by Lora Leigh
“Oh, what a small world we live in after all,” she muttered, throwing him a glare. “I didn’t come to Spain for romance. Or sex,” she informed him. “Peace was more my aim.”
“We can be peaceful, darlin’,” Shane promised her, starting up the steps that led to the second-floor balcony outside her apartment. “I promise. You’ll get all kinds of peace.”
She wasn’t going to get any peace at all. But she couldn’t deny the fact that excitement was churning through her at a rate she’d never known before meeting them. All her senses were heightened, her flesh sensitive, needs she was completely unfamiliar with before them amping inside her.
Reckless. Her mother had warned her not to give into her penchant for recklessness and she’d promised she wouldn’t. She just wanted a quiet, relaxing vacation. She’d promised. And that would be so very boring.
She knew she was too innocent for them. Yet they were fun. Exciting. They offered the forbidden and made her feel alive. They terrified her. For a few brief moments in a hidden grotto the world had been so much brighter and so many things were possible, even fantasies. But when she’d forced herself to return to the ball, she’d found the world as she’d left it and she’d realized the brilliance, the excitement and mystery she’d tasted just a moment of, had become a hunger she ached for.
And she couldn’t have that. Her world had no place for fairy tales or dreams. There was no place in it for love until she could find her way out of D.C.
Moving up the steps between them, she could only blink as Shane drew a key from the pocket of his pants and unlocked the French doors.
“And you got that where?” she demanded, one hand moving to prop on a hip as she stared between Shane and Sebastian with a glare, certain she appeared furious rather than simply exasperated.
“We’re rather talented that way.” He was laughing at her. Behind those sunglasses, she could practically feel the amusement she knew was gleaming there.
“You’re rather far too arrogant and confident.” She almost wished she were more like Millicent, able to accept their blatant sexuality without her emotions becoming added to the volatile mix of wicked eroticism and superior male certainty.
The problem was, she couldn’t seem to make herself be seriously angry with them. Their antics were far too charming, dangerously so, and they were totally forbidden, which she feared made them all the more attractive.
As if they needed anything to make them more appealing.
“Come on, siren.” Sebastian was laughing at her again. “Invite us in. We just want to get to you know you.”
“Far more intimately than may be good for my peace of mind,” she muttered.
“Or ours,” Shane assured her as she stepped into the luxurious apartment behind them.
The Collier apartment lacked nothing. Every modern convenience had been added along with many comforts she wouldn’t have thought to include herself.
Placing the beach chair to the side of the stone entryway, Shane stared around the cool, spacious residence with an indefinable expression.
“The apartment belongs to a friend of my parents.…”
“Landra Collier.” Shane nodded. “My parents know her as well. Though she’s never offered us use of her apartment.”
“Your reputation has probably already reached her,” she assured him as she moved into the kitchen. “She seems to be a very down-to-earth person. I rather doubt she’d approve of some of the games you’d become involved in.”
She wasn’t judging them. She was the one finding amusement with them, now.
Opening the fridge, she pulled free the sweet tea she’d made that morning before collecting three glasses from the cabinet.
“My hand itches,” Sebastian muttered.
“I know the feeling,” his cousin agreed.
Removing his sunglasses, Shane turned those deep blue eyes on her, his sense of fun clearly reflected in them.
“Be nice now,” she cautioned them as she filled the glasses with ice. “I make iced tea that would bring shame to the finest southern belle. It would be a terrible thing if I decided not to share.”
Sebastian’s brow lifted as he brought one hand to scratch at his chest thoughtfully. “What if I don’t like tea?”
“Then Shane can have your share.” She shrugged. “A South Texas native? I bet his momma weaned him on sweet tea.”
“No truer words were ever spoken,” Shane agreed with her.
Handing out the glasses, she stood at the side of the counter separating the kitchen from the informal eating area and entryway.
“I kind of had plans tonight,” she told them as they found seats at the glass and metal table across from her. “Shall we make plans for you to begin your seduction next week maybe?”
They looked at each other. Sebastian lowered his head and shook it slowly.
“Love her heart,” Shane murmured. “She’s got no clue.”
“She’s actually rather good with clues.” Alyssa frowned back at them. “And I’m getting a clue that you two are about to seriously irritate me.”
“Irritate you?” Shane leaned back in his seat, stretched his legs out, and crossed his arms over his chest again. “Is that why those hard little nipples of yours are teasing the hell out of me? Or that vein jumping at your neck from the force of your racing heart?”
A flush rushed from her breasts to her hairline.
“It’s time for the two of you to go.” Straightening from the counter, she watched them warily now.
They’d just passed exasperation, and charm could only take a man so far.
“Excuse me?” Shane seemed a bit surprised by her announcement and not completely certain why she’d made it.
“There’s a difference between charm and offensive vulgarity Mr. Conner and you’re crossing. I might enjoy the little word games, and the friendly flirting, but I’m no toy, nor am I some trollop you picked up off the streets. And I won’t be spoken to as though I am. The two of you can leave now.” Alyssa had been raised to understand her worth, not just as a person, but as a woman. She was reckless, yes, and she loved to flirt and laugh and enjoyed the experiences of getting to know a wide variety of people. But she’d be damned if she’d let some over-confident male speak to her as though the interest and growing sensual curiosity was something to be ashamed of.
“Well, thank you, Cousin.” Sebastian grimaced as he leaned his elbows on the table and growled at Shane, “You just had to go and offend her, didn’t you?”
Shane didn’t take his eyes off her, though. And as aroused as she was, as curious as she was, she didn’t break his stare. She gave it right back to him, certain if she didn’t do it now, then the respect she knew she deserved would never be gained.
“She’s not as offended as she is frightened,” Shane informed him. “She might be right, though, she’s far too innocent for us, Sebastian.”
Rising from his chair, he finished his tea, tipping the empty glass in her direction before setting it on the table and heading for the door.
Sebastian grinned and winked at her. “Bye, Cousin. I’ll tell you all about candy kisses when I get back tonight. Or in the morning.”
Alyssa had to roll her eyes to keep from laughing at both of them. Again. Damn them. They were completely impossible.
Shane paused at the door, a thoughtful look on his face as she watched him in anticipation, wondering what these two would use to poke at each other with next time. They seemed to enjoy goading each other as much as they enjoyed goading her.
“We could spank him,” Alyssa suggested to Shane with an arch of her brow willing to forgive as long as he didn’t forget. “I don’t think he’d protest nearly as strenuously as I would.”
“The hell I wouldn’t.” Sebastian’s black eyes sparkled with a hint of blue as he leaned back in his chair, watching her with heated anticipation. “Protesting won’t help you, sweets. You’re determined to get that spanking sooner rather than later.”
She proba
bly should be real scared, but she wasn’t. There was something about them that assured a woman that they’d never hurt her in any way but the emotional. The broken heart heading her way would suck, though.
“Your partner’s leaving, though,” she pointed out, unable to keep from teasing back. “You’ll have a hard time doing it alone.”
His crack of laughter had her sliding a look at Shane’s back.
“Wonderful view,” he complimented her with all apparent innocence. “Were you expecting me to leave, sweets? Shame on you.”
“Shame on the two of you,” she accused them lightly before steeling herself to assert her own control. “So tell me, do you actually intend to leave so I can shower and maybe take a nap? There’s a party on the beach tonight I really wanted to attend.”
Parties of the beach variety were strictly forbidden. Here Alyssa intended to experience all she could before returning to the states and the battle to separate herself from her parents’ political lives.
“What sort of party?” The question was asked quite casually, but there was nothing casual in Sebastian’s suddenly flat gaze.
“A beach party,” she said softly. “You know, music, bonfire, laughing, dancing? Fun?”
“Come, Sebastian, we’ll collect the tamales Aunt Tabby made her and bring them to her, then see what we can find to entertain ourselves tonight.” Shane gave all appearances of being jovial and easygoing, but it was his eyes that gave him away. Alyssa had learned at Margot’s knee to always pay attention to the eyes.
Lifting her chin, she stared back at both of the men. “I’m no toy the two of you can decide should be placed on a shelf until you want to play, either. If that was what you had in mind when you followed me here, then it’s best you don’t come back.”
Oh, but she was a fiery little thing.
Shane had to hide the grin and look away from her for a moment. She was a slick one, this little siren they had become far too fascinated with. She didn’t just hear the tone of voice and take in the expression. She was very careful to pay attention to their eyes as well. Not that he didn’t know how to lie with his eyes, but he and Sebastian both knew that for whatever reason, Alyssa was different. For that reason alone they’d made the decision not to lie to her.
“Playing with you wasn’t our intent.” Sebastian rose slowly to his feet; the casual move didn’t have her backing down, but Shane saw the flicker of wariness in her gaze. “At least, not tonight. We thought we’d at least ease you into the debauchery first.”
“Ha-ha.” The mock laugh was indication that his humor in this case was most likely not appreciated.
“No worries, love,” Shane assured her. “Perhaps your memories of us weren’t as fond as ours of you. A winter siren is a rare and wonderful sight. Rather like unicorns.” He winked teasingly. “We looked forward to seeing you again. Nothing more, I promise.”
It was normally Sebastian soothing a female’s anger at them, not Shane. Hell, he was usually the one causing the anger.
“I didn’t say that.” She shifted a bit nervously, the hem of the shirt riding a bit to reveal the extremely low band of the bikini and a flash of creamy, barely sun-kissed flesh.
Hell, the beachwear they’d chosen before leaving the De Loren hacienda wasn’t nearly enough to hide the full erection he was going to be sporting if he kept sneaking peeks.
Lifting his gaze to her face again, he had to grin at the little glare she directed his way.
“I won’t apologize for looking,” he teased her. “You’re far too pretty a sight to pretend otherwise.”
The little roll of her eyes assured him the compliment wasn’t taken seriously.
“We’ll find other amusements tonight,” Sebastian spoke up then, the tone of his voice causing Shane to glance at him warningly.
It was rare for Sebastian to become out of sorts over a woman if she’d made other plans. Though, to be honest, Alyssa wasn’t just another woman.
Her lips thinned for a moment. After she glanced toward the ceiling as though debating something far too seriously, it took her only seconds to direct those soft gray eyes at them once more.
“You’re aware I’m only eighteen, right?” The question was a bit defensive. “And not exactly experienced. I had the impression the two of you much preferred women with a bit more sexual expertise than I possess.”
Sebastian was riding a line he found discomforting, especially after that little declaration. His cock was hardening despite his best efforts to keep it from doing so. The thought of touching her, seeing her wonder with each new pleasure, was like an aphrodisiac. Instantly he was hungrier for her, the sexual need rising with such strength he was wary of it himself.
Son of a bitch. She was right; she was too young for them, too inexperienced. And it was the same thing he’d been telling himself for five months. Still, she was under his skin in a way he couldn’t seem to help.
“We just want to get to know you, Alyssa,” he told her, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stood staring back at her. “We didn’t intend to frighten you. Perhaps in this enchantment you’ve cast over us we’ve neglected to consider the fact that perhaps the fascination doesn’t go both ways.”
He knew better, just as Shane did. She was so aroused it was all she could do to make herself stand still. Her nipples were like little pebbles beneath that shirt and bikini top, a light, telltale flush tinted her flesh, and the slight additional fullness to her lips assured him she was more than just interested.
They were experienced enough to know the signs, while her inexperience ensured she couldn’t hide them.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t attracted.” A frown flirted with her brow as she fought the wariness of her response to them. “I’m not willing to be steamrolled out of the holiday I came here to enjoy, though. I didn’t come looking for a summer romance or a broken heart. And that’s exactly what will happen if I’m not very, very careful.”
“Then be careful, love.” Pulling his hands from his pockets, he moved to her, bent his head, and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “We’ll return. And if you need us…”
Her cell phone lay on the counter. Picking it up, he keyed in both his and Shane’s numbers.
“Or if you get lonely,” he suggested as flirtatiously as such overwhelming hunger allowed, “you’ve only to call us.”
Staring back at him, Alyssa drew her lower lip between her teeth and worried it uncertainly as he turned and joined his cousin at the French doors. As she watched them leave, it was all she could do not to call them back.
A frustrated groan spilled from her lips before she moved to the doors to lock them, only to find them locked. Damn it, she’d forgotten to make him give her the key.
Stalking to her bedroom, she stripped the shirt and bikini off before pulling on the loose white sundress she wore around the house. This situation was going to make her crazy, she decided. Having those two here was going to ruin all her plans for the summer.
Okay, the plans were boring to begin with, but she wouldn’t leave Spain with more baggage than she arrived with if she stuck to her plan. And now that plan was burned to cinders, the ashes scattered. Because if they came back, and she had a feeling they would, then she wouldn’t be able to continue resisting them.
She actually expected them to show up before she left for the beach party. As she showered and dressed in the long, tan chiffon skirt and white cami-tank, she listened for them. Securing a leather bracelet around her ankle, she then pushed her feet into a pair of leather sandals and left the apartment.
As darkness settled around the beach the soft strains of Spanish love songs could be heard from the small band set up not far from the apartment building.
Alyssa stared out over the beach and the small crowd gathered around the bonfire. There were quite a few partygoers milling around, chatting, laughing. There was no sign of Shane and Sebastian, though. And Alyssa admitted her excitement at the thought of attending the party had waned.
If it hadn’t been for her fears, for her certainty that there wasn’t a chance in hell of handling them, then she could have been with them tonight.
“Alyssa, coming down?” Gia Bennett, the daughter of one of Davis Hampstead’s backers, waved up at her. “The band’s warming up and the wine’s going fast.”
Taller than Alyssa, though most people were, lanky in a tomboyish way, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, Gia could have been a model. Instead, she’d told Alyssa, when she returned home she intended to apply for an apprenticeship program with the FBI.
She’d make a hell of an agent too.
Moving down the wide steps, sandals in hand, Alyssa met the other woman at the bottom of the stairs.
“Dish, girl, what were De Loren and his cousin doing waiting for you at the beach?” Gia asked with teasing inquisitiveness. “I bet every woman there was watching them as they waited for you.”
“You know them?” she asked.
“I know of them,” Gia stressed. “What do you know about them?”
“I met them at the Collier party in December,” she admitted. “Why?”
“I’d keep those cute asses a secret if they were visiting me.” Gia turned and headed into the sand, glancing back as Alyssa followed her. “A real close kind of secret, if you get my drift.” Her warning wasn’t lost on Alyssa. “One you might get away with, but both of the De Loren get coming to call? Honey, you’re playing hardball there. You know they share their lovers, right?”
“I rather got that idea in December when I came upon them in the garden with one of the guests. She wasn’t happy at the thought of being caught, either.” Millicent had watched her closely after Alyssa returned to the party, obviously worried.
“Just watch your heart, girlfriend,” Gia warned. “I’m not so worried about tales reaching D.C. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Well, what happens in Barcelona didn’t happen, ya know?”
Yeah, she pretty much got that idea.
“Sebastian and Shane are pretty rough around the edges. The women love them. But they never stick with one for more than a few nights. Don’t go pinning dreams on them, girlfriend.”