But it’s not that easy.
“Where were you running to?” I ask and she stops talking as surprise overtakes her features.
Her brows come together over an adorable wrinkle in her forehead and she scrunches up her face a little. “Don’t you mean what am I running from?” she asks, her voice confused.
I shake my head. “You’ll tell me that when you’re ready. Or you won’t. But I’m not interested in where you came from, but where you’re going.”
To my surprise, her eyes begin to tear up a little. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” She says, and I feel a bit bad for her. The world has been so unkind to this girl.
“Why don’t we have some lunch?” I say as she nods. I scoop up Sentinel and set him on his feet. We head out of the office and toward home, my heart feeling lighter than it did before Sentinel forced us to work together.
He walks next to us, his tongue lolling out as he looks up at his owner with adoration. I feel like it’s the same look I’ve been giving her. Once we’re back in the house, all I can think about is where we’d left off to help Sentinel.
She’d been so sweet, bending to my will, melting under my kiss, bucking into my touch. I see her cheeks flame red and know she’s thinking about it too. We’re quiet as I start prepping lunch.
A knock at the door makes me groan internally. Who the hell would be bothering us right now?
“Want me to answer it?” Victoria asks quietly and I nod.
“Sure. I’m not expecting anyone.” But I have a feeling I know who it is.
But Victoria is feeling silly. “I did. I invited only fifty of my closest friends. Hope you don’t mind.” She heads out of the room toward the front door and I can’t resist shouting at her.
“I know you don’t have friends.”
“Jerk!” She shouts back as she opens the front door. “Oh, hi,” I hear her say in surprise and the voice that greets her is unmistakable.
“Victoria!” Emma says and I turn in time to see the woman I loved hugging the woman I love. It’s an odd feeling, knowing that Em no longer fills that spot in my heart. She’ll always keep a piece of it, perhaps, but she’s no longer the one my sun rises and sets with.
Over Victoria’s shoulder, Emma glare at me. I smile and wave. Until Kieran steps over the threshold. Instantly, I stop and stalk toward him. I don’t want that bastard in my home. He’s not welcome here.
I see Emma silently begging me to stop, but I push past her. And Victoria’s fingers link with mine. She gives a little tug and I look down at her. Her eyes lock on mine and I see her silent request. She wants me to play nice.
I guess I will. This once.
And she seems to know it. Her lips curve into a beautiful smile and she turns to Kieran, who’s watching both of us very closely. I want to tell him he’s here on her grace, so he better keep it in line, but I don’t bother.
“I was getting lunch together. Are you hungry?” I ask my brother. He elevates his chin a bit as if realizing this is the first time I’ve acknowledged him since we fought at Emma’s house and I told him what I really thought of him.
“Yes,” he says, his blue eyes locked on mine. And I see hope there. Hope that we can fix things, that we can be brothers in more than name once more.
I’m not there. But I’ll refrain from poisoning him.
I head back into the kitchen as Victoria and Emma talk about the mare. “Where’s Olivia?” I ask Kieran. I’m curious how my niece is doing. He follows me as the women walk into the living room.
“At a friend’s house,” he tells me, his eyes sparkling.
“So what’s up with you two?” He asks, and I shake my head. Victoria’s off limits for now. I have to tell her how I feel before I tell anyone else. I owe her that.
But, as Kieran stares at me, I know he knows. “Man,” he says, leaning back on the counter, “Once it happens, you’re just along for the ride, trust me. Fight all you want, but you’re screwed.” He flashes me an easy grin and I realize I missed him. We were close growing up. All three of us brothers.
And while I’ll never forgive Kieran, I can admit – to myself – that maybe he only did what he thought was right. As fucked up as it was, he was only working on his flawed perspective. And that’s the downfall of life; we’re all only doing the best we can with the limited information presented to us.
“So how are things with you and Emma?” I ask, finally able to think about it without being angry at him for ripping her away from me.
Kieran smiles. “We’ve got news,” he says softly and I arch an eyebrow at him. “I’m not supposed to tell,” he says, but I see his eyes dancing with excitement. “But brother’s honor,” He says, taking me back to us as children, sharing secrets we were told not to tell. This was how he’d told me the first time he kissed Jenny, how Sandy let him get a hand under her shirt, how he admitted he’d gone all the way with Laura.
Now, he’s just as giddy about whatever adult news he’s got, and I’m remembering a time when we trusted each other. When we’d loved each other.
“Brother’s honor,” I say softly and his grin widens.
“We’re pregnant!”
Chapter 25
Victoria
“I’m supposed to be keeping it a secret,” Emma says, peeking past me into the kitchen where the guys are as she lowers her voice to a tiny whisper. “I’m pregnant!”
Joy fills me and I realize I’m much more deeply emotionally invested in these people than I thought I was. “Congratulations!” I whisper, trying to keep my voice down despite the excitement bubbling up in me.
“I wonder if they’re killing each other yet?” Emma asks, her neck craning so she can look past me.
I smooth my hands over my knees. “I think we’d hear something if they were,” I say, realizing that maybe it was a bad idea to let them go into a room full of knives alone together. “Let’s go see if they need help,” I suggest and she’s quick to agree. I wonder if she’s thinking the same thing I am as we creep toward the kitchen.
As soon as we come into view, Kieran holds his hands up. “We’re good,” he says and Emma walks up to him and gives him a quick kiss.
I see Kyle glance at me and I feel the promise in his eyes that we’ll finish what we stared here in this kitchen later. And I can’t wait.
“How’s Jax? Emma asks and I shrug. As if he heard his name, Jax trots in, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Quick on his heels, Sentinel walks in with a slower, more painful gait.
“Oh, hi Sentinel!” Emma says and he walks up to her to give her a kiss on the chin. He lowers his head a little and offers Kieran a soft growl.
I see Kyle glance over in surprise as I tell Kieran that he’s not generally okay with men. Kieran studies Sentinel, and my god glares him down as if daring him to make a move.
“Sentinel,” I say and he walks over to me. I feel the need to explain, but I don’t want to give much. “There was a guy who often threatened to kill him. I think he started seeing men as a threat because of it.”
I meet Kyle’s gaze and know he’s asking why it’s never been a problem for him. I shrug. I have no idea why Sentinel was okay with him. Maybe Sentinel knew Kyle wasn’t a threat. Maybe he trusted the man who jumped to help him when he needed it most. Whatever the reason, I bet it had something to do with my own trust of Kyle. Maybe not consciously, since Sentinel has been so confined while getting well it hadn’t occurred to me until now that he was still so nervous around guys.
After a moment, Sentinel quieted down and I tell him to go lie down. He walks off, his nails ticking on the floor as he passes a sad Jax. Jax looks up at me, his tail slowly wagging.
“Need to go outside?” I ask him. His tail moves quicker and I head to the back door to let him out. He scampers out and I feel eyes on me.
“What?” I ask the group of people watching me.
Emma flashes me a smile. “It’s good to see Jax so taken with someone other than Kyle,” she says
, looking over her shoulder at Kyle, who looks down at her with a slightly disdainful look.
“You didn’t tell her?” Emma asks, and he gives his head a slight shake. She turns to me. “Didn’t you notice Jax ignored me?”
I think about it a second. He had walked in after hearing his name, but he’d come to stand closer to Kyle and I. It was Sentinel who gave her kisses and attention. But why does that matter? Confused, I shrug at her to let her know I have no idea what she’s getting at.
“Jax only likes Kyle. That’s why he’s not a service dog,” Emma says, her eyes sparkling. “Kyle was trying to train him for a vet, but Jax just wouldn’t take to anyone other than Kyle. So he wound up stuck with him.” She glances up at Kyle with a teasing look on her face. “I guess Jax is the one stuck with you,” she says and Kieran smirks.
“I had no idea,” I say, wondering if Jax ever ignored me.
“Food,” Kyle says, plating up several servings of chicken crusted with cheese, a side of perfectly steamed rosemary carrots and potatoes, and pulls a pan of rolls from the oven. The smell is incredible and I hear the groans of pleasure.
“Why don’t you cook like this?” Emma teases Kieran while digging her elbow into his ribs.
“Thanks,” Kieran says sarcastically to Kyle who dips his chin with an amused, “Anytime.”
I set the table quickly with Emma’s help. The guys bring over plates, the rolls, and butter. “Drinks?” Emma asks everyone, heading to the kitchen to get gasses.
“Water,” I say at the same time as Kyle.
“Weirdos,” Emma says, her eyes sparkling as she opens the fridge and grabs milk. Kieran joins her and nudges his head toward the table. “I can get drinks,” She says to him and I can’t help but smile. It’s good to see big, tall, imposing Kieran taking care of her. And no wonder, knowing she’s pregnant.
I catch Kyle’s glance and see him arch a brow as if he knows my secret. And I realize that Kieran must have told him too.
Good. It’s nice that the brothers are getting along. Maybe things between them can be healed after all. Maybe with enough time, they’ll finally realize that it’s important to stick with the people you love.
Well, when those people aren’t just there to hurt you. I could never forgive my father. And while I know it’s not the same, I could understand Kyle if he was never able to forgive Kieran for the past. I’m sure as hell the last person who should be judging people based on who they cut out of their lives or their reasons.
When we’re all at the table, I feel like I’ve found my family. They’re not perfect, but they’re here.
Chapter 26
Kyle
When we finally close the door behind Emma and Kieran, I’m ready to attack Victoria. She seemed to spend the whole night trying to turn me on. Every little moan of pleasure, every little look, every time she made sure I had a great view at her cleavage or her ass left me desperate to finish what we started.
But now, with the door closed and company gone, she seems timid at best. She glances up at me, her brown eyes wide as she studies my face.
She’s not getting away that easily. I reach out to touch her face and tilt her head up to kiss her. Her lips are soft under mine and I quickly deepen the kiss.
She whimpers and presses her back to the door like it can help keep her on her feet. I wrap an arm around her to keep her upright as her tongue meets mine. There’s something so innocent in her kiss I’m desperate for more. I want to push her, to show her everything, to teach her what I like.
But more than that, I want her to enjoy herself.
Her hands flatten against the door, but I’m done waiting. I break the kiss to scoop her up in my arms. “Kyle,” she whispers, and I look down at her as I carry her to my bedroom.
Her face lights up with joy and wonder as she speaks. “I love you,” she says, her hands finding my shoulders as I cradle her to my chest.
I push my bedroom door open with my foot and place her carefully on my bed. She’s quick to pull me into a kiss and I suck her lower lip between my teeth.
As I release her, she whispers, “Oh god, Kyle.”
She hasn’t seen anything yet. I’m going to make sure this isn’t a night she soon forgets. I take her shirt and tug it up past her flat belly, her cute white bra and over her head. I drop it over the side of the bed and notice she’s looking at me with worry in her face.
“You’re so sexy,” I whisper, needing her to know she’s perfect.
She grins and nibbles on her lower lip. I press a kiss to her collar bone, loving the beautiful curve to it. Her breath leaves on a sigh of pleasure and I release her bra. I tug it away and her hair covers her breasts. But not before I see her tanned nipples.
Fuck, I’m harder than I’ve ever been before, I’m sure of it.
She relaxes back on the bed, her grin mischievous as she tucks her thumbs into her pants ad begins to work them down with small, teasing motions. I’m not in the mood for slow, though, and I grab them and pull them off as she squeals in shock.
She’s wearing the cutest little white lace panties I’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s because they’re the kind of underwear a woman wears when she wants them seen, but I’ve never been so floored by straight white lingerie.
They can stay, I decide as she lifts her head to look at me. Her expression is total dazed lust that just shoves me closer to the edge of oblivion. “Kyle,” she whimpers, her head dropping back onto the bed.
I can’t wait any longer. I bury my face in the sweet warmth of her pussy, loving the contrast of lace and her closely-cropped fuzz. I’ve never liked pubic hair on women before, but this is so soft and pretty I don’t mind it at all. It’s yet another first that only Victoria taught me I was okay with.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, her voice shocked as I tongue her through the lace undies. Her sexy whimper of pure pleasure rewards me and I move the lace aside to taste her. She’s sweet and tart, a beautiful compliment to end the day on.
But I’m not here to play, to draw out her agony. I’m here to make her come.
My tongue seeks her clit out and I settle in on it at a cruel, punishing pace that instantly puts her hips into movement and her hands holding onto the sides of my head. It’s amazing that her whole body seems to move with me. Even when her thighs tighten around my head, she’s not keeping me from licking her, no; it feels like she’s trying to hold me in place, to keep me from leaving.
“Oh, god,” She says, her voice a whine of excitement and desperation.
But I’m beyond listening to her as I taste her, as her body begins to sing for me. Her belly is tight, her thighs flexing on either side of my head, her fingers tangling in my hair. And her hips, bucking into me as if she thinks she’s in charge of this.
Silly woman. You’re mine.
I growl as if uttering the words aloud in a warning to her, and she cries out in a mixture of shock and pleasure. Her hips are jolting now, her whole being seems to come apart, out of sync, she trembles and shivers as if her whole body forgot how to exist.
It’s fucking beautiful.
The rush of wet on my chin leaves me drinking deeply of her. She’s so perfect, so sweet, so warm and delicious.
“Please, please, please,” she’s whimpering. But I’m not making sense of what she’s asking and she’s not clarifying. With a hand on her belly, I try to keep her from pushing me away.
“Stop,” She whispers, and I stop.
When she lifts her head, her eyes are fever bright. I back off her as she sits up, her dazed expression filled with a glossy haze of sheer pleasure.
“I want to taste you,” she says shyly and my cock pulses. It takes every ounce of self-control I have to stay still standing at the foot of the bed as she crawls off the bed and kneels before me. I want to grab her, to shove my cock as deep down her throat as I can until she gags.
But I don’t. I have a feeling this is new for her. And I don’t want it to be bad for her.
I watch her
pink lips turn red under the pressure of her teeth as she studies my hard cock. When she wraps her soft fingers around me, I groan in pleasure. Still, I watch as her lips part and we warm, wet mouth takes me.
I watch as my shaft slides deeper and deeper in my mouth. Shock fills me as she takes me all the way in her throat and begins to swallow as if she’s done this before. Fuck, it’s heaven.
My knees feel weak as she looks up at me with those wide, innocent brown eyes.
Bloody hell, she’s going to fucking destroy me.
Chapter 27
Victoria
I see his expression darken as I take him deeper as I swallow around the tip of him. He feels amazing so deep in my throat.
Right here, with Kyle, it’s just another way to show him I care, that I appreciate what he just did for me. And it’s exciting to be in control like this. He was totally in control of my body while he was licking me.
My face blazes red at the memory.
But now, while he’s in my mouth, I’m in control. He’s not moving, not pushing, not taking control. And I sense it’s a struggle. Kyle is a man who’s used to being in control.
Which is sexy. But the trust he’s putting in me now is even more sexy than his control. I pull back and plant a kiss on the tip of him. His cock is amazing. He’s got a curve upward that fascinates me, and I wonder how he’ll feel inside me.
I scoot back on the bed away from him, but he’s quick to move toward me, a look in his eyes that almost scares me. He’s intense, intent, and I know there’s no backing down now. There’s no backing out of this, but I can’t imagine wanting to anyway.
My knees fall to the sides and he’s between my legs, his cock pulsing as he moves over me. I fall back, looking up at him in a mixture of terror and excitement. He seems to hesitate a moment and sits down.
Steal Me (Longshadows Book 1) Page 67