Sleep Tight (Best Friend Series Book 3)

by C. M. Steele

  All she messaged back was an, “Okay.” I thought it was strange for two reasons. First, she wouldn’t have spelled okay all out. It would have been the typical K if she was going to brush it off. Second, considering I was horrible about busses, she would have called me. Something was up with her. I wasn’t going to college with her and maybe this was her way of breaking away.

  “Mom, Dad. I’m leaving. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Okay, sweetie. Have fun,” my mom called out from the kitchen.

  “Be safe, sweetheart,” my dad added. They were good parents. My mom was caregiver for small kids and my dad was a carpenter.

  I was just about to get off the Orange line train when my phone rang. “Hey, Ellis,” I answered.

  “I wanted to know if you wanted to get together and catch a movie tomorrow.”

  “I have to work in the evening.”

  “There’s an afternoon show we could go to,” he added.

  “Sounds good. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I replied before hanging up. The doors chimed and I was off to catch a bus. The train station was crowded. It was Friday evening and total rush hour mayhem. Thankfully, I wasn’t claustrophobic or I’d be in a whirlwind of trouble. I spent almost an hour on the bus before it picked up speed out of the city. I watched the street numbers grow all the while thinking of book ideas. My laptop was with me, but I used my unicorn notebook and made notes. By the time I got to the stop, I had made four different possible tales of romance and rescue. When I got off at the location, I looked at my Google Maps to take me the rest of the way. I passed by a store front and caught sight of my reflection. I almost freaked when I saw that I looked like Alice Cooper and not intentionally. Pulling out some makeup removing wipes from my bag, I skimmed under my eyes and around my brow bone. I didn’t care if anyone inside the store could see me scrubbing off the smeared makeup. I didn’t want to go to the sleepover with all the other prissy girls and look like an alley cat. No makeup was better than smudged makeup. At least my hair still looked good.

  Having to walk three blocks from the stop, I was glad the rain had ended a few days ago. We had a week of dreary weather and I didn’t want my new white sneakers to get all filthy. I may have been poor, but I value what I have. I stopped in front of this three-story house thinking I was at the wrong place. This house was gorgeous and meant for a family, not some guy who was all alone. She had said her brother wasn’t married or didn’t have any kids, so why such a big house?

  I walked up to the front door and rang the bell. No one answered at first, but since it was a big house, who knew how long it took to get to the door. When it opened, I almost screamed with joy, but a hint of anger rushed through me. Maybe I was at the wrong house.

  "This is where Erin Masters party is, right?"

  Chapter 3

  An hour after Erin ordered the pizza, the doorbell rang. I rushed out to get the pizzas and eat. I was freaking starving. That earlier lunch with Erin was nothing. My two-thirty frame required more food than a sandwich and chips.

  Heading off to get them while the mob ignored the door, I was completely shocked to see someone else standing there. She was a petite blonde, about only five four, with a shocked expression on her face that suddenly turned to anger and back again. My eyes moved from her head to her toes, taking in the woman at the door. I knew she wasn’t a woman yet. She had to be another one of Erin’s friends because there was no way this angel was here by accident. Fate brought me this little curvy number in her short jean shorts and t-shirt. They hugged her tits nicely. Her waist was small enough that I think I could wrap one arm completely around it. Thoughts of the way she’d feel pressed against me went straight to my cock, sending all the blood to it.

  "This is where Erin Masters party is, right?" she asked, clearly not sure she was at the right place. I thought she was definitely at the right place. Hell, even if she wasn’t here for Erin, I would have told her whatever I wanted to keep her here. Despite hardly having any makeup on her face, she was by far the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. Her hair was in a side swept ponytail with a few strands hanging loose from the hold. I itched to tuck it back for her. I must have taken too long to answer when she said, "Sorry, I must be at the wrong house." She started to step back, her eyes focused on my mouth. Fuck if I didn’t have the urge to kiss her.

  I licked my lips before responding. "No. You’ve got the right place. You are?" I needed to know her. Whoever she was, I wanted her. Her face pinked for some reason. I thought all of Erin's friends had arrived already. A rumble in my gut told me who she was and I hoped to hell she wasn't the Lynne girl.

  "Lynne Davies,” she said with a blush.

  "Lynne? Are there two Lynne’s here?" Please tell me there were two of them because something about her with another man made me feel enraged and jealous. How could I introduce the future Mrs. Kraven to my stepmother, knowing she'd had sex on their bed? I growled at the thought of her crying out Ellis's name as he stole what I had to have. She was meant for me. I felt it on the spot. I tried not to be pissed that I hadn't met her sooner. Hopefully, in time, it would be forgotten.

  "Nope. Should be just me." She shrugged it off.

  I tried to stay calm and not lose my cool, but I did. "I'm Pearce Kraven." Since when did I ever give anyone my real name? In a little less than the six years, I managed to keep my identity a secret. Within a minute of having her in front of me, I slipped up.

  "I know who you are,” she said her voice sounding incredulous. Instead of being thrilled she seemed upset by my name, like being in my presence was a bad thing. I could pretend that I wasn't offended, but deep down I was. It wasn’t the bestselling author in me; it was the man in me demanding she find me as attractive as I found her.

  I wanted to ask her how she knew who I was because Erin told me she never told anyone who I really was. “How…” I was just about to ask when we were interrupted by the pizza delivery guy who had to be none other than Ellis Thompson. I snarled at the intruder.

  I instantly hated the kid that lived down the street from my parents. What the hell was he doing over here? He became my antagonist because he took what I know belonged to me. Lynne was mine, I shouted in my head. It wasn't right, but when is this type of connection so magnetic?

  “What are you doing over here?” I asked tersely.

  “My parents moved at the end of the school year, Mr. Masters. This is your place? Very nice.” He handed me the pizzas. “You just need to sign this.” I took them and the slip and placed the pizzas on top of the hall table.

  I caught the glances that they shared. There was something still between the two of them and I hated the insane feeling of possession in me. It bordered on obsession just from a brief encounter. Suddenly, thoughts of my stalker ran through my head and I backed up and handled the credit card transaction. Signing the slip in a hurry, I practically shoved it in his face. He took it from me without taking his eyes off Lynne, completely ignoring my anger.

  “Hey, Lynne. You look beautiful as always,” Ellis said, making her smile sweetly. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”

  “No, she’s not,” I bit out, forgetting any common sense I had left. She was mine, but neither of them knew it yet. Rectifying my fuck up, I said, “She’s supposed to help my sister clean up. Now thanks for dropping these off.”

  “Okay, well, Lynnie Bee, call me tomorrow, and we’ll meet up.” Lynnie Bee. What fuck kind of name is that? At least he bought it, but from the look on her face, she didn’t care for my interference.

  “Come on in,” I tugged on her hand and closed the door on Thompson, who looked a little surprised. He was lucky that I only wrote about murder. Jealousy burned in me hotter than a fire pit. I had her hand in mine and instantly the rage in me passed when I felt the jolt of pleasure at touching her skin. The feelings were intense and sent my gaze to hers. Our eyes connected and I heard her gasp softly. Something deep passed between us. My body reacted strongly to her. For the first time in my life, r
eal desire coursed through me. I didn’t mean just sexual, but my cock was stiff in agreement that she was the one.

  She pulled from my hand like she’d been burned. That was the second time she shunned me. That was when she looked right past me and I finally heard the footsteps approaching quickly.

  "Lynne, you're here," Erin said, squealing, this time, though, something was missing in it. It was clear something was going on here. There was added tension. She told me no one else was coming. Was she not invited?

  "Yes, but I think I should go." She looked between me and Erin. There was a sad expression on her face and I wanted to wipe it away any way I could. Again, I felt that there was something I was missing. The tension was there, but Erin had her way of making people forget that they are mad. She hugged Lynne really tight and I wanted my turn to hold our new guest and my future. Whatever it was, I knew that she was a gift for me.

  "Lynne, don't be stupid. You have to stay. Come on, help me with the pizzas," Erin said, with that bright smile of hers.

  Lynne moved to grab a few boxes, but I stopped her, touching her hand again selfishly. "Don't. I'll take them into the living room.”

  "Bossiness runs in the family,” she grumbled from her pouty mouth that begged to be kissed.

  “It does, now come on. We’ve got to talk about boys and everything. I got your favorite pizza in there.” Erin led her from the hallway while I carried the pizzas. Talking about boys irked me so badly. “Did you bring your cute pajamas that you got last week?”

  “Yep. I sure did,” she said with a smile. I couldn’t wait to see her in them. Whatever they were, I wanted to be the one taking them off of her.

  “They are so cute. I wished I saw them first.”

  “Thanks, Erin.”

  The room full of girls hushed as soon as we walked in, then squeals about the pizza erupted. I sat the pizzas down on the coffee table for the ravenous females. But instead of eyeing the pizza, the girls were eying me like I was on the menu. The only one who hadn’t given me that attention had been the one I wanted it from. I looked to her and she wouldn’t turn her eyes to me. Not wanting Erin catching me staring at her friend, I turned back to all the company. Before I just wanted my pizza and to run, but now I ached for a taste of Lynne.

  “Damn, the pizza boy’s fine as hell,” one of the blondes said. I fought back the urge to kick them out of my house.

  Another added, “Why don’t you stay here and share this with us?” I looked at Erin, who was blushing, and Lynne, who had her head down. She was bothered by something, but I didn’t know what it was about. I didn’t like that she wasn’t comfortable in my home. If any one of them should feel comfortable, it’s her. I wanted her like a bad drug. Visions of us living here, constantly in bed, ran through my head while the girls around us giggled about me being good looking. I didn’t like where these girls’ comments were going. They were all too young. Hell, Lynne was too young, too, but that wasn’t going to stop me when it came to her. Since they were all going off to college in the fall, they were technically legal.

  “Actually, I will be sharing it with you all, but I’ll be taking my food to my office. Erin, do me a favor. Don’t let anyone interrupt me.” I made it very clear that I was the brother she mentioned and that I wasn’t pleased with them. Most guys my age might enjoy them one by one, but not me. It wasn’t my thing. Aggressive women were an automatic turn off.

  “Okay.” I grabbed the pizza and took it with me into the kitchen. It was marked with my favorite ingredients; sausage, mushroom, onions, and green pepper. Truthfully, I wanted to stay there so I could see her, but there were too many other witnesses for the filthy thoughts running through my head. The backlash of those fantasies was stretching my pants. I grabbed a plate from the cupboard and served myself a couple of slices. I couldn’t stop myself from taking a big bite. That shit was so good. I wondered what kind of pizza Lynne liked. I was about to walk out with my food and my thoughts, when I heard someone enter. Something in the air shifted. It was her.

  “Mr. Kraven,” Lynne whispered, entering the kitchen nervously. She hadn’t gone to change yet, which sent a little disappointment running down my spine. I wanted to see the pajamas my sister mentioned.

  She still was wearing a pair of jean shorts that just went below her ass, and a V-neck tee that was fitted. I swallowed hard, trying to get down the bite in my mouth without looking like a slob. Once I could speak, I said, “Lynne, it’s Pearce. Did you need something?” I sounded gruffer than I meant to, but that was because the instant she stepped into the room my dick was hard again.

  “Yeah, a piece of pizza,” she replied, looking at the box on the counter.

  “Did they max all of the pizza already?”

  “No, this is the one Erin said she ordered for me.”

  “So we like the same pizza. Interesting.” That was another sign we belonged together. I loved pizza and this was my favorite kind.

  “Yes, but I’ll be out of your hair in one moment,” she said, reaching around for a slice. She made it sound like she was a nuisance.

  “What’s the matter?” I asked, setting my plate down and inching closer to her. I grabbed her hand in mine, setting her plate on the counter. Her hand fit so perfectly with mine. Her nails were painted a pretty blue to match her eyes. I dipped my head to get a better look at her. She kept trying to shy away from my gaze, so I tilted her chin and force her to look at me.

  “What do you mean?” She really did look confused by what I meant.

  “You were smiling for the pizza boy, but you look miserable now.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s nothing. Actually, excuse me,” she said softly, pulling her hand from me and leaving the kitchen in a rush. She forgot her pizza. I took it because I wasn’t going to let her starve because she didn’t want to talk to me. Did I make her feel uncomfortable because I was semi famous? What did I do? Did she really care for this other guy? Was it because I bossed her around because I didn’t want her lover to come near her again? Fuck, it even hurt to say it—her lover.

  I walked back into the living room and she and Erin weren’t there anymore. “They went into the other room for a minute. Lynne’s ready to go home.”

  “By the way, we’re sorry, Mr. Masters. We had no idea who you were.”

  “It’s fine, ladies. Excuse me; I need to talk to my sister.”

  I was about to knock on the door when I heard their loud voices.

  “Damn it, Lynne. Stop being such a bitch about it. So I didn’t tell you he was my brother. Big deal.”

  “Big deal. What the fuck is wrong with you? I’m supposedly your best friend and you didn’t bother to share that your brother is Pearce Kraven. I told you that I was a huge fan and you knew that. Then it’s supposed to not bother me that you lied. I bet you were hoping I wouldn’t be able to make it.”

  “Look, I don’t want you hounding my brother. Come on now, he doesn’t need a stalker.”

  “Wow, you are such a bitch,” she screamed at Erin.

  “What? I saw the way you were looking at him. It’s the way all women look at him. Like he’s the perfect specimen. You’re a girl obsessed.”

  “What’s the big issue with that?”

  “Because you’re going to go on and on about him more than you already do. Everything is about Pearce. OMG, Erin did you hear that Pearce has a new book out and it sounds so wonderful. I wonder if he imagines that he’s the detective working the cases? You’re nuts about him and now you’re going to be worse.”

  “I only bring him up because that’s one of the things we have in common. When I saw you reading his book I thought you were a huge fan since you said you had them all. I didn’t know it was because he’s your brother. But it’s nice to know what you think of me. I’m leaving. Your brother is gorgeous as hell but there’s a million gorgeous men out there, I just think he’s an amazing writer, which you’ve now ruined for me. So go fuck yourself. I’m out and we’re not friends anymore. Not that I thought we w
ere, obviously.” The door opened and I was caught listening. Her eyes widened in surprise, but that was quickly erased and replaced with a straight face.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Kraven,” she said, nothing in her demeanor said she was interested, but those words in the bedroom told me I had a shot. She was mad at Erin and not me.

  “Call me Pearce and I’ll let you pass,” I informed her. I wasn’t going to let her pass. There was so much I wanted to do and say to her in private.

  “No, excuse me. I’ve had enough of the two of you.” I couldn’t let her go. I just couldn’t.

  “I’m sorry, Lynne. I’m sorry, it’s just,” Erin sobbed. I knew why she didn’t tell her about me. It was about my stalker and she didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable, but this beauty could stalk me all day. In fact, I might become the stalker instead.

  “It’s what, Erin? I’m crazy? I’m some obsessed fan. Well, I love lots of authors. I have tons of books. I’ve met several of them. I don’t ever mention it because you said he was the only one you liked reading.”

  “Erin, do me a favor and go wash your face. Then go back to your little giggle committee before they start going through my things. I need to talk to Lynne for a minute.” Erin bowed her head and left to go wash her face down the hall. I closed the door behind her and locked it.

  “Don’t worry. I wasn’t going to stalk you,” she snipped at me.

  I chuckled to myself because she had no idea how bad I wanted her to stalk me and let me fuck her until we both couldn’t remember who or where we were. “You think this is funny. Wow, I guess the asshole gene is shared in the family.”

  I moved into her space, crowding her completely. Her body was against the door, with my hands trapping her there. She looked nervous and a little bit scared. I wanted her as unnerved as possible. She destroyed my sanity the moment she smiled up at me. My face was inches from hers, leaving just enough space so we weren’t actually touching. “Erin is a lot of things, but an asshole isn’t one of them. She didn’t tell you because of you. It’s because of me. I like my privacy. You heard everyone out there. They called me Mr. Masters, Erin’s last name. We’re stepsiblings. My father is Peter Kraven, but when he married her mother they kept her original name which worked conveniently for me. If you know anything about me, you know that I’m hidden from the public.”