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I want to fight for my son on my own … with Rosie’s help.
“Is that what you want?” he asks from behind me. “Do you want me to get down on my knees and beg? Because I will.” I turn around in time to see him do just that. “Marry me, Rosie?”
“I … isn’t it too soon … honey?” He cocks his head to the side. “Darling, it’s never too soon when true love is involved. Come on, say yes. Make me the happiest man alive.”
Twelve-year-old me is screaming with glee because I’m kissing Daire Hendricks. Twenty-one-year-old-me hates that I like it.
She’s a sucker for love. The girl’s room is lined with romance books, and we’ve just handed her what looks like an epic love story that I’ve been keeping a secret.
“She’s dated most of my teammates. We figured it would be better to keep it quiet for a while.” And by dated, he means I’ve fucked them. I don’t date. Not for lack of trying, and not because I don’t want to. But guys only seem to want me for one thing. I enjoy sex as much as the next person, so it’s not like I’m going to deny myself.
“They’re diet pills.” His voice is higher than normal, and his eyes are wide. “Why would you need diet pills? Your body is perfect.”
What would he think if I told him not a single guy has ever given me an orgasm? Not once. Not even with the ones who tried to get me there until I inevitably faked it just to get things over with. The only way I’ve ever gotten off is with the help of my trusty little toy.
I’m getting married today. It’s certainly not how I thought it would go. There’s nothing romantic about this, and even though I’ve never been in a serious relationship, I’m a bit of a romantic at heart. I’ve always thought about what it would be like to find that girl who’s my best friend. A woman I share everything with, laugh with and— Jesus. Things used to be like that with Rosie.
Fuck me. My mouth goes dry and my heart just about leaps out of my chest. Rosie’s gorgeous. There’s no denying that on any given today. But in this moment, she’s fucking radiant. Her dark hair is pulled back into some sort of low bun thing, with a few shorter pieces framing her face. Her lips are lined in a vibrant red, and her white dress makes her tan skin almost golden.
I should’ve known better. If there’s one thing Daire has been consistent about for the last few years, it’s embarrassing me.
Once I’ve got my keycard, I head back out and make my way to the mall. In the first store I come across, I change out of my dress and into a new pair of jeans and a light-weight sweater. From there, I continue to add to the bill. New boots at another store, a cute dress from a third, and a purse I’ve been eyeing for the last year but didn’t want to pull the trigger on.
Being rich isn’t an excuse to be a dick, my dad used to say.
“Well, don’t you look like a pathetic piece of shit?” When I look up, I’m met with a scathing look from Bertie.
“How could you embarrass her like that?” She snaps her fingers in front of my face, forcing me to look at her. “Rosie is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She’s kind and caring and better than you could ever be. You two had me convinced you were madly in love, but you both lied.” She clutches the book again. “Why did she really marry you?” I look away, jaw clenching.
While we’re waiting for the elevator, he taps his fingers against the top box, drawing my attention to the band on his finger. He’s not mine, but man does seeing that claim of possession fill me with a weird sort of satisfaction.
Without my permission, my eyes drop to the swells of her breasts. Her position causes them to press against her sweater, emphasizing them. I shouldn’t be staring at her boobs, but I can’t seem to look away.
She hops off the counter and tucks her phone into the back pocket of her jeans. Jeans that hug her ass like a second skin. Stop staring!
She wipes the corner of her mouth with her finger. It comes away with a drop of sauce that she quickly licks away. And now my dick is hard.
Daire sputters awake at the commotion, arms flailing and dick … dick swinging, because apparently, he sleeps naked. Stop staring at this dick! But I can’t look away. I’m dickmatized. Dickstruck. Dick—
Daire is a big guy. He’s an athlete, so he kind of has to be. Hockey is a hard sport, and aggressive too. I’m relatively tall, so I’m not used to feeling small, but I’m absolutely dwarfed by his hulking form. Forget my early estimate. This guy has to be six-five or even six-six. He’s a beast. His thighs are thick, his legs dusted with light blond hair that grows darker around his very big cock. The thing is nowhere near hard and looks like it could split me in half.
I take him in, perusing the perfectly sculpted planes of his chest. He’s big everywhere. Built like a Viking.
He pinches his brow, and my treacherous eyes use his momentary distraction to get another peek at his cock.
It’s quiet between us for so long I’m convinced he’s fallen asleep. But then, from the darkness, he says, “I’ll take a picture for you.” I roll over so I’m facing him. “Huh?” “A dick pic. That way you can look your fill any time you want.” With a squeak, I roll away again and bury my head under my blanket. “That won’t be necessary.” He chuckles, amused by my obvious discomfort. “Good night, Rosie.”
Think you can do that? Need I remind you, I’m doing you a favor, not the other way around? I also really miss sex.” The last part she tacks on has me snickering. “The eyeful you got of my dick didn’t satiate you?” “After I stopped gagging? Hardly.” “Please.” I fight my smile. “You were drooling, but I could certainly make you gag on it if you’d like.”
He throws his arms around Rosie, almost tackling her to the ground. Jealousy burns in my chest. Not because he’s touching Rosie, and I’m hit with a wave of possessiveness over her. It definitely can’t be that. No, I’m jealous because he’s my brother, yet he’s more excited to see her.
Rage courses through me, heating my blood, as I stride closer. “Hands off my wife, Cash.”
“I’m not going to ask you again,” I bite out through clenched teeth. “Take. Your. Hands. Off. My. Wife.”
Lowering her hand, she spins and continues up the wide staircase. I stay behind, but only because the view is annoyingly nice.
My brother has a pet name for my wife? I don’t like that. Not one bit.
“You are so fucking hot and cold, Daire. I can’t read you. I turned him down because you’re the one I always had a big, dumb crush on. Not him, or Roman, or any of your brothers. Just … you. You fucking idiot.”
But no, I’m not interested in your brother, even if he likes me. He wouldn’t be you, and I’m not cruel enough to make him second best.”
Daire sighs, his entire body deflating. “If he wasn’t interested in fucking my wife, I wouldn’t be fighting him.” Peter shakes his head. “Some fights aren’t worth picking. Rosie is your wife. You already won.” He gives Daire’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll be in the lobby.”
“It was an honest question,” she says, her tone flippant. “He pity married you, you know.” I roll my eyes. If anything, I pity married him, but go off, sis.
“I have a few things to finish up here, and then I’ll see you at home.” He leans in, and in a hushed tone that’s still loud enough to be overheard, he says, “Be wearing that black lacy set I love so much.” He kisses me again, so quick my head spins, and then he’s gone.
couple more guys exit the locker room, and one of them—Luke—takes an extra-long look our way. It’s not me he’s fixated on, but Bertie. I’ve never heard the guy speak more than five words at a time. He’s a scholarship student, and from what I’ve heard, a bit of a bad boy. But he’s a damn good hockey player.
“I might not know exactly what those girls were saying to you, but I can guess. I wanted to show them you’re mine.”
Rosie stands at my elbow, leaning in and running a gentle finger over his head. “He’s so cute,” she says, her tone full of reverence. “He looks just like you.” I’m racked with nerves, because holy shit, I’m holding my son. Even so, I grin at her. “You think I’m cute?”
“Because I was in love with you!” Rosie screams, throwing her arms out. Her knuckles hit the window, and she winces, then cradles her right hand in her left. “Everyone knew.” Her voice is softer, her arms wrapping protectively around her body again. “Everyone but you.”
“Tell me not to kiss you, Rosie.” “I…” Her breath fans across my lips, warm and sweet. “I can’t do that.”
“God, Rosie,” I groan, skimming my thumb over her bottom lip. She’s flushed beneath me, eyes heavy. I brush my nose over the skin of her neck, smiling to myself when she shivers. “I want to make you come. Will you let me do that?”
“You’re not broken,” I whisper, my lips close enough to brush hers. “Are you willing to let me try?” Her lips part. “Try…?” “To give you an orgasm.” “Daire,” she scoffs. “I … this sounds like a bad idea.”
“How can you be so sure?” she argues, and I’d swear there are tears in her eyes. “Because,” I smile, slowly plucking the blankets away from her body, “you’ve never had sex with me.”
“Oh, come on, Rosie,” I goad with a smile, “show me that pretty pussy.”
“I … okay.” “Okay,” I echo. “Good. Can I please make you come now?” She clutches my wrist. “You can’t—” I press a finger to her lips. “I will.”
Oh, fuck. She’s so fucking hot. How the hell could I have so stupidly thrown our friendship away? Why didn’t I try for something more with her?
“Hold on to the back of the couch,” I coax, fingers digging into her ass. “And ride my face.” “Oh.” She looks down at me, her jaw unhinged.
“When a man tells you to ride his face, you ride his goddamn face, you hear me?”
She’s certainly reactive with me. Obviously, she’s wasted far too much time on boys who don’t know what the fuck they’re doing when it comes to women.
She scowls up at me. “Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face, Hendricks.” My smile only grows as my heart pounds harder in my chest. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Hendricks.”
