LisaLisa stood up from her chair and stretched, the sun long gone behind the earth and yet there was still so much to do. She grumbled about letting Trisha go home, but the older woman was tired and had worked more than a full day.She checked her phone, Kari having sent her a few messages about the fun they were all having at Sicily's bakery. Marc was there with them and honestly, the thought of that alone made Lisa want to drop her responsibilities and go."How are you feeling?"A deep male voice scared her as she jumped, a soft yelp leaving her. Heat flooded her face as she smiled, her hand coming up to rub along the skin above her palpitating heart."I'm good. Damn you scared me. Trisha had a bell on the door earlier this week to save us both from moments like this." She laughed and motioned for the chair in front of her desk. "Take off a load?""Not in the way I'd like to make it happen, but it will suffice for now."She chuckled at his innuendo, his eyes filled with mischief. "
LisaLisa walked into the small cafe that sat at the edge of the bay, her friends already engrossed in some topic of conversation as she approached. No matter how much concealer she applied that morning before work, the dark circles under her eyes gave away the fact that she hadn't slept at all the night before. Marc hadn't come back home. He was headed back to New York, no doubt. His last words to her were hateful and left her feeling like the whore she had always worked to be.If you love them with your body, you don't have to involve your heart. She swallowed the sadness that rose from the pit of her stomach up her throat again. She had gotten so upset just after midnight that she threw up everything she had eaten earlier that day. Her eyes burned as she pulled off her sunglasses and slid into the booth across from her friends."Let's just get this shit over with." She put her purse down and looked up. She needed to push them past their worry, and move them into a good lunch that
Lisa"See? I told you Drake liked you. Even Lisa can see it and she's not been around nearly as much as I have lately." Kari turned to Sicily, reaching out and rubbing the other girl's arm."I don't give two shits if Drake likes me. He probably just feels sorry for me or is looking at me like most men look at a home improvement project. I'm a fixer upper." Sicily sniffled, lifting the napkin to her face.They needed to get off the subject. Lisa wasn't about to let her best friend sit across the table and drag herself into a pit of despair over a couple of pounds."Let's join the gym together." Lisa dunked her bread back in the butter. “I need to lose a little bit of weight and I know my heart could be strengthened after the last few days.” She smiled, but no one returned the gesture. The joke apparently wasn't that funny."I'm not joining the gym. Drake will be all up my butt and all over my shiz.""Shiz? How old are you? It's shit." Lisa winked as Sicily smiled."So vulgar!" Kari thr
MarcHe hadn't been able to get a flight out until just after lunch on Friday. To say his sister was pissed at him would be a mild understatement. Marc had been sitting at the airport for the better part of eighteen hours by the time he loaded the plane to head home, but misery had been his company. How Lisa could do something so vile to him left him breathless. Love hadn't been a part of his past and he was more than assured it wouldn't belong in his future.Nothing hurt more than the death of his father, but seeing his woman wrapped up in a much better version of him came really fucking close. The man she had in her office was older than her... by quite a bit. He reeked of wealth and the possessive way he held her, followed her, comforted her, gave Marc the impression that they had been together before - many times.He swallowed down his regret and got on the plane, finding his seat and sinking down into it. Slipping his headphones on, Marc cranked up the music, not giving two shits
Marc"Dayum," Drayer called out loudly before tapping his fingers on the table. "Yeah. I can handle a lot, but cheating isn't part of the deal. You want a threesome? Good with me, but no fucking around with someone when I'm not there.""You would have a threesome with a girl and let another dude be the other member?""Hell yeah, but she'd have to be my girl." Drayer took a drink of his beer and lifted the empty bottle, mouthing to someone behind Marc that he wanted another."Would you let the guy... you know...""What? No. I'd let him take her and touch her, but he better not touch me."Marc let out a sigh. "I was starting to wonder, dude.""Oh yeah? You interested in taking a girl together?""Um, fuck no. Lisa is the only girl I want, and if you or any other mother fucker thinks it wise to touch her, you got an ass whooping coming your way.""Did you kick that guy’s ass?""No. I didn't even think about it actually. I was so stunned, so fucking shocked." Marc ran his hands over his fa
LisaLisa got up early Saturday morning, her client showing being an hour away, but not until just after lunch. She would rather hang out in the office than stay at home and let her friends dote on her. They had tried to get her to watch a movie the night before but she came up with some research related to work that she needed to focus on. The truth was, that for the first time in her life, listening to sappy heart-breaking music and eating chocolate-covered gummy bears sounded better than anything else offered. She almost felt like a teenager again.Having dressed quickly in a cream-colored dress and a beige jacket and heels, Lisa left the house as the sun was rising. A quick glance over her shoulder before getting in the car left her scarred. The beauty of the sunrise over the edge of the bay was breathtaking. It was a moment that captured the essence of beauty. It pressed the desire to love even farther down her throat, as if every sappy commercial and love song on the radio weren
LisaIt was a hateful blow. She shouldn't have teased the poor guy back at the house showing, but he seemed to think he was going to move in and gain some side action with Lisa. Shit wasn't happening. Never, would she be someone's mistress. Sleeping with an unmarried man and having him dote on her was one thing, but having to play second to a man's wife would never happen."Don't you look stunning?" Michael stood as Lisa walked into the quaint restaurant, her stomach tight with knots over having to make a decision. She wasn't interested in a long-term relationship and Michael very much seemed to be. She was hoping that if anything, the conversation would turn to them and that Michael would agree to keep things casual.But could she really do that? Casual meant sex on a whim and vacations. It meant long nights of trying to remember to moan the right name.Lisa extended her hand as she stifled her thoughts, needing to remain present and dip into the hypothetical madness that had started
MarcMarc arrived at the club a little late, Dray's vibrant green mustang parked out front already. The place was overflowing with people, the bouncer nodding at Marc as he pushed past the guy arguing with the big guy at the front of the line."Sup, Marc." The bouncer nodded and lifted his hand."Hey buddy. History class mid-term next week. You ready?"The guy laughed and flipped Marc off. Marc chuckled and slipped into the sea of people. The club scene had always been so comfortable, so welcoming, but all of a sudden it didn't feel right. Moving around the dance floor, Marc spotted Drayer and a couple of other guys from the basketball team. There were two girls to every guy, which would have been a good sign in the past. Damn if Lisa didn't move across his mind, memories of her groans filling his ears above the wailing of the music.He stopped by the bar and ordered two shots and a beer. A pretty brunette to his left winked at him and he nodded in response, not at all interested. He
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