by K. L. Jessop
“I loved him as well, Amelia, it’s the eyes that draw you in.” Rosa chuckles.
“What is it with girls and that dude?” Marcus shouts from the kitchen.
“You’re a guy darling you wouldn’t understand. Me and Amelia though, we totally get it.”
“We sure do.” I chuckle leaning forward to get my glass off the table. “Whose turn is it?”
“Mine.”
“Ok, Megan, truth or dare?” Marcus asks, returning from the kitchen. I don’t even know why he asked her, this is Megan we’re talking about.
“Ugh, dare obviously.”
Marcus thinks for a moment tapping his fingers to his beer bottle before a grin hits his lips. “Ok, I dare you to seduce Andrew.”
I gasp as Andrews face drains with a shake of his head. “Come on man your mothers in the room,” he says, shifting himself in his seat looking uncomfortable.
“Andrew, darling it’s nothing I’ve not done myself over time. Megan, sweetheart you carry on, make him squirm.” She winks at her as Andrew cut her a look.
Both Marcus and I knew that Megan wouldn’t back out and the look on her face suggests she’s up for the dare. She stands with an enthusiastic smile and throws me a knowing look as our earlier conversation flashed in my mind. Brushing her dress down she makes her way over to where Andrew sits on the high back kitchen chair looking absolutely petrified. “Megan, you don’t have to do this.” I’m almost positive there was an edge of panic in his tone.
“What’s wrong, Andrew, you seem a little…uptight. I’m not one for backing out on a dare.” This was true, Megan loved to have fun, it ran through her veins. Andrew straightens himself in his seat as Megan seductively strides towards him, swinging her hips like a model walking a catwalk.
“This is going to be interesting.” Rosa whispers with excitement in her eyes.
Megan circles his seat, running her palm flat around his upper body. Lifting his chin she connects with his eyes, all focus is on her and what seemed to be a man protesting is now slowing falling into her trap of seduction. She moves behind him a second time and whispers unheard words before running her tongue along the rim of his ear. Andrew’s eyes slam shut as his chest expands. The air in the room is thick, the heat is electric. My heart’s pounding at the sheer intoxication that’s unfolding, even Marcus and Rosa can’t tear their eyes away.
Her dress rides her thighs as she straddles him. His upper body stiffens as she grazes her teeth along his jaw making his Adam’s apple bob with a hard swallow. His eyes are hooded with lust, confusion and when her lips touch his Andrew retreats slightly before a scene of mouth fucking soon takes place. I’m on the edge of my seat; I can’t take my eyes away. I don’t want to.
“Wow, this is better than the movies.” Rosa whispers.
Megan’s hand tugs his hair as she rocks against him still locked at the lips, and to my surprise Andrews hands begin to roam the hem of her dress as they become oblivious to the audience that watches. I flick my eyes to Marcus who’s currently sat with a shit ass grin on his face. The intensity of it all is enough to make my own arousal spike. Clearing my throat I end the sexual dare as Marcus chuckles.
“Congratulation dude, you just got hard for the first time in years.” Marcus teased. Neither of them speak, just focused on each other as they get their breathing under control. I took the opportunity to get a new round of drinks with the help of Marcus and Rosa, because I knew sure as shit Andrew had a hard on.
“What the fuck was that?” I whispered flabbergasted by the scene.
“I think that’s the start of a beautiful relationship.” Rosa said pour a glass of wine.
“You can’t be serious; she annoys the shit out of him.”
“Clearly his mouth disagrees.” Marcus chuckled as he wraps his arms around me, planting a kiss on my head. “She said she’d get him hard.”
Andrew has hardly said a word since his and Megan’s little tongue twister. Megan on the other hand has been like a kid on a bouncy castle with endless amounts of adrenaline running through her body. Rosa had done the motherly role of preparing snacks for us all and a huge chocolate cake with candles.
“Right, Amelia, it’s time for you present.” Megan announces.
“You already got me a present.”
“Tequila doesn’t count. Close your eyes and don’t move.”
“It’s not going to freak me out is it?” I close my eyes feeling a little uneasy. Marcus takes my hand with a squeeze, reading my nervous like always. She knows I don’t like surprises.
“Just trust me… and no peeking.”
There’s lots of whispering coming from the kitchen as I bite my lip with anticipation. Last year’s present was jelly sweets, a vibrator and a year’s supply of male magazines, which she ogled more than I did. And if the Tequila wasn’t my present than god only knows what I’d get this year.
“Ok, you can open now.”
I blink my eyes open a few times before they widen instantly to the sight up ahead. “Lucas!” I squeal, flying from the sofa and charging towards him to leap into his arms, wrapping my arms and legs round him in a big bear hug as his deep laugh vibrates through my chest with his tight embrace.
“Hey, how’s my Ginger Spice?”
“God I’ve missed hearing you say that.”
“I’ve missed saying it.” He looked incredibly sexy as ever. His chiselled jaw was working the day old scruff as his bright blue-green eyes sparkled against the light. The thick muscles of his arms secured around my body and as my legs wrapped around him his waist was just a broad. He was a fine figure of a man. My beautiful non blood brother and fuck me I’d missed him. Tears swelled my eyes with happiness as I squeezed him tight.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
“Hey, no tears on your birthday, beautiful,” brushing his hand over my face and kissing my forehead. “You look happy,” he whispered in my ear.
“I am.” He’s yet to be introduced to the rest of the room and I know all eyes are on us. If not all then definitely one set. I can feel them burning into me from across the room.
“Everybody this is my big brother Lucas.” Megan says, introducing him to the others. As soon as Megan mentions Marcus’s name, Lucas puts me down and strides over.
“So, you’re the one that’s been sniffing around my girl?” He said sternly, folding his arm and giving the death stare as intimidation runs off him like heavy rain drops. The room falls silent and Megan shoots me a smile. This is typical Lucas, all hard ass and protective over his blue-eyed girls, only his composure won’t last for long and his sternness will fall. However Marcus is unsure how to respond and a look of uncertainty if not anger washes over his features as he stands to measure himself up to the brick of muscle in front of him.
Lucas lets out a deep chuckle and holds out his hand. “Just kidding man good to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Nice to meet you too. Amelia often talks of you.” Marcus accepts his hand shake as his body relaxes.
“Glad to hear it.” Lucas says with a wink in my direction.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Rosa, Marcus’s mother.” She smiles bringing Lucas in for a hug and mouths ‘He’s gorgeous’ to Megan and I making us giggle.
“This calls for a new round of drinks.” Megan squeals as I help her out in the kitchen while the rest get to know each other. My grin is a meter wide as I stand looking towards the room of people. Reality hitting my chest with an overwhelming feeling I’ve never experienced.
“There all here for me.” I whisper as Megan comes up beside me wrapping her arms around my waist.
“Of course we are. It’s because you’re special.”
Tears glass my eyes; I’ve never had this feeling before. A feeling of unconditional happiness and affection. All of which I give and get back from the people that are under this roof. The feeling is almost suffocating. “Thank you, Megan. Not just for today but for everything. I wouldn’t of gotten t
hrough these last few years if it wasn’t for you and Lucas. Nobody knows what it’s like to be so alone it feels as though your soul is dying. But you stood by me and helped me though that. I forgotten what it was like to be wanted and cared for. But the four people in that room have shown me what I’ve been missing. You don’t have to be blood to have a family and that’s what you and Lucas are. You’re my best friend and my soul sister and I love you unconditionally.”
“Loyalty makes you family. Lucas and I only did what any other person who loves you would do. You’re the one that’s done the rest. You pulled yourself through no one else, and I love you with every ounce of my body. But promise me whatever happens you will never leave me. I need you just as much as you need me.”
For the first time in all the years I’ve known this blonde beauty there was a look in her eyes that told me she was fighting a demon that was undiscovered to me. Megan is one of the strongest people I know, she’s always had my back and fought for me, only now it seems I should been fighting for her as I can see a vulnerable side behind her ice blue eyes that sparkled with her tears.
“I promise I will never leave you babe.” I wrap my arms around her as Lucas joins us for a group hug and kisses us both on the head. It’s so good to have him back, to have my family back together. Nothing will ever break the bond that we three have.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Amelia
“How long are you here for?” I ask Lucas as I lean against him in the kitchen, everyone else is in the other room chatting and Marcus is currently burning his eyes over my body. The same look he’s been giving me all evening only now it seems a little more intense.
“Just a few days. Got a couple weeks off but I need to sort stuff out before my next contract begins. It’s only a few months at another sugar daddies string of conventions. Then I pack up and move on after that.” My heart falls a little at the thought of him moving on. Lucas works as a personal body/security guard for big events in LA. He has worked with a huge number of celebrities over the years and more often than not hooked up with rich girls for naked pool parties after working hours. He loves it over there so it surprises me that he’s planning on leaving.
“But you love it there. Where you heading this time?”
“I thought I’d give Spring Rose a try,” he grins.
Excitement automatically hit me and I grasp his arm, jumping like I’ve just been given a puppy. “Really? You’re coming back here?”
“I love it there but I miss my girls. Besides someone’s got to keep an eye on my crazy ass sister.”
“Heard that asshole!” Megan shouts from the living room.
“Megan did you know about this?”
“Course not. He tells you more than he tells me.”
“That’s coz she’s special.” He chuckles, stuffing crisps into his mouth and lifting his arm around my shoulder. I flick my eyes back to Marcus and smile; his stare sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve kind of abandoned him the last hour or so, not intentionally but when you’ve not seen someone special to you in months you tend to want them with you every second. I left the grip of Lucas and go to him, curling my body into his lap. His hand slides up my thigh and under my dress. Now the stare on me has reversed and it’s Lucas that watches.
“You ok? You seem a little quiet.”
“I’m fine.”
“I can’t believe Lucas is here. Did you know he was coming?”
“No.”
I place a kiss on his lips and smile. “I’ll glad you had the chance to meet him. He’s an important part of me. This has turned out to be the best birthday ever. Thank you for being part of it.”
“Who’s up for Tequilas and table dancing at Rubies? I want to get shit-faced.” Megan shouts into the room wearing a party hat she got from somewhere and causing everyone to laugh.
Like any other night Rubies was packed. The loudness of the music hit your chest before you even walked through the doors and bodies locked with each other on the dance floor. Jack and Nathan were rushed off their feet and couldn’t serve so Marcus stepped behind the bar to get the first round before bringing them back to the table that was sectioned off from the dance floor, enabling us to talk without shouting for survival. Rosa said her goodbyes and headed back to Marcus’s once we left mine and as soon as we entered the building Megan was off on the dance floor looking for love.
I returned from the bathroom just as Lucas was coming back from the bar. Taking my hand he twirl around and into a hug as hazel eyes from behind him watched our every move. Marcus hasn’t been his usual chatty self since Lucas arrived, however I can’t complain as his eyes are never far from me which is making my body react in a way that’s driving me crazy. My panties are no doubt ruined and I’m fighting the urge not to pounce on him right here in full view of others.
However I feel an air of tension around us and I’m unsure which direction it’s coming from. Since the truth or dare kiss, Andrew has been even more subdued than normal if that’s even possible, and Megan is knocking back the Tequila’s faster than she’s ever done before.
“Are those two alright they seem a little troubled?” I ask Marcus quietly once sitting beside him and entwining our fingers.
“No idea.” His response was clear cut as I look at him with narrowed eyes. Ok so maybe the tension was in fact between us as he’s getting frostier with me as the night continues and I can’t help the feeling of annoyance that’s beginning to thicken in my chest.
“A blue lagoon for my blue-eyed girl.” Lucas smiles returning to the table; Marcus’s grip tightens on my fingers. “So, Marcus, Amelia says this is your place?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s a nice place, I like it.”
“Thanks.” Each response to Lucas was abrupt. Lucas was clearly unaware of his change in attitude but I knew this wasn’t the man I was with just hours ago. The man I wanted Lucas to get to know.
“We first met here when Marcus saved me from a drunk that was after my ass. He was my hero.” I smile, trying to soften the tension but only getting half a smile back. I narrowed my eyes at him. What was his problem?
“It’s good to know someone’s out to look after my girls when I’m not around.” Lucas said brushing his hand over my knee.
The pressure on my hand was now beginning to be too much so I lean in towards him. “Marcus, you’re hurting me.” He looks at me with unreadable eye and flashes them down to our joined hands. Loosening me from his grip he pushes back in his seat and heads out past the bar, completely ignoring my calls. Giving Lucas a reassuring smile and making my excuses I head in the direction of the office. Anxious to see what I might come up against on the other side of the door.
“Marcus, are you alright?”
He spins making me flinch. “I don’t share my woman, Amelia!” he growled. His eyes were dark, hurt. But it was his attitude I was more pissed off with.
“Excuse me?”
“I. Don’t. Share.”
My mind flashes to Lucas and everything begins to fall into place. My eyes-widen in disbelief and I step further into the room. “Are you jealous, Marcus?”
“Can you blame me, you’ve been all over him since he got here.” So he is jealous.
“You’ve got this all wrong.”
“Have I?”
Surely he can see there was nothing between me and Lucas, not in the way that he thinks, not when I have him by my side. Lucas is like a brother and maybe I should have warned Marcus of my close connection with him. But in my defence, I didn’t know he was coming and the thought of not being allowed to be myself around my friends unsettles me. I didn’t think Marcus would be that guy.
“You’re being ridiculous.” I reach out taking his arm only for him to withdraw it from my grip.
“Oh, so it’s my fault?” his raised voice and sour expression caused me to step back.
No one comes between me and my family, not even Marcus. I stand my ground as my own voice rises to match his as
we fill the confined space of a darken office with our frustration. “Jesus Christ, Marcus, we’re just friends.”
“I’m friends with Megan; you don’t see me rubbing up to her.”
“What is your problem?!”
“My problem is the fact my girlfriend is paying more attention to every other fucking guy than the one she’s meant to be with!”
Girlfriend? He’s kidding me right?
“How the fuck can you class me as your girlfriend when you’re planning on leaving in a couple of weeks. You need to rethink your choice of words before spitting them out at me.”
His eyes flashed with something I couldn’t recognise, the vein in his neck began to throb as his face reddened. I hated situations like this and I’ve been down this jealousy rage before. Arguing with the ones that are supposed to so call care for me while I wait anxiously to see how unpredictable they actually are. He stood looking at me as his chest rose with his heavy breathing before his eyes fell to the floor.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Amelia.” He said softly. This only enraged me more. He started and clearly wanted a fight to begin with and he’s now backing out after practically accusing me of dry humping my best friend’s brother. My anger bubbled quicker that I thought it would and my Tequila fuelled body found courage to get up close and spit out the words I never wanted to hear myself say.
“I don’t want to fight with you either, Marcus, so you leave me no other choice. I think it’s best that we call whatever this is between us a day as you’re clearly overreacting and I can’t deal with shit like that.”
He grabs my arm as I move to leave, “Is that what you want?” he barked.
I look at his hand that’s taken my arm and flash my eyes at him. In a normal situation like this, a man’s grip would have sent fear cascading down my spine. But with Marcus I’m fearless. If anything my anger towards him is creating my sex drive to soar. I lower my voice but still leave enough power behind my words. “Lucas is my family and as long as he’s here I want to spend as much time with him as possible, and if you can’t cope with that I see no other option.” I tug my arm free and head towards the door, stopping to turn back as my emotions begin to build in my throat. “Besides in a matter of weeks you won’t be here anyway.” I head out in the direction of the people I know won’t make me feel bad about being myself and try to enjoy the rest of my birthday that’s suddenly gone south. Fighting back the hurt that’s currently lying heavy on my heart.