Sisters and Secrets

by Jennifer Ryan

  She slipped her hand inside his suit jacket and pushed it down his arms. He shrugged it off while she attacked his dress shirt buttons. He pulled the tie over his head. She took in his broad chest and wide shoulders while he undid the cuffs, took the shirt off, and tossed it.

  She swept her hand from his shoulder to his pecs and over his heart. It thumped wildly against her palm. The heat from his skin seeped into hers.

  Eyes locked, he sank his fingers into her hair and held her head. “I’ve wanted this for so long.”

  “Me, too.” Deep inside, she realized she had been waiting for this. For him.

  They had a connection. She felt it vibrate through him and into her where her hand pressed to his chest. She felt it in the way he looked at her. She couldn’t deny that whenever they were in the same room, something drew her to him.

  She’d fought it for so long.

  They were friends.

  That meant something to her.

  But this . . . It meant so much more than she ever anticipated or expected.

  So she dove in, knowing everything would be different. Better.

  They’d be connected in a new way. And she hoped it turned into even more and lasted.

  Her heart was ready to move on and find happiness again.

  The last of their clothes disappeared in a blur of hands needing to touch flesh, their lips seeking a tempting taste, and their bodies desperate to be laid out and pressed together. When Mason rose on his hands and stared down at her, his hard shaft sinking into her beckoning core, she felt the depth of their joining all the way to her soul.

  He leaned down, kissed her reverently. Time stopped and she took in the moment and branded this amazing feeling on her heart.

  Then he moved and she lost herself in the rhythm, the feel of him deep inside her body and soul, remembering what it felt like to be loved and freed and lost in ecstasy and to come back to herself with a man holding her close, safe and protected and loved.

  She wallowed in the heady buzz and snuggled into his side, letting the quiet surround her and the newfound joy fill her up.

  She pressed a kiss to his chest. “It doesn’t get better than this.”

  “I accept that challenge.”

  She laughed, loving the sound of his deep, completely satisfied and sated voice, and the assurance he put into those words.

  Just as she was about to fall asleep, comfortable and happy in his arms, she found herself beneath him once again, thoroughly convinced that with him, everything just got better and better.

  In the morning, he proved it again.

  * * *

  Sierra was still smiling, every nerve still tingling with the memory of their first night together, when she knocked on her sister’s door to pick up her kids feeling like a completely new woman.

  In the very back of her mind she wondered, with everything that had happened these last two years, if this abundance of joy would last or whether the other shoe would drop soon.

  Chapter Twenty

  Sierra stared at Amy and didn’t know what to say about her frazzled state. It had been years since she’d seen her sister in complete disarray. Hair a mess, no makeup, her eyes swollen and underscored by dark, puffy circles, she appeared to have smeared pancake batter or butter or both on her black pajama shirt. Her sister didn’t usually rub her dirty hands on her clothes. No, she’d have her handy Wet Wipes standing by for such things.

  “What happened to you?” Anxiety tightened her gut. She worried Amy was in the midst of some sort of crisis.

  Amy’s bloodshot eyes narrowed. “I gave up my life to have kids.”

  Those kids were making a ruckus in another room down the hall.

  Amy’s gaze bore into her before moving to Mason standing behind her. “Looks like you two had a good night.”

  Sierra couldn’t help smiling up at Mason, thinking of the wonderful night they’d spent in each other’s arms and what it meant going forward.

  Looking back at her sister, she felt a bit guilty. But not much. It was too hard not to feel this good.

  Mason put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed.

  “Yeah, you two look cozy now, but that won’t last.” Amy swung the door open wider, revealing Rex sitting on the couch, a blanket draped haphazardly across his lap as he rubbed the heel of his hand into his eye socket. He was still wearing what looked like yesterday’s clothes: slacks and a wrinkled dress shirt. “The party’s over.”

  “Amy, I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I can take all the kids out to breakfast and give you and Rex some time alone.”

  Amy’s eyes glassed over and filled with frustration and desperation. “I already made the pancakes.” She combed her fingers into her hair, loosening the messy topknot even more. “It’s fine. Everything is fine.” The desperate tone didn’t back up her words.

  Rex turned and stared at her. “Everything is a mess.” The announcement made Amy pale.

  Yes, the house looked wrecked. The kids had done a number on the living room. Toys littered the floor. The coffee table was covered in scraps of paper. A paper airplane stuck out of the leaves of a potted plant by the window. The kitchen looked like a tornado hit it. Frozen pizza boxes lay discarded on the counter. The makings for pancakes and eggs cluttered together at one end. Two pans were on the stove. And the house still smelled like burnt pizza from last night.

  To Sierra, it wasn’t so bad. Messy to the eye, but easily cleaned up. But this was Amy’s house. She liked things in their place. Everything scrubbed clean and immaculate.

  Amy herself looked like she was a second away from losing her shit.

  Guilt settled in Sierra’s heart. She wished she’d known her sister wasn’t exaggerating about the kids running wild. Overwhelmed, Amy had lost control of the situation.

  Mason stepped into the house, taking charge. “I’ll go get the kids to settle down and make sure they’re dressed.”

  Amy stood immobile by the front door like she couldn’t make a decision about what to do next.

  The only way to get her sister back on track was to put things back to the way she liked them. Sierra tried to be normal and keep things light. “Morning, Rex. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

  Rex turned and stared over his shoulder but he didn’t look at her; instead, he locked eyes with Amy. “Sure. That would be great.”

  Sierra went into the kitchen, got a mug from the cupboard, poured him a cup, added a dollop of milk like she remembered he liked it, took it to him in the living room, then went back to the kitchen.

  Yep. Definitely taking the kids out.

  With that settled, she put the kitchen to rights, tucking the food back in the fridge, then loading the dishwasher. She found some plastic wrap in a drawer, covered the bowl of pancake batter, and set it in the fridge for later.

  “You can have breakfast for dinner. The kids will love that.”

  Amy hadn’t moved from the entry. She stood there like a zombie staring at Rex’s back like she could will him to fix this.

  Clearly, they needed to talk.

  Sierra could only imagine what was going on in her sister’s mind knowing she and Mason walked in on this mess.

  Sierra had never cleaned so fast in her life, but at her sister’s look of pure appreciation when she finally did take her eyes off Rex and glanced at the kitchen, Sierra felt she’d helped. At least a little bit.

  Mason appeared in the hallway entry, four kids lined up behind him. “Everyone is dressed, teeth brushed, hands washed. All the toys have been put away, sleeping bags rolled up, beds made. Let’s go eat.” He led the kids to the front door. Amy kissed her kids on the forehead as they passed and accepted the thank-yous from Danny and Oliver as they followed Mason and their cousins out to the car.

  Rex set his coffee mug on the cluttered table, rose, and walked out the front door in his black dress socks without a word or glance for Amy.

  Sierra went to her sister and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. Rex put the kid
s’ booster seats in her SUV, kissed each of his kids, and got them settled in the back. He closed the door and stood with Mason, chatting. Their voices didn’t carry, but they both looked serious.

  “Do you think he’s asking Mason to represent him in the divorce?”

  Stunned by her sister’s words, Sierra gasped and turned to face Amy. “Did he ask you for a divorce?”

  “Not yet. But it’s coming.” Amy’s forehead wrinkled with worry.

  “Are you sure? Can’t you guys work whatever this is out?”

  Amy folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not sure it can be fixed. I’ve put everything I am into this family.” Amy’s sad gaze met hers. “I don’t have anything left. I do everything I can to make them all happy.”

  But Amy wasn’t happy. Not anymore.

  She acted like she’d tapped all her resources and had nothing left.

  “Oh, Amy. I feel that same way, too, sometimes. I don’t want to wipe one more nose, solve one more problem, make one more school lunch, let alone give my husband the attention and affection he wants and needs. But it will pass.”

  Amy looked unconvinced.

  Work, children, life could really take it all out of you.

  But those frustrations were temporary.

  Because then you’d have those moments where life filled you up. Your child did something that touched your heart. Your husband washed the dinner dishes, and damn, that was sexy as hell. A song on the radio reminded you of something from your past. Your first date. A dance at your wedding. A long drive you took, just the two of you. The kids made you something special at school and were so proud and excited to present it to you.

  Their exuberant laugh made you laugh with them and wish that they laughed like that every day for the rest of their lives.

  Your husband kissed you like it was the first time he realized he loved you all over again.

  Amy got lost in the storm of life. She just needed to ride it out and find the calm.

  Every relationship had ups and downs. They’d work this out and find their way back up to the peak again.

  “You and Rex need to take a breath and talk this out.”

  “We talk at each other constantly. Nothing changes.”

  Sierra took Amy by the shoulders. “Then tell him how you really feel. Tell him you’re unhappy. Tell him what you really want him to know. He can’t read your mind.” Sierra remembered all too well how she wished David would see everything roiling inside her when she needed him to, but he didn’t. She wished she’d spoken up. This time, with Mason, she’d do better. She’d make their relationship a priority. “Rex knows you, but you can’t expect him to know exactly what’s going on in your head. You need to tell him.”

  Amy’s hands came up, dropped, and slapped her thighs. “I don’t know what I want.” Amy sighed and hugged herself. “I’m tired.” She glared at Rex. “I’d like to see him do everything I do for this family. Then he’d know how hard I work, how little time I have for myself.”

  “Great. Take a day off. Rex is home today. Let him take care of the kids. Go to the spa. I’m sure Heather can fit you in. Get a massage. Have a mani-pedi. Indulge in doing nothing but letting others pamper you.”

  Amy didn’t answer.

  “I’ll take the kids to breakfast and have them back in about an hour and half.”

  Amy nodded, turned, and walked down the hall toward her bedroom.

  Sierra walked out onto the porch and met Rex on his way back to the house.

  “How bad is it?”

  She didn’t really know. “You two need to talk.”

  “I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face. She doesn’t hear me. She wants everything her way. I get she likes things a certain way, but I’m asking for some compromise and she won’t budge.” He raked his fingers through his disheveled hair. “I want more time with my family. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

  “I’m not sure your sleeping on the couch says you want more time with her.”

  “Yeah, well, when I got home last night, she had Emma sprawled in bed with her. I could have put Emma back in her bed, but what was the point. Amy’s so exhausted, the last thing she wants to do is work things out with me. In her mind, everything will be fine once the kids are older. I can tell you, things haven’t been fine in years. I’m tired of it.”

  “I said this to her, now I’m saying it to you. Tell her how you feel and what you want. Don’t expect each other to know.”

  “Your sister has her whole life scheduled. I’ll see if I can get an appointment.” With that snarky comment, he walked into the house and slammed the door.

  Sierra didn’t take offense. His anger wasn’t directed at her. She understood that his frustration got the better of him.

  “Hey, sweetheart, you okay?”

  She stared up at Mason, so completely taken by his sincerity and that gorgeous face. “I’m great.” She touched her hand to his chest and smiled up at him. “I’m feeling a little smug for being this happy and guilty about it because my sister and Rex are having trouble connecting.”

  “They’ll work it out.”

  “So he didn’t ask you for legal advice?”

  Mason’s head snapped back. “No. He apologized for the uncomfortable scene and thanked us for taking the kids for a little while. He said Amy needed a break, she’s just too stubborn to take one.”

  Sierra shrugged. “That’s my sister.”

  “That’s all the Silva sisters,” Mason teased. “Stubborn.”

  She socked him in the gut, her fist striking nothing but lean, strong muscles. “Not nice.”

  “But true,” he teased again.

  “Are you sure you’re up to taking four kids to breakfast?”

  “I know the perfect place. They’ve got the best pancakes.” He slipped his hand around her waist and drew her toward the car. “Plus, I get to spend my morning with you.”

  “Sweet talker.”

  He nuzzled his nose into her hair and kissed her head. “I’ll be talking you back into my bed later.”

  “I think I’m going to owe you a nice reward after you’ve shown such patience and understanding this morning.”

  He squeezed her to his side. “I can’t wait to collect.”

  Sierra smiled up at him as he held the car door open for her and she slipped into her seat.

  Yeah, the beginning was the best part.

  And just like that, she spun dreams of a future with him. A future that looked very different from the one she’d imagined with David. Mason treated her like she was exactly what he’d been waiting for. David made her feel like he’d settled for the simple life they’d created together.

  She refused to let another man settle for her again. She wouldn’t stand for lies. Spoken or unspoken. She wouldn’t hide the way she felt or put her needs on the back burner to make someone else happy.

  Sierra made sure the kids were all engaged with one another in the back as they passed some kind of cartoon cards back and forth before she quietly asked Mason, “Have you discovered anything about that thing I asked you to look into?”

  Mason kept his eyes on the road. “My investigator is working on it, but I don’t have anything concrete yet.”

  An uneasy feeling settled in her gut.

  Did she really want to know?

  Should she let well enough alone and just be happy with the new life she was creating for herself and the boys?

  Maybe. But she didn’t think the nagging feeling in her gut would ever go away if she didn’t uncover the truth.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Amy walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, her hair brushed back off her face, and her skin pink from the exfoliating scrub she’d used in the shower.

  Rex sat on the edge of the bed, wrinkling the comforter after she spent five minutes making it perfectly smooth. “We need to talk.”

  “Later. Right now, I’m going out. You need to take care of the kids today when they get back. I need a d
ay.” She sucked in a breath. “I’m taking a day.”

  Rex nodded. “Great. Fine. Take a day. But we still need to talk about what is going on between us.”

  Like she didn’t know she was putting off their conversation. She hoped to find some calm and perspective at the end of a much-needed massage. This wasn’t going away. They needed to work things out. But she needed a minute to get her head on straight.

  One horrible thought made it difficult to do that, so she blurted out her worst fear. “Are you having an affair?”

  All the air went out of him. His gaze stayed on the floor for a good ten seconds before he looked up at her again. “Is that what you think of me? You think that’s the kind of man I am?”

  She held her hands up and let them fall to her sides. The knot in her gut tightened. “I don’t know what to think anymore. You spend more time at work than you do here.”

  “Amy, we’ve been through this. Why should I be here in this house alone when you’re constantly out doing something with the kids?”

  “Maybe if you were here, we’d stay here, too.”

  Rex shook his head. “Do you hear yourself? You put this on me. I’m not the one out there trying to impress everyone with how much I do with the kids, how great they are, or how organized I am and able to manage so much on my plate like it’s easy.”

  “It’s not easy!” She vibrated with frustration.

  “I know. But your quest for perfection . . . It’s changed you. You used to be fun.” He stood and unbuttoned his wrinkled shirt. “When’s the last time you had fun doing anything?”

  She watched his fingers work the tiny buttons through the holes. Lust for her husband warred with her rising anger. She hadn’t felt this way in a long time, but arguing with him, watching him fight for what he wanted and for them turned her on. It gave her hope, even in the midst of feeling like he was putting this all on her. “You get to be the fun parent. I’m the one who disciplines and has to do all the real work.”

  The shirt hung wide open, exposing his gorgeous chiseled chest. “Is that so? I guess my bringing home the paycheck and keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table isn’t real work at all. It’s just me being selfish and spending time away from you.”