Lost in the Moment (A Savioe Family Novel)

by Ginny Atkinson

  “Oh!” My face turned a bright crimson before I rushed into the dining room with his laughter following me.

  *****

  After brunch, I went up to my room to avoid him. There was absolutely no way I would be able to play off my embarrassment in front of my brothers. They knew me too well not to have guessed what I was blushing about. I sat on the bed with a fresh coat of nail polish on my toenails when my mother walked in.

  “Marie, Pumpkin, can I talk to you?” She closed the door behind her and crossed over to my bed.

  “Yeah.” I hesitantly moved my feet off the bed and made room for her.

  “Good. Your father and I decided this morning to let Marcus live in the guest room until things settle down at his place. I can’t tell you the details but you know me I can’t let anyone go on living like he has been without trying to help. Anyway, I noticed that he doesn’t have very many clothes when I went to check his hamper and put his clean stuff away. So I want you to take him to the mall and get him some. I mean everything from the in… out. Coat, jacket, shoes, jeans, shirts, something nice for church and underwear.” She sat on the end of my bed with her credit card held out to me.

  “Momma, I don’t think he’ll go for that. He doesn’t seem like the type that would accept this kind of charity.” I took the plastic out of her hand.

  “I thought of that already. That’s why I’m asking you to do it. I mean you were raised with five boys. I’m sure you can figure out some way to get him to go along with it. You have your brothers at your beck and call when you want them there. You should have no problem with it.” She patted my hand before getting up to leave. “Oh and take the van. I had your dad purposely park it behind his car early this morning so he couldn’t leave.”

  As she closed the door, I stared down at her Black Amex card in shock. She never lets this thing out of her sight. I know for a fact that she used it to get Luke his bike and Beau his truck. I swallowed hard and fanned my face. Now I get to go shopping with it. I could barely contain my giddiness. All I had to do was get him to come with me. I walked over to my mirror and stared at my appearance. How was I going to get him to agree to this?

  *****

  I walked down the steps in the same boots from yesterday, my other black skirt and a golden blouse that hung off one shoulder. My hair was straighten to perfection and my makeup was simple just the barest hint of lip-gloss and eyeliner to make my eyes pop. Hopefully, I could pull this off without bursting into a blushing mass of incoherent babbling.

  I headed down the hall to his room and knocked on the door. His voice was muffled before he opened it. He stood there with just his jeans on that hung low on his hips showing off the top of his boxers and the defined muscles of his abdomen. I had to quickly advert my eyes to keep from drooling over his obliques. “Hey get your shirt and shoes on. We need to make an appearance out and about together.”

  He scratched his head, took a step back in the room grabbing his shirt and sat on his bed to put his shoes on. “Where are we heading?”

  “The mall. I need to pick up a few things.” I stepped into the room and looked around it. He needed a stereo and an alarm clock. “So come on lets go.”

  “Do you always go to the mall dressed like that?” He pulled his shirt over his head and motioned to my clothes.

  “Nope. This is just for you. At least that’s what I want people to think.” I shrugged my bare shoulder at him as nonchalantly as I could. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him take a deep breath and turn away.

  “Oh.” His voice sounded strained. I hid my smirk before I turned around.

  “So are you ready?”

  He nodded his head slowly and went to pick up his keys off the dresser.

  “Nope, I’m driving today. Dad blocked you in this morning.” I explained as I sashayed out of the room. I heard a groan from him before he followed. I stopped at the foyer grabbing mom’s keys and yelled out. “Momma, we’re leaving now. If you need us just call.”

  “Okay, honey. Just be careful.” She yelled back from the kitchen.

  I grabbed his arm, pulled him out the door and walked over to the van. I pressed the key fob to unlock the doors and went to the driver door. He shuffled his feet on his way to the van. I had to turn my head to keep from laughing. “You really don’t like not being able to drive do you?”

  He opened the door and took a seat before answering. “It’s fine. Really. I still have a bit of a headache. That’s all.”

  I grimaced and started the car. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not your fault, pet.” He put on his seatbelt and ran his hand through his hair.

  I put the van in reverse. Hmm, what could I do to get him to accept new clothing? I bit my lip and took the left at the end of the driveway. He shifted in his seat after glancing out the window. I sped down the road like I normally do and noticed that every time I came to a stop or if a car pulled out in front of me his foot would press down on the floorboard in front of him. “You know there are no brakes over there.”

  His grip on the door tightened when I turned onto the road leading into town. He mumbled and closed his eyes grimacing when I ran off the shoulder of the road. “That’s a shame. How long have you been driving?”

  “For a year, but I have only had my license since May. Why?” I glanced over to him just as he tightened his seat belt. “Oh, I’m not that bad.”

  “Didn’t say you were, pet.” He glanced over to me and frowned still keeping his death grip on the door. “Why are you not wearing your seatbelt?”

  “Oh shit.” I let go of the wheel and grabbed the seatbelt fumbling to put it on. I used my knee against the wheel to keep the van on the road. After I snapped the belt in place, I placed my hands on the wheel. “I can’t believe I forgot to put it on.”

  “What the hell! Who taught you how to drive… a blind man? You never take your hands off the wheel. You could have just killed us!” He barked at me while running his hands over his face.

  “Puh-lease, I was in control the entire time. Why a few weeks ago, I ended up getting one of the twin’s ice cream on my shirt and had to change it while driving.”

  His face went white as a sheet before he squeezed his eyes shut. “She’s trying to kill me.”

  *****

  Drez

  That’s it. I was never riding with her again when she is behind the wheel. I’d rather cut my balls off and staple them to my forehead. When we finally got to the mall and she shut off the engine, I reached over and snatched the keys away from her. She just looked at me shaking her head.

  “So what do you need to get here?” I asked climbing out of the van. I’d never been so thankful to have my feet on the ground as I was at that moment.

  She shrugged her shoulder drawing my attention to that flimsy top she had on. Her perky breasts bounced slightly at her movement. Was she wearing a bra? It didn’t look like it. My mouth went dry and balls clenched at that mere thought.

  Her voice slid over my raw nerves in an almost seductive manner. “Just some clothes.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling, placed her purse over her shoulder and grabbed my hand threading her fingers in between mine. “Come on.”

  We entered the mall hand in hand and headed toward the store that catered to more of the edgier crowd. I raised my eyebrow slightly then looked down at her. “You’re getting your clothes here?”

  “I might pick something up here. I don’t know.” She bit her lip and leaned into me. Her hand rested on my chest as the other one played with my shirt over my jeans pocket. My heart rate picked up as she breathlessly asked. “How bad do you want to drive home?”

  I rested my forehead against hers. “Do you really have to ask?”

  She brushed her lips against mine briefly, before she took a step back. “Well, if you want these back, you have to try on some things for me.” She held up the cars keys I had earlier shoved into my pocket.

  How the hell did she do that? I glanced down at my pocket then back up at her
in disbelief. “Come on, luv. Give them back.”

  She bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling and winked at me. “If ya wan’ dem ya’re gonna have ta try some clothes on, Shug.” She dropped the keys in her purse, turned and walked into the store.

  I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. Damn, I hated trying on clothes.

  *****

  I glanced down at my watch after we went into yet another store. Two bloody hours and she did not show any signs of stopping. She stood by the clerk and whispered something to her. The clerk looked over to me and giggled nodding her head vigorously. Marie gave me a sly smile before she rushed over to me.

  “This is the last place I swear.” She grabbed my unencumbered hand and pulled me toward the dressing room.

  “You said that in the last store.” I placed the bags on the floor with a heavy sigh.

  She pursed her lips in a pout. “Oh shush it. I swear Remi doesn’t even complain as much as you do. Now go on in there and we’ll hand some things back.”

  I entered the small mirrored room and sat on the bench. She had to have had an ulterior motive behind this. A pair of jeans draped over the back of the door. I groaned and pulled them down holding them up in front of me. Yeah… no. They looked too small. I looked at the tag and noticed it said skinny jean. I draped them back over the door and told her through it. “I will not wear those. Find something else.” I sat back on the bench mumbling. “If I wanted to squeeze the boys I’d put them in a vise. There is no way I’m going to willingly wear something that would be better suited for a girl. I might be British but I’m not gay.”

  “How about these?” She tossed a pair of black regular fit over the door.

  I pulled them down holding them up in front of me. With a groan, I kicked off my boots and stripped out of my worn jeans. After this, I am not trying on anything else. What was the point? You go into a store knowing your size, grab the item you needed and got out. None of this trying on fifty different things just to leave empty-handed or with one thing.

  I heard her squeak on the other side of the door seconds before she rushed inside with the bags in her hands. She closed the door behind her and leaned on it. I stood there in just my T-shirt and boxer-briefs one foot in the new jeans in the midst of putting them on. “What the hell, Marie?”

  She looked up at me as her mouth dropped open and her pupils dilated. She snapped her mouth shut and closed her eyes. “Sorry, Scott and Hunter just walked in and I didn’t want to be out there by myself.”

  I placed the jeans down on the bench. “They’re out there right now?”

  She nodded her head as she bit that bottom lip again. Her chest heaved with her heavy breathing. She was so beautiful just standing there. Before I could stop myself, I took a step toward her and brushed a kiss against her lips. She placed a timid hand against my chest as she sighed. I lifted her head with my hand and trembled with a deep-seated desire when the heat from her amber gaze scorched me.

  I dipped my head down until my lips barely hovered above hers. She lowered her lashes and closed the distance. I growled deep in my throat as the kiss turned hungry, passionate. My hands cupped her head as I devoured her mouth.

  I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to me. She let out a soft moan placing her arms around my neck. She shivered as my lips left her mouth and left a trail of kisses down her throat to the bare skin at her shoulder. I pulled my T-shirt off over my head and heard her gasp.

  Her eyes lit up with a banked fire as she ran a shaky hand down my chest to my stomach then back up again. Her fingertips brushed over a recent scar left by my uncle and his cigarettes. She bent her head and kissed it gingerly. My heart contracted at her tenderness.

  I ran my hands through her loose hair before fisting my hand at the base of her neck and pulled her lips to mine so I could ravage her mouth again. She moaned and ran her hands over my chest. I chuckled. “Shush, luv. You don’t want them to hear you.”

  *****

  Marie

  Gawd, I can’t believe he looks this good. I mean, yeah, I knew he had a rocking bod, but damn this exceeded anything I could ever dream up. His broad shoulders tapered in a V to a washboard stomach that begged to be worshipped. Forget six-pack; he had an eight pack that rippled with every breath he took.

  I ran my hands over the lean muscle of his chest, completely in awe over how good they felt. He tilted his head back in a soft groan when my fingertips flicked over his hardened nipples. With his hand still in my hair, he pressed my back against the mirrored wall. I could feel every inch of him against me.

  He nibbled his way from my mouth, down my jaw, while his hand reached under my shirt. I inhaled a sharp breath as his hand closed around my breast. A shot of electricity coursed through my body causing me to tremble under his touch. I felt him smile against my collarbone as he shifted his stance brushing his erection against my thigh.

  I swallowed hard as I timidly touched him. He growled deep in his throat and nipped at my shoulder as my fingertips grazed his underwear. I can’t believe I’m about to do this. My hand delved past the elastic. His short, crisp hairs teased my fingers as I found what I sought. It was his turn to tremble as my hand wrapped around his hard length. I met his smoky gaze and watched as he closed his eyes in unabashed pleasure. My fingers tightened around him as I started to move my hand up his length then back down tortuously slow. He slammed his hand over my shoulder and rested his head against the cool mirror. He let out a stuttered breath before he started rocking his hips against my grasp.

  His low moan increased my courage. With my other hand, I pushed down his briefs completely freeing him. I glanced down and caught my first sight of him. I bit my lip as I watched my hand move over him. He seemed so thick and he was already leaking and straining against my palm.

  I looked back up at his face as a wicked grin crossed my lips. His mouth lurched open as his breathing increased. I dropped to my knees and just as I was about to wrap my lips around him the sales clerk knocked on the door.

  “I’m sorry but only one person is allowed in the dressing room at a time.”

  I quickly stood up and straightened my clothing before rushing over to the door. I opened it slightly. “Sorry about that. Um… can you tell me if those guys that came in here after we did have left yet?”

  She looked around the store and nodded to me. “Yeah, they left a few minutes ago.”

  “Okay, thanks.” I glanced back at Drez who still stood with his head against the mirror, breathing heavy. I picked up the bags and rushed out of the dressing room. “Let me know if those jeans fit.”

  I closed the door behind me and heard him let out a slight whimper and groan of frustration. I can’t believe I almost did that. I walked over to the register looking over the little trinkets on the counter. What was it about him that makes me get lost in the damn moment? It’s like my brain just completely shuts off the second I breathe him in.

  The dressing room door flung open, he stomped over to me handing me the jeans. “How’d they fit?”

  “How the bloody hell do you think they fit?” He snarled at me running a hand through his hair.

  My cheeks flushed pink before I ducked my head and whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  He sighed heavily before he roughly pulled me against him. “Don’t be, pet.” He left a lingering kiss on the top of my head and picked up the bags. “Ready to leave?”

  “Well did you want these jeans?” I held them up to him. He shook his head no bringing a frown to my face. So far, I have been able to get him everything mom asked me to except jeans and shoes. “Too bad I’m getting them and a few more like them.”

  I walked over to the sales clerk and handed them over to her. He grabbed my elbow and whispered in my ear. “When we get back to the van we need to have a serious talk about this.”

  “The clothes?” I asked pretending to not understand what he meant.

  He looked over at the dressing room then back at me and sighed. “No, not the clothe
s though I’m sure your mum asked you to get them for me. I’m talking about what just happened between us.”

  “Oh that. Pssht! Don’t worry about it. I got a little carried away that’s all. Trust me it will not happen again.” I opened my purse and handed the girl the credit card. I really don’t want to talk about that. I mean did he even realize that I was about to… about to…. I closed my eyes swallowing my sudden urge to freak. I scribbled a signature on the receipt and put the card back in my purse. I grabbed the bag and headed out of the store. “So since you know mom wanted me to do this. The last thing she asked me to get for you was a new pair of shoes. Are you game or do you want me to just tell her we couldn’t find any?”

  He stared at me not saying a word as we walked toward the shoe store. He just dutifully carried the bags not uttering a single thing. Was he mad at me? We walked in the store and went over to the tennis shoes. He quietly headed over to the size and style he liked, tried them on, and after putting his boots back on handed them to me.

  When we were at the counter paying for them, I heard someone shout my name. “Yo, Marie!”

  I turned my head to the person and groaned when I saw Hunter and Scott walking over to us. “Shit.”

  Drez mumbled behind me. “Too bad there’s not a dressing room for you to hide in this time.”

  I turned around to look at him. He raised a very condescending eyebrow at me and grabbed the bag with his shoes walking out the door. What the? I snatched the card off the counter and shoved it in my purse before rushing after him.

  “Marie.” Scott yelled again running after us. His long legs quickly closed the distance between us.

  I groaned, rolled my eyes and turned around to him. “You’re not going to puke on me are you?”

  He laughed throwing his dark head back and slung his arm over my shoulders. “Naw, girl. Just wanted to say hi and see how you are doing?”

  I shrugged his arm off me and took a step closer to Drez. “I’m fine.”

  “Yeah, I can see that.” He chuckled to himself over that lame line. “Seriously though, I wanted to say sorry for ruining your evening last night.” He looked up at Drez. “I felt like I cockblocked you, brother. Though you have to admit it was good timing on my part otherwise Beau would have had your ass.”