Bad Alibi: a Redemption novel

by Prince, Jessica

  “You don’t have anything to worry about. Besides, I’m sure your brother’s more than capable of handling himself.” I looked across the mattress and noticed a flush had spread along Poppy’s cheekbones, staining them an attractive pink.

  At the dreamy look on my friend’s face, a devilish smirk stretched across mine. “That’s right. You met him and Bennett when they checked in last night.”

  She looked anywhere but at me while she worked meticulously to get the pillows in perfect order on the bed. “Uh, yeah. I mean, just for a moment.”

  “And? What did you think?”

  “What did I think about what?” she asked, still refusing to make eye contact as she beat on one of the decorative pillows.

  “About Jase.”

  Her throat bobbed on a swallow, and that pink on her cheeks grew darker. “He seems . . . nice.”

  Oh, this was just too good. “He is nice,” I said on a giggle. “Very nice. And single.” That finally got her attention, and when she looked up at me, her blue eyes were wide, and I couldn’t help but needle her a bit more. “You know, now that I think about it, you two would look super cute together.”

  “It’s not . . . that isn’t . . . I don’t . . .” she sputtered nervously.

  “Oh my god!” I cried, snatching the toss pillow from her hands before she busted the stuffing out of it. “You totally have the hots for my brother!”

  “Do not!” She objected far too quickly, making it obvious she was lying. “I mean, yeah, sure, he’s attractive. But it isn’t . . .” She let out a snort and made a face. “That’s ridiculous.”

  I rolled my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing. “I bet he thinks you’re really cute too.”

  She was taken off guard, making it impossible to hide the hopefulness in her voice. “You think?”

  “Absolutely! You’re gorgeous and sweet and funny, and Jase has always had good taste. He’d see all of that right away.”

  Poppy shook her head like she was trying to dispel the thought of her and my brother together from her mind. “Whatever. I don’t even care. I’m not . . . that is, he lives in Connecticut, so it’s not like anything . . .” She jerked the pillow back from me and laid it in place with all the others against the headboard while blowing out a loud raspberry. “Can we just stop talking about this? I do not have a crush on your brother. And stop looking at me like that!”

  I tried and failed to temper my smile as I mumbled. “Okay. Whatever you say.”

  I let the subject drop, and worked alongside Poppy in silence, intentionally going as slow as possible in the hopes of keeping her in my room until my brother showed back up. We were nearly done when, fortunately, the door opened and Jase came sauntering through with Bennett right behind him.

  “Hey,” I greeted. “How did it go?”

  “Good as could be expected,” Bennett replied, dropping onto the small sofa that was pushed beneath the front window. Crash took full advantage and hopped up beside him for some pets.

  Jase moved over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Maryweather’s on his way back to Connecticut as we speak, so I’d say it was a successful trip.” I noticed his gaze shift across the room just before a pleased expression slid across his face. “Hey. Poppy, right?”

  Poppy cast her eyes down bashfully and tucked a lock of that beautiful red hair behind her ear. “Um, y-yeah, hi.”

  “So what have you two been up to while we were gone?” he asked, looking at the freshly made bed.

  I spoke quickly, seizing the opportunity he’d just presented. “Poppy has this long list of things she has to get done this morning, and I offered to help, but I’m afraid I’ve only slowed her down. I feel terrible. She’s been so incredible to me since I’ve been here, but I’m just worthless with this kind of stuff.”

  Sure, I may have been laying it on a little thick, but I knew my brother better than anyone. Just as I suspected he would, Jase took the bait. I hadn’t been lying when I said he had good taste. He was an incredibly smart man, and I knew that if I dangled this particular carrot in front of him, he wouldn’t hesitate to snatch it up.

  “Well, I’d be happy to help if you need,” he offered, keeping his attention glued to a blushing, wide-eyed Poppy.

  “Oh, no. That’s sweet, but I couldn’t ask you—”

  “Sure you can!” I exclaimed. “After all, two sets of hands are better than one, right?”

  She cut me a look that promised revenge as Jase spoke. “It’s no problem at all. In fact, I insist.”

  “But I thought we were going to lunch?” Bennett chimed in, a confused frown on his face.

  I shot him a glare that silently communicated he needed to shut the hell up before he ruined this. “You and I are still going.”

  Poppy’s gaze shot around the room. “Oh, I wouldn’t want keep you from lunch—”

  “I had a big breakfast,” Jase answered, moving around the bed in her direction. “Besides, it would be good for those two to have some one on one time.” He extended his arm, giving her no choice but to slip hers through the crook of his elbow and semi-ordered, “Lead the way.”

  It took everything I had not to burst into laughter at Poppy’s deer-in-the-headlights expression as Jase led her from my room, but as soon as the door closed behind them, I let out a delighted squeal, and did a little happy dance.

  Bennett’s voice broke through my revelry. “Girl, you’re about as subtle as a bull in a china shop.”

  “It worked, didn’t it?” I said on a shrug before reaching down to grab his hand.

  “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

  Pulling him from the couch, I took his arm in the same manner Poppy just had Jase’s. “Yes we will,” I replied as I started for the door. “And I’ve got a really good feeling about it.”

  * * *

  Cannon

  “Oh no. This just won’t do. There are spots all over this knife.”

  I turned from the door to see my mom scrubbing furiously at the butter knife with her cloth napkin.

  “For fuck’s sake, Bev,” my dad grumbled. “Will you just relax already? There are no spots. The silverware’s just fine.”

  We’d been at our table at the Cattleman for about five minutes, waiting on Farah to arrive with Bennett and Jase, and Mom had spent the entire time working herself up into a lather.

  “We should’ve gone somewhere nicer. Maybe one of those five-star restaurants in Nashville.”

  “Nothin’ wrong with the Cattleman,” Dad stated as he lifted his beer to his lips and took a long, much-needed pull. “You’d be hard pressed to find a better steak anywhere in three states.”

  My mother fidgeted with the silverware for the third time, making sure it was all evenly spaced and perfectly lined up. “I just want to make a good impression. I’m sure they’re used to something’ a bit classier.”

  “They aren’t like that, Ma,” I informed her, hoping it would put her mind at ease. “They’re laid back. Hell, Bennett grew up here, so he knows what to expect. You’re workin’ yourself up over nothin’.”

  “I’m not workin’ myself up,” she shot back before giving me and Dad each an unhappy frown. “But would it have killed you to maybe put in a little effort? Is a nice button-down shirt too much to ask for?”

  I didn’t bother replying to that. I didn’t do button-downs, and neither did my old man, she was well aware of that. We were who we were, and that wasn’t going to change for anyone.

  Looking toward the ceiling, Dad let out a curse to the heavens and muttered, “Jesus, this is gonna be a long night,” under his breath.

  Farah walked through the front door with his family in tow a second later, and just the sight of her in a short, tight black dress and high heels was enough to snuff out any annoyance I felt at my parents’ bickering.

  Christ, she was something else.

  She scanned the restaurant, and the instant her eyes locked on mine, she smiled big and bright, the happiness on her fac
e making my chest tighten. They hit our table, and I stood just as she reached my side. “Hi,” she said in that soft, melodic voice that made my dick stir. “Sorry we’re late. It’s my fault. I might have gone a little overboard while I was getting ready.”

  Her hair was styled in fat curls and her eyes were done up in a dark, smoky look I’d never seen on her before. She was beautiful without even trying, but just then, she took my breath away.

  “Not a problem, baby,” I murmured, pulling her into me and pressing my lips to hers. “Worth every minute. You look gorgeous.”

  Her eyes glinted as she grinned up at me. “Thanks, honey.”

  After one more kiss, she pulled from my embrace and moved around the table to give my folks a hug in greeting. Once the introductions were made, everyone sat, and Farah leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Just a heads up, I noticed some sparks flying between Jase and Poppy earlier.”

  I lifted a brow on a grin. “Is that right?”

  “Yep. So I’m all over making that happen if you’re interested in teaming up.”

  I lowered my voice to match her whisper and leaned closer. “Think I’ll let you take the lead on that one, but I feel like I should point out the fact that your brother lives in a totally different state, Hummingbird.”

  “I know!” she whisper-yelled, her eyes big and animated. “Which is all the more reason we need to make this happen soon. Then he’ll move down here for sure.”

  I gave my head a lighthearted shake as Jase spoke up. “This place is great. I can’t wait to try one of these steaks I’ve been hearing about.”

  “You’ll be hard pressed to find better anywhere else,” my mom said, all of a sudden in support of the restaurant she’d just been criticizing.

  Dad let out a snort, earning a side-eyed scowl from her.

  “Well I’m glad to hear that, Bev. I’m starving.”

  This time, it was Bennett who snorted as he opened his menu and began scanning. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so hungry if you hadn’t skipped lunch to spend the afternoon hitting on that cute little redhead from the inn.”

  “Oh you mean Poppy Weston?” my mom asked, visibly perking up. “Oh my goodness, she’s just the sweetest girl in the whole world! And such a looker, too.”

  At that, Farah smacked me under the table and did an excited little hop in her chair as her brother rolled his eyes from across the table.

  It surprised me to think it, especially considering how she’d been acting before Farah showed up, but I was suddenly happy my mom was there. She could partner up with Farah to play matchmaker, and I’d be home free.

  Thank Christ for small favors.

  * * *

  Farah

  Dinner had gone over just like I knew it would. Bennett and Banks had hit it off almost instantly, and when Jase wasn’t making everyone at the table laugh, he was either charming Bev until the poor woman was a blushing mess, or talking with Cannon about motorcycles and classic cars—something I had no idea my brother had an interest in until tonight.

  My family and Cannon’s fit together perfectly, and as I sat at the table, looking around at the people I cared about, I felt a contentment settle into my bones. This was my life now. All this goodness right here in front of me was what I had to look forward to from here on out.

  Bennett leaned over to me, pulling me from my musings by whispering, “What’s got you so quiet over here, sweet Farah? You doing okay?”

  I knew when I looked at him he saw the truth in my eyes, because his own grew glassy as he pulled in a deep breath. “I’m doing fantastic, Ben. I was just thinking about how much I love this. My family and Cannon’s. This whole night has been so great.”

  I felt his hand grab mine beneath the table as his features softened. “You got no clue how much I love hearing that, girl. Took you a long time, but you finally found your happy. Warms this old man’s heart.”

  My vision grew misty, and I had to inhale and count to three to keep the tears at bay. “I love you, Ben. I hope you know that.”

  His fingers tightened around mine. “Know it to my bones, my sweet Farah. And I feel the exact same way.”

  We’d just broken from our little huddle when I heard a feminine voice ask, “Benny? Benny Montgomery? Is that really you?”

  I glanced over Bennett’s shoulder at the same time he turned to look at the woman standing on the other side of his chair. If I had to guess, she was in her early seventies like Bennett, and she wore it well. Her subtle makeup was applied perfectly, accentuating her beauty instead of trying to hide her age. Her hair was an attractive pale silver, and the sweater set and cream slacks she was wearing gave her a polished, yet comfortable look. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt about it, but it was easy to see that back in her prime, she’d been a hardcore knockout.

  I could hear the astonishment in Bennett’s voice as he stood tall and placed his hands on the woman’s arms. “My God. Myra?”

  The woman beamed up at him. “It is you. Oh my goodness. I can’t believe it.” She moved quickly, breaking his hold on her so she could lift up on the toes of her kitten heels and wrap her arms around his neck in the tightest hug. “This is so wonderful. It’s been so long. I can’t believe you’re here.”

  Bennett returned her embrace just as fiercely, and when I saw the woman’s eyes fall closed on a deep breath, I knew that this chance encounter was more than just two old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Much more. She looked almost wistful, and I felt my heart jump in my chest.

  “My God, Myra. It’s so damn good to see you,” Bennett said, his voice much gruffer than usual as he pulled back and took her face in his hands. “Look at you, sweetheart. Just as beautiful today as you were forty years ago.”

  “And you’re still just as handsome.”

  At that, my head spun around and I glanced across the table at Jase with wide, curious eyes. He shrugged and returned my look, letting me know he was just as surprised by what was unfolding as I was. We’d never heard Bennett speak of a Myra before, but it was obvious that this woman had meant something to him back in the day, and there was still something lingering between them, even after all these years.

  When I turned my attention to Cannon, I found he was already looking at me with a smirk on his face as he shook his head. “I see those wheels spinnin’, baby, and I’ll tell you right now, I’m not gettin’ involved in this matchmakin’ scheme either.”

  I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and grumbled, “Whatever,” before catching Bev’s attention. She appeared to be just as excited as I was about what was happening, and when her gaze landed on mine, she gave me a conspiratorial grin.

  And just like that, I knew I didn’t need Cannon to help me play matchmaker with either member of my family . . . because Bev was totally up for the challenge.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Farah

  My fingers tightened in Cannon’s hair, pulling hard as his mouth continued to work between my legs. “Oh God. I’m so close.” I’d never felt anything like this before. Only one of my exes had ever gone down on me, and to say he didn’t have any idea what he was doing would have been too polite a statement.

  But Cannon was a freaking expert. He was devouring me like he hadn’t just eaten the most delicious three course meal earlier, and I felt like I was going to split in two.

  “Give it to me, Hummingbird,” he spoke against my sensitive lips, causing my whole body to tremble. “Wanna feel you come all over my tongue.”

  I did just that, coming unraveled and crying out as he licked and sucked me through an earth-shaking climax. I barely had a chance to come up for air when I felt him shift. The sound of a drawer being opened broke through my foggy mind, followed soon after by the crinkle of a condom wrapper. Seconds later, Cannon returned, driving into me in one brutal thrust.

  “God, baby, yes!” I moaned, my neck and back arching off the bed as he fucked me hard and fast.

  “Eyes, Farah.” His order came out on a grunt as he t
hrust in a steady rhythm, filling me so magnificently. “Eyes on me when I’m inside you.”

  It was a struggle, but I managed to peel my eyelids back, and when I saw that stunning gold swirling around in his gaze, I went off again. Gripping Cannon with every part of me, I cried out so loud my voice grew hoarse.

  My walls gripped his cock tight as he buried his face in my hair and picked up his pace. “Fuck me,” he growled against my neck. “So goddamn good, baby. Always so fuckin’ good.” Seconds later, he drove deep and stayed there as he groaned out his release. Each twitch of his cock sent little electric shocks through me.

  He collapsed on top of me, giving me his weight as we worked to steady our breathing.

  A handful of minutes ticked past before he finally pushed up on his forearms and looked down at me. “So fuckin’ beautiful,” he murmured, dragging a finger across my hairline.

  “So handsome,” I returned quietly, reaching up to scratch at his scruffy jaw. “I love this. It feels great when you kiss me, but a million times better when your face is between my thighs.”

  He let out a moan and dropped his forehead to mine. “Just came so hard I nearly blacked out, and already, she’s turnin’ me on again.”

  I let out a little giggle and gave his big body a squeeze with my arms and legs. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “Not a bad thing, baby,” he returned with a grin. “Not at all. But I just spent three hours at dinner with both our families. A dinner in which you and my mom conspired to set up all the single men in town.”

  “Not all the men,” I argued. “Just Jase and Bennett. And can you blame me? You saw Ben with that Myra woman. There’s a story there, and you know it.”

  His silent laughter shook me from head to toe. “Not gonna argue with that. But did you ever stop to think that it’s their story, and maybe you shouldn’t go stickin’ your nose in it?”

  I looked to the side on a shrug, refusing to give in completely. “I’m not gonna stick my nose in anything. Unless I think Bennett’s taking too long. Then I’m calling your mom in for reinforcements.”