London Falling (16 page)

“Is there something we should be worried about?” I asked, immediately concerned. Oliver perked up and grabbed Aspen’s hand.

“Not a one. Our little lemon is just fine!” Hank added proudly.

“Lemon?” I asked.

My sister grinned. “He’s referring to the baby’s size. According to the growth chart, the baby at fourteen weeks is the size of a lemon. It’s endless entertainment for Hank. He actually tells me each morning how much the baby has grown, what new thing with my body I should expect to be feeling. And weekly, he humors me with what size the baby is compared to food.” She shakes her head and grins.

“Those daily emails are perfect. Just what you need to keep you up-to-date. A man doesn’t need to be told what’s happening with his baby. He should already know.” Hank’s chest puffed up a bit as he placed a protective hand over Aspen’s stomach.

“Let me get this straight, mate. You get emails telling you about your wife’s pregnancy every day?” Nate asked while he leaned against Emma’s chair from behind.

“That’s right. My baby, my fiancée, my family. Not going to be blindsided by nothin’. And I’m completely fascinated by the entire process. Her body is incredible and sexy as hell!” He nuzzled my sister’s neck and kissed the ball of her shoulder.

“You’re whipped!” Nate pointed at Hank and everyone sitting at the table laughed.

Hank shrugged and pulled Aspen closer to him. “Don’t care,” Hank answered with all the confidence in the world. Truly, the macho thing did come naturally to Hank, especially considering his old-fashioned upbringing. When it came to anything related to my sister, he was all in.

“Well, I think it’s fantastic. A man should want to know about his child. So many children don’t have a loving father. Hank, I think you’re better than most men,” I added with meaning. I truly was proud of the relationship Aspen had with Hank. He seemed to care only for her and their happiness.

“Now what about the wedding? That’s in two or three weeks?” Nate asked and sat in his chair.

“Honestly, I’m not doing much,” Aspen responded. “The wedding planner and Hank’s family are taking care of most of the arrangements. With Bright Magazine releasing in January, the baby due in May and Hank’s business expansion to New York…” She sighed heavily. “…we’re crammed with activity. Not to mention how crazy we are for getting married the week before Thanksgiving during winter in Texas.”

“Angel, we’re lucky that we’re having an unusually warm winter this year. ‘Sides, we’ll be doing all of it in the heated tents. It’s going to be fine. Come rain, snow or shine, I’m marrying you in a couple weeks.” Hank smiled so wide his grin almost looked manic.

I remember that kind of love. I had that with James. It’s times like these, when something life changing occurs, that I miss his presence the most. He would have been delighted to see Aspen so happy. He always thought she took life too seriously and lived to work, not worked to live. Yes, James would have approved wholeheartedly in Hank and Aspen. Hank was the opposite of Aspen in all the ways that didn’t matter. The things they have in common, their core values, their love of good food, books, work ethic and deep friendships are a perfect foundation for a happy long life.

“Y’all are coming out to Texas, right? We’ve got room in Aspen’s jet for a whole basketball team.”

I waited, holding my breath while Collier looked at me, held my eyes and responded to Hank’s question. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I closed my eyes knowing that no matter what I did to avoid him this week, including bailing on our date, he was going to find me and I was going to cave. It was too hard not to when his arms and warmth surrounded me.

A memory of a different time seeped into my subconscious. The voices around the table slipped away until I could hear only one voice, the one with the power to break me.

“Come on, you know you want to!”

“I do not! Stop bugging me, James, I swear to God I’ll get my brother Rio to come kick your ass!”

“That snooty rich boy wouldn’t want to get his hands dirty. He’s never been in a fight in his life!” James jumped over the bush I’d just launched myself around on my way to my car. His hand grabbed mine. I was struck with the feeling of warmth, tenderness and something I didn’t want to name. “Hey, London. Please, just…please.” His voice came out in a rush.

I twirled, rocking his hand loose. “What!”

James put a hand to his neck and his body swayed as he looked left and right. “I like you, okay. I thought maybe you might like me, too.” His tone was sweet yet held a deep timber. His seventeen year old body was slowly catching up to the voice that matched a grown man.

Taking a nervous breath, I pulled my books to my chest and twirled a lock of hair around my finger. “I do…like you,” I whispered.

He leaned close and swept the black bangs from my eyes. “You do?” He smiled.

I nodded.

He whooped and hollered and gave the air a fist pump. “All right! I mean, that’s cool.” We both laughed. “So then, you’ll go out with me? On a real date?” His eyes were pleading, his thumbs loosely clutching the belt loops of his Calvin Klein’s as he waited for my answer.

I couldn’t believe James Kelley was asking me out on an official date. This whole time I crushed on him but thought we were just friends. Then he surprises me with this. I can’t wait to go home and call Aspen. “Yes, I will James.” His eyes sparked with excitement. “I’ll go with you anywhere.”

“Bridge honey, earth to Bridge? Damn, she’s doing it again.” I heard Tripp snap in front of my face. I shook off the memory and stared into the nervous eyes of my best friend.

“Sorry. What did you say?”

Tripp took a breath and shook his head, smiling. Collier stood arms crossed, one over the other along his broad chest. He had his head tilted to the side, assessing me. A shock of dirty blond hair fell over his forehead. I wanted to stand and push that lock back in place, then nibble on his perfect lips again.

“Bridge, we lost you there. Where’d you go?” His eyes met mine and I threw some daggers I didn’t think he expected. His neck shot back in surprise. “Um, sorry, never mind. You ready to go home?”

“I’d be happy to give you a lift,” Collier offered.

“No, no, that’s okay. Tripp and I live together. Makes sense to go together. I’ll just get my coat.” Tripp and I both stood. He put his hands in his pockets and had a weird stare off with Collier. It was the strangest thing. I’d seen him do it once before with Andrew, the crazy stalker, but never with one of my clients or any of the other men I’d been with intimately. Just didn’t add up.

Collier followed me to the coat closet and helped me pull on the heavy wool. He pulled my thick mane of hair out of my coat and started buttoning me in. The sweet gesture melted my heart and had me smiling.

“Next weekend, you and me. Plan for a casual evening. Nothing pretentious, I promise.” The lovely undertones of his British accent when he spoke made me giddy. His eyes twinkled as I took in his ruffled hair, dark eyes and his full lips as he licked them.

He was doing his own assessment. He leaned close as if to hug me then planted his hands on each bicep pulling me against his chest. The thrill of his touch skated along my nerves. “I can still smell you all over me…it’s making me ache for you.”

Without warning, I cupped the back of his neck, tangled my fingers into the hair at his nape and pulled his lips to mine. He tasted of rich wine and hot-blooded male. I slid my tongue against his and he moaned into my mouth, giving back as much, if not more than I gave initially. Quickly, he pinned me against the hallway wall, a knee between my thighs and a hand on my ass. He was everything I wanted in that moment and more.

***

Her lips were soft and sweet as I tugged on the bit of flesh, then soothed it with my tongue. She groaned the moment my thigh pressed against her center. Christ on a cross, she was beautiful. Her breath was heavy against my lips. I pulled back to look into her eyes. Every second with her seemed weighted, filled with desires unspoken. We didn’t have to speak. Her body told me everything I needed to know.

When I squeezed her arse, she mewled like a baby kitten. Hearing that sound for the rest of my life wouldn’t be long enough. I was lost in a haze of lust. I pressed my erection directly against her center as I hiked one thigh over my hip, palming her arse, mimicking the position we were in earlier.

In her. Needed…
press
…to get in…
press
…her.

London moaned and moved to hike her other leg up before a booming voice broke the spell.

“Damn, Bridge! Can’t leave you two alone for a fucking second!” Tripp’s voice grated and echoed off the walls of the long hallway. I groaned and pulled away from my beauty.

She leaned her forehead against mine and smiled, then started to giggle. “What’s so funny?” I asked annoyed by the interruption yet loving the smile across her gorgeous face.

“It’s like he’s the hall monitor.”

I chuckled and pulled her skirt down. Without a second thought, I gave her sweet arse a loving pat. I planned on reacquainting myself with that bum very soon.

“You guys finished?” Tripp stood hands in his pockets, a scowl on his face. He’d be a good-looking bloke if he didn’t have such a sour puss.

Waggling my eyebrows, I responded, “Not even close.” Then I smiled wickedly at London.

She nudged me playfully in the shoulder as she pulled herself from my embrace. That’s one thing about Americans I never understood. They sure touched an awful lot to make a point. They couldn’t just say something. They had to poke and prod to express themselves. Quite uncivilized, but as long as it was London doing the touching, I’d be happy with about anything.

Tripp rolled his eyes as London passed. He stopped me midstride as I made to follow. “You.” He pointed to my chest. “Don’t fucking make her cry again. She’s more fragile than she lets on. You got me?” He pointed his finger on my chest in some macho move made to frighten me. Instead my fighter instincts flared and I grabbed the offending digit, twisted it and his hand, and then pressed it back into his chest. He gasped, then gritted his teeth in pain.

“You’re sending very mixed signals, mate.” The words spilled through my clenched teeth. I made a show of putting my face in his direct line of sight, close enough that he could feel my breath on his face. “One minute you’re all over her. The next you’re suggesting a bloke make a go of it. What’s your story?” I tipped my chin for affect. “I’ve made it perfectly clear I intend to date Ms. Kelley exclusively. How about you? Hmm?”

“She doesn’t date.” He pushed my arm back with his elbow and I let go of his finger. He shook it, then cupped the other hand over it protectively.

“Fancy that. She’s going on another date with me next weekend. Please, stay out of it. You seem to have a very close relationship. If you read people better, you’d understand my only intentions are to make her happy.”

“Is that what you call it? Fucking her against a wall during a friendly dinner party. Making her happy?”

“Didn’t hear her complaining. As a matter of fact, she was very happy as I recall.”

I felt the air shift as Tripp pulled his hand back, preparing to hit me. “Tripp! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” London’s voice was shrill. I hoped the tone was never directed at me.

Tripp took a deep breath as London put her hand on his bicep. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what this fella’s problem was. One minute he was happy she’d met someone. The next he’s warning me off. It was a downright cluster-fuck.

“Just Bond and I having a little chat is all.”

“Didn’t look that way to me.” She pulled Tripp’s arm and I clenched my fist at her easy familiarity with the man’s body. I wanted to be the only man she put those delicate hands on.

“Just a little misunderstanding. I believe we understand each other better, yeah?” I clapped Tripp on the shoulder. His gaze shot to mine briefly before he nodded and shrugged off my touch.

“Let’s go home,” London urged him. “Collier, I’ll connect with you this week. Just text me your plans. I’ll be with Dylan all week.”

The name Dylan sent chills up my spine. I knew she had a client and suspected she was doing more with that client then just work.

I tugged her hand and brought her body fast against mine. My other hand slid against her lower back anchoring her to me. “Are you still living with your client?” I could see Tripp grin out the corner of my eye. I hated it, knowing my answer.

Her eyes clouded. She pulled me to her in a tight hug. Her lips grazed my ear. “I haven’t been with another man since we were together at your place. And I promise not to be with anyone intimately, going further.”

I gripped her tightly. “And since the night we met?”

She closed her eyes and bit her lip. That was not the answer I wanted. She shook her head and seemed to shrink right in front of me. Sadness and a sense of unease filled the air.

“I told you I wasn’t the right girl for you,” she whispered.

“You’re the perfect girl for me.” I pulled her into a quick but hard kiss. She returned it willingly. For now, it was enough. “Next weekend. Promise me you won’t run.”

Her face lit in a huge smile. “I promise.” I may have been so hopped up on endorphins but I believed her. Deep inside she wanted this as much as I did. Had to. There wasn’t another option. I intended to make her mine.

After making sure the rest of the guests left, I stayed to help Nathaniel and Emma clean up.

“So shagging London in my guest bedroom during a dinner party? You’re a filthy scoundrel big brother. I’d have never thought you had it in you,” Nathaniel said while stacking dishes into the dishwasher.

“You haven’t taken a woman in worse places?” I countered.

“Oh, boy talk. I’m in. Where was the dirtiest place you’ve shagged a girl?” Emma joined in. Both Nathaniel and I looked over at our baby sister. One or both of us must have shown a shocked expression because she continued, “I’m a married woman. Hello, I’ve been shagging Evan for years, remember.”