But my feelings for Rayn aren’t the only ones I have. It’s the feelings I have for Jamison that scare me the most.

  Both of them know I get my rocks off with both sexes, even though I’m more attracted to women, and both are totally fine with it. The problem is, Jamison’s never given any inkling that he’s interested in men.

  In a perfect world, I’d have them both, but there’s not a chance in hell that’ll ever happen. Even if one of them had the same feelings for me, I don’t see either wanting a trio relationship.

  Which makes the suggestion I just made to Rayn a painful one. I already have to watch Jamison bring girls home and hear them go at it in his bedroom, silently wishing it was me he was plowing into, or vice versa. I’m a glutton for punishment if I have to watch Rayn do the same. I mean sure, I’ve seen her date guys, and even make out with a few, but all of that is innocent compared to knowing she’s in the room next to mine while some guy gives her everything I want to give her.

  Shaking my head, I pull myself out of my thoughts and focus back on Rayn. Is it just me or does she look extra sexy tonight? Her long, silky, red hair is pulled over one shoulder, leaving the other bare because her top has spaghetti straps. Speaking of her top, it dips low enough to show a hint of cleavage, and it takes every bit of mental strength I have to keep my eyes from staring. Her skirt rides halfway up her crossed legs, exposing her creamy, pale flesh, scattered with freckles. I’ve often wondered if she has freckles everywhere. The closest I’ve come to seeing her naked is in a bikini, and so far, my answer is yes.

  I stare at her, waiting for her answer as she shreds the napkin sitting under her drink. It’s a cute habit she’s had since high school. It’s also a dead giveaway when she’s nervous or something’s bothering her.

  Grabbing one of her hands, I force her to stop killing the poor napkin. “Come on, how cool would it be to live with your two boys for a few months?” I cajole. “It’ll be like old times when we shared a place in Gainesville during college.”

  It’s gonna be fucking torture being surrounded by Rayn and Jamison for hours and hours each day, just like it was back then, but I’ll suck it up for Rayn. I can’t imagine moving back into my parents’ place at the age of thirty-three.

  It takes her a long time to answer, and many emotions slide across her face as she thinks. I hold her hand the whole time, liking the way her soft skin feels against mine.

  Finally, she lets out a little sigh. “Okay.” Her chin dips once. “Let’s do it.” She looks over her shoulder at the dance floor before swinging back around. “You don’t think Jamison would have a problem with it, do you?”

  “Seriously?” I ask.

  She laughs. “You’re right. Stupid question.”

  Jamison is like me when it comes to Rayn. We’d do anything for our girl.

  She picks up her drink and downs the rest of it. After she places it back on the bar, I get up from my stool, grabbing her hand to help her down from hers.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  She grabs her purse from the bar top before turning to me. “What happened to you and Jamison hitting it and quitting it?”

  I grunt and roll my eyes at her term. Taking my wallet out of my back pocket, I toss enough bills on the bar to take care of our drinks. “No longer interested.”

  I was never really interested in the first place. But since I can’t have the person, or rather, people, I really want, I’ve learned to take what I can get.

  “Should we tell Jamison about me moving in?”

  We both turn to look at the dance floor. Seeing Jamison in a lip-lock with Marisa, the town’s librarian, as they grind their hips together, has a dull ache forming in my chest. I want to be Marisa, and I want Rayn to be sandwiched between Jamison and me.

  “Never mind,” Rayn mutters, turning back around. “I’m not going near that.”

  The way she says those words, and the sour look on her face is telling. It’s not the first time I’ve noticed the way she seems to hate it when she sees Jamison with another woman, which makes me wonder if she isn’t hiding her own feelings when it comes to her step-brother. Too bad she doesn’t feel the same way about me.

  “Agreed.” Sliding my fingers between hers, I move us across the room. “We’ll tell him tomorrow.”

  The night air is humid when we step out of Whiskey’s. Rayn’s hand jerks in mine when she stumbles. I stop and take a look at her. I’m not sure how many drinks she consumed before I got to Whiskey’s, but from the flushed look on her cheeks and her glazed eyes, I’d guess more than a couple.

  “Are you drunk?” I ask, my lips twitching.

  “Noooo,” she stresses, then contradicts herself when she teeters to the side. “Okay. Maybe just a little tipsy.”

  Chuckling, I tuck her into my side and start moving us again. Her head swivels, her eyes on her car as we pass by it.

  “You takin’ me home?”

  “Yep.”

  After I help her into the passenger side of my Jeep, I get behind the wheel. The streets are mostly empty this time of night, so it only takes me a few minutes before I’m pulling into my driveway. Rayn’s been quiet, with her head resting on the window, so I figured she must have fallen asleep.

  “I thought you were taking me home?” she asks, lifting her head and looking around.

  “I did.” I get out and walk around to her side to open her door.

  She looks at me quizzically after I close her door. “Uh, you do realize this isn’t my home, right? I thought I was the one with the tipsy brain.”

  I grin at her cheekily. “This is your home now.”

  One side of her mouth tips up, and I have the sudden urge to back her up against the car and fuck her mouth with my tongue. I’ve gotten good at hiding my desire for this woman, but it’s becoming increasingly hard to keep my hands off her.

  “Not yet.”

  I lift a shoulder. “Semantics.”

  We walk the path up to the front porch, and I slip the key into the lock. Reaching around the frame, I flip on the switch just inside the door, then stand to the side and let her go in before me.

  “Besides,” I continue, “I have to take you to Whiskey’s tomorrow to pick up your car. This makes it easier. And you get to go ahead and test out the bed in the guest room.”

  She holds onto the wall as she lifts one foot behind her, pulling off her heel. She does the same to the other. Both heels get tossed to the side. I stare at her bare feet. I’ve never had a fetish for feet, but damn if I don’t want to nibble on hers.

  “If you remember correctly, I’ve already tested that bed out quite a few times.”

  I grunt as I pull my wallet out of my pocket and toss it, along with my keys, on an end table by the couch. “Yeah, but we’ve replaced it since the last time you stayed over.”

  “Oh.”

  “You want something to drink?” A smirk pulls up my lips. “A non-alcoholic drink, that is.”

  Her bottom lip sticks out in a playful pout. “You’re a party pooper. What if I wanted some of that whiskey you and Jamison have in the cabinet?”

  I close the two feet of space between us and gently pat her cheek. “I’d say too bad. You’ll thank me in the morning when you wake up clear-headed and not hung over.”

  She blows out a breath, faking annoyance, and the hair that’s fallen in her face flies up. “Fine.” Her expression turns serious. “I honestly just want to go to bed. You mind?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Could I borrow some clothes?” She looks down at her dress. “I’m thinking this isn’t going to be too comfortable to sleep in.”

  I nod. “Yep.”

  I walk down the hallway toward my room, feeling her following me. Pulling open the second drawer of my dresser, I pull out a shirt and a pair of boxers. Then open the top one for a pair of socks, because Rayn has perpetually cold feet. I turn and hand them to her. I don’t warn her they’ll be huge on her because she’s worn my clothes before when she’s spontaneously stayed over.

  “Thanks.” She looks down at the pile of clothes in her hand then lifts her eyes to mine. “And thank you for letting me stay. I don’t mean tonight, I mean after.”

  Lifting my hand, I rest it on her cheek, my fingers sliding into her hair. Her eyes flicker closed for a moment. “You know there’s no need to thank me, Ray. I’d do damn near anything for you. And I know you’d do the same.”

  Her tongue slips out to lick her bottom lip as she nods. “Yeah.” A smile lifts her lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I stand in my bedroom doorway, my hands shoved into my pockets, and watch as she slips into the room next to mine. Jamison’s room is across the hall.

  Dropping my head, I close my eyes, hoping like fuck I can keep my sanity for the next few weeks.

  Chapter 3

  JAMISON

  With a big yawn stretching my mouth open, I scratch my balls as I walk into the kitchen, then come to a complete stop when I find it already occupied. Not by my best friend and roommate, but by a woman. For a split second, I think it’s one of the women Reed randomly brings home, but the thought doesn’t fully form before I’m discarding it.

  The woman in front of me can’t be mistaken for any other. Rayn Ledger is one of a kind. And she’s standing here in my kitchen cooking something on the stove. That’s not what surprises me though. She’s been in our kitchen plenty of times; has cooked for Reed and me more times than I can count. I’m not even surprised she’s here this early because she’s spent the night at our house on multiple occasions.

  No, what has me frozen in place and fighting a sudden erection is what she’s wearing. A shirt that goes halfway down her legs—my guess is that it belongs to Reed—and a pair of thick socks that go up almost to her knees. That’s it. Her legs, what’s not covered by the shirt or socks, are bare. Her hair is swept up off her neck and pinned to the top of her head in some weird messy bun.

  Fuck, but what I wouldn’t give to have the right to sneak up behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and rest my lips against the back of her neck.

  That thought has me shaking my head to try and get rid of it. She’s your step-sister, you ass, my mind screams.

  I must make a noise because she suddenly whips around, the two-pronged fork she was holding slipping from her hand.

  “Shit,” she mutters. Her eyes slip from me to the cooking utensil on the floor. “You scared the crap out of me.” Bending at the knees, she kneels and picks it up. “I didn’t expect you to get up so early.”

  Giving my dick a firm mental talking to and hoping like hell it listens, I clear my throat. “I guess we startled each other. I didn’t expect to wake up with you in my kitchen.”

  After she tosses the fork in the sink, she grabs another one from the drawer by the stove, turning to flip bacon over before she spins to face me again. I’m the opposite of her in just a pair of shorts. Her eyes linger on my bare chest for a moment before they move up to meet mine.

  “I had a little too much to drink last night, so Reed brought me here. He’s taking me to get my car later. I hope that was okay.”

  I lift one brow. “Since when has staying here ever been a problem?”

  She quirks a grin. “Never.” A sizzling noise comes from behind her and she turns back to the stove, tossing over her shoulder. “I’m making breakfast. It should be ready soon.”

  Of their own accord, my eyes move down her legs. I’ve seen Rayn in all manner of dress, but I have to admit, this outfit is my favorite.

  Jerking my gaze away from temptation, I go to the fridge and open it. I don’t bother getting a glass, I just drink orange juice straight from the carton.

  “Will your…,” she pauses for a moment, as if searching for the right word, “date from last night be joining us for breakfast?” She looks over her shoulder at me.

  Was that a hint of jealousy in her voice?

  I mentally scoff at the notion. Rayn would have to want me for herself to be jealous of another woman. She loves me, but in a purely innocent way a best friend or sibling would, no matter how much I may wish otherwise.

  One side of my mouth lifts. “It just so happens I came home alone last night,” I inform her.

  She jerks her head around so she’s fully facing the stove again then bobs it up and down. “Oh. I saw you with Marisa. I just assumed you brought her home. Or someone else.”

  The thought had definitely crossed my mind. Especially after I saw Rayn come into Whiskey’s last night. The plan was for me and Reed to hit the bar, which usually means one or both of us bringing a woman home. Looks like neither of us scored.

  “Wasn’t in the mood.”

  Another head nod.

  So far I’ve managed to keep my dick on a leash, but it all goes to shit when Rayn gets to her tippy toes and reaches for something out of the cabinet above the stove. Her shirt rides up, and I barely hold back a moan when I get a hint of the black cotton covering her ass. It’s no more than what I’ve seen when she wears a bikini, but something about her standing in my kitchen, wearing Reed’s shirt, that has my control nearly snapping.

  Putting the carton of juice back in the fridge, I close the door a little harder than I mean to. Rayn whips around, one brow arched in question. Once again, her eyes move to my chest. I’m tempted to flex my pecs just to see what her reaction would be.

  “This still has a few minutes left. Why don’t you go get dressed and ask Reed if he wants to join us?”

  With my dick on the verge of making itself known, I use her suggestion as an excuse to get the fuck out of the kitchen before I do something stupid; like grab her and toss her on the counter, then fuck her until we both forget our names.

  Leaving before that thought can override my common sense, I go back to my room. My eyes dart to Reed’s closed door before I open mine and shut it behind me. I jump in the shower, contemplating rubbing one out, but don’t want Rayn to come looking for me for taking so long. I pull on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then comb my fingers through my wet hair.

  When I leave my room ten minutes later, Reed’s door is open. I hear Rayn’s laughter and Reed’s rumbly voice as I approach the kitchen. A pang hits my chest at the sound. I stop in the doorway and grab the top of the frame. Their backs are to me, so I stand there and watch them for a couple of moments without them knowing.

  For years, I’ve had a suspicion that Reed’s in love with Rayn. I’ve never asked him and he’s never confessed, but I know it has to be true. The way he looks at her is a dead giveaway. I’ve also seen the way she looks at him. Like he’s something she desperately wants, but can’t have. Not sure why neither has made a move. For some reason, and you’d think this wouldn’t be so with my own feelings for Rayn, the thought of them being together doesn’t bother me. It actually does the opposite. I like the image of them writhing naked on silk sheets. The only thing that bothers me is me not being in the equation.

  They’re standing side by side at the counter talking about some drunk guy Reed had to kick out of Whiskey’s a few nights ago. Rayn is still in Reed’s shirt, and my dick gives a little twitch when I eye her legs. I’ve always been a boobs man, but Rayn’s legs are really doing it for me right now. Actually, all of her is doing it for me.

  My eyes move to Reed. He’s dressed like I was when I first entered the kitchen. Nothing but a pair of shorts. My gaze roams down his muscular back and the tattoos that litter his skin. My dick, which is already filling with blood from looking at Rayn, jerks in my jeans.

  Up until about a year ago, I’ve never looked at my other best friend, or any man for that matter, with anything more than friendship. That changed the night I walked in on him plowing the fuck out of a guy in one of the back rooms at Whiskey’s. I’ve seen him fuck women before, but never another man, although I knew he did sometimes. I should have turned my ass around and walked away, but I didn’t. I just stood there, without him knowing, and watched Reed’s ass as it flexed back and forth. What shamed me, and still does to this day, was the thought of wanting to be the guy he was fucking. Or the temptation to walk in there, drop my pants, and press my naked body against Reed’s. To grab my dick and force it into his ass just like he was doing to the guy.

  Sex with a guy had never crossed my mind, but since that night, it has on more than one occasion. The thing is though, it’s only ever Reed I imagine being with.

  I must have several screws loose to picture myself with both of my best friends, one of which is my step-sister, while the other is a male.

  After my perusal of them both, I drop my hands from the frame and clear my throat to let them know of my presence. They both turn.

  “‘Bout time you got your ass out here. Rayn won’t let me eat until you do. I’m withering away, man.”

  A snort leaves my nose, and I walk further into the kitchen. “I’m sure you’ll live.”

  “Sit.” Using both hands, Rayn points at us. “Both of you.”

  All three of us take our seats. In the middle of the table is a mountain of food. Bacon, ham, eggs, a bowl of grits, toast, and a shit-ton of pancakes.

  “Shit, woman, are you expecting to feed an army?” I ask as I use tongs to pick up several pieces of bacon and drop them on my plate.

  “Hardly. I just know how much food my two boys can put away.”

  Her two boys. While the term boys is way off base, I do like being called hers.

  “We’re helping Rayn move in this weekend,” Reed says out of the blue a few minutes later.

  My forkful of eggs pauses on the way to my mouth. “Move in where?” I ask Reed, then look at Rayn. “What happened to your house?”

  “She’s moving in here,” Reed supplies.

  Rayn begins telling me about her job and the situation with her current house.

  “I invited her to use our spare room since it’s unoccupied. I figured you wouldn’t mind.”

  “Of course, I don’t mind.” Except for the fact I’ll now be fighting twice as hard to keep my dick in my pants. “You can stay as long as you need to.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9