minutes later Quinn had me at her mercy naked in bed. Her sweet lips wrapped around the head of my cock, sucking me deeper and deeper into her mouth, and what she couldn’t take she covered with her fingers.
Stroking me in pace with the movements of my cock sliding in and out of her warm mouth, her tongue flattened against my erection. She knew what she was doing. I let out a groan that encouraged her to suck me harder. Those sexy lips I loved to kiss suctioned around me so damn tight.
Fuck, she felt good, but there was only one way I was coming, and that was inside her. Fingers wrapped around her hair, I gave her silky tendrils a tug. “Want to taste you, babe.”
Quinn shuffled around to give me what I craved. Positioned in a sixty-nine, I gave as good as I got. Spreading her pussy lips, I teased and pleased her clit with my fingers and mouth. Quinn rode my face while I fucked her mouth.
Knees shaking, she moaned around my cock, licking the pearly bead of pre-come from the tip. We were both close. Smack. I slapped her ass. “Need inside you, babe. Want us coming together.”
She slid down my body and turned to face me. Lining her body up with mine, she sank down and impaled that perfect pussy on my cock. A shudder rippled through my body and moved down my spine, reaching my damn toes. Quinn started to grind, flexing and rolling her hips, hitting all the right spots. Working my cock, her body jolted, rising and falling. I leaned up to take a nipple into my mouth. The moment my lips closed around the sensitive peak, Quinn cried out as she rode the wave of her release.
“Need behind you,” I grunted the demand. Like a good girl she moved off me and went to all fours. Face down and ass up, ready for me to take what I wanted. Quinn on her knees for me, body shivering in anticipation, was prettiest thing in the world in that moment.
Rubbing a hand along the curve of her ass, I lined up with her tight slit and glided right in. Her velvet heat clenched around me, and I knew without a doubt heaven lived between her damn thighs. Gripping her braid in my hand, I slammed in and out of her achingly hard.
Bodies slapping together, her sweet cunt suctioned my cock, stretching and taking me deeper with every thrust until I filled her to the hilt. Balls slapping against her ass, I was so damn close to coming. I knew she was about to get off too. Her muscles spasmed around me tighter and hotter.
“Oh, God,” she cried out. Her warmth wrapped around me, and it was all I could take. My release shot through me, erupting inside her like a damn volcano; I was so damn hot for her.
I collapsed on the bed next to her, both of us panting to catch our breath. “Just think, buttercup, from now on, we’ll get this every night.”
She grinned, head on the pillow. “Every night?”
“Get used to it. I have an addiction. A Quinn addiction. The sweetest pussy my dick’s ever known addiction, and I plan on feeding that craving every single night and maybe every morning too.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Crazy about you, babe.”
“I love you, Conner Davenport.”
“Good because you aren’t ever getting rid of me. You’re mine. Forever.”
“I’m good with that.”
Epilogue
Quinn
Husbands are like wine; they take a long time to mature.
“I’m so happy for you and Conner, and not jealous at all.” Carrie grinned at me as she took a sip of her fruity umbrella drink through the little red straw.
The sun beamed down on us poolside at our hotel. Sweat beads rolled down my back, and I adjusted my big white floppy hat. Today was a day for only Carrie and me to hangout and take it easy.
We spent the morning getting massages and pampered at the spa, and now we were getting our drink and sun on. Our moms went shopping, and Drew and Conner were off playing golf somewhere with my dad.
“I thought things were going well between you and my brother.”
“They are, but he’s not in any hurry to get serious anytime soon. Which I totally understand. I do, it’s just I wish I knew where I stand with him.”
“Just be open and honest with him. Talk to him and let him know where you’re coming from. Drew is a sensible guy. He’ll understand.”
“I guess. Enough about me; this week is about you and Conner. Are you nervous?”
“Not at all. I thought I might be. But honestly, more than anything, I can’t wait to be married. I love him so much. I never dreamed this day would happen.”
“Don’t freak out on me, but I brought you something. I’ve had it for some time, but I wanted to wait until the right moment to give it to you.” My best friend reached behind her lounge chair and slid a gift bag across the cement toward me.
“What is this?”
“Just open it.” She grinned eagerly.
“Okay, okay. Gee.” I pulled back the purple and black tissue paper and brought out a frame. I gasped at the contents. “Shut up. No way. How in the hell do you still have this?” It was my list. My checklist of all the qualities my dream man should have.
“You wouldn’t admit it back then, but I knew that you were describing my brother even if you didn’t completely realize it. You’ve always loved Conner, and I’m so happy you’re going to become my sister tomorrow.”
Tears burned in the back of my eyes and my throat constricted, making it hard to pull a breath through my lungs. “Carrie … this is … wow. Thank you so much. It’s perfect. I love it. I’m going to cherish this forever.” I leaned over to give her a hot, sweaty hug.
“Good because I went through hell to dig that notebook out in your mom’s attic. She thought I was crazy, but I knew it’d be there somewhere.”
“You’re the best; you know that, don’t you? My brother would be a fool to let you slip away.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Enough sweet sappy stuff. There will be enough of that tomorrow. Did you finish your vows?”
“Almost.”
“Girl, you better get a move on.”
“I will. I just don’t even know how to put the way Conner makes me feel into words. God, Carrie, I know he’s your brother and you’re biased, but he’s perfect.”
“Duh. He’s a Davenport, and we are perfect.” She giggled and finished her drink.
She wasn’t wrong.
“This is your something borrowed.” Mrs. Davenport placed the lacy white garter on my lap that she wore the day she married Conner’s father.
“Thank you so much. It’s beautiful.” The lace was stitched with pearls.
“You’re welcome dear, I always noticed the little looks you and Conner would sneak when you both thought no one was watching.”
I blushed at her words because ye
ah, I always watched Conner. I couldn’t help it. He was a like a magnet pulling me in.
“I have your something blue.” Carrie winked and handed me a small gift bag. I peeked inside seeing a tiny scrap of an ice blue satin thong.
“Seriously?” My cheeks turned ten shades of red.
“Well, duh. It’s no secret you have a thing for pretty expensive underwear.”
Our moms shook their heads. “You girls.” My mom laughed, then it was her turn.
“Here is your something new. Your father and I got this for you.”
She handed me three separate jewelry cases. The first was diamond earrings. The second was the matching tennis bracelet. The third held a teardrop necklace. “Mom. This is too much. Thank you.”
“Only the best for our girl, and we know you’ll only get married once. Conner and you were meant to be, and your love will be forever.”
Tears glittered in the creases of my eyes. “Okay, none of that crying stuff. We don’t want you ruining your makeup. It’ll be Conner’s job to smear your lipstick later,” Carrie joked. “Let’s get you into your dress.” She clapped, setting everyone into motion.
This was it. My big day. The start of the next chapter of mine and Conner’s life.
The day moved quickly. Carrie and my mother helped me into my A-line off-white satin dress that fitted to my curves, with a draping neckline, spaghetti straps, and a mermaid tail bottom.
“Stunning,” my mother cooed and fussed, fastening my necklace. I wore my hair half back pinned in place with a simple diamond-studded clip.
A knock sounded at the door. “You ready to go in here?” My father dipped his head inside the room and choked immediately at the sight of me.
“Dad,” I cried, waving a hand under my eyes.