by BJ Harvey
“Shit. I mean, it sounds creepy, but it’s not as bad as that. It’s just I—”
A snort escapes her mouth as I bring the car to a stop just down the road from Jamie and April’s house, the street already filling up.
I turn toward her and freeze at her beaming grin. When I narrow my eyes, she bursts out laughing. I’m talking about the folded-over, rocking-back-and-forth, losing-it kind of giggling.
“What’s so funny?” I ask, leaning against the steering wheel and eyeing her suspiciously.
She eventually sobers to a snicker, shaking her head and wiping her cheeks before facing toward me. She lifts a brow and smirks at me. “Jaxon Cook, do you think I don’t know that you took photos of me when you thought I wasn’t watching?”
My eyes bug out, my mouth dropping open. I would’ve guessed she knew I’d watched her—I’m sure I’ve admitted as much before—but the photos? Only Bry knows about those… or so I thought. “Did Bry rat me out?”
“No,” she says with a giggle. “But now I wanna know how he knows.”
“It’s a—”
“Twin thing?”
“And he’s caught me and told me I’m a perverted old man, and that people have been arrested for less,” I say, my lips twitching.
She releases her seat belt and leans over, tapping my cheek like an adult does to a child. “It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone, but only if you show them to me later. It’s kinda hot.”
“Really?” I splutter.
“Yeah,” she says with a nod. “Are there any upskirt shots?”
“Fuck no. But if you’re offering now…”
She tilts her head and gives me a “duh” look. “I’ve never been photographed by a professional before. I think showing his photos to me is definitely something my professor should do.”
“Do you know what this professor really wishes he could do to you right now?” I say.
Her eyes drop to my lips before she slowly meets my gaze again. She’s close to panting. “You said not until you knew you’d won the chase,” she whispers roughly.
“And I won’t. But that doesn’t mean I can’t go out of my way to drive you absolutely crazy with want.” I inch closer and place my hand on her bare knee. “And need.” I bring my mouth to the corner of her lips, causing her to whimper. “Until you do have to go upstairs…” I sit back and grin. “Then Mom will really think you’re a sex fiend,” I say with a shit-eating grin.
Her mouth drops open. She releases a small gasp, then narrows her eyes at me. “You wouldn’t.”
I shrug. “Try me. I’ll have a lot of fun teasing you.”
“And I’ll have a lot of fun teasing myself next time we have a sleepover and I’m in the shower… alone.”
If she didn’t already have me riled up, that would’ve done it. Images of her naked and moaning and playing in my shower when I’m a room away and not able to help her out? That would be the most painful torture.
I need to stop this before we drive each other crazy. “Truce?” I ask, holding my hand out for her and accepting defeat. She’s far better at this game.
“I’ll think about it,” she says quickly, before turning away and jumping out of the car.
I growl, making her laugh, but I’m the one smiling as I round the truck and meet her on the sidewalk because all the tension she was carrying has disappeared.
Once I win the chase, I’ll work out her nerves in far more enjoyable ways, but engaging her in an entertaining back and forth works just as well, since my physical remedies aren’t yet on the table.
The moment we step onto the path leading up to the house, I realize Jamie wasn’t kidding when he said they were ready for the party.
Over the stairs is a big hand-painted, totally awesome sign saying “Axel Construction.” On the patio beside the door is a rack of plastic hard hats with names on them.
I ring the doorbell and a few moments later, a grinning April and a fully kitted out Axel are standing in front of us, April holding a clipboard and pen in her hand.
“Hi. I’m Axel, the site foreman for my eighth birthday flipping party.”
Ronnie burrows into my side, giggling as she wraps her arm around my waist.
“Hey! Aunt Ronnie is my girlfriend. Get your hands off her,” Axel says with a frown.
“Ax,” April says, “Jamie and I told you that Uncle Jax and Aunt Ronnie are dating now. Like when Mommy and Jamie started going out to dinner and golf and stuff.”
Axel’s eyes widen in understanding. “Oh. Like sleepovers and stuff? When Jamie was in your bed with his big-boy boxers on?”
April snorts and I burst out laughing. Ronnie lets me go and bends down, putting her hand on a disgruntled Axel’s shoulder. “Don’t tell Jax, but you’re still my favorite.”
The boy’s face transforms in an instant, his eyes bright, his smile beaming. He leans in and kisses Ronnie’s cheek. “Good. Because Mommy says I need to learn to share but I don’t wanna share you.”
“Awwww,” both girls say in unison as I shake my head, grinning down at the little charmer.
Ronnie straightens, and I point my fingers at Axel. “I’m watching you, mister.”
Axel puffs his chest out. “I’m not worried. Mommy says I’m handsome and when I’m older I can marry any person I love, and I love Aunt Ronnie so I’m gonna marry her and Mommy.”
“Yeah, buddy, not sure I can let you marry Mommy because I’m doing that soon. Remember?” Jamie’s deep voice announces as he comes up behind April. His hand reaches out to ruffle Axel’s hair, and his amused eyes meet mine. “But unless Uncle Jax puts a ring on it, Aunt Ronnie is fair game.”
“Yes,” Ax says with a fist pump. The girls giggle, while I fight the urge to flip my big brother the bird.
“Has everyone signed in? You know they can’t come in until they do,” Jamie asks. Ax nods and takes the clipboard from his mom.
“Can you please sign in? Everyone has to sign in and the kids get to wear hard hats,” he says, looking all business with furrowed brows and a serious expression.
“Sounds good to me,” I say, taking the clipboard off his hands and writing our names down.
April and Jamie step aside just as Axel grabs hold of Ronnie’s hand and tugs her into the house.
“I’m watching you, Ax,” I call out as they walk away. Turning to my brother and his soon-to-be wife, I narrow my eyes. “Stop trying to steal my girlfriend for your son,” I joke.
“Oooh, girlfriend,” Cohen says, coming up behind me and slapping me on the back.
I shake my head, my lips twitching as I turn to look at our not-so-baby brother. “What are you, twelve?”
“No, but some parts come close.”
“I meant years.”
“I meant inches.”
I roll my eyes, letting him pass before following him inside.
“Where is Ronnie? I need to check she’s still of sound mind. I mean, she could’ve had Bryant or myself and she chose you,” Cohen asks.
“You’re an asshole, you know that?” I say with a laugh.
“Swear jar,” Cohen, April, and Jamie say in unison.
I roll my eyes. “I’m in credit.”
“Not anymore,” April says. “Swearing at an eight-year-old’s birthday party, pay the price.”
My head jerks back. “Says who?”
“We do,” Jamie replies. “And I’m the boss, don’t you know.” He grins, and I wonder whether I’ve ever seen him this happy. Thirty-six with a successful and growing business, a gorgeous fiancée on his arm, and her now eight-year-old son, both of whom we’ve adopted as one of our own.
Cohen and April move ahead, leaving Jamie and me behind. “Ready for the ‘meet the parents’ experience?” he asks.
“They already know her. It’s not like introducing a stranger.”
His lips quirk up, his eyes amused. “No. But not everyone has their now-boyfriend slash teacher’s mom walk in just after—”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“And that is my cue to go save her.”
“Good talk,” Jamie says, chuckling behind my back as I rush off on a rescue mission. Knowing Mom, she’ll have a sex-toy catalog to give Ronnie for future inspiration.
A few hours of wrangling ten more eight-year-old boys later, the makeshift treehouse Jamie and I built for Axel during the week is covered in multiple colors and covered in wood offcuts, which us Cook boys helped them hammer in.
I make my way toward the women who are sitting around a big table covered in leftover party food. Walking around the back, I come up behind Ronnie, bend down and wrap my arms around her. I press a kiss to her cheek and pull away, straightening and looking down at her upturned face. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she says with a smile.
I look over at my mom, who is grinning at us. “Mom behaving herself?”
“I heard that, Jaxon James Cook.”
“Ooh, she full-named you,” Abi says, rubbing her baby bump. “She means business.”
Ronnie looks over at me. “Your mom is lovely.”
“I am,” Mom says, taking a sip of wine. “Besides, Ronnie and I are kindred spirits.”
My head jerks back. “What?”
Mom shoots Ronnie a wink. “Sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands.”
April snickers and Abi’s brows bunch.
“Mom…” I warn.
Her eyes jerk up to mine. “I bet you know all about that. Don’t you, son?”
Ronnie giggles and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, Abi wades in. “Mom, leave Ronnie alone. I have it on good authority she wasn’t playing downtown DJ.”
April’s wise eyes dart to Ronnie before she bursts out laughing.
“Abi,” I groan. “You’re not helping.”
“I feel like we’re all missing something here,” my brother-in-law, Cade, says, taking a seat beside his wife.
“Never mind,” Mom, Abi, Ronnie, April, and myself all say in unison.
“Women,” he says, shaking his head with a knowing smirk.
Abi gasps. “Men who don’t want to ever get la—”
He quickly covers her mouth to shut her up. “Anyway. April, how’s the wedding plans coming along?”
“This conversation must be bad if Cade is willing to talk about my upcoming nuptials,” Jamie muses, wrapping his arms around April.
“Everything is on track,” April replies, her eyes going across the table to Ronnie. “All that’s left is finalizing our bachelorette weekend in Vegas.”
“Vegas?” Jamie and I say at the same time.
Ronnie shrugs. “It’s her last chance to live it up as a single woman.”
“In Vegas?” Jamie asks again, his disbelief leading me to think this is the first he’s heard of it. That makes two of us.
“So Bry, Cade, Cohen, Jamie, Vegas sounds good,” I call out, getting my brothers’ attention.
“I thought we were—”
Jamie’s face morphs into a huge smile. “Nope. Vegas it is.”
“Hey!” April says, turning around to face him. “That’s not fair.”
“It was our idea first,” Ronnie huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
I lean down so my mouth is by her ear. “Jase told me about this amazing sex club he went to in Vegas with Natalie. He says it has—”
“Oh alright,” she says, trying to sound annoyed but instead it comes out breathy.
Mom claps her hands excitedly. “And we’ll have the kids. Harry and Axel can have a sleepover at Nana Marcy’s house.”
My sister turns to her husband, reaching out to lace her fingers with his. “Vegas babymoon.”
“Saves money on a push present,” he says, unwisely.
“Oh no, buddy. You make babies with big heads. You better be getting me a token of your love and appreciation for my vagina if these girls are anything like their brother.”
The group goes quiet, the only sound Cade’s low chuckle, soon followed by Abi’s shocked gasp.
“So, girls then?” I say with a proud smile. Abi’s eyes go glassy as we all start clapping and cheering. The first Cook granddaughters and nieces are something to celebrate after all.
Ronnie stands and wraps her arms around my waist. Never one to miss an opportunity, I dip my head and brush my lips against her smiling ones.
“Girls?” she asks.
“Yeah. Another princess to spoil.” I smile down at her, loving the flash in her eyes.
Ronnie’s lips curve up. “I’m a queen, thank you very much.”
“Wanna sit on my throne?” I say, waggling my brows. She snorts and shakes her head. I cradle her jaw with one hand and kiss her again, longer and deeper this time. “Vegas then?” I murmur, still lust-drunk.
“Looks like it.”
“When is that going to be?” I ask, wondering whether we’ll have the house finished by then. It’ll be close at least
“We leave two weeks after I hand in my portfolio.”
“Eight weeks then?”
“The professor is a stickler for deadlines,” she says with a smirk.
My smile widens. “He sounds horrible.”
She pulls herself closer. “He’s a tyrant,” she sighs.
“Must be.”
“Lucky he’s hot,” she murmurs against my lips.
“He’s lucky in other ways.”
“He obviously thinks he’ll be getting lucky in Vegas.”
“He knows he’ll be getting some way before then.”
She jerks her head back and quirks a brow. “Does he now?” Her lips twitch.
I slide my hands down to her ass and give a gentle squeeze. “Yep. Because he’s going to win the chase and get the girl by then.”
Her eyes shine with amusement. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely.”
“Does she get a say in this?” Ronnie asks.
Of course, that’s when Bry decides to make his presence known. “This is hot and all. But I believe you both already know there’s a guest room upstairs. With a bed,” he says with a knowing grin.
“Oh my God,” Mom gasps as the penny drops. I groan, burying my face in Ronnie’s shoulder as she starts giggling like a loon along with everyone else within hearing distance.
At least she’s not nervous anymore.
Ronnie
Friday night following Axel’s birthday, I’m at my condo, half-dressed with full hair and makeup, trying to prepare myself for dinner with my parents. A quick glance at the time on my phone tells me I’ve got fifteen minutes before Jax is due to pick me up.
Gilly—Are you prepared to meet your makers?
Ronnie—Are you ready to cover me if I need to save Jax from them and run away?
Gilly—Have I ever NOT had your back?
Ronnie—Never.
Gilly—Exactly. Just get a few wines down you so you relax a bit and think positive thoughts about how they’ll see your hot professor and fall at his feet.
Ronnie—I don’t think I’ve ever seen our father impressed with any man either one of us have brought home.
Gilly—To be fair, YOU have never brought anyone home with the purpose of introducing them to our parents.
Ronnie—By the way, I got an A- on my first photography assignment.
Gilly—Jeez, what did you do? Sleep with the teacher?
Ronnie—Ha ha, very funny. He didn’t mark it. The dean did.
Gilly—Wow. Friends in high places.
Ronnie—Or a boyfriend who doesn’t want anyone to question his ethics or my achievements.
Gilly—I really can’t wait to meet the man now. I want to shake his hand for looking out for my baby sister.
Ronnie—Not such a baby anymore.
Gilly—You’ll always be that to me. Now, go. Drink. Get loose—but not TOO loose—and I’ll see you in an hour or so.
Ronnie—Yes, ma’am.
Ten minutes later and right on time, my doorbell rings. With one last glance in the mirror to make
sure my navy sheer blouse, black pencil skirt, and matching navy heels all look perfect, I make my way down the short hallway.
I open the door and instantly, my mouth waters. I’ve seen Jax in nothing, I’ve seen him in smart-casual when he’s on-campus, and I’ve seen him in variations of wife-beaters or tees and jeans. But I’ve never seen him in a grey open-neck button-down, tailored slacks, and so-shiny-I-can-see-my-face-in-them black dress shoes. His eyes meet mine. They’re so full of hunger, I’m forced to lock my knees to stay standing.
“Fuck,” he says, taking me in head to toe before he advances on me. His hands go to my hips, the door slamming behind him as he walks me backward until my ass hits my dining table.
His head begins to descend. Thankfully, I have enough forethought to lift my fingers to press against his mouth and stop him.
“Wait,” I rush out. His eyes flash. “My lipstick.”
“You’ll need to reapply it,” he says, his voice rasping.
My lips curve on one side. “Oh, really?”
He reaches up and grabs my wrist, dragging it down and around my back. “Yep.” Then he’s roughly pulling me in for a hard, spine-tingling kiss that I feel through every part of my body. His hips rolling against mine tell me he really likes my outfit.
Fifteen minutes after he walked through my front door, my hair and makeup are fixed, and we’re pulling away from the curb outside my building. Forty minutes later, we’re driving down my parents’ street.
“I think Cade’s parents live near here,” Jax says, looking out his window.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m sure of it. His dad was the ex-mayor.”
“Mayor Carsen?” I ask. Then I remember why I know that. “He’s the one who got caught diddling his secretary, right?”
Jax nods, a huge grin on his face. “Only you could make the word ‘diddling’ sound hot.”