Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology)

by Ali Parker

  "Okay, one thing at a time. Did it feel good to pop the skanky bitch in the face?"

  Bethany snorted and glanced at Matt, his smile bright and full of nefarious intent.

  "Yes, but that's beside the point. I'm not a college kid who can act like the world won't punish me for fucking up. I needed this job and disappointing your dad..." Matt cut her off.

  "Our dad. He's going to be your dad soon too. He's not going to be upset if the girl deserved it, Beth. He's very fair. He will just clean it up and warn you to make sure you think before you act."

  "I shouldn't have done it. She just pushed the right buttons." Bethany opened her eyes and tugged on her seatbelt. The strap dug into her shoulder perfectly, the skin still tender from Damon's assault.

  "Which buttons?"

  Bethany shrugged, not wanting to bring up her sordid history in front of Matt just yet. She turned up the radio and shook her head.

  "I really don't want to talk about this if that's all right."

  He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Of course. When you're ready. I'm always ready to listen."

  "I appreciate it." She paused. "Why would Damon leave without saying anything?"

  "Why would he say something? He didn't tell me he was going out of town until this morning when he left. Are sister's different? More sensitive I guess, huh?"

  They pulled into a long strip center, a brightly colored Mexican restaurant sitting in the corner. Matt pointed to it and smiled.

  "Best Mexican food in town."

  "Girls are more sensitive, but Damon is my boss too, not just my brother." She reached for the handle, getting out and wishing she were still face down in her sheets. Being with Matt was a horrible idea. She wanted to hear from Damon, wanted to know that last night meant something to him, and instead she was going to have to work all night to placate Matthew.

  "Are you and Damon working on a project together?"

  "Yes." Bethany moved back as Matt opened the door, the sound of Hispanic music almost overwhelming. They found their seats and she ordered a margarita with an extra shot of tequila.

  Matt ordered a beer and sat back, his gaze heavy on her.

  "What are you not telling me?"

  She picked up her menu and scanned the items on the combo page, picking out something quickly, not really caring much for food. She looked over to Matt and tried to shift the conversation.

  "I'll explain more later, but first, you tell me something."

  "Okay, what?"

  "Why is Damon with a hundred different women? I've seen him at work with probably five blonds in the last week."

  "I'll answer, but then I get to ask a question in return."

  "Fine."

  They ordered and gave their menus to the server as Matt picked up the beer that sat before him. "He's a whore because he hates the idea of loving someone. He figures if there are lots of women then he'll be too busy juggling them to love any of them."

  "That's horrible. Why would you want to stop yourself from loving someone?"

  "Protection, I guess." Matt shrugged. "The ones that get too close and are worth his time are usually put off by the fact that he is a whore, so he doesn't worry much about them. Love won't come find him. He's made sure of it."

  "And you have no idea why he does this?"

  "It's my turn to ask a question first."

  "Fine. Ask away." She picked up her drink, the frosty mug cold to the touch. Dumping the extra shot of tequila in the glass, Bethany stirred it once and took a long drink.

  "Why do you care about Damon leaving without saying he was? Why do you care if he dates or fucks ten girls?"

  "Because he's soon to be my brother."

  "Bullshit. Come clean and trust me. You're about to be my sister and I've always wanted one. Talk to me."

  She set her drink down and let out a long breath, sitting back in her chair. She should tell him, but he would judge her. How could he not?

  "I'm attracted to him." She shrugged again, reaching for a chip and shoving it into her mouth in hopes of the conversation being stalled.

  "Just attraction, nothing else?"

  "That's more than one question. Why does he push women away? Was he hurt in the past? Old wounds causing him to lash out?"

  "Yes, he was crushed in the past. He's not going to let anyone in that doesn't fit perfectly into his definition of what his woman should be. Even then, the girl who captures him will have to push and push past his defenses. I almost pity her."

  "Who hurt him?"

  Sadness brushed across Matt's features as he picked up a handful of chips, starting to pop one in his mouth. He paused and turned his gaze on her, his handsome face seeming to feel the effects of Damon's pain.

  "Our mother."

  Chapter 19

  "What about your mother?" Bethany leaned back in her chair as the server deposited her enchiladas in front of her, the smell overwhelming.

  "Damon caught her cheating on our dad several times before she got sick. He wanted to tell dad, but mom would beg him, plead with him, not to." Matt shrugged, sadness creeping across his handsome features. "He went to tell him one night, finally. That was the night that dad broke the news that mom was dying. I think Damon felt trapped. He hated her by the time she died."

  Bethany lifted her napkin to her eyes, tears spilling onto her cheeks.

  "He hated her because of the cheating?"

  "Because he had suffered for several years holding her secrets so that dad didn't have his heart torn from his chest."

  "And then it happened anyway because of her getting sick?"

  "Exactly." Matt reached for a chip, his eyes diverted from her. "I didn't know any of this until after mom died. Damon kept all of it to himself."

  "How did he keep catching your mom? Were they just close?"

  "When we were younger they were real close. The first time he caught her we were in high school and he just happened to stop by the house with his girlfriend at the time." Matt picked up his fork and nodded to her. "Eat. We can still talk and chew."

  She smiled in response to his goofy grin, the conversation painful and yet no tension sat between them.

  "And after that he just stopped by trying to catch her?"

  "Exactly. She promised to never do it again, but he wasn't convinced. He almost failed his junior year of high school from missing too many of his classes. He was obsessed with making sure she kept to her word. It consumed him for a while."

  "So he thinks all women are cheaters?"

  Matt nodded and took a bite of his food, breathing in and fanning his mouth. "Hoooot."

  Bethany laughed. That was the deal. He was dominant and beautifully sexy, but control was paramount. She took a couple of bites of her food before letting her guard down and confessing a few of her own demons.

  "I punched Sadie in the face today because she got into my background records somehow. That, or the girl is just wicked good at reading people. She mentioned my raising and how pathetic I was because my dad was the piece of shit he was." She pulled the napkin up, embarrassment washing over her. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually so weepy."

  Matt reached out and rubbed her shoulder, his hand strong and comforting.

  "No apologies. Sharing the hurts from our pasts isn't easy, but it's going to build up our relationship. Cry all you want. I feel like my insides have turned inside out just thinking about how much my brother hurt. He didn't even go to momma’s funeral. Dad's still pissed at him for it and Damon just can't tell him why."

  "That's horrible." Bethany picked up her drink, taking a long sip and licking at the salt on the rim. "My dad left when I was twelve. I guess it was in trying to protect us from the drug dealers that were coming after him, but the mess he left my mom in was unforgivable. She ended up two-hundred thousand dollars in debt from his charges. We moved from a normal neighborhood to the ghetto overnight. Food stamps and two meals a day instead of three or four became the norm."

  "Fuck, Beth... I had no idea." He moved
his hand back to his lap as a frown tugged at his mouth. "When did things get better?"

  "They haven't, but I think your father is our saving grace. At least I hope." She shrugged and put her fork down, her appetite gone.

  "How have you been paying for college?"

  "I work two or three jobs on campus and tutor like crazy. I've gotten several scholarships and grants, but it's all dried up. Kent is willing to pay for my master’s if I work for him while I go through it, which is more than generous."

  "Dad's good like that. He will be so good to your mom and you, Bethany. He's exactly the kind of man I want to be when I grow up." Matt smiled and shrugged, laughing softly.

  "I think I'm falling in love with Damon." Bethany dropped the bomb, needing to get it off her chest. The air became hard to breathe, her admission more to herself than Matt. It had only been a week. How ridiculous was that? It didn't matter. The truth gave way to clarity and she realized how quickly she could get wrapped up in striving to make Damon happy, in loving him beyond anything he could imagine. She could restore his faith in women and wipe away his hurts. She could.

  Matt sat back, the smile playing at the edge of his kind mouth.

  "I think you would be perfect for him."

  "Yes, well he might not feel the same, and there is the issue of us being family."

  "I think he might actually feel the same. That's the problem. He's going to fight against it. I would be careful to play an evenly balanced game."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Damon is forever testing women. I told you he doesn't trust them at all. He wants to push you to your limits to see if you'll break. So push back. Don't break, but break him if you can. Just make sure when you do that you move from a power play to love. He needs love. He needs to remember how good it feels to trust someone fully." Matt waved the server over, their food barely touched.

  "Something wrong with the meal, Sir?" The server stopped by the table, confusion on his face.

  "No, we're just full. We ate too many chips. Can you bring some to-go containers and the check?"

  "Of course."

  Bethany pulled her napkin from her lap and dropped it on the table next to her plate.

  "He plays a hard game. I'm not used to playing games at all. I've rarely dated because my time has been focused on my grades, but I guess I'm willing to try."

  "I hate the idea of either of you getting hurt by the other. We have a long life of being family in one way or the other." Matt pulled out his card, offering it to the server as he approached.

  "I agree. The issue of him being my step-brother is a whole 'nother concern."

  "One easily looked over. He's not your brother by blood and no one would need to know that." Matt signed the bill and stood, reaching for her chair to pull it back. "You feel like shopping?"

  "I feel like sleeping for a week. I'm depressed, confused and have a slight buzz."

  "Then we're twins. Let's go home and we'll pick up this date next week sometime."

  Bethany slept like a rock, Saturday morning coming much too quickly. She laid in bed for an hour after waking, hoping like hell she would slip back into the restful darkness. No such luck.

  Her phone buzzed on her nightstand and she flipped across the bed like her ass was on fire, hoping it was Damon.

  I'm headed back today. I'll be at dad's before dinnertime. Be there.

  She sent back a short message: Fuck you? No, fuck me?

  He shot back a smiley face and the world fell into place. Bethany flopped back on her bed, groaning loudly. He had her trapped into thinking about him and needing him without reservation. The slightest movement in his emotions sent her off one end of the spectrum or the other.

  "Great..." she muttered and got up, taking a quick shower and diving back into her sheets until her mom poked her head in the open door.

  "You up?"

  "No."

  "You respond well in your sleep then." Her mom laughed and walked in. Bethany rolled over and curled up, smiling at the beautiful woman before her.

  "I'm brilliant in all forms. What can I say?"

  Her mom popped her butt and shook her head. "And filled with humility to boot."

  "What's up? We missed you last night. Matt and I went to get Mexican food. Wish you would've come with us."

  "I went to get some new outfits for our wedding trip. I'll show them to you later." Her mom yawned, covering her mouth. "Anyway. Kent called from Seattle and said to tell you to pack up. He wants you to come up on Sunday afternoon so you can see the audit first hand."

  "I have to be on campus Thursday and Friday. I can't miss the first week, mom." Bethany moved to sit up, the news causing worry to sprout.

  "I told him that, baby. He's aware. He just wants you there Monday through Wednesday. You can fly back Wednesday night."

  "What about Damon?"

  "He's flying home today and will fly back out with you tomorrow."

  "Are you coming too?"

  "No. Kent wants me to, but I have too much to do. We leave for the wedding in twelve days. I have to get a few packages shipped to the hotel for the decorations and stuff."

  "I thought it was going to be a small wedding."

  "It was, until Kent's sister Allison got a hold of the information. Now there are a good number of people joining us. I guess when your friends are wealthy they can drop everything and go to Jamaica in the middle of the week." Her mom chuckled and stood, reaching over to kiss the top of her head. Bethany leaned into it, emotion tugging at her.

  "Mom... would you love me if I did something terrible?"

  Her mom moved back, tilting her head to the side. "I would love you with all my heart no matter what you did. I know you to be a girl that makes good choices, but if one day you don't... I'll be there to help bury the body."

  Bethany laughed and fell back in her bed. "I love you, mom."

  "Me more. Now, get up and I'll feed you. I know you love me only second to a good meal."

  *

  The morning turned to afternoon, Bethany padding around the house waiting on Damon most of the day. She changed into her bathing suit, the full piece white suit making her feel beautiful. It cut in deep on her sides and pressed her breasts up. Damon would love it.

  She walked out into the early afternoon heat and found a reclining chair. Sliding down in it she pulled her sunglasses from her hair and sighed softly. Matt must have still been asleep or back at his place. They had stayed up until the wee hours of the morning watching movies together. He had helped her into bed, his actions brotherly and loving.

  A smile brushed across her lips at the thought of how easy it was going to be to fall into familial love with him.

  "What's the smile for?"

  Damon's voice jolted her. She pulled her sunglasses off and sat up, squinting as she glanced up at him. The dark gray suit he wore brought out the tan of his skin. Long black eyelashes and full lips catching her attention next. She wanted more of him.

  "Matt and I watched old movies all night. I was just feeling blessed to have him as a brother." She shrugged and stood, unsure of whether to approach him or not. Matt's confessions the night before left her on shaky ground, her actions sure to push Damon away or pull him close.

  "Glad he's all you've ever wanted."

  "In a brother," she finished his sentence, catching on quickly to the pinched tone of his voice. "What's wrong? Something happen?"

  "Yes. It did." He turned and walked into the house, his movements stiff and unnatural.

  Chapter 20

  Sickness washed over her as she grabbed her towel and walked quickly to catch up to him.

  "Damon. Talk to me." She pulled at his arm as they moved into the living room. The house was quiet, the only sound being their breathing.

  He turned, his face a mask of anger. Bethany backed up a step, not sure how to respond to his glare. She had done something to set him off and yet she hadn't seen him since they held each other all night on Thursday.

  "
I just got a call from our lawyers that one of my interns broke another intern’s nose. The intern that's in the hospital is looking to sue my firm because of it. Did you not want to mention that before I had to stand condemned for shitty management skills before the lawyers? Do you think that lying is the way to build a business relationship with me? What else haven't you told me? Care to confess now?" He barked at her, running his fingers through his dark hair and beginning to pace in front of her.

  Bethany pulled the towel closer, suddenly feeling young, childish... exposed.

  "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you in person."

  "How old are you? Do you think punching someone in the face is good business practice?" He stopped and pressed his hands to his hips, leaning toward her menacingly.

  "No... I'm sorry. I just lost control of my temper. She goaded me one too many times and that was it for me."

  "Yes, well, I'll send you the bill when she sues us. Oh wait... you're broke. I guess I'll do with you what I do with everyone. I'll clean up your mess and you just go have a good time being irresponsible and doing whatever the fuck you like."

  He growled loudly, his fist clenched, his jaw set in a strong grimace.

  "Fuck you." Bethany turned and walked to her room as tears filled her eyes. He had no idea the life she had lived. He was hurt from his past and everyone who got close to him would be his punching bag. If he gave two shits about her he would have asked how it all happened. She would beat herself up later over not telling him about it.

  "I'm not done talking to you." He stormed after her, only to get a door in his face. He beat on it a few times. "Bethany, open the door."

  "Go away. I'm not taking this shit from you. You aren't my father and you're sure as fuck trying to act like it." She dropped the towel and pulled her suit off as his voice softened, but only slightly.