Dirty Distractions (16 page)

He pulled her hair, and the pain felt like permission. To be completely in this moment, to give herself totally to him. To let go again with a moan that verged on agony. Even if they wrecked, they’d go over the cliff together. And God, the trip would be fucking fabulous.

His shout as he came made her shudder. Out of reflex her teeth scissored into the rumpled bedding as his release blasted her inner walls, renewing spasms that had yet to fully cease. He continued to surge into her while he softened. Extending her pleasure, sharing it. Wrapping it around them so nothing could ever touch them but its fragile, transcendent beauty. He fumbled for her hands on the bed and, holding them, swiveled into her until he’d sated the need he’d aroused, easing her body to a shivering plateau beneath his.

Gripping her fingers tight, he brushed his lips over her neck. Her ear. The curve of her jaw. “I’m falling for you, Sara.” Hearing him repeat what he’d said the other night when he’d been drowsy from cold meds caused her pulse to skip. “It’s not too soon when it’s right.”

“Too soon?” She let out a watery laugh. “I’ve been waiting forty-two damn years.”

He didn’t say anything, just pressed close to her back and buried his face in her hair. Waiting. Asking the question without words.

So she answered it.

“We’ll fall together,” she murmured, though she knew they already had.

For a moment, they huddled against the bed. When his weight started to get uncomfortable, she shifted out from underneath him, only to find he’d fallen dead asleep. On his knees on the floor. Like a little kid.

A laugh tickled the back of her throat as she pushed to her feet. Nope, not going down that “little” road again.

“Come on, up with you.” She tugged at his arms. He didn’t respond. The guy had made sick sleeping into a high art form.

“Come in, come in hard!”

“Oh Jesus.” The laughter she’d held back slipped free with one glance at Telly’s cage sitting on Brad’s desk. She’d brought him in for the night because she’d been afraid he was getting lonely downstairs with Kim gone. He’d been quiet the whole time other than an occasional chirp for her to give him some love. Not anymore. Sex seemed to inspire him.

“Goddamn bird,” Brad muttered, lips lifting. “Bread him for Thanksgiving.”

She laughed again and tickled his ribs to keep him from falling back asleep. “C’mon, smart ass. In bed with you.”

With much grumbling, he flopped down belly first on the mattress. “Sorry. Overdid.” He stuck his hand out to her, and her heartbeat kicked into high gear. “Wanna snuggle?”

God, this man was going to be the death of her. Or help her find a whole new life.

“Can’t refuse that offer. Just let me put Telly in my room.” She rushed over to the cage, distinctly aware of the stubble burn between her thighs. Ouch. At the last minute, she shrugged into the robe he never wore that hung on the back of the door. Not that she needed to get dressed since they were alone in the house, but it felt weird to wander around bare assed in her best friend’s home.

And her lover’s.

Her grin spread while she hurried down the hall. Telly probably wouldn’t like being sequestered, but she’d give him extra treats to make up for it. After that performance, Brad needed his rest.

She pushed open the closed door, frowning. Hadn’t she left it open?

Her gaze lasered in on her bed and the person reclining there, her swaddled ankle up on a pillow. “Finally. I thought you two were going to get cited for noise violations.” Kim dragged out her earbuds and lifted her brows. “I only have one question.”

Sara still hadn’t remembered how to breathe yet. This was bad. Very bad. “Okay.”

“Are you lying to everyone about sleeping with my brother or just your best friend?”

Chapter Eleven

Sara set Telly’s cage on the floor. Why wasn’t Kim at Greg’s? And why had she thought lying was a good idea?

She glanced down at Brad’s robe and tucked in her boob. Luckily it had only made a partial escape. Thank God she’d covered up. “Uh, can you repeat the question?”

Kim sighed. “I thought we were best friends.”

“We were. We
are
. I swear. This doesn’t have anything to do with us.”

“You don’t think so? If I was banging your brother like a drum—and lying right to your face about it, while living under your roof—you don’t think you’d mind?”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

“Yeah, I’m putting it like that.” Kim crossed her arms and gazed up at the ceiling. “What happened to us telling each other everything?” She held up a hand. “Clarification. I’m not asking for details in this case. In fact, I expressly forbid you from telling me anything personal as it relates to Brad. Except maybe why you scream like a banshee when you come.” She pantomimed gagging. “Never mind. TMI.”

“I do not.” Sara sat on the edge of the mattress and bit her lip. If it had been anyone but Kim, she probably would’ve crawled under the bed, but she had enough dirt on her friend to use as leverage for a lifetime. Still, the crawling thing was tempting. “Do I?”

“You so do. I would’ve been jealous, if I hadn’t been disgusted.”

Kim’s peevish tone struck her as funny, so funny that she fell on her side, laughing, and clutched her stomach. Either her multiple orgasms had shaken something loose or the relief of knowing her secret was out had tipped her over the edge. “Sorry. I didn’t think you were home. I wouldn’t have—we wouldn’t have—”

“Yeah, like you weren’t home the other night when I asked you to stay away. At least you played music to disguise the moans. Though what was up with ’Ticket To Ride‘?” She made a face. “That isn’t some weird sex song of yours, is it?”

Sara composed her features. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

Kim pitched a pillow at her and hit her square in the head. “Bitch. You’re on thin ice already.”

Sara blew out a breath, her good humor fading. It had been nice while it lasted. “Brad wanted to tell you. He begged me repeatedly not to lie.”

“With his past, he’s not exactly a fan of deception. I knew it was all you. Which both hurt more and hurt less, because I know you’re über-cautious.” Kim grunted and twisted her top half to face Sara so she didn’t jar her leg. “You have to know that I’d never begrudge you happiness, no matter where you found it. Don’t you?” Kim’s big blue eyes, so like her brother’s, sheened with tears. “Especially if it meant you might end up my sister for real someday.”

Sara’s throat locked up. “Don’t. See, this is what I was afraid of happening.” She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t handle it along with everything going on with him, which has already been totally unexpected and wonderful and so confusing that I’m still not sure which way’s up. I’ve already had those crazy thoughts myself, and it’s too soon, I can’t deal—”

“Hey, breathe.” Kim stroked her hair. “I didn’t say I was planning a wedding. I said maybe someday. If you and Brad break up, it won’t change a damn thing with us. You’re my sister whether we share a last name or not, Carmichael, so stop being stupid before I’m forced to beat you with my crutch.”

Sara wiped her eyes with the corner of her comforter. They weren’t wet, just itchy. “What crutch? You refused to get one.”

“Greg loaned me one he had.” Kim wrinkled her nose. “I’d rather hop.”

“How’re you going to dance at the benefit? Normally you get up on the tables.”

“Meh. I’ll have to chair dance or something equally lame.” Kim grinned. “Or maybe I’ll settle for making out with Greg in the kitchen. He always wanders toward the food.”

“Greg…that name is so familiar. Wait, you’re not talking about
that
Greg? The cook in the cafeteria?” Sara’s eyes widened. “But he’s only—”

Kim cleared her throat. Loudly. “Greg is over thirty. I’m a baby puma compared to you.”

“You’re right. He’s not too young, he’s…fresh. Uncontaminated.” She and Kim shared a grin. “At least until you got your hooks into him.”

“I can’t believe you’d say that. Why, I told him I hadn’t been with many men when we got together, so he insisted on trying everything in his bag of tricks to please me. You know how those young guys are with their issues. Actually, never mind. Please don’t overshare.” She covered her ears. “La la la.”

Sara had to laugh. “Ah. The performance issues. I wondered what that meant, since you were screaming your fool head off when we went upstairs.”

“I don’t scream. I purr. Rambunctiously.”

Sara laughed and tipped her head against Kim’s. “Me too.”

“No, you scream. And I do mean screaaaam.”

“Shut up.”

Kim flashed her a sly smile. “I’m beginning to see all the ways I can torture you with this information. This will be the most fun I’ve had all year. Even makes up for Greg—” She broke off, shaking her head. “Never mind.”

“What? Tell me.”

“Why should I? You hold out all the good stuff on me.”

Sara grabbed both of Kim’s hands. “I won’t ever again. I promise. No matter what happens with Brad, I won’t hold back.”

“Well, I’ll know some of what goes on, since you’re both blatantly obvious and hello, you live here.”

Sara shut her eyes and waited until she was sure her voice wouldn’t wobble. “I’m sure my apartment will be ready soon.”

“What? Why? I thought you liked it here.”

“Well, yeah, of course I do, but me and Brad being a couple changes things. If I keep living here, it makes it seem like—”

“Like this isn’t just something we’re doing to pass the time? Like we’re in love?” She whipped her head toward the doorway, where Brad slouched against the frame in a pair of jeans. He strolled into the room, looking more sinful than any man had a right to, wad of tissues sticking out of his back pocket and all. He scooped an arm around Sara’s shoulders and laid a kiss on her that made her already trippy head spin. Why didn’t they ever shut doors in this place? Or spray the walls with heavy-duty soundproofing? “You’re right. It does.”

As close as they’d come to making the declaration earlier, hearing the actual words “in love” set off a tremble in her belly. She didn’t want to get into this in front of Kim, but she’d be damned if she held anything back from him. Not when they were starting all over again.

“You may end up wanting things I can’t give you,” she said softly, hoping he got her meaning without her having to spell everything out. Though she would if she had to. “I know that’s in the future, but I’d hate for you to go without something that matters so much. It isn’t fair.”

“No, you know what isn’t fair to me? Thinking things like that and keeping them to yourself, instead of getting them out so I can tell you you’re sweet for worrying, but stop it. What’s meant to happen will.” He gathered her hair in his hand and pulled her cheek against his hot, bare skin. “All I need is you. The rest will happen when and if.”

“And if it doesn’t?” she pressed, darting a glance at Kim. Ah, to hell with it. She couldn’t take the chance he thought she was referring to anal sex or something. At least she didn’t have a problem with
that
. “Let’s say something crazy happens and we decide to get married.” At Kim’s whoop, she pointed at her friend. “Take it easy. For the sake of argument, let’s say we did, and you wanted children. What if that ship’s sailed and I can’t have them? Then what?”

“Then I immediately run off with my twenty-year-old receptionist and have three sets of twins.” He scratched his shoulder. “Guess I better put that ‘now hiring’ ad in the paper soon, huh?”

She shook her head, refusing to laugh. “I’m being serious, Brad.”

He knelt next to the bed and cupped her face in his big hands, his callused fingers scraping her cheeks with infinite gentleness. “There’s always adoption, and to me, that’s not a second choice. That’s a damn good first choice. When and if,” he repeated. “One bridge at a time, okay? Just trust that I’m right by your side, and whatever happens, we’ll cross it together. Now are you going to stay here with us, where you belong?”

She glanced at Kim for help and found her watching with a raised brow. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

This time Sara couldn’t restrain a laugh. What a duo they made. “I don’t want to leave. Ever. I’d be happy to stay here until you kick me out, but—”

“Then it’s settled. You’re not relocating. Except maybe to my room,” he added, his breath a warm, minty promise against her lips.

Kim snorted. “Yeah, he’s got a special, extra long drawer for King Kong.”

Because she seriously did
not
want to know, she met Brad’s glimmering gaze. “Is that an invitation?”

“Gold-plated, baby. So what do you say?”

She grinned and wove her fingers through his messy hair to tug him close for another kiss. “I say yes.”

Kim rolled on her back like a demented turtle, trying to scoot away on the messy bedding and failing miserably. “This is all toothache-sweet, but my eyes, my eyes!”

Brad laughed and leaned across Sara to plant a kiss on Kim’s head. “Thanks for being awesome about this, sis.” He gave Sara a sharp look. “I told you she would be.”

“Give the girl a break. What does she know about people? She hangs out with sex-crazed parrots who really need to be kept out of the bedroom. Too much incriminating evidence.” Kim shoved a suddenly coughing Brad back and slung an arm around Sara’s neck. “So who wants some pizza?”

Sara glanced at her alarm clock. Nope, she hadn’t gotten confused about what time of day it was. Barely nine a.m.. “I know you guys are the masters of the late-night snack, but who eats pizza this early?”

“We do.” Brad grabbed Sara’s hand and tugged her to the door while Kim struggled to her feet. She glared at her brother’s retreating back though he didn’t seem to notice. “And now so do you.”

Sara had to grin. “It’s like an indoctrination.”

“A ritual. A fertility celebration if you will,” Kim called, determinedly bringing up the rear.

When Brad chuckled, Sara poked him in the ribs. “Don’t get any ideas, wise guy.”

He pulled her close and kissed her temple. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Sara Smile.”

Brad dragged the tines of his fork over his plate, only vaguely aware of the benefactor droning on at the podium. He was talking about sustainable habitats and showing slides, and it was all very interesting. Or it would’ve been, if Brad hadn’t had a different preoccupation—mainly his very sleek, very sophisticated date. She sat with her hands folded primly in her lap, poised to drive him wild at the slightest provocation. She’d even worn her glasses.