Tart (31 page)

“Good idea. I’ll save you and her a seat inside.”

Gideon kissed him quickly. “Thank you, baby.”

Miles rocketed over to him, a big grin on his face. “Cal!”

Cal couldn’t help but grin right back. “Miles! Do you feel any different?”

“Nah, not really. I like this house though. Did you see it all?”

“Your mum gave me a tour a few days ago. You’ve got an awesome room.”

“And a boat.”

“Can’t forget the boat.” They walked toward the reception tent.

“I know Jules won’t go out on it. I did tell Mum to be sure she had enough life jackets just in case Jules came along. I’d wear one too, you know, to make her feel better.”

“Don’t tell her that story today or she’ll get tears and stuff all over you.”

“Oh, good idea. Mum cried on me already. Did you know Damien Hurley was here? He’s one of Dad’s friends from the old days back in Hollywood. He did all the drum work in the studio for Dad’s new CD.”

If Adrian had the guy around his kid, chances were he wasn’t a total deviant drug addict or anything.

Still, Cal watched as the guy sidled up to his sister and began to talk to her. Mary’s face lit as she laughed at whatever he’d said.

But then he saw Jules. Watched Gideon take her hands to his mouth and kiss them. She wore a bemused, sweet expression as he did it.

“Let’s go get some grub on, Miles.” He squeezed Miles’s shoulder and they picked up the pace.

•   •   •

The entire day had simply evaporated as she moved through it. Jules had loved every moment of it, from Gillian’s gorgeous dress to the informal reception where everyone from schoolteachers to rock stars mixed and mingled, drinking champagne and eating too much.

The cake had been a huge hit and she’d actually given out more than a few business cards to people who wanted her to bake for holiday events and parties. It hadn’t been something she’d really thought about, but she’d run some numbers that next week to see if it was viable.

The DJ had been great, but he’d gotten off stage and a whole bunch of activity took place as the stage was set for a band. Gillian didn’t know about the song yet so Jules couldn’t wait to see her reaction.

Adrian tapped the mic a few times. “Hey, everyone, if I could have your attention.”

Cal and Gideon approached, bracketing her on either side and she snuggled back, putting an arm around each man’s waist as they watched.

“Gillian and I are really thrilled we could share this day with you. Each and every one of you is important to us. Some people though, well, they get a special nod. Brody, my big brother who raised me. Thank you for all the advice. You’ve been there for me more times than I can count. I only hope I can be half the father you are. My sister Erin, who taught me my first guitar chords way back when. Thank you for driving over here to see Gillian that first day and thank you for coming to my house to tell me I had a son. My son Miles, who teaches me just how old and slow I am, thanks for being patient with all my mistakes. I love you more than I ever imagined was possible. Even if you are a bass player.”

There was laughter as Adrian teased his son and sister at the same time.

He turned to Gillian, who said, “No, don’t. You’ll make me cry.”

“You’re supposed to, English.
My English
. Man, when I think about how I nearly messed it all up and sent you screaming the other way.” He shook his head. “You are my everything. My partner in life and the other half of my heart. I love you. Thank you for loving me back and giving me a safe place to be. I have something for you. A little ditty I’ve been working on for a while. It’ll be on the new CD; no one’s heard it yet but those of us who were in the studio.”

Erin got up onstage, along with Miles and Damien Hurley, and the song started. It was slow, with a wending, winding bass line. Erin, even in formal wear, rocked it, her head going forward and a spill of hair covered part of her face. Adrian held the mic in one hand, clearly used to being on stage, but he never took his eyes from Gillian as he sang to her about finding love you never knew you needed. About being whole and happy. About her and the love she brought to him.

By the time the song had finished, Jules simply handed Gillian a handkerchief.

“Wait, Mum. Uncle Brody’s been helping me with something.” Miles spoke up. “Hi, um, I’m Miles . . . um, Brown now, yeah. Adrian and Gillian are my parents. Mum is pretty awesome. She never gets mad when I bring home stray animals. She always helps me when I need it. She loves scary movies and lets me stay up late on Friday nights so we can all watch them together. She’s the best mum ever. And because of that, she found Dad and took a chance by telling him about me. My song isn’t as awesome as Dad’s but it’s my present to you both.”

Jules pressed her fingers over her lips, trying hard not to lose it. Such a sweet boy. Gillian had given up, tears steaming down her face as she dabbed them away. Brody came to stand with her, whispering something in her ear, making her laugh.

Miles’s song was sweet and simple. She knew he’d been practicing it like crazy over the last month. It didn’t matter, it could have been the worst thing ever and they’d have loved it. But it was wonderful and easy to see where he came from. Music came down from both sides of his family.

When it was over there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

“You’re a lucky mum.” Jules hugged Gillian tight. “And a lucky wife.”

Gillian turned to face Jules better. “And a lucky friend. I know you’ve put a lot of your life into all this planning.”

“You’re important to me. Of course I did. And it was worth it to watch you today. You deserved a special day.”

Jules stood back and noted Mary ducking into the house with Damien Hurley, but said nothing about it. She’d hunt her friend down later and demand details.

“I have a little something for you.” Gillian waved Adrian over.

He came to Gillian’s side quickly, kissing her soundly.

“Thank you for that. I’ve never had anyone write songs for me before you came along. I quite like it.”

“Good to know.” Adrian looked at Gillian like there was no one else on the planet and it made Jules look back over her shoulder to Gideon and Cal, who stood with Brody, laughing about something or other.

Gillian’s blush was visible even in the twilight of the reception. “I’m going to give Jules her present now.”

“Ah, good. Hang on.” He ducked around the stage and was back holding a pretty wrapped box, which he gave to Gillian, who handed it to Jules.

Jules took it with a smile, carefully peeled the paper away and then gasped when she saw the earrings tucked inside. “This is too much.”

“No, it isn’t. I’m capable of saving money, you know. And as I didn’t have to buy a wedding dress, a house or much else of late.” Gillian sent Adrian a look. “I had a few extra pennies. You’re always there for me, Jules. You don’t know what that’s meant to me and to Miles.”

The earrings were delicate flowers. Nothing big or showy. That wasn’t Jules’s style. It was totally clear Gillian had chosen them carefully and totally with Jules in mind. “These are gorgeous.”

“They’re forget-me-nots. Like you never forget me. Or Miles.”

The tears were back as she ran a finger over the pale purple stones making the petals. They dangled just a tiny bit. Enough to really catch the light but not so much they’d get caught in her hair or make her nervous wearing them out and about.

“You’re making me cry.”

“Good, you’ve all done nothing but make me cry for months now. I’m glad to share the happy tears. You’re happy, Jules. That’s the best present you could ever give me. Be brave and let yourself accept the love right in front of you.”

She nodded, hugging Gillian again as they both cried.

24

S
he looked so pretty there, asleep in the passenger seat, that Gideon hesitated before picking her up and taking her into the house. Cal ran ahead and unlocked the door.

She woke up then with a start, relaxing when she saw where she was. He put her down.

“Wow, I totally conked out.”

Gideon bent to take first one shoe off and then the other, setting them side by side near the door.

The smile on her face shocked through him. Damn, he loved this woman.

“I liked that. Thank you.”

“I like taking care of you.” It was the total truth.

Cal came back inside with his arms full of stuff and she laughed when she saw it all. “We don’t have to leave the house at all tomorrow. Or I guess today.” She looked to the clock. “Plenty of food. Cake. Even champagne. We should have champagne and cake for breakfast.”

“Works for me.” Cal put things in his fridge.

She unzipped the side of her dress and took it off before she meandered upstairs, both men watching. “I’m going to take a shower so if you want to see me with all this fancy makeup and hair you’d best do it now.”

Cal looked back to Gideon and headed up after her. Gideon made sure the door was locked and followed.

He stood in the doorway and watched Cal push her against the bathroom counter and then fell to his knees, pressing his face against her pussy through her panties.

Her lids slid down halfway. “My, you’re both awfully accommodating this evening. I’ve neglected you both terribly this week, I know.”

Cal yanked her panties down and she stepped from them. “You have. And after I lick you and make you scream a little, you can make it up to me and Gideon.”

“No need to ask twice.”

Cal knelt there, with her legs spread, holding her pussy wide so he could kiss and lick her all over. She watched him, her fingers sliding through hair Gideon knew was soft and thick. Gideon knew the feel of that hair, knew the taste of her body, knew the taste of Cal’s body as well.

As if she felt the weight of his gaze, she shifted to look in Gideon’s direction, the connection there clicked into place. “Why . . . oooh.” Her head fell back a moment before she looked to Gideon again, swallowing hard. “Why are you all the way over there? Only want to watch this pretty man lick me? Hmm?”

Cal hummed against her and she shivered. Gideon got closer. Close enough to see the gooseflesh on her arms.

“Do you like what he’s doing to you?” Gideon flipped the strap of her bra down and slid the cup back to expose her breast.

“Mmm, yes. He’s very good with his mouth.”

Gideon stole a kiss, his fingers joining hers in Cal’s hair.

From his angle, he looked down much as she did to watch Cal eat her pussy. She whimpered when he sucked her clit into his mouth over and over.

“He is.” Gideon pinched the exposed nipple, not wanting this moment to end. Just Jules, Gideon and Cal. Nothing but skin and sex and ease between them. It felt good to be back together this way.

She started to answer but ended up on a strangled gasp, her eyes blurring as she came, one hand in Cal’s hair, the other on Gideon’s shoulder, trying to remain standing.

Cal sent her a coy look as he kissed her thigh and then stood.

“I missed this this week. I’m sorry I’ve been so busy with the wedding and all. I know I’ve neglected you both.”

Gideon took her lips slowly and then backed away. “We missed you too. We’ve decided you can’t be away from us for a whole week anymore. We don’t like it.”

Before she could say anything else, Cal moved in close for a kiss. She wrapped a leg around him to hold in him place as he meandered his way over her mouth and down her neck.

Gideon’s mouth watered to taste her again.

“Now then. Shower and then lots of fucking,” Cal said.

“Or”—she put her bra on the counter and turned the water on—“we could fuck in the shower. Whichever.”

She stepped in after undoing all the shiny bits from her hair and groaned as the hot water hit her skin. Gideon shucked his clothes as quickly as he could and jumped in with her, followed closely by Cal.

Gideon didn’t want to wait anymore. He spun her around. “Hands on the wall. Spread your feet apart.”

She obeyed, getting on tiptoe as he bent his knees to get to the right height to slide his cock into her pussy.

She was so wet Gideon shivered at how good it felt. They’d decided two weeks before to stop using condoms after they’d all been tested. He had to admit this was a hundred million times better. The wet, hot embrace of her cunt, skin to skin, the slick of her honey against his cock and balls drove him close to the edge before he’d even gotten four or five strokes in.

Cal slid his soap-slicked hands over Gideon and then Jules. She turned her head and he kissed her, swallowing her cries.

Gideon banded her waist with his forearm and dug in deep, fucking her hard and fast, needing her after not having her for a week. Needing to be inside her after such an emotionally exhausting day.

He’d had a wedding already, but he wanted to belong to Jules the way Gillian and Adrian belonged to each other. He wanted to belong to Cal like Ben and Todd belonged to each other.

Orgasm hit him when she thrust back with a little twist of her hips. It sucked him under as he came so hard it stole his breath. For long moments after, he remained wrapped around her, gasping in air as his pounding heart slowed to normal.

“Christ, I needed that.”

She turned in his arms and kissed him. “Me too.”

Cal washed her hair as she soaped his cock. Gideon loved the two of them together. Cal unabashedly demanding to be touched and stroked. Jules responding, giving him everything.

“Not too much.” Cal put his hands over hers. “It’s been a week for me too. I want more than a hand job from you.”

Jules laughed as she stepped back to rinse off one last time and get out. “Well, not a week. After all you and Gideon got down a few days ago at the very least.”

Cal grinned and then looked to Gideon. “And that was hot. Not even going to lie about that. But as gorgeous and talented as our Gideon is, I need
you.
”

“I’m all yours, Calvin.”

“I know.” He got out and stalked to her, picking her up and placing her on the edge of his counter. “This is the perfect height. And all these mirrors will please Gideon.”