Kestrel (Hart Briothers #3) (26 page)

“Ah!” I want him to keep doing it the other way, but he
pays me no mind. His hand reaches for the vibrator switch and he turns it off.
“No!”

“You want to come?”

“Yes!”

“How bad?”

“Really bad.”

His fingers tease and tug on my nipples as I squeeze my
thighs together.

“Have you ever come from this?” he asks as he plays with
my nipples.

“No,” I groan. “Please let me come.” My hand moves
between my legs.

“Don’t you dare touch
yourself.
Spread your legs.”

I do as he commands and he takes the vibrator out. And
replaces it with his condom-wrapped cock. Then he lifts my legs to his
shoulders and thrusts in and out until I almost come. Then he stops and I cry
out.

“No, don’t stop.”

“You want to come?”

“
Yesss
. Please.”

“You want to come hard?”

“Yes, dammit.”

“Get on your hands and knees.”

I do as he asks. And he very, very, slowly inches into
me.

“Don’t move, angel. Not one bit.”

I whine. “Please.”

“Don’t move, or I’ll stop.
”

“Okay.” My body trembles with the need to come. I’m
sweating profusely; every nerve ending is tingling.

He moves so slowly that I think I’ll go insane with
desire.

Then he pushes me forward and pulls completely out. I
cry out.

He gets on the edge of the bed and pulls me on his lap.
Guiding his cock into me, he impales me to the hilt.

“Wrap those legs around me and hang on.”

I don’t even think twice about what he says. He starts a
punishing thrust and it’s such a relief but his finger touches my clit and the
orgasm that sets me off has me screaming his name. “Kestrel.” My fingers claw
at his hips and I can only hope I didn’t do much damage to his skin. My climax
so violent I buck in his lap, with my muscles clenching and contracting, inside
and out. When it’s done, I’m fighting for air and completely drained.

 
I’m not sure
he even hears me because he is still burying himself in me. I look at his face
and his eyes are closed, his head is thrown back and all of his muscles stand
out, crisply defined, as a look of ecstasy steals over him. Even though I just
climaxed, seeing him like this arouses me anew.

In a smartass tone, he finally asks, “Can your fancy
vibrator do that?”

“You are far better than any device I’ve ever used. Now
please kiss me.”

His mouth skims over my ear, tickling my lobe. Next, he
nibbles my neck, stroking it with his heated tongue. When he touches my lips, I
grasp his shoulders and pull him as close as I can. He tastes of scotch and
mint, and it’s heady. It’s a kiss I never want to end. Don’t ask me why, but
for some unknown reason, I feel unaccountably close to him right now. His heart
clangs against mine, and it’s as though it should. Two halves meeting as one.

“Where is your mind, angel?”

Should I tell him? I’m not sure how he’ll feel about
these thoughts.

“Just feeling nice.”

“That’s not it. I know you better than that.” He tilts
my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Tell me.”

His eyes search mine, digging deep into my soul. He
knows. He always knows.

“We are two halves, you and I.”

“As in the angel and the devil?”

“No. As in two halves that were defective, unfinished,
without each other. You and I are not polar opposites, as you tend to believe.
You are not the devil. We just needed polishing up and we needed to be placed
next to each other so we could be whole again. You know, like a pot without a
lid.”

“Hmm. Maybe so. Am I the pot or the lid?”

I rub my cheek against his. “Which do you prefer?”

“I want to be the lid so I can keep you covered from all
things bad.”

“See! How can you possibly be the devil if all you want
to do is protect me? And you want to fill my pot with all kinds of good
things.”

“Uh huh, namely my dick.”

I smack him with my palm on his hip. He falls back on
the bed, grabs my hand, and pulls me on top of him. “Oh, so now, along with
scratching the hell out of me, you want to play rough?”

“Did I scratch you that bad?”

“It’ll be better if you kiss it.”

He’s teasing me now, but I want to see his hips. I
shimmy down to look and in the dim light I can see a few red scrapes in his
skin.

“Jeez. I did a number on you, didn’t I?”

His deep voice vibrates in my ear, because my head rests
on his stomach. “I didn’t mind a bit, angel. In fact, I think it’s sexy as
hell.” He tangles his hand in my hair.

“Kestrel, you really think I’m sexy?” I ask as I sit up.

“Carter, do you honestly have to ask me that?”

“I guess not.”

“What do you mean, you guess not?”

“Well, it’s just that Gabby is so …”

“So what?”

“Perfect.”

“For Kolson, she is. But to me, you are the most perfect
thing in the world. Look at you. I can’t imagine anyone being more beautiful
than you. Inside and out.” He suddenly gets out of bed. “Come with me,” he says
as he extends his hand to me. Then he walks me to a mirror. “Need I say more?”

“I don’t want to look at myself naked.”

“Maybe you should. You might see what I do. But even
beyond that is the woman I adore. So, I was going to wait and tell you on
Christmas Day, because I know this is not an easy time for you, but Carter
Drayton, I love you. I fell in love you with when you looked like that frumpy
nun. That day I met you in your lab, you had your glasses and your
old-fashioned out-of-style clothes on, your hair was a mess stuck up in one of
your crazy-assed buns, and it took everything I had not to tear off your
clothes and kiss the hell out of you. I think I fell in love with you that day
and it’s only grown deeper ever since. I didn’t recognize exactly how utterly
gorgeous you were, but I didn’t give a shit then. I only knew there was
something magical about you.
Something so special that it ran
deep in your veins and I wanted it.
I wanted to be like you. I didn’t
want bad anymore; I wanted good. I wanted Carter, the angel, in my life. So you
can choose to believe me or not, but you don’t have a choice on whether or not
to believe that I love you because
that
is irrefutable.”

My hand is at my throat, because my heart thrums so hard
I fear it will somehow rupture through my ribcage. I knew we were headed in
this direction but I thought I was way ahead of him. Unexpectedly, a grin
stretches across my face and I feel like the sun has just risen in the room.
Tears of joy strangle me for a moment and I’m speechless. Kestrel watches as my
hands move from my throat, to my face, back to my throat, and then he finally
pulls me into his arms as I softly whimper.

“I hope these aren’t sad tears,” he murmurs into my
hair.

“No,” I say. I pull myself together and say, “I love you
too. I … no one has said such kind things to me …” and then I cry some more as
he holds me. He leads me back to bed and says all kinds of sweet things to me,
of which I hear nothing of, because I’m still hearing the part about how he loves
me and it’s irrefutable.

Finally I wiggle myself on top of him and say, “How do
you always know the right things to say to me?”

“This wasn’t about being the right thing to say, Carter.
It was about my feelings toward you. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it
and finally figured it all out, so I decided Christmas Day would be the day to
tell you.”

“Isn’t it strange how things turned out?”

“Yeah. Karma, huh?”

“Uh huh. And now, Karma says we need sleep because I
have breakfast to fix soon.”

Kestrel grabs my butt and squeezes. “Don’t worry, angel.
We’ll have help from Mary and Mimosa.”

“Yum can’t wait. Good night.”

“Night, angel.”

Chapter Twenty

Kestrel

Christmas Eve begins with a bang. Carter is busy in the
kitchen while I’m in charge of all the beverages. Mom is happy because I have
her Charles
Heidseick
, Piper
Heidseick
,
and
Veuve
Clicquot
Grand
Dame for her. I only hope everyone isn’t falling down drunk by this afternoon.
Oh well, if they are, they can all take long naps before dinner tonight.

Carter serves breakfast around eleven. She has several
of what she calls Southern specialty casseroles. Apparently this is a big thing
down here. There is one sausage, egg, and cheese concoction that is so good I’m
afraid Kolson is going to lick his plate. Jesus, that guy can eat. Gabby looks
horrified as she watches him scarf it down. Then Carter also has a French toast
casserole that is so good, my mother drools between dainty bites. Even Gabby,
who loves to eat (but not nearly as much as my brother), has unbuttoned her
jeans. Carter’s added some type of a hash brown potato casserole, along with a cheesy
grits casserole. Then to top all that off, there are perfect crispy bacon and
sausage patties to go with it all, along with huge Southern style biscuits. It
is one gigantic spread of food.

My mother says, “Why, Carter, you are going to spoil us
with your cooking.”

Carter beams. “Thank you, Sylvia. It’s nice to have
someone to cook for. I love to cook.”

“It’s all so delicious. Do you eat like this all the
time?” Mom asks.

Carter laughs. “Heavens, no! I’d weigh three hundred
pounds, if I did. Not to mention I don’t have time.”

Kolson adds, “Well, Carter, my little brother here would
love it if you cooked like this all the time, wouldn’t you, Kestrel?”

“You could say that, but I do love what she cooks. She
usually does dinner and that’s plenty for me.”

“Yeah, he’s very appreciative of when I cook. He’s not
very handy in the kitchen.”

 
“Well, you
can blame me,” Sylvia says. “Or that damn asshole I was married to.”

I drop my fork. Gabby laughs and Kolson’s mouth hangs
open. Carter is pretty much oblivious because she was never around when
Langston was alive.

“Oh, Kestrel, Kolson, don’t act so damn shocked. The man
was an asshole and you both know it,” Sylvia adds.

I say, “True, Mom, but I’ve never heard you talk like
that before.”

“It took me a while to come out of my shell. But now
that I’m out, I’m here to stay. And thank God the bastard’s dead.”

Gabby raises her champagne glass and says, “Here, here!”

Carter stares and me and I only shrug.

Brunch ends and we hang out in the den afterwards.
Carter’s friend Harper calls. She wants to drop by to exchange gifts with
Carter. Carter tells her to meet her in the carriage house in an hour. This is
something they’ve been doing since they’ve been kids.

“You can meet her here if you want,” I say.

“I know, but we’ll meet for a little bit and then I’ll
bring her over.”

“Oh, I get it. Girl talk.”

She nods. “Yep.”

I grab her around the waist and mumble into her ear,
“Don’t you give away any of our secrets.”

“Never.”

As soon as Carter leaves, my family pounces.

Gabby says, “I love her. She’s perfect for you.”

Then my mother says, “She can cook and has a brain.”

Kolson says, “Maybe I was wrong.”

“About what?” I ask.

“About her wanting you for your money,” he answers.

“Carter doesn’t give a damn about that stuff. She would
rather live the simple life. That’s why that lot was still sitting on
Sullivan’s. If money were her goal, she would’ve sold everything immediately.”

“True.”

“Gabby, she said you put her through a test.”

“Yep. She passed.” That’s all she says.

“Thanks,” I say sourly.

“Kestrel, you know how much you mean to me. I’m not about
to let any woman sink her claws into you without digging into her mind a
little.”

“Carter has no claws.”

“Oh, yes she does. She came back at me fighting for you.
She has plenty of claws when it counts. You’re in good hands.”

“Christ. I hope you are all finished.”

“I happen to like the girl. I think she’s perfect for
you, son.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“And this house. It couldn’t be better.”

“Again, thanks, Mom.”

We drop it all because it’s over as far as they’re
concerned. I have an overprotective family and I should be glad for it. Not
long after, Carter returns with Harper. After the introductions, Harper joins
us for some Christmas cheer. Carter shows me the leather cuff Harper gave her
while Harper shows off the earrings that Carter gifted her. Though I hate feeling
this way, I still don’t trust Harper. Something nags at me, but I can’t put my
finger on it. There’s a disingenuous aspect about her. I don’t want to bring
this up to Carter because it will burst her bubble of happiness, so I smile and
go about things. But I’ll be sure to keep a wary eye on her. Something’s amiss.

Harper asks a few questions about our plans for the next
couple of days and after about an hour, she departs. She says she has a family
gathering to attend this evening.

“Call me, Carter. Merry Christmas everyone.”

Nudging Carter into the kitchen, I ask, “So, did you
give away any of our secrets?”

“Every single one.” Then she laughs.

She doesn’t realize I’m serious. “Did she ask about us?”

“Of course she did. She’s like a bloodhound.”

“Why’s that?”

Carter chuckles. “Because Harper is nosy, that’s why.
She wants to know who’s doing what with whom. She wanted to know if you were any
good in the sack.”

“Hmm. Interesting. Do girls ask that a lot?”

“Yes.”

My brows shoot up. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Are you kidding me? They all want to know. Don’t
guys?”

“I wouldn’t know. You know I never really had any
friends like that. So, what did you tell Harper?”

“That it was none of her business.” She licks her lips
and I find I want to be the one to do that.

“You did, huh?” I feel myself smiling.

“Yeah,” she says, her voice becoming very quiet. “I
did.”
 

My hands reach for her face, thumbs dabbing the
spattering of freckles I love so much, and I dip my head for a taste of her.
Then I tug her out the back door and practically drag her off to her carriage
house.

“What are you doing?”

I don’t answer until we’re inside. “This.” I kiss her.
Really kiss her. Like it’s the first, last, with no in between. I don’t want
there to be a beginning or an end to us. I want us to be a circle that goes
round and round forever.

“Which way?” I ask. “You decide. Front, back, side.”

“From the back. My front against the wall.”

I push her pants and panties down to her ankles and then
do the same for me. Next, I put on a condom. My fingers stroke her and she’s
wet for me.

“Oh, angel, you never disappoint.” I rub my cock around
her opening and she moans as she arches her back. I love it when she does that.

“Now, Kestrel.”

Gently, I ease into her, but she pushes herself back
onto me and tries to take over the rhythm. Pulling her against me, I say in her
ear, “Let me lead.”

“Fast and hard.
Pleeeease
,”
she begs.

One arm around her waist so I can reach her clit, I do
as she asks. She’s so hot and tight around me. I feel myself wanting to
disintegrate.

Her hand sweeps back and fingers dig into me. Then I
understand that Gabby is right. Carter does have claws because she uses them on
me during sex. A lot. And I relish it.

“Yes.” Her voice has taken on that throaty sound that
sends me soaring. I thrust even harder and my fingers find her to bring her to
orgasm. When she comes, I let my own loose.

While we dress, Carter says, “We’d better get back
before they notice we’re gone.”

“Angel, they’ve already noticed.”

We walk back to the house and three sets of very curious
and knowing eyes greet us when we enter the den. There’s no hiding Carter’s
embarrassment. Her face is as red as the embers in the fireplace. And I’m sure
her cheeks are as hot, too.

“Have fun?” Kolson asks.

“Uh huh. About as much fun as you and Gabby used to when
you’d go to the mansion and would disappear for hours. At least we were only
gone,” I glance at my watch, “for thirty minutes.”

“Quickie, huh?”

“But thorough,” I say.

“Jeez, guys. Can it, will you?” Gabby says.

I look at Carter and she has a stricken look upon her
face. I quickly pull her into my embrace and say, “It’s okay, angel. Kolson and
I do this banter thing all the time.”

“Maybe, but not about us you don’t.” She purses her lips
as though she’s trying to work this thing out.

Gabby says, “They’re a couple of cretins, aren’t they?”

“Um, yeah. I think so,” Carter says.

“Like most guys. Thirty-something going on thirteen,”
Gabby says, chuckling.

Nuzzling Carter’s neck, I say, “Nah, that’s not me. I’m
just a guy who is utterly in love.”

My mother beams and claps her hands. Kolson stares
open-mouthed and Gabby shakes her head and says, “And the mighty has fallen.”

“It’s true. Not that I’m mighty, but I’ve certainly
fallen. And who could blame me?”

“Who indeed?” Kolson asks. He still stares.

“What’s wrong, brother?”

“I just never thought it would hit you.”

“Like I never thought it would you.” Then we both laugh.
“I guess this calls for a toast.” I pour us yet another round of champagne and
we all toast to falling in love.

***

That evening, Carter treats my family to her specialty
of shrimp and grits. My brother is overwhelmed. For a minute, I think we are going
to have to call EMS. He doesn’t speak, move, or even breathe. Then a huge
toothy grin emerges on his face and he declares Carter needs to open a
restaurant.

“Carter, come home with us to Manhattan. We could set
you up and you’d have more customers in your restaurant than you could ever
dream of.”

We all laugh.

“I’m not joking. She is one badass chef. We could call
it Down South Up North. Seriously.”

“She’s not moving to Manhattan. She’s a scientist with a
dream.
A dream that is going to be a reality.
And
soon.” I look at Kolson like he’s lost his mind. Maybe if I knew I couldn’t eat
her cooking all the time, I would look as desperate as he does.

“Okay. How about this? I get a chef and she passes her
recipes on and I open the restaurant anyway?”

“
Kol
, you can do whatever you
want as long as you don’t steal my girl’s time from her.”

Carter only laughs and suggests a Christmas movie to
watch after dinner so we all vote on Christmas Vacation. Sylvia is even game for
it. But midway through, we’re all drifting to sleep, so I suggest we all call
it a night. I lock up the house and Carter and I head to the carriage house.

Once there, she asks, “Do you want me to stay in the big
house with you?”

“No, I actually prefer the privacy of the carriage
house.
Off to bed for us.
All that
champagne today.
And we’ll be doing it again tomorrow.” I turn her
around and propel her toward the bed.

***

It’s a dim morning when I awaken at seven. I’ve slept
later than usual, probably due to all that damn champagne. Carter makes her
little snores, so I know she’s still asleep. Unfolding myself from her, I
decide to take a quick shower and let her sleep. I can get things started in
the house, such as coffee and drinks. She has another food extravaganza day
planned. Today she’s serving another huge brunch but this one centers
around
a special frittata that she loves to serve and then
we’re having beef tenderloin and lobster tails for dinner. Maybe we all need to
go for a run this afternoon. I feel like I’ve gained fifty pounds since
yesterday.

By the time I get out of the shower, Carter is stirring.
She stretches long and slow like a cat and climbs out of bed. It always makes
me pause when I see her naked. She’s that stunning.

“Merry Christmas, angel. To think I have my very own
angel on Christmas. Who ever thought I’d be this lucky?”

“To think I’d have my very own art-covered sex god.”