Sweet Satisfaction

by Becca Dale

  If they saw her now, they’d know where she spent the night. His running pants hung on her hips and his T-shirt dwarfed her, not to mention how ridiculous the whole thing looked with heels. Anyone could see she hadn’t been home. Two men strolled from the barn, one with distinctive red-gold hair, the other dark. Suddenly, everything became clear…the ass grab, the obnoxiousness, probably even the invitation to a three-way. Connor had set her up. And the cocky bastards sauntering to their truck were as responsible as he was.

  She stood near the end of the sidewalk before it even registered she’d moved. “I want to thank you two for being so much fun last night.”

  They stopped beside her and took in her outfit with nearly identical grins.

  Al winked. “Happy to help. Looks like you enjoyed the rest of the evening.”

  “Oh, I did. In fact, I had so much fun I thought I’d continue it today. Marc and Darcy have a cabin on grounds. They invited me to join them last night. Maybe the three of us could see if they’re still around.”

  Kurt searched the empty parking lot with a scowl. “Where’s my little brother?”

  “Con?” She shrugged and sidled closer to her prey. “You know him, probably off doing some legal crap. Short and boring, that’s our Connor. You two on the other hand are anything but…” Kurt’s eyes grew wide when she walked her fingers up his chest. “Short.” Turning to his cousin, she smiled like he was a hot fudge sundae on a summer’s day. “Or boring.”

  They both practically stumbled away. The darker one even held out a hand to ward her off. “Hey, now. I think you have the wrong idea, Kate.”

  “What happened to calling me, baby girl?” Batting her lashes, she moved in on him again. “I so love feeling innocent and helpless next to a dynamic man like you, Alonso.”

  Kurt stared at her then burst out laughing. “She’s shittin’ us, Al. Aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know. Were you shitting me last night?”

  “Yes.” He smiled. “Sorry about that. Looks like things turned out all right though since you’re wearing my brother’s clothes.”

  “Maybe they belong to someone else.”

  “Nope. I gave Con that Packers’ shirt as a joke. He hates football.”

  “Guess you got me.” Why had she thought it would be a good idea to talk to them? Kurt sounded so much like her lost friend she didn’t know if she should hug him or cry. “I have to go. I’ll see you around.”

  She spun on her heel and hurried toward the safety of her car. She almost made it, but long brown fingers circled her arm and stopped her.

  “Whoa. You don’t look like a woman pleased with her night.” Al studied her face, and she looked down to hide the hurt that had to linger there.

  Defense seemed the best chance of survival. “Let go of me or I’ll make you regret it.”

  “Uh-uh. You look upset.” Kurt took her other arm, and they boosted her to sit on the trunk of her car. “What did you do to Con?”

  “Me? He’s the one who stormed off in the night.”

  “So again. What did you do?”

  Neither man seemed to doubt she had caused the problem. They wouldn’t though. They’d have their family’s back…especially a man like Connor, who’d sell his soul if he thought someone he cared about needed it. The man would never intentionally hurt anyone he loved, would set up elaborate schemes or risk everything to prove that love.

  Her lungs squeezed against the cool morning air, and she fought to inhale. “Oh, God, I fucked up, didn’t I?”

  Al sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, now. It can’t be that bad. My little cousin has the Wallace curse for you. He’ll forgive you anything short of murder.”

  “What?”

  Kurt scooted her closer to the other man and leaned against her car. “He has the family curse. Wallaces fall hard and fast for their one true love. It’s happened repeatedly through the years. The latest being Darcy and then Gavin.”

  “And now Connor?”

  He shook his head. “No, if my brother has it, which all the signs point to, he fell the day he met you.”

  Guilt swamped her. “But that was three years ago.”

  Al simply stared.

  Kurt nodded. “Now you got it. The curse doesn’t let up. Which means, he’ll never stop loving you. If he left last night, he felt it was what you wanted or needed.”

  Con had tried so hard in the beginning to get her to go out with him. But she’d pushed him away, sensing from the start he’d be her downfall. He was always too self-possessed, too controlled except when he smiled. Behind his ready grin, she caught glimpses of a different man, one who wouldn’t mind if she couldn’t give herself over to him completely all the time. One who might appreciate her independent streak. The kidnapping had confirmed his controlling side, but it also proved that he cared about what she needed. He could be her destroyer, but maybe he could be her savior, instead. “He said he didn’t want to see me again.”

  Alonso stood and glared at her.

  “Knock it off, Al.” Kurt took her hand and squeezed her fingers. “Whatever made him leave had to be pretty serious. Do you think you can undo it?”

  “I don’t know. I tried to call him this morning, but his phone must be dead.”

  “No, it isn’t.” Al pulled his cell from his pocket and checked his log. “I talked to him to see if he’d help clean up. He claimed he had things to do.”

  Kurt squeezed her hand again. “I called him earlier, too. He answered on the first ring.”

  “So he doesn’t want to talk to me, then. He said he wouldn’t, but he always answers my calls.”

  Al handed her his phone. “Try again with my number.”

  She reached for it then pulled back. “No, I can’t trick him.”

  A grin spread over Kurt’s handsome face. “Why not? He tricked you last night, and I assume it broke down some barriers. Why not try again? What’s a phone call…if you’re actually interested that is?”

  The night came back in a tantalizing rush. He had pushed her to accept her fantasies but nothing more. Connor would never hurt her, she’d known that from day one, but years of dodging the kind of relationships she’d witnessed growing up ensured she kept her walls in place. Just like Savannah’s new husband had until she’d said yes and married him. Gavin had feared her sweet and innocent friend would manipulate him, but it would never happen.

  Lying back, she stared at the nearly cloudless sky. “How do I convince him I was a fool if he won’t talk to me?”

  Kurt patted her leg, and she turned to look at him. “You could sneak into his house and refuse to leave until he listens.”

  “No. He’ll just walk away.”

  Al nodded. “You could get him drunk and have your way with him.” A scowl darkened his handsome face. “Except Connor never gets drunk. He hates losing control.”

  A plan started in the back of her mind and bloomed quickly. Sitting up, she grinned at the men who would be her accomplices. “That’s perfect. You guys take him out for a drink.”

  “I just said—”

  Waving off Alonso’s protest, she jumped to her feet. “I need you to get him to my place. If you can get him drunk, great. Otherwise, slip him a sleeping pill or whatever it takes to get him out long enough to bring him to me.”

  Kurt shook his head. “Hell no. He’ll never forgive us.”

  “He will if I get it right.”

  Indecision wavered on their strong faces.

  “Please. You’re the ones who said he’ll never get over me. If I can make him listen, then he won’t have to. We all know that once he decides how he’s going to handle something, he won’t change his mind without drastic measures.”

  Al snorted. “Drugging him is beyond drastic.”

  “He won’t talk to me on his own, and like I said, he’ll only walk out if I go to his place.”

  Kurt shifted uncomfortably, and she repressed a grin. “What keeps him from taking off the moment he c
omes around?”

  “Leave that up to me. The less the two of you know, the less likely you’ll be to spill the beans.” She stood to her full height, as meager as it was even in high heels, and stared the two of them down. “You both owe me for last night. Do this, and I promise not to ever bring your poor behavior up in front of your mothers or sisters.”

  They both groaned. And Al looked around, perhaps seeking an out.

  Knowing she’d won, Kate opened the car and dug a small notepad and a pen from her purse, scribbling quickly before they chickened out. “Here’s my cell number and address. Have him there by eight.”

  Taking it by the corner, Kurt held the paper as if it were poisonous. “What if we can’t get him to cooperate?”

  “Failure is not an option, but call if you’re going to be late so I don’t worry.”

  Chapter Eight

  Connor traced the condensation on the side of his beer. Bernie’s Bar pulsed with the obnoxious beat of a local rock band entertaining the Saturday night crowd. How the hell had he let himself be talked into this? When his cousin or brother got a hair up his ass, there was no turning him down. Together, they were worse. Still, he had no desire to sit and watch while Kurt and Alonso flirted with any set of boobs. Every place he looked, someone was planning, hoping, or praying to get lucky. He struggled to rein in the bitterness and disillusionment compressing his chest.

  Al strolled past with a tall blonde on his arm, her shy smile far outshined by his cousin’s grin. “Hey, Con. Come dance. Whiskey and wild women await!”

  Shaking his head in denial, he studied his mug. Maybe if he ignored them, they’d let him leave without much fight. The scrape of chair legs over the bare wood floor clarified he didn’t stand a chance.

  Kurt settled on the stool beside Al’s. “All right. So what’s got your gut in a knot, little brother? You’re usually more fun.”

  “Nothing.”

  Alonso scowled. “Is it that bitch from last night?”

  Anger rose, and Connor took a drink to keep from slugging the other man. “I told you, she’s not a bitch. Don’t call her that again.”

  His cousin sipped his whiskey, his gaze unwavering. “Then what is she? Or better question, where is she?”

  Not here. God, he wished she were. If he’d left well enough alone, Kate would still be part of his life. But that was no longer an option. He could not go back to the way they had been. Not with the feel of her soft skin and the sound of her delicate cries imbedded in his mind. Emptying his beer, he signaled a passing waitress for another. No matter how much he drank or how loud the music or whatever distraction came his way, he would not be able to forget having Katelyn in his bed. Her perfect body stretched out for their mutual pleasure, her sexy submission, her spirit, everything about her satisfied him beyond measure. No other would ever come close.

  Kurt cleared his throat and sat forward. “So tell us about her.”

  “It’s not going to happen so drop it.” Connor couldn’t get Kate out of his thoughts, but he didn’t want to talk about her either. For three years, he’d practically crawled to get her to notice him. One night in his bed had forced her to confess she loved him, but it had also reinforced her walls. He’d been a fool to think he had a chance and a bigger fool to risk losing her. But it was too late to undo the damage. She would never let him past her defenses again, and he didn’t have the heart to force her. Walking away and never looking back was his only option.

  “Do you love her?”

  He wasn’t sure who had asked the question, but the sharp and unexpected pain it triggered nearly floored him. Looking up, he studied Kurt and Al. They seemed too concerned, too serious, like they were up to something. “Did you two drag me out here so you could play amateur psychiatrist? If so, sorry to disappoint.”

  “Thank God!” Alonso’s laugh sounded forced. “I’m not sure I could stand listening to you cry in your beer over some chick so far beneath you. Nice set of tits and a sweet ass, but seriously, man. You need to fuck her and—”

  Connor lunged from his chair, his fist landed square on his cousin’s jaw before he finished the indecent thought. “Shut you’re damn mouth!”

  “Whoa, kid.” Kurt grabbed him from behind, pinning his elbows back. “He was testing you, checking if you’d actually found the one. You know Al didn’t mean it.”

  The cloud of anger lifted as quickly as it had come. He glared at his charismatic cousin, reminding himself the guy had his back even if he came off as a dick. “You’re an asshole.”

  Alonso laughed and slapped him on the back. “Come on, you’re beer’s here. Sit down.”

  Before he could slide onto his stool, his brother caught his arm and turned him toward the dance floor, waving Al away. “Seriously, little brother. What if she changes her mind?”

  “She won’t.” She hadn’t budged in three years. Nothing had changed except him. “I’m done pretending I have a chance.”

  “But if she did want you back, as more than a friend, would you still walk away?”

  “Hell no.” The bar teemed with beautiful women of all shapes and sizes—tall, petite, voluptuous and overly slender—but none of them did a thing for him. Shrugging off his brother’s arm, he returned to his seat across from his cousin. Kurt joined them, but Connor did not miss the conspiratorial glance the other men exchanged.

  He took a long swig of beer, nearly draining the frosted mug. “I’m out after this one.”

  Kurt glanced at his watch. “Slow down a bit, Con. Sit back and enjoy life.”

  Al nodded. “What’s the hurry? Appreciate the scenery if nothing else. That pretty little thing by the stage looks like she could use a partner.”

  “Quit plotting to hook me up. It’s not happening. Not tonight. Or any other for that matter.” The last of the beer went down easy but left a bitter aftertaste, a perfect reminder of the resentment burning in his chest. He didn’t blame the guys for trying to knock him out of his funk, nor Kate for being afraid to take a chance. The responsibility for everything lay firmly in his own lap. He had created the shithole his life had fallen into, and he would find a way to live with it. Even if it killed him.

  ****

  Kate’s stomach hurt as she paced the front hall. She hadn’t eaten all day, but nausea still threatened to empty her belly. Eight o’clock had come and gone. She didn’t know Kurt’s or Al’s number, so she had to rely on their sense of fair play and pray it was enough.

  Lights finally flashed across the picture window, and a familiar truck turned into the drive. Al slid out of the passenger side then pulled Connor into a fireman’s carry over his shoulder. Kurt ran around to slam the door behind him before he sprinted to the porch.

  Kate opened the door. “You’re late.”

  “Yeah, well, my stubborn brother refused to come with us at first.”

  “You could have called. I was worried sick.”

  “Are you going to stand there and bitch or tell Al where to put your guest?”

  The man had a point, so she stepped aside and let them in. “Down the hall to the right. On the bed, please.”

  The two men looked enormous in her small room. Al laid Connor carefully on top of the coverlet and stepped back. “So, we should go.” The start of an impressive bruise darkened the left side of his face, and he fingered it gingerly. “You’re not planning anything crazy, right? Con’s a good guy, and I don’t—”

  “Trust me.” She touched his arm and guided him down the hall. Kurt followed on their heels. “Thanks for bringing him, you two. I’ll take it from here.”

  She practically shoved them out before she thought to ask how long she had. Jerking open the door, she leaned out. “Hey. What did you do to him?”

  Kurt glanced around at the dark street then loped back to the steps. “He had a couple beers and wanted to call it a night. Al slipped him half of an over the counter sleeping pill. Con doesn’t take pain meds or anything else, so it didn’t take much, but I don’t know how long he’
ll stay down. We debated driving him home, so he’s been out a while already.” He looked down at his feet then up again. “He refused to talk about you. Little brother’s going to be hot as hell when he finds out what we did.”

  “I know, but if things go right, he’ll forgive us all. If I screw up, he’ll never know the two of you were involved.”

  Alonso had joined them, and he shook his head. “We’ll take responsibility for our own actions. Just don’t fuck it up, baby girl.”

  She had to smile at the deliberate taunt. “Got it.”

  Chapter Nine

  Had someone cold cocked him?

  Connor’s head swam, leaving him groggy and disoriented. Even his limbs seemed heavy, arms and legs too weighty to lift. He opened his eyes, squinting against the faint throb in his skull. Overhead, through an enormous skylight, the lilac dawn had begun to soften the dark sky. Slowly, he came to his senses in a strange bed. A bold modern print wallpaper dominated one wall, and a petite chaise sat beneath the wide window. An old-fashioned floor lamp illuminated the room, and the faint scent of familiar perfume lingered in the air.

  He turned his head toward the other side. Katelyn lay beside him. Pale blonde hair framed her face, her lips the palest pink, lashes long and golden tipped against her ivory skin. One hand curled beneath her chin as she slept. But her scantily covered body drew his attention downward to skim her curves, breasts almost spilling from the low-cut neckline of a pink satin teddy. Her sex barely covered by the short hemline. Hello, little cat.

  His heart wrenched. It was a dream. She had sent him away, and he’d gone because he couldn’t bear to see her without touching. He’d played the patsy for too long, but no more. He could not be near her ever again, had promised them both he’d walk away and not look back. Had he drank too much and sought her out by instinct?

  Running through what little he could hold onto, he remembered having a couple beers with Kurt and Al. They’d tried to get him to talk about what had him surly as a cornered panther, but he’d refused. He intended to head home early, hadn’t really planned to join them in the first place, but somehow they’d convinced him to stay for one more. That was all he could recall.