Sisters in White (Love in Bloom: Snow Sisters #3) Contemporary Romance (8 page)

“Open your eyes.” She watched him struggle to keep them open, his hand wrapped tight as he arched against his own friction. He reached for her breast and she pulled away, as if she were being driven by someone other than herself.

She heard herself say, “No. Watch me,” as she touched herself.

His eyes dimmed with desire. “Danica,” he called out, reaching for her hot flesh. He covered her hand with his and rubbed her until she was ready to explode.

Damn you
. He’d taken control and Danica was set to take it back. She grabbed his arms and pushed them against the mattress, sliding onto his shaft fast and hard.

He gasped a sharp breath, then groaned as she clenched and bucked atop of him, taking what she needed—what she wanted—and making him wait for his.

She slowed her pace as he grabbed her ass and worked her up and down to his own rhythm. She forced his hands off and trapped them again beneath her knees. He’d unleashed a seductress that she hadn’t known existed.

“You’re killing me,” he said.

“This was your game. I’m just playing along.” Feeling empowered and oh, so sexy, she ran her hand through her hair and was shocked that she so easily accepted the sexiness that she felt exuding from her body—a body that she never imagined could be taken to such heights.

“My game?” he asked through clenched teeth. Hunger and something dangerous mixed in his eyes, sparking a fire in her loins, and she slowed for a beat too long and processed the new, exhilarating emotions. In the space of a breath, he flipped her over onto her back and thrust into her.

She clawed at his shoulders, desperately wanting more of him. To hell with control.

He bent her legs at the knees and trapped them against his chest, driving deeper, harder. “I’m not a good loser,” he teased.

“Win, baby, win,” she coaxed as he took them both up and over the edge of ecstasy.

No matter how much Danica tried to will it away, Saturday arrived. She rolled over, turning her back to the glorious sun streaming through the curtains. Her head pounded, and her mouth felt like she’d swallowed cotton. She covered her head with a pillow to drown out the constant hum of the air conditioner.

“Good morning, dirty girl.”

Her heart skipped a beat as the night before came rushing back to her in foggy flashes.
Tell me. Touch yourself
. “Oh God,” she groaned, pressing the pillow against her face.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit
.

She felt the bed sink as Blake sat beside her. What was he doing up already?

“You can come out now. I won’t bite,” he teased.

Danica lay perfectly still. She couldn’t show her face, not after what she’d done with that beautiful man. Maybe she could hold her breath and die. Right here and now.
He must think I’m a tramp. A slut. A trollop!

She felt his hand on her hip, and she was struck with another worry. She peeked beneath the sheet.
Yup. Buck naked
.
Ugh!
College memories of the walk of shame came to mind. Not that she’d have been caught dead taking that lonely walk out of the fraternity houses, but her friends had, and one friend in particular walked home with nothing more than two well-placed paper plates.
Please, God, kill me now
.

He lifted the pillow from her face, and she clenched her eyes shut.

The bed moved, and she knew Blake was shaking his head. She felt his face draw near, his freshly shaven cheek against her own. “Our love life never leaves this room. I adore you, babe. You have my word, and if you can’t take my word, then you’re with the wrong man.”

His whisper was the warm coaxing, his promise the drive that she needed to open her eyes. She was met with the most adoring gaze. Blake stroked her hair with tenderness and love.

“My intent is to never hurt you, and that means respecting our privacy, your needs, and our love. And I will do everything within my power to make sure that I keep that promise.”

“Thank you” were the only words that she could push past her swollen heart.

Blake tucked the sheet beneath her arms and said, “Sit up, babe. Now that you’re covered, no need to be embarrassed.”

“How do you know me so well?”

“Because I love you, and when you love someone, you notice them. Everything about them.” He handed her a glass of water and two aspirin.

“You’re a godsend.” She swallowed the pills and relished in the icy cold water as it streamed down her throat. “I feel like such a different person around you, here, at night.”

He shook his head. “You’re the same beautiful almost-wife as you’ve always been. You’re just beginning to trust me. To trust us, and it makes you even more beautiful.” He took the glass and set it on the bedside table. “Danica, there is nothing you could do—short of sleeping with another man—that would make me think any less of you.”

“Everyone says that.” She fiddled with the edge of the sheet. “Look at my parents; look at yours. There are no guarantees in relationships. No one gets married thinking that they’ll one day break up. Everyone dreams of the happily ever after.”

“We’re not everyone.”

“That’s so cliché.”

Blake kissed her forehead. “What would you tell Kaylie right now?”

“Everything you just told me,” she admitted. “Wipe that grin off your face.”

He grabbed her ribs, and she rolled over in a fit of giggles.

“Ow, ow, my head.”

“Okay.” He sighed. “You have my empathy. Now, come on. Your mom will be here in half an hour.”

Danica bolted out of bed, forgetting the sheet. She covered herself with her arms and frantically ran into the bathroom. “Half an hour? What time is it?” she called from the shower.

“Twelve thirty.”

“Twelve thirty! Oh my God. I missed breakfast? What did my father say? How could you let me sleep?”

“Kaylie and Lacy didn’t make it either.”

She showered faster than she ever had before and came out of the bathroom with her hair wrapped in a towel and another towel wrapped around her body.

“Neither one? God, we must have really been hammered.”

She picked through her clothes and quickly dressed in shorts and a tank top. On her way back to the bathroom, she noticed her thong hanging from the light on the wall.

Blake followed her eyes and laughed. “My sexy, hot girlfriend got a little carried away last night.”

“Jesus!” she muttered. She snagged the thong and threw it into the pile of dirty laundry. “Please look for other articles of clothing that might out us as acrobatic sex freaks.” Who knew that her walk of shame would cover only the span of her hotel bed to the bathroom?

Blake laughed heartily as she flipped her head upside down and dried her hair. Danica silently replayed every instance she could remember from the night before. She tucked the lusty love snippets away in the secret files in her brain where she kept dirty thoughts of things she’d never have, like sex toys and Hugh Jackman.

Kaylie, Lacy, and Danica sat together on a sofa in the lobby, each looking a little greener than the next, while Chaz, Blake, Don, and Madeline chatted just inside the doors.

“So, you don’t hate me?” Lacy asked.

Kaylie shook her head. “Shh.”

“I swear a monkey played the drums in my head last night,” Danica said, rubbing her temple.

“I passed out cold when we got home.” Kaylie leaned her head back.

“I stayed up all night thinking of Dane’s junk.”

Danica and Kaylie shot straight up. “What?” they asked in unison.

“Didn’t you see it?” Lacy asked as if she were asking about baskets or berries. “I mean, my God, how could you miss it? It was like a...a python in his trunks.”

Silence.

The three of them burst into giggles seconds later. Kaylie grabbed Lacy’s arm as she bent over, gasping for breath between laughs, tears streaming from her eyes. Lacy threw her head back and howled, as they both reached for Danica to keep them upright.

“Ow, ow, ow,” Danica complained.

“Shh.” Kaylie laid her head back again.

“Damn that hurts.” Lacy closed her eyes, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

Helen Snow arrived in a flurry of activity, with Lexi and Trevor chattering in their two- and three-word sentences about their trip, each trying to outshout the other.

“Mommy! Daddy!” they yelled.

Chaz intercepted them before they reached Kaylie and swept Trevor and Alexandra into his arms. “Trev, Lex, how are my beautiful babies?”

“We, we, we...” Trevor stuttered.

Lexi took over, as she almost always did. “We ride big plane!”

“You did!”

Kaylie mouthed,
Thank you,
to Chaz and kissed her toddler’s soft cheeks. “I missed you so much!” She leaned in to kiss her mother’s cheek.

It was hard for Danica to believe that Kaylie had spent so much time angry at their mother, thinking she was weak for staying with her father when she’d known he was cheating on her. But now that Kaylie had experienced motherhood, she knew Kaylie would do just about anything for her babies, and that experience had brought an understanding to their relationship.

“Thanks for taking such good care of them, Mom,” Kaylie said.

When the twins were born, their mother had just begun dating again, and she’d joined a gym and dyed her hair red. Danica was happy to see the return of her mother’s buttery blond shade. Helen looked around nervously, and Danica came to her side.

“He and Madeline went to grab some coffee.”

“Oh, I wasn’t—”

“Yes, you were. It’s okay, Mom. You haven’t seen him since he moved away either. It’s been a long time.”

Lacy stood by the sofa, her hands clasped before her, her conservative white shorts and button-down blouse perfectly pressed. Only her eyes held the remnant of the evening before and the fear of the moment.

Danica watched the connection take hold between her mother and Lacy. She took her mother’s hand.

“Oh my goodness. She’s gorgeous,” her mother said.

“Do you want to meet Lacy, Mom?”

“Yes, I do. Very much.”

The walk felt a million miles long, and Danica wanted to ask her mother what she was feeling, what she was thinking, but she wouldn’t dare. Kaylie took her mother’s other hand and joined them as they approached Lacy.

Lacy dropped her eyes, and Kaylie did something that stole Danica’s heart right out of her chest. She went to Lacy’s side and took Lacy’s hand. The four of them stood with their hands interlaced and their lives intertwined. Linked by one man. A world of hurt and a world of wonder lay within the small circle of women.

“Mom, this is Lacy. Lacy Snow. Our sister.” Kaylie looked at Lacy and beamed.

Danica watched the strength pass from Kaylie to Lacy, and a heartbeat later, from Lacy to her mother.

“It is such a pleasure to meet you, Lacy. I have thought of you often.”

The grace exuding from her mother gave Danica chills. Time stood still as Danica took in this new family of hers. At some point, Danica wasn’t sure exactly when, Blake and Chaz joined them, and she became aware of Lexi and Trevor toddling around their legs. Lexi’s thin blond curls bounced with each happy step, and Trevor’s promise-blue eyes danced with delight.
Mommy! Daddy!

Blake was the first to see their father and Madeline enter the lobby, and Danica followed his fading, then quickly righted, smile toward the man who was responsible for this new union and the woman who Danica knew from the longing in her eyes wanted to be there, too.

“Mom.” Worry tethered Danica’s voice as her mother turned toward the approaching couple, her brows drawn together, a hardening in her eyes. A sea of emotion swam through those little motions: sadness, longing, anger, shame. Finally, as the wrinkles in her brow faded and she dropped Danica’s hand, the underlying strength that Danica always knew existed appeared, erasing the shame and anger. Kicking the sadness to the curb.

“Don.” Her mother took a step forward. “Madeline,” she said curtly with a brief nod.

Madeline managed a cordial smile. “Helen, you look lovely.”

“Yes, I do. Thank you.”

Wow, Mom
.

Her father stood silently taking in the wife he’d tossed aside. There was no strength in the man who had torn their family apart. Madeline put her hand on the small of his back and gave him a little tap.

“How—how are you, Helen?” he asked.

Danica had seen a much humbler man in her father over the last few days, and it was a bit unsettling against the memory of the confident father who’d raised her.

“I’m well. Wonderful, actually. Thank you. And you?”

How on earth are you doing this?
Danica shot a look at Kaylie; Lexi held on to her leg and Trevor wiggled in her arms, while Kaylie nursed a hate-filled look in her eyes. Her mother might be able to take this in stride, but Kaylie obviously could not. Danica was torn between staying between her mother and father—just in case—and dragging Kaylie’s angry ass out of there before something happened that no toddler should ever witness. As Kaylie handed Trevor to Chaz, Danica sprang into action.

“Kaylie, Camille and the girls should be in any minute. Why don’t you bring the kids to get a snack from the machines really quickly so they’re not hungry.” It was a mean tack to take, knowing the mention of a snack would start the pleas that would quickly become tears in an open forum such as the hotel lobby, but sometimes Auntie Danica had to do what was best for their mommy.

“Snack! Snack!” Trevor jumped up and down, and Lexi took her cue, yelling louder than Trevor.

“Snack, Mommy! Snack!”

Kaylie shot Danica a hateful look, then took Trevor’s hand and headed toward the snack machines down the hall. Lexi and Chaz followed.

Danica turned her attention back to the tension that surrounded her mother and father, who were talking about Lexi and Trevor.

“Lexi is just like Kaylie. Do you remember when she used to try and answer for Danica?” Her mother’s nostalgic smile was anything but feigned.

“And how Danica used to allow her to?” Her father shook his head.

“Lex does the same thing. When we sit down to eat, she says, Twevor wants peanut butter, and when I ask Trevor, he just nods.”

“Kaylie said he stutters,” her father said.

Danica didn’t know why the genuine concern in her father’s voice surprised her. Maybe because it was the first time since he’d arrived that he was vocalizing anything at all.

“Yes,” her mother answered. “And I’m not sure that Lexi speaking for him is such a good solution.”

“Dysfluency is quite prevalent in children between the ages of two and five. Most kids go through some sort of stuttering stage, whether it’s pausing between words, repeating certain sounds and syllables, or starting and stopping altogether, but it usually resolves on its own. I wouldn’t worry too much yet.” Madeline spoke confidently, with practiced ease.

Her mother cocked her head in question or surprise; it was difficult for Danica to tell which.

“You know that I was a speech therapist by trade. Just retired two years ago, but you know how that goes. I’m not really retired. I still take on clients here and there, doing a little consulting,” Madeline explained.

“I must have forgotten. Yes, you always said you would become a speech therapist. How’s your brother?” Her mother’s cold tone warmed by the second.

Brother? Always said? What is going on?

Madeline rubbed her hands together as if they suddenly caught a chill. “He’s doing well. He uses a cane now, but his symptoms are manageable. He’s enjoying a good life, and yes, he still stutters.”

“He’s a remarkable man,” her mother said.

“Wait, you know her brother?” The question was out before Danica could think to stop it. She felt Blake’s arm circle her waist.

Her mother held Madeline’s gaze; then her eyes shifted to Don, and finally, settled on Danica. “Yes, we knew each other a very long time ago.”

“I’m so confused. Madeline said they used to date, but I guess I never realized that you knew her, too. And her brother?”

“It’s a long story, but yes. We went to the same schools, lived in the same areas, and as you know, Madeline and I loved the same man.”

“Mom.” Danica’s heart ached for her mother.

Helen shook her head. “It’s okay, Danica. This is all water under the bridge. Really, we’re past this. You should be, too.”

“But—”

“If it makes you feel any better, your mother stole him from me first,” Madeline said.

Danica spun around and found Madeline smiling.
Smiling?

“It’s true,” her mother said with a little laugh. “I did everything within my power to win his heart.”

“And you did.” Her father looked at her mother through eyes laden with love. He looked down shyly, then back up, and when he did, an appreciative smile formed on his thin lips.

Danica blinked several times. How could this be? Her mother and father had been in some sort of strange love triangle? And now her mother’s and father’s eyes were locked in a way that should make Madeline uncomfortable, but she was still smiling. This was too much. Between the hangover headache that was thundering in her skull, Kaylie acting like a lion ready to pounce on her father at any moment, and her parents looking at each other like they’d like to do everything she and Blake had done last night—
Oh God! What I did with Blake! Shoot me now
.

Danica barely registered the warm breeze as the front doors of the lobby opened or the thunder of approaching footsteps.

“Let the party begin!”

Camille’s voice startled Danica and instantly offered relief. She fell thankfully into her friend’s arms. Camille’s husband, Jeff, smiled from behind her, carrying an enormous suitcase in each hand.

“Who’s getting married?” Camille teased. “Mrs. Snow! Wow! Blond again! You are beautiful!” Camille embraced Danica’s mother as her other friends, Chelsea and Marie, squealed with delight and jumped up and down in the middle of the lobby.

“I can’t believe we’re here! Where’s Kaylie?” Chelsea asked.

“And the kids!” Marie added.

“We fed them to the sharks,” Danica teased.

Marie looked at Chelsea, and her eyes grew wide. “Sharks? I didn’t know there were sharks here.”

Danica kissed her cheek. “It’s okay. I love you even if you don’t get my jokes.”

Blake hugged the girls, and they each greeted Don with careful words. Her friends knew about his affair—Kaylie had made sure that everyone around her knew not only about the affair, but how she felt about her father and Madeline, too. Danica wondered now, after meeting Madeline and Lacy, how she was going to change her friends’ preconceived notions about the women. She had wanted to hate Madeline, but now that she’d met her, and found her to be pleasant, there was no way she could—even if Madeline had been
the other woman
.

“Auntie Camille!” Lexi ran across the lobby in her yellow dress and pink Circle Glitter Toms shoes. Kaylie was a Toms fanatic. Trevor was right behind Lexi in his ash-colored Cordones.

“Auntie Chel Chel...”

“Chelsea!” Lexi yelled, jumping into Chelsea’s arms before Trevor had a chance to.

Marie swooped Trevor into her arms. “How’s my handsome boy? You look so smart in your little polo shirt!”

The girls peppered her and Kaylie with questions.

“Are you nervous?”

“You look beautiful! Look how tan you are!”

“Look at that man of yours. God, you’re lucky!”

When Lexi wiggled from Camille’s arms, Camille pulled Kaylie aside. Danica eavesdropped in what she hoped was not an obvious manner. She leaned against the column behind which they were whispering and strained to hear every word.

“What do I need to know? Is the sister awful? Is she pretty? Do we hate her or love her?” Camille had been the leader of their girl group for long enough that Danica knew that the fate of Lacy lay in Kaylie’s answers.

“She’s gorgeous, sweet, and even kinda funny.” Kaylie paused.

Danica held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut, praying that Kaylie wouldn’t add,
But I hate her anyway
.

“I like her.”

“No!” Camille gasped. “After all those years of inspired hatred?”

“Yes. I don’t know what happened. Not that I like the evil mistress or the lying, cheating bastard, but Lacy, yeah, she’s kinda cool.”

Danica let out her breath. At least Lacy was in the clear. She still had work to do with Kaylie and her father—and Madeline.
Evil mistress?

“Did you see how fat Danica has gotten?” Kaylie said.

Danica’s jaw dropped. She touched her stomach, her sides. She’d lost ten pounds in the months after meeting Blake and she’d never put them back on. What was Kaylie talking about? She looked over her shoulder to inspect her backside, and Kaylie popped her head around the column.

“Gotcha!” She roared with laughter.

“You witch! I really thought you meant it!” Danica knitted her brows and laughed through her sneer.

“Well...” Camille tapped her chin.

Danica swatted her.

Camille laughed. “You’re gorgeous, and you know it, little Miss I’m Getting Married To McDreamy.”

“Yes, I am, aren’t I?” She surveyed Blake from behind, standing between her mother and father.
My trusty mediator
.

“Oh my God!” Kaylie yelled.

The group silenced.

“Where’s everyone else? Where are our dresses? Where’s Sally and Max? Nancy, Rusty, Chase, and Michelle? They’re coming, right? What about Gage?” Her eyes shot to Chaz. “Where’s your family? I’m still waiting to meet your brother. Weren’t they supposed to arrive around the same time?”

“There was so much confusion that I forgot to tell you. Mom and Weston are coming together. She was visiting him this week. Don’t worry, but they had to switch to a later flight because of Weston’s schedule. He had an emergency surgery.” Chaz weathered Kaylie’s moods like a sturdy ship in a storm. He picked up Lexi when she toddled by and kissed her on the cheek with a loud
mmwah
! “Abby and Astrid are coming in later tonight.”

“He’s having surgery and coming in the same day?” Chelsea asked.

Chaz laughed. “No. He’s an orthopedic surgeon. He had to perform the surgery.”

“Oh, you mean like Callie on
Grey’s Anatomy
!” Marie said in an entirely too serious voice.