no dress required

cari quinn

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright

!"## by Cari $uinn.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. %or information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the &ublisher. asin'("")$*(+,-

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.dited by 7eather 7owland

Cover design by 7eather 7owland

-anufactured in the 8nited 1tates of America

%irst .dition 9ecember !"##

The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction' ,ool:Aid; 7yundai
Dedication

To my mom, who never lets me doubt myself for long, and to my incredible C& Taryn .lliott, who somehow knows what + need before + even ask <e=cept when it comes to chicken nuggets>?
chapter one

@Aet out of the car, dammit>B Noelle Aregory stared at the leather covered finger pointing at her through the open car window. Chere had the day gone wrongD A sunny 9ecember afternoon in 3hio was something to be cherished and enEoyed. 1hed been

doing Eust that, until shed stopped at a deserted intersection four flipping blocks from her apartment and looked up to see a scruffy guy glowering down at her with his so:not:a:gun pointed her way. The sun had tricked her into pretending it was spring. *eally tricked her since, now, it looked like it might snow at any second. Chich probably wasnt the most important consideration. @+ cant give you my car. +ts practically brand new,B she said, realiFing a second too late shed said the wrong thing if she actually wanted to keep her car. The carEacker sure seemed surprised. 1he didnt blame him. -ost carEackees probably didnt argue. Then again, most carEackees werent on their way to the most important evening of their se=ual lives. -aybe she should try to reason with him. +n her little podunk town, where everyone knew everyone else plus their little doggie, what were the chances this guy would actually hurt herD 6ery small. 1he hoped. @+ know you really dont want to steal from me. +ts almost the new year.B @+ dont give a shit what holiday it is. Aet out of the car>B @/ook, + can be fle=ible.B 7e didnt have a gun, but he had awfully big hands. -aybe they could compromise. @7ow about moneyD + dont have much, but +ll give you what + have.B 1he reached for her wallet. @+ dont want your money. + want your damn car>B @3h, but + have a twentyG@ (efore she could finish, he yanked open the door of her 7yundai and dragged her out by the arm. 1he shouted and tried to smack him, but he moved fast. (efore she knew what had happened, hed gotten in her car, slammed the door, and roared away on squealing tires. @3h, fuck>B 1he slapped her hand over her mouth as her shiny red baby disappeared around the corner. Then the rest of what shed lost sank in and she squeeFed her eyes shut. @3h, fuck.B

The Eerk had stolen her car. A bad thing to be sure, especially since she felt partially responsible for leaving the door unlocked and the window half:open in the first place. (ut there was insurance for the car and police to track him down. 1anderson wasnt e=actly a sprawling metropolis. The two things there werent insurance forD The sparkly party dress in her backseat, and the yellowed pictures of her Nana she kept in her purse. 7ot tears pricked behind her eyes. Chat a month. %irst, there had been gossip about Aoldmans closing. The department store had become more than Eust a temporary Eob while she finished up her interior design classes. Then, hot on the heels of Noelles parents decision to vacation in 7awaii to @spice up their marriage,B her little sister had announced shed be visiting friends over the holidays. Hust like that, Christmas went from a family holiday to a lonely day spent watching sappy movies. (ut if things went her way tonightI 1he whisked her fingers over her damp cheeks. Cho was she kiddingD 7er chances of not spending New Jears .ve alone were dismally low. Ale=as party was tonight and the freaking holiday meant the mall was closing in an hour. There was no way shed be able to replace the dress in time. @-iss, are you okayD -iss>B 1he blinked at the elderly man who bustled over to her, concern written all over his craggy features. 7ed left the door of his lu=ury 186 open across the street in his haste. A good 1amaritan. @-issD + called 2:#:#.B @Thank you.B 1he brushed back her hair and bit her lip at the tightening in her throat. 7er day had already gone to shit and the most important part of it hadnt even arrived. 7ow could she seduce her best friends brother in the state she was inD 7er shirt had bunnies on it, for Aods sake. Cearing New Jears tiaras and shaking noisemakers. Two of them even had puffy tails that stuck out like white cotton balls. -ost reasonably attractive twenty:four:year:old

women wouldnt be caught dead in such a getup, but no matter how many times Ale=a declared her a fashion dont, Noelle had no intention of giving the holiday shirts up. 1he had too many happy memories of her and her Nana searching for the most ridiculous ones. (uying them now, even years after Nana had passed on, grounded her in a way she desperately needed. 3h, screw it. 1he liked the freaking things. +t wasnt like she stitched cotton balls on her underwear, for &etes sake. 7adnt she bought something sinfully se=y for tonightD %or HakeD 9ammit. @7ere, why dont you come sit in my truckDB 7er good 1amaritan gestured toward her bare forearms. @+ dont want you to get a chill. 9id you forget to wear a coat todayDB 1he blinked up at him, more daFed than she cared to admit. +t was Eust a car. Hust a dress. Hust pictures she couldnt possibly replace. &ictures shed almost lost once before, and had been lucky enough to salvage. 1he probably couldnt luck out twice. At least she hadnt gotten hurt. That was the important thing, rightD .=ceptIshed really been looking forward to getting Hake naked. %inally. 7olding him close. And maybe pouring some fine bubbly all over his ripped abs and hisG @-y coat is in my car,B she blurted, relieved her numb lips still worked. At least thinking about Hake nude had warmed the rest of her right up. -aybe if she took the scenario further in her mind, her knees would stop wobbling. @+ went shopping and didnt want to carry it with me because + knew +d be trying on clothes.B %ine idea that had been. The older gentleman smiled broadly. @+m 1teven &alladone. Jou might know my family business, &alladone %uneral 7omes. Cere one of the founding families of 1anderson. -y grandfather was actuallyG@ @/ook, 1teven, + appreciate you stopping to help and calling the police. (ut my heads kind of messed up right now and + cant really follow any

conversations.B 1he gave him what she hoped was an apologetic smile. 7is take:charge attitude reminded her way too much of her father. The salt:and:pepper hair the wind dragged across his wide forehead did, too. @Jou understand.B @+ do.B 7e nodded somberly. @That awful man didnt strike youDB @No, he didnt. 7e Eust stole my dress,B she muttered. Among other things, but it was the perfect dress. 1mall, shimmery, and gold, it hugged her curves perfectly. 1hed even bought a strapless bra that nudged the girls from merely perky to capable of making a guys eyes bug out of his head. There had only been one left in her siFe, reason enough to charge it to the card shed nearly ma=ed out over the holidays. Clearly the universe wanted her to hook up with Hake. 3r so shed believed, since the dress had obviously been waiting for her. Hust like the carEacker. 1o she wasnt great at predicting the wants of the cosmos. No matter. Nothing would deter her now. Not feast or famine, not cotton tails or snow squalls. 1teven frowned. @Jour dressD (ut what about your carDB @That, too.B 1he sighed as he shrugged out of his long camel coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. 7er suddenly shaking shoulders. .ither the winter chill had finally settled in her bones or she was having a delayed stress reaction. @Thank you, but you really dont have to stay.B @+ts fine,B 1teven soothed. @The cops will be here shortly.B Tires squealed and a sleek silver coupeGor @shiny cock:substituteB as Ale=a loved to call themGswung up to the curb. A second later the door opened and out stepped Noelles destiny. @NellieDB Hake Conroy pushed his sunglasses on top of his head. @Are you okayDB I

Hake forced himself not to tap his fingers on the top of his car while he waited for Nellie to answer. 1omething she didnt seem in any rush to do. Cho the heck was the guy propping her upD Cas he a friend, or had she suddenly developed a taste for men three times her ageD The longer the silence dragged on, the more tense he became. Chy wasnt she answering himD 7e swallowed the sudden rush of impatience. This so wasnt his business. 7is baby sisters best friend was a grown woman, fully capable of strolling up the middle of the street with an older man in a brown suit and ugly shoes. HustIshe looked so small cuddled against the guys side. 7er long blond hair waved every which way down her back, caught and tossed around by the cold breeFe. Aod, how hed love to tangle his hands in all those thick, silky waves. .ase off, soldier, he admonished himself at the immediate constriction in his groin. 1hes a kid. 7ot as hell now, but still si= years younger and practically family. That was the way it had always been. Ale=a and Nellie had been friends since elementary school and had always insisted on tagging along after him, no matter how much hed tried to dissuade them. (y the time they got the message, the girls were in high school and hed been reduced to trailing after them to make sure they didnt get into trouble. 7e hadnt fully noticed Nellie had turned into a woman until her high school graduation, two short months before she headed east for college. And hed been with -aureen. 7e grimaced at the thought of his e=. @HakeD Chat are you doing hereDB No squealed @Hakey>B as shed once done, followed by a tight hug that made him laugh and curse simultaneously. 1he felt entirely too good in his arms, her compact body made for holding and kissing. And other things. Things he wouldnt consider or fantasiFe about or wish could happen Eust once, so he could get them out of his head. A girl like Nellie wasnt built for one:night:stands. +f a man started something with her, he should finish it.

@+ was heading past. %igured +d find out what was going on.B 7e peered closer. @Are you okayD Cheres your carDB 7er head snapped toward the sound of advancing sirens. 1hit, were they coming for herD Chat was going onD @NellieDB @CarEacked,B her friend supplied, shaking his head. @*ight in broad daylight. Cell, it was,B he added, glancing up. This time of year, dark came early and the pink:hued sky warned the last of the suns rays would be gone soon. @CarEackedDB Hake echoed, shutting his car door and striding forward to grip one of Nellies icy hands. @7oney, are you okayD 9id he hurt youD Cas there a weaponD@ @-y days gone to shit, but +m fine,B she said. @9ont + look fineDB Hake swallowed a retort and took his time looking her up and down. 7er haFel eyes glowed fiery gold in the waning sunlight, and her small mouth had pursed into the mother of all scowls. (ut her pink cheeks, mile long eyelashes, and curvy body added up to one heck of a package. A package he wanted to unwrap, one fuFFy sock at a time. 7e grinned at the striped knee socks slouching down her trim calves. 1he pulled the coat tighter but he still saw the fluffy bunnies and glittery noisemakers on her top. +t was nice to see that even after months away, some things hadnt changed. Thank Aod. @Jou look great,B he said finally, hoping his slightly shaky voice didnt give him away. 7e wasnt the best at hiding his emotions around her. Cith other women, yeah, he could play the role of smooth cat looking to score. At least hed been able to before -aureen had swept into his life, made a nest for, oh, five years or so, then swept back out again. 7is gaFe lasered in on the faint blue and purple splotches on Noelles forearm. @The fucker bruised youDB 1he stared at her arm. @+ guess he did.B

@7e dragged her out of the car,B the guy beside her said, again shaking his head. @Thank Aod, the cops are here. Theyll catch that turkey.B Two cruisers pulled up to the curb, lights flashing. (ecause hed immediately inserted himself into their questioning, the cops talked to the man in the brown suit first. Hake took the opportunity to pull Nellie aside. @Chat the hell happenedDB @+ was at a light when the guy came over and told me to get out.B 1he fiddled with the lapel of the coat. @+ said no, but that + had money andG@ @Jou said whatDB 7e nudged (rown 1uit Auys coat off her shoulders and pushed it into her arms. @Jou told a carEacker noD An armed carEacker, +m assumingDB Chile Hake talked, he shed his own Eacket and wrapped it around her. There. At least hed restored some sense of order. @Cell, +GB The sight of her looking so small and pale in his Eacket broke something inside him. 1he couldve been shot. 3r worse. 7e dragged her close. @Christ, Nellie, dont you have any senseDB
chapter two

Noelle pulled away and scowled at Hake. 7e towered over her as he always did, but shed never seen his light green eyes so alive with anger. .ven his stance was threatening. 1hed always thought of Hake as a long, lanky gulp of man licorice, sort of happy:go:lucky, but friendly and protective, careful to never cross the line between friends brother and more. .ven if she did voodoo chants to ensure he would. Now he was treating her more like an incompetent little sister than ever. @-issD Jou were the one who was carEackedDB

1he dragged her attention from Hakes tense Eaw and met the kind eyes of the cop at her side. @Jes, it was me,B she said, letting him lead her over to his car. 7alf an hour later, shed been questioned and re:questioned. The cops finally left, along with her new friend 1teven. Noelle was pretty sure hed decided Hake was her boyfriend, probably because Hake had lingered in the background, ready to Eump into action at a moments notice. That hed returned 1tevens coat as if it were contaminated didnt help either. 1teven didnt know that taking charge was Eust what Hake did. +t was part of his big brotherly thing. 1he mustve been sipping some sort of lust: spiked ,ool:Aid to think he could ever see her as more than little Nellie Aregory, the girl hed thrown pebbles at the first time shed come home with his sister. 1he sighed. All in all, the day hadnt proceeded as planned. 1hed lost her carGthough the cops seemed certain theyd find the perp soonGher dress, and her pictures, and now, her moEo was flagging. 1he truly didnt want to abandon her romantic scheme, but this was Hake. 1he couldnt halfheartedly seduce him. +t had to be a full out, slay him dead seduction, or shed have to try another day. &ossibly after alcoholic inducement. @Are you ready to go nowDB Hake asked gently, cupping her elbow. Noelle shook herself alert. +t had finally started snowing, and the streetlights shimmering on the falling flakes had mesmeriFed her. 3r else her fi=ation on the man beside her had finally consumed her brain. Hake smirked at her, the streetlamp adding a halo of gold to his dark hair. @As warm as your bunny shirt must be, youre shaking. 9o those cotton puffs help with insulationDB 7e tucked his Eacket tighter around her. +n a minute hed be pulling up the Fipper as if she were a child. @+m fine,B she grumbled. And she would be, once she shed this shitty day via a hot shower and a cold beer. @+ need to go home and make some calls. 1ee if there are any car rental places still open.B @The cops think theyll catch the guy who took your car tonight. Joure lucky its such a noticeable red. -aybe you wont even need to rent

anything.B Hake arched a brow. @(esides, its New Jears. Jou can Eust chill at home. 8nless you have a hot date or something.B @Cho hangs out at home on New JearsD +m twenty:four, not ninety: four. + want to party.B 1he kicked at the fluffy white snow settling around her clogs. &retty or not, right now the white stuff was annoying her. Hust like everything else. @+m spending New Jears at home,B he said, voice tight. @1o + guess + fit into the ninety:four:year:old category.B @No, youre not. Ale=as party is tonight. 1he promised me youd be there> Jou Eust got back to town and we havent had a chance to talk or G@ @3r whatDB he asked softly. 3r have really good se= on a number of pieces of household furniture, multiple times. 7a. Jeah, right. 7e wouldnt have se= with her. 7eck, he probably figured her lingerie collection consisted of fleece Eammies. 1he didnt turn him on. Thats where the dress had come in. (ut now she had nothing to wear and Hake thought she was a frump and she had no transportation to the party Hake had no intention of going to anyway. Aod, listen to her. 7ow long had she been waiting for a chance at himD Jears. (y the time shed finally started coming into her own, hed hooked up with saintly, perfect -aureen. The woman with pin:straight hair that never friFFed and saucer:siFed blue eyes she loved to bat at Hake. They never argued and had seemed to e=ist in a state of synchronistic couple harmony. 8ntil theyd broken up early this year. Noelle had done her best to be a good friend to him. A platonic friend. 1hed bought lots of e=tra buttered popcorn and selected action movies for their occasional %riday nights together, only too happy to be his sounding board if he felt like talking. 7ed said surprisingly little.

Chether that was because he didnt consider her an appropriate outlet or because he still viewed her as his kid sisters pal, she didnt know. Then there was the other possibility, that he actually saw her as a woman. That she hadnt imagined the kiss shed been sure hed been about to plant on her before hed taken off last summer. 7e had Foomed left at the very last second, when shed finally been able to taste his breath on her lips. Aiving up wasnt her style. Not when she finally had the opportunity to go after what she wanted. @Chy arent you going to Ale=asDB she asked, pressing her cold hands against her hips. 1oon, the tips of her fingers would be turning blue. @7ave stuff to do around the house.B 7e shrugged and tugged at the lapels of the coat. 7is fingers almost brushed the curve of her breasts. Almost. @Jour teeth are practically chattering. Chy dont you put your arms in the EacketDB 1he sighed and shook her head. The Hake she knew wasnt distant and didnt avoid his friends and family like this. 7e also didnt resist answering questions. /ate last year, shortly after he and -aureen had called it quits, hed taken a leave of absence from his pharmaceutical sales Eob and taken an e=tended trip up north. As soon as hed returned earlier this month, hed gone right back to work. 7e hadnt called her or stopped by to say hi, and tonight, hed barely touched her. -aybe his breakup with -aureen changed himD Normally he gave the best hugs ever. Cell, that didnt have to stop her from touching him. @Cell, + think you should go,B she murmured, gripping the lapels of his coat together with one hand and using the other to stroke his forearm. Crisp hair and hot skin singed her palm, eliciting a shudder. @+ts a tradition. Jouve been going forever. Ce both have.B 7e glanced from her hand to her face as if he couldnt quite make the connection between them. 7er fingers continued their playful path as if there was nothing the least bit strange about her caressing his arm.

@8h, yeah, but thats because -o loved it. + like staying home to watch the ball drop and going to bed. After, + mean. Jou know, when +m tired.B +nwardly, she giggled. 7is drooping eyelids proved he at least enEoyed her touch. A good start, indeed. @Jou sure thats what you meantDB she teased. 1he tipped back her head and hoped he didnt hear her self:conscious hiss of breath. @+ts okay. Cere both adults. + know what usually happens on New Jears. %irst comes merrymaking, then comes lovemaking. Cith or without the usage of noisemakers and sparkly hats.B A long moment passed before he cleared his throat and asked, @Are those used during the revelry or the se=DB @(oth.B 7is trademark grin made her hand falter, but she quickly took up the beat again. @Cow, + think your New Jears celebrations have been way more fun than mine.B 7e stepped toward her, erasing the distance between them, and murmured, @&ut your arms in.B Jes, sir. +f that was the only way shed get him wrapped around her, shed definitely comply. 1o, why was she tremblingD As soon as shed pushed her arms through the roomy sleeves, he chucked her chin in that cute kid way of his that made her want to knee him in the groin. @+ll give you a ride home,B he said. 9amn it. Chy was he being so stubbornD +t wasnt as if she was asking for forever. 1he knew he wasnt in the place for that, even if he could consider her more than buddy material. (ut they could give each other one unforgettable night. +t was the holiday season, after all. 1he took a bolstering breath. Time to Eump in with both freeFing feet. @+m not going home. +m going to Ale=as. Cith you.B And without her dress. 1he and her best friend wore about the same siFe, so maybe she

could swipe something from /e=s closet. 3r she could wrap herself in a blanket and try the toga look. There were always options. @+ already told you,B he said. @+m not going. -aybe you should Eust head home. Jou can party ne=t weekend. Jouve had a trying day and its supposed to snow all night. Ce could get si= inches.B @3h no> 1i= whole inchesDB 1he slapped her hands to her cold:stung cheeks and he scowled. @+f its snowing, +d better hide inside. (ecause snow is so scary. + could get trapped somewhere without milk or bread> 3r + suppose + could plan ahead and invite a guy over. 7e could stop by the store on the way. (ut what if he forgets condomsD Then wed have to try the cling wrap and butter method.B 3kay, she didnt know where that had come from. Cling wrapD (utterD +ck. (ut Hakes horrified e=pression made it all worthwhile. @Jou seriously better be Eoking. +f youve been taking chances with protectionIB Noelle shook her head. Hake not only thought she was a child, he considered her really stupid. And possibly weird. @Joure unreal, you know thatD .ver heard of a EokeD (esides, + dont think thats even possible. .ww.B 1he turned and stalked away, only to realiFe she had no car to stalk toward. %igured. 1he couldnt even have a proper temper tantrum. @Noelle, wait.B 1he stopped and slid her hands into his coat pockets. The left one was empty. (ut the right held a small disk, something that felt awfully likeG 1he pulled out the foil packet and whirled to face him. 7ell, if he could say dumb things, so could she. @Alad + found this.B 1he held out the offending item. @Now + know who to ask if + need a spare condom.B
chapter three

Hakes gut knotted. (etween the bright whiteness of the steadily falling snow and the glow of the streetlights flashing in her eyes, he could read Noelles emotions with no trouble. 1he was pissed. @+ was Eust kidding about the protection thing,B he said hastily. -aybe he should worry about his own protection. As in cupping his hands over his suddenly shriveling manhood. @+ Eust wanted to make sure you were safe.B @+m always safe.B Always safeD 9id that mean she was having a lot of se=D /ike maybe monthly or even weeklyD Cith whomD 7e hadnt heard she was seeing anyone lately, but Ale=a didnt tell him much. .specially since his breakup with -aureen. +n fact, shed avoided everything relationship related, probably thinking he couldnt bear to hear about anyone elses happy love lives. (ut Nellie was different. 7e needed to know who she was seeing. (ecause you want her for yourselfD Theres a dream come true, huhD Noelle Aregory with her lips glossy and wet and her golden eyes shimmering while she waves a condom in your face and then reaches down toG Not going there. (esides, there couldnt be an endless string of nameless men. 1he wasnt like that. A woman who loved it when Aoldmans got in new shipments of tacky shirts wouldnt be indiscriminate with her bed partners. Nor would one whod gotten all As in the interior design classes shed been taking since last year. 1he was conscientious and responsible and determined to be a successG 1he stomped over and kneed him soundly in the thigh. @Christ, you almost clipped my dick>B +f he hadnt moved when he didI @Chat the hells your problemDB @3h, + dont know. Nothing wrong with you acting like my parent while youre strolling around with rubbers stuffed in your pockets. Cho is sheDB

1he slapped both hands on his chest and knocked him back a full step. @Cho are you sleeping with nowD +s that why you couldnt be bothered to tell me you were back in townD Too busy for old friendsDB 1he punctuated every question with a shove. Hake let her push him around, mostly because he had no idea who he was looking at. 7ed only been gone five months. 7ow had Nellie turned from a sweet, cheerful, predictable young woman into this se=y:as:fuck /och Ness monsterD .ven her wildly coiling hair resembled the sinuous arms of a sea serpent. And she definitely had the swallow:you:whole e=pression going. @+m not sleeping with anyone,B he said. 1he clenched her Eaw and folded her arms across her chest. 7is too:large Eacket dwarfed her, but hell if it didnt give him a charge to see her wearing his clothes. @Then why do you have thisDB 1he waved the shiny silver disk through the air. @+ts not mine,B he began, holding up his hands when she started forward again. +n spite of the insanity of the situation, he started to laugh. 9amn, she was cute. @1eriously, its not. + went to a bachelor party last week and someone shoved one in my pocket, Eust messing around.B @Chile you were getting a lap danceDB @7ardly. Ce didnt go to a strip club. Hust hung out at ,elseys downtown.B @And they gave you a condom, Eust for the heck of it.B Noelle tapped the package against her cheek, frowning. @1ure youre not seeing anyoneDB @No. +m not.B Chy was he e=plaining this to herD 1he wasnt his girlfriend. That couldnt happen. 1he might as well have had an off:limits sign stretched across the glorious twin beauties that had tortured him since college when hed made the mistake of checking out Nellie in her prom dress. 1hed been a knockout then and if anything, had only become more beautiful in the years since.

+t wasnt fair. The one woman whod stirred his interestGand other parts of himGsince -o wasnt a possibility. Not because she wasnt perfect, but because she was. 1hed grown up into a smart, stunning woman, e=actly like hed always known she would, and he couldnt have her. %uck, but what if he couldD 1he was acting possessive. 9emanding. Almost Eealous. @1hit,B he muttered, rocking back on his heels. No way. 1he didnt want him. They werent about that. Cere theyD 1he frowned. @ChatDB 7e was Eust going to say it. +f she thought he was a complete loser then, well, hed take her to her houseGor to Ale=as, since she seemed determined to go to the partyGand hed head home to soothe his wounded pride in private. (ut he had to know. Hake speared his fingers through his hair and clutched a handful of it against his head, searching for the right words. 1urely he had some finesse somewhere. @HakeDB @Jou want me, dont you, NellieDB At her stricken gasp, he groaned inside and wished hed bitten his tongue off instead of asking. At least, not like that. @+ mean, youre interested in meDB +nterested sounded better. /ess threatening. @Jou have to be,B he continued, a little desperately. 1he stared at him. Chy wasnt she saying anythingD &utting him out of his miseryD @Jou think + want youD /ike se=uallyDB 1he spat out the words with such vehemence, he immediately froFe. .ven his knees locked.

1he didnt want him. 3f course not. 1he probably considered the guy in the brown suit a better candidate for bed boogying. 7e shuddered. 9amn, a year ago a thought like that wouldnt have even crossed his mind. 7e and -aureen had been happyGor so hed thought. Chen shed left him, hed reassessed a lot of things. Apparently his sense of self hadnt come out of the situation unscathed. @-aybe not,B he muttered, his grip tightening on his hair. +n a minute, hed be ripping out a handful. 7ed need to dig deep and find some of his missing swagger. @(utIis it so out of the realm of possibilityDB 1he tossed the condom at him. +t slapped against his chest before flopping like a dead trout on the snow:encrusted sidewalk. @Jes, + want you. + have for a long time. There, does that make you happyD Now you can feel bad for me ne=t time youre with your friends.B 7e let his hand drop from the back of his skull to hang limply at his side. 1hock raced through his veins, firing them with enough heat that his cold skin warmed from the inside out. 1he wanted himD 1he didnt sound particularly happy about it but he could work with this. Could show her he would never toss aside her feelings the way she apparently e=pected. 7e wasnt that guy. +f he was, why would she want himD 7is gut clenched. %or se=, dolt. 1hes attracted to you. 1e=ually. Not because she thinks youre a stand:up guy. Jour e= turned to the convent rather than spend her life with you. @1ay something, Hake. +m getting tired of standing around out here.B Jeah, this was ridiculous. Theyd been standing outside having this insane conversation for who knew how long in the freeFing cold. They could be inside discussing this. &referably without their clothes. @Jou havent been watching late:night cable or something, have youDB he asked. 1he glared at him and he took a preventative step back. Tonight he didnt trust her reactions. @+snt this something girls get into their heads

when they want to sow their wild oatsD 9oing their best friends older brothers, + mean.B @+ thought it was the other way around. That their little sisters friends turned older guys on.B 7e didnt miss the alluring note of challenge in her voice. @Cell, duh.B 7is feet moved forward without his conscious help. @.specially ones with bunny shirts and,B he slid his finger down one of her brightly colored corkscrew earrings, @holiday:themed Eewelry.B 1he bristled and started to step back, but he clamped a hand around her waist, holding her still. @8h:uh. 1tay right there.B @C:whyDB After her earlier tirade, her quivering lips gratified him more than he could say. @Jou know + would never laugh at you. +m honored that you want me, for whatever reason.B @+s there more than one reasonDB 1he still wouldnt meet his eyes, but she also didnt attempt to put space between them. @1ure there is.B @Chat difference would it makeD Jouve been home for weeks and havent bothered to come see me.B @+ had my reasons,B he muttered. 7ed been afraid he would kiss her like he almost did the last time hed seen her. Apparently hed been right to worry. @(ut +ll have you know + was on my way to your place when + came upon you out here.B Couldnt hide anymore. @*eallyDB @Jes. (ut if you Eust want me for se=, + feel honor bound to try to dissuade you.B At least a little. 7er eyes narrowed. @ChyD (ecause + cant possibly know my own mindDB

7e breathed deep and hoped he wouldnt say something hed regret. Cith his current level of crotch constriction, he couldnt be sure he wouldnt. @(ecause its probably wrong and +, as the older and wiser oneB Ghe grinned at her sniffG @should shut this down before it goes anywhere.B Noelle met his gaFe with such intensity that the air siFFled and snapped. 1urely that much blood flooding his previously froFen member couldnt be healthy. (ut he wasnt about to waste this amaFing, absolutely unreal chance. To hell with shutting down, his body had decided it was all systems go. @Cere standing on a street corner,B she said quietly, snagging her fingers in his T:shirt and pulling him closer. Too close. There wasnt a way for him to deny what she made him feel when her body fit to his. 1he boldly rubbed against the obvious proof of his interest, a surprisingly provocative smile flitting over the lips he ached to taste. All he needed was one forbidden nibble. A bite. An endless lick that started there and ended up behind her ear. .nough to last him until he could throw her across her bed and bare her body to his hands and his mouth. .very part of her, his to cherish. @+ts snowing,B she added, arching onto her toes. 7er heels hit the pavement with a dull thunk. @And its New Jears .ve,B he finished, smudging the snowflakes collecting on her reddened cheeks. +n the near darkness only the deep hue of her lips stood out against her pale skin. 7er eyes shone into his, drawing him nearer until her breaths whispered over his lips. @A time for new beginnings.B Hake smiled and let his mouth brush hers, the barest of contacts. Cold and sweet, her minty flavor beckoned him to take more. 1he moaned and gripped his shirt harder, pulling it up until snow snuck into the back of his Eeans. 7e pressed against her, his thumbs framing her face, and closed his eyes, wanting to savor these last seconds before he kissed her for real. There wouldnt be another moment like this between them again.

They were standing on the cusp of something huge. +f he did this, Noelle would no longer be Eust his little sisters friend. 1he would become his lover. +t couldnt be undone because he wouldnt let it. @Hake,B she whispered, the hot blast of her e=halation making him groan. 7e gave in and fisted his hands in her hair. 1he opened to him at once, her body melting against his, wilting into his embrace so that it felt like his light pressure on her cheeks was all that held her upright. (ut her mouth was a hungry thing, her tongue diving in to tangle with his while her arms wound around his shoulders. 7e slanted his head to plunder her as deeply as he could, ravenous to e=plore every inch of her mouth. %orget kissing. They were eating each other alive. 9amn, Noelle was like dynamite detonating through his system. +f hed ever thought of her as a kid, he definitely didnt anymore. 7er minty flavor, as cool as the night that surrounded them, consumed his senses. 7is arms shook with the fierce control he needed to keep his hands on her face and not on her ass where they longed to be. 7e wanted to rock her up and down his cock to relieve the intense ache. Needed to feel more of her in his palms while he swallowed her moans. 7is cell vibrated in his back pocket. 7e cursed and Eerked back. @1orry,B he panted, struggling to get his phone out of his pocket. 7is pants felt too damn tight. @+ts okay.B Noelle swept a visibly shaking hand over her hair. All the fight had drained out of her. 7e pressed the talk button, not even looking at the caller +9. Nellie had officially hiEacked his world. @HakeDB +t was Ale=a. @+m stuck in Columbus. Theres a monster storm and theyve been de:icing the planes, but now they delayed my flight. %or like seven hours. + called everyone + invited a couple hours ago, but +m nervous + forgot someone. Can you get up to my house a little early Eust in caseD +ll owe you one. A really big one.B

As usual, his sister was a chatterbo=. Chat wasnt usual was that his wires had all gone on the fritF simultaneously. @.specially Noelle,B Ale=a continued. @+ couldnt reach her. 1he needs to know the partys off.B 7e licked the inside of his lower lip, all his focus on the beautiful blonde now staring up at the sky, her features silvered by the hint of moon glow. @+ll take care of Noelle, dont worry.B @HakeDB @Jeah.B 7is answer came out as a groan as Nellie stuck out her tongue to collect snowflakes. 1o. Crong. Chen she caught his attention, she rolled her tongue, scooping up a couple flakes and drawing them inside the honeyed heaven of her mouth. @Are you okayD Jou sound weird.B @+ve been making out with a chick,B he said, knowing Ale=a wouldnt believe him and Nellie would shoot him a death glare. 7e was right on both counts. Chuckling, he said to his now silent sister, @,idding. Tell me again what you need me to doDB A couple minutes later, he hung up with Ale=a, who wasnt e=cited about spending the night in an airport. 7e, on the other hand, was very e=cited about who he was about spend his night with. .ven if this only lasted as long as their orgasms, hed take it. *ight now, he wasnt capable of walking away. Cere you everD @(ad news,B he said lightly, pocketing his cell and tossing back the hank of hair that kept falling in his face. The two of them probably looked like snow people in the making. @Ale=a okayDB

@Jeah, but shes stuck in Columbus. (ig snowstorm, so the partys off. 1he called most of the guests and told them not to come hours ago, but she couldnt get ahold of you. 9id you have your phone offDB @&robably. + turn it off when + go to bed because she likes to te=t me in the middle of the night when she hooks up with someone. Though its been forever since Ale=as done anything but work. 1hes way overdue forG@ Hake cringed and she choked back a laugh. @1orry. %orget the brother thing.B @Jeah. Apparently.B @1o the partys offD That sucks.B 7e could hear the smirk in her voice. @+ wanted to let loose tonight.B 7e said nothing. (ut he was already imagining Eust how loose he could make her once they were alone and hed gotten her out of her wet clothes. @1o now whatDB she asked, giving him a se=y little pout. @Ce need to get up to her place. Jou and + are the bouncers in case anyone shows.B 7e tugged her against his side. @*eady to be alone with meDB
chapter four

The ride up to Ale=as took almost an hour. Noelles best friend lived high in the hills outside 1anderson and on a night like this, traveling the twisty roads that led up to her incredible log cabin was an e=ercise in patience. Hake drove with reckless caution, if the two things could co:e=ist. 7e took it easy on turns and in the places he needed to brake, but hit the gas a little too hard on the straightaways. 1he never felt in danger of crashing, though. 7e knew how to handle the roads. And her. Chich she hoped he planned on doing soon.

Could they actually have se=D As much as shed fantasiFed about him over the years, the act itself had always been murky in her mind. After the last few weeks, being held by Hake would feel like nirvana, though some mind:scrambling lovemaking would definitely be welcome, too. Aood thing shed bought condoms. A whole fresh package waited inside her boat of a purse. A purse she no longer had. 3ne that contained all her credit cards and the small amount of money she had in her wallet. And her pictures. Those were especially precious. The ones of her Nana couldnt be replaced. @9ammit,B she muttered, pressing her fingers against her stinging eyes. (reaking down in a sobbing fit in front of a potential lover over some photos would put a capper on her day, wouldnt itD (eing held up hadnt done it, nor had losing her car. (ut she Eust couldnt bear the thought of some Eerk throwing out the faded picture of her, age three, sitting on her Nanas knee. @Chats wrongDB he asked. This was the first time either of them had spoken during the ride. 7ed probably been trying to find a way out of spending the evening with her. The trip had certainly been long enough for him to rethink things. 1he dragged in a breath and waited for her heart to stop thundering. @+ forgot about everything + still have to handle tonight. All the credit cards + have to cancel and the list + have to write up for the police of what + lost. + blanked it all out.B @7oney, you were frightened. 3f course you forgot. (ut dont worry. +ll help you.B @Jou willDB 7e reached over and took her hand, pulling it across the console and onto his thigh. 7is really muscled thigh that made her think really dirty thoughts. @Jes, + will. Tomorrow morning well take care of all of it.B @Hake, my wallet had my favorite pictures ofG@

@Jour grandma,B he finished before she could, his grip turning gentler. @1hit. + forgot you carried those with you.B @Jeah.B 1hed never forget how hed wrapped her in a blanket that night during sophomore year of high school when shed left a sleepover at Ale=as house and come home to find most of her life in ruins. 7ed seen the pictures of her Nana, the ones that survived the fire that torched most of her familys stuff. /uckily her family had been safe, but so many of her memories had gone up in smoke. Now some Eerk had taken more of them. @+ll call the police and let them know where youll be tonight. Then well handle whatever has to be done tomorrow. Together.B 7e rubbed her knuckles. @Alls not lost, + swear. (ut tonight you need to rela=.B @Jes, + do.B 1he wasnt going to debate that point. @1o do you.B 7e glanced her way as a passing cars lights flashed over his striking profile. @Not arguing,B he said with a slight smile, his fingers squeeFing hers. 7ow much rela=ing they could do without any condoms remained to be seen, so she forced herself to Eust enEoy the way his large fingers folded over hers, holding them as if he wanted to protect her. 7is thumb stroked the side of her palm, lulling her without words. 7e was with her. 1he was safe. *ight now, that was all that mattered. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Ale=as cabin and ascertained that no prospective revelers had gained access through illicit means. No cars were parked on the hidden drive and the property was absolutely still. The snow cushioning the lawn and fluttering from the sky only strengthened the realiFation that she and Hake were totally alone. Noelle wrapped her hands around the front porch railing, and stifled a shiver. Could she go through with thisD Chen shed imagined them finally doing it, shed pictured them falling into bed in a frenFy after Ale=as loud, noisy party.

Now, there was no party. 1he and Hake were alone in a plush, lu=urious cabin with a thick pad of silence walling them in on all sides. The kiss theyd shared had been fast, yes, but it had also been deep. Not a surface skim but something that felt big and important. @7ey.B 7is voice poured over her like hot, rich coffee. @Jou must be freeFing. Chyd you take off my coatDB (ecause it smelled like you and + wanted to roll around in it like a dog on the first day of mating season. 1he shrugged, suddenly shy. -aybe she was Eust a kid. Chy else would she want to run and hideD 1he trusted him, so that wasnt the problem. Chatever shed said during their condom spat, he was a great guy. 7ed always been her friend and one of her staunchest allies. They could Eust have se= and that would be that. .=cept it wasnt. 1he wanted more. ,issing him had proven to her that one night would never suffice. 7e lifted his palm to her cheek. 1he sighed, memoriFing the e=act impression of his fingertips on her flesh. @Chy dont we go inside, NellieDB he murmured. @Can you call me NoelleDB -aybe she could get this night back on solid footing if he stripped away some of the familiarity that made her wish for more. @&leaseDB @1ure. Noelle.B 7is easy smile smoothed out some of her nerves and set off all new ones when he slid his hand around the back of her neck. @Ce should probably hang out for a while. Cant to go watch some T6D + know you love the New Jears specials. +ll even make us some eats.B @Now youre talking,B she said, smiling back, and pressing a hand to her growling stomach. Hake was a fabulous cook. %rom appetiFers to four: course dinners, he could turn out a meal that would impress anyone. Jet another of his many positive attributes. 1o why would any woman let him get awayD

@Chy did you and -aureen break upDB As soon as the question crossed her lips she wanted to snatch it back. 7is grimace definitely added to her discomfort. @1orry, none of my business.B @No, hang on. +t is your business. +f were going toIB 7e blew out a breath that puffed in the cold air. @Are we going to, NoelleDB @Jes, we are.B 1he nodded decisively. @Cere going to have se=. AmaFing se=. .=ceptG@ 7is quick grin faded all too fast. @ChatDB @-y condoms are in my purse. +n my stolen car. Jou dont have anyDB @No. Jou threw the one + had on the ground.B @9ammit.B 1erved her right for throwing that pissy little temper tantrum. @+ guess were screwed.B @Not necessarily. Jou think Ale=a hasG@ 7e stopped and shook his head. @Nope, sorry, cant do it. + cant dig through my sisters condom stash, even for you.B 1he giggled and leaned in to brush a kiss over his chin. 7e had some serious five:o:clock shadow going on. 1e=y. @Cell work it out.B @Jeah.B 1he loved the way his voice softened on the word. /oved even more how he tugged her closer and rested his chin on her hair. @1o back to your question,B he said. BJou mustve heard the stories about why -o left town.B @1omething about the &eace Corps. (ut that doesnt e=plain why you guys ended things. Jou were together forever. + thought youd get married.B 1hed even cried about it in weaker moments. Hake moved back and swallowed hard. @1he moved to 3maha and became a nun.B

3kay, she hadnt seen that coming. @ChatDB @-y girlfriend of five years ditched me for the one man + could never compete with.B 7is short laugh ended with a shake of his head. @1ome shot to the ol ego, + tell you. +ve heard guys lose it when their girls become lesbians. (ut when they turn to the churchD A guy cant help wondering if theyve turned her off se= with anyone.B 1he laughed before she could stop herself. Though she immediately sobered, that he laughed too made her feel better about the lapse. @Thats kind of a backassward way to look at it. 1he found a higher calling.B And for this turn of events, she would be sure to thank Aod. *epeatedly. @+m sure it had nothing to do with se=.B @No, + know. 1hes actually really happy in the convent and +ve gotten over the ego slam. -ostly. +t Eust knocked me off my stride. Ced been together a long time.B @Jou loved her.B @Jes. + did.B 7e looked her dead in the eye. Hake would never lie to her. @Then there was the whole not:part:of:a:couple:anymore thing. That was hard to get used to.B @+m sure.B Not that any of her relationships had ever lasted more than a few months, but she had a good imagination. .specially tonight. @1o.B 7e rubbed her bare arms. @/ets go watch some tube and eat some crap.B 1he smiled. @1ounds good.B %our hours passed in a haFe of fried food, good conversation, and laughter. 7e made fun of her favorite guy band, calling them a bunch of pre:pubes. 1he teased him about the big:breasted actress hosting the New Jears .ve special. All the while he kept his hand on her knee or her shoulder or her back. *eminding her, always, that this wasnt Eust another night spent watching some mindless movie with Hake. This was the prelude. Ne=t up would be' The. (ig. 1e=.

7e tucked her hair over one shoulder, moving in close on the couch. 7er breath caught and she had a sudden flashback of high school, but the guy at her side was no boy. 7e wouldnt casually skim her arm on his way to her breast. Nope, Hake would Eust go for the gold. 3r maybe not, she decided when he didnt move for the ne=t half hour. %inally he brushed his finger down the side of her neck. /ightly. Teasingly. 1he shivered, angling her head to give him the perfect opportunity. (ut instead of kissing her, he remained still. %reaking hell. @Almost midnight,B he murmured, his breath cascading over her loose curls. @Jou know what that means, dont youDB 1he grinned at him over her shoulder. @That +m getting more horny with every passing secondDB @&atience, my sweet.B 7e rubbed her nose with his own and she giggled. 1omething she seemed to do a lot in his presence. Cas that how theyd be together in bed, tooD /aughing between the moansD @+t means,B he continued, his hand again finding the back of her neck, @that its almost time for the New Jears kiss. Jou know what the legend is, rightDB @That the person you kiss will be the one you kiss all yearDB @Jes.B 3n T6, the announcer started to count down the big balls drop in Times 1quare. @+ take such legends seriously.B 7er heart pounded loud enough she was sure hed be able to hear it. @3h, do youDB 7es flirting. Hust teasing. @6ery.B 7e leaned in and, keeping his eyes on hers, ran the tip of his tongue over her upper lip. @1o you might want to be sure before you go for it.B

&layfully she let her own tongue sneak out to flick along the underside of his. @9oes it still count if + kiss somewhere other than your mouthDB

chapter five

Noelle didnt hear Hakes answerGor the rest of the countdown for that matterGbecause he groaned and pulled her onto his lap. Then she couldnt hear anything at all as he kissed her thoroughly enough for this year and ne=t. 1he clung to him when they finally parted to breathe, afraid to break the spell. @Can weGcan +G@ 7e panted against her cheek and tried again. @/et me do things to you, Noelle.B @Anything.B .verything. &lease. @+f you want me to stop, Eust tell me. + will.B 7e shuddered when she rubbed the planes of his chest through his shirt. @+t might kill me, but + will. + promise.B @No stopping.B 1he grabbed the remote and aimed it at the T6, then slid back into place on his lap and tentatively brushed against his erection. Hudging from the ripple of his throat as he swallowed, he liked it. 1he ground harder and reveled in his soft, eager groan. 7er faceGand other parts of herGheated with pleasure. @Now where were weDB Cordlessly, he yanked off her shirt. After hed tossed it aside, he took another of those shuddery breaths and went to work on the front clasp of her bra, his fingers so far from steady, she had to help him. And, oh Aod, wasnt it a thrill to see Hake shaking over herD Average little Nellie Aregory, formerly classified as @little sisterB in his mind. Not anymore.

@%inally.B 7e pulled the bra off and sent it flying, his e=pression nothing short of reverent as he touched her bared flesh. @Joure so fucking hot. Hust like + knew you would be.B (efore she had time to process that, he closed his lips around one erect nipple and pulled, nearly upending her onto the floor with the force of his suction. 7e did it again and again, shifting his attention between her breasts while he ran his hands up and down her sides. 1he clutched his head and moaned, stunned that what shed wanted for so long had finally arrived and it was even better than shed guessed. 7is eyes never left hers. Arousal darkened his green irises, tinting them with a passion she hadnt ever e=perienced before. And she knew if she could see her own, the same e=pression would be reflected there. 1he rocked against him, taking pleasure in every one of his strained pants. 7is breath scalded her skin and the Fipper of his Eeans hit her Eust right as she leaned closer, pressing more of her breast into his mouth. Almost there. 7e Eerked back and shoved his hand into her yoga pants. @1orry. Cant wait.B 7e nudged aside her saturated panties and groaned. @3h shit. Joure soaked.B 7is long, agile fingers Feroed in on the tight cluster of nerves that throbbed so insistently. 1he gasped in time with his rapid circling, strangely proud that she was so wet. Now he knew without a doubt how much she wanted this. 7im. Hake stretched his fingers lower, probing her damp slit. Cithout looking away, he slipped one finger inside, groaning again when she arched and grabbed hold of his shoulders. 1everal more thrusts of his finger and strokes of his thumb and she dug in her nails and gasped. @Hake. Joure going to make me come.B 7is fevered @JesB gave her permission to let go. To soar with him strong and steady beneath her, his body trembling in time with hers. @-ore.B 7e dragged her pants and underwear down and somehow lifted her without seeming to move, driving her down into the cushions and

racing his hungry mouth over her quivering flesh. Cithout preamble, he shifted on top of her, his weight heavy on her legs, and began nuFFling her breasts and belly. And then lower, finally stopping when he spread open her thighs and kissed her intimately. 1he flew upward, her hips Eerking against his lips as if hed turned on some internal motor only he controlled. 7is tongue pierced her, driving deep, while he reached up to squeeFe her breasts, his hands and mouth ruling her with a mastery that made her whimper. 9ear Aod, she was going to come again with Eust a few more thrusts. 1hed never wanted a man with such intensity. Never dreaded and longed for a clima= so much. @9ont hold back. 1cream for me.B Hake slid both hands under her ass, urging her that much closer to his mouth. @Aod, Nellie.B 7e buried his face between her shaking legs, e=ploring her while she scraped her nails through his hair and prayed it would never end. And then it did, in a hot blast of intense pleasure that stole a cry from her throat. 1he couldnt see beyond the pinwheel of e=ploding stars in her vision. (ut she didnt want to see anymore, not when she could feel his hands squeeFing her ass cheeks and his mouth caressing her in the dark. .ventually, he asked, @Are you okayDB 1omehow his roughened voice reached her where shed drifted. 1he knew she smiled, heard her own contented sigh, but speaking wasnt possible. 7e brushed more kisses over her mound and chuckled, not needing words to understand. 1oon his kisses turned e=ploratory again and she stretched her arms above her head, moving with his mouth as if theyd been doing this for years. Chen he nipped her clit, the Eolt had her eyes flying open. 7e was laughing at her, his beautiful eyes radiant with desire. @There you are. Thought you were going to sleep on me.B

@7ardly.B 1he scooted forward on the couch until his body loomed over hers and tugged up his T:shirt. 7e helped her remove it, and then together they went to work on his Eeans, shedding them and his bo=ers in a hurry. Chen he was naked in front of her, his cock hard and thick against his stomach, she fisted her hands and breathed. 7ere he was, ready for her. 1o stiff and vulnerable while he waited for her touch. 1o why was she hesitatingD 1he should seiFe this momentGseiFe himGwith both hands. @NellieDB @7ave you ever wanted something so much it scares youDB 1he knew hed think she meant se= but she couldnt articulate the rest. 7er heart felt too fragile right now to lay at his feet, while everything inside her still throbbed and burned. @Jes. *ight now actually.B 7is unsteady laugh as he brushed his hand over the back of her head eased her nerves. Another man mightve drawn her mouth to his obviously eager cock, but he Eust kissed her forehead. @Joure a treasure, you know thatD Thank you for giving yourself to me.B 9ont cry. 7er misty smile vanished when he unfolded his lanky frame from the couch and stood up. @Chere are you goingDB @Nowhere.B 7e helped her to her feet. @Turn around and put your hands on the back of the sofa for me.B 1he didnt think to refuse. Chatever he intended to show her, she ached to learn. Chen she was in position, he rubbed against her, the full weight of his cock a steady pressure against her ass. 1he let out a sigh. @+s it time for the cling wrap and butterDB Hake chuckled and slid his arm up between her breasts to grip her shoulder. @No. +ts time for us to get creative.@ 1he braced herself, unsure of what would come ne=t. @HakeDB

7e adEusted his stance so that he could ease his erection between her thighs. At the first slide of his flesh against hers, she gasped. 1omething so forbidden shouldnt feel so good. @Hust trust me.B @+ do.B Cith everything. 7e started to move between her legs, slow and sure. 1he rocked, providing the counterpoint to his thrusts as he gripped her hips and slid between her thighs, the most erotic simulation of se= shed ever e=perienced. @$uick learner.B 7e trailed kisses between her shoulder blades while he fumbled for her clit. 7is ministrations had made her even more slippery and swollen and he made a sound deep in his throat upon discovering that fact. @1o about that cling wrap thing. 9oes it really workDB +n lieu of a reply, she laughed and dropped her forehead onto the arm of the couch. 7is strokes gained speed, in and out, driving Eust that much farther each time so that if she looked down, there he was, teasing her with the endless possibilities finally within her grasp. &ossibilities shed never let herself consider when the Eoy and wonderGand, okay, the innate oh:my:Aod, +:have:Hake:naked aspectGof ever knowing him this way had seemed out of reach. 1he swiveled her hips and reached down to stroke the head of his cock, her gasps Eoining his at the first feel of his hard:on in her hand. 1mooth and hot, wide and strong. 1he wanted him inside her, filling her, uniting them. +t might not be the best timing, but maybe she could finally e=press how she felt. -aybe now, after this, he would begin to open up enough to let her to love him. Cait a second. /ove himD 1ince whenD This was Eust se=G 7is broken groan yanked her away from her disEointed thoughts. 7er little psychoanalysis would have to wait. 7er heart and mind distilled to the strip of manic pleasure between her thighs. +f shed had any sense left, his wild heaves against her sensitive flesh wouldve destroyed it. And then he was thrusting harder and faster than before. 1o fast, she knew he couldnt last long. @Nellie, baby, +m going toG@

(efore he could finish, she spun around. 1he noted his surprised e=pression with a grin and dropped to her knees in front of him. 7er grip was steady as she brought his erection to her mouth, e=tending her tongue for a long lick while she maintained the eye contact that felt so natural between them. 7e didnt grab onto her hair and drag her closer. +nstead he threaded his fingers through her curls tenderly, his touch as light as a caress. The e=act opposite of how she was working his cock with tongue, lips, and teeth. 1he sucked him down, his agoniFed moan triggering her own. Aod, she wanted to make him lose it. 1he focused hard on his strained features as he tensed and finally fisted his hands in her hair, the bright green of his eyes haFing before he gave himself over to her. Afterward, she pressed her cheek to his thigh. A tremble moved through his body. @+ think you missed the best part of New Jears,B he said. The great gulps of air he dragged in didnt make him sound any less breathless. 1he glanced up, smiling faintly. @Chats thatDB @The fireworks.B As if hed been struck dumb, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. @+n my head. +t is still attached, rightDB @-ost definitely.B 1he laughed and nipped his belly. @(oth of them.B
chapter six

Afterward, theyd cuddled up and watched more T6, sharing doFens of kisses in interesting places before shed dropped off around four. Though Hake wished he could take her up to bed and sleep beside her, he didnt feel right about doing that in his sisters place. Theyd already violated Ale=as couch, which he was tempted to ask his sister to bronFe. 7e tucked a blanket around Noelles shoulders. 7er blond hair curved around her cheek and her long lashes fluttered in sleep, making her look as innocent as hed always imagined her to be.

7e grinned. The streak of wickedness shed been hiding was a definite bonus. *estless without Noelles voice and laughter to keep him company, he went downstairs to his sisters fitness room. +f he was pulling an all: nighter, he might as well make the most of it. (etter to spend those hours working out than turning over how he could possibly be falling for a woman hed known most of his life after only a few hours. %ine, that wasnt the whole truth. 7ed loved NoelleGplatonicallyGsince they were kids. 1hed been like another sister to him until, somewhere along the line, hed stopped thinking about how to slip garter snakes in her sleeping bag and started wondering how her soft, generous mouth would feel under his. Now he knew. And nothing would ever be the same. 7e pushed himself through a session on the treadmill and the rowing machine, then did a long set of reps on the weight bench. +nstead of feeling tired, adrenaline pumped through his bloodstream. And never more than when he heard a creak on the stairs and looked up to see Nellie standing there in her bra and panties. Though it couldnt be later than five a.m., she looked wide awake. And completely irresistible. @7i,B she said, toying with the little ribbon between her breasts. @7ey.B &erspiration poured off his body. 7e mopped up the sweat on his face, trying not to think about how he must look. @Aet some sleepDB @-mm:hmm. Jou didnt.B @No.B As she bounced down the stairs, he willed his eager dick to remain at ease. /ost cause. 1he was Eust too damn pretty and smelled too damn sweet when she sauntered up to him and slid her hand under his damp T: shirt. 3ne caress and he was as hard as the iron hed Eust pumped. @Joure hot.B 1he leaned up and licked his mouth open, her eyes gleaming. @%J+, + stole one of Ale=as condoms.B

Hake groaned and stared up at the recessed lights in the ceiling. 7e wanted, more than anything, to make love to her. .ven though he wouldve wished for something different for their first se=ual e=perience, preferably something involving a bed and more romance than the glitter ball on T6, there was no going back. They could only go forward. (ut before they did, they had to talk because he wasnt letting her go. 7opefully, she felt similarly. +f not, at least there would be one barrier not crossed between them. 3ne thing he wouldnt have to remember and regret. +f that made him a coward, so be it. Hake took a deep breath. @Ce cant do it like this. +ts not right.B @1ure it is.B 7er smile faltered slightly as she pressed her softly rounded breasts against his chest. +t took all his strength not to groan again. @Cere ready to rock and rollIarent weDB 7is first inclination was to talk her out of it. 7e was the older, wiser one. The one who knew best, yada, yada. 1he didnt know what she wanted and hadnt thought things through. +f they had se=, shed probably be full of remorse when she woke up and it would be his fault that he hadnt realiFed shed Eust wanted to do something wild and daringG .=cept her eyelid was twitching, the nerves there as Eumpy as the bunnies on the shirt shed been wearing earlier. 1he mustve figured hed turn her down, if not for this reason then five others. (ut she was still taking the risk. 1till putting herself out there. Tonight wasnt only some lark to her. The truth of that shone back at him from her eyes, and if he ignored it, then he would lose a hell of a lot more than his pride. 7e cupped her cheek, and the weight of the past yearG-aureen leaving, his feelings of inadequacy, coming back to town to see if it still held a place for himGfell off his shoulders like the snow still coming down outside. +n her hopeful e=pression he could see his future, even if he couldnt quite envision it yet. They fit together. Though hed never consciously let himself consider pursuing her, kissing her tonight had been all the evidence he needed to

realiFe his folly. 7ow could he have looked everywhere else when where he belonged was right here, in her armsD @HakeDB she asked, voice wobbling. @1ay something. &lease.B @Nellie,B he murmured. 7e couldnt call her Noelle right now. 1he was his Nellie. 1wallowing hard, he feathered his fingers over her face. They kept moving when he heard his sisters unintelligible yell upstairs, followed by a succession of slamming doors and quick steps down the stairs. (oth he and Nellie glanced toward the stairwell as Ale=a appeared, looking as model:fresh as if shed Eust rolled out of bed after a full nights rest. No cushion creases on her face, that was for sure. @,new you were here somewhere,B she said triumphantly, her e=pectant e=pression shifting into a frown. @+ was going to ask why the cops are in my driveway but now + have a better question. Chere the hell are your clothesDB I

@Jou really slept with my best friend.B Ale=a shook her head and stared into the guest room where Nellie doFed. 7is sister stood ramrod straight, the poster child for a fifteen:hour energy drink. @Jou truly are a horndog, arent youDB @Ce didnt sleep together.B Hake winced at Ale=as piercing look. @Not e=actly. And its not about se=.B @3h reallyD Then what is it aboutD + asked you to come up here and make sure none of my party guests showed. + didnt ask you to play naked spin the bottle with my closest friend.B @,eep your damn voice down,B he muttered, wondering for the millionth time how a woman who always smelled like flowers could possibly be so overbearing. @1he wont hear us. 1hes out for the duration. Jou know how she hates talking to official types.B

@Jeah, + do.B 7e rubbed his hand over his eyes and tried to erase the hollow:eyed image of Nellie from the night shed rushed home to find her familys house in flames. 1he hadnt looked much different last night or this morning. 3n top of all the police questioning, the e=perience of the carEacking itself had probably shaken her right to ground. 7e shuddered. Aod, if that guy had had a real gunI @Cell, shes going to get her car back and they have all her stuff. 1hell be fine.B Ale=a flipped back her long dark hair. @/ong as you dont give her all new problems, *omeo.B Hake released a long breath. @Aive me some credit, would youD + would never hurt Nellie.B Not intentionally. @Then why did she keep giving you wounded doe eyes while the cops were hereD Chat were you talking about when + came into the basementDB Ale=a held up a hand. @Never mind. T-+.B @+ll make it right. + Eust need a couple hours. Can you give us thatDB Ale=a crossed her arms over her chest and tapped the toe of her black pumps. 9rill sergeants had nothing on his stickler of a little sister, even after the trip from hell. @Jou care about her, dont youDB @3f course + do,B Hake snapped. 7e should be talking to Nellie, not his sister. 7e had to tell her how he felt, even if he wasnt sure yet how things would play out. They had time to decide. (ut he needed her to understand what she meant to him. @3kay,B Ale=a said finally, nodding and stepping back. @7ouse is yours for the afternoon. 8se it wisely.B 1he patted his arm, her lips lifting in a smile. @+m glad youre going for it. Jou think +m completely clueless as to how you and Nellie look at each otherDB @Ce doDB @1omebody heres clueless, but it aint me.B Arinning, she pivoted and strode away. @1eriously, Hakey, put on your damn shoes. Jour big clown feet wont win you any points.B

7e stared down at his bare toes and shook his head. /eave it to his sister to coa= him right out of a mood. @Thanks, kiddo.B $uietly, he stepped into the guest bedroom and shut the door. 7e turned, mentally reciting what hed say, but those rehearsed words vanished when he realiFed Noelle was leaning up on one elbow, staring at him. @Joure up,B he said, noting the cell phone beside her on the bed. 1he nodded and didnt speak. &robably a first between them. Conversation had always happened easily and often. Taking a deep breath, he moved toward the bed and sat down on the edge. @7owd you sleepDB @%ine.B Aod, he hated seeing her unhappy. 1ince Hake was pretty sure he was the cause, it was ten times worse. @Jou were on the phoneDB @Jeah. Cass from work called to tell me Aoldmans is staying open. 1ales this fall were stronger than ever.B 1he ran her fingertip along the edge of her phone. @At least +ll have my Eob.B 7ello, self:centered Eerk. 7e should know about the store gossip already. @+ didnt realiFe the store was in danger of closing.B @Cell, you havent e=actly been an active part of my life for a while.B @Joure right.B @Thats itDB %rustration leaked from her voice. @Hust Kyoure rightDB 7is stomach twisted as he pried the yellowed photo out of his back pocket and handed it to her. 1ometimes tangible proof was all that mattered. @+ know youre getting your pictures back, but you should have this one, too.B 1he gripped the ancient photo of her as a small child holding hands with her Nana and swallowed audibly. @Chere did you get thisDB

7e shrugged. @Jou mustve left it over at our house when you and Ale=a were going through old photos. + found it when -om and 9ad were cleaning out the attic a few years ago.B And hed kept it for himself, selfish bastard he was. At least where Nellie was concerned. @+t took me forever to get it out of the little plastic picture sleeve in my wallet. +ts been in there so long, it basically became part of it.B &art of me. @+ loved this shot. + always figured it had been lost in the fire.B Absently, she fingered the worn edges. @Chy did you keep itDB %or the longest time, they Eust looked at each other. 7e wouldve answered, had he had the ability to speak. 1he cleared her throat and looked away. @Auess its time to go pick up my car, since its past twelve.B Chen she started to get up, he reached for her shoulder. 1he shook her head and pushed his hand away. @9ont.B @ChyDB @Jou said it wasnt right for us to sleep together, so its not right for you to touch me. Not yet.B Carefully, she set aside the photo on the nightstand. @-aybe in time we can go back to the way things were.B @Chat if + dont want toDB Nellie looked at him, her eyes huge and swimming with emotion. @Jou dont want even thatDB 7is heart lurched as if shed slapped him. *ather than answer, he drew her across the bed and into his arms, covering her mouth with his lips and swallowing her soft cry. Chether it was in protest or pleasure, he didnt know. All he knew was she felt like shed been meant for his arms. The less than roomy full bed would barely hold the two of them but he didnt care. 7e had to have her now. @+m going to undress you. Tell me if you want me to stop.B 1he pressed her hand against his chest, holding him back. @Chat does this meanDB

The words caught in his throat. Cords that would likely cause him pain if she didnt feel the same. At least he could keep his dignity if he didnt tell her. (ut he had to be honest, with her and himself. @+ never e=pected this. +m not ready.B Chat a cop:out. Corse, it was another quarter:truth between them. *eady or not, hed already fallen. 3nto big, Eagged rocks that impaled his heart. @(ecause of -aureenDB Aod, no. (ecause of you. Joure so much and + dont know if +m enough. -utely, he shook his head and closed his eyes, opening them when her lips molded to his. 7er bunny T:shirt and panties disappeared quickly, as did his Eeans, shirt, and underwear. 3nly when he was lying on top of her with his forearms bracketing her flushed face did he remember the condom that had provided such an impediment the night before. 7ed have to get up and find one. .ventually. *ight now, he had all he needed right here. /anguorously, he bent down to suck each of her nipples, continuing until they bloomed deep red. 7is fingers took up the rhythm while he trailed kisses up her throat. The faintest trace of vanilla tickled his nose as she bowed back and pressed her head into the pillow, thrusting her breasts up with such fervor that he groaned and caressed them with his tongue. +t still wasnt enough. 7e slid his hand between her legs and another groan erupted when her slick heat met his palm. 7ow could he go slow when she felt this goodD @+ll do better later,B he promised, spying the obEect he sought on the nightstand. 1itting right there for anyone to see. /ike his little sister. 7is face warmed. Hesus. @9id youGis thatG@ @1hh. + put it there right before + fell asleep. 1he never saw.B Nellies husky laughter made him feel like he was the younger one all of a sudden.

-aybe he was embarrassed, but she wasnt. 1he Eust reached for the late= and slid on the condom, a single tremor of her hand the only giveaway that she might be more nervous than she seemed. 7e brushed a kiss over her forehead, a habitual gesture he couldnt shake. 9idnt want to. @Jou do realiFe,B he began, his voice as thick as the lump in his throat, @that once we do this, +m going to want to do it all the time. 9aily. -aybe hourly, at least until the cramps set in.B Nellie smiled up at him, her eyes more golden than hed ever seen them. +n the early morning light, she looked ethereal and impossibly pretty. @+ damn sure hope so.B Hake pressed her back into the mattress and covered her body with his. 1he reached for his hands. ,notting their fingers one by one felt like an oath, and his heartbeat sped up at the feel of the pulse in her wrist. Trust swelled between them, linking them as surely as their bodies, when he dragged in a breath and thrust inside her with one long stroke. 1he cried out and he dropped his forehead to hers. 7is thighs quivered with the effort it took to stay still, and his skin stretched too tightly over nerves that skittered from the sensation overload. .ven his body seemed aware of the significance of this moment. @Hake.B @Nellie,B he replied hoarsely, kissing away her wince. 7ed been rougher than he intended but hed make it up to her. Chen he started to move, she hurried to keep up, her hips arching and falling in a graceless rhythm. No matter how hard he tried to gauge her reactions, he couldnt match her movements. The e=act opposite of their well:orchestrated kisses, this was awkward and messy and real. Not some star:dusted love scene, but inept se=. +ronically, it made him feel miles more confident. .ventually, he gave in to the laughter dying to escape and released one of her hands to grip her chin. @1top thinking,B he whispered, dropping small kisses all around her mouth. @Hust this once, give me the reins.B

@3kay.B 1he blew out a breath and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, as if concentrating on loosening her muscles one by one. Almost immediately some of the tension left her body. @Theres my girl.B 7e sucked the underside of her Eaw in a way that left no doubt of how she made him feel. 7ot, hungry, wild with need. /ike magic, she rela=ed further into the sheets. /etting him take control and guide her where they both wanted to go. 7e didnt start thrusting again until she softened and heated around his length, every part of her melting underneath him. 1lowly he rocked, the weight of his body a subtle dominance she would either respond to or fight. Hudging by the bloom under her skin and the drops of sweat that popped up along her hairline, she liked it. Their fingers locked and she gasped when he pushed in a fraction of an inch, then an inch more. %ucking heaven. +nstead of clenching up, now she opened for him like a tulip in the sun, taking him so deep that he lost track of giving her pleasure and could only drown in his own. There was no stopping the commands of his body as he began to drive into her. 7ard. %ast. 3ne stroke leading to another until his balls began to throb. Again, hed gotten there too quickly, Eust like last night. (ut he needed to spill himself inside her, to know that shed come with him. /ater he would take his time. %or once, an orgasm wasnt the finish line. +t was a beginning. 7e slanted his mouth over hers and drew in her cries, his cock pumping as she writhed through her clima=. And then it was his, too, spinning out to encompass them both. 9imly, he felt her wrap her arms around him, her warmth enveloping him like a blanket. Chy had he ever been afraid to reach for something that felt soIsafeD @Hake,B she murmured, ending with a sigh that said everything. 7e had no doubts left. 7e was ridiculously in love with Nellie Aregory.

chapter seven

Noelle drifted on Hake for a good long while. 7is scent, his weight, his length filling her. 1hed happily die Eust like that, once she got some of the unpleasantries out of the way. @HakeDB 7e lifted his head, his eyes still unfocused all these minutes later. 1he sifted her fingers through his hair, wanting to smother his face with kisses. @+ve got something to say. Jou might not like it, but +m okay with that. Hust like + thought +d be okay with sleeping with you for only one night.B That got rid of the cobwebs fast. 7is eyes cleared. @Jeah, that shocked the hell out of me. + thought + was the only one whose brain lived in the gutter.B 1he tried not to giggle at the irony. Cith as many wet dreams as shed had about Hake, she couldve charged him rent in her subconscious. @Not hardly. (ut then we kissed and you completely changed my plans. .ven getting carEacked didnt screw up my night as much.B @8h, thanks. + think.B Now she did laugh, so happy that she could with him. 7aving se= with him had been wonderful, yes, but it wasnt what shed needed deep down. 1hed been looking for home. 1ecurity. 7im. @Jou made me fall in love with you,B she said, already bracing for his response. 9id his claim of not being ready mean hed fallen or wouldnt let himselfD @Not Eust from your kiss, of course. + think + was most of the way there. (ut that tipped me over.B 7is silence gnawed at her spine. As did his owlish e=pression. @Joure way too young for me.B

1hed e=pected as much, so she didnt blink. @1i= years is nothing. Ne=tDB @Joure my sisters best friend.B @Chich means +m already vetted by the family. Ne=tDB @Joure a shameless flirt and you drive me craFy with Eealousy every time you start dating some creep who could never deserve you.B @+ doDB The glow of Eoy couldnt be squelched. Then she peered closer at his grin. @Jou dont get craFy over anything. Joure as steady as a sunrise.B @Crong.B 7e kissed the tip of her nose and shifted inside her, making her moan. @+m craFy about you.B @*eallyDB @1o craFy, in fact, that +m going to break my devout moral code and go get another of my sisters condoms so we can immediately have more se=. +n her guest bedroom. /ike horny teenagers.B 1he giggled as he pulled back. @Cait. 1o you dont mind that +m in love with youD +t doesnt freak you outD + thought you werent ready.B @+ may be more ready than + thought.B 7is smile grew. @And actually its pretty handy you love me since +ve already had my heart smashed around like day old potatoes once this year.B 1he waited, her heart chugging in her chest like a runaway train. 7e wouldnt Eust stop there, would heD Hake sucked in a breath and reached for her hand, pressing a tender kiss to her palm. @+m in love with you, too.B 1he went stock still beneath him. @Jou cant be. Can youDB

@+ sure can.B 7e forcefully fle=ed his lower half and she didnt know whether to whimper or laugh. @+ll prove it you by e=tending our New Jears celebration Eust as soon as you let me get late=ed up again.B @Cait,B she said when he again tried to rise. Hake rolled his eyes. @Chat now, womanDB @+ Eust wanted to tell you that you dont have to worry.B 7is dark brows dipped low over his eyes. @7uhDB @About your e= going into the convent because you suck in bed.B 7e shuddered and passed his hand over his face as if he wanted to wipe away his thoughts. @Cas + that transparentDB Cith a smile, she stroked his prickly Eaw and marveled at how se=y he looked with stubble. 7ow se=y it was that shed feel it on her cheeks and the tops of her breastsI @Jeah, Eust a little. (ut the good news is youre officially a stud. + should know.B @Am + going to want to hear thisDB he asked, wincing. @Jes. (ecause + fantasiFed about you so damn much + figured there was no way the reality could measure up. (ut it did. -ore than. (etter than Christmas, New Jears, and the %ourth of Huly wrapped into one.B @3h. 1o no pressure for ne=t time then.B /aughing, he lowered his head to her breast, nuFFling the pebbled tip gently until her moan prompted him to claim her mouth. 7is kisses drugged her, so sweet and delicious shed happily stay right there forever. @None at all. Ce should pretend its the first time, every time. That we Eust met and fell in love at first sight. Then we wont have to think about pesky things like sisters and best friends and that + really dont mind that much when you call me Nellie, no matter what + say.B 1he spoke against his mouth, thrilled that she could see the same bubbling e=citement she felt shining back at her in his eyes. @1oIhello, Hacob. Nice to meet you. Can we please have se= nowDB

Another laugh rumbled through his chest. 7e rolled off the bed and waggled his brows. @Absolutely, Nellie.B @+m so going to make you pay for that.B 1he reclined seductively against the pillows. %rom the way his e=pression glaFed, the pose had the desired effect. @3ne of the things in my car was the dress + bought to wear for you at the party. The cops verified it was still in the backseat. 1o unless you get back here fast, + might not ever let you see it. And HakeD Jou want to see it.B Cithout another glance her way, he dashed out of the room. @(ack in under a minute. Time me,B he called. 1he chuckled and stretched her arms over her head. .ven though nothing had gone according to plan, shed had the most amaFing New Jears ever. (est of allD Theyd created the magic all on their own. No dress required.
acknowledgments

To my amaFing editor 7eather 7owland, thank you for your endless patience, your mad design skills, and for making me laugh>
about the author

(y day, multi:published author Cari $uinn saves the world one &hotoshop file at a time in her Eob as a graphic designer. At night, she writes se=y romance, drinks a lot of coffee, and plays her music way too loud. Chen shes not scribbling furiously, shes watching mens college basketball, reading e=cellent books, and causing trouble. 1ometimes simultaneously. 6isit Cari $uinn at www.cariquinn.com.