Love All Out - The Complete Series (A Stepbrother Romance) (27 page)

“You’re still worried about Bradley and everyone like him,” James reminded me softly. “Otherwise, we’d still be together.”

I stood on my tip toes and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “I meant what I said last night. I love you, James. We just have to keep this quiet until after Belmont. Then, we’ll figure out how to tell everyone.”

James shook his head and backed away from me. “I’ll wait until after Belmont, I’ve already promised you that. But that means
everything
waits until after Belmont. I’m not going to sneak around with you, Willow. The next time you kiss me, you’d better be ready to kiss me in public.”

I thought he’d be happy. What the hell’s gotten in to him?

“What’s wrong, James? I thought we were going to relax and enjoy our weekend. We can do that, now that we’re free from Bradley.” I took his hands in mine and stared up at him with pleading eyes. He wrapped me in his arms and stared down at me, his chocolate eyes filled with pain.

“I just had the least relaxing day of my life,” he told me. “All I could think about was what that bastard might be putting you through. I was ready to hunt you down, tell everyone the truth, and drag you away from him. I was going crazy, Matt and Lucas had to talk me down.”

“I see,” I sighed. I pulled away from him as I started to realize what had happened. “I take it one of them suggested you give me the all or nothing ultimatum?”

“It’s not all or nothing and it’s not an ultimatum,” he patiently replied. He sat down on the bed and pulled me into his lap. “I want to be with you. I’ve made that clear. I don’t care what our parents or anyone else thinks about it. You convinced me that we’re worth whatever it takes to be together. But if you really believed that, Bradley would never have been a threat. Every time you walk away, it hurts more than the last time. So until you’re sure this is what you want, I don’t think we should make love.”

I’ve put this man through so much. And he’s still here. If anyone else had pulled half of what I have, he’d have walked away without a second thought.

I squeezed James’s hand. “I’m sorry. I know this has been hard for you. And I haven’t exactly been fair.”

“Let’s be honest, Willow. We’ve both made our share of mistakes,” he corrected me. “I’m just trying to keep us from making any more of them. I still intend to make sure you have a blast tomorrow,” he added with a smile. “I just don’t think we should confuse things with sex.”

I sighed. There was no doubt in my mind that James was what I wanted. But I knew that the timing wasn’t right. The entire future of my barn was riding on Mondo’s performance in the next two races. I was convinced that he had what it took to win the Triple Crown. If I was right, he’d go down in history as only the twelfth horse to earn the title. I didn’t want his reputation or his legacy tarnished by my scandal.

I looked longingly into James’s eyes. “I love you. And I want to be with you. But…”

“It’s not the right time,” he finished with a nod. “I know.”

“Belmont’s only three weeks away,” I reminded him. “Then life will get back to normal and we’ll figure out how to break this to our parents. In the meantime, we can still cuddle, right?” I asked with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

James shook his head and let out a soft laugh. “You’re impossible, Willow. Yes, we can still cuddle. I’m going to check in with the guys and see if they’ve made any progress. I’ll be in later.”

He kissed the top of my head and I wiggled off of his lap. James went back to the living room and I changed into my pajamas and crawled between the sheets.

James’s insistence that we not have sex was frustrating, but I understood it. He had no reason to trust that I wouldn’t change my mind and run away again. I’d have to prove it to him by telling the truth.

And I will do exactly that… as soon as the time is right.

***

The elevator doors opened and Matt, Lucas, James, and I stepped out into the lobby. We made our way outside just as Bradley got out of a taxi. He had on a white suit, a blue and white pinstriped shirt with a pretentious white collar, and a smug grin that made what was about to happen all the more enjoyable for me.

“I hope you all don’t think you’re tagging along to breakfast,” Bradley said to the guys. “I really don’t enjoy any of your company.” He moved to take my arm and James stepped between us.

“This again?” Bradley asked impatiently. “I have to tell you, your little body block move is pretty cave man. It’s also completely pointless. Willow wants to come with me, don’t you, sweetheart?” he asked with a wink.

“Actually no, I don’t,” I replied firmly. I stepped up next to James and looked Bradley in the eye.

He curled his lip up in a snarl. “You’re bluffing. You don’t think I’ll follow through. It isn’t wise to push me, Willow. You won’t like what happens.”

“You’re the one who’s not going to like what happens,” James snarled at him. He towered over Bradley, poking him firmly in the chest as he spoke.

“If I were you, I’d make sure all of my evidence was intact before I threatened someone bigger than me,” I warned.

A look of indignant shock spread across Bradley’s face. “That’s impossible. There’s no way you could have deleted the pictures. You didn’t have access to anything.”

“That’s true,” I agreed with a nod. “But a little birdie told me that there was a glitch in your system last night. I’m not so sure you have anything to blackmail us with anymore.”

Bradley took turns staring at each of us. “It had to have been you,” he growled at Lucas. “I have some of the most expensive security software money can buy. And I know for a fact that these three aren’t smart enough to get around it.”

Lucas lifted his arms and shook his head. “Dude, I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I’m just here for the race and all of the free food.”

“I don’t buy your innocent act for one second,” Bradley said, pointing a finger at him. “I don’t know how you did this, but I’ll figure it out. And when I do, I’ll have you thrown in jail.”

Bradley turned back to me. “You’ve just screwed yourself, Willow. Even without the pictures, plenty of people will be thrilled to listen to what I have to say. Why don’t I start by calling your father?” He pulled out his phone and Lucas cleared his throat.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Lucas warned.

Bradley stuck his nose up in the air. “Oh yeah, why’s that?” he huffed.

Lucas pulled a small manila envelope from the breast pocket of his khaki blazer. “The little birdie that told us about the glitch in your system also left us a present,” he explained.

Bradley took the envelope from him, ripped it open, and stared down at the papers. Color drained from his face as he realized what was happening.

“You hacked my personal financial information. That’s a felony, you no good piece of shit,” he hissed.

“Feel free to try to prove that,” Lucas challenged him with a smile. “But it won’t do you any good. If you report me or make any more threats to Willow, I will send copies of that ledger to the IRS. You’re whole family will go down for tax evasion.”

“It’s time for you to leave, Bradley,” James said, poking him on the chest again. Bradley backed away from him and straightened his suit jacket.

“You haven’t seen the last of me,” he warned as he walked backwards towards an empty cab.

“Oh, I think we have,” James called back to him.

With a final sneer, Bradley slid into the back seat of the cab and slammed the door.

I turned to James with a wide, satisfied smile. “That felt really good.”

“Hell yeah it did,” he agreed. “But it would have felt better if I knocked his lights out.”

“That was even better than I imagined,” Matt said. He was literally jumping for joy. “And you,” he said to Lucas. “Your idea to blackmail him back was brilliant.” Matt gave Lucas a firm kiss on the mouth. I was happy to see him loosen up and show Lucas affection in public.

“Willow, James,” I heard Daddy’s voice in the distance. We turned and saw him climb out of an airport shuttle. I rushed over and greeted him with a hug.

“You’re just in time for breakfast,” I told him, my head against his chest. “Then we’re being shuttled to the track for the pre-race celebrations.”

Daddy held my hands and took a few steps back. “I remember the day your mother wore this suit. You look even lovelier in it than she did, sweetheart.”

“Thanks, Daddy,” I said, smoothing the jacket. Of all of my mom’s clothes, the white suit was my favorite. It was cut like a tuxedo, with a slight flare to the trousers. The white camisole played up the jacket’s plunging neckline and I felt beautiful and sophisticated.

He dropped my hands and reached for James. “You cleaned up pretty good too, son,” he said, wrapping him in a hug. He looked over at Matt and Lucas. “As a matter of fact, everyone looks like they stepped out of GQ. I feel a little underdressed,” he laughed, glancing down at his navy suit.

“Oh, Daddy. You look wonderful,” I assured him. I looped my arm through his and we walked towards the resort.

“What were you all doing out here, anyway?” Daddy asked as a doorman nodded us through the entrance.

“We were waiting on you,” James answered quickly. “Mom told us what time your flight was landing.”

“That’s awfully sweet of you, kids,” Daddy smiled. “Now, someone lead me to the dining room. The breakfast they served on the plane was shit and I’m starving.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the one hundred and fortieth running of the Preakness Stakes,” the Master of Ceremonies called over the loud speaker.

Matt squealed and grabbed my arm. “Oh my God, Willow. This is so exciting!”

“I know,” I grinned back at him. My heart was racing and my palms were sweaty.

“Mondo looks rested,” Lucas assured me. “I think he’ll take this, no problem.”

Daddy had bought a VIP box at Preakness, just as he’d done at the Derby. We were all on the front row. I was between Matt and Daddy on one side of the aisle while James and Lucas were on the other. The race was about to start and we were all too anxious to sit down. The horses took to the track and, one by one, the MC announced them, listing their odds.

“Wearing green and by far this year’s favorite to win, here’s Mondo!” he bellowed.

Mondo danced down the track and the crowd erupted with cheers.

“He does look good, doesn’t he?” I asked nervously biting my lower lip.

“I’ve never seen him look better,” Daddy agreed and put his arm around my shoulders, giving me a little squeeze. “I think he likes all of this attention.”

A horn sounded, calling the horses to their posts. As they circled the track and moved into position, men and women in Navy dress blues took to the stage.

“Ladies and gentleman, please stand and join the United States Naval Academy Glee Club as they sing the state song of Maryland.”

I wasn’t sure of the words, but I knew that news station cameras were pointed at me so I mumbled along as best I could. The song ended and Daddy and Matt each took one of my hands. I squeezed them as the buzzer sounded, the gates flew up, and the horses bounded down the track.

“And out the gate we have Diamond Doll taking an instant early lead. Mondo’s trailing a length behind and Lucky Lou is in third position. Mondo’s pushing to the inside as they round the first turn. And we have Mondo in the lead!”

“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Matt screamed. He jumped up and down as the horses rounded the second turn. I was too nervous to move or speak. I stared down at the track wondering if I could trust my own eyes.

“And Mondo increases his lead to three and a half lengths as they approach the final turn,” the MC called out. “Lucky Lou is determined to take second, with Diamond Doll rounding out third…”

There’s no way the other horses can catch him. Unless the jockey falls off, he’s going to take this.

“Ladies and gentleman, the winner is Mondo by four and a half lengths!”

I stared down at the track in shock and proud tears rolled down my face.

I knew he could do it. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I’ve always known that Mondo has what it takes.

“Congratulations, pumpkin,” Daddy said. He bent down and wiped away my tears before planting a wet kiss on my cheek.

“I knew he could do it!” Matt squealed. We hugged and then he jumped into Lucas’s arms. James squeezed past them and wrapped me in a polite, brotherly hug.

“I’m so happy for you,” he said, his hand lingering on my shoulder.

Daddy patted him on the back. “And I’m happy to see the two of you getting along so well. Renee had a great idea, sending you here together. I just wish she could be here.”

“She’ll be here next time,” I assured him. “When Matt and I own the prize horse outright.”

“Speaking of ownership, aren’t you needed in the winner’s circle?” James asked, his eyes sparkling with pride. He nodded to the top of the box, where a security guard was waiting to escort me to the track.

I nodded and reached for Matt. “Come on, partner.”

He shook his head and smiled at me. “This one’s all you, Willow. I’ll join you when I’ve earned it.”

I stood there, staring at him and mouthed “You sure?”

“We’ll make our way to the press tent,” Daddy told me, giving me a nudge toward the guard. “Go, enjoy a little more of the spotlight.

I hugged everyone and, with my head held high, I left the box and set off for the winner’s circle.

***

“We are definitely in the right business, Willow,” Matt yelled and poured himself another glass of the thousand dollar champagne he’d bought with some of his race winnings.

It was Saturday night and Matt, Lucas, James, and I were celebrating Mondo’s Preakness win at one of Baltimore’s hottest night spots. Daddy had stayed to have dinner with us, but caught a late flight back to Colorado. He hadn’t seemed himself and I’d tried to talk him into spending the night and flying home with the rest of us the next day. But he assured me he was just tired and insisted on leaving.

“The money won’t last long if you keep spending it like this,” I warned him as I lifted my own glass of high dollar bubbly.

“We all deserve a treat,” Matt insisted with a drunk giggle. “And I’m happy to provide one.”

We’d all been drinking since the winner’s circle, and it was starting to show. I’d insisted that we skip the official race celebrations and move the party somewhere where we could relax and enjoy ourselves. No one at the club knew us and James and I had been attached at the hip since we walked through the door.

The DJ started Matt’s favorite eighties hair ballad and he let out another squeal of delight. “Come on, we have to dance,” he insisted. He grabbed Lucas by the arm and dragged him out onto the dance floor.

James draped an arm over my shoulders and I leaned against his chest as we watched our friends.

“It’s nice to see them act like a couple in front of people,” I said, feeling a rush of fondness pass through me, so strong the back of my eyes pricked with tears. “I hate that they don’t feel safe being themselves sometimes.”

“That’s funny,” James whispered, his nose nuzzling my ear. “Matt said the same thing about us.”

I turned to him, held his face in my hands, and covered his mouth with mine. I kissed him forcefully, as if my life depended on our mouths staying connected. After a few moments, I pulled away and smiled.

“Is this public enough for you?” I asked.

James stared down at me with a punch drunk look on his face. “Yes,” he said, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. “I mean, I guess. I mean… what do
you
mean, Willow?”

Looking back, I’m still not sure if it was the alcohol or the adrenaline from Mondo’s win that spurred me into action. At the time, all I knew was that I couldn’t go another day hiding my feelings for James.

I took his hands in mine and stared back at him. “I mean I don’t want to wait until after Belmont. I don’t want to waste another day hiding what we are to each other.”

James’s eyes twinkled with happiness, but his voice remained serious. “Are you sure that’s not the alcohol talking?” he asked cautiously.

I shook my head without breaking eye contact with him. “You’ve been so patient with me, James. I don’t want to hide anymore. You deserve better than that.
We
deserve better than that. I want the whole world to know how happy you make me. And I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you just as happy.”

“You do that without even trying,” James said as he wrapped his arms around me. “Are you absolutely sure about this, Willow?” he whispered. “What about the horses?”

I stared into James’s eyes and gently caressed his face. “Mondo is going to win the Crown, I can feel it in my bones. He’ll be remembered as a champion, and that’s all that matters. I don’t want to wait anymore, James. I’d rather be the girl with a bad reputation than the girl who doesn’t fight for what she wants. If you want, we can tell Daddy and Renee as soon as we step off the plane tomorrow.”

James pulled me into his lap and we kissed again, losing ourselves in each other. I felt like we were the only two people in the world, until Matt’s voice snapped my attention back to reality.

“Well, it’s about damn time,” he sang.

I pulled away from James and smiled up at him. Matt had one arm wrapped around Lucas’s waist and leaned into him for support.

“Does this mean you’re finally going to tell people that you love this man?” Matt asked, slapping James on the shoulder.

“Yes,” I said, raising my chin and smiling broadly. “Yes, I am. What do you say we head back to the resort?”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Lucas agreed. He squeezed Matt. “I think this one’s had a little too much fun tonight,” he added with a laugh.

“Honey, you haven’t even seen what I have planned for tonight,” Matt teased him. “Willow’s right. It’s time to head back to our rooms. You two go grab us a cab. Lucas and I will take care of the tab and meet you outside.”

Matt poured the last few splashes of champagne into his glass, tossed it back, and set off for the bar. Lucas followed to keep him on his feet while James and I ducked outside.

We stood near the curb and James hailed a taxi. As it slowed to a stop, I looked up at him with a mischievous smile.

“So, can we continue this celebration back at the resort? Or do we have to wait until after we talk to our parents?”

James smiled back at me, his eyes smoldering with desire. “I think we can bend the rules a little.”

He held open the taxi door and gestured for me to slide in first. I threw my arms around his neck and gave him another hungry kiss. I pulled away and caressed his lips with my thumb.

“I think we can throw the rules out entirely.”

***

The elevator doors opened to our floor and James and I stumbled into the hallway, our bodies entwined. We quickly raced to the door of our suite and I groped through my purse for our room key.

“You have no idea how happy you’ve made me,” James whispered in my ear as I slid the keycard into the door. The key reader beeped and I pushed open the door, stripping out of my clothes as I walked through the living area.

“I intend to make you even happier,” I cooed at James, feeling light headed with happiness. “But first, I need a shower. Care to join me?”

“You bet your fine ass I want to join you,” he said, lifting me into his arms. I pulled my camisole over my head and unfastened my strapless bra as he carried me into the bathroom. He sat me on my feet and I started the water while James stripped out of his tux. I let my panties fall to the floor and stepped into the shower stall.

The resort boasted a spa in every room and I’d had my eye on the shower since the moment we arrived. It was a large, glass walled structure with a rain drip showerhead mounted on the ceiling and massage heads mounted on each wall. A stone bench sat in the middle and the glass could be sealed to trap the steam. I let the hot spray wash over my body as I waited for James to join me. The room went black and I heard the glass door slide open.

I reached out in the darkness and touched James’s chest. I backed against the wall and pulled his body to mine. He planted soft kisses across my face as he held me in his arms.

“I have a confession,” he whispered. “I’ve wanted to get you in here all weekend. It was all I could think about when I showered this morning.” He lowered his head, licking my neck before lapping up the water that had pooled behind my collar bone.

“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” I admitted. “In fact, I had quite the fantasy about it this morning myself.”

“Do you mind the dark?” he asked, sliding his hands over my wet, slick skin. “I thought it might make things a little more exciting. Of course, if it doesn’t work with your fantasy I can turn them back on. I’m looking forward to letting you act that out.” He sucked my breast and pushed his cock against my hip to show me just how much he was looking forward to it.

“The dark is fine,” I said and placed my hands on his shoulders, feeling the thick muscles beneath my fingers. “But you’ll have to sit down.”

“Whatever you want, baby.”

My eyes were adjusting to the dark and I watched James back up to the bench. He sat down and I kneeled before him, taking his cock into my mouth. I licked sweet water off of the tip and teased his balls with my free hand.

James moaned and wiggled beneath me. He put his hands on my head and pushed me up and down. I stroked and sucked, determined to make him come at least once before I had my way with him. But James had other ideas. After a few minutes, he wrapped his hands around my arms and pulled me to my feet.

“I’m sorry,” he said, breathing hard as he stood up. “But I can’t take it anymore. We have to move to the bed. I have to be inside you, Willow. It’s been too long.”

I shook my head and pushed him back down on the bench. “I told you, I put a lot of thought into this,” I said, trying desperately to pout. “And I planned ahead, in case I had the chance to turn the fantasy into reality.”

I turned a knob on the shower wall, shutting off water flow to the rain drip fixture above the bench. I pointed the wall mounted fixtures to the floor and retrieved the condom I’d hidden under the bar of soap.

“You really did think of everything,” James said as I handed him the rubber. He unwrapped it, rolled it down his cock, and grabbed me by the hips. He pulled me towards him and I crawled into his lap. Our tongues curled around each other, seeking and giving. I let out a loud gasp of pleasure as I lowered myself onto his throbbing cock. I planted my knees on the bench and moved up and down, impaling myself over and over on his length.