BethanyBethany walked into Kent's large home as the smell of apple and cinnamon hit her in the face. She breathed in deeply and made a detour to the kitchen. Martha, their chef, was whistling a tune and taking pies out of the oven."It smells divine in here." Bethany moved around the portly woman and closed the oven for her."Apple and peach pies were the first things my momma taught me how to make. I've been baking them from scratch since I was a little girl." Martha smiled and pulled her mittens from her hands. "What’s wrong? The frown on your face is not the normal reaction to the smell of this goodness, you silly girl."Bethany chuckled and moved toward the large counter that ran the length of the kitchen. Several pies baked to perfection sat proudly. She breathed in deeply, trying to decide what her response should be."I'm just sad that Damon is going to have to miss the vacation part of this trip. He'll be there for the wedding, but I was looking forward to spending some time
Bethany"Were you hurt by him not talking to you this morning?" Matt pulled out another shirt, folding it and averting his eyes from her."Yes.""Why?" He glanced up at her quickly, his eyes wide as if he were worried."Because if we're going to be together, I expect him to communicate with me. I was on the fucking phone with him, and he didn't say anything, Matt. Not two words." Heat rushed up her chest and coated her throat. Surely Matt wasn't taking up for Damon when he was a cock earlier that day."And why didn't he say anything to you?""Because he's an ass and doesn't think of other people.""Who's staying behind to take care of the mess at McKenzie and Bryant?" Matt moved off the bed and nodded toward the closet. "Go get more clothes while I drag myself deeper into this hole for the sake of my wayward older brother.""Damon is staying back to take care of things. It's his damn job." She stormed to the closet and yanked out a few more items, not giving two shits about what she w
Damon"Why am I not surprised that you're interested in my suffering?" Matt lifted his eyebrow and stuffed a whole roll into his mouth."Your suffering?" Damon glanced down the table toward his dad, taking note of the warm smile on Karen's pretty face as she leaned in to whisper something to his father. "Dad. You hear this? Matt is suffering because you invited Erica to this wedding.""Don't start." Matt shook his head and reached for his beer. "Seriously. I've already gotten a counseling session by our new sister."Everyone stiffened at Matt's remark."Your new sister." Damon wrapped his arm around Bethany's shoulders and pulled her closer. "My soon-to-be forever."Bethany glanced over at Damon, the expression on her pretty face showing discomfort. It was going to be a couple of bumpy months as their family transitioned, but they would make it through. She wasn't his sister; nor would she ever be. Damon had one sibling, and he was chewing through rolls at breakneck speed down the tab
Damon"All right," Martha's voice stole him from the naughty thoughts that plagued him when Beth was close by, "everyone has to try my tiramisu. It's a new recipe, so be totally honest with me. You're not going to hurt my feelings.""Anything you make is delicious, Martha." Matt moved out of his seat to help her serve everyone dessert."I'm stuffed." Bethany pulled her hand from Damon's lap and moved to get up. "Save me a piece for later though?""Yes, of course." Martha smiled and continued to dish large scoops of the multi-layered dessert out to everyone."You need my help with something?" Damon glanced over his shoulder as Beth walked toward the back of the house."Sure. I was going to try and get my makeup bag down from the top of the closet. You could probably reach it much better than I can.""All right. I'll be right there." Damon reached out and took a bowl from Martha as lust burned through the center of his stomach. He didn't have time to properly seduce his girl, but a quic
BethanyThe night had been filled with laughter and wine, the stories everyone told embarrassing to someone in the room. Each of them got their turn in the hot seat. Damon hadn't stayed long, but gave her a long kiss at the door and promised to be in Jamaica as soon as he could.Bethany worked hard not to think about it as she moved into the airport the next morning, her mother beside her. They walked to the long line of people already there for check-in. Kent and Matthew had stayed back with the driver, pulling out luggage and checking it all on the curbside check in."I'm so nervous. Tell me this is going to be great." Her mom pressed her shoulder against Bethany's, her smile tight.Bethany wrapped an arm around her mom and smiled down at her. "This is going to be a dream come true. We'll get checked in and get us a good magazine and a coke.""You're right. I just feel so jittery.""That's a good thing. This isn't just a vacation, Mom, but a huge change in your life. I'm so proud of
BethanyThe flight to Jamaica was much quicker than Bethany imagined, but most of that had to do with the fact that she had fallen asleep.Matt pushed softly at her shoulder, waking her. She jerked up and looked around as everyone began getting up and pulling their bags from the overhead bins. Finally gaining awareness of her surroundings, she grabbed her magazine from the seat pocket in front of her and slipped it into her handbag."Come on, sleepyhead. No more rest for you." Matt moved back and made room for her to get out.The seats in first class were large and worn leather, so incredibly comfortable. She didn't remember even hearing the safety announcements before she had passed out. Moving out in the aisle, she lifted to her toes and spotted her mother and Kent getting off the plane in front of them."I didn't even realize I was tired. I slept good last night." She glanced back at Matt. "Are we going to baggage claim next?""Yeah. We'll get our stuff and load it up on the resort
BethanyErica wasn't in the room when Bethany finally got the door open. Cold air hit her in the face as she walked into her room, the layout mimicking Matt and Damon's room. Erica had taken the bed far from the door from what she could tell. It almost seemed odd not to be rooming with her mom, but with her Aunt Patty coming later that day, she wasn't surprised. Her mom rarely got to spend much time with her younger sister. This would be good for both of them.Bethany checked her phone and smiled, a message waiting on her from Damon.Damon: Have fun for me. Text me when you get there, and I'll call you tonight.Bethany: I'm here. It's beautiful, and you're sorely missed.Damon: Matt losing his shit over Erica yet?Bethany: How did you guess?Damon: Welcome to my world. I'll call you tonight, baby. Be in your room by nine.Bethany: So bossy.Damon: I am your boss and your man. 9 on the dot.Bethany: Yes Sir.She shook her head and searched high and low for a plug for her phone. At leas
BethanyBethany woke Erica just before one. The pretty blond changed quickly, and they were on their way to locate the wedding reception room. The wind blew through the open ends of the hall, sweeping in behind and in front of them. The warmth caused Bethany's skin to break out in chill bumps. She wrapped her arms around herself and breathed in deeply."Oh man. I need this serenity so much. Everything has been moving far too fast in my world for my liking." Bethany glanced toward Erica, a flash of red catching her eye behind her."You'll have to tell me about it sometime."Bethany nodded and turned, her eyes locating the source of the brilliant color. Matt."Hey, you. Come up here with us. We're going to decorate. I bet you and Erica could get it done in half the time of the rest of us." Bethany stopped and waited for Matt to join them. His bright red shirt had blue and yellow birds decorating every inch of it. It would have been tacky on anyone else, but on Matt it was fitting. He ha