The Sterling Boys (17 page)

RAIN

"Where are they?" I groan to myself, worried to death about my boys.

We're all gathered under beautifully lavish tents that are set up in the parking lot of a tan, stone building. Raindrops are painted on the ground, acting like a walkway to guide you to the door. A large, canvas-material covering is draped over the signs that would spoil the big name reveal.

The tents he has set up are more decadent than most indoor functions. Three champagne fountains are flowing with glasses filled beside them. The chocolate fountains are my favorite, but until they get here, I won't be able to eat a thing. Which is bad, because I'm drinking to calm my nerves. No food with so much alcohol is a terrible idea.

"Where's Dane?" Tria asks from behind me, and I squeal while jumping.

I'm so on edge that anything could give me a panic attack right now.

"Sorry," she says with her brow raised. "I didn't mean to be late, but no one woke me."

"What are you doing here? You should be resting, or going to the hospital to get checked out."

She shakes her head, swatting away my concern as though I'm overreacting.

"I wouldn't miss this. I've been excited about it for weeks now."

"Why are you so excited? You know what, never mind. That's not important. Why the hell is Pete Mercer running you off the road?"

I plant my hands on my hips, staring expectantly as she lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Because I had him arrested. He was bothering me five years ago. It was so bad that I had to get a restraining order. A piece of paper didn't scare him off, though. He showed up at my house; I hid under my bed after he broke in; and when he gave up and left, I called the cops.

"My security cameras didn't catch him breaking into my house, but they did catch him hopping over my gate. That was enough to prove he'd gone against the restraining order. The cops found him and followed him, but it just so happened he was in the middle of a drug deal. He was just a low man in the ring, and he turned over evidence to get a lesser sentence. Now he blames me for his trouble in prison and with the drug ring he was involved in. They want blood. Fortunately for me, they just want his blood and not mine."

Tria has an extra scoop of crazy to deal with, and I had no clue.

"Why didn't you say something? I could have talked to Kode. He knows all sorts of FBI agents and policemen. Not to mention, all of my boys are Sterlings. They can have Pete kicked out of this town."

She holds her hands up, stopping me from continuing.

"I don't want them or you involved. So don't tell them, please."

Oh shit. She doesn't know they know. Crap. I guess Eleanor didn't want her to know they were there when Tria called.

"Umm... They—"

Arms slipping around my waist interrupt me from telling Tria about why the guys are late, and I turn to meet Dane just as his lips come down on mine. I tug him to me, deepening the kiss and slipping my tongue in when he gives me an opening.

I ignore all the surprise gasps of the onlookers who are witnessing the overly showy display, because I've been so damn worried. And I don't care how improper it is to make out in front of a ritzy crowd.

Dane smiles against the kiss while pulling back. "Sorry I'm late. And I'm really sorry I have to end this right now, but we will definitely continue soon. Come on," he says, grinning bigger as he tugs my hand.

"Where are we going?" I ask, noticing my other four boys coming in from the side and heading toward the ribbon in front of the large building.

"You're cutting the ribbon."

I stumble when I try to stop because he keeps pulling. "Dane, I can't," I hiss, trying to keep up. "This is yours."

"You're cutting the ribbon. Come on," he urges, still grinning like he didn't just come back from dealing with Pete Mercer.

I can't argue and keep up, so I follow at his brisk pace, desperately trying to figure out a way to get out of this. But as soon as we reach the backside of the podium, Dale and the guys wrap me up, taking turns hugging me.

What's going on?

Kode wraps me up and kisses my cheek, surprising me a little. He's been cold since Dane and I made it official. But he seems oddly relaxed right now. He and Maverick stand on either side of me, both of them keeping an arm around me.

"What's going on?" I whisper, looking up at Kode.

He just gives me an enigmatic smile while shrugging. "Guess you need to listen and find out."

Then Dane starts speaking into the microphone, and all my attention goes to him.

"Sorry for the delay. Traffic is a bitch right now," he lies, but everyone chuckles as they accept it for the truth. "Most of you have been dying to know what's been going on with this building since it started going up a year ago. Today, the mystery ends.

"This building is a symbol of hope. There are many people all around who don't have the money for all the treatment and rehabilitation they need. Insurance only covers so much, and the patient is liable after that. This clinic is a nonprofit organization that has been built to help.

"Counseling, reconstructive surgeries, and even therapy for things such as speech and walking—all of this will be available and made possible by the generous donations, fundraisers, and volunteers we've been collecting for the past six years. Future fundraisers will help us keep the place running, so keep your checkbooks handy."

He pauses as everyone chuckles again, proving he's a master at running a crowd. Then he turns to see the tears dripping slowly from my eyes, my bottom lip quivering, and my hands over my chest.

"Six years ago, Maverick, Kode, Corbin, Dale, and I all shared a friend who was fortunate enough to afford these things, but her mother hadn't been. Her grandmother hadn't been, either. They didn't have the same fortune she did, but thank God she had that fortune. She was the heart of our group then, and she still is today.

"Somewhere out there, there's another group of guys who need their best friend to keep them out of trouble. The one who never judges and loves them unconditionally. And the girl who tells them like it is when they need to hear it most. That girl may not have the ability to afford what she needs."

He turns back toward the crowd as I struggle to breathe.

"That's why we did this. The five of us have been collecting contributors, orchestrating charities, and putting forth our own money for the past six years to get this up and operational. Now I want the girl who inspired it all to cut the ribbon."

Words won't form in my mouth, and I can barely keep from crumbling to the ground. Kode actually has to start holding me up by pulling me to his side. Dane turns to me, grinning as he motions for me to join him.

He's got to be kidding. I can't walk.

He stifles a laugh when he sees my wobbly body, and he glides over to me to collect me from Kode's supportive hold. He moves me toward the ribbon as they bring out the ceremonial giant cutting scissors, and Dane hands them to me.

"I declare this the opening of the Rainy Days Medical Facility," he says while looking down at me.

My heart thuds in my ears, and Dane's smile becomes huge as he bends down. "Cut the ribbon, baby."

All five of them come to stand around me as flashes from numerous cameras blind me from all sides. The familiar warmth of Dane's hand finds my back, and his other hand slides up my arm.

I snip the ribbon, but the scissors drop the second the task is complete, and I throw myself into the group of awaiting arms, hugging them all and kissing their cheeks as my tears fall. Maverick sniffles and coughs when he tries to act unaffected, and Corbin discreetly wipes away a tear.

I love my boys. But not the way I love Dane Sterling.

After letting go of Dale, I turn to Dane and launch myself at him. He stumbles backwards, caught off guard by my near tackling embrace, and he chuckles as he kisses my forehead and holds me tight.

"I can't believe you guys did this." I'm choked up and my words are all muffled, but they all grin and try not to get emotional themselves.

"Well, I did it because I'm in love with you. Why these assholes did it, too, I don't know," Dane teases, taking me back to prom night when these five boys showed me what family really meant.

Everyone snickers, even Kode, and like the family we are, we all walk inside together.

Everything is perfect. From the marble floors, to the leather couches in the waiting room, to the state-of-the-art equipment, it's all so amazing. Dane walks me through each section of the enormous building, gives me details of all the volunteer doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and even street people who want to help.

Every new room is more fascinating than the last, each new gadget is more complicated, and every breath he breathes leaves me more in love. If there wasn't a huge audience, I'd show him just how amazing I think he is.

He's handled every single detail, and everything is... I can't believe they all did this.

DANE

Rain is laughing with Tria in the far corner of the waiting room inside the new clinic. I haven't been able to tear my eyes away from her since I got here. I'm ready to get out of here, and the second I'm sure Rain is ready, I'm taking her home for part two.

"It's been a while since I've seen Rain this happy," Dale observes, sipping his champagne beside me.

"She's still shocked and impressed by this place," I say with my dopey smile.

Dale grins while we both stare at the beauty I love.

"There's no doubt that she enjoys this, but she looks happy because she's with you. I hope you know what you're doing. I never want us to all be split up again. Rain's like my sister, and you're like my brother. And now things are good with her and Kode, too. I've missed our group."

Rain's laughter floats to me, and my grin grows. "I've missed it, too. But right now, all I want to do is—"

"
Don't
finish that sentence. I may love you like a brother, but I'll kick your ass if you share those sorts of details with me about Rain."

I burst out laughing while shaking my head. "I was going to say that all I want to do is get Rain out of here and go home. I've got something to ask her."

Dale sighs out in relief and visibly relaxes. Like I'd give any of them those sorts of details.

Rain looks over at me, smiling when her eyes meet mine, and she crosses the floor to close the distance between us. Right before she reaches me, Lisa Marion from the Sterling Shore newspaper stops beside me, recorder in hand. I thought I already finished with her.

"Can I ask where you came up with Rainy Days? It almost sounds a little... depressing."

Rain comes to stand by my side, and I wrap my arm around her, letting the world see just how much I love her.

"I named it after Rain. Her mother always loved rainy days because the rain always seemed to make everything better. When she had a daughter, she named her after the falling drops that always made her smile."

Rains eyes tear up, and she looks up at me. "You remember that story?"

I bend to brush a sweet, chaste kiss against her lips. "I remember everything you've ever told me."

She starts to speak again, but Lisa interrupts.

"Do you care if we do an interview with you? This story is a really big deal, and the paper wants to do a larger piece on it and you. They'll probably want to speak with your brother and cousins as well. And of course Ms. Noles, also."

Rain nods absently, and I agree to do the interview. Lisa retreats when Rain pulls me down for a deeper kiss.

"Let's get out of here," she whispers, and I lead the way hastily.

DANE

"You couldn't have been a virgin. You were so... good. At everything. How could you have been that good if you were a virgin?" Rain asks, kissing my bare chest as she traces the lines of the tattoo on my arm.

"I was. Everything I did was pure instinct and what I'd heard the others talk about. It's not like I read a how-to-fuck manual. And I swear I was a virgin."

She giggles while pushing her face into my chest, and I pull her bare body closer, not ready for our afterglow to end. Britt is with my mother tonight because she wants to take her shopping in the morning. That gives us all the privacy in the world.

I spent the afternoon trying to track down Pete Mercer, and then watched Kode stomp his ass before unveiling the masterpiece I've dedicated six years to. Since we've been back, we've spent the entire night in bed, mostly talking. I hate this topic, but it was bound to come up at some point.

"But all those rumors about you and those girls—"

"Were just rumors. I turned down a lot of girls in high school. Not all of them were happy with that, and their pride was at stake. So... well, they'd claim it, and it was sort of hard for me to deny it without announcing to the whole damn school that I was a virgin."

Her grin is beautiful as she looks up at me, craning her neck so that she can see my eyes.

"So I was your first," she says simply, but I can tell she's loving this shit.

"Yep. You popped my cherry the same night I popped yours."

She laughs harder, as do I, and we just lie in each other's arms.

"And this friendship with you and Tria was spontaneous. You did all of that to make me jealous?"

I shrug, ignoring her haughty grin. "Little bit, yeah. But I also wanted you two to get closer. Especially after she explained things."

She seems to accept that, and she grins bigger while staring at my book collection. I didn't mean to share that secret. I'm kicking my maid's ass for putting them on the shelves. I had them hidden under the bed for a reason.

"I can't believe you've read all my books."

I roll my eyes while groaning. "Some things should be kept a secret, damn it."

She giggles and kisses my arm, running her lips over the tattoo this time. "I'm glad you read them, considering you're my inspiration for writing."

My chest tightens, and I turn to face her. I'm her inspiration? This is the moment I've been waiting for.

"Move in with me," I murmur quickly, trying not to get worried when she goes still in my arms.

"What?"

Taking deep, steadying breath, I put my body above hers, and press my weight on her just enough.

"Move in with me. I know it's soon, but I think we've wasted enough time. We've barely spent any time apart in two months, and you know how much I love you... Move in with me."

Slowly, her grin comes back, and she nods. "Okay. But you're telling the guys."

My heart slams into my chest when she agrees that readily—no argument, no pro/con list necessary, and no questions. It gives me hope that when I ask her to marry me, she'll say yes.

"So yes?" I ask, just because it all feels too easy.

"Yes," she says with an adorable little lilt.

I pull her to me and push my lips hard against hers as I drop back to the bed. She climbs on top of me, pressing her bare skin against mine with the promise that life is going to be amazing.

Her breath comes out in a moaning exhale as she slides down on me, sheathing me tightly inside her, and I watch her hips rise and fall as she takes all the control. If anything has ever felt better, I can't remember it.

My hands slide around her body slowly, worshiping her as though this is the only time I'll ever have her this way. Her slow, tantalizing rhythm quickens, and the torrid sounds grow louder and needier as we both climb.

Rain's head drops back as she cries out, and my release is almost painful when it comes out too powerfully. She's still rocking her hips even as we both come down from our highs, but she finally collapses to my body, breathless and spent.

"If I move in, will we ever get anything done?" she muses, laughing breathily as she rests her head against my chest.

"Probably not, but I'm willing to live in bed if you are."

She giggles, and I hold her to me. I've never been this happy in all my life.