Every Which Way (Sloan Brothers Series Book 1)

by Calia Read

Many factors should stop her from smiling at his declaration. They were in a dangerous part of town ranked up there as number one. But she could think of nothing else. Her one good reason escaped her mind as Macsen turned to the left and guided them into the dark alley, away from the streetlights.

  Her feet touched the ground, and she felt the uneven concrete beneath her feet. She felt as broken as it looked. Macsen matched her steps until she felt the side of the brick against her back. “Scared?”

  He moved closer, until her body was covered from the world. Severine shook her head. “No.”

  Macsen nodded and reached out to loosen her scarf. The red piece dangled around her neck like an unknotted tie. Cold air tickled her skin. Severine kept her mouth shut to prevent the gasp from escaping. Goosebumps broke across her skin, and she knew he saw it. He saw everything.

  Two calloused hands settled at the base of her. Macsen turned his body to the side. Her throat contracted against his palm. “Sometimes I think you should be scared of me.”

  Severine flashed her eyes up to his face. His fingers methodically rubbed her skin, and she prayed her eyes wouldn’t close from his touch. “Why...” Severine licked her lips and tried to speak firmly. “Why should I be scared of you?”

  “You give me control, when I don’t know what do with it. I can barely dominate you, how could I ever have authority over us?”

  “Don’t ask. Just take what’s in front of you,” Severine urged. And if he didn’t, she gladly would.

  Before she could finish her thoughts, he firmly kissed her. His lips and tongue went to a limit and pushed the boundaries of any other kiss before this one. Her arms became bands around his neck, and she stood on her tiptoes to return everything he was giving her.

  She could feel how hard he was. He pressed himself against her leg, and Severine moaned. He pressed her against the wall until a gasp escaped her lips. The buttons of her coat became unbuttoned, and his hands shaped her body with frantic touches. His hands grasped her breast and teased her until she couldn’t remember her own name.

  Severine. I’m Severine.

  She jolted back and panted out heavily. “See.” Her smile was weak. “That wasn’t so hard.”

  He pressed against her and laughed out in between breaths. “I think I have to disagree with you on that.”

  When they moved away and walked back to his truck, Severine demanded her heart to slow down. But it didn’t.

  She sketched this moment into her mind, because nothing could be so perfect. Nothing could stay right, and last.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Given the chance, her heart could start a tune with its erratic beating. Severine wanted this high to stay forever. And as long as Macsen remained by her side, that feeling would never leave. When she glanced across the couch at Macsen, she smirked.

  “Stop staring.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re distracting me,” Macsen replied with his eyes glued to his laptop.

  For the past hour, the two of them had studied. Severine’s brain was fried. Macsen’s obviously hadn’t shorted out. His fingers flew across his keyboard. Occasionally, he would glance at his notes before bringing his concentration back to the words on the screen. He looked rushed and typed furiously.

  Severine smiled. “You’re going to break your keyboard, Macsen.”

  “I’m trying to finish so we can really spend some time together.”

  Severine sighed in response and settled her legs into his lap. Macsen barely seemed to notice, and leaned forward only a little. She felt his stomach and wiggled her feet. He only smirked and typed away. She watched his hands type faster until he pressed the period button, turned to her, and placed a hand firmly on her knee.

  “Yes?” he said while he smiled.

  “I think we need to go out this weekend.” Severine gave him her most charming smile.

  He watched her thoughtfully and smirked. “Really? We need to?”

  “Lily invited us to go to a new club. I said yes.”

  He scratched the top of his head and frowned slightly. “Wasn’t there a bar they all went to only a few days ago?”

  Severine moved close enough that her legs dangled off his thigh and spoke quickly, “Yeah. But it’s Friday. The weekend!”

  Macsen stared at her with a blank look.

  “We need to do something, or I’m gonna lose my mind! I know it’s not your scene, but, come on!”

  “I’m not what you’d consider the slickest dancer.”

  “So what? No one will notice. You can dance with me. Closely,” Severine emphasized slowly. He stared at her, and she drifted her foot up his thigh. “I’ll be wearing a really short dress,” Severine threw in for good measure.

  Macsen groaned and leaned back. “I don’t know.”

  “It will be fun, Macsen. I promise,” Severine pleaded lightly.

  “I’m sorry, Sev. You should still go.”

  “What? And dance by myself?” Severine jokingly asked as she inched her foot upward.

  He grabbed it from going any further. “You’ll dance with someone and have fun.”

  “And that doesn’t make you jealous?”

  “Yes,” he growled and tackled her to the couch. “That’s why I won’t think about it.”

  His lips moved to her neck and kissed everywhere. She could feel how hard he was becoming and tried a cruel tactic. Her hips moved against his thighs. His groan sounded tortured.

  “You won’t have to think about it if you come with me,” Severine said in a seductive voice; one that usually gave her everything.

  She watched as his eyes glazed over as he stared at her. He broke eye contact and placed his forehead on her neck. “It’s not my thing, Sev.”

  “Macsen, it’s fine, don’t worry.” Severine paused to wrap her arms around his waist. “I’ll go with Lily and Benji. It will be great. I’ll be that annoying third wheel and barge in on all their conversations.”

  His expression was sweet. The stubble he always forgot to shave gave him an edge. But with him right now, Severine saw how gentle he truly was. “Are you going to lose control like you did near Kasser’s?” Severine whispered.

  Macsen pulled back and narrowed his eyes. “Are you questioning or wanting?”

  He’d probably never push the boundaries too far with them. Severine sometimes wanted that other side of him to come out. She wanted him to be confident and sure. She was his; there wasn’t any other way around it. Her hand dragged the zipper of his hoodie down, and Macsen sat up quickly.

  His cheeks turned red, as he took off the piece of clothing. He raised an inquiring eyebrow in Severine’s direction. She nodded her head and grabbed the hem of his dark green t-shirt. “I want, Macsen.”

  Next his shirt came off. Severine’s eyebrows immediately jumped up in approval. He was lean, but more muscle was hidden underneath his shirt. His hands rested on his knees, and Severine noticed his abs flex at the movement. When he shifted closer, Severine wrapped her arms around his neck and grabbed onto the dark strands that were always covered with his trademark baseball cap. He suspended his body above hers. “What do you want me to do with you, Severine?”

  Her full name never came out of his mouth. When it did, it captured her attention immediately. Her body reacted to the deep, soothing sound of his voice. “I’d like anything you could give me.”

  “I don’t know if it’d be enough for you,” Macsen admitted quietly.

  Severine pulled him closer. Her lips grazed against his slowly. He still hovered above her, but his warmth started to push closer and closer to her until their bodies touched fully, completely.

  Soon, his lips and his tongue skimmed across the seam of her lips. Her arms pressed against his back with force. Macsen’s hands drifted down her stomach towards her jeans; his hands were insistent as he undid the button and lowered the zipper.

  Through his pants, she could feel him. Severine shifted her hips, and Macsen’s hands moved across her stomach toward her hips
to hike them around his waist. His belt buckle dug into her skin. Even with the discomfort, Severine didn’t want to pull away. All of this felt too good. She didn’t want to ruin this.

  The door crashed loudly against the wall. The wall rattled, and Severine’s body completely froze up. She didn’t have to look up to know who was home.

  Macsen shifted slightly to discreetly move the waistband of her jeans together. All his action did was rub his dick against her thigh.

  His eyes fluttered shut, and Severine smiled. “Bonjour,” she whispered in his ear.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “Given our situation, and the fact that my pants are close to falling off, there’s nothing left to do but laugh.”

  He went to respond. Chris’s loud voice boomed across the room. “Fuck, dude. You’re going to break the door off the hinges!” Chris exclaimed.

  Thayer was hidden in the kitchen while Chris noisily dropped his things and kicked off his shoes.

  “How are you two love birds?” Chris asked with a cheesy wink. He openly stared at the two of them entwined on the couch.

  “Well, I’m effectively finished for the night,” Macsen mumbled against her neck. He pulled away and discreetly zipped up Severine’s pants. “We were doing great until you guys came barging inside.”

  Chris held his hands in the air. “Hey. Don’t give me that shit. I didn’t slam the door like a maniac!”

  Things slammed around in the kitchen. Severine cringed over the action. She knew what was in store next: Thayer being pissed off at everyone, glaring in Severine’s direction and avoiding any room that had her in it. All she wanted to do was leave. Thayer braced his arms on the kitchen island and practically snarled at Severine. “Don’t you have a fucking home?”

  Severine wanted to choke him. “No, Daddy Warbucks, I don’t. Are you offering? Do you guys want a fourth roommate?”

  Macsen laughed next to her and grabbed her around the waist. “God, I’d love that. You could be my roommate. I’d have no problem sharing my bed with you.”

  Thayer slammed his mouth shut. For a minute, it look liked he was going to say something else. Nothing came out of his mouth. The muscles corded up his arm clenched tightly, and he pulled away from the counter, disappearing toward the refrigerator.

  Severine grabbed Macsen’s hand and squeezed. “I should go.”

  He shook his head no, and Chris laughed and dropped himself into the lazy boy. “Are you sure? Your make-out session was so hot.”

  Severine gave him a dull stare. Chris only laughed harder.

  Macsen cringed and nodded his head. “Yeah. You should go.”

  “Aww. You’re leaving so soon?” Thayer crooned from the kitchen entrance. He stood with his arms crossed. Sweat dampened his shirt around the collar and sides. Severine looked away quickly and mumbled a quick good-bye to Chris. There was no point in saying anything to Thayer. Every day things became more and more tense between them. One of them was going to snap soon, and it’d be an ugly battle of wills.

  “I’ll see ya later.” Macsen said as he hugged Severine tightly and kissed the top of her head.

  “Yep.” She wanted to ask him, hell, plead with him to come with her tonight. She kept her lips pressed together and quickly whispered in his ear, “I’ll stop by later, okay?”

  Macsen nodded his head but looked confused.

  Severine waited until she was halfway to her car to take a deep breath. How long could the tension keep going before it became impossible to take?

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Slow it down! It’s cutting off my circulation,” Severine choked out.

  Lily smacked her hard on the butt. “This is what you get for wanting to be all smexy. Spanx are a bitch, but trust me, you’ll be thanking me later. You don’t want your cooch hanging out for all the world to see.”

  Severine shifted in the mirror and took in her figure as Lily helped her with the sleeves of her dress. It clung to her body and stopped mid-thigh. Around her waist, the material was ruched, making her hips and waist look even tinier.

  The color choice tonight: a dark red. Pretty much Severine’s entire wardrobe consisted of dark colors. It just wasn’t her to flounce around in bright pinks and oranges. The selections she chose were a reflection of her—daring and edgy.

  A few rollers were still scattered in her hair. Severine plucked them out and dropped them onto the floor. With some hairspray—and a few spritzes of perfume, Severine was done.

  Lily made a cat call. “Lookin’ good, babay!”

  “At what point does breathing become easier?” Severine questioned as she searched for a pair of heels. Bending was impossible. Instead, she sprawled down stomach first to search around in her closet.

  “By the time we get to the club, you’ll be used to the discomfort,” Lily stated confidently. “But I must say, you look killer in that dress.”

  “I hope the ER doctor says that as he cuts me out of it, trying to save me as I slowly suffocate.” Severine found the shoes she wanted and held her hands out. “Help me.”

  Lily rolled her eyes and hefted her up. “You’ll be thanking me later.”

  Severine chose not to answer her. With both heels on, Severine checked out Lily.

  “Too much?” Lily asked nervously.

  “Nah.” Severine grinned. “I like it! Printed dress with a skinny belt...completely you,” Severine stated.

  “I know!” Lily squealed out happily. If her parents saw her, they’d probably shit a brick and kidnap her from ever seeing the light of day again.

  In a passing glance, anyone on the outside would judge Lily’s incredibly strict family life. With parents that believed women needed to be covered, and males took care of everything, Severine had been around them to know that those things aside, they loved all four of their kids so much—almost to a suffocating point. They’d never see it, but Lily had more light in her eyes away from them.

  Severine gathered her hair to one side and slipped her arms into her black, ruffled coat. The way it flared out at the ends made it the perfect coat for tonight. “I can’t believe I’m actually ready before you!” Severine called out. “I think we’re trading places.”

  “Noo...” Lily drew out. “I would’ve been ready before you. I had to help you mold your body into your dress!” Severine threw a coat, and Lily snatched it mid-air. “See, I’m ready now.”

  “Then let’s go!”

  “My, you’re in a rush,” Lily stated calmly.

  “I need this night. This week has been rough.”

  Lily gave her a side-glance and nodded her head. “So is Macsen coming?”

  “No. It’s not his thing.”

  They made it to the car, and Lily stopped at the driver’s seat. “And you’re going without him?”

  Severine settled her arms on the car roof. “I’m still my own person, Lily.” Doubt still etched her friend’s face. “I’m not going to change myself for him.”

  “Sure. I understand.” There was so much more to her words. Lily was agreeing to agree, just to make Severine calm.

  Severine gritted her teeth together and slid into the passenger seat. “I wanna stop by and say hey to him.”

  Lily snorted. “He’s going to crap himself when he sees you.”

  “That’s the reaction I was aiming for—to see my boyfriend poop his briefs.”

  “He wears briefs?” Lily gave her a funny look and turned back to the road.

  The harmony between them was back. It caused a smile to spread across Severine’s face. “I don’t know! I was just using that as an example.”

  “I bet he does. He seems like a brief dude.”

  “Well, when we go in there you should ask, since it’s clearly important.”

  “Wait...shouldn’t you know that? You’re the one dating him.”

  Severine adjusted the sleeves of her jacket. She knew what Thayer wore. A flash of the night on his bed came into her mind. She slammed her eyes shut before looking up at Lily.
“We haven’t gotten to that point.”

  “Oh, stop.” Lily put her hand up. “That sounds so middle school.”

  “That I haven’t slept with him?”

  “Uhh...hell yeah!”

  “My bad. I’ll change that tonight. Just to make you happy.”

  “You don’t get it,” Lily groaned dramatically.

  “No, I really don’t.”

  “When I just asked you if you had done anything with him, you shrugged your shoulders, and acted like I told you I was getting a bone marrow transplant.”

  Please stop talking about this. “It’s been a rough week. Okay?”

  “I’m just saying that passion needs to be there,” Lily stated firmly.

  “I know that.” Severine didn’t need to be told. Their moments together should ignite the room. But they weren’t there. Macsen and Severine were so close to reaching that high. “It’s kinda nice not doing anything yet.”

  “You are shitting me!” Lily sputtered out. She pressed her foot against the brake. Severine was close to making best friends with the dashboard.

  “Chill out about it. It’s not a big deal.”

  Lily grinned sheepishly. “Sorry. I just can’t believe it.”

  They were coming up to Macsen’s apartment. Severine was starting to feel antsy. It showed in the way she tapped her foot repeatedly. Her conversation with Lily made her want to reaffirm her relationship. Severine wanted to see him to know she was making all the right choices. Was there an empty space between them?

  Lily parked, and the two of them practically ran to the door. Severine didn’t bother at knocking. Her presence was a common thing around here. The heat blasted Severine as she entered the door.

  Chris peeked his head around the kitchen island. He took in Lily and Severine’s appearance and whistled loudly. “Mac! Hey! Some girl who’s out of your league is here for you!”

  With a sub in hand, he walked out of the kitchen and winked at the two of them before walking down the hall.

  Macsen was walking down the hall before Severine could settle into a stool. She stepped forward and took in his blue jeans and gray hoodie; some t-shirt of a band she didn’t know showed underneath.