by J. M. Walker
Ashton shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You need to stop this shit.” Because it was really starting to piss me off. I spun on him, getting in his face. “Are we having this fucking conversation again?”
“Zach.” Aiden clapped my shoulder, pulling me back.
“I never pegged you for a hothead.” Ashton pushed away from the car and jogged up the sidewalk to the house before slipping inside.
“What the hell is his problem?” I murmured, pinching the bridge of my nose to ward off the impending headache.
“He’s hurting.”
I slowly turned to Aiden. “What?”
He shrugged. “Believe or not but Ashton was in love with Piper and she ripped his heart out.”
“Wasn’t she fucking you too?” Not that I liked talking about my friend’s sex lives, but he was the one who brought it up.
Aiden shrugged. “She has her own shit to deal with but there will be a time where she needs us.” He started walking away before he stopped and looked at me over his shoulder. “I would snatch up Luna while you can. My brother isn’t a patient person and I know with persistence, he could make Luna fall in love with him.” And with that, he headed toward the house and slipped inside it much like his brother did.
I didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on Aiden’s words because the door opened again. Luna stepped out onto the front porch, followed by the rest of the girls.
My breath caught in my throat, my mouth going dry at the sight before me.
Her black wavy hair was pulled back in what looked like a braid. I couldn’t overly tell from where I was standing. But the dress she was wearing almost brought me to my knees.
The floor length material was a deep green with a high collar and when she turned around? I almost whimpered like a baby. The back was completely bare.
I placed my hands in front of my lap, trying to shield the bulge in my pants. But before I knew what I was doing, I was heading her way.
She caught my gaze. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I glanced at her mouth, wanting to kiss her but not wanting to let whatever this was between us, made public yet. “I’ll drive you.”
She nodded, walking past me. The scent of her followed. It smelled like roses and vanilla.
Gigi walked past me, giving me a wink.
While Meadow walked past me and muttered a, “It’s about fucking time.”
I grunted, following Luna to my car like a lost little puppy.
“Who’s coming with me?” Gigi asked, stopping in front of her SUV.
“We will,” Ashton said with Aiden following behind him. He cast me a look. Sympathy? Confusion? I had no idea, but I knew not to get between two brothers. I just hoped I hadn’t lost Ashton as a friend because of all of this.
“Are you coming with me?” Gigi asked Meadow.
Meadow made a face. “Obviously. I don’t want to watch them suck face.”
Luna’s cheeks reddened. “We wouldn’t do that in front of you.”
“Oh.” Meadow pouted. “And why not?”
Gigi shook her head. “We’ll see you at our parents’ place.” She slipped into the vehicle and drove off, leaving Luna and me alone.
“Where’s Piper?” I asked Luna when I realized that we were missing a person.
“She’s meeting us there.” Luna opened the passenger door. “Coming?” she asked, letting her gaze travel down the length of me.
Every inch of me buzzed at the heat in her eyes.
I grinned. “I’m not sure we have time for that, Luna.”
She laughed, sitting in the passenger seat.
I grabbed the door, leaning on the frame and peered down at her. “You look beautiful.”
“Yeah?” Her smile grew. “Thank you. It’s a little dressy but it’s comfy.” She gave her shoulders a small shrug.
“I like it.” I shut the door, blew out a slow breath and made my way to the driver’s side of the car. This was going to be a long night.
Finally joining Luna, I gripped the steering wheel. I needed something to take the edge off, but I knew the only way to do that would be by throwing Luna in the back seat and showing her exactly what it was that I wanted to do to her.
“Everything okay?” she asked, cupping my arm.
I grabbed her hand, kissing the tips of her fingers. “I want you sitting beside me at dinner. I won’t be able to handle it if you’re not close to me.”
Her brows furrowed. “Of course,” she whispered. “But I don’t know what that means.”
Neither did I but I said it and I meant it. “Just please sit by me.”
She nodded. “I will.”
“Good.” I dropped her hand, placed mine on her knee, and drove us to Angel and Jay’s place.
I wasn’t sure where those words had come from or why I felt that way, but I knew that if Luna sat anywhere else, I would lose my shit. How I knew that was beyond me. But I didn’t need to cause a scene, especially when her dad was going to be there.
Add to the fact that trying to keep my hands to myself while her father was nearby was going to be the hardest fucking thing I had ever done.
Zach
THE DRIVE TO ANGEL and Jay’s place was a quiet one. Shortly after we sat in my car, Luna grabbed my hand and placed it on her lap. For the rest of the way, she stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts.
I wanted to ask her what she was thinking about. Or ask what her plans were. Would she ever go back to school? What sort of career was she looking for? Would she consider dating me? My jaw clenched at that last thought. I had to sort through my own shit first.
When we arrived at Angel and Jay’s place, I had to park a couple of houses away because the street was lined with cars.
“Wow. It’s busy tonight,” Luna said, sitting forward.
“Looks like Angel and Jay, aren’t the only people having company over.” I killed the engine. “Ready?” I asked Luna.
She gave me a small smile. “I guess so.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Whatever my dad says or whatever anyone says for that matter, don’t listen to them. Alright?”
“If you’re referring to Ashton, I don’t give a shit what he says but he needs to keep his hands to himself.”
Luna looked away but not before I caught it.
Guilt.
My stomach twisted. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Luna placed her hand on the door and went to open it when I cupped her shoulder.
“Luna,” I said, trying to keep my voice gentle but firm. “Tell me.”
Luna glanced at me over her shoulder. “Will you keep your fists to yourself if I tell you?”
“What?” I shook my head. “Tell me.”
He kissed her. Touched her. He did worse.
“Tell me because the thoughts rushing through my head are not helping me any.”
“He kissed me,” she whispered.
My vision clouded. Instead of answering, I left the car and went around to her side as she slipped out of the vehicle.
“Zach,” she said gently.
“Let’s go,” I bit out. I was going to kill him. I was going to drive my fist through the fucker’s face. I didn’t give a shit that we were supposed to be friends. That ship had sailed long ago when he decided to kiss my girl.
“I’m sorry.”
I spun on Luna, forcing her back a step.
Her eyes widened.
“Did you ask him to kiss you?” I asked, my voice calm and even.
“What? N-No.” She shook her head. “I would never do that.”
“Did you beg for it? Plead? Give him any hints that you wanted his lips on yours.”
“No.” She stared up at me with wide eyes. “Of course not.”
“Was this after you spent the night with me?”
“Zach, I—”
“Tell me,” I snapped, grabbing hold of her upper arm.
“Y-Yes.” Luna placed her hands on m
y chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
I kissed her forehead and then her nose. “You have no reason to be sorry.” I grabbed her hand and led her up the driveway to Angel and Jay’s place.
“Zach.” Luna rushed to keep up with me. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing.” Not yet anyway. I wouldn’t approach Ashton until I could get him alone. He would be expecting me to confront him in front of everyone. But I wouldn’t. I didn’t need to give Stone any more reason why I shouldn’t be with his daughter.
When Luna and I made it to the backyard, she pulled her hand from mine.
I glanced down at her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Hi, Daddy.”
I slowly turned around, finding Stone coming toward us.
His dark eyes flicked to mine. They were cold. Deadly. But when they landed back on his daughter, they shone with love.
“Zach.” My mom came toward me.
I let out a breath. “Hey, Mama.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
She smiled up at me, her dark curly hair piled high on top of her head in a messy bun. “How are you doing?”
“I saw you this morning. I was fine then and I’m fine now.” But I had a large fucker breathing down my neck and it was only going to get worse when he found out I had spent the night before balls deep inside his daughter.
Something flashed behind Mom’s eyes. “Whatever happens, you’re strong. You got this. But if you need me, I’m here.” She raised a hand. “I don’t give a shit how old you are. You’re my baby.”
My heart swelled with even more love for this woman. A woman I had put through hell along with her husband when they adopted me as a boy. But no matter how much of an asshole kid I was, they never gave up on me.
“Everything will be fine.” It wasn’t like I was going to cause a scene in front of our friends and family.
She nodded. “Good.” She searched my face. “Any nightmares?”
“Not since before last night,” I told her. Truth was, I had the best sleep of my life when Luna was beside me.
A slow smile spread on her face. “I wonder why that is.”
I chuckled and kissed her head. “I think you know why.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I do. Your dad is the same way. He always tells me that he sleeps better when I’m beside him.”
“It makes sense.”
Her eyes searched my face. Cupping my cheek, she chewed her bottom lip. “Don’t let the bitch live rent free anymore. Kick her ass out and take your life back, Zach. She doesn’t own you.”
Bile rose to my throat. My parents had been the only ones who knew that I could hear my stepmother in my head.
Mom gave me a soft smile. “Well I should go see what your dad is doing.” She went to walk away just as my father came out of the house with two water bottles in hand.
“Hey.” He nodded toward me. “Jay said she has fake wine if you want to try it,” he told Mom.
She grimaced. “Um…no. And that’s too tempting anyway. Wine is wine. Whether it has alcohol in it or not.”
Dad grunted. “True.” He clapped my shoulder. “Everything good?”
“Oh yeah. Fine and fucking dandy.” Besides the fact I could feel Stone throwing icy daggers into the side of my head. I was perfect.
“Why is Stone glaring at you?” Mom asked, crossing her arms under her chest.
“Why do you think, little one?” Dad grumbled, glancing over his shoulder.
Stone was still talking to Luna. His back stiffened, his dark eyes looking our way. He nodded once, no doubt making nice since I wasn’t alone.
“Want me to kick his ass?” Brogan asked.
“Uh…I’m not sure I should answer that since you taught me to respect my elders and all.” I rubbed the back of my neck. This night was turning into a shit show and it had only just begun.
“Brogan.” Coby grabbed her hand, linking their fingers. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Zach can take care of his own battles. You know that.”
“I know but it doesn’t mean that I can’t protect him.”
“If I need you, I’ll tell you.” I kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”
She chewed her bottom lip before letting out a hard breath. “Fine. I’ll behave.”
“Good girl.” Dad rose to his full height.
“I’m going to go mingle.” Mom stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek before she headed into the house.
Dad’s hard gaze met mine. “Remember where we are, Zach. And also, remember that these people are our family and friends.”
“I know but I—” Laughter sounded, stirring something inside of me. Something dark. Something feral. Something I had never felt before with anyone I had ever been with. And I didn’t know how to deal with these emotions running through me.
“I know, Son.” Dad clapped my shoulder. “I get it,” he said low enough for only me to hear. “I know you would do anything and go through anyone to have her but be careful. She loves her dad. I’d hate to see her have to choose between the two of you.”
Before I had a chance to respond, he pulled away and went back to my mom. He linked their fingers once again and kept her at his side before she went and did something everyone would regret. Although, I had a feeling my mother wouldn’t regret it too much.
I let out a hard sigh and moved to the wall by the patio doors. Leaning against it, I crossed my arms over my chest and watched. It had been what I always did. No matter how old I was, I couldn’t help but pay attention to what was going on around me.
Memories poked their way at my mind, trying to break free but I shook my head, forcing them back.
A laugh brought me back to the present. My gaze landed on Luna standing with her brother, Piper, and the twins.
Ashton looked my way and nodded once.
I nodded back, wondering if he was going to do something stupid. But when he didn’t and only went back to the conversation going on around him, I let out a breath of relief.
“Remember where you are.”
I jumped, the back of my neck heating at being caught staring by my father. “I remember. It’s not like I would do anything here anyway.” I looked around the yard. Stone was nowhere to be found but it didn’t mean that he wasn’t keeping an eye on me. I knew how all of our parents worked. They liked for us to think they were all sweet and innocent, but I knew that back in the day, they were lethal as fuck. Some more than others but lethal just the same.
“When did this all start?” Dad asked me, leaning against the wall beside me.
“She’s always had a crush on me,” I told him.
“I know. When did everything else start?”
“I…A week or so ago.” I shrugged. Give me a board meeting and I could talk circles around it but when it came to Luna, I was a blubbering fool.
“Are you using her?”
“What?” My head whipped around. “No. Never.”
“I love you, Zach. You may not be mine by blood, but you are still mine.” Dad turned his head toward me. “But if you hurt her, I can’t protect you.”
“I don’t plan on hurting her,” I said, the hackles on my neck rising that he would even suggest such a thing. “She’s the first woman I’ve been with in a long time. Whatever rumors you’ve heard, they’re not true.”
“You already told me that. But why didn’t you say something?”
I shrugged. “What’s the point? People are going to believe what they want to anyway. As long as she doesn’t believe them, I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks.”
“Good. Keep it that way but just don’t hurt her. You have a temper.”
“I would never fucking hurt her,” I said a little too loudly.
Several heads turned our way.
I coughed. “I would never hurt her,” I repeated, quieter that time.
“I’m not saying that you would hurt her physically. Fuck, Zach. I know that would never happen.” Dad turned to me,
leaning his shoulder against the wall. “But I know that when you’re pissed, you don’t think. So promise me, if something happens, you come to your mom and I. You don’t act out on that anger. You hear me? You come to us.”
I searched his face, frowning. “What are you getting at?”
“Just come to us.” He cupped my nape, leaning his forehead against mine. “Promise me.”
“Okay.” My heart jumped. “I promise.”
He pulled away, gave me a final look, and joined Angel who was standing around a BBQ. A minute passed and both of them were looking my way.
I sighed, pushed away from the wall and moved to one of the loungers.
Luna was still chatting with her mom and little brother. Although, he wasn’t so little anymore. He was a couple of years younger than Luna, but he still towered over her.
She laughed at something he said, the sound shooting through every fiber of my damn soul.
I sighed, scrubbing a hand down my face. I had to get it together for fear that Stone would kick my ass. Or her brother. I wouldn’t put it past him either. He was probably lethal as hell just like his father.
I noticed for the first time that Luna had lost weight. Why I never noticed the night before was beyond me. Oh yeah. Because all I could think about was sticking my dick in her. My stomach twisted. I was such an asshole.
She still looked good though. With her curves more toned, I could see the hint of muscle in her slender frame. Especially the way her back dipped into a tight ass that I had my hands on last night.
“Stop staring.”
My head snapped up, finding Gigi slumping down on the lounger across from me.
“I’m not staring,” I grumbled, my gaze flicking to Luna.
Gigi laughed. “Right. And I’m not lusting after my friend’s younger brother.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
She shrugged. “I can’t help it.”
“I get that. So I can only assume you’re talking about Vince Junior.” I sat back in the lounger. “Am I right?”
She shrugged again, her cheeks turning pink. “We can’t help what the heart wants, I guess. Have you seen Piper?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.
I scanned the backyard, finding her standing with Meadow and the twins. “She’s over there.”