Secrets from Her Past: Scandalous, Book 2 (8 page)

“Won’t Vin be too tired to go anywhere?” he asked.

“It won’t take that long and then he’s all mine for the night. I’ll make sure he rests.”

Dylan closed his eyes. “Little sister, that’s not an image I want.”

Evie snorted. “Seriously? Don’t talk to me about images. I just saw firsthand how you and Corinne are getting reacquainted.”

Dylan didn’t think telling Evie he and Cori had already had sex would be a wise move, so he kept his mouth shut.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t mean for you to see that,” he defended, turning to grab the coffeepot and a mug hanging on the backsplash. “Coffee?”

“No thanks.”

He poured himself a heaping cup of black coffee and took his first, scalding sip. Even with the burning liquid, he could still taste Cori on his lips. More than likely, all this heavy petting and sex was messing with his mind and making him even more warped for even letting her get close, but he was careful. Physical he could handle.

“So are you going to stand there all day and give me the evil eye?” he asked.

Evie crossed the room and grabbed a brownie. “No, but I am going to steal one of these.”

She took a bite and promptly spit it back into her hand. “Have you tried these?”

“No, I, uh, hadn’t had a chance.”

Evie rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah. You were busy.”

“What’s wrong with them?” He turned and grabbed one and took a bite. “Oh God.”

“Amazing,” she said around a bite. “It’s like an orgasm.”

Dylan nearly choked. “All right. Just eat the damn thing.”

Evie smiled. “Seriously, if she cooks this good with everything, it’s a wonder she’s not my size.”

Dylan eyed his sister. “There’s nothing wrong with your size.”

“I know,” Evie said, taking another bite. “I’m proud of my plus-size frame. I’m just shocked at someone who can cook this good and she’s still built like the devil created her to punish men.”

A flash of Cori straddling his lap beneath the moonlight flooded his mind. Her body rocking against his, her head thrown back as she surrendered herself to the moment.

“You’re lying to yourself if you think Corinne being back is just about this physical chemistry you have,” Evie said, eyeing him. “You care about her.”

“Not in that way.”

His sister closed the space between them and placed a loving hand on his cheek. “Dyl, you’re lying to me and to yourself. You may not even see it, but I do. I just don’t want you to end up hurt again, because she’ll probably leave as soon as her parents are back home.”

Dylan knew that was Cori’s plan, but they were both adults and there was nothing stopping them from exploring this revived sexuality if that’s what they chose to do. Why did he have to analyze it or even worry about the outcome?

“I’m not lying to anyone,” he told her, trying not to look into those eyes so full of concern. “Really, Evie, I’m just fine, and what Cori and I do is really our business. Besides, I can’t even put a label on it because we’re just messing around.”

Evie sighed and dropped her hand. “Fine. I know you’re a big boy, but I still worry about you, just like you worry about me. I can’t help it.”

He planted a kiss on her forehead and eased back. “Then you won’t bite my head off the next time I try to look out for you. Right?”

With a laugh, Evie shook her head. “Between you and Vin, I feel as if I have my own set of bodyguards.”

A flash flew through Dylan’s mind of him and Vin with another man who used to be their best friend. But that man had done the unimaginable to Evie and neither Vin nor Dylan had had any inclination as to the horrid crime their former friend Alan had committed.

“Stop blaming yourself,” she told him. “Put it aside, Dylan, or it will eat at you for the rest of your life and he’ll win.”

Dylan nodded. “I know. I know.”

Evie slid her arms around him and sighed. “I’ll tell Vin to pick you up around five. Does that work?”

“Sounds good.”

Evie eased back and smiled. “Then I’d best be on my way because I’m getting married in two weeks and I have my final dress fitting today.”

Dylan returned her warm smile. “You’re going to make the most beautiful bride.”

Evie’s sweet laughter followed her out the door and left him standing alone in his kitchen. Another woman filled his mind. Another wedding.

But that teenage fantasy he’d had wasn’t meant to be. And being single was just fine with him. He realized now if he and Cori had indeed married straight out of high school like they’d wanted to, they would’ve made a colossal mistake. Even back then she was too anxious for big-city life and he was more than content to stay right here. Money could be made anywhere if you had the right skills and he was definitely turning a hefty profit these days.

So nice, in fact, he figured he should step up to the plate and make a donation to the rehab fund to keep Cori’s parents comfortable and in their current place until they were able to come home.

And Cori never had to know who the anonymous donor was.

Money meant nothing to him. Having it didn’t make him a better person, but using it to make others happy and comfortable was what it was all about.

“That was so fun,” Corinne said as Evie pulled up in front of her house. “I can’t believe what a bargain you got on that beautiful wedding gown. You’re going to be absolutely stunning.”

Corinne had been utterly shocked when Evie had popped over to her house not long after the embarrassing episode in Dylan’s kitchen. Evie had invited her to the final fitting of her wedding gown, saying she really needed a woman’s opinion and who better than a supermodel?

Corinne was thrilled Evie had extended that proverbial olive branch and wanted to spend some girl time with her. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d done something for fun with another female that didn’t revolve around work or court hearings regarding bogus charges.

Evie sighed and turned toward Corinne. “Listen, I know it’s none of my business what you and my brother do, and I promise I’m not going to discuss the whole incident from earlier. But you have to know…when you left last time, Dylan was hurt. We’d just lost our parents and then to have you leave… I’m sure you had your reasons, but just be careful. He may be all big and bad on the outside, but his feelings are tender.”

Corinne didn’t want to hear how hurt he was or about their parents’ death. Every horrid incident during that time frame was her fault and she knew secrets about that night that would drive a wedge so far between them that even if she moved back to Florida it wouldn’t be far enough away.

“I don’t know what’s going on with us,” Corinne said honestly. “My feelings for Dylan never went away just because I did. We’re two different people now, but sometimes when he looks at me, I feel seventeen again and all those emotions come back.”

Evie smiled. “I just want him to find happiness.”

Corinne couldn’t help her next question—she wanted to know. “He never married?”

Evie shook her head. “I honestly don’t think he ever seriously looked for someone. I know he was only seventeen when you all were together, but he was so mature for his age and I don’t think he ever considered anyone seriously after you.”

That revealing truth almost made her feel relieved, like she was irreplaceable. But on the other hand she was hurt by the painful revelation. Dylan was such a loving, giving man. Any woman would’ve been lucky and blessed to have him in her life.

“Thanks again for inviting me,” Corinne said, reaching for the door handle. “It’s not often I get to do frivolous things lately, especially with a friend. At least, I hope we’re still friends.”

Evie reached over and placed a hand on Corinne’s arm. “I don’t know the truth about what happened surrounding your arrest, but I firmly believe that you’re a good person who probably got caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I also know we were good friends once and I hope we still can be, even if you’re back for just a short time.”

Corinne’s eyes pricked with unshed tears as she offered a smile. “I’ve always considered you a friend, Evie.”

Evie glanced out the window at the rolling black clouds. “Better get inside before the rain comes. Looks like a nasty storm.”

Corinne grabbed her purse and dug out her keys. “Thanks again. Maybe when you need more girl time we can go to lunch or something.”

“I’d like that,” Evie told her.

Just as Corinne started for the house, big, fat raindrops drenched her and soaked her sundress to her skin, causing chill bumps to spread all over.

As soon as she got inside, Corinne stripped down, kicking her sandals off at the door and peeling her dress, underwear and all, down her body as she padded her way down the hall toward her bedroom.

A hot bath would really hit the spot. She needed to relax and she hadn’t taken advantage of the big Jacuzzi-style tub her parents had added since she’d been gone. A nice glass of wine, a heated bath, and the sound of the rain beating against the window would be the perfect ending to a pleasant day…despite the fact Evie had seen her groping Dylan. But they were all adults and what was done was done. Time to move on.

Shivering from that instant downpour, Corinne turned on the faucet in the oversized tub and couldn’t wait to slip into the hot water. She knew scalding baths were not good for her skin, but hey, getting arrested wasn’t good for her career, so…whatever. God, if she didn’t make jokes about the insane charges she’d go mad and end up crying all the time.

Rolling thunder shook the house and Corinne sighed.
Please, don’t be accompanied by lightning.
She just wanted to get into the bathtub and relax for a few moments. So far she hadn’t seen any lightning, so she was going to soak for just a few moments. Forget the wine, she could pour a glass when she got out. Right now she just wanted to be warmed up.

Corinne eased down into the tub and shut off the water valves. She didn’t care that the hot water felt like prickles to her freezing skin, she was just grateful not to be shivering anymore.

As the water enveloped her, she wondered why she hadn’t thought of bubbles. A bubble bath with wine was a must the next time she did this. Oh, and a book. Something steamy and sexy. As if she needed any help getting all hot and bothered…not with Mr. Sexy First Love living only a grassy knoll away.

She settled her head against the curved edge of the porcelain and sighed. She could totally get spoiled staying here. Granted, she’d stayed in some of the top hotels in the world and had even owned two amazing homes with all the amenities, but there was just something about coming home that really made you feel at peace.

Unfortunately that peace was interrupted by another rumble of thunder, this time accompanied by a bright flash of lightning. As much as she wanted to relax and stay in her tub, she also didn’t want to get fried in a bathtub.

She pulled the plug to let the water out and climbed out of the tub. That water had felt so good, but she supposed some cozy PJs would keep her happy. Maybe something oversized and warm. Now she needed that wine and maybe a movie to go along with her lazy-bum night.

Corinne grabbed the robe off the back of the door and wrapped up in it before heading across the hall to her bedroom. She shuffled through the suitcase she’d yet to unpack in search of her “comfort” clothes. Every woman had them and these may be the only things she owned that she’d purchased on her own and that hadn’t been made by some fancy designer who only wanted to give her clothes so she would pimp out their brand.

Hey, that was fine with her. Free clothes, and all she had to do was drop the name of the designer? Not a problem at all, but on occasion she just wanted some sloppy lounge pants and a T-shirt.

She moved aside the bras because, well, if she was going to be comfy they sure as hell wouldn’t fit the criteria. Finally she found an old, long-sleeved tee and a pair of grey, baggy sweats.

If her friends could see her now.

Corinne nearly laughed at herself as she got dressed and pulled her hair up into a topknot. She moved through the house, but when the lights flickered once, then came right back on, she decided she’d better find some flashlights, just in case.

Seeing as how she had no idea where they would be, she opted to look in the garage first. Thankfully it was attached to the house and she didn’t have to go back out into the rain and wind, and now lightning.

Because her father was a neat freak, everything was in its place so there was no clutter to rummage through. In no time she’d found a flashlight and headed back inside. There was no doubt in her mind that her father had a generator somewhere out there, but she’d have no earthly idea how to use it. Hopefully, if they lost power, it wouldn’t be for too long.

She recalled as a kid how many freak storms would pop up, taking the power out for a few hours at a time. She’d always loved sitting on the porch with her parents. They would watch the storms and embrace the fact that in this great big crazy world, there really wasn’t much they could control. Not the weather, not other people, and sometimes not even themselves.

Boy, hadn’t she proven that fact a few times since she’d been back? Her emotions where Dylan was concerned were certainly out of her control.