Take All Of Me: A Brother’s Best Friend, Sibling Rivalry Romantic Suspense Novel (The Takers Series Book 1)

by Sienna Evans

  He didn’t answer right away, instead turned his focus from me to the window. He then flashed over every inch of the tiny space. Greyson was a tortured soul, in line with his reputation as an alleged bad boy, black sheep of the Michaels family.

  “CeCe, you have me so messed up,” he declared.

  I was a second away from reaching out... from running, no, leaping into his tatted-up arms. But this couldn’t happen like before.

  No Celeste don't let him get to you again. Remember the last time. Now is for Quinn. Fight it!

  While I fought to remain still, he began pacing around. Only then did I realize I'd kept myself open. Greyson had stormed back into my life so fast that I didn’t have enough time to hide my research. How could I have forgotten the evidence?

  I spun on my heels before running my fingers through my hair. Realizing I must've looked completely wild, I gathered up the full length, which was clinging to my shoulders. I wrapped it up and looped the end through a knot. The tiniest tendrils slipped out to brush at my forehead.

  The silence was awful. I think everyone has been so tense over the past several months that any kind of quiet felt awkward.

  “I'm going to head out, Celeste. Promise me you'll stay away from this mess.”

  I shrugged because this wasn’t just about comforting me. Something real was going on andI didn’t plan on shying away.

  “Please, promise me. This is high-level danger.” Grey's pushiness reminded me of exactly why I needed to fight―for all the other girls that might get led down this road to a certain death.

  “Just leave, Greyson.” Butterflies formed in the pit of my stomach. I hadn't seen him in months and didn't know when he’d be back. In fact, since our outdoor session, he’s only ever called me. Twice: the night at the club with Quinn and another time when I was in class.

  Now, without wanting to, I suddenly missed him. But as always, I had to let him go. Extending an upturned palm toward the front door, I encouraged him to cut the impromptu visit short. “Thanks for stopping by.”

  After I'd moved up to the city from Bayonne, NJ to attend NYU for undergrad years ago, I rarely saw a whole lot of our old friends or most of the family on a regular basis. Yet Greyson had made it a point to check in from time to time, like I was his responsibility.

  Now, instead of turning to head back to where he'd come from and disappear out of my life until the next drive by, he moved forward. For the sake of my emotions, I needed him to maintain the distance. By the second step, the vibrations rang out from my chest cavity so much that I could've sworn he’d heard it.

  But then, he stormed past me, aiming for the futon.

  No! No! I was floored.

  He snatched up my papers before I was ready to defend myself, let alone the hours I've invested into seeking out my cousin's true killers.

  “Look at this crap.” He was livid, swiping from page to page. “You're supposed to be focusing on your classes. What about your internship? Isn't the bar exam coming up?”

  One by one, the iPhone surveillance pictures I'd taken of the club and businesses Quinn’s abductors owned flashed by as he blew through my findings. The printed copies gave me away.

  “Give me those,” I demanded, but my voice shook as tears rushed down my face. I trembled from head to toe. The soles of my feet rubbed onto a multicolored burlap rug I'd once thought was perfect for the hardwood floors.

  Now, everything annoyed me, starting with him.

  He swerved to the side, leaving hints of his cologne. I didn't let that distract me though, no matter the effect he's always had over me.

  Not today.

  “What is this, Celeste? How'd you get these pictures?” Greyson gripped the pages with his right hand and reached out to grab my chin with his left. His fingers pressed against my skin. I had no choice than to tip up onto the ball of my feet, because although he was only 5’11”, and me at 5’1” and a lousy quarter, I could never meet him, no matter the height of heels I might ever wear.

  Today I was planning my course of action in a pair of faded, pink cotton shorts that clung to my thighs and a comfy, ribbed white tank without a bra. I looked like crap, I sure as hell wouldn’t take the time to care now. My feet were bare, right down to my toenails. Seriously, how could I think about pedicures when my cousin was abducted and discarded like trash?

  When Greyson had turned up at my door, I never expected for my limbs to go weak or feel like I'd cave at any moment. I never planned on opening the door. I thought I’d gotten used to living without him, all over again. This was torturous. It was a sick game and I was beyond tired of playing it.

  “How much is too much? How much hurt should someone endure?” I posed the questions over everything, from Quinn’s death to my continuous heartbreak.

  Greyson was the childhood crush I’ve never gotten over. He was the guy no one else could ever compare to. He was the quintessential bad boy who's been warned off by my older brother, though their loyalties ran deep. And now, he was standing in the way of revenge.

  “I swear, Celeste. If anything ever happens to you, I'd lose my mind.” He's never been one to show emotions, preferring action—and threats when necessary. This time, his words were full of pain as he pleaded for my understanding.

  I stretched up and wrapped both sets of my fingers on his hand that was still claiming the bottom half of my face. The pressure increased but gave me a fuzzy buzz all over. This was the longest amount of time he's ever spent holding onto me, with the exception of that day in the alley. I wish it might've been able to last longer.

  “You can’t see what’s in here?” He pounded at his chest.

  “Greyson, what am I supposed to see?”

  I glanced down to where his other hand met mine. I flinched and got tingly, in all the right places…at the wrong time. I've always hoped we would somehow find a way to come together, even after that alley mistake.

  Are we moving forward? And right now?

  And just like he'd read my mind, Greyson let go. He took two steps backward before turning away from me. The printed pictures were still clenched within his fingers.

  “This,” he spat out while holding up my pictures. “This isn’t happening! You’re on a death wish.”

  “We’re talking about Quinn, Grey! They kidnapped her, raped her, cut off limbs! They dumped her body and went on with their life like she never existed!” I paused to catch air. The room spun, yet I continued. “They didn’t only kill her, they crushed her.” Why wasn’t he angry enough to go after Quinn’s killers? Why wasn’t he pissed off?

  My muscles contracted over every inch of my body. I don't know if it was the fact that he'd come into my home and suddenly found it necessary to bully me into not going after my cousin's killers, or the way he'd warmed me to the core only to step away again. Or him trying to convince me to not be angry enough to avenge my cousin.

  I ran the short distance between us and jumped up onto his back. My legs wrapped around his waist until I was able to lap my feet at the ankles, right at his zipper. I tugged at his hair. God knows, as kids, I always enjoyed playing in his hair, but today was different. This time wasn't about an innocent tussle or even getting freaky with a guy I would’ve waited a lifetime for. It was about being left alone to do whatever I needed to do.

  “Give them back and get out of my place.” I swung and kicked at him, refusing to let go, not just because of the pictures either. I need to let go of some of the pain I’ve been carrying and this seemed like the right place and time.

  Greyson tried to shake me off. I knew he’d never hurt me. He could never bring himself to.

  After about fifteen seconds, the papers eventually slipped out of his grip. As much as I continued yanking at his hair, clawing at his gray tee shirt or hitting at his skin, he never once faltered. My fight had little to no effect on him.

  “What's wrong with you?” he challenged in the most even-toned voice one could expect from this type of guy. And then he spun around, flopping u
s both down on our sides, on top of my bed.

  “Leave me alone,” I wheezed. My breathing was labored, like he was the one on my back. The second we ended up in the bed though, I pulled my right leg from under him and straddled his waist. “I didn't ask you to come here. I don't want you here, Greyson.” I was a liar. I felt a sensation from my heart to below my waste. A feeling I did not want and yet so desperately desired. But I had to fight him to protect my heart. “

  “Well, I’m not going anywhere now.” He allowed me to use what little hand strength I had to spread his arms wide. “You're stuck with me until you get some sense.” His lips twitched into a smug grin. It bragged that he'd taken control, though he was on the bottom and I was the woman on top. “Give it up, CeCe.”

  “Because you’re telling me to?” Drops of sweat formed along my temples. Goosebumps prickled at my back, up and down my spine. His scent drew me in unlike any drug or addiction might've been able to. He literally sent me wild.

  It’s hard as hell to resist him and focus on my plans.

  “The harder you make this on me, the harder I’ll make it on you.” He motioned with two fingers back and forth, from his chest to mine.

  He exhaled and then remained still.

  I inhaled and shivered.

  Greyson's presence was massive, though, he didn't initially come across as one of those men that got their thrills from bullying women. He commanded respect rather than fear. But something in his choice of words threatened to suck me into his way of thinking.

  I didn't ask to have to defend my actions. I never planned on setting aside an education I'd worked hard at in exchange for seeking revenge. Now, I was here and not turning back. And of all the things he could've done, I sure as hell never expected to be flipped over in that second. Yet, Greyson did it. My breathing hitched.

  “CeCe,” he said while his warm breath blew into my face.

  He took control over my actions and body before I knew what was going on. His arms gripped mine, his hands whipped around my back. I gasped when one palm rested at the nook above my butt. I hated him for this, and still wondered what it would feel like if he'd just grab me in all the places, like he’d done before.

  Why does life have to be so complicated?

  Greyson's knees held mine apart. His soft, gray-blue khakis tickled at my legs, but I could still feel the firmness of his muscles beneath his loose-fitting clothes.

  He whispered my name again.

  My insides melted.

  With the passing seconds, my breathing grew deeper. The corners of my mouth tingled as I fought to keep an angry face while strands of Greyson's hair brushed against my forehead. His tongue slipped across his lips, and I felt the impact of his hunger matching my own―a hunger I was learning to keep under wraps.

  “I’d kill for you,” he swore.

  “I can take care of myself,” I replied slowly.

  “Why would you want to when I can do it much better?”

  He was out to screw up my mind.

  Always, whether at family events or just hanging out with our brothers, the minute our eyes would meet, it was like all life outside of us ceased to exist. But this, what we were experiencing now, suddenly made up for all the times the world had stood still for us and we’d had no choice but to wait. Being this close to Greyson outweighed the times we’d somehow been robbed of the moments the universe seems to have prepared with us in mind and never unfolded all those years ago.

  I got the sense he didn’t want to miss this opportunity either. It was here. It was real. And no one could stop it, apart from either of us.

  “Celeste,” he whispered. His breath tickled at the tip of my nose. My chest rose high off of the bed. Our bodies drifted closer together until his lips crushed hard on mine.

  I mumbled into Greyson's mouth as his tongue slipped between my lips. It darted in and around, seizing this opportunity to force me into submission. The kiss burned like the most vicious fire I could've ever conjured up from the gates of hell. He forced me into the abyss, further than I’d imagined possible. I needed to consume everything he offered.

  “Ummm,” I cried out.

  Little by little, I forgot how strong I’d always claimed to be. How long I’d withstood this connection. How much I’d convinced myself that this would never happen again. Yet here we were, our bodies pressed together and nothing but a distant memory of why I should never be his to distract us from going all the way.

  My emotions got the best of me. Moisture began trickling down my cheeks. Not until Greyson pulled away with a hungry, glossed-over stare did I realize I was shaking and sobbing.

  “Oh baby, I’m sorry.” He swiped at the tracks of my tears while looking down on me in horror. His eyes fluttered up into his head and lips twitched before he pressed back down to me. A toss of his head sent short waves of hair brushing against my face when he came in closer. “I don't know what came over me.”

  “No...” I yearned this almost as much as I needed to avenge Quinn's death.

  “This whole thing makes me crazy. You wanting to put your life of the line like this. I'd put an end to anyone who ever hurt you.” Greyson was filled with apologies, but still not willing to remove his hands from my body or put distance between us.

  Funny thing, I didn't want him to either. He made me remember what I'd tried to ignore.

  I shook my head in response. “How did you know?”

  “Brendan said the cops saw you on surveillance.”

  “And you came to check on me?”

  “I came to put an end to what you’re doing.” This time when Greyson leaned into my face, his fingers slid up my arms at the same time. His caress wasn’t entirely rough, though not quite gentle. He was warm, growing hotter by the minute. He held onto my jaw while our tongues slid along each other’s.

  When my hands slipped underneath his shirt, I gasped at the feel of solid muscles built up on his stomach and chest.

  Screw what we were or weren't supposed to do. To hell with anything beyond this stifling room. Our world now consisted of Greyson and Celeste. I needed to be skin to skin with the only man I'd ever loved, no matter what tomorrow might hold.

  Greyson

  Celeste’s silky fingers gripped my thighs as she fought to shove my legs apart. We'd stripped down to nothing. I couldn't resist the only girl who's ever been off-limits. So, I gave in to my biggest desire and let her take the lead.

  I gave her enough room to maneuver beneath me. She wasted no time in taking hold of my erection and wrapping her lips around the tip.

  “Mmmm,” she mumbled, “Greyson.” She palmed me right before making my shaft disappear in her mouth.

  My head fell back at a mind-blowing, popping sound when she sucked back out to tip, only to let it go. I was weak. I was a guy who’d learned to resist weakness but had fallen under her spell.

  “Oh baby,” I exhaled before grabbing a fistful of her hair.

  She moaned, and then called out my name again and again.

  I pumped my waist forward and jolted just enough. The energy traveled from every inch of my body to gather in my core. I wanted to scream but didn’t. I was a man. Couldn’t let her take me down. Wouldn’t allow her to see an ounce of weakness. Something told me that she knew this.

  Her back slumped. She released the suction and then drew closer. For a second, it was like any other part of me didn't exist. It was just Celeste and my erection. She blew, licked, sucked and caressed my it. She was rough, gentle and desperate all at once. I held onto her wild hair. I loved her. I wanted her. I needed her. I had to have her. She was everything and more yet kept pushing the boundaries.

  I nearly lost my mind!

  But did she stop?

  No!

  Celeste's thumb nuzzled the sensitive split at the head with one hand, as the other massaged my sac. Our gazes connected, and even though the light from beyond the curtains had dimmed, I saw the shine in her eyes. Her lips were full and quivering, begging me to take her in
any way I'd ever want to.

  And God knows I wanted to in every way possible.

  I moaned at the thought of the things she could do to mess up my head. And in the process, I got harder by the second. I didn't think it was possible to get any harder, but I did. She continued to palm and caress me, taking possession of the one thing I’ve always been able to keep under control. All that was left was for me, this shell of a tatted-up man, to try and take charge.

  I extended my fingers down to her thick, blonde hair again.

  She purred but shook her head side to side.

  I tugged and pulled her closer, burying myself inside of her mouth until she was hitting up on my shaft.

  I mumbled under my breath. A rush of heat flushed over me, from head to toes. Her tongue was unrelenting, while her fingers and palm massaged the remaining length of me. And every few seconds, she mumbled or do something to cause a vibration up and down my stiff cock.

  When she loosened her grip and tickled the tip of with her tongue, I almost lost it.

  This was Celeste…little CeCe, all grown up and moving on me in beast mode; blowing my mind to pieces with her mouth-work.

  She took in my erection once again. I thrust my hips forward. I felt the opening and grip of her throat as I slipped further down, so I braced for the gag reflex, ready to pull out if she needed me to. But she let it glide unhindered. I quivered; my hands grasped her hair tighter. Veins popped all over and I could’ve died right then, except for the fact that she was crushing me only to give me life.

  "Mmmm," she moaned gently against me, sending a slew of vibrations up and down my shaft.

  Little Celeste Morgan broke down the walls.

  Usually, I could hold my own. I wasn't a sap to any degree, but she was nothing short of vicious and out to take me down. It’s a helluva thing where unleashed emotions will lead if left unchecked. I couldn’t help but wonder what I was going to do if I was ever forced to walk away like I might have to.