Bliss Series Boxed Set: The Whole Damn Harem (63 page)

“Bye, Helen,” I called out to her from the doorway.

“Hey slapper, wait a minute. I want to check out that fine piece of … oh, shit! Hi.” Her face turned a hilarious shade of bright red as she rounded the door to come face to face with a now grinning Sean Miller.

“Hi. Helen is it?” he said, holding out his hand to hers. Even at twenty-two, Sean was all about manners and treating others right. It was the old fashioned values that his grandparents had instilled in him, following the foundation built by his parents before they died.

“Y-Yes. Hi. Sorry, I suffer from a debilitating condition called verbal vomit. Don’t hold it against me. Well, unless you want to …”

I whack her arm and laugh. “Helen!” I chastise but still can’t stop laughing. “Sorry, Sean, let’s get out of here before her
condition
worsens.”

“Bye. Have fun, children. Don’t rush home.” She smiled a shit eating grin, all the while waggling her eyebrows at me before I scoffed and shut the door behind us.

When we reached street level, Sean grabbed my hand and entwined his fingers in mine. Such a simple, straightforward, everyday gesture but it got the butterflies in my stomach excited all over again.

“Do you mind walking for a bit?” he asked assuredly. There is one thing that Sean never showed the world, and that was uncertainty. He was always so black and white, yes or no, left or right. It’s one of the things that made me give in to this date. He was stubborn and tenacious like a dog with a bone. He would not let up until I relented and agreed to a date.

We walked for about ten minutes, stopping outside Shedd Aquarium. “Oh, wow. Is this where we’re going?” I asked excitedly.

He chuckled and pulled my hand, drawing my body in close to his. “I wanted to wow you with a first date you’d never forget. First stop, the aquarium,” he replied with a smile.

“This is awesome. I’ve never been.” I couldn’t stop grinning as we walked inside, Sean paid for our tickets and we spent the next two hours exploring the stunning sea creatures and exhibits.

By the time we walked out, it was nearing 3 p.m. and my stomach was growling loudly. Embarrassing! Thankfully Sean was one step ahead of me, leading me into a Mexican restaurant nearby.

“I hope you like some heat,” he murmured suggestively as he pulled out a chair for me.

“Well, how hot can you handle it, Sean?”

Pushing in my chair, he bent down low until his breath fanned over my ear. “I want it as hot as you can give me.” I clenched my thighs as my breathing became stuttered and the room turned into an inferno.

Thankfully, a waiter interrupted our verbal foreplay, but the seed had been planted.

When he walked me to my door a while later, I was reluctant to end our date. The conversation flowed effortlessly, the sparks between us were strong and addictive, and every time I looked at the man I wanted to jump his bones.

Standing at my door, I turned around. “Thank you for this afternoon. I had an awesome day with you.”

Lifting our still joined hands, he pulled me toward his body, wrapping his other arm around my back and holding me close against him. Gasping in shock, his eyes bored into mine, piercing me in place with such passion that I was speechless. When his gaze dropped to my mouth, I was done for. No one else mattered at that moment. It was just Sean and I standing outside my door, about to kiss for the first time.

As he tilted his chin down and softly started to kiss me, I knew that there was no way in hell I was going to be able to say no to this man again.

∞~~~∞

I jump up off the bed, pulling my clothes off as I head into my bathroom. I turn the rainfall shower head on, one of the first things I installed when I bought my apartment, and do my daily ritual in the mirror:

1) Check for any new gray hairs. (sigh)

2) Make sure I’m not following the path of my grandmother with stray lip and chin whiskers (definitely not a family tradition I wish to follow).

When the glass fogs and the room fills with steam, I step into the shower. As I wash myself with my coconut body scrub, my mind wanders back to a time when Sean was my conductor and I was nothing but a violin in his orchestra. He’d been more than upfront with me from the beginning about his dominating ways when it came to sex. I wasn’t too surprised to be honest. It was something about the way he carried himself, the way he spoke, his voice and how it felt like it could reach inside you and play you like a puppet. We complimented each other beautifully but no more so than during sex. The man could light my body on fire like no one else. In fact, no one since has made me feel anything even closely resembling the intense passion that pulsed between us.

Without realizing it, my soapy hands had wandered, becoming acutely aware of my throbbing lady garden …

Yes, I said lady garden. Isn't it sexy?

Have you ever wondered what you’d call your vagina if you had a choice? Would you call it a name like Gretel or Elizabeth? Or would you give it a term of endearment like petal or sweetheart? Do you think like a man and call it a c*nt or a pussy? Or are you like me who had a somewhat conservative upbringing with a controlling Army mom who wouldn’t hear of anything other than ‘lady parts’ and ‘man parts’. Yes, you read that right. ‘Never let a stranger tend to your garden, Samantha’ she’d say to me. Looking back, it’s a wonder that I ever got laid.

Subconsciously, my fingers stroke over my sensitized skin as I remember all that was good about my Sean of a decade ago. The way he’d let his stubble grow a day too long and how he knew how much I loved the rasp of the coarse hair against my skin as he worked his way down my body, drawing out shudders of pleasure as I relished in the friction, the way he demanded my attention the whole time he would go down on me, how we’d lock eyes as he dove his tongue-deep inside me, how he’d make me so crazy with desire I’d scream down the walls as I rode out my climax, usually multiple times. It’s when I remember those bright blue eyes boring into me, willing me to come. The flashback is too much and my body pulses with the waves of my orgasm as it crashes over me. God damn. Even in my mind Sean is just as good as he always was. I think my fortified willpower when it comes to strong, domineering men might be under attack.

I make a mental note to ring Tanner and arrange to meet up with him one night this week.

Once I’m dressed and ready to leave, I google Sean’s offices on my phone and pull up his number before pushing send and walking out my door to my parking garage.

“Sean Miller’s office. How may I assist you?” an uppity voice answers.

“Hi. I need to speak to Sean,” I say quickly, sounding slightly more irritated that I want to be, but me and uppity don’t work well together. Miss Bouncy Bones (new name) replies, “Sorry, but Mr. Miller is working from home today. Can I take a message to give him tomorrow?”

“No, that’s okay. It’s Sam Richards from CPD. Just wanted to check in after the break in the other day. No doubt one of the detectives on the case will contact Mr. Miller once they’ve concluded their investigation. Thanks though.” I hang up the phone so damn fast that her ear might have gotten whiplash.

Fuck! I check my watch and see that I’m running late after the extended shower session. I put my car into gear and head toward the hospital, still not sure whether getting involved in the life of the Miller men is a smart move or not.

Once bitten, twice shy.

At least one good thing came from this morning.

Now I know where I can take Ryan.

“Loneliest Soul”

Sean

Sitting in my home office, I should be working on my complex takeover case. Instead, I’m staring out the window overlooking Lake Shore East Park spread out before me. It’s Thursday lunch time and the park is bustling with office workers escaping the confines of their tall towers for fresh air and sunshine. The thought that people feel like getting outside into the fresh air gives them a sense of freedom makes me smile. I used to be like that, an intern, then an associate, and years before my time, a partner. Now I can charge high, hit low, and generally determine whether a case sees the inside of a courtroom or not. It’s been hard going, but all of my work has paid off, despite the loss of my parents, the loss of my grandparents, the loss of …

Anyway, now the only thing, the only
person
I have to deal with is Ryan.

I look at the clock hanging on my office wall, Ryan must be released by now. I don’t know this because Ryan called me and asked me to pick him up, but from the billing clerk who called a few hours ago wanting details for payment. Of course, I paid it, I
always
pay where Ryan is concerned. Whether with money or with pride, someone always pays.

I lean back in my leather chair, lifting my legs up and resting them on the top of my desk, my ankles crossed as I grab my cup of coffee and reflect on where my life is going. I’m thirty-four years old in a month. Thirty-four with a million dollar view, a successful career and a nightclub that keeps rising in popularity but what else do I have?

What would my grandfather think of my life? He was a fair man, a good man who believed in reaping the rewards of hard work and who tried to instil the same philosophy in both of us, but Ryan was never the type of person who wanted to work hard to get what he wanted. Even as a young boy he sought instant gratification.

Maybe that is why gambling has become his addiction of choice. I know, he could have chosen much worse, but his addiction and his need to be saved encroached on my time and my business, then I had to cut my losses. Brother or not, he needs to save himself, stand on his own two feet and not have me and everything my hard work has earned propping him up.

But old habits never die and I’m wondering where Ryan is going to go. I put in a call to his landlord on Tuesday morning and paid for this month’s rent and the month he was in arrears. That’s not to say I won’t make him work his ass off to pay me back for it, but I’m not heartless enough to leave him homeless either. I’ve contacted his old therapist as well and she’s sending me details regarding local Gamblers Anonymous meetings for him to go to. I can’t force him to get help, but if he wants any help from me he’ll need to take action. Doing something about paying back his debts would be a good start, but once he’s recuperated and back home, I’ll swing by and have a talk.

My outburst at the hospital still stands true though. I’m sick of being stuck in a parent role instead of a brother role which means that something has to change. I’m just hoping that Ryan will take the initiative this time, with a little encouragement from me.

The doorbell snaps me out of my thoughts. I take a sip from my coffee and switch screens on my monitor, almost spitting out the contents when I see Samantha and Ryan standing at the front door to my condo. I stare at the screen in shock but not because of Ryan. It’s the fact that he’s with Sammy, my Sammy, that is the kicker.

I thought it was strange that she’d turned up at the hospital the other night to check on him, but pleased as hell that she had and I got the chance to see her again. I meant every word when I said I’d see her soon, but two days later with my brother on my doorstep wasn’t on the cards.

Making my way down into the living area, then down the wooden stairs to the entranceway, I hesitate for a moment, sucking back the anger I still feel for Ryan while trying to work out what the hell he’s playing at by bringing Sam to my doorstep. Not for my sake, of course, but for hers.

I open the door and her radiant eyes captivate me once again. “Samantha, nice to see you again. Twice in a week is a pleasant surprise.” I look past her to see a sheepish Ryan holding a bag to his chest. His eyes are glued to the ground, refusing to meet mine. “Ryan,” I say in a low, strained voice.

Samantha clears her throat and looks me square in the eye. “Look. I know you weren’t expecting us, but when I called your office they said-”

My head jerks back. “You rang my office?”

“Yeah, they said you were working from home, so when Ryan told me that he couldn’t go back to his place right now, I thought it would be okay to come here.”

I shoot Ryan a menacing look before ushering them both inside. Ryan goes first, followed by Sam. I don’t miss the opportunity that presents itself to check out her perfect, peach shaped ass. Images of rubbing my hands over the soft orbs flash in my mind and I have to think of cold showers and wrinkly old ladies to calm the blood that’s rushing south of my belt. Amazing that she
still
affects me like that.

When we reach the living area, I walk behind the kitchen counter, buying myself some time to will my body back into a more relaxed state. Ryan stops by the counter and drops his bag on the floor before taking a stool. To be honest, he looks worn out. He couldn’t have gotten out of hospital more than an hour ago.

“Would you two like a drink? Coffee, juice, wine maybe?”

Ryan looks up at me suspiciously, his brow raised in silent question.

“Beer, Ry?” I watch him lift his chin before I cut across to Sam who politely shakes her head and takes a seat on my black leather sofa. I grab a beer out of the fridge and pop the cap with an opener from the drawer before handing it to Ryan. I brace myself on the counter and take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for whatever I’m about to be told.

“How are you feeling?” I ask when he finally meets my eyes.

“Better. Still sore, but the doc says I should be fine for work next week.” I nod in agreement before turning to Sam.

“Ryan, do you want to go first?” Sam asks. He shakes his head and takes a long swig of beer. I study him recognizing all the signs of a man who is yet to accept the consequences of his actions. Seems my ultimatum at the hospital had no effect. My mood starts to darken when I hear Sam’s soft voice filter through the silence again.

“All right. Well, Ryan called me this morning because he couldn’t call you. His stuff was at the bar, and he asked me to pick him up. I made the decision to call your office and when I was told you were working from home, I asked Ryan for your address and here we are.” She’s got her cop hat on. As much as her professionalism is honorable, it pisses me off when it’s directed at me of all people.