by Sandi Lynn
Chapter 21
Alex
After a fun night, Stefan and I headed back to the house. We both drank a few too many beers and the lemon drop shots really made my head spin. We walked into the house and Stefan set down his guitar. As I kicked off my shoes, I stumbled and grabbed onto his arm.
“Whoa. Are you okay?” He grinned.
“I’m fine.” I grinned back as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Do you want to fuck?”
“Yes. Oh God, yes.” He scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom.
We wasted no time stripping out of our clothes and within seconds, I was flat on my back on the bed while his mouth and fingers explored every inch of my body. I gasped at the sensation of his tongue circling my aching area down below. He wouldn’t stop until I orgasmed, which didn’t take long considering he knew exactly how to make it happen. He stood up and as he was about to climb on top of me, I stopped him.
“Your turn.” I licked my lips.
He stood at the front of the bed as I sat up and took his cock deep in my mouth. A roar rumbled in his chest as his fingers twisted in my hair. The hardness of his cock excited me even more as my mouth devoured him. Sexy moans escaped his lips as he couldn’t take it anymore. He flipped me over and told me to get on my knees. Gripping my hips, he thrust inside me without hesitation, like a wild beast who was claiming what was his. Our moans stayed in sync with one another’s as he pounded me from behind. My body let go and another orgasm flowed through me. I wanted to scream out in pleasure but kept it to low sweet moans. He stopped and flipped me on my back. Grabbing hold of my wrists, he brought my arms up over my head and locked them in place while his body hovered over me, and he thrust inside me. Our lips twisted and our tongues tangled. Not only was I feeling intoxicated from the alcohol, but also from the pleasure this man gave me.
I wanted to touch him, to run my fingers down his back and dig my nails into his flesh. His moans became louder, and I knew he was about to explode. With one last thrust, he halted and stared into my eyes while he came. Letting go of my wrists, his heated body collapsed onto mine and my arms wrapped tightly around him. I could feel the rapid beating of his heart against my chest as we both stayed still for a few moments while our bodies calmed down.
He lifted his head and brought his lips to mine before climbing off me. Holding out his arm, I snuggled against him and brought my leg over his while my head laid on his chest. Not a word was spoken as his fingers stroked my hair. Closing my eyes, I fell asleep and when I awoke the next morning, we were still in the same position.
My head hurt and the imploding feeling of a hangover settled inside me. Lifting my head, he opened his eyes, and a small sleepy smile crossed his lips.
“Good morning,” he whispered.
“Is it? I don’t know about you, but my head is pounding.”
“I’m right there with you.” He brought his arm up and laid it over his forehead.
“Coffee?” I asked as I climbed out of bed.
“Definitely. I’ll get the aspirin.”
I went to my room and slipped my robe on. Walking into the kitchen, I popped a k-cup in the Keurig. Stefan walked in shaking the bottle of aspirin.
“Shh,” I said. “That’s too loud.”
“Sorry.” He let out a chuckle as he placed two pills in my hand.
He reached in the refrigerator, opened a bottle of water and handed it to me.
“Thanks. I’m sorry I passed out last night.” I popped the two pills in my mouth.
“Don’t worry about it. I did too.”
“Julia asked me to go shopping with her and her sister today.”
“That’s great.” His lips formed a smile. “Jenni is really cool. You’ll like her. What time are you going?”
“Julia said around noon.”
“You’ll have a good time. I’m glad you’re making friends. By the way, you really should go sing and play the guitar at Julia’s coffee shop. You will definitely wow the patrons.”
“I don’t know about that. But I’ll think about it.”
The sliding door opened, and Sebastian stepped in.
“Dude, what the hell?” Stefan said.
“What? You look like shit.” He grinned. “Hi, Alex.”
“Hey, Sebastian.” I gave him a smile. “Coffee?”
“No thanks. I just wanted to give you this paperwork to give back to Dad. I was going to see him later, but I need to go the restaurant. My bartender quit.”
“Why?” Stefan asked.
“Something about him and his girlfriend moving to Vegas. I guess she got some important position at one of the casinos there, and she’s going to get him a bartending job. He was one of my night guys too. I’m so pissed.”
“If you need a temporary bartender, I can help you out until you find someone permanent,” I spoke.
“Umm. No, you can’t. You work for me.”
“Not when you get home from work I don’t.”
“True. But why would you want to do that?”
“Extra money.”
“Wait a second.” Sebastian held up his hand. “You bartend?”
“Yeah. I have a lot of experience, and I can make a mean martini.”
“Hold on. What do you mean ‘extra money’? I pay you well.”
“Everyone could always use a little extra. Plus, I like bartending, and your brother needs help.”
“I’ll only need her a couple of nights. Maybe three at the most.”
“From when to when?” Stefan asked.
“Seven to eleven. Can you come in tomorrow night?” Sebastian asked me.
“Sure.” I grinned. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get dressed to meet Julia.”
Stefan
“Can we have a word outside?” I asked my brother.
“What?” he asked as we stepped onto the patio.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“What are you talking about?”
“With Alex. Why would you want her to bartend?”
“Bro, I didn’t know she could bartend, and she offered. I’m in a bind. Raul can’t take extra days because he has night classes. It’s only temporary until I find someone. I’m standing here trying to figure out what your deal is.”
“You have a thing for her, don’t you?” I jammed my finger into this chest.
“What? You’re crazy. Keep doing that and you’ll have a second hand that hurts.”
“You invited her to stay with you and now you want her to work for you. She’s my nanny, Sebastian.”
“What is going on over here?” Sam asked as he walked over. “What brotherly spat are you having now?”
“He just hired Alex to bartend at the restaurant.”
“She bartends?” Sam’s brow arched.
“Yeah. She does. And our brother over here took advantage.”
“You’re fucking off your rocker, dude. Sam, she offered. It’s only temporary, and he thinks I have a thing for her.”
Sam laughed. “I know the feeling, douchebags. Do you remember the shit you pulled with Julia? Stefan, what’s the big deal? He said it’s only temporary.”
“Wait a minute,” Sebastian spoke. “You don’t want her gone at night. You want her home with you. That’s what all this is about.”
“Not true.” I shook my head. “You know what, if she wants to earn extra money, fine. What she does on her personal time isn’t any of my business. I’m going to take a shower.”
Sebastian
“What’s going on over here?” Simon asked as he walked up.
“Your brother is acting like a lunatic,” I said.
“Which one?” he asked with a smirk.
“Stefan. My night bartender quit. I mentioned it and Alex said she could fill in until I find someone, and he flipped the fuck out.”
“She bartends?” He cocked his head.
“I guess, and then he accused me of having a thing for her.”
“Do you?” Simon asked.
“NO! I like her as a friend. He’s just being an idiot.”
“Like someone else I know.” Simon smirked as he looked at Sam.
“Right? And you know why I behaved that way.”
“Yep.” I nodded my head. “Our brother is catching some feelings for his daughter’s nanny.”
“I agree,” Sam said. “It’s all too obvious.”
“And another brother bites the dust.” Simon sighed.
Chapter 22
Alex
“Can we talk?” Stefan said as he opened my bedroom door without warning.
“Excuse me!” I said as I stood there in my bra and panties.
“Please, I’ve seen you naked.” He sat down on the edge of the bed.
“What is so urgent that you couldn’t wait until I got dressed?”
“I don’t understand why you want to bartend after your work ends here.”
“This again?” I furrowed my brows at him as I slipped on my jeans.
“Yes. If you want more money, I’ll give it to you.”
“Stefan, I’m helping your brother out. I already told you I like to bartend.”
“But why?”
“Why not? I get to meet different people.”
“So, what you’re really saying is you’re bored here already.”
“Oh my God, no. That is not true. I can’t even believe you have an issue with this. He’s your brother and he needs help. It’s only temporary. Besides, you can’t tell me what I can and cannot do on my personal time.”
“You’re right, I can’t. You know what, whatever.” He got up and walked out of the bedroom.
“No.” I followed behind him. “What is really going on here?”
“Nothing, Alex. Listen, I’m sorry.” He turned around and placed his hand on the side of my face. “I’m sorry. I’m being a jerk and I don’t know why.”
“Okay. Apology accepted. It’s only temporary, Stefan.”
He lowered his hand and brought his forehead to mine.
“Thanks for accepting my apology.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Can I kiss you?” he asked.
“Yes.” I smiled as his lips softly brushed against mine.
“Can we—”
“We have fifteen minutes.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
I walked over to Julia’s car, and we climbed in and headed to pick up her sister.
“Jenni, this is Alex. Alex, Jenni.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Alex.” Jenni hugged me.
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
“So, how do you like living with Stefan Kind?” she asked.
“I like it.”
“I bet. Have you fucked him yet?”
“JENNI!” Julia exclaimed.
“What? She’s part of our posse now. We can talk about things like that. I fucked Simon.”
“You did?” My eyes widened.
“Yeah.” The grin on her face grew wider. “If Stefan is anything like him, you’ve got it made, girl.”
She could tell I was blushing.
“You did, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. A couple times.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“High five, sister!” She held her hand up.
“Julia, you can’t tell anyone.” I begged.
“Sweetie, trust me when I say this, they already know. Those boys tell each other everything. Nothing is a secret between them.”
“Sam told you?”
“He did.” The corners of her mouth curved upward. “And if he’s anything in bed like his brother, shit, you need to keep doing that. You feel me?”
“Totally.” I smiled. “So, you and Simon aren’t—”
“No. It happened one time. We both agreed it was amazing, but then we parted ways the next morning,” Jenni said.
“Isn’t it awkward seeing him now?”
“Not at all. Simon is a tough cookie. I’m not sure there’s any woman out there that can break through his iron clad detective exterior.”
“I have a question. I need to find an OB/GYN. Can you recommend someone?” I asked Julia and Jenni.
“Dr. Kota,” they both said at the same time.
“He’s our doctor and he’s amazing,” Julia said.
“Great. Can you give me his number? I need to make an appointment for a refill on my birth control pills.”
“I’ll text it to you,” Julia said as she pulled out her phone.
After we did some shopping, we headed to The Cheesecake Factory for an early dinner. While we were waiting for our food, I told Julia and Jenni about the bartending job at Four Kinds.
“I’m going to be helping Sebastian out at the restaurant a couple nights a week.”
“Doing what?” Julia asked.
“Bartending. One of his night bartenders quit and he’s in a bind. I told him I’ll help out until he can find someone.”
“You bartend?” Jenni asked.
“Yeah. I’ve been doing it since I turned twenty-one. You know, something is really bothering me.”
“What is it?” Julia asked.
“Stefan’s reaction was crazy. He basically didn’t want me to do it.”
“That doesn’t sound like Stefan.”
“Now that he’s had some of your goods, he’s worried you’ll meet some tall dark handsome man at the bar, and he’ll whisk you away from him.”
“Really, Jenni?” Julia cocked her head.
“Just saying. You know guys and their mentality. They think because you slept with them, they own you. And for you,” she pointed at me, “it’s worse because you live in his house.”
“Stop it. Stefan is not like that,” Julia said.
“Really? Isn’t his gene pool the exact same as Sam’s? Need I remind you, sister, his reaction when you wouldn’t sell the building?”
“That was different circumstances.”
“Doesn’t matter. All those Kind boys have the same blood flowing through them.”
Chapter 23
Stefan
“Daddy!” Lily ran into my arms.
“Hey, baby girl.” I picked her up and kissed her cheek. “How was your trip with Grandma Celeste and Grandpa?”
“It was so much fun! Where’s Alex?” She looked around.
“She’s out with Aunt Julia. She should be back soon. Why don’t you take your bag to your room and put your dirty clothes in the hamper?”
“Okay. Bye Grandpa.” She ran over and gave him a hug.
“Bye, darling. I’ll see you soon.”
“Where’s Celeste?” I asked as I walked over and poured us each a scotch.
“I dropped her off at home before bringing Lily back. She wasn’t feeling well today.”
“Is she sick?” I handed him his glass.
“I don’t think so. She had a migraine come on this morning. She pretty much slept all the way home.”
“How was Lily?”
“A perfect angel as always. She kept talking about Alex. Alex this, Alex that. She loves her.”
“Yeah. I know she does.”
“How do the two of you get along?”
“We get along great. Why?”
“Just wondering. I better head back. Thanks for the drink. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Bye, Dad. Thanks for taking Lily.”
“Anytime, son.”
“Hey, Dad? Can we make some popcorn?” Lily walked into the room.
“Did you eat dinner?”
“Yep. We had dinner on the way back.”
“Okay. Let’s go make some popcorn.” I smiled as I patted her head.
I pulled a bag out of the pantry, took it out of the plastic wrapping and stuck it in the microwave.
“I missed you, Dad.”
“I missed you too, baby girl.”
“What did you and Alex do while I was gone?”
Shit. Did she know? Could she tell? Why was she asking me that?
“I actually took her to the
Santa Monica Pier. She had never been.”
“Did you take her to Pacific Park?” Her smile widened.
“I sure did. I even won her a Hello Kitty. Then we just had a bonfire over at Uncle Sam’s house.”
“Did you win me anything?” Her little eyes narrowed.
“I’m sorry, baby girl. I didn’t.”
“That’s okay. You can win me something when we go again. Alex can come, and we can ride the rides and play the games like real families do.”
I felt something in the pit of my stomach when she said that.
“You’re back!” Alex said as she walked into the kitchen with a couple of shopping bags.
“Alex!” Lily ran and gave her a hug.
“I bought you something. Let’s go try it on and see if it fits.” She took hold of her hand.
“Hey, what about your popcorn?” I shouted as they walked out of the kitchen.
“Save it. I’ll be right back,” Lily said.
A few moments later, Alex walked back into the kitchen.
“Where’s Lily?” I asked.
“She going to take a bath. I bought her a new nightgown and she can’t wait to wear it. She said to put the popcorn in a bowl, and she’ll eat it when she gets out.”
“How was shopping?”
“It was fun. I bought you something as well.” A smirk crossed her face.
“You did?”
“I did.” She walked over to where her bags sat.
“You didn’t,” I said as I watched her pull out a slice of cheesecake. “Is it—”
“The one and only key lime cheesecake.” She handed me the plastic container.
“This is my favorite. How did you know?”
“I had Julia text Sam. She wasn’t sure.”
“You are an amazing woman and you just scored ten points in my book.”
“Wow. I’m honored.” She grinned.
“You should be.” I reached over and kissed her lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. After everything you’ve done for me, I could at least buy you a slice of cheesecake.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“You are too kind.”
“Dad, how do I look?” Lily pranced into the kitchen in her new nightgown.
“Wow. Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”