Reveal (A Wild Nights Novel) (3 page)

“This room is so funky! Check out these flip-flops in a bag on the wall. And oh my God, is that a cockatoo lamp?” I skipped over to the bird-shaped white lamp sitting next to the TV.

“It’s horrid and gives me the creeps,” Cori said with a shudder. “I unplugged it.”

I furrowed my brow at her and picked up the lamp, giving it a stroke. “Don’t be so mean. Poor cocky.”

“I swear it’s possessed.” She patted the mattress beside her. “Come on, put it back and tell me what’s been happening.”

I sat the lamp back down and made a point of plugging it in. “Don’t worry about what’s been happening with me,” I said, turning and heading toward the bed. I sat down and crossed my legs before raising my hand and creating an
O
shape with my thumb and forefinger. “A big fat zero, that’s what. I want to know what’s been happening with
you.
You and that beast you’re fucking.”

She shrugged. “Who says I’m fucking him?”

“Oh please,” I droned, rolling my eyes. “It’s written all over your vagina.”

She laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ve fucked Josh … once.”

“Annnnd?”

“And I’m in love with him.”

Whaaaaaa?
I swear my eyes bugged out of my head, cartoon-style. “Wow! He must have the cock of the century.”

“Yeah, he does,” she said dreamily, flopping back on the bed and concealing her blushed cheeks with her hands, “but that’s not it.”

“No? Well, good. I’d hate to think you’d become
that
shallow after only a month away from me.”

All of a sudden, Cori burst into tears, and it took me by surprise.
I was only joking … kinda.

“I hate him, and I love him. He makes me so angry and so happy. I laugh and I cry. I kiss and I punch. He hurts me and then fixes me. He touches me and cuts me. He leaves me so fucking raw and bare, Em.”

Fuck me standing, that’s a whole lot of … things
. My heart broke seeing her so distraught, not to mention that I had absolutely no idea she’d been so confused about her new relationship.

Lying down beside her, I placed my head on her chest and hugged her tight. “Cori, honey, that sounds wonderful.”

“It is and it isn’t. When he hurts me, he kills me,” she sobbed.

I reached up and pried one of her fingers from her eyes so that I could see her expression when she answered my next question. “But does he bring you back to life?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Then live him—breathe him. Set boundaries and enjoy staying within them together. You can’t compare all relationships to what you had with your arsehole ex-boyfriend. What you guys shared was controlled, safe. It was
suffocating
. Your days with him were set out before you. You both walked that knowing line and never deviated. That’s not what love is, Cori. Love is being spun around on the spot really fast, and then trying to walk a straight line after been slapped in the face with a wet fish. Love is and should be spontaneous and exciting.”

“I fucked Brad to get back at Josh,” she blurted out. “Is that love?”

Ahh … well … holy fuck! She did what?

My stomach dropped and I sat up, her confession shocking me a little. “Josh hurt you real bad, huh? You’d never dream of doing a thing like that unless he seriously screwed you over.”

“He broke me, Em. Into a million little pieces.”

I sighed. “Did he put you back together again?”

“Not yet. But he wants to.”

“Then fucking let him,” I said with a smile. “Let the bastard glue you back together.”

Cori sat up, resting on her elbows, a look of determination on her face. “I am, starting from today.”

“Good,” I said with a wink.

Relief washed over me at her eagerness to move forward, yet everything she just said came as a massive surprise. She hadn’t known Josh long, and by the sounds of it they’d put each other through hell. That was concerning. But Cori was a big girl. She had a level head—most of the time—and if she was happy, I was happy for her. And if she was determined to see where her and Josh could lead, I would be right there beside her along the way. She seemed to know what it was she wanted, and although I felt a little disappointed about her fucking Brad, now was not the time to ask her what the hell had happened.

I would do that tomorrow.

***

“Ugh! That’s it. I’m getting a boob job,” I groaned, fastening my strapless push-up bra and adjusting what little cleavage I had.

Cori walked into the bathroom and leaned over the basin to get close to the mirror. “On’t be ’upid,” she mumbled while meticulously applying her red lipstick.

“I’m not. I want tits. Big, round, perky tits.”

She turned toward me and eyed my beestings. “No, you don’t.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You have tits.”

“So do you!”

“Lies. All lies. Best friends are not supposed to lie to one another,” I huffed, lifting my arms and applying deodorant.

“Fine. You belong to the Itty Bitty Titty committee. Big deal. At least you don’t have an arse the size of a small swimming pool.” She twisted and assessed her butt.

“Pah-lease! You’ve got to be kidding. There’s nothing wrong with your arse.”

“Says you!” she mocked, pressing her lips together and blotting her lipstick. “Seriously though, listen to us. We females are never entirely happy with our appearance. Always nit-picking. Always finding faults. We’re our own worst enemies and biggest critics. And for what reason other than to highlight our flaws and feel inadequate? It’s just stupid.”

I stared down at my little breasticles with sorrow. They deserved love. It wasn’t their fault they were smaller than most.
I really should treat them better.
“You’re right,” I said, looking back up. “They’re underdogs, and everyone should love underdogs.”

She blotted her lips together once more. “They should.”

“In fact, I will parade my teeny puppies tonight. I will wear them with pride.”

She nodded. “Good girl.”

I hiked them in my cupped hands, feeling empowered. “I know! Let’s start a revolution.”

Cori laughed. “Let’s not. I know what your
revolutions
entail.”

Greatness. That’s what they entail. Pure fucking greatness.

Walking out of the bathroom, I flipped open my suitcase and rummaged through it for my low-cut, off-the-shoulder, tight-fitting top. The red material peeked out from underneath my jeans so I pulled it free, threaded my arms through the long sleeves and pulled it over my head. I wouldn’t normally wear it without my chicken fillet inserts, but tonight, tonight I would embrace my body as it was. Tonight I would own it.

Stepping in front of the full-length mirror, I adjusted my ensemble when my phone beeped. It was H’s message chime, so I lunged over the bed, pulled the phone out of my bag, and swiped the screen.

Mr Happy: Are you avoiding me again?

A touch of guilt swept over me, because I’d ended our last chat badly.

Em: No. Sorry. Just busy.

Mr Happy: Are you touching yourself?

I subdued a giggle and shook my head.
Always happy and horny.
Quickly glancing over my shoulder to make sure Cori wasn’t in the room, I typed my response.

Em: Well, yes. Kinda.

I’m getting dressed.

Mr Happy: I think you should get undressed.

Less clothes are best.

Em: So you think I should go out naked, huh?

Interesting.

Mr Happy: No. I think you should stay in … naked.

Em: Why? What would you do if I did?

Mr Happy: First, I’d tell you to glide your hands over your breasts,

and then pinch your nipples.

Shit!
My nipples reacted to his reference, as if their ears had been burning.

Em: Then what?

Mr Happy: Then I’d tell you to travel farther south,

skimming your bellybutton and stopping to rest on your panties.

I found myself subconsciously following his directions, my fingers now resting at the seam of my lace underwear.

Em: And?

Mr Happy: And then you’d lift the material and dip inside,

sliding into your wet folds.

Ugh! I hate when he says folds. Folds of what? Toilet paper? Fat? Folded washing?

Em:  Err … you lost me at folds. Sorry.

Gotta go. xo

Flipping the cover of my phone shut, I popped it back into my clutch just as Cori entered the room.

“Nice top,” she said, “it matches your face.”

“What?” I put my hands on my cheeks. They felt hot … flushed. “Oh. It’s hot in here, yeah?”

“It’s Queensland. Of course it’s hot.” Cori narrowed her gaze at me. “You alright?”

“Yeah. I’m just … just feeling a little warm. Must’ve been the hairdryer.”

“Yeah, must’ve.” Her eyebrow was raised, her expression unconvinced.

My heart pumped fast and hard, something it always did after a conversation with H. The guy just stirred so much adrenaline within me—him and his words.
That’s why you keep him around, Em. That’s why you won’t let him go.

I quickly shook that notion out of my head, because I didn’t want to believe it. He was so much more than just a quick sexual rise. Deep down, I knew that.

“So, other than Brad, who else will be at the bar tonight?” I asked, wanting to change the subject of my heated body temperature.

“Um … Chief, Dimps, and Brad’s twin brother, Noah … also known as Slick.”

“Chief? Dimps? Slick? Hang on a minute … twin brother? Brad is a TWIN?” I exclaimed.

Cori smiled and handed me a room key. “Sure is!”

My jaw fell open.

My eyebrows rose.

And my vagina threw a welcome party.

I couldn’t conceal my smile as we descended in the elevator to the ground floor.
Brad is a twin! A twin!

Double the sex god.

Double the fun.

“Are they identical?” I asked, lightly tapping my exposed midriff.

“Who? Brad and Noah? Yeah, as identical as they come. It took me a couple of weeks before I could tell them apart.” Cori smoothed down her short black dress. “Good luck with that.”

I too smoothed down my tight, red knee-length skirt, both of us assessing our reflections in the mirrored panelling of the elevator cart. “Luck? I won’t need it.”

“Actually, I agree. I don’t think you will.”

I shrugged playfully.

“Em, play safe,” she warned.

I gave her a wry smile. “I always do, hon.”

“I’m serious. Those boys are competitive at the best of times. Take it easy on them, okay?”

Oh, Cori, you sweet little pudding.
She really was adorable, but I didn’t take it easy on anyone, and she knew that. Life was too short to take shit easy. It was saying no when you should say yes, and saying yes when you should say fuck you. Easy was waving a white flag, and I preferred to wave a red one. I’d been through enough in my life already to want to take the easy road.

The
ding
of the elevator sounded and the doors of the cart opened. We both stepped out, the clicking of our heels echoing as we walked toward the restaurant and bar. “I’m only here for a week, Cor. Come on, what’s the worst that can happen?”

“Seriously?” she asked with a laugh, linking her arm with mine. “All-out war. That’s what.”

I giggled at her exaggeration, but then a tingle of excitement waved through my body when I spotted Brad in a pair of dark-wash jeans and a black tight-fitting tank top. His hair was tied back in a short bun, and he was leaning against the bar and talking to a younger-looking blond guy.
Fla fla fl … fff. Fuck!
My God he looked hot, hot with an edge of danger and a tinge of come-play-with-my-vagina. Hot with a capital H and … what are the other letters of that word again?
Fuck it, who cares?

Swallowing, I straightened my shoulders and readied myself for a night of flirtatious fun when Cori steered me in the opposite direction. “Wha … where are we goi—”

“Em, you look … shit, you look great!” a man’s voice said, the sexy tone reeling my attention away from Brad.

I turned my head to find … Brad, standing before me.
Whaa? Oh, crap! That wasn’t Brad at the bar. That was Noah. Shit!

“H … h … hi. Thanks. You look great, too,” I stuttered, still dazed by my ‘double vision’.

Unlike his brother, who epitomised dark and dangerous, Brad channeled sexy-casual sprinkled with heated mischief. His light-wash jeans sat low on his hips and were tight enough to enunciate his strong legs and toned arse, and the material of his white T-shirt clung to every bump and groove that were his arms, chest and torso. My eyes lingered for a moment before I quickly willed them to climb back up his body to his blond shoulder-length hair, which was scruffy yet strangely neat. And his skin … holy fuck! It glowed a gorgeous sun-kissed bronze, even in the dimmed lights of the hotel restaurant.

“Hungry?” he asked, his voice low.

I met his stare and nodded. “Yes. Very. And you?”

“I’m so hungry I could eat you.”

Cori choked on the drink Josh had given her, and I couldn’t do much else but laugh. “Well … bon appetite. I don’t mind the odd biter or two.” I nudged him playfully and accepted the beer he handed me.

He chinked the rim of my bottle with his own. “I’ll remember that.”

“I hope you do,” I said invitingly, bringing the bottle to my lips.

Our eyes locked on one another’s, glistening excitedly as I entertained that tantalizing thought, until Brad broke our gaze and nodded to my beer. “I hope you like b—”

“Holding out on me, you have been,” Noah interrupted, his eyes on me, his tattooed arm now draped over Brad’s shoulder.

Brad rolled his eyes. “Nope, not at all, little brother.”

“Really? Well then who do we have here?”

I immediately stuck my hand out for Noah, palm faced down … it was only fair. “I’m Em, Cori’s best friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Em. I’m Noah.” He leaned forward, took my hand, and kissed the top of it.

My skin tingled in response. “Nice to meet you, too. Soooo …” I drawled, a knowing smile forming on my face as I retracted my hand, “… you two related?”

Brad scoffed, and Noah didn’t answer. Instead, he quietly took me in, his eyes resting on my midriff.

My eyebrow lifted at the brazenness of his wandering sight, and I took a swig of my beer. “Would you like me to spin for you?” I asked, my toe pointed as I stepped forward and shifted my weight to pivot 180 degrees, repeating the move until I’d spun full circle for him. “Tada!”

Josh laughed and murmured to Cori, “You weren’t wrong.”

“I know, right?” she answered.

I wasn’t exactly sure what they were talking about, but I furrowed my brow and gave them both a sly, questioning grin.

Cori playfully shook her head at me then linked her arm in mine once more. “How ’bout we find a table and order some dinner, yeah?”

“Great idea.” Noah beamed, clapping Brad on the back with a loud whack. He then turned and placed his two pointer fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly, causing everyone within a mile’s radius to look up. “Dimps. Chief. Food!” he shouted across the room.

Two guys at the bar nodded and headed our way, both of them delicious pieces of eye-candy, too—the variety you wanted to suck continuously, like a gobstopper.
Sweet fuck!
I swear that if Cori hadn’t informed me that Dimps and Chief were also a part of the revue, I would’ve no doubt guessed they were anyway. I mean, hello biceps!

“That’s Chief,” she whispered in my ear, nodding toward Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome. “He’s the leader of the pack. Really nice guy, too. He has a girlfriend, so don’t even go there.”

I whispered back, “Pack? As in wolf pack?”

“Yeah.” She giggled. “Very much so.”

My eyes flicked in the direction of the smaller-built blond with the world’s biggest dimples. “What about the pup?”

“Dimps? You’d eat him alive,” she said dismissively.

“Well, I am really hungry …”

If the look Cori then gave me could be translated into words, it would’ve said
‘Don’t even think about it or I’ll slap your vagina … hard!’

“Whaaaat?” I exclaimed, innocent devilry dripping from my face.

“Come on, you. I’m sure Brad and Noah will keep you plenty busy anyway.”

Stumbling just slightly as she walked me in the direction of our reserved table, I rested my head on her shoulder. “Oh, I have no doubt they will.

***

Meat. I was the meat in a Brad and Noah sandwich, and I couldn’t have been happier. Brad was the bun, the soft, warm, you-know-you-shouldn’t-eat-but-just-want-to-sink-your-teeth-into-it doughy goodness. And Noah was the spicy sauce you craved, but then regretted afterwards. Why? Because spicy sauce tasted oh-so-good yet burned like fuck. It also left your arse hurting a good twenty-four hours later, and I guessed Noah would have the same effect. Regardless, I enjoyed my twin sandwich. Eat now. Worry later.

“So, what do you do for a living?” Brad asked from his position to my left.

“I’m an actress and singer … a stage performer.”

“We’re all stage performers, sweet cheeks,” Noah chimed in from his position on my right.

I smiled sweetly at him. “Well unlike you, I keep my clothes on.”

He forked a bit of steak. “A shame, that is.”

His funny way of talking piqued my curiosity. “You talk backwards a lot,” I mumbled, swallowing a piece of my salt and pepper squid.

“Right, you are.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s a
Star Wars
nerd, that’s why,” Brad interjected. “The dickhead has been doin’ it since we were kids.”

I nodded my understanding. “I love
Star Wars
! Princess Leia when held prisoner in Jabba’s Palace was super hot.”

Noah slammed his hand on the table and placed his other one across his chest. “In love, I am. My future wife, I have found.”

I laughed. “Not, you have.”

“Em likes to remain clothed, Slick. Clearly she’s not your type.”

I shot a surprised look at Brad, spying him glaring at Noah.
Wow! Cori wasn’t wrong. These two are competitive.
The prospect of a twin battle excited me as much fun could be had with two identical hotties wrestling for my affection, but I remembered what Cori had said earlier. I didn’t want to start a war on my first night in town. I was evil, but not
that
evil, so I opted to lighten the mood again. After all, this was
my
game, not theirs.

Resting the prong of my fork on my bottom lip, I playfully propositioned them both. “You boys could always teach me how to take my clothes off, you know. You could give me some Wild Nights Revue lessons.” I wiggle-danced in my seat to emphasise my point. “The art of on-stage sultry attire removal is absent from my list of credentials.”

Cori leaned forward and stole a piece of squid from my plate. “You sure ’bout that?”

“Hey! Get your mitts off my fish. And yes, I am sure. I’m quite prudish, remember?”

She scoffed playfully. “Sure you are. And that’s not fish, by the way.”

I studied it quickly, making sure it wasn’t chicken. “Is too.”

“Actually, it’s not. It’s a mollusc.”

We all looked at Dimps as if he’d just spoken another language, which he kinda had.

“What?” he said defensively. “Squid are invertebrates. Fish aren’t. Fish don’t have limbs either so technically, what she’s eating isn’t fish. Sorry. I’m Lucas, by the way.” He reached his hand over the table.

I shook it. “Em.”

“But you can call me ‘Dimps’.” He put his head down and continued eating his spaghetti bolognaise, sucking a long noodle until it disappeared into his mouth.

The kid was cute, as in puppy-dog cute. I wanted to pat him, and preen him, and put his head in between my breasts and motorboat him, he was that cute. And I didn’t exactly have motorboating breasts.

Speaking of breasts, mine were doing quite well in my tight red top. They’d received acknowledgement from both Brad and Noah—Brad, more so. I swear his stare was so intense that at one point, I thought he was trying to project a Jedi mind trick onto them.
Oh, but then again, he isn’t the
Star Wars
fan. Shit! Maybe he was actually just trying to find them? God,
I hope not.

That last thought made me shift uncomfortably, so I inconspicuously draped my hand in front of my chest to provide a small but relieving screen. I was not a shy person, nor was I prim or overly self-confident—quite the opposite, actually—but I did have boob issues, tit tribulation … chest-complaints. And it wasn’t a cry for sympathy on my part, either. I was a woman, and despite what others saw and what reassurance they offered, there was always that one part of myself I would never be happy with.

Hang on a minute … no … fuck it!
I’d promised myself that I was going to wear my itty-bitty titties with pride tonight, and fuck me to Sesame Street, I was gonna.

Faux yawning, I lifted my hands and settled one each on the backs of both Brad’s and Noah’s chairs, subtly pushing out my chesticles. “I’m so full. Can’t eat anymore fish.”

“Molluscs,” Dimps coughed out.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “You choking on one?”

“No. I had spaghetti.”

“I can see that. You have a bit of sauce here.” I lifted one of my hands and pointed to my chin, indicating as if that were the part of his face that was splattered with sauce.

He wiped the spot.

“And here.” I pointed to my nose, insinuating there was more sauce on that particular spot, too. There wasn’t. He didn’t know that though.