Tristan watched her go, grinning knowingly. He cocked his head to one side, wondering which one of his brothers was responsible for his adopted sister’s weird reaction.
Ah! She was blushing. A pretty blush, he thought. And her eyes, the deep-brown color, were exceptionally bright this evening. Not to mention the lips. They were full and very red as though they were ready to be kissed.
Tristan opened the library’s door then and came to witness a most interesting scene. Conrad, who was standing, was shouting aggressively at Sebastian, who was lying down on the floor.
“I told you to get off her!” he muttered, his face red.
Sebastian wasn’t listening to his brother, though. He was dealing with his own wee problem. He had to dampen his hot, burning desire within him that had just been awakened by his adopted sister, who, he had no doubt, hadn’t a clue what she’d done.
“Shut up!” Sebastian said. “My head is aching.” No! he thought. That was a complete lie. His head wasn’t aching. His body was.
Nicolas was chuckling away enthusiastically, and when his eyes met Tristan’s, he gave his brother a wink.
Oh, God! Tristan thought. It was Sebastian who was responsible. That bastard!
Tristan stalked in and demanded, “Did you harass Sakura?”
Sebastian took one look at his brother and moaned under his breath, “Not you, too.”
Sakura, who was heading back up the stairs, gritted her teeth in annoyance. God! She just couldn’t get away from them, could she? But how could she when there were seven of them and they were all living under the same roof.
Once she was sure she’d calmed down, she let Toby go. The dog landed on his feet on the stairs. He cocked his head to one side as he stared up at her, wondering what was bothering his master.
Sakura sighed. “Why are you playing with them, Toby?” she asked. “I told you before, they’re not our friends. I’ll let it go this time but not again, you hear?”
Toby stuck out his tongue and jumped about in his spot excitedly.
“You’re a bit weird since they’ve arrived, you know. What’s wrong with you?”
But then again, she too was being a bit weird. Well, at least her body was doing weird stuff anyway. Her heart seemed to race a lot lately. It was the brothers’ fault, of course, since it had started happening that first day they’d met on the road.
“Good,” Conrad said from the distance. “Tristan will teach him a lesson. I told him to get off her, but he wouldn’t.”
Sakura froze in her spot. Good God! She didn’t want to see them again so soon. She was still too embarrassed from the incident in the library and hadn’t mentally prepared herself yet.
She heard Nicolas chuckling. “I’m more worried that Sebastian will bash Tristan’s face in.”
“Oh, yeah. Me, too,” Conrad muttered. “But he wouldn’t. They’re brothers after all.”
“Yes,” Nicolas replied.
Still on the stairs, Sakura knew she had to get away. They were just around the corner now and were getting closer. Thus she had no choice but to run up the remaining steps and then turn the corner. She was in such a rush that she didn’t watch where she was going and literally ran into someone—smashing her slight body against a firm, masculine one.
She gasped and felt herself falling backward. Suddenly a pair of strong, powerful arms wrapped themselves around the small of her waist to prevent her from falling. She hastily responded by wrapping her arms around the person’s neck. This was followed by their bodies twisting around together as if they were dancing, and then she felt herself falling backward again in another direction… and then thud.
The pain was most unbearable this time, as the heavy body was on top of her. She tried to breathe, but it was difficult, as she felt as though she were being squeezed like a pancake. She had to admit, however, that even though the huge body on top of her was hard and heavy, the feeling wasn’t at all unpleasant and was rather warm.
She opened her eyes to see mauve-gray eyes watching her. She caught her breath at the back of her throat as Darcy whispered, “You walked into me.”
She blushed and said, “You’re squishing me.”
Darcy didn’t move, just stayed on top of her and gazed down at her. His heart was beating so fast that his chest was aching—aching with familiar angst and familiar delight because she was in his arms. She smelled beautiful too, of lavender, and it caused his senses to float with wonder.
She was warm and soft under him, begging him to do more than just lie still on top of her. He wanted to kiss her, like he’d always wanted to kiss her and take her into his arms when they were children, even after he’d started to believe the lies Alaina and Tara told him about her. Even after that awful incident at the tree house when he thought Sakura had wanted to kill Alaina and he hated her so much and treated her so badly, he had still wanted her. He hated himself for that. Hated himself for falling in love with the girl who’d wanted to kill his twin sister.
“Why aren’t you getting up?” she asked. “I’m going to be a pancake soon if you don’t move.”
He couldn’t help himself and smiled at her. Yes, it was both painful and pleasurable to be with her. The feelings that had tormented him a long time ago were now returning with a vengeance.
Darcy’s smile was so beautiful that Sakura’s heart skipped three times and then began to race hard. She blinked and licked her lips, wondering why he was smiling at her. She knew he still had a grudge against her since that awful incident years ago at the tree house. That was why he’d never talked to her again and had treated her so coldly. She’d never blamed him for that, of course, knowing very well that he was just being very protective of his sister.
“Your arms,” he said logically, not at all displeased that her soft arms were wrapping around him like a lover’s.
Sakura widened her eyes in shock when she realized she was hugging him tight. She hastily removed her arms and looked away, her cheeks even redder now.
Darcy didn’t want to move. In fact, he liked being in that position on top of her. He could feel her soft body beneath his, and it was making his being respond with desire. Her face, fresh and beautiful, was only inches from his, and he knew he could kiss her if wanted to. But he knew he couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Because it was wrong. Very wrong.
Slowly—reluctantly—he moved back.
Sakura breathed in relief, and before she could bring herself to stand up properly, she felt Darcy’s arm around the small of her waist, pulling her to him. Their bodies were so close to each other that they might fuse as they stood up together.
Standing there with Sakura in his arms, Darcy was hurting himself. He knew he was leading himself down a dangerous path that he shouldn’t take, but it was just too damn tempting. He wanted to kiss her. No! He not only wanted to kiss her, but he wanted her to forgive him for doubting her innocence. He wanted her to forgive him of his horrible treatment toward her when they’d been children. He wanted her and her forgiveness so bad that it hurt inside.
“Darcy, what are you doing?” Conrad asked from the distance.
Sakura hastily moved away from Darcy, blushing profusely.
Darcy gritted his teeth and shut his eyes for a moment to regain control of his emotions. Yes, he needed to appear cool and in control in front of his brothers. He didn’t want to show his brothers just how fragile he was emotionally, especially where this young woman was concerned. After all, he’d never shown his brothers anything other than the cool, collected, and arrogant Darcy who didn’t give a shit what everyone else thought of him.
Once he’d gained control of himself, he turned calmly to Conrad and Nicolas, who were watching him, waiting for his answers.
“She fell,” he said. Then before they could ask him any more questions, which he knew they wouldn’t anyway, he reluctantly removed his arm from Sakura’s waist and then walked away toward the stairs.
Sakura watched Darcy go. She was relieved that he didn’t growl at her for ru
nning into him. She was also relieved that, for the first time, he had smiled at her. Perhaps, just perhaps, he’d forgiven her.
“You fell again?” Conrad asked Sakura. “You should be careful.”
“I’m a bit clumsy today,” she said. “I think we should go to dinner.” With that, she walked past them toward the stairs as well, Toby trotting after her happily.
“Wait for me.” Conrad chuckled, rushing after her.
Nicolas cocked his head to one side as he watched them go. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his eyes narrowed. “Darcy,” he said. “You’re letting down your guard, brother.”
ELEVEN:
Remembrance of the Past
James was pleased that Sakura had decided to join them for dinner this evening. He gazed at her across the dining table, noting she wasn’t nervous or uncomfortable with the brothers surrounding her as she had been this morning. Mary, who kept up a constant chatter, was sitting on her right. To her left was Conrad. The moment he’d seen Sakura sitting down, his youngest son had snaffled that particular chair before anyone had a chance to steal it from him.
Tara and Alaina, who were sitting on the far end of the table, were both glaring at Sakura as though they couldn’t stand to be in the same room as her. Sakura, on the other hand, paid them no heed. She continued to enjoy her meal and now and again gave some chicken to Toby who was sitting on the floor behind her.
“The wedding is going to be beautiful, Mary,” Brenda said. “The cherry blossoms by the pond will be in full bloom.”
“That’s why I waited until spring to get married. Sakura kept telling me how beautiful cherry blossoms are in spring,” Mary replied enthusiastically.
“There’s nothing special about some stupid cherry trees,” Tara put in, stamping her knife and fork down loudly on the table.
James frowned and said, “I disagree. I love cherry trees. They’re beautiful in full bloom, like lovely pink clouds in the air, and they smell divine.”
Sakura laughed, which turned the brothers’ heads. Tara was aware of this, and her temper flared.
“Do you really?” she asked. “I seem to remember differently.”
“Me too,” Brenda said. “I think there was some muttering and grunting about the whole thing for weeks.”
“I think there were some cheery trees being pulled out in the middle of the night too,” Sakura said. “I found some missing the next morning.”
James managed to blush at the reminder.
“Who planted the trees?” Nicolas couldn’t help asking.
“It was Sakura’s idea,” Brenda blurted out. “She bought two hundred cherry trees with her own money and planted them herself.”
“With Ned’s help,” Sakura put in. “He was such good help. It took us months. But it turned out nice.” She bent down and gave another piece of chicken to Toby.
“If I were here, I would’ve helped you,” Conrad said. “It sounded fun.”
“This is awful,” Alaina snapped. “Why are we talking about some stupid trees? And this meal is disgusting. I can’t take it anymore.” She clanged down her knife and fork too.
James frowned at his daughters’ rude behavior and then looked over to Beth. He noted the disappointed look on the housekeeper’s plump face and tightened his fingers around his cutlery. He said, his tone hard and frost cold, “Alaina, that was very impolite. Have you been away from home for so long that you forgot how to show some appreciation? I expect better from you.”
“I think this meal is delicious,” Sakura said loudly so everyone could hear her. She turned her eyes to the housekeeper, who was standing not too far away. “Thank you so much for preparing this wonderful chicken for us, Beth.”
Beth nodded at her in appreciation. That’s my Sakura, she thought, always there to help when anyone needs help.
“What do you think, Conrad?” Sakura asked her adopted brother.
Conrad was quite pleased that Sakura involved him in her solo conversation and gladly said, “Yeah. This chicken is awesome. Thanks, Beth.”
“It’s soft and tender,” Darcy added. “It’s perfect.”
Beth blushed and grinned widely. “Thanks, Master Darcy. But you know I’m better with baking. Now there’s my department. Perhaps I will bake some chocolate cake tomorrow. How does that sound?”
“Marvelous,” Tristan said. “I love chocolate cake. And your chocolate cake is the sweetest on the island, Beth.”
The housekeeper chuckled at his remark.
Alaina was fuming. She’d had enough of this stupid conversation. Why the hell did they have to praise the housekeeper when it was her job to cook them proper food anyway? She stood and then stalked out of the room, her temper hot. Tara stood up as well, gave out an outrageous puff as though to tell everyone they should be ashamed of themselves, and then left the room.
James and Brenda looked at each other.
Up on the second floor of the mansion, Alaina slammed the door shut and dumped herself on Tara’s large, soft bed.
“You were right,” she said. “I can’t believe that bitch.”
Tara turned to look at the pretty girl she’d been manipulating since they’d been children. “What?” she asked.
“That—that silly Sally girl,” Alaina snapped. “I can’t believe she’s back, and now Mom and Dad love her more than ever.”
“I think the brothers are beginning to as well,” Tara said, frowning. Please, she thought darkly, not Sebastian and Darcy. Not them. Don’t let them fall for her. Please don’t.
“What? No way!” Alaina said. “Not my brothers.”
“Conrad,” Tara put in. “He’s smitten with her. Or didn’t you see the look on his face?”
Alaina had noticed the look on Conrad’s face. He’d looked like a boy in love. But he was only twenty years old and so technically not yet a fully matured man. Sakura, on the other hand, was twenty-three. Aside from the age difference, they were also siblings—even though adopted and not at all blood related, but still.
“I want to go and stay at the hotel,” Alaina suggested eagerly. “We don’t have to be in the same house as her.”
Tara frowned. “No!” she snapped. Of course, there was no way she’d leave this house when all the brothers, especially Sebastian and Darcy, were under the same roof as Sakura. She had to be there to prevent certain things—she wasn’t sure what—from happening. Then her heart did a somersault as a sudden thought struck her. What if Sebastian fell in love with Sakura? Or Darcy, for that matter? What would she do then?
She’d have to kill Sakura, of course. She wouldn’t let the girl she despised most take the men she loved away from her.
“So what? We’re going to stay here and endure her presence?” Alaina asked angrily. “You know how much I hate her. I can’t stand her. If you’re not going, then I am.”
Tara noted the rage in Alaina’s hard voice. Shit! She really must calm the young woman down again if she wanted things to go her way. After all, she didn’t want Alaina to leave her here by herself. That just meant she wouldn’t have any support to fall on. Furthermore, Alaina was very close to both James and Brenda and hence a very good card in her hands if she needed help in her little game.
Tara moved over to the other girl and put her arm around her. “Do you really want Sakura to take everything away from you? First it was James and Brenda. Now it’s Conrad, your youngest brother. Then who would be next? Darcy?” She’d said the name ever so softly so Alaina understood what she meant.
Tara knew Alaina was very protective of her brothers, especially Darcy since they were twins, and of course this worked out to her advantage.
“No, of course not,” Alaina whispered.
“Good,” Tara said. “Then we’re staying here. Let’s work together to protect our handsome brothers, why don’t we?”
Alaina chuckled. “Yes, let’s.”
TWELVE:
Mono No Aware
The moon was bright and high above the dark gray
sky. It was quiet and peaceful, and Sebastian stood there gazing out of his bedroom window, deep in thought. In the distance across the garden, he could see the slight figure of a woman. It was Sakura, and she was walking along the dragon bridge that stretched across the pond. Her gait was slow, as if she were strolling through a park, enjoying and appreciating the scenery. Then once she got to the middle of the bridge, she stopped and turned her eyes to gaze up at the moon. A moment later, she leaned both her elbows on the railing of the bridge and gazed down at the pond instead. He could sense her smiling even though he couldn’t see her face from this far, and he imagined just how beautiful she’d be. His heart glowed with delight at the thought.
He noted it was quite breezy outside, with petals of cherry blossoms floating around her, and Sebastian felt his blood warm. She looked so at peace, and he felt his heart radiate with love toward her. Then before he changed his mind, he turned on his heel and headed out the door. In an instant, he was outside and rushing down the pathway that’d lead him to the pond—to her.
He stopped at the base of the bridge, his heart thumping hard—not from the rushing, but from the sight of her before him.
Sakura was enjoying herself watching the many carp swimming in the pond. Then she felt as though someone was watching her, and by instinct she turned.
She gasped in surprise. “Sebastian!” she whispered under her breath. She didn’t expect him to be out here of all places and at this time of night too. This was after all her sanctuary, a place where she’d come to think and be alone. A place where it reminded her of her birth, of the woman who had given her life, and of the name she’d been given.
“Hi,” he said, strolling across the bridge toward her.
“Hi,” she replied uncertainly, cocking her head to one side. “What—what are you doing here?”
He stopped only inches from her—his tall, masculine body overpowering her small frame. Sakura took a step back, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest.
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