Closing the Deal

by Marie Harte

  Derrick grinned at her with a wicked look in his eye. Oh, she was so going to make him pay later.

  “Did you say love?” Barbara just had to rub it in.

  Derrick opened his mouth to reply when Isabel interrupted with, “True. But at least the red hair is real. No bottled color on the Fields women.”

  Her mother, at least, remained true to form. If the conversation didn’t involve her, she didn’t care.

  Sydney expected Derrick to say something back to her mother, but he just smiled and told everyone how he’d ridden the Vortex with Sydney at the fair, and neither of them had thrown up.

  “Nice, Derrick.” Gage frowned. “I’m eating, dude.”

  “Baby,” Derrick and Dylan said as one.

  Hailey tried to smother a smile.

  Barbara shook her head. “You should see these three at our family breakfasts.” She shot Derrick a sly glance. “I’m surprised we haven’t seen you at one before now, Sydney. You’re more than invited, with or without Derrick.”

  Derrick sighed. “With, Mom. You’re not helping.”

  James grinned. “From what I hear, you never need help.”

  Gage snorted. “That’s only because his dates usually have less between their ears than they have in their...” He paused and took a quick sip of water. “In other places.”

  “Not Sydney. She’s got everything I want everywhere it counts.” Derrick put an arm around her shoulder and tugged on her hair. “But she gets it honestly, right Isabel?”

  Her mother nodded.

  “So speaks a man in love,” Hailey teased. The turncoat.

  “What I’d like to know is why you guys seem so interested in that football game. Who’s playing?” Sydney deliberately changed the subject.

  Dylan saved her by taunting Derrick about his pick to win. Then James and Gage joined it. It seemed one needed testosterone to truly enjoy the game.

  “Me?” Hailey shrugged. “I just watch it for the tight butts and shoulder pads.”

  “Me too,” Sydney and Barbara said at the same time.

  The women laughed while the men ignored them in favor of stats and jibes about winners and losers.

  After dinner, the Warren men, as one, cleared the table. James tried to help, but Dylan shot him a nasty look and took his plate into the kitchen.

  “I guess that’s what I get for hating the Bears.” James didn’t look too upset. “Barbara, how about I make some coffee?”

  “That would be nice.” Barbara seemed miffed with him, but Sydney couldn’t have said why. Then again, she was still in shock that Derrick had told everyone he loved her. His family, the people who meant more to him than anything, and he’d confessed his affection in front of one and all.

  She should have felt more uncomfortable. But instead she wanted to shout and do a happy dance. She felt the way she did when she nailed a sale. As if she’d accomplished something vital.

  Hailey socked her in the arm.

  “Ow. What was that for?”

  “Don’t fight it,” her friend murmured. “He’s the Warren twin that never loses.”

  “Yeah?” Sydney sneered. “Well, I don’t see my mother entering therapy anytime soon. So there’s a loss right there.”

  “The night is young, my naïve young friend.” Hailey sighed. “You poor kid. I hope you didn’t bet anything you don’t want to lose.”

  Sydney refrained from saying anything more when Barbara and Isabel sat across from them on the couch, surrounding the coffee table.

  Somehow, between the coffee James brought them, the cake Derrick and Dylan placed on the coffee table, and the chocolates Gage delivered and left, conversation veered from clothing and Isabel’s incredible fashion sense to travel and then to men.

  Before Sydney knew it, her mother was crying about her latest conquest, and how she didn’t know if she should commit to marrying for the seventh time or not. This, after hitting on not just Derrick but James as well.

  Sydney shared a look with Hailey, who whispered, “What can I say? The woman is good.” They stared in awe at Barbara.

  “Why don’t we take this somewhere more private, Isabel?” Barbara offered kindly.

  Sydney’s mother left with Barbara and disappeared behind a closed door.

  The men appeared as if by magic.

  “She has an office she uses here sometimes,” Dylan offered.

  “Just waiting for Mom to work her mojo,” Derrick said with a huge grin. “We didn’t want to interrupt.”

  “And the game wasn’t quite over,” James said dryly. “We caught the end in the kitchen. Bears are going to suck this year.”

  “You suck,” Dylan snapped.

  “Nice comeback, Dr. Warren.” Gage laughed.

  “Dickhead.” Dylan looked down his nose at his younger brother, and even Sydney had to laugh.

  “Don’t you just love...” Derrick looked right at her “...when Dylan uses his snotty doctor voice to talk like a regular guy? No offense, James.”

  James rolled his eyes. “None taken.”

  Gage and Derrick shared a grin.

  “Could you be anymore immature?” Sydney asked.

  “I could. But why bother, when I love just being here next to you?”

  The others grinned. Everyone had to know he was rubbing her nose in the big love bowl.

  “Derrick—”

  “I love when you say my name like that.” He sighed.

  “How about some coffee?” She tried to change the subject.

  The others watched them back and forth, like watching a tennis match.

  “I’d love some.”

  Even she had to chuckle at that. “You’re such an idiot.”

  “And that’s why you love me.” He linked his hands behind his head, his arrogance amusing, annoying...and justified.

  “Yeah,” she sighed.

  He froze. Everyone around them took pause.

  Then his smile grew too wide for his big fat head, and she realized what she’d admitted. Out loud, in front of witnesses.

  “Oh hell. There’ll be no living with him now,” Dylan groaned.

  Sydney stared at the stupid smile on Derrick’s face, so in love with him it made her ill.

  His mother chose that moment to walk out of her office. She handed Isabel a business card. “Jitters are more than normal, Isabel. Especially after this many go-rounds. Come on in tomorrow. You’ll feel better.”

  “I will, thanks.” Isabel sniffed. And damn if her mother didn’t look like a million bucks even with tears streaking down her face. Then she took a good look at the crowd in the living room. “Well, what did I miss?”

  Derrick hooted. “Tonight I just can’t lose.”

  Sydney swore under her breath. She recalled what she’d bet Mr. Arrogant. At the wicked look in his eyes, she swore again.

  ♥

  Sydney should have known better. “Come on, Derrick, this is uncomfortable.”

  Back at his house, with her hands tied behind her back, she wore nothing but heels, her thigh-high stocking and garter belt as she bent over his couch. She was eternally indebted to Hailey and Gage, who’d driven her mother back to her hotel. Otherwise, Sydney might have had to postpone paying her debt.

  Because as much as she protested Derrick’s cockiness, she couldn’t wait for him to take his winnings.

  She felt his hands spreading her buttocks before something slick penetrated her ass. She moaned.

  “Fuck me, that’s sexy. That plug is nice and tight in there, Syd. Never bet against a Warren. And especially not this Warren.”

  He stepped behind her, fully naked, and nudged her ankles farther apart. “Now before we do this, tell me again everything Dylan said to you after coffee, when my mom dragged me aside to give me the third degree.”

  She groaned. “I’m telling the truth. We talked mostly about properties in the area He said nothing about you, only that he was jealous he hadn’t found me first.”

  “Bastard.”

  �
�I thought that was kind of nice.” She moaned when he pulled out the plug and began fucking her ass with it. The sensation felt surprisingly good. Then he stilled and slapped her ass.

  “He’s trying to charm you, but you’re mine.” Derrick nudged her entrance with his cock and thrust home, filling her sex with his long, thick shaft. “Oh yeah, that’s it.”

  He didn’t move, lodging himself and the plug tight.

  “Derrick.”

  “No, now you tell me the rest. Again.”

  “But—”

  “Again.”

  “Your mom told me how happy she is you finally found a nice girl to bring home.”

  He snorted. “Doesn’t know you too well, does she?”

  “Ass.”

  He popped her in the butt and she jerked under him. “Try again.”

  “You’re too bossy.” And it made her wet. She squirmed, under his control, needing him to move. God, she wanted to come.

  “But I love you anyway. Say it.”

  “But you love me anyway.” God, could it be true?

  “I won’t force you to say it, Syd. But we both know you love me right back. After meeting your mom, I understand a lot more that you haven’t said.”

  She groaned.

  “Don’t worry, baby. You didn’t run after being in the same room with Dylan, Mom and James. So I’m sticking with you too.”

  She tried to move again, but he wouldn’t let her. Those massive hands of his kept her hips still.

  “Please.” She needed to come.

  “Please what, Syd? Tell me, baby.” He leaned over her to nip at her ear. “Say it, the way I told you to.”

  She didn’t want to, because when she did, she meant it just the way he knew she did.

  “Syd.”

  She swallowed hard and did as he’d prompted. “Please love me.”

  He straightened up, pulled back and rammed inside her. “Oh yeah. I do love you, Sydney. And I always will. One day you’ll believe that.” He took her hard, giving her the rough release she needed.

  When they finished, he untied her hands, cleaned them both up and settled her over him on the couch. They lay together, naked and replete.

  “I’m always going to be here for you, Sydney. All week during your mom’s visit, during Thanksgivings, Christmases, you name it. And one day when you’re ready, we’ll get married.”

  She blinked down at him, annoyed at the rush of emotion hitting her hard. “Taking a lot for granted, aren’t you?”

  He stroked her hair. “Nope. I just know a good thing when I see it. Now what do I have to do to sell you this house?”

  “This house?”

  “Yep. It’s a nice house, over three thousand square feet, comes furnished with plenty of room for girlie furniture, like the kind at your place. Oh, and it also comes with a handsome, studly architect who’s hot for a certain redhead we both know and love.”

  A tear slid down her cheek, but before she could scrub it away, he brought her face to his and kissed it. “I love you, Syd. Forever.”

  “You’re a dope.”

  “Who loves you.”

  She laughed, wanting to say it back. She needed to believe he wouldn’t leave, that they could have a future. She knew how she felt, but she was afraid if she told him, he’d leave. Insane, but that’s what came of a life with Isabel Fields.

  Good God. Did she really want to keep blaming her mother for her insecurities? A harsh helping of truth smacked her right between the eyes. “I...”

  “When you’re ready, baby. I’ll be here. I promise.”

  She nodded and laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Listening to her truth. A second passed. Then two. “I love you right back, Derrick Warren.”

  Arms hugged her tighter. In as smug a voice she’d ever heard him use, he answered, “I know.”

  She snorted and smiled. “Idiot.”

  Thanks for reading Derrick and Sydney’s story! The Wicked Warrens really began my love affair with contemporary romance. I love the brothers’ interactions. Family is the cornerstone of these men, and they do so love their mother!

  To find out how Dylan falls in love with not one, but two people, read the next page for an excerpt of Raising the Bar.

  Note: the Wicked Warrens is also the series that kickstarted my bestselling The McCauley Brothers series. I just love hunky brothers!

  I love to hear from fans. You can contact me through my website. By joining my newsletter, you can get access to cover reveals, contests, and sneak peeks, as well as free books! You can also follow me on Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, and Twitter.

  And if you liked this book, please consider leaving a review.

  More contemporary romance from Marie:

  The McCauley Brothers

  The Troublemaker Next Door

  How to Handle a Heartbreaker

  Ruining Mr. Perfect

  What to Do with a Bad Boy

  The Donnigans

  A Sure Thing

  Just the Thing

  The Only Thing

  The Works

  Bodywork

  Working Out

  Wetwork

  And more!

  An Excerpt from Raising the Bar, the third in the Wicked Warrens series

  Dylan Warren paced outside the government complex and shivered in the cold December wind. Even in Augusta, Georgia, winters could get a bit chilly.

  I can do this. It’s nothing but a thing. No one has to know.

  After taking a deep breath, he let it out and entered the building, all the while cursing himself for letting Derrick take advantage of his generosity. How could he have forgotten for even a second that his twin was the Warren brother who never lost a bet?

  Because of Derrick, the freakin’ Bears—who couldn’t seem to win a game—and his own stupidity, Dylan found himself doing something he hadn’t done in twenty years. God, I am too old for this shit. As he entered the narrow corridor leading to professional suicide, he tugged at the raggedy sweater that passed for Derrick’s Sunday best and swore again, clutching the handful of papers he’d memorized last night.

  A gift for total recall was the only thing going in his favor today. He had a meeting with his mother later that he’d been dreading. As he waited in the quiet lobby of the planner’s office, he tried not to dwell on what might go wrong with Derrick’s stupid scheme. He had a hard enough time living up to his mother’s estimable reputation without getting caught playing dress-up. Christ, if Dr. Barbara Ann Warren got wind of this, he’d never hear the end of it. But then, that might be preferable to hearing about—

  “Derrick Warren?” A prim older woman who looked like she walked with a stick up her ass stood in the doorway to his left and stared down her nose at him. The dreaded secretary, Marly Bennett. Derrick had warned him that the woman ate contractors like candy.

  “Yes, ma’am?” He gave her his best grin, and her frown turned into a tight-lipped line.

  “Ms. Wielder will see you now.”

  “Thank you.” As he drew closer, he stopped and sniffed. “I hope you don’t think this too forward, but you smell wonderful. You’re wearing Vintage, aren’t you?”

  She blinked at him. “Why yes, I am.” The woman looked old enough to be his grandmother, but the warm smile she gave him told him she appreciated his noticing. At least the old Warren charm hadn’t disappeared along with his good sense.

  He entered the office and found the city planner, Natalie Wielder, waiting impatiently at her desk. He stepped forward and held out a hand. “Ms. Wielder.”

  She shook it and gestured for him to sit. “Mr. Warren.” She blew out a breath. “Cut the crap, Derrick. You’re late.” Apparently she and Derrick were on a first-name basis. One more thing his idiot brother hadn’t told him.

  He frowned. “I was told the appointment was for noon.”

  “Try eleven forty-five. You’re lucky you’re good-looking or Marly would have tossed you out on your ass. She has a thing for younger
men, you know,” Natalie added with a smirk.

  Friggin’ Derrick and his suck-ass ability to remember details—like what time the meeting started. “Sorry. I must have written it down wrong.”

  “Whatever.” Natalie waved aside his apology. “You know Harper.”

  No, he didn’t. Dylan forced himself to hold it together as he glanced over his shoulder at the man leaning against the wall, his thick forearms crossed over a broad chest. He had sandy hair and dark brown eyes and was dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans and work boots. A faint reference to Harper somebody came to mind. Derrick had been bitching about something...blah, blah, blah, and Harper fixed it.

  Dylan nodded to the man. “Harper.” The guy had long eyelashes, a tanned complexion and really large biceps. He was handsome, ruggedly so. And not someone Derrick would ever find sexually attractive. Dylan, on the other hand...

  “Derrick.” Harper’s eyes narrowed as he looked Dylan over, but he said nothing more.

  “Give me the papers, Derrick. Derrick?” Natalie raised her voice.

  Dylan turned away from Harper and his chocolaty brown eyes and handed her the report he’d been carrying. “Sorry. Been a long day.”

  “And it’s only noon,” Natalie jeered. She studied the notes, reading through Derrick’s presentation, giving him a moment to compose himself.

  A good thing, because Dylan found himself rattled. Derrick had given him the bare bones about today’s meeting. A necessary evil to clinch the new city development deal. Derrick had already been given the green light. He saw today as a mere formality. Yet Dylan considered the meeting anything but.

  Natalie Wielder treated him with barely concealed disdain. He’d already been late. And holy shit, but this Harper guy stunned him. Dylan had particular tastes in his sexual partners. He was a professional, dated professionals, and liked men and women equally. He cared less about pedigree and looks than about a person’s inner character, probably because he’d grown up trying to figure out what made people tick.

  But his reaction to Harper alarmed him, because he didn’t normally grow breathless around...well, anyone. He chalked up his nerves to the threat of being exposed as a fraud and did his best to focus.

  Natalie asked Dylan questions about the bid, and he answered them easily enough. He concentrated on being Derrick, aware his brother was counting on him. Sydney had finally put his brother out of his misery and moved in with him, and Derrick planned to capitalize on his good fortune with a weekend of unbridled sex. The lucky bastard.