Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) (18 page)

“Thank Derrick. He got a little carried away with stocking the man cave.”

Lori follows me with a layered dip and says, “Megan’s taking the hot stuff out now. Hook me up, Case.”

The blender whirls as Casey dips a glass into salt. Pale green slush pours into the tumblers as Megan sets a hot dish down on a trivet. Lori holds up her glass in a toast. “To the pool shark.”

We all clink glasses, and icy lime flavor chills my mouth. Megan says, “Okay. We’re all dying to know two things. One, what’s going on with your business plan? But two is way more important. What the heck is going on with you and Christian?”

I roll my eyes. “I wish I knew.”

Casey asks, “So after pool the other night, what happened? Did you get some?”

“No. But I swear it’s not because I didn’t want to.” I drag a chip through the Mexican dip.

Megan says, “There’s no doubt he’s attracted to you, so what’s keeping him from making a move?” She reaches for a spicy jalapeño popper.

“I’m not sure. We get close, and at the last minute he stops us from even kissing and says we can’t. He gives me the lame excuse that because we’ll be in each other’s lives forever it could get awkward. He made some comment about what if one of us wants nothing more than a fling.” I sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s only into me for sex and doesn’t want to deal with me being a needy girl afterward.”

Casey says, “I call bullshit.”

Lori says, “Me too.”

I say, “Me three. I mean, I can be kind of into myself, but I think I know when a guy only wants sex.”

Megan says, “Do you think it’s because he’s staying here?” She takes a sip of her drink.

“Maybe.” I shrug.

Lori says, “Wait. Did you consider that maybe he thinks all that you want is sex? And that he’s afraid he’ll be the one that gets hurt?” She crunches on a chip.

Megan, Casey, and I all say, “What?”

Lori chuckles at us and says, “Wow. So none of you can imagine a sensitive guy?”

I let her words sink in. Is Christian afraid I’ll hurt him? I recall how some girl named Taylor broke his heart not too long ago. “That could be it. I know he was hurt in the recent past. Maybe he’s afraid I’ll do the same thing.”

Casey nods. “I’ll bet that’s it. You’re just going to have to give him time to fall so madly in love with you he can’t help himself.”

I grin. “Okay. Now that we’ve solved that great mystery, let me tell you about my shop.” While I could ponder my lack of relationship with Christian all night, I’d rather move on to more fun things.

I tell them about the space I signed a lease on and answer their questions about the clothes I’ll carry. But things come to a halt when I mention Christian being my business partner. Casey spits out her drink. “Wait. What?”

“The guy is a financial whiz. He’s going to be a huge help.”

Casey says, “No, that’s not the part that shocks me. It’s that he doesn’t want to get involved with you, but hey, let’s be partners.”

I say, “Oh, yeah.” Tequila has made its way to my bloodstream, and I bite my lip in a devious way. “I guess he’ll have to work closely with me. Every. Single. Day.”

Megan whoops and raises her drink. “Oh, yeah. He’s going down.”

Lori says, “Yup. He doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Well, I’m glad you all have such faith in me.” I lick salt off the rim of my glass, and it stings my tongue before I take a swallow of margarita.

Casey says, “Of course we do. But more importantly, we can all read between the lines. No way would he want to be your business partner if this wasn’t love. Mark my words. He’s fallen for you, and he’ll see it eventually.” She takes a big swig of her drink as if that’s that. I’m not so sure, but the girls do make me believe he’s just afraid. And that idea gives me hope.

The conversation moves to Megan and Nick and if he’s going to propose. They’re a great couple, but the look on Megan’s face is pure panic when the topic of marriage is discussed. I think Lori sees it too, but Casey seems to be in margarita land, so I change the subject.

“Who’s ready for pool?”

We move over to the table and take turns without worrying about scores. Tonight is about catching up on our relationships, and we move on to Casey and Lori’s love life until everything is talked out.

When we start speculating about our friends and co-workers, things get silly. We laugh so hard our stomachs hurt. Nobody hears Christian come home until the dogs jump up to greet him coming down the stairs.

He says, “Looks like you’ve been having fun. Anyone need me to take them home when this ends?”

Lori says, “We’re good. I’m the DD tonight.”

Megan says, “We should probably get going. Some of us have to work tomorrow.”

The girls all take something upstairs as they go, and I follow to walk them out. Christian is coming up from the basement when I’m about to go down to clean up. He says, “It’s all done.”

“Thanks.” I open the fridge for the chilled water pitcher, and bright light illuminates my hand. Christian is at the sink, rinsing dishes, and I say, “Go sit. I’ve got it.” I pour a tall glass of water while he moves over to the counter.

He nods. “I’ll take one of those.”

I hand him my glass and pour another. Liquid gurgles in. “Did you guys have fun tonight?”

“We did. I even ended up with five dollars.”

I smile. “Nice take.”

He grins back. “Hey, could have been worse.”

Glasses rattle as I put them in the dishwasher. “I’m excited for tomorrow. We’re signing a lot of important things.” We meet with Neal and the lawyer in the morning and will be forming a legal business.

“I know. I’m excited too.”

I push the button to start the dishwasher, and it begins to hum quietly. “I’m glad you’re doing this with me, Christian.”

He reaches over for my hand. “Me too. I think we’ll make a great team.”

Tequila makes me brave. “I think we already do.”

My fingers ache to touch more than his hand. He takes a swallow of his water, and my lips yearn to lick the extra moisture off his mouth. Christian’s gaze is smoldering, and I think it’s desire. “Christian?”

“Yeah?” His voice is husky, and he lifts my hand toward his mouth. I close my eyes when his lips lightly sear my palm, and he says, “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

Words rumble through me like a freight train. “I think I might.”

I pull away and walk around to face him as he turns from the counter. The cotton of his shirt is soft as I slide my hands up it to feel the definition of his chest on my way to the back of his neck. “You owe me from the other night. I’m going to kiss you, and you’re going to let me. For this moment, you’re mine.”

I take his mouth roughly as my weeks of pent-up desire rush out. His response only lights the fire as our tongues caress each other. Christian presses against me as if he wants us to become one. His hands are on my lower back, and I shift my legs to ride on his thigh.

Wanton urges make me rub against his taught quads, and he moves his leg up higher to accommodate me. My entire being is trembling, and I think I could come if we keep this up. But Christian breaks our kiss, and a small cry comes from me as he moves me gently.

His face is flushed, and his eyes practically bore into me. “I knew that would be good.” A deep sound comes from the back of his throat.

“Yeah, me too.”

He takes a deep breath and blows it out. Stepping away from me he says, “I should bet on you more often. See you tomorrow.”

My fingers touch my swollen lips. “Tomorrow.”

Megan’s words come back to me.
He’s going down.
I smile with that thought as I lock the door and make my way up to bed.

Chapter 29

Whe
n Gretchen lived here, I learned how to cook. I started with the basics, and over time I moved on to more complex things like baking. As we wait for Derrick and Christian’s sister to arrive for Thanksgiving week, I’m planning what pies to have. Christian is on the couch, looking over the lease for our new shop. I’m on the second of three sofas, searching recipes on the Internet. I say, “Blueberry and apple are a must for the Hamiltons. Do you and Gretchen have a necessary one for Thanksgiving?”

“You guys don’t eat pumpkin pie?”

“No, I think it’s because my mother didn’t like it.”

“Would you like me to get my mom’s recipe?” He pushes his reading glasses on top of his head. He just got them, and I don’t think he likes them much.

I tuck a leg under me as I shift my position. “Sure, I’ll even let you make it.”

“Really? Is that your clever way of asking for help?” Christian rubs the bridge of his nose, and I can’t resist teasing him. “Even though you’re old, your glasses make you look sexy.”

He sighs. “These make me feel ancient. I thought losing my eyesight wasn’t supposed to happen for a few more years.”

“You’re not ancient. You’re just experienced.” I realize I don’t know how old he is. “How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-eight. How old did you think I was?”

“I never gave it much thought. Hmmm, you’re more experienced than I thought.” I raise my eyebrows at him suggestively. Ever since our kiss the other night, I can’t be in a room with him and not think about sex. Oh hell, it was like that before our kiss too.

“You have no idea.” Christian flirts just as much as I do. But he’s made no move to encourage anything beyond it. To say I’m frustrated is an understatement. I’m treading carefully because I don’t want to ruin our working relationship before it’s solid. But that doesn’t mean I’m not hoping a week with two people who can’t stop touching each other prods him along.

I hit print on a recipe and hear the machine in the den begin to hum. “I plan to shop for groceries tomorrow. Do you think you can get your mother’s recipe by then?”

“Yeah, I’ll call her right now.” Christian gets up off the couch, and Ollie follows him as he wanders to the den with his phone held to his ear. I smile thinking how the black dog has fallen in love with Christian.

I get up to make coffee in anticipation of Gretchen and Derrick being here. The rich aroma of dark roast floats up as I scoop it into the filter. I’m so excited to see them I can’t sit still. I flick the switch to on and refrain from heading upstairs to check their room one more time. There’re only so many times I need to fluff their towels.

Christian comes back to the kitchen with a funny look on his face, and I ask, “What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about something my mother said. She wants me to come home for a couple of days during Christmas week, and I told her I didn’t think it would be a good idea with the shop just opening up.”

He takes my hands in his, but it’s not flirtatious. He’s almost concerned. “Will you spend Christmas with me?”

I hadn’t thought about it, but I don’t know what Derrick’s plans for Christmas are, and while I can’t imagine he would ditch me on New Year’s Eve, I could very well be alone. “Ah, sure.” I squint my eyes a little. “Why so serious?”

“My sister and Derrick are going to my parents’ house, and it made me realize that means you would be alone, probably for the first time.”

“Oh. Yeah, I would be alone for the first time.” Fear licks at my heart. “They still plan to come for New Year’s though, right?” Ever since my parents died, the last night of the year has been a special time for Derrick and me. We have a nice dinner and tell each other stories about our childhood. It’s our way of making sure we don’t forget.

“I don’t know. But if not, we can spend that together too.”

I pull my hands away. “I’m sure Derrick wouldn’t miss it with me. It’s a tradition for us to remember our parents.” But as I say it, I begin to wonder how we’ll be able to do that forever. I turn to the coffeepot because sadness is encroaching, and I don’t want Christian to see the tears that are welling up in my eyes.

My brother’s going to have a family in a few years, and I’m not going to be his number-one priority. As it is, I’m already second to Gretchen now. Ceramic mugs clink on the granite as I pull them down in preparation.

Christian has moved behind me, and his hands are on my shoulders. “Hey. We’re going to be so busy that week, you’ll hardly notice.”

I nod and want to throw myself into his arms to cry. Instead I sniff and ask, “Want some coffee?”

“Sure.” The warmth of his touch leaves me as he goes to the fridge for the milk we both like.

I pour two mugs of steaming liquid and slide them over to where Christian can add the milk easily. He has grabbed a spoon and stirs both cups slowly. I watch as the dark coffee becomes a pale brown.

The dogs jump up to alert us before we can hear the town car in the driveway. Christian knows better than to go open the door before Gretchen and Derrick reach it. If he did, three exuberant puppies would accost the poor limo driver.

Gretchen’s voice carries as the door opens. “Oh, my gosh. Such excitement.” She squats down to pet the dogs because she knows they won’t leave her alone if she doesn’t. “I’ve missed you guys. Especially you, Pooh, but don’t tell the others.”

Derrick pats them each, but walks by. As my twin, he’s the male version of me. With dark eyes and hair and a fit body, he smolders. He comes to give me a big hug. “How’s my sister?” He’s squeezing me tight, and I think he missed me as much as I did him.