He smiled wide before he refilled my glass. “Drink up sister. I have a feeling Cailen is going to introduce you to his poker skills tonight.”
That thought made me grin. I learned how to play poker from the best and I am a freaking shark. This was going to be fun.
I smiled and gave Alick a wink as I grabbed my drink and headed to the bathroom. I stood under the water and let the hot stream ease my tensed shoulders.
The soap was frilly lavender but strangely comforting. Once my uber long locks were clean, I shut the water and reached for a towel. I began opening drawers and found lotion and even some face cream. I was already feeling better once I got those lathered on. I pulled the brush through my hair and smoothed it down my back then turned the light.
There were a few of his t-shirts folded in the drawer beside the bed. I picked a Rolling Stones number and slipped it over my head. He had a few pair of boxer shorts tucked in and I grabbed a pair and pulled them on. Not the ideal wardrobe but it’d have to do.
I pumped some lotion into my palms and smoothed it over my hands as I made my way to the kitchen.
Alick was arranging a nacho platter and had a cheese tray sitting to the side. My eyes scanned the other counters and I saw the huge bucket of beers resting by the door. Wow. They must really get serious about game night.
I smiled again because so do I.
They’ll never see it coming.
Alick turned and saw my smile. “What have you got working in that complicated brain of yours?” His eyes narrowed.
“What?” I asked innocently.
He blew a breath out of his mouth and waved his hand to me. “Please. I have a feeling there is nothing innocent about you, sister.”
I laughed out loud. He had no idea how dead on he was.
I heard the enormous front door thud against the frame and I felt my heart pound in my chest. It baffled me the reaction I had when he was near me. His beautiful face rounded the corner and when he caught my eyes a big smile spread across his face. I felt like a fucking lottery winner.
He strolled over in his sexy swagger and spread his hands over my face and licked my lips before he swept my mouth. I actually swooned and he caught my arms with a devilish smile and sat me on the stool.
He took a moment to scan me from head to toe and puckered his pink lips. “I’m going to burn all your clothes so you will be forced to wear mine. It’s fucking ridiculous, Gemma.” He stood back shaking his head.
I stood and playfully wrapped my leg around his waist and roughly ran my hands through his sweaty hair before I sealed his lips with mine and licked every surface in his mouth.
He began to get a little too involved and Alick cleared his throat.
I pulled back grinning. “Go take a shower and hurry up because I want to kick your ass in poker.”
“Oh love, don’t say things you can’t possibly achieve.” He smiled and I smirked. “It gets really lonely in losers circle, but I’ll visit, I promise.” He turned, laughing the whole way to the bedroom.
I stood and walked to the bar gripping the bottle and pouring about six ounces into my glass.
Alick’s musical voice shot out from the corner. “Two, please?”
I mimicked the action in another glass and walked it over, placing it in his very eager hand. He turned back to the food preparation, which left me looking around for something to do.
My phone.
I’ll check my messages because it’d been nearly three days. That thought had my mouth dropping. I’d never gone more than twelve hours without checking my work.
I walked to the entrance where my purse lay on the corner table. I flipped it open and rummaged through the contents closing my fingers over the shiny metal object.
I slid the lock: forty-nine missed calls and eight voice messages.
Fuck.
I carried it back to the kitchen and began at the bottom.
Pamela left two messages regarding a problem with the proofs for Anchorage. After she rattled on in her second message she ended exasperated saying the problem was fixed.
A few calls from Marriett letting me know everything was good and a scathing message from Lila. I could basically feel the venom oozing through the receiver. I definitely owed her an apology for the drink—for certain—but she deserved every single verbal beat down I handed her. It would be a while before I was ready to speak to her, for sure.
I opened my email and breezed through deciding nothing was 911 worthy and slid the phone back on the counter.
I looked over at Alick studiously working on the snack tray.
“Can I do anything to help, Emeril?”
He snorted. “Flattery will get you nowhere here pretty lady.”
I was silently shaking with laughter as I touched the glass to my lips and felt the warm burn glide down my throat. Then a pair of warm hands wound around my waist and I felt like my skin caught fire. He nestled his face in the side of my neck covered with damp hair. I smelled his woodsy-spiced soap and that did all kinds of gooey things to my body.
Cailen walked around me swiping his hand across the top of my ass and grabbed a tray of food carrying it to the living area. Alick followed and asked me to grab the beers.
I jumped from my seat. Drink in one hand bucket of beers in the other.
When I walked around the corner Cailen let out a whistle. “Sexiest fucking sight on the planet, Gemma.”
I curtsied and sat the beer on the poker table.
Cailen pulled my chair and they each lit up a cigar. I cleared my throat looking at them questioningly.
Cailen piped up. “What? Don’t like the smoke, love. I can duck it.” His brows furrowed.
I rolled my eyes. “I was saying it is rude to partake and not offer one for your guest.” I shook my head and twisted my hand in front of him. “Er, your future wife.”
His eyes bulged and he nearly dropped the cigar from his mouth. After he blinked several times he threw his head back laughing.
Once he recovered enough to form words he said, “You are incredible. Fuck. Just when I think you’re perfect you do something else to smack me on my ass.”
He shook his head and reached into a humidor on the shelf and pulled a Cuban cigar stretching it across the table to me with a lighter.
I smiled. “That’s better, bagpipe. Thank you.”
I lifted an eyebrow as I took the cigar between my teeth and slowly twisted it as I lit the end. When I had a good flowing burn I took a nice long draw and closed my eyes enjoying the flavor for a brief second before I blew the smoke slowly between my parted lips.
When I opened my eyes and looked around I stifled a laugh. Alick was staring at me in true appreciation smiling and Cailen looked as though he wanted to rip my clothes off and check the sturdiness of the table by humping the shit out of me.
I cleared my throat and prompted the deck of cards in front of Cailen. He shook his head smiling and picked them up dealing our first hand.
I threw down four hundred dollars from my wallet and Cailen matched it. Alick threw in five hundred giving me a wicked grin as he passed the chips around.
And then it began.
An excruciatingly bad beat down.
I won every single hand.
By the end of my cigar they were both broke and the beer was gone. I stood with a victorious smile and walked to the bar to refill my glass.
When I returned they each wore equal looks of shame on their faces. I couldn’t help it I doubled over laughing.
Cailen finally smiled then it turned into a dazzling show of teeth before he conceded, “You were right, Gemma. You embarrassed the shit out of us. I’m wondering if there is anything you can’t do. These are things I need to know before you walk down the isle so I can be prepared.” He finished with the same blinding smile and reached for my hands.
He was right whether he meant it or not.
There were things we needed to learn about each other, things that needed to be laid out on the table. That
familiar feeling of seclusion began creeping up my spine. That need to distance myself in preparation for the inevitable explosion.
I didn’t realize I was frozen still until he placed his hands on my hips and dipped his head to meet my gaze.
“Oh no you don’t, Gemma. Stop the wheels right now. I can see that look in your eye that tells me you have a hell of a storm brewing in your mind. What are you afraid of, love?” His tone rising.
I opened my mouth but the words just stalled in my throat. I averted my eyes to the ceiling thinking.
I couldn’t tell him because I didn’t fucking know. I didn’t know what I am scared of. I didn’t know why I was freaking out. I finally just shook my head and fisted his shirt as I lay my face into his chest. He rested my head under his chin as he made long strokes down my back.
After a few minutes I pulled back and forced a smile to my lips.
“You’re going to have to be patient with me. I freak the fuck out easily and have a tendency to expect the worst, which has me in protect mode most of the time.”
“I can handle your shit, love. Matter of fact, I am probably the only one on earth equipped to do so.” His smile was infectious.
For a moment I had hope. I tried to build that little spark into a fire. He deserved the very best I could offer and I had to get my shit together, because it was not an option to live without him again. We hadn’t shared near as much as we have up to this point and even then it was like dying.
I couldn’t imagine the pain now.
I let out a shaky laugh. “Christ I hope you are right.” I half laughed—half shrieked the words.
He led me back to the table and pulled my chair. I sat and Alick slid my glass closer to my hand.
“I think you need to drink more, sis.” Alick teased.
Cailen began shuffling the deck.
“Where in hell did you learn to play like that, Gemma?” His eyes pierced me across the table.
“My dad and granpy, of course. Two card sharks. My dad made a big name for himself in Atlantic City once we moved to NYC. He played nearly every weekend, we were flown in by helicopter and put up in the best suites.”
I rested my hand under my chin and stared into space remembering. “Damn, we had a lot of fun. He was amazing.” My voice trailed off in thought. I missed my dad so much it hurt.
Cailen rubbed his foot over mine under the table. That small gesture brought a smile.
“Alright, deal so I can kick your ass already.”
He snorted a laugh and muttered, “I can only hope so.”
“Brother, must you reference your ridiculously good sex life every wanking minute? I mean some of us are not so lucky.” Alick said thumbing his cards and separating the suits.
Cailen huffed. “Sorry bro, but when you got it celebrate it.” He turned to wink at me.
“I’m hoping you’ll give me something to celebrate.” I teased.
I heard his cards drop and as if it was slow motion he had me out of the chair and tossed over his shoulder in seconds.
I burst out laughing and pounded his back. “Put me down Damnit.” I was laughing so hard tears were rolling down my cheeks. “Cailen!”
He made a theatrical gesture of carrying me to the bedroom doorway before he finally sat me on my feet and nothing but humor and desire was dancing in those artic blues.
I cupped his face and placed a tender kiss to his lips and whispered, “Love you.”
He grabbed me around the waist lifting me in the air, twirling me once.
“You better because there will be a lot of angry women out there now that I am officially off the market.”
“Touché. You will have your work cut out for you when we get back to Manhattan.” I giggled still laughing over his theatrics.
“I can handle those wankers any day.” He pulled me back to my chair.
We played until the sun came up and we ran out of alcohol. Alick yawned and fisted his brother on the arm before placing a kiss to my cheek as he made his way to his room rubbing his hands through his hair.
From the look in Cailen’s eyes there wouldn’t be sleep for this girl anytime soon. I sighed and reached for his hand pulling him toward the bedroom. Perhaps this time I’ll let him lead the show.
I woke to loud laughter muffled through the door. I blinked the blurriness from my eyes and searched for a clock. What the fuck? Does he not believe in time here? I swung my legs over the side and took a few extra seconds to ease my poor sexually ridden body from the bed.
Note to self: never ever challenge Cailen’s ability to perform. Son of a bitch he’s a stallion.
I padded to the bathroom and took care of the necessary business. I combed out my hair and splashed some water over my face.
I could really use some freaking mascara.
I am flat out demanding we at least visit my suitcase today. I miss my stilettos and pricy underwear.
I eased out of the room and rounded the corner to the kitchen. The laughter got louder and I realized there were more than two voices.
I halted my progress and thought for a minute. I was in no shape to meet new people with this appearance. I felt utterly bad that poor Alick had to see me in such a state.
Just as I was getting ready to turn back for the bedroom I heard that familiar bass tone.
“Gemma! Good afternoon, love.”
His voice got closer and I saw his face as he turned the corner from the kitchen. What the hell? Does he have a signaling device on me I’m unaware of?
He stalked toward me with his hands already primed for groping and the smile on his face had my neurons charged.
He reached me and planted a hard kiss to my lips. “Did you sleep well, gorgeous?”
“What fucking sleep? I seem to remember I was dealing with your cock for countless hours last night.” I smirked.
“HAHAHA, yes he was quite busy, eh? Perhaps if your lady part wasn’t so fucking tempting he may spend more time put away.”
I just gave up and laughed. What was the point—he had me.
“Come with me, I have a few people I can’t wait for you to meet.”
My voice raised two octaves. “A few?”
He just laughed and began pulling me.
“Wait, Cailen! Look at me! I’m in no shape to meet guests. I need to run back to the hotel and at least put on something decent.”
He scoffed. “You are fucking gorgeous. Besides, I prefer you utterly indecent.” He purred as he roved over my body outfitted in his clothes.
My eyes rolled but he pointedly pulled me into the kitchen.
I wasn’t prepared for what awaited me.
What the fuck do they put in the water here in Scotland? Alick was seated at the head chair around the island and three enormously tall men flanked each side. I felt like I was in a photo-shoot for sexiest men around the world. This much beauty is too much for a sexually charged woman like myself to handle.
Fuck me.
Each of them seemed to have the same hungry eyes as they devoured me before Cailen made the introductions.
It was so quiet I do believe everyone actually heard me gulp.
Finally, Cailen cleared his throat gaining their attention. “Assholes, this is Emberly Landon, my fiancée. Emberly, these are the assholes of my life.”
I choked back a laugh and met each gaze. “Well, it is certainly a pleasure to meet any of Cailen’s assholes.”
The entire room erupted in laughter. Cailen buried his head in my hair and licked my neck.
Fuck that’s distracting.
The tallest of the bunch stepped toward me and offered his hand. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you Emberly. This dickhead left his manners in his mother’s womb, I’m guessing. I’m Rory.”
He was at least six foot four with light blond hair and pale blue eyes. He was clearly an athlete if the black eye and the toned physique were a clue. Damnit he was pretty.
I took his hand. “Pleasure.”
Next was a slightly short
er version but much more muscular.
“Ms. Landon, its an honor to meet the woman that can put that overly charged asshole in his place.” He smiled wide revealing a set of perfect teeth. He had a few freckles peppering his nose and his hair was unruly but he was most certainly do-able. “I’m Mac.” He finished, smiling.
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