by Darcy Kent
My Brother’s
Best Friend
By Darcy Kent
Dedication
To my friends and family
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
Billionaire Boss’s
Virgin Secretary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
SEAL OF FATE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
A Night With
The Babysitter
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter three
Chapter Four
A Night With
The Babysitter
Part 2
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter five
Chapter Six
A Night With
The Babysitter
Part 3
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Copyright © 2017 by Darcy Kent
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Chapter One
Stacey
“I’ll have another Cosmo,” I say pushing my glass to Gail, the bartender at Gail’s Bar. I don’t actually know her, but there are plenty of people in this bar that do, so I’ve heard her name several times.
“You got it. Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?” she asks while making my drink.
“No thanks, just the drink,” I mumble twisting a napkin in my hand.
When she places the drink in front of me, I pay her and take a sip. I look around the bar and figure there must not be many out of towners here because they all seem to know each other. There are a lot of people in here and I assume that’s because it’s a Friday night. I’ll admit, I’m enjoying the people watching. It’s probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time. That pretty much describes how boring my life has become.
Needing an escape, maybe looking for a bit of excitement, has brought me back to Westlake Resort in South Carolina. I spent all my summers here as a kid. My parents ended up buying the place when my brother and I graduated high school and moved here permanently. Along with my brother, who works for them at the resort. I wasn’t willing to leave New York. I had dreams to accomplish and goals to reach. Which I’ve been lucky enough to do. However, now I feel like I need more, something different. So when I could no longer take the repetitiveness of everyday life, something told me this is where I needed to be.
Hearing a deep voice in the distance draws my attention. I look around until my eyes land on what has to be the sexiest guy I’ve ever seen. Dark hair, muscles that are clearly defined beneath his t-shirt, and I can tell he is popular with the women because they are circling around him, seemingly waiting for their chance.
I look back toward Gail and smile. “Who’s the guy?”
She laughs while whipping down the bar. “That is Ryan Drake.” Ryan Drake, no way. It can’t be the same Ryan Drake that I grew up with. The same scrawny kid that used to collect baseball cards, ride his bike up and down past my house, and tell me the most ridiculous stories. That Ryan was my brother’s best friend and he sure as hell didn’t look anything like this Ryan. I glance back to him and Gail places her hand on mine. “Don’t bother. He’s really is just a pretty face. He sleeps with all the visitors we get, not only here in town, but also back home at Westlake Resort. He’ll just use you and move on.”
He’ll just use me huh? Maybe this is exactly what I need. I mean the reason I drove down here from New York City was to bust out of my boring life. A one-night stand could be a huge start. The idea that he lives in the same resort where I am staying, that is just a bonus.
“You should listen to the lady. Ryan’s a great guy, but I sure as hell wouldn’t trust him around any woman I know,” says a guy who has just plopped down next to me.
“Thanks, I appreciate the advice…” I let the last word drag out giving him the opportunity to introduce himself.
“Leon,” he says tossing back his beer.
“Well thanks, Leon. I’m Stacey,” I say, but he doesn’t pay much attention. He is talking to Gail, so I decide to just take Ryan in.
He looks like a bad boy, which is such anything but the Ryan I knew, and a huge turn on for me. All the guys I’ve been with are exactly like my life, boring. Especially the last guy I was with, Kevin. He had no sense of humor, didn’t like going out because he’d be too tired in the morning, even on a Friday night. Worst of all, he was the worst sex I’d ever had. He didn’t like to fool around, he just went right for it, and it lasted—on a good day—five minutes. Checking out Ryan , I can tell he’d be amazing in bed. Just the way his body moves is sexy as hell.
I think back to when I left New York the other night. I was sitting in my office going over the paperwork I needed for a case I was working on and I couldn’t concentrate on it. The last few weeks had been like that. I used to live for work. I thrived on being in the courtroom, working long nights and not having a life at all. But something was changing and I knew I needed to get away to figure it out. Walking into my boss’ office, I told him that I needed time off and considering I hadn’t taken a sick day or vacation day in years, I had time on my side.
Pulling out of my thoughts I order yet another drink, before looking back to my new favorite view. I watch him laughing with a few of his friends or who I think are his friends, and it reminds me of how long it’s been since I laughed like that. I can’t even remember what it’s like to laugh and actually mean it. To find something so funny that it just comes pouring out of you.
I take a deep breath and toss back the rest of my drink trying to numb the pain I’m starting to feel. I have no idea what I’ve been doing with my life. Yes, I make great money, have an upscale loft and more clothes than I’ll ever wear. But what’s the point? I have no one to share it with, no one who can make me laugh, and no one who can make life exciting.
That’s what this vacation is all about, and I think Ryan may be the key.
Chapter Two
Ryan
Another Friday night of hanging out at Gail’s Bar. I don’t see any visitors, so I’m just relaxing after a long week of busting my ass at work. I’ll admit, I would love to find a beautiful woman to take home for the night, but tomorrow is another day.
A lot of the regulars are here and, of course, flirting with me, but it’s something I’ve gotten used to. They all know I sleep around, that I’m not going to settle down, so they all want to be the one who changes me.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they bet on it, but I don’t care. I know what I want and it sure as hell isn’t a relationship. I love women, but I don’t trust them. So I guess you could say, I use them. I’m not proud of it, it’s just how I am.
I’m about to get up to grab a beer and this beautiful blonde sitting at the bar catches my eye. She is definitely not from around here. I can tell by the sexy dress, the way she seems to be sitting with almost an arrogance about her, and that crazy looking drink in her hand. Maybe my night is looking up after all.
I keep watching her, trying to figure her out. It’s a little game I like to play before I make my move. She is probably passing through, because as lucky as I am with women, they don’t usually look as stunning as her. The women who vacation here are pretty and sexy, but this woman is beautiful and classy. Maybe she’s married or engaged; no that can’t be right because the guy would be a fool to leave her alone at a bar. Damn, she’s a hard one to figure out.
Most of the time I can guess if they are here running away for the weekend, partying with friends, or vacationing with family. I’ve lived here long enough to study them all. When mommy dearest decided to walk out on me and my pop’s, we moved to Westlake. I remember wanting to stay in New York, but I couldn’t let my pop handle it alone. When I found out it was the resort my best friend, Mike’s, parents had bought, it was an easier decision.
Shaking my head to clear those unnecessary thoughts, I notice the blonde checking me out and figure it’s time to make my move. I smirk as I make my way over to her. She keeps her clear, blue eyes on me the entire time, watching every move I make.
When I reach her I rest against the bar and she turns to face me. “There was no way I could not find out the name of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
A small smile tugs at her lips and she says, “Stacey.”
“Stacey, that’s a great name. I’m Ryan. Ryan Drake.” I extend my hand and she places her delicate one in mine. “What brings you here, Stacey?”
“A little me time,” she says with a blush making its way to her face.
“Me time is always good. So where are you heading?” I ask as I signal to Gail for another beer.
“I’m here. I’m staying at Westlake.”
I can’t stop the smile that breaks out. She’s staying at the resort, how convenient. “No kidding. That’s where I’m from,” I say moving a little closer to her. She’s definitely liking the attention I’m showing her, that much is clear. I also seem to be making her nervous, which is a major turn on. I reach out my hand and rest it on her knee. “How long are you staying?”
“I’m not sure yet. Only time will tell,” she says as she tosses back the rest of her drink.
Damn, she’s beautiful. “Stacey, come dance with me,” I say removing my hand from her knee and holding it for her to take. Without hesitation, she grabs my hand and I lead her out to the little dance floor. There is no band here tonight, but the music is still flowing. I pull her close to me and we slowly move to the beat. “Where are you from?”
“New York City.”
I run my hands lightly up and down her back and she searches my eyes, looking for something but I have no idea what. “No kidding. I grew up in New York,” I say.
She suddenly stops dancing and pulls away. “Ryan Drake, from Long Island? Was your best friend, Mike Collins?” Well damn, how the hell could she know that.
I tilt my head, lifting an eyebrow. “Yeah, that’s me. Who the hell are you?”
Laughing to herself, she bites her lip. “Ryan, it’s me Stacey Collins.”
No fucking way. My best friend’s baby sister has bad written all over it. Good thing I like crossing the line.
The next hour consists of us dancing and her drinking. She keeps this up and I’m either going to need to call her a cab or drive her to the resort myself. We’ve gotten a bit more handsy with each other, which is making this situation that much harder. It’s making everything harder.
“Stacey, does Mike even know you’re here?” I ask while she waits for her next drink.
“No, no one does. I just up and left. I need someone to make my life less boring. I’m tired of it. I want excitement, I want sex, I want someone who is going to make me laugh and make life worthwhile.” She’s drunk…no, she’s trashed. Her pupils are huge, her eyes are glassy, and she’s slurring her words. What’s more, she’s an honest drunk. Looking for someone to make life less boring, that’s a job I’d easily accept.
Everything she just mentioned is what I want, until she mentions making life worthwhile, that I avoid. Even though I’d love to have her in my bed, no way am I getting involved. “I’m lonely, Ryan. I just need to figure out what I’ve been doing wrong with my life. I want to have fun. I know you like to have fun,” she slurs.
Something about the way she is talking and the crazy amount of alcohol she’s had doesn’t add up. I don’t normally care, but this Stacey Collins. She’s not just any regular girl, no she’s so much more than that.
Chapter Three
Stacey
Waking up, I crack my eyes open and am assaulted by the light. I groan and grab my head, immediately regretting the amount of alcohol I consumed last night. I never drink like that and the way I’m feeling right now, I’ll never do it again. My head is pounding, my stomach is turning, and I’m sweating. I feel like shit.
I sit up slowly and notice I am just wearing a t-shirt. The thing is, it’s not my t-shirt. It’s huge on me and smells like cologne. Realization hits me, and I cover my mouth with my hand. “Oh my God,” I whisper to myself. My head really starts pounding, and I decide I need to take something before I even think about anything else.
I climb out of bed and open the door from my small bedroom. I step into the living room and scream out when I see Ryan standing in the kitchen, shirtless. My head is punishing me and starts throbbing as I say, “What the hell are you doing here?” As if I didn’t already know.
“Well, look who finally woke up,” he says walking over to me and handing me three ibuprofen and a bottle of water. “Take this and after you shower we can go grab some breakfast to soak up the rest of the alcohol I’m sure is still swimming in your body.”
What the fuck? Who the hell does he think he is? He’s just going to dismiss what happened last night and take me out to breakfast. What for, a thank you for the lay? I know last night I thought a one-night stand with my brother’s best friend would be a good idea, but that was before it actually happened. I quickly swallow down the pills and wrap my arms around myself. “What the hell happened last night? Well, I mean obviously I know what happened, but why would you even want to have sex with a woman that drunk?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nothing happened last night.”
“You expect me to believe that? I’m wearing your t-shirt and I wake up with you are here, but nothing happened? You know what, I don’t even want to hear the details of it.” How stupid does he think I am?
“Hey, I said nothing happened,” he says crossing his arms over his muscular chest in a defensive way.
“Right, I’m sure that’s why you’re still here,” I say before turning to walk to the bathroom.
He grabs my arm and spins me around to look at him. He looks pissed, but I don’t give a shit. He’s the one standing in my trailer shirtless, with his incredible upper body on display. It’s so obvious what happened, and he refuses to admit it. He moves his face a little closer to mine and says, “Nothing happened. That’s not the kind of guy I am.”
I laugh and pull my arm out of his hold. “Actually, that is exactly the kind of guy you are. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to shower. When I get out, I’d like for you to be long gone.”
“You want me to tell you what happened last night?” he growls, looking at me with daggers in his eyes.
“Ryan, look I already told you I don’t want details. Please get out of my trailer,” I say walking into the bathroom and closing the door.
I don
’t know who the hell he thinks he is. What kind of guy sleeps with a woman who is clearly too drunk to make that kind of decision, not to mention, Mike’s best friend. Then act like nothing happened the next day while standing in my kitchen shirtless. You don’t need to be a fucking genius to figure it out. You do, however, need to be a complete asshole to lie about it.
**
Later in the day, after a long visit with my mom. Who said my dad and Mike won’t be back for another two weeks from a hunting trip they went on, I decide to take a trip into town to get some groceries. There is no food at my place. I have no idea how long I’m going to stay, but I need food. When I get to the small store, I get a shopping cart then make my way through the aisles grabbing a few things I need— completely bypassing the aisle of alcohol.
I can’t stop thinking about Ryan, and not because of his sexy body that was right there in my face earlier. Because he was even more of an asshole than I thought. When Gail told me to stay away from him, I should have listened. I figured he was Ryan. And maybe, just a guy who likes to sleep around, and I guess part of that is right. I just didn’t think he was the kind of guy to lie about it the next day. What’s the point of that?
I don’t know what it is about the men that come crashing into my life, but all of them suck. None of them are like Ryan, but the complete opposite, boring and predictable. I knew I needed a change, but Ryan Drake is not the change I need.