Yours Book 2: Gaining Experience (Yours Series) (3 page)

N
ick

T
wenty-three hours
after the hotel incident…

Seattle

“This cannot be happening,” I growl into my palms.

We are in the apartment I secured for Kimmie two months ago. It looks like she packed up and left, which means Sephora is probably with her. This is fucking unbelievable.

“Did you try Kimmie’s phone,” Luke asks uncomfortably.

“It is going to voicemail as well,” I reply in frustration. I flop down on the couch and run my fingers through my hair. “Kev, please tell me you have a hit on one of them. They have to have used a card or something by now. Damnit, I’ll pay extra to have a team just sit on camera footage until they find them.”

“Relax, Nick, we’ll find them. The neighbor confirmed that Sephora was here,” Kevin sighs.

I snort. The neighbor’s tongue almost fell out of his fucking mouth when we presented him a picture of Sephora. I wanted to snap his fucking neck. We now know why Sephora hasn’t been answering her phone. The asshole told us he ran into Sephora and she dropped and smashed her phone.

When I find Sephora I swear I am cuffing her to my fucking bed. My hands shake as anger consumes me. I have been so close to her not once, but twice and missed her. I chide myself again for leaving and going back to Cali.

“What do you want to do now,” Luke sighs.

I don’t miss the disappointment on his face. Something tells me it is not just because we missed his sister. I watch Luke as he looks over the apartment with longing. Kimmie left the place as neat as it was when I set her up here. The building is another of my properties.

I wanted to make Kimmie as comfortable as possible, especially during her first few weeks here. Luke’s jaw tightens and he runs a hand through his hair. Once again I note that my friend is hurting as much as I am.

“We go home,” I sigh. “This time I am pretty sure that is where they are headed. I’ll have Winston sit on their apartment. He’ll see them when they arrive.”

* * *

S
ephora

Twenty-three hours after the hotel incident…

En route to Cali

“You know what I miss,” Kimmie sighs beside me on the private jet.

The plane is just as nice as Nick’s. The seats are so welcoming I can feel myself relaxing. I’m not sure what is going to meet us when we get home, but this plush seat is making up for it in advance.

Kimmie called in a favor alright. One call to Brax and he had his family’s jet fueled and sent our way. A smiling Brax and Ry were on the plane when it arrived to pick us up. They are more gorgeous than I remember. You can find yourself lost in their dreamy golden eyes.

Kimmie went to high school with the Black brothers. From what she has told me they are all gorgeous. Can you imagine seven fine as sin brothers all in one high school? Granted Kimmie said Brax and Ry are the youngest, so I don’t believe she went to high school with all of them. I wasn’t much on boys in high school, but they would have earned some drool from me.

“What’s that, Kim,” Ry asks with a sly smile.

“Remember the little parties we would throw in hotel rooms. There were always someone’s parents willing to put up for us to have those little get togethers,” she sighs wistfully.

Brax throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, and they always turned out to be more than little by the time they were over,” he says shaking his head.

“What’s stopping us from doing one now,” Ry asks with this sexy grin of his. “It doesn’t have to be big and we don’t need anyone’s parents to foot the bill. It’s on me. Maybe I can spend some time getting to know more about you, Sophi.”

I feel my cheeks heat as he gives me a once over. I never found a decent change of clothes. I was able to find a pair of panties in one little store. I had to settle for just freshening up. I must look a fright.

However, from the look Ry is giving me, you wouldn’t think so. I tug a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I want to pull the messy bun on top my head down to hide from his heated stare.

I haven’t gotten used to anyone but Nick looking at me that way, and look at what that got me. I shake that thought off, but I’m still not sure about this idea. Kimmie, on the other hand, has other ideas.

“Oh Sephora, we have to. I can call Mark when we land. It will be just what we need before we face the real world again.
Please
,” she pleads.

“Are you sure you are even up to this,” I whisper lifting a brow.

“Yeah, I think I’ll be fine. It will be good for us,” she winks.

I don’t like that wink. I loathe what that wink has gotten me into in the past. The few times I let Kimmie lead me into her adventures, that wink has gotten me into so much trouble. Still, I relent as I see a sparkle in her eyes for the first time since I arrived at her first door in Seattle.

“Okay, fine,” I sigh and rub my forehead.

“Great, I’ll set it all up,” Ry says more to me than anyone else.

This is going to be a long night. At least Kimmie can’t get drunk and get into trouble. T
hat doesn’t mean you can’t.
Yup, this is going to be a very long night.

S
ephora

T
wenty-Seven hours
after the hotel incident…

Cali

Braxton and Ryan are much too fun for my own good. Once they called in their brothers things really turned into a barrel of laughs, teasing, and fun. Wyatt and his wife are adorable. The way he moves where she moves sends a ping through my chest, but I quickly push it away as the others draw me into their teasing.

Heather has been a ball to hang out with. She keeps making passes at me, but I notice she does it when she has Braxton’s attention, which is most of the time. I can’t remember the last time Ettie, Luke, and I got to kick back and laugh together like these siblings.

I like Noah. He is like a big teddy bear. It is just as adorable to watch him hover around Bean. Yup, the girl’s name is Bean, at least that is how they have introduced her to me. Felix is a bit quiet when it comes to me.

Johnathan has been texting on his phone when he is not ripping into his brothers. He has locked in on Wyatt a few times, teasing him and Nellie about not having babies yet with the amount of sex they seem to have. In Johnathan’s defense, we all suspected that Wyatt and Nellie had slipped off to have sex about an hour ago.

And Ryan, well, I have been doing my best to stay away from Ryan. When we got off the plane he tugged at the side of my sweater dress and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I love this dress on you. It shows off all your
ass
ets,” he then lightly tapped my ass and winked at me.

I was stunned and a little alarmed because unlike Mark, or Rick in Kimmie’s hallway, I am actually attracted to Ryan. I felt a light warmth spread across my cheeks and settle in my belly. Not the explosive heat I always feel with Nick, but enough to make me want to keep my distance before curiosity kills my cat.

I don’t think I would be good at casual sex and I am not ready to start anything new. In all honesty, my heart is still aching for Nick even after what he has done. So each time I have caught Ryan staring at me or moving in my direction, I have deflected or run.

I was so grateful when Mark arrived. Things are still strained between us, but he has been serving as a good buffer between Ryan and myself. I think it is those golden eyes. These Black men are what Kimmie would call delicious.

“Did you hear what I said,” Mark asks in frustration. I turn to him and blink.

I hadn’t noticed that I was staring at Ryan and had checked out of the conversation Mark and I were having. When I look into his eyes, he looks like a wounded puppy. I sigh, feeling awkward and guilty.

“I’m sorry, Mark,” I say softly.

“For what, breaking my heart repeatedly, or not even knowing that you are? God, I’m so stupid. When Kimmie said she thought you and Nick were having problems, I thought I might have a chance, finally. But I show up here and it looks like I’m too late once again,” Mark says angrily running a hand through his hair. “You have no clue how beautiful you are. How I have seen you as beautiful way before all of this,” he waves his hand up and down in my direction.

“I must be crazy. To be in love with someone who doesn’t even see me or themselves. I hope you find you, Sephora. Or at least see what we all see and want to have so badly,” with that he turns away from me and stomps over to where Kimmie is sitting.

I am left stunned. I didn’t even know Mark felt that way. I know Kimmie has hinted at it before and Nick said it once, but I just thought they were seeing things.

I don’t even notice that my feet are carrying me out to the balcony of the suite. Ryan said Kimmie and I can sleep here tonight if we’d like. Kimmie has been in and out of the bathroom so I think it is safe to say we are staying.

I admire Kimmie for pushing through with everything that is going on with her. She once told me that it took her a long time to find her own confidence. Something that now seems like it comes so easy to her.

It makes me think of Nick. He once said that he wasn’t perfect. My brother even thinks that he is flawed. I, on the other hand, see them all as perfect. Could it be that I am like them more than I think?

So many others compliment me on this or that. I’ve never given their words much credit because my mother’s words have always played louder than everyone else’s. Then you have my father’s actions. It all left me feeling less than. All that was just reinforced by my classmates in school. When everyone would tease me about my looks, it took a large chunk out of my self-esteem each time.

I care about Mark, so of course his words sting. I don’t have feelings for him the way he seems to have them for me, but that doesn’t take the bite out of what he said. His words hurt because they have so much truth to them. I am still getting to know who I am and I don’t know what others see.

But I don’t know if that means I don’t love myself. Mark was sort of harsh. Then again, I did place myself in a relationship where I was being used. That has to say something about how I feel about myself.

I feel the tears wet my cheeks and the dam bursts open. I can’t stop it. I wrap my arms around my middle and squeeze so tight, as if I am trying to hold my insides in. God, I love Nick so much. This hurts so bad.

Did I fall this hard because I don’t love myself? Was I really so blinded that I made up seeing the love in his eyes just because I needed love so much. I try to force back my sobs, but I can’t.

I stiffen when I feel strong arms wrap around me. “Being the youngest of seven brothers is not always easy. It has taught me to be very observant. Kimmie is not the only one going through something. You are too,” Ryan says as he places his chin on the top of my head.

“He’s one lucky bastard. Say the word, me and my brothers will pay him a visit,” Ryan says when I don’t reply.

I turn and place my face in his chest. His strong arms and warmth are comforting, but I realize quickly they are no substitution for the arms I want. The sizzle I felt earlier is just a fizzle now.

“I just didn’t see this coming,” I gasp.

“When we are in love we never do,” Ryan says wisely. “I have an idea. Let’s ditch these characters and go for a walk on the beach. It will help to clear your mind. Everyone is starting to bail anyway.”

I look up at him not sure if I should go for a walk with him. He has always been nice to me and I feel safe around him. I just don’t want to give him the wrong idea. I have been staring at him almost as much as he has been staring at me.

There is something in his warm golden eyes that makes the decision for me. I nod my head. “Okay.”

“Cool, I’m going to bring a few things. Go clean this beautiful face and meet me by the door,” Ryan says and wipes the tears from my face.

I sigh and go find the bathroom to freshen up. When I step out of the bathroom, Kimmie is propped against the wall glaring at me. I feel like a little kid that stole a cookie from the cookie jar.

“You haven’t gotten to tell me what is going on with you, but I figure it has something to do with you and Nick breaking up,” Kimmie pauses and sighs. “With your track record, you are usually wrong about whatever you think Nick has done. Don’t do anything with Ryan that you will regret. He is a great guy. I don’t want to see Ry hurt and I don’t want to see you make a mistake.”

Before I can reply she moves pass me and shuts herself in the bathroom. Her words weigh heavily on me. There is a big part of me that wants to believe that I’m wrong. That Nick wouldn’t have done such a thing to me. Then there is what I saw with my own eyes.

I shake the images of a naked Jillian from my head and start for the front of the suite. The place is huge, but it looks like Ry was right. Everyone has started to go their separate ways. Johnathan is at the door with Ryan and Braxton is in the corner in a heated conversation with Heather.

“Hey, I’m headed out. It was nice to meet you, Sephora,” Johnathan nods at me then gives his brother a look.

“Nice to meet you too,” I say shyly.

I don’t miss the annoyed glare Ryan shoots back at him. We all walk out the door at the same time without any further words. I sigh with relief when we reach the lobby of the hotel. Johnathan heads his own way and Ryan places his hand on the small of my back, steering me towards the beach off the back of the hotel.

We stop to take our shoes off. Ryan holds up his finger signaling for me to wait. He takes both of our shoes, heading back into the hotel. He returns with just the bag he had at the front door of the suite. I take the hand he offers me and we start our walk.

“So Nick Lincoln, huh,” Ry turns to me with a lifted brow and a smirk.

I look up at him with knitted brows. “How do you know,” I ask. Nick and I may not have been a secret, but I worked so much during our relationship we didn’t do much public dating. It stings to think that he wanted it that way.

“He’s looking for you. A bid just came in for us to find you. Johnathan and Felix intercepted it before Wyatt could see it or my dad could accept the job and assign one of us to it. You’re a friend. Kimmie doesn’t call in favors unless she needs them. We figured we’d give you a chance to at least explain what’s going on and then decide what to do. Our friendship comes first though,” Ry winks at me.

“Thank you guys so much,” my brows knit deeper.

I know the Blacks are private investigators and bounty hunters. I wasn’t expecting Nick to send out the Calvary for me. I’m so confused as Kimmie’s words rattle in my head.

“You want to talk about it. I’m a good listener,” Ryan says as he nudges me with his shoulder.

“Is it okay if we don’t,” I wince and bite my lip.

Ryan nods and throws an arm over my shoulder. “Whatever you like, but can I ask why the change? Is it because of Lincoln,” Ryan prods.

“What do you mean,” I ask playing dumb.

“I remember you being a sexy little nerd the first time we met. Now you’re still sexy, but…,” his golden eyes roam over me and he bites his lip. “Yeah, Nick is lucky he and Wyatt have history. I’d so take his girl.”

My mouth falls open. “Are you serious,” I say shaking my head.

Ryan reaches for a coil of my hair that has slipped free from my messy bun and has started to curl in the blowing breeze. I am going to really need to handle this mess in the morning.

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re smart, gorgeous and you don’t even know it. I asked Kimmie to give me your number a long time ago, but she said you weren’t into dating. You were focused on school,” Ryan shrugs.

I am stunned by this knowledge. I look up into his golden eyes searching for the truth. He looks sincere in his words. I turn away and walk a few steps before plopping down in the sand.

“Being the youngest, do you even feel like you just made it into the family? Like your parents could have cared less if they had you or not? And sometimes like they wished they didn’t,” I whisper.

Ryan takes a seat next to me and pulls out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He hands me the glasses and fills them. He takes a glass and taps mine.

“To the baby in the family. The one that never feels like they fit in, no matter what,” Ryan chuckles.

We both drain our glasses and I reach for the bottle to chug from it. It has been a long day. Ryan chuckles and nudges me.

“To answer your question. Hell yeah, it was hard growing up as the youngest, but I don’t think it is possible to live under Cassidy Black’s roof and not feel loved. Sometimes I feel like I get smothered because I’m the baby,” Ryan laughs.

“That must feel good,” I say with a weak smile.

“Talk to me, Sophi. Where is this coming from,” Ryan says with knitted brows.

I sigh and shake my head taking another sip. “I have always been the ugly one, the one that needed to lose weight, or dress better, or sit more gracefully like my sister. My brother and sister are perfect in my mother’s eyes. They’re lighter, thinner, they have dad’s grey eyes and not the weird mix I have. It’s like I sat in my mother’s womb picking out all the genes that would piss her off for the rest of my life.

“I’ve always felt…I don’t know. And then I met Nick. I started a relationship with him and I started to find my confidence. I have a great job at FLI and I am great at it. Then all in one moment it all comes crashing down on me. I feel like that ugly duckling again. The one that will never be good enough,” I say as my lips tremble.

“Baby, I’m so sorry you had to grow up feeling that way, but you have no idea how wrong you are,” Ryan says cupping my face. He runs a thumb against my bottom lip. “Do you remember when we first met?”

I nod my head. “Brax and I were with a group of friends. Let me tell you something. Most of us already knew Kimmie. We didn’t stop to stare because of her. It was the shy girl in all black hiding behind a mass of dark hair that had our attention. Even when you are hiding Sephora you are undeniable to notice,” Ryan says and tips my face up.

He places a soft kiss to my lips and I don’t pull away like my head is screaming for me to. He nips my bottom lip, then pulls away with a groan. He shakes his head and passes his finger across my lip once again.

“You taste sweeter than you look. I would be trying to find you as well,” Ryan smirks. “Maybe things aren’t as bad as you think.”

I frown and look away at the reminder of Nick. I don’t reply and Ryan doesn’t force me to. We spend the rest of the night talking and staring out at the water.

When the sun begins to rise and Ryan walks me back to the suite I feel lighter. He kisses me on the cheek as he says goodbye at the door and I know I have gained a new friend.

One thing I am sure of when I push into the hotel suite. It really is time for me to grow up. I will no longer let my past define me or rob from me. I plan to fight for me this time around and when the smoke settles, I will see who is still around.