by Alexia Praks
Sakura gasped, and her heart thumped hard in her chest as she stared at the huge silhouette before her. The strong face was above her, water dripping, caressing it.
“Darcy?” she whispered softly.
The body stiffened. Sakura watched in awe at the muscular arms that came up and trapped her on both sides. She licked her lips in nervousness.
“No, not Darcy,” came the deep, timbre voice.
Sakura felt her stomach flip. It was Sebastian.
“You were hoping it was him?”
She blinked. “I thought—”
“Well, that’s too bad for you. I know how you wanted it to be him.” Sebastian cocked his head to one side. “And here the girl who said she’d never commit incest is doing the very thing.”
Sakura bit her lip, confused. “What are you talking about?” She shoved at his right arm in an attempt to make him move away from her. He wouldn’t budge, however, and even chuckled as if in amusement.
“Sebastian,” she began again, licking her lips, her heart pounding as she stared up at the dark form of his face. “I’m going now.”
“But I thought you were here practicing your swimming.”
“I’m done practicing.”
“How much has Darcy taught you, Sakura, apart from kissing you, that is?” he asked sarcastically.
Sakura gasped in outrage. “What?”
“Twice, I think,” he continued.
“Sebastian, can you just stop it?” she snapped, her voice quivering, her whole body squirming under his touches.
“Stop what?” he asked easily, though his voice was cold and hard.
She stared at his chest. “I don’t know.”
He pulled her closer to him, his strong arms tight at the small of her back. Sakura was squeezed up against his massive form, and she couldn’t struggle free.
“What are you doing?” she asked, panic in her voice.
“Teaching you how to swim, which Darcy has neglected to do,” he said, pulling her along with him.
He swam on his back, drawing her on top of him. “Pretend I’m a floating board. Now kick your feet.”
His arms tightened about her waist so she wouldn’t slip away from him. Sakura could feel the length of him against her, and truth be told, she was getting a little bothered.
“I’m not in the mood to learn,” she snapped and then hit his chest with her small fist.
He simply laughed at her futile attempt to hurt him. “Go on,” he urged. “Hit harder.”
“You’re crazy,” she said.
“I suppose I am,” he replied easily. “About you and Darcy and those kisses.”
Sakura struggled in his arms again as he kept taking her for a ride around the pool, his hold tight about her.
“Do you like him kissing you?”
Sakura was very upset now. He had no right to ask her such a question. In fact, he had no right to interfere with her life at all.
“So what if I do?” she asked sarcastically, intending to hurt him with her words. “Now stop pestering me.” She shoved him from her and hastily turned. She did her best paddling back toward the edge of the pool.
Sebastian watched her go for only an instant, and then in a split second, he caught her by the waist and pulled her back to him again. He twisted her around, smashed her against him, brought his hand to hold the back of her head, and slammed his lips down on hers.
Sakura wasn’t prepared for his brutal kiss as he assaulted her lips. He was so wild that he scared her. Suddenly he pulled back, frowning down at her, noticing she was rigid and shaking like a leaf within his embrace.
He sighed and closed his eyes. No, he thought, he shouldn’t have been doing this to her. He loved her, so why was he hurting her?
When he opened his eyes again, he knew he had to win her over. So he kissed her again. This time, though, it was gentle and passionate. He found her lips were soft and warm against his, both his hands cupping her face. Slowly, his tongue played with her lip, teasing, caressing, stroking, and licking her along the length of those marvelous, sensuous lips. Then he made her open her mouth for him, and when she did, he plunged his tongue in, exploring her, tasting her, teasing her, and caressing her with all the experience he had.
Sakura struggled to gain her mind back. She was lost in this wonderful, delightful, heavenly kiss that Sebastian was giving her. How could she feel this way? With only a kiss? But oh, it was such a kiss. She was breathless; she was mindless. Her body melted within his embrace. Her heart raced, and something deep and hot burned within her being. She softly groaned.
She was totally lost as he deepened the kiss. His fingers dug deep into her wet hair while he had one hand down the small of her back, pressing her against him. Oh, God! She could feel him growing hard. And instead of anger or revolt, she felt herself growing warm and excited. Oh, God! She desired her own adopted brother. Oh, God, no! She couldn’t. This was wrong.
When she felt his pressure on her lips lessen, she knew this had to stop because otherwise she’d be totally lost. She took the chance and moved back, pretending to be angry. It was better he thought she didn’t like him. That way he wouldn’t pursue this weird relationship she knew was likely to happen if she didn’t put a stop to it. That way she wouldn’t hurt him in the long run. That way she wouldn’t hurt herself.
“If you ever kiss me again, Sebastian Princeton, I’m going to bite you,” she said.
He stared at her, his face a mask. His eyes, however, spoke volumes because they were flashing blue fire.
Sakura moved back, but before she got any farther, he pulled her back to him and kissed her again, this time deeper and wilder as he plunged his tongue into her mouth, stroking and lashing his tongue against hers. His hand was strong and firm behind her head, holding her still as he continued to kiss her. His other hand was on her lower back, pressing her against him.
Sakura couldn’t do much more than respond to his demanding kiss.
“Ngh… Ngh…” she groaned. Her whole body shuddered in pleasure as he expertly played with her. His mouth and lips were warm against hers and she felt weak and dizzy. When he let her go, she gazed at him, dazed and breathless.
“You didn’t bite me,” he said, a devilishly handsome grin on his face.
Though her head still felt somewhat light, the meaning of his words didn’t miss her. In retaliation, she moved her head to his shoulder, opened her mouth wide, and bit him hard.
Sebastian gasped but didn’t move as she continued to bite him. Instead, he looked pleased. There was pain in his eyes, but there was pleasure also, as thrilling sensations rushed through his being. Oh, God! She was beautiful putting a mark on him with her teeth.
Sakura bit his flesh as best she could and then moved back. Once she’d seen her teeth mark on his skin, she hastily turned and paddled to the other side before he caught her again.
Sebastian watched her go, climb up out of the pool, grab her clothing, and literally run from the room in her underwear. He felt his blood run hot with desire. She had been swimming in her underwear. Holy shit! It was such a turn-on.
Slowly, he turned his eyes to the bite mark on his chest and smiled. He couldn’t believe it, and wanted to laugh out loud with joy. She had branded him with her teeth, claiming him as hers. Gently, he caressed the mark with his fingers, marveling at the imprint on his skin.
A few moments later when he was sure she was gone, he got out of the pool and headed back out. Before he reached the door, however, the room flooded with bright lights. He turned to see Darcy at the door. He walked to his brother, wondering if he was here practicing his diving at this bloody hour. But then again, it was Darcy. He could very well practice his diving at three in the morning if he wanted to.
Darcy didn’t miss the bite marks on Sebastian’s chest and said, “Looks like you had an accident.”
Sebastian stiffened. “Yeah. Dog bite.”
“Must be a very angry dog,” Darcy commented.
Sebastian didn
’t say anything and headed out. Alone, Darcy sighed, his heart hammering in his chest uncomfortably. He knew, oh yes, he knew Sebastian had fallen in love with Sakura too. He knew that she too felt something toward him. But the realization only pained him even more. How could he let Sakura go when he had loved her all his life?
Shit! His head hurt. His heart ached. His whole body trembled with confusion.
“Snow what am I going to do? He’s my brother,” he whispered softly.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 16
Tormented Heart
Sakura woke up late the next morning, feeling extremely tired and pissed. She was tired because she couldn’t get to sleep until four in the morning and pissed because Sebastian and his stupid kiss kept playing in her mind.
Oh, God! Darcy. He had seen her running from the pool area, half-naked and dripping wet. He’d looked so shocked that he didn’t know what to say to her. She’d also noted there was something in the expression on his face, as if he were in deep, dark pain. She’d wanted to go to him and explain but had found he stiffened as if he didn’t want to know what happened.
Her stomach fluttered. “Darce,” she whispered his name under her breath. Why did she feel like he was upset with her? Oh, Darce.
She groaned loudly and got out of bed, even though all she wanted to do was to lie there, close her eyes, and make everything disappear from her mind by sleeping. But of course she couldn’t do that because she’d promised to go to the Princeton Hotel with Mary and Katherine to sort out the decorations for the wedding reception.
She showered quickly and got dressed, wearing a pair of super skinny jeans and white blouse. She French plaited her hair and let it fall down her left shoulder, leaving some tendrils dancing about the sides of her face.
Toby barked at her, wanting to come along as well.
“No, you may not,” she said. “You stay put and be a good boy, okay?”
Toby sat obediently and licked her hand. “Good boy.” She got up, grabbed her bag, and headed out, leaving the door open so Toby could go out as he pleased.
She came down to the kitchen and was glad no one was around. It was pretty late in the morning, after all. Lunch was only a few hours away. She made quick work having her breakfast of cereal with some fruit and milk. Just as she was about to finish, Mary walked in.
“You look horrible,” Mary teased. “I hoped you’re not going to look like that on my wedding day.”
Sakura chuckled. “No need to worry. After all, a makeup artist does do magic.”
“What happened?” Mary asked. “You look like you haven’t slept.”
Sakura sighed, got up, and washed her dishes in the sink. “I was working a bit late last night.”
“On your online business again?” Mary asked.
“Yeah,” Sakura lied. Damn! She couldn’t believe she was lying to her best friend.
“Well, as long as it’s going great,” Mary said. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Yeah, I’m done,” Sakura said, grabbing her bag.
Once they were in the car, Sakura said, “So just curious and all… Where’s everyone else?”
“Out,” Mary said. “At the hotel.”
“Right,” Sakura replied and then drove out.
Some twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Princeton Hotel and Resort. It was a very grand building of nine stories and had the beautiful private beach conserved specifically for guests and a great view of the ocean beyond. They parked the car in the reserved lot and headed into the main lobby via the grand entrance. A few minutes later, she came into the main hall on the first floor where the wedding reception was to be held. Sakura was surprised to find that both Richard and Peter were already there, talking to the wedding planner and the hotel manager.
“Hi,” Mary said, kissing her future husband on the cheek.
“Sweetheart,” Peter said. “What do you think?”
Both Sakura and Mary looked around the great hall. It was beautifully decorated with red and white roses. The tablecloths, a beige color, were of the finest quality, and the lighting was just perfect.
For a couple of hours, the wedding planner explained to them what had been done, and then Peter and Mary told them what needed to be changed as Sakura stuck around, trying to help out with ideas as best as she could. When by lunchtime they finished, Sakura excused herself to go and find Daddy James.
She came up to his office on the top floor of the hotel and gave the door her usual three knocks before going in. Once inside, to her surprise, she found Sebastian and Nicolas there, and Daddy James was nowhere in sight.
Sakura bit her lip and her heart thundered within her chest the moment her eyes met Sebastian’s. The handsome man raised one nice brow at her and gave her that sly grin of his that told her he was very pleased to see her indeed. She scowled at him to tell him that she wasn’t in the least bit pleased to see him, however. Nicolas, on the other hand, was oblivious to their silent bickering and gave her a smile.
“Sakura, what are you doing here?” he asked.
“Er, Daddy James?”
“Meeting with Mr. Marlow,” Nicolas supplied.
“Oh, right.” Sakura turned to go.
“No, wait, come in here.”
“What?”
“Dad said you’ve been helping out a bit at the hotel.”
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. “Just here and there. Nothing special.”
“Dad’s asking me to take over.”
Sakura raised her brows. But then again, she wasn’t surprised. “I see.”
“What do you think?”
“It’s great. He’s ready to retire. I think you should,” she said.
Nicolas pulled her by the arm and led her to the armchair near the window. Sebastian watched her intently. Their kiss last night was still fresh in his mind, and right now he felt the thrill rushing through his blood.
Sakura caught him looking at her. He grinned at her, his blue eyes intense on her person, telling her he would like to do it again right now if he could. Sakura gritted her teeth and glared at him.
“You think I should?” Nicolas voiced loudly, interrupting her anger simmering nicely.
She quickly turned to smile at him. “I definitely think you should. I mean, if you don’t take over, then who will?”
Nicolas relaxed back in his seat. “Thing is, I’m not sure if I’d do a good job.”
“It’s all from experience, isn’t it? You can’t quit before you begin. You won’t know if you don’t try.”
Nicolas chuckled. “Since when did you become so philosophical?”
“Oh, I’ve always been philosophical. Daddy James always asks me for advice, not that I’m very good at it. But I think it helps him see things from a different perspective.” She turned to smile at him then, her head cocked to one side. “To be, or not to be, that is the question,” she said softly. “To take over, or not to take over, that is the question.”
Nicolas felt a thrill of warmth coursing through his being. His silvery-gray eyes lit up, and he chuckled softly. He turned to Sebastian then. “Well, what do you think, Sebastian?”
“I already told you,” Sebastian said. Damn, he thought, the bite mark on his shoulder hurt. He glanced at Sakura, who met his gaze for a split second before glancing away again. She was still pissed with him; he could tell by her stiff posture. But truth be told, he was pleased. That meant their kisses last night were also still on her mind as it was still on his.
“There you are, Sakura,” James said as he walked through the door. “I was looking for you.”
“Hey,” she greeted him.
James took one good look at her and said, “You look dreadful. Didn’t you sleep last night?”
Sakura chuckled, her cheeks burning hot at the reminder.
“Working on your photos again, are you? How many did you sell this week?” he asked.
“A few. My regular doesn’t seem to be interested for a few weeks now. Maybe he didn’t lik
e the last one.”
“Maybe you need help with Internet marketing,” James said. “Nicolas has online businesses.” He turned to his son. “Maybe you could help Sakura.”
“I’d be glad to,” Nicolas said. “What do you sell?”
“Photos and some of my paintings,” Sakura said. “But that’s okay. I’m going to shut it down soon anyway.”
“Oh?” James turned to her. “Why? It’s making you good money, isn’t it?”
Sakura nodded. “I have other plans.”
“Mind telling me what they are?” James asked curiously.
Sakura cast her eyes downward to avoid his gaze. Her heart suddenly ached in her chest. She couldn’t possibly tell him now, could she? He’d be very upset, and she didn’t want him to be upset, especially when the wedding was so close and all.
James understood immediately. He sighed. “I see.” There was an uncomfortable silence in the room as the brothers wondered what was going on. Finally, James said, “Why don’t we go to lunch?”
The brothers agreed. Sakura followed them, her mind far away.
They met up with the rest of the brothers—Tristan, Logan, Hayden, Darcy, and Conrad—down at the ground-floor restaurant. Conrad rushed over to Sakura the moment he saw her and grabbed her wrist, leading her to the buffet area. As she took a plate, Sakura felt Darcy’s intense gaze on her. Her stomach flipped, and her heart raced.
He’d not spoken one word to her yet, and he looked as though he were pissed with something, his face a dark, stony mask. Conrad kept putting food onto her plate, chatting away animatedly as Sakura kept taking peeks at Darcy, who now and again also happened to catch her eyes. Instantly, she’d flicked her gaze away, embarrassed. She wondered why he was keeping his distance. Her heart jolted within her chest. What about that kiss in the woods? Had that really meant nothing to him? She was totally confused by his actions.
A few moments later, Mary, Peter, and Richard joined them. Sakura sat down and had lunch beside Mary, who kept chatting animatedly to Peter. Conrad chose to sit on her other side, who also kept on a constant conversation, which Sakura couldn’t seem to take in as she was too deep in her own thoughts. Then she felt someone watching her. She lifted her head and saw Darcy gazing at her from across the table, his face a hard mask, his mauve-gray eyes intense on her face. He looked as though he were in a dilemma, in pain.