Kari"Wait, you have to tell me everything, like every little detail." Lisa threw her hands up in the air as Kari pulled her sweater dress off her head with a loud sigh."I did tell you everything. He was beautiful, like the most gorgeous man I've ever seen.""And he didn't ask for your number?" Lisa scoffed and reached to pick up the dress and put it in the hamper.Kari shook her head. "No he didn't. He's way out of my league, and did you really just put my clothes in the dirty clothes hamper? You're the most unorganized person I know.""Unorganized does not mean dirty. I hate dirty messes and clothes turn into a monster if left out.""Don't go into the guestroom where Marc has been then. He's a hot mess when it comes to losing his clothes wherever he stands. My mom used to always say that the clothes basket in his room looked like four hoodlums were standing around the basket talking about nothing when the apocalypse came."They laughed and Lisa started back up. "How is he out of yo
KariMarc shrugged. "Lisa is hot and she likes me. What else is there to tell?""Um, she's my best friend and if you hurt her I'm likely to stab you in your sleep and feed you to the large fish in that lake.""That's the ocean and those would be sharks."Kari laughed despite herself. She turned a little, resting her elbow on the railing and looking at her brother. "I'm serious. She means a lot to me and you guys getting close and then you leaving isn't going to be good for her already jacked up stance on men."He nodded. "I understand. I'll just take her to dinner and explain that I am interested too, but now isn't the time.""Really?" Kari asked, shock washing over her. "Wait... I don't want to be the reason you guys don't get together, but I don't want to be the one here left to pick up the pieces should things not work out.""I don't think this is as much about you as you're making it seem. She likes me and I like her. We're not kids, sis. We're adults and if things go farther with
JakeHis morning was off. His thoughts were scattered and he could've sworn he could still smell Kari's perfume in his office. He walked to the restroom, kids yelling and having far too much fun in his gym, but he couldn't focus. He pushed the door to the men's restroom open and walked in, stopping at the mirror and reaching down to splash cold water on his face."Get it together. What's wrong with you?" He looked up at himself, reaching for a paper towel to wipe across his face. "One good looking woman stops by your office and you act like you haven't been around them in years."He hadn't. Bethany had done a number on him, and after her he'd sworn them off, hoping to one day get back in the game. He ran his hand down his chest, patting the firm muscle of his pec as he closed his eyes, trying to hold onto the reason for giving up on love. This girl didn't even seem interested and yet he knew quite well that seeing her twice in two days was more than coincidence.He exhaled slowly, ope
KariSicily was in the kitchen when Kari woke up, her alarm not set to go off for another few hours. The night before had been short, and after a hot bath and a peanut butter sandwich, she'd dozed off on the couch watching Seinfeld reruns. Sometime during the night she'd made her way back to her room, but when or how she couldn't recall."You look nice." Sicily turned, her hands coated in flour. "Gray is your color.""Thanks." Kari smoothed down the gray cashmere sweater that laid perfect over her black slacks. She hated wearing heels and yet the outfit she'd chosen only looked good with those shoes. She slipped them off and padded across the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, a loud yawn leaving her lips."You passed out fast last night.""Yeah, I guess it was from getting a new job and meeting the man of my dreams - again." She laughed, fixed her coffee and sat down as Sicily turned around with a mixing bowl in her hands."About that... I somehow missed the update on Mr. Hot-stuff as I
JakeJake walked to his truck, his hand rubbing absently at the old wound on his left shoulder, his football days rough and still wearing on him years later. He hated that he'd never actually made it by the newspaper earlier, the day getting far too busy due to a few fights and having to talk with the fire department guys about taking his on-call shift on Saturday and Sunday. Getting in his truck, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a moment.The sudden rapping of knuckles on his window caused him to jump. He smiled and started the truck, rolling down the window to talk with the pretty fifth grade math teacher who'd just joined them."Hi, coach. Sorry to bother you. A few of us were going to grab a drink and I thought maybe you'd like to join us?" The hopeful look in her eyes almost made him flinch, but he just smiled and shook his head."I wish I could. I have to deal with a few rental properties and then need to get to the gym sometime this week." He looked past her at t
JakeOf all the people in the world to expect to see at his favorite rental house, Kari Martin wasn't one of them. When she opened the door he almost stumbled backwards, her long hair pulled up in a girlish ponytail, her clothes relaxed and feet bare. He'd played it cool the entire time, his voice in his own head constantly reminding him of the danger, forever beating him up at the idea of trying again.He looked up at her, a little surprised by her question. Did she want to know about a missus because she was interested, or because she was concerned about how long she'd get to stay in the rental? The look on her pretty face said she was interested, but he had to shut it down. She was a heartbreaker, no doubt. Successful and creative, voluptuous and sexy, like a kitten.Trouble. “Oh,” was all she said to his comment about a wife. He concentrated on moving various pieces of the swing into piles, counting screws and trying not to look up at her. The pose she stood in accentuated the li
KariKari pressed her back against the front door, her heart beating furiously in her chest as she tried to catch her breath. He was everything she might imagine finding if she could construct the perfect man. Devilishly good looking, dark hair and big muscles, and tanned skin. He was a firefighter for god sakes and a coach to little kids. Teacher of the year and he read instructions? She slid down to the floor, her arms wrapping around her legs as she beat her forehead against her knees. She was going to fall in love with him if she saw him too many more times.Something about him was so right and yet... how many other women had fallen for him? He had to be a player, had to use women by the dozen. His looks alone demanded it and he was from Texas. Weren't guys in the South known for making their women cook and clean and ride horses and shit? She shook her head, chuckling sardonically to herself."Run away from this." Sighing, she lifted her head, the door pushing open and shoving her
JakeJake walked into his small townhouse, the smell of spring flowers filling the air. He smiled at the sound of his brothers making fun of his cleaning habits somewhere in the recess of his memory. He needed to take a trip back to Texas soon. It had been three or four years, and though he talked to his mother and father every Sunday, he needed to see them. It was Bethany's fault... or maybe it was time to move past that. He pulled his shirt over his head and held it until he walked into his room, jumping and shooting it into the clothes hamper like a basketball."And the crowd goes wild... ahhhhhhh." He laughed and kicked off his shoes, bending over to grab them and throw them in the closet. He planned to go to the gym, but his mowing gig was only supposed to take an hour, and yet he'd been with Kari almost two. The gym would have to wait. Stopping in front of the mirror, he twisted, his muscles contracting. He ran his hands over his chest and yawned loudly."Getting soft, Isaac." H
Drake"You sure you don't mind stopping by my momma's house real quick? I just want to give everyone a hug before we head back to Maine." She leaned over and puckered up, looking too cute for her own damn good."I don't mind at all, plus, we're already here." He kissed her. "Tease.""You don't have to come in." She kissed him once more and got out of the truck, jogging toward the door. Her white coat fit her well, her jeans beautiful on her pert little butt.He smiled, letting his thoughts dive into the night they would have when they got back to his place.A knock right beside his head on the window had him stifling the need to jump. He turned to find Johnny standing out in the snow.Drake rolled down his window and nodded. "What's up, man?""I was thinking about what you said the other day about loving my sister." He glanced around, obviously uncomfortable. "I can't do anything about who she falls in love with, and I know I don't need to do the 'kick your ass if you hurt her' spiel,
Drake"You sure you don't mind stopping by my momma's house real quick? I just want to give everyone a hug before we head back to Maine." She leaned over and puckered up, looking too cute for her own damn good."I don't mind at all, plus, we're already here." He kissed her. "Tease.""You don't have to come in." She kissed him once more and got out of the truck, jogging toward the door. Her white coat fit her well, her jeans beautiful on her pert little butt.He smiled, letting his thoughts dive into the night they would have when they got back to his place.A knock right beside his head on the window had him stifling the need to jump. He turned to find Johnny standing out in the snow.Drake rolled down his window and nodded. "What's up, man?""I was thinking about what you said the other day about loving my sister." He glanced around, obviously uncomfortable. "I can't do anything about who she falls in love with, and I know I don't need to do the 'kick your ass if you hurt her' spiel,
DrakeDrake woke up the next morning before Sicily, realizing it was Christmas and he had everything he needed. He rolled onto his side and reached out, brushing his hand down her back as gratefulness washed over him in suffocating waves.D and Michael Carrington had gone to great lengths to help him restart his life. They'd helped fake his death in a warehouse explosion, put on the funeral and D had played the part beautifully through the event. It was horrifying to think he let his brother go through that shit, but D wouldn't have had it any other way.Drake rolled out of bed, his heart aching in his chest. He'd been wrong the night before. He and Sicily couldn't just look away from D and Izzy's bullshit situation. Where he wasn't sure he could get involved in the syndicate again, he could browbeat his brother into being a man and taking Izzy as his woman. There was no other girl for Demetri.After ordering a huge Christmas morning breakfast, Drake wrapped up in an extra blanket, sl
Sicily"That was fun tonight." Sicily squeezed Drake's hand as they walked toward Kadia in downtown New York. The sign lit up the night, taking attention from anyone who passed by. It was magnificent, the largest club she'd seen."Yeah. I had a good time," he glanced down at her, "and I was serious about what I said. We can go back and join your family after we spend a little bit of time with D and Izzy. I doubt they’re staying long. We just wanted to see each other, and it's safer if we do it in the middle of a large crowd."The line was wrapped around the building, people huddling together and singing Christmas songs with all sorts of odd costumes for the event that night. Sicily smiled and snuggled closer to Drake as they walked to the front of the line."The line is back there, man. Go get in it." A sexy bouncer with a great smile and beautiful aqua-colored eyes barked at them. She let her eyes move down to his name tag, wondering who he was for some reason. Had she seem him befor
DrakeDrake let his eyes run across Sicily as she stood in front of the mirror in the hotel bedroom and turned slowly, checking herself out."You look amazing."She walked toward him as he fiddled with his tie, taking over and working on it for him."My brothers never could get a tie on right. The last time I did this for someone, it was at Momma’s funeral." Her hands shook a little. "I did it multiple times that day."He reached up and ran his hands over her hips, enjoying the soft silky black material of her dress. "I'm really good at it. I just wanted you closer."She laughed as a tear ran down her nose. "I'm sorry.""Don't be sorry." He stood and pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head as he brushed her hair back. "You can be sensitive over your mom anytime you want, for as long as you want. I'm right here to hold you up."She nodded and pressed her face to his chest. "I just have so many memories of Christmas Eve with her. My chest hurts so bad it feels like acid is ea
Sicily"What did you do while I was shopping?" Sicily stood beside Drake later that afternoon as he loaded up the truck with her packages."I was taking a nap honestly." He put the last of them in the truck and gave her a look. "What in the world did you get?""Presents for all of our friends and something for you." She shrugged and walked around the truck, getting in on her side.He got in and buckled up as the scent of his cologne filled her nose. She breathed in deeper and let out an appreciative growl.Drake chuckled. "What was that for?""You smell good.""Stop diverting. You shouldn't have gotten all those gifts, baby.""Why not? We didn't fly. We'll just put them all in the back seat when we go back home, right?""It's not about where to put them on the ride home, Sis. It's about you spending your hard-earned money on gifts for us. We don't need anything, at least I don't. I have you, baby. That's more than enough." He pulled out his wallet. "Let me give you some money so you c
Sicily"You sure you don't want to come with me?" Sicily forced a pout on her face. She knew without a doubt that Drake would do anything she wanted him to, but shopping was too much. Having some time with her brother and sister for the afternoon would be fun for her, but most likely a drag of sorts. Especially seeing that the brother going was Johnny."I’m sure, beautiful girl." He pulled up to her mother's house. "I'll catch up with you this afternoon.""Will you take me out to see my momma’s grave before we have to get ready for dinner and church?" She leaned over and touched the side of his handsome face. Butterflies danced in her stomach, which seemed silly, but she hoped that he would always have such a strong pull on her."Of course I will." He leaned in and kissed her softly before deepening it a little. She opened herself up, letting him in as he rolled his tongue past her, dominating the kiss in a way that made her blood boil."Behave." She pulled back and smiled."You're th
DrakeThe night was filled with him and Sicily taking turns to explore each other. By the end of it, he was weak, exhausted and completely infatuated with the beautiful woman tucked against him. Not ever being able to sleep well, he was shocked when he woke the next morning to the smell of bacon and the sound of Sicily talking.He jolted up in the bed, worried that he had missed something. "Baby?""Right here." She opened the various trays sitting on the counter by the TV. "I ordered room service because I didn't want to get dressed yet. Besides, it's snowing like crazy out there."He dropped back down and ran his hand over his chest, watching her as she moved around in a large fluffy white robe. She looked adorable. Sexy."Mine," he grumbled and pulled the covers up. "You know that? You're mine.""I know, you gorilla. You made that more than obvious last night." She nibbled on a piece of bacon and walked over to sit down on the edge of the bed. "You want some?""Of course I do." He r
Sicily"Wow. This place is...""Fancy?" Drake asked as he pulled out her chair. "I heard they have the best steaks in New York.""Something tells me that you're probably right." Sicily sat down, feeling way underdressed for the steakhouse Drake had brought her to. He had on a sports coat over his jeans and white polo, and looked like a million bucks. The best thing in her suitcase was a plain white skirt and a blue sweater with winter boots. She felt cute, but that didn't seem like enough."Evening, folks. Glad to have you in the city and here with us tonight for dinner. May I make some suggestions?" The server wore a white pressed shirt, black slacks and a tux jacket.Sicily sat quietly as Drake encouraged the guy to give his spiel. Once he was done, Drake ordered their drinks and an appetizer. He moved his seat closer to hers and draped his arm over the back of her chair. "You look amazing.""You're just being sweet." She smiled and worked to get her napkin in her lap, not wanting t