This Time Around (Maybe)

by Fernando, Chantal

  “Well, this is overrated,” he says, and I burst out laughing. My thoughts exactly. I wonder what Taiya’s doing, how their night is going. That’s where I’d rather be, wherever she is.

  “You’re not going to make me get a lap dance are you?”

  Reid laughs. “No, let’s just have a few drinks and enjoy ourselves before we go home.”

  Sounds like a plan. We’re talking about getting Dash a lap dance when something catches my eye. Not something, but someone.

  My sister.

  My fucking beautiful little baby sister.

  She’s wearing a tight top that shows off everything, and short shorts, standing by the stage, talking to another dancer. She walks past a table, and a guy grabs her arm and pulls her onto his lap.

  I stand. Reid sees where I’m looking and stands up too, his face contorting in anger. Xander curses. Tag and Dash are staring in shock.

  The man tries to kiss her, while she tries to squirm away.

  I see red.

  I stalk forward, ignoring Sephie’s gasp when she sees me. Xander grabs her into his arms, taking her out of the way, and I punch the man right in the nose. Tag and Dash are holding Reid back, but just barely. A bouncer comes to grab me, and then Reid pushes Tag and Dash off him, and hits the bouncer in the jaw. A typical Reid Knox punch, the bouncer’s head snaps to the side before he crumbles to the floor. More bouncers run up, four of them, and Tag and Dash face off with them. Reid grabs the second guy on Tag, while I take on the second on Dash. When they are all down on the floor, the four of us eye each other. I look around for Xander and Sephie, but it seems Xander took her out of the building, for which I’m grateful. Last thing I want is my little sister hurt in the crossfire.

  I hear Reid curse and follow his line of sight, staring at the entrance where two police officers are walking in.

  Fucking great.

  And that’s how we all spent the night in jail.

  Chapter Thirty

  Taiya

  I’m having the best night ever. Summer took us all to this male strip club, that’s more like a show. We’ve been sitting at the table, drinking and catcalling all night. None of these men have anything on Ryan, but it has been a fun night out. I declined the offers for a private lap dance, instead content laughing with the girls. We’re just leaving the strip club, ready for home when Summer gets a call from Xander. I hear her curse before she looks at me and cringes.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask her, instantly worried. Did something happen to Ryan?

  “What is it?” Jade asks, stepping closer to Summer. Isis takes my arm, as if bracing for bad news.

  “The guys got in a fight. They have to stay in jail overnight,” she says, her eyes watering up.

  “What the fuck,” I growl, not expecting anything like this to happen.

  Summer sighs. “Xander said they are fine, not to worry; they will explain everything. Then he tried to make light of it by reminding me about the first time we officially met.”

  “What happened?”

  Summer cracks a smile. “I had to pick him up from jail. He spent the night in there for fighting. Xander’s the only one not in jail this time because he had to look after Sephie.”

  “I thought Seph was at work?” I’m so confused right now.

  “I’m sure there’s an explanation. Let’s just get home,” Isis says, rubbing her arms for the cool breeze.

  “Isis is right,” Summer says. “Let’s all go home. Do you guys want to stay at my place? Then we can go get the guys together in the morning.”

  “Sounds good,” I tell her, grateful that I didn’t have to spend the night alone worrying about Ryan. We call a taxi and wait for them to pick us up. We then head to Summer’s. I try to go to sleep but all I can do is think about Ryan. What the hell happened tonight?

  *****

  Ryan’s been home for an hour, and I’m still trying to process what he’s just told me.

  “So you went to a strip club, and Sephie works there? As a stripper?” My voice pitches higher with each word.

  “Yeah,” he says, his voice cracking a little. I look at the bruise on his cheek, the only evidence of him being involved in a fight. Sephie, a stripper? I really didn’t see this one coming, that’s for damn sure.

  “Where is she now?” I ask him.

  He swallows hard. “I haven’t spoken to her yet.” Poor Sephie, who knows what’s going on in that head of hers right now. I cover my face with my hands, sliding them down and resting them on either side of my neck.

  “Go talk to her, Ryan,” I encourage him softly.

  He sighs. “I know. I will. I just… come here,” he says, opening his arms. I lean into him, closing my eyes, so happy he’s back.

  “I missed you last night,” I whisper.

  “I heard you had a sleep over. I’m guessing yours was better than ours,” he says, startling a laugh out of me. “How was your night?”

  “It was good, until my husband got arrested,” I say as I trail my lips up his neck.

  “I’m sorry, Tay. I just saw her there and lost my temper.”

  “I know.” I reach my hand up and touch his bruise with my fingers. “Does it hurt?”

  He grins. “No.”

  As if he would admit it if it did. “Are you too injured to make love to your wife?”

  “Never, beautiful. Plus, I just got out of jail…”

  I start cracking up laughing. “That one night in jail made you really horny, huh?”

  “Well, I was hard all night picturing you in that school girl outfit, and what I was going to do to you, so yes.”

  “I can put it on again for you,” I say, nibbling his ear lobe.

  “Now?” he says, sounding extremely eager.

  I decide to use this to my advantage. “No, not now. After you talk to Sephie.”

  He growls, “Are you bribing me, wife?”

  “Yes, is it working?” I ask, batting my eyelashes. He stares at me with an intensity that makes me want to rip all my clothes off and beg for him to take me.

  “I love you. You know that, right?” he says, his gaze holding mine.

  My entire face softens as I look at him. “I know.”

  “You still love me, even if I’m an ex-con?” he jokes, hiding his smile in my hair.

  “I’ll always love you, no matter what,” I say. “Even if you’ve done time.”

  He laughs. “You’re amazing.”

  “I try,” I say, my eyes still on his bruise.

  He exhales. “I better go sort things out with my sister.”

  I inch away from him as he stands. “Be dressed in that uniform and waiting for me when I get home.”

  “And if I’m not?” I reply, lifting my chin up.

  “Then you find out what happens to naughty girls,” he says, his eyes sparking with mischief. He kisses my forehead. “Do you want me to bring you anything on my way home?”

  I look down towards his lap.

  Ryan laughs, “What am I going to do with you?”

  “I have a few ideas.”

  “So do I,” he says, kissing me before he walks out of the apartment.

  Is it suddenly hot in here or what?

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Ryan

  I don’t think I’ll ever understand women. I watch as Seph paces the small confines of her apartment. Throwing an evil glance at Reid and me every now and again.

  “Why are you mad at us again? We just found out that you’re a stripper and you’ve been lying to us about working in a café. I’m pretty sure it’s us that should be pretty pissed off right now.”

  Reid grunts his agreement. Seph stops her pacing to glare at me. If looks could kill… let’s just say, I’d be dead on the floor right now.

  “You overbearing jerk! I’m not a stripper! I’m just a waitress there,” she says, her chest heaving in anger.

  I exhale in relief. Not an ideal job, but a million times better than a stripper. “It’s not safe to work there. That
man was putting his paws all over you,” I say, trying to contain my anger.

  “You’re not working there anymore,” Reid states, his tone deadly serious. Sephie gapes and I cringe. Way to go caveman.

  “Well, you guys got me fired anyway,” she says, flopping down opposite us on the couch. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but what was I meant to say? I’ve worked there for about two years now and I knew you wouldn’t like it, or you would judge me for it, so I just kept it to myself.”

  “We just want you safe,” Reid says, his tone now gentle.

  “I get that,” Sephie says, “but I really need the money. And no you two aren’t helping me out financially.”

  “You would rather work in that sleazy bar instead of letting us help you?” I gape, my fists clenching. Stubborn infuriating woman.

  She interrupts my mental rant. “If it’s so sleazy, why were you even there,” she says, back to scowling.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Work at our bar. We will pay you what you’re getting now, or we’ll double it. Whatever. How about that?”

  She closes her eyes, thinking it over. “Fine.”

  I could jump for joy, but instead, I nod at her and try to school my expression. “What was with Xander?” I ask her, curious as hell about what’s going on with them. Xander didn’t want to go into that strip club, and I have a feeling he knew she worked there. No wonder the two of them have been all weird with each other. As if Xander would want his woman working in a place like that.

  Sephie visibly flinches. “He somehow found out I worked here, told me to quit. I told him to leave me alone; he doesn’t control my life. We weren’t even dating… I mean… we were just starting to hang out together. I thought he would have told you. I was waiting for you to come and yell at me, but you didn’t.”

  “Because Xander never told us anything,” Reid says, looking over at me.

  “He was just doing as I asked. Don’t be mad at him,” Sephie quickly says, standing up for Xander. Interesting. I want to be angry at him, but I can’t. He wouldn’t have betrayed her trust, and he’s not the kind of guy to snitch.

  “We aren’t mad at Xander,” I say, my eyes moving to the paintings on her walls.

  “If it makes you feel better, he has a man follow me to and from the club to make sure I get home safe,” she says, a smile playing on her lips.

  “He does?” Reid asks, clearly shocked.

  “Yes. I know we won’t ever be together, but we do care about each other.” She lays her head on one of her pillows. “I’m sorry you all got into a fight over it.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Reid says. “As long as you’re not working there anymore, I’m happy.”

  I stand. “I need to get home to my wife.” I kiss Sephie on the head. “I love you, my stubborn girl,” I whisper in her ear. “You coming with me, Reid, or you staying here for a while?” I ask him. We both rode our bikes here.

  “I’ll stay for a bit,” he says. I wave bye and walk out, walking to get home to my woman.

  We have unfinished business.

  *****

  When Reid calls me the next day with the news, I don’t even know what to think or how to feel. This man wasn’t a good person. In fact, prison was where he belonged, but now that he’s dead, I don’t feel any satisfaction. I guess dead or alive, there will always be a part of me that he’s destroyed.

  “How did he die?” Sephie asks boldly, a blank look on her face.

  “Someone stabbed him,” I mutter, looking down at my hands.

  “Am I a bad person because I don’t feel anything?” Sephie asks, looking out the window.

  Taiya puts her arm around her. “You don’t remember him, so no, it doesn’t make you a bad person.” Plus he was an asshole. Taiya is just too nice to bring that up right now. I wonder if Dad knew something was going to go down, that’s why he told us about Sephie. I don’t know if I’m trying to find good where there is none, but it’s the only reason I can think of. Either way, all is well in the world. Sephie is safe with us and my father is… well, gone. To hell I assume.

  Taiya watches me carefully, as if waiting for me to react. However, I don’t think I have anything in me, other than a pang in my stomach, and a whole bunch of ‘what ifs.’ If only he could have been the father we needed, but he wasn’t. And this is the end of that chapter. Reid and Summer come over, and we all hang out, order in Chinese and watch bad movies. We’re just around each other, no words needed. We aren’t exactly mourning, more like getting closure from a bad situation that has been a part of our lives since the day we were born. Since the day our mother was killed. I look around at the faces around me, and feel thankful. I look into Taiya’s eyes and know this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

  I’m one lucky son of a bitch.

  Epilogue

  Ryan

  Having Xander and Seph in the same room is awkward as hell, well, at least for me. They keep eye fucking each other when the other isn’t looking, and sneaking in longing glances whenever they can. I try my best to ignore them, instead concentrating on the celebration around me. Today is the official opening day for Taiya’s dance studio. We decided to have a gathering here so everyone could check the place out. I started the party by getting into the middle of the dance floor and showing off my moves, which made Taiya burst out laughing. Don’t think I’ll be going professional any time soon, unless grinding my hips can get me qualified. It’s just like sex, so I know I’m good at that. I hired a new guy to work at the bar, for events like this where everyone needs to be here. With Sephie working there now as well, I don’t need to go in much, so I’m looking at other business opportunities to keep me busy. I’ve never been one to be idle. I need to be productive.

  I see Taiya walk over to me, wearing a yellow sundress. She looks edible.

  “Everyone loves it,” she beams, pushing away an errant curl.

  “It looks great. You did an amazing job. I’m proud of you,” I tell her, pulling her close to my side.

  “Me? This was all you,” she says, going on her tiptoes to give me a kiss on the cheek. I want to ravish her right here and now, but that kiss is going to have to do until we get home.

  “This is your dream, beautiful. Now you get to live it.”

  When I see her eyes starting to pool with tears, I flinch. “Don’t cry.”

  “They are happy tears,” she says, blinking furiously a few times. “And you’re my dream, Ryan. This is just a bonus.”

  “You’re so fucking sweet, Tay. Sweetest girl in the world. Happy tears or not, I still don’t like seeing you cry,” I tell her, playing with the thin strap of her dress. I kiss her on top of her head, and pull her to stand in front of me. I stare at the mirrored walls surrounding the entire wall, and instantly get ideas. All kinds of ideas.

  “Ryan, why do you have your sex face on?” Taiya suddenly asks, interrupting my dirty thoughts and making me laugh.

  “Sex face?” I have to hear this explanation.

  “Yeah, you know, your bedroom face. Like this…” she says, giving me a smouldering look.

  My laughter can’t be contained. I can see the others staring at me like I’m crazy, so I just wave at them. Reid stalks over and gives me a weird look.

  “Are you on something?” he asks me with a serious face.

  I lean against the wall to steady me. “No. I’m just… happy.”

  Summer walks over and stands next to me. I wrap my arm around her. “Time for the after party?”

  Summer looks at Taiya, “Can I take dance classes here?” she blurts out, looking excited.

  “Of course you can,” Taiya says. I see Reid eyeing the mirrors and start laughing again; his face takes on an intrigued look.

  “I’m going to have to lock this place up, aren’t I,” Taiya mutters, shaking her head at us. Tag, Dash, Xander, Isis, Seph and Jade walk over, all smiles. They congratulate Taiya once more, and then we head to my apartment for the after party.

  Life couldn’t
get more perfect.

  *****

  One week later

  “You look so fucking beautiful,” I whisper, staring down at Taiya. She’s lying in the middle of the bed of our hotel room, dressed in her white gown, looking like a temptress slash virginal sacrifice. We just renewed our vows, and the day couldn’t have been any more perfect.

  “Are you going to stare at me all night?” she asks, sounding breathless.

  “Amongst other things, yes.”

  Her pouty lips tug up into a smile. “I’m waiting,” she says, lifting her arms above her head and thrusts her breast out. My mouth waters, wanting those sweet nipples in my mouth. I take my shirt off and throw it on the floor, followed by my pants and boxer shorts.

  “I love you,” I tell her, kissing her with everything I have.

  “Show me,” she replies, a challenge in her eyes.

  I rip off her dress and do just that.

  The End

  Please turn the page for more information about upcoming releases by Chantal Fernando and a preview of Destroyed by Pepper Winters.

  Toxic Girl

  Coming April 2014

  Everyone has secrets.

  Finally, I had a fresh start.

  I knew no one.

  I could be anyone, or so I thought.

  I wanted to be invisible, to blend into the background.

  But it turned out keeping my secret wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.

  Enter Grayson Mills.

  When Grayson noticed me, so did everyone else.

  He wanted me. Bad.

  And what Grayson wanted, he usually got.

  Time Will Tell

  (Maybe, Book Three)

  Coming 2014

  Be spontaneous, they say.

  That's how I ended up on the back of a stranger's bike.

  A sexy, tall, tattooed stranger, but a stranger nonetheless.

  How was I to know that a chance meeting with this man, Xander Kane, was going to change my life?

  Destroyed by Pepper Winters