Tripp's heart races in excitement. Is Mike actually pushing him to be with his sister? This is surreal. Tripp has dreamed about this for years. “Are you sure?” Tripp blurts. He can't believe this is happening.
Mike smiles warmly. “I'm sure...go make my sister happy,” he assures with a nod in Anna's direction.
Tripp doesn't know what comes over him, but he grabs Mike's face and kisses him hard on the lips. “I fucking love you, man!”
Mike laughs and wipes his mouth. “Dude, don't kiss me! Kiss Anna!”
Tripp gets to his feet and trudges through the sand like a man on a mission. He makes it over to Anna, Melina, and Scarlett in seconds. Anna looks up at him, her eyes widening slightly when she sees the look on his face. Tripp grabs her arms and hauls her to her feet.
“Tripp? What are you...” Anna starts, but Tripp cuts her off by sealing his mouth over hers.
Anna instantly melts against him. Tripp laces his fingers in her silky hair, his body pressed against hers. Fuck, this is better than he has ever imagined. She tastes as sweet as her cherry lip-gloss smells. Tripp is hard in two seconds flat. Good thing her body is covering his front. With one hand in her hair, he uses the other to wrap around her waist and tuck her closer against him.
Tripp can distantly hear the catcalls and whistles from everyone, but he doesn't care because he’s so lost in this woman that he loves. His heart swells. He's never been so happy in his life. Tripp's kiss is frantic, unable to get enough of something that he’s yearned for so long. He doesn't ever want this moment to end, but he’s running out of air, which means Anna is most likely as well.
Tripp reluctantly ends the kiss, pulling back from her slowly. When he looks down at her, Anna still has her eyes closed, and her swollen, red lips are slightly parted. They are both panting. Tripp's knees are threatening to give out at any second and his cock is throbbing painfully. He’s dying to take her up to his room right now, but everyone would know what they’d be doing, including Anna and Mike's father, so it’s not really an option.
Anna's eyes flutter open and she looks up at him in confusion. “Tripp?”
“I'm so in love with you, Anna,” Tripp whispers so only she can hear.
Anna's eyes immediately tear up. “You are?” she croaks.
Tripp nods.
Anna reaches up and kisses him again. “I love you, too,” Anna murmurs against his lips.
Tripp smiles. He wants to scream with joy at the top of his lungs. This is the best day of his life by far. Anna loves him. He couldn't have prayed for anything better. Tripp kisses Anna again, this time more slowly, exploring her mouth and memorizing it. The only way this moment could get any better is if she stays the night.
**Mike**
Mike smiles to himself all the while walking back up to the house, so pleased that Tripp and Anna are finally together and happy. They were making out in front of everyone for a couple of minutes, and the only reason they stopped was that Big Mike told them to get a room. Mike shakes his head, laughing to himself. It was a good night. After everything they've all been through, they all needed a night like this.
After taking a mean piss - all of that beer made his bladder feel like it was going to explode - Mike heads back into the kitchen. He’s feeling pretty good and has a really nice buzz going, maybe even borderline drunk. The next beer he’s about to have will tip him over the edge. Mike goes into the fridge, grabs a bottle of beer, and then shuts the fridge. As he turns around, he catches sight of the ever gorgeous, Scarlett, walking into the kitchen.
Mike watches her. The sway of her hips when she walks, the way she twirls her hair around her finger, the pink flush creeping up her pretty cheeks. She put on a short white sundress to cover her bikini and she looks so innocent; so pure in the white. He doesn't know if she’s a virgin, but he thinks that she is, with how shy she is. Mike feels his cock jerk at the idea of deflowering her. He would take it slow, make her come a bunch of times before he even...oh god, what is he thinking? She’s only 19!
Scarlett's eyes meet his. She gives him a shy smile, ducking her head slightly. Mike sips his beer, trying to keep his body from responding to her natural sensuality. He was trying to stay away from her while they were on the beach. He really didn't need to get the shit beat out of him by her brothers, but he felt her eyes on him throughout the night. It made him fidgety, which was another reason he came back into the house, to get away from her stare. Yet, here she is...with him...in the kitchen...alone.
“Hi,” Scarlett says sweetly.
Mike gives her a nod and takes another swig of his beer. Scarlett comes to a stop in front of him, her big brown eyes fixed on his. Mike just stands there, hopefully giving her his blank cop face, but he isn't sure if he’s pulling it off since he’s so intoxicated at this point.
“That kiss was like something out of a movie,” Scarlett says, a little breathy, shaking her head in what looks like disbelief.
Mike narrows his eyes at her. Where is she going with this? “Mhmm,” Mike agrees cautiously.
Scarlett looks down at her feet while her hands tangle knots in the bottom of her hair, which is hanging in soft waves over her shoulder. “I don't think I've ever been kissed like that,” she admits, glancing up at him with just her eyes.
Is she serious?
Mike chugs the rest of his beer. He can't take it anymore. This girl is doing things to him that no woman has before. He’s never been so attracted to someone in his life. But she’s only 19; it’s just wrong to take advantage of her, even if she wants him to.
“Listen, Scarlett...” Mike starts, but Scarlett cuts him off by reaching up onto her tippy toes and planting the most tender kiss on his lips.
Scarlett’s delicate hands are a light touch on his chest. Her silky soft lips are just a whisper of a touch on his. Mike can't move. He’s completely frozen, no idea what to do. He’s at war with what he wants or what he knows he should do, which is not kiss her back.
Scarlett pulls back quickly, putting her fingers to her lips. “I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me,” she says, completely mortified.
Mike doesn't get the chance to reply because Scarlett's parents and brothers walk in, followed by Vance and Melina. Vance and Melina give them a curious look, her parents seem oblivious, but Bryan and Cameron are each giving him the stink eye. Their faces are hard and cold with promises of a beat down in their eyes.
“Scarlett, honey, come on, we're heading out,” her dad says. “Mike, it was nice meeting you.”
Mike shakes Hank's outstretched hand. “You, too.”
Ginger gives him a small hug, then it’s Bryan's turn to say goodbye. Bryan uses their handshake to pull Mike into a shoulder bump.
“I hope you aren't trying to put the moves on my little sister,” Bryan murmurs quietly so that only Mike can hear him.
“No, I wasn't,” Mike replies, shaking his head.
Bryan stares at him for a moment before nodding. He moves away and Cameron moves in.
“I like you, Mike, but I will hurt you,” Cameron promises as they also bump shoulders.
“I know, man, believe me,” Mike mutters as they separate.
Scarlett steps back up to him and gives him a hug. Mike watches Bryan’s and Cameron's jaws and fists clench behind Scarlett's back. Mike only gives her the tiniest pat on the back. Scarlett gives him a kiss on the cheek as she pulls back, her eyes meeting his briefly before she blushes and looks away.
Vance and Melina walk them to the door as Mike grabs another beer and pounds it. It’s gone by the time Vance and Melina come back into the kitchen.
“What was that about?” Vance asks, a curious smile on his face.
“Ugh, your brothers are so going to kick my ass, Melina,” Mike groans, banging the back of his head against the fridge.
“Why?” Melina asks with a knowing smile.
“Well, first they caught me checking out your sister's ass on the beach, and then just before you guys walked in, Scarlett kissed me.�
�� Mike sighs, his lips still tingling from her chaste kiss.
“Scarlett kissed you?” Melina frowns in confusion. “You mean you kissed her.”
Mike shakes his head. “No, I mean, she kissed me. Nothing crazy, just a kiss on the lips, but she definitely kissed me.”
Melina shakes her head. “But Scarlett is so shy; I can't see her making the first move.”
“I know. She shocked both of us. She was mortified afterward.” Mike frowns remembering the look on her face.
Melina gives him a warm smile. “She must really like you.”
Mike snorts. “Yeah, well, she can like me all she wants, but your brothers already warned me twice to stay away from her. I don’t want to be on their bad sides. Plus she's 19; of course she's gonna crush on an older guy, most young girls do.”
Melina rolls her eyes. “My brothers are all talk. They’re not going to stop you if you actually like each other.”
Mike looks at Melina for a moment before shaking his head. “She's too young, too innocent, too naïve. I'd be taking advantage of her.”
“Wow, Mike. Is the player actually growing up?” Vance teases.
Mike snorts. “No, I just don't mess with girls that young.”
Vance narrows his eyes. “Since when? Just a few months ago you slept with that 20 year old from the gym.”
Mike opens his mouth to defend himself but has nothing. It’s true; he slept with a 20 year old, but... “She was a slut and kept throwing herself at me. I wasn't going to turn her down.”
“So it's okay to be with a younger girl if she's a slut?” Melina asks, confused.
“Why are you guys arguing with me? I'm trying to do the right thing,” Mike says in exasperation.
“I'm not arguing, just trying to figure it out. I've never seen you turn down a girl who comes onto you.” Vance shrugs.
“Right, because I'm a player and a manwhore. Fuck you, dude,” Mike sneers, pushing off the fridge to leave.
Vance frowns and moves into his path. “Mike, I didn't mean it like that.”
“Whatever, man,” Mike mutters and shoulders past him then heads upstairs to his room.
Mike shuts his door a little harder than usual then locks it, not in the mood to be bothered by anybody. He doesn't want to think about what it means that he isn't going after Scarlett. She made it pretty obvious that she’s attracted to him. And usually if a chick shows interest in him, he takes her up on her offer. But with Scarlett, she’s a romantic - loving wedding photos and all - and most likely doesn’t have a very realistic view of relationships. She probably thinks that it’s all candle lit dinners and declarations of love. Mike doesn't have the heart to be the one to kill her fantasy. The way she talks about weddings, Mike can tell that she's never been in a real relationship.
None of the relationships that Mike has ever been in were really happy or carefree. They all required work, which was why he pretty much just sleeps around now. When he looks at Vance and Melina, and how happy they are now that Vance let go of his hesitations – whatever those crazy thoughts may have been; he should ask him about that one day – Mike’s jealous at how easily they get along. Mike wants that. He wants to mesh with a woman, and be in a relationship that doesn't feel like work, even though he knows every good relationship requires work. But Vance and Melina are not normal. They have something special that only happens between two people who are meant to be together. Mike sighs and drags his drunk ass into his personal bathroom to take a shower. He’s covered in sand and salt and can't go to bed with his skin feeling gritty.
After a long hot shower, he crawls into bed naked. Sprawling out on his stomach, he shifts around to try to get comfortable. His mind wanders, and Scarlett's beautiful face fills his mind. Her big brown eyes and the way she looks at him, all sexually curious and shit. He thinks about the way her lips felt against his. They were silky soft and warm, and they fit perfectly against his. He thought about the tentative touch of her hands on his chest and the pretty blush that crept up her cheeks every time she looked at him.
Mike groans, his cock now achingly hard. Rolling his hips in, his erection scrapes against the cotton sheets. Dammit, he’s gonna have to take care of that if he wants to get any sleep. Flipping onto his back, Mike kicks off the covers and fists his hard shaft. He throws his free arm over his eyes and pulls a knee up.
Mike strokes slowly, pictures of Scarlett scrolling through his mind. Mike sees her watching him with wide eyes, having never seen a guy naked and pleasuring himself before. She’s flushed, her body responding all on its own. She wants to touch him, but she doesn't know what to do. Mike beckons her forward. At first, she hesitates, but then she complies. Kneeling between his legs, Mike takes her hand and wraps her thin fingers around his cock then covers her hand with his own. Mike shows her how he likes it then lets her take over.
It only takes a few minutes for Mike to finish with a fantasy like that. It was so real. He’s so screwed. After wiping off his stomach, he settles back down to try to fall asleep. It shouldn't be so hard with all of the alcohol running through his veins, but his mind is having a hard time quieting down. Finally, he falls asleep with Scarlett as the last conscious thought he has.
Chapter 14
Melina wakes up to the sound of someone screaming. She can hear Vance's voice calling her name but she can't figure out where it’s coming from. Melina opens her eyes when strong hands grab her shoulders and shake her. She’s met with Vance's frightened face. That's when she realizes that she’s the one screaming.
Melina gets control over herself and stops screaming. She pants heavily and brings a shaky hand to her throat. Vance hovers over her, one hand moving from her shoulder to smooth her hair back from her face. He is frowning, eyebrows furrowed in concern.
The bedroom door bursts open and Mike and Tripp come barreling in, wearing just their underwear, guns drawn. They quickly take in the situation and slowly lower their weapons, still standing at the end of the bed, chests heaving.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Melina. You scared the shit out of us!” Mike grumbles, rubbing a hand over his broad bare chest.
“We thought you were being attacked,” Tripp pants, shoving his free hand on his hip, hunching over a bit, trying to catch his breath.
Melina pushes up into a sitting position, remembering that she’s naked, and clutches the sheet to her chest. “God, I'm sorry. My dream was so vivid,” she whispers, looking over at the clock to see that it’s four in the morning.
Dayne and Ryder poke their heads into the room. “Everything okay?” Ryder asks, his dark hair, completely disheveled.
“Melina had a nightmare,” Vance says as he rubs circles around her bare back.
“Shit, that must’ve been some nightmare for you to scream bloody murder like that.” Dayne snorts, crossing his arms over his bare chest.
Melina nods. “It was,” she breathes, swallowing hard.
“Alright, we'll leave you two alone,” Tripp says and shoos everyone out of the room.
Melina and Vance say their thank yous and wait until the door is shut before they look at each other. Vance studies her face in silence for a moment. “You okay?” Vance asks, laying a tender kiss on her shoulder.
“It was so real Vance,” Melina murmurs, dropping her head onto his shoulder.
Vance wraps his arms around her and kisses the top of her head. “But it wasn't, it was just a bad dream.”
Melina pulls in a shaky breath. “I don't know how to get it out of my head.”
Vance turns, pushing her back down onto her back then gets on top of her. “I can help you forget,” he murmurs, his eyes heavy-lidded with desire, captures her mouth with his.
Melina slides her hands around to his back as he kisses her, her hips cradling his. Vance uses one hand to cup her face while he uses the other to skim down her side then curve around her hip to cup her ass. A low growl from Vance vibrates her chest. Melina can feel him growing hard between her legs.
Vance makes lo
ve to Melina, slowly, tenderly, and lovingly. Even though he hasn't told her that he loves her yet, he shows her with his body. Melina has to fight back the tears. She’s already emotional from that dream, and now Vance's tenderness is tugging at her heart. She loves him. She can't deny it and doesn't want to. She loves him with her whole heart and soul, and wants to be with him for the rest of her life. After they both come down from their climaxes, they snuggle together and go back to sleep.
Melina smiles at her little sister. Scarlett called this morning and asked if she could come over so they can talk. Melina just saw Scarlett last week at the party. They usually see each other once a week or so, depending on Melina's schedule, but Scarlett said that she needed to talk to someone, and Melina always makes time for her sister when she needs her.
“So, what's up?” Melina asks, watching Scarlett, who is sitting across the table from her in Vance's kitchen.
Scarlett glances around. “Are you sure none of the guys are here?” Scarlett asks softly.
“They're all at work,” Melina assures her, not telling her that Mike and Vance will be home in half an hour.
Mike hasn't said a word to her about Scarlett, but she knows that he thinks about her. She caught him checking out Scarlett's Facebook page a few nights ago. Mike quickly clicked off her profile and turned bright red. He denied it was Scarlett's page, but he wasn’t quick enough because Melina saw Scarlett's picture. Melina didn't fight with him, though, she just let it go.
Scarlett sighs. “I can't stop thinking about Mike,” she admits, “And it’s really annoying.”
Melina chuckles. “Yeah, I can see how that can be irritating.”
“I want to see him again, but I just don't know if he wants to see me.” Scarlett frowns, her big brown eyes looking sad.
“He’s a bit hesitant because of your age,” Melina agrees.
“But he even said that I'm mature for my age. So what if I'm 19? It’s not like I’m a little girl,” she mutters. Scarlett slouches in her chair, folds her arms across her chest, and pouts with her bottom lip coming out.
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