Sweet Obsession (Men of Whiskey Row Book 1) (14 page)

Noelle winced and rolled her eyes before turning to smile at her friend who was on point in a tropical print fuchsia Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress. Her hair was flat-ironed into a sleek bob, and the silver strappy stilettos on her feet were a sexy contrast to her chocolate skin. “Nobody’s sad, doll. Just maybe a…little disappointed. Besides, it was a last minute invitation anyway.” Sidra rolled her eyes at Noelle’s lame excuse.

“Noelle, you can’t fool me,” she said bluntly. “Besides, I’m still mad at you for dropping that little bomb yesterday. Are you sure about this? I mean you can’t even rely on him to be here for this event,” Sidra shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong, I like Jack. He’s cool and a great boss; but you’re my girl, and I hate the fact that you’re here looking like a million bucks, but feeling like someone just died!”

Noelle flushed. It was true; she
had
dressed with Jack in mind. The navy blue satin crop top she wore was sleeveless, with a plunging neckline that showed a tasteful, yet teasing amount of cleavage that just came in under ladylike. Her full, knee-length skirt was white with an intricate pattern of fuchsia, navy, and light blue feathers splashed throughout. White heels completed the look. She wore diamond studs in her ears; a delicate silver chain that lay against her collar bone; and a silver and diamond cuff on one wrist. Her hair was a heavy curtain of black waves flowing around her shoulders.

Noelle was about to deny Sidra’s claim; but a movement over her friend’s shoulder caught her eye, and any protest she was going to voice died in her throat. Jack had just entered the pool area and was busy scanning the area while nodding and shaking hands with people he knew. Noelle noticed the whole time he conversed with those around him, he never stopped looking around.
For her,
she realized with satisfaction. His eyes finally met hers, and Jack offered a private smile that made Noelle’s heart do triple somersaults as she smiled back.

Sidra turned to look behind her. “Well, I guess I’ll just cross him off of my shit list. Damn, that man looks at you the way I look at bacon. How the hell did I ever miss that?” She turned to look at Noelle who was still staring at Jack with a goofy smile. “You are so far gone. Just keep in mind that you have to think of relationships in terms of shopping at Sephora. Is he the kind of man who’ll have you running to replace your lip gloss? Or is he a jerk that’ll have you replacing your mascara?”

Noelle watched Jack’s confident swagger as he strolled towards her and people quickly got out of his way. She noticed plenty of women and even a few men were feeling him; but he only had eyes for her, Noelle Kramer. It was hard to do but, she pulled herself away from his hypnotic gaze to glance at Sidra. They smiled at each other before saying simultaneously: “Lip gloss.”

Jack reached them, his eyes still focused on Noelle. He passed Sidra, acknowledging her presence with a murmured “Hey, Sid”; and pulled Noelle into his arms. His mouth slanted across hers assertively. The kiss was brief but sweet with a tease of tongue action, and Noelle clung to his jacket lapels, wanting to devour him. His eyes gleamed with promise as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“Sorry I’m late. My brothers decided to fly in tonight, and they insisted on coming with me.” Jack brought his lips down to Noelle’s again; and she opened up, allowing him to explore her mouth as she pressed her body closer to his; needing to feel more of him. The hardness pressing into her midsection let her know he was just as affected as she was. He cleared his throat and stepped back but kept an arm around her waist possessively. “Forgive me?”

“Of course. Where are they? I’m dying to meet them.” Noelle wanted to ask him how much they knew about their arrangement but knew now wasn’t the time.

Beside them, Sidra interrupted sarcastically. “Ummm...hi, Jack. Nice to see you too. How am I doing? Why I’m doing just fine and you?” Jack gave her an apologetic grin and opened his mouth to apologize, but Sidra’s gaze sharpened, and she threw her hand up at him.

“Wait a minute. Did you just say that your brothers were here? As in plural?” She asked suspiciously.

Jack grinned and winked at her. “Yes, both of them are here. Please play nice with Casey. I think maybe you guys just got off on the wrong foot, and I’m sure he’d love the chance to smooth things over with you.”

Noelle looked behind Sidra as she gave a groan to see two extremely handsome men were coming their way and drawing a great deal of attention. Both were equally good-looking but complete opposites of each other. The broader and taller of the two had dark, wavy auburn hair. His strong jawline was covered in a neatly-trimmed beard. With dark green eyes, a straight nose, and sensually full lips, he looked like a bottle of sin served straight up. He stood at about six feet-eight inches, and Noelle could tell that underneath his well-cut suit, he was heavily muscled. Although the suit was supposed to make him look gentrified, she could feel his wildness itching to get out. No one had to tell her he was an untamable heartbreaker; the wink he gave her confirmed it.

The other man was leaner and about six feet-four inches, and… well…beautiful. There really was no other way to describe him. His dirty blonde hair was short on the sides but longer on top. It was tousled as if some lucky woman had the pleasure of running her fingers through it. Thick, straight, dark brows framed his sleepy-looking hazel eyes with long dark lashes that curled at the ends. His runway-model looks boasted high cheekbones and square jaw faintly covered in stubble, and his mouth was full, soft looking and kissable. Where the other man was pure testosterone, this one was angelic.

Noelle gave her friend a warning look to hopefully stop what she suspected was coming next, but Sidra was off and running. “I sincerely doubt that, Jack. Don’t get me wrong; Darby is cool as hell, but that other one? I like dealing with him as much as I like dealing with the stomach flu. I know he’s your family and all, but he walks around like he’s got one of my Louboutin’s stuck up his ass.”

At that, the bigger of the two men threw his head back and gave a booming laugh, causing Sidra to jump and turn around. The other one’s eyes were shards of ice as he stared at her with disdain. To her credit, Sidra didn’t flinch; she just smiled sweetly at him before turning back to Jack. “Add sneaky to my list.”

“Oh Ms. Sidra, it’s always a pleasure to see you. Gimme some sugar, darlin’.” The laughing giant got himself under control and opened his huge arms which Sidra went into with a genuine smile; completely ignoring the other man whose death glare remained trained on her. Finally, he spoke to the back of Sidra’s head as she remained cuddled in Darby’s embrace.

“Sidra, don’t you look like the epitome of class? Pity the illusion is ruined when you open your mouth,” he said disparagingly in a low southern drawl.

Noelle gasped, and Jack stepped forward with a frown on his face. The other man holding Sidra gave him a dirty look. “I think your mama raised you to have better manners than that, Casey.”

Casey replied, “You’re right, man.” Then he turned a dazzling smile on Noelle. “Ms. Noelle, I’m Casey Sullivan; and I’m absolutely delighted to meet you. Please forgive me for pointing out that your friend has no class.”

Before Jack and Darby could jump on him further, Sidra stepped out of Darby’s arms to look up and meet Casey’s glare, dead in the eye. “Casey, what an unpleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. Love your suit. It complements the blackness of your soul.” She turned her back to him again. “I’ll catch up with you guys later. Darby, we have to kick it before you leave okay? Ciao.”

Sidra walked away, leaving them to watch her fierce strut as she disappeared into the crowd. Casey’s jaw was clenched and his cheeks were stained red. He looked like a beautiful avenging angel about to smite the path that Sidra was walking.

Darby continued to look amused as Noelle and Jack looked at each other in bemusement. They both knew Sidra never backed down from a confrontation, and Jack was amused because Casey never had problems with the opposite sex. This was a first for both of them.

Clearing her throat, Noelle addressed both gentlemen. “Hi, I’m Noelle Kramer. It’s very nice to meet you both.” Jack squeezed her waist and gave her a raised eyebrow when she looked at him. “I’m also your brother’s fiancée.” Jack winked at her, and she felt heat creep up her face as the brothers smirked knowingly at them.

“Damn, you’ve got it bad, Jackie! Well Ms. Noelle, I’m Darby Sullivan, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Don’t just stand there; let me give you a hug to welcome you nice and proper-like to the family.” Darby opened his arms again with a friendly smile. But when Noelle moved to hug him, she found herself bound to Jack’s side, his arm a steel band around her waist.

She gave him a look that said
really?
But he was too busy glaring at Darby. “Piece by piece,” he promised his brother who smiled back innocently at him.

“Christ, Darby; you know you’re bad when your own brother won’t trust you with his woman. Ms. Noelle, welcome to the family,” Casey finished smoothly, giving her a warm smile. Unlike his brother, he didn’t attempt to touch her.

“Thank you both very much. What do you say we go mingle and enjoy ourselves?” Noelle suggested. She muttered to Jack under her breath, “I know I could really use a stiff drink.” It was going to be a really loooong weekend if the drama between Sidra and Casey escalated.

Before they could leave, Avery rushed up to them, a vision in a coral colored maxi dress that skimmed her voluptuous curves. Her hair was piled atop her head in a chic topknot; and around her neck, complementing her generous cleavage, was a gold multi-layered necklace with tiny gemstones weaved throughout.

“Hey guys. What’s wrong with Sidra?” she asked concernedly, reaching up to kiss both Jack’s and Noelle’s cheeks. “I said hi to her, and she walked right passed me. One of her exes didn’t show up did they? I triple-checked that list myself; and if that’s the case, keep her away from the utensils and anything flammable.” Suddenly Avery became aware of the two men standing there; two
very attractive
men. Smiling brightly at them she said, “Oh my, sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Casey gave her a slow smile that caused her to blink owlishly at him, while Darby nodded his head at her politely. Jack raised an eyebrow as he caught his loud-mouthed, shit-stirring, smooth-talking brother’s eye. There wasn’t enough money in the world to
pay
Darby to be quiet about anything. That he was strangely silent in the presence of a woman was unheard of. Darby never missed an opportunity to flirt with a woman. Short, tall, fat, skinny, young, old, pretty or ugly, he simply didn’t discriminate.

“Avery, I’d like you to meet my brothers, Casey and Darby Sullivan,” Jack said. Noelle grinned at her friend as her head swung back and forth like a pendulum between the brothers before she turned a wide-eyed gaze to Noelle.

“All of this hotness in one family? Is that even legal?” Avery shook her head dazedly as Casey and Jack laughed. Darby just continued to stare at her intently, causing her to blush profusely.

“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Avery,” Darby murmured and Noelle thought Avery would have an orgasm on the spot. She certainly wouldn’t blame her. The Sullivan brothers with their good looks and southern charm were detrimental to a girl’s libido.

“Jack Sullivan, you are so forgiven for stealing our girl away; but not for hiding your good-looking brothers,” Avery said flirtatiously as she gave a melodramatic sigh and pressed a hand to her bosom. Noelle noticed how Darby’s eyes followed her hand. She caught Jack’s smirk; and before he could tease Darby, Noelle grabbed his hand. “Come on guys, let’s mingle,” she said leading him away.

Chapter Eleven

The rest of the evening progressed smoothly, especially with Casey and Sidra studiously avoiding each other. The group dined on a variety of wonderful dishes Noelle had selected such pork vindaloo, curried duck fritters, steamed mussels in lemongrass, and assorted grilled meats in Thai spices. Next was a performance by traditionally-dressed dancers performing in Lakhon, the graceful, sensual, and fluid dance that portrayed different emotions. Noelle, who was wrapped in Jack’s arms, noticed that Darby’s eyes followed Avery as she swayed along with the music. She also noticed Sidra glaring at Casey, who was ignoring a group of women who were attempting to get his attention as he watched the dancers.

“I think one brother likes my friend and the other one isn’t safe around my other friend. What do you think?” Noelle said wryly, twisting her head back to look up at Jack. He smiled looking down into her large gray eyes.
I could stare at her for the rest of my life
, he thought, tightening his arms around her and looking at his brothers and her friends.