Snare (Falling Stars #3) (25 page)

I snort, getting side-eye from Xavier.

Within minutes, the car pulls away from the curb, giving the twins thirty minutes to inform me about what they've been up to and how much their mother wants to meet me.

"You okay?" Xavier leans into my ear after that announcement.

"They aren't serious," I whisper, turning my head and meeting his eyes, "are they?"

His smile is confirmation that they are indeed serious.

Oh, shit.

The car pulls into a half moon driveway, stopping in front of a massive, light beige, Spanish-style house with a fountain in front.

I climb out of the back of the car and look up. Scratch house—it's a mansion.

"Grandpa," Nate's shout pulls my attention to the open doorway.

"Oh my God," I gasp.

"Breathe," Xavier whispers in my ear. "It's just my dad," he reminds me.

"He is so much more than that." There's no keeping the lust out of my voice.

Duncan Stone is tall, tan, and, even in a white linen button up shirt, clearly still a well-built man.

Damn, he's sexy.

"Darling," he calls out, his deep voice very similar to Xavier's.

"Hey, baby," Sherry responds, clicking toward him in her mile-high heels.

The moment she's within reach, he snags her waist and lifts her against his chest.

It seems so personal, I feel an urge to look away.

"Get a room," Em shouts, brushing by them.

Two men follow her, carrying luggage. It's then I notice mine.

"Wait a minute," I shout, hurrying after them. "Those bags aren't going inside."

The men stop, look over my shoulder, and then proceed to take the bags in the house.

I turn and narrow my eyes on Xavier.

"I totally fell for this, didn't I?" I ask, only now realizing he tricked me.

"Yep," he answers without one ounce of shame.

Grabbing my arm, he leads me toward the front door and his parents.

"You used your dad to distract me," I gasp. "Have you no shame?"

"Nope." He grins.

"Ass—"

"Dad," he cuts me off, "this is Sidra Campbell."

I move my eyes up to the striking blue ones looking back. Clamping my mouth shut, I fight to keep my breathing steady.

"Sid, this is my dad." He motions to his father.

A small smile starts at the corner of his mouth, spreading across his face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you," he greets.

I open my mouth to respond, but my mind blanks and all I can manage is a, "Hi."

Oh my God, I'm an idiot.

"Mr. Stone," I rush to correct my idiocy, "it's such an honor to meet you."

"Please, call me Duncan. And most importantly, why don't I get an I love you?" His question surprises me.

"Nope," Sherry chimes in, "I'm special."

Fuck my life, she told him about that.

"I, uh…" I stumble over my words.

"It's probably best that you don't," Mr. Stone says, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Xavier may not like me stealing his girlfriend."

Oh-my-God-he's-touching-me. Wait, girlfriend?

"I'm not—" I start.

"Wow, Dad, with me and Mom both standing here?" Xavier asks, teasing.

His father grins and drops his hand from my shoulder.

"Don't start, you two." Sherry slaps her palm to Duncan's chest before stepping out of his embrace and walking into the house.

"Son…" Duncan clasps Xavier's shoulder.

"Good to see ya, Dad," he greets, bringing his dad in for a one-arm hug.

He steps back and turns, following his wife into the house.

I totally stare at his ass.

He has an amazing ass.

"Are you done drooling over my dad?" Xavier asks.

"Huh?" I twist my neck, but leave my eyes on the perfect backside until it disappears out of sight.

The silence draws my eyes to his face.

Brow furrowed and eyes narrowed, he purses his lips.

"What?" I ask, batting my lashes and grinning.

He lifts an arm, pointing toward the house. "Get moving," he orders.

"So bossy," I mumble, but start up the small stairway to the door. "Ow," I shout, reaching back and rubbing my ass.

"What was that for?" I ask, looking over my shoulder.

"Eye-fucking my dad," he says, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Like it's my fault your dad is hot as fuck, the father of porn, and has documented video of how well he can fuck," I retort.

Then, before I can turn back around, I slam into a wall—a warm, moving wall.

Xavier bursts out laughing.

Closing my eyes, I swallow and ask, "It's your dad, isn't it?"

"Yes," Duncan Stone responds on a choked laugh.

Swallowing the mortification, I turn to face him.

The fight not to laugh at me contorts his handsome face.

"It's okay," I say, putting up a hand, "just let it out."

He snorts and his shoulders jerk.

"No, I…should be more…polite," his words are choppy, "you're…our guest."

Xavier's chuckle comes from just over my shoulder.

I shake my head.

"No, it's best that you just experience my verbal outbursts and figure out now how to process them."

I sigh and with courage coming out of nowhere, I pat him on the arm before stepping around him.

Inside the house, I look up and take in the massive foyer.

The arm over my shoulders makes me jump.

"Let me show you around," Xavier offers, guiding me into the next room.

The house is mostly light beiges accented with white, contrasting with the dark wood floors and doors. Some blush tones getting involved in seven bathrooms, while darker browns accent the six bedrooms. They have a library, pool, and a large white fireplace in the massive family room.

I'm still not sure why you need a fireplace in Miami, but what do I know? However, I am totally fantasizing about Sherry and Duncan walking around naked when no one else is home.

The staircase is dark wooden steps with a gold filigree design banister wrapping up and around to the loft area.

Xavier ends the tour with his room, which has hints of grays and whites.

Glancing to the bed, I see my bags and raise a brow at him.

"You really going to argue about staying in my room?"

"Will you be in here, too?" I ask, crossing my arms.

He rolls his eyes.

"It's my room," he retorts.

"I don't even get a choice?" I relax my stance, fighting not to laugh at his growing frustration.

"Christ, woman, does everything have to be an argument?"

"Do you have to be such an asshole all the time?" I quip back.

"Fine," he rubs a large hand over his face, "do you want to stay in here?"

Pursing my lips, I tap my index finger on my chin.

"Will you be naked?"

The wrinkles of frustration unfold from his brow and he shakes his head on a silent laugh.

"Do you want me to be?" The left side of his mouth curls in a half grin.

"Is that even a real question?" I drop my hands to my hips.

He puts his hands up. "Okay, yes. I'll be naked."

Going back into my contemplation pose, I ask, "Will there be tongue Olympics?"

His amused expression turns dark. Stalking to me, he brings one arm around my back and jerks me against his chest. His other hand goes to my hair, fisting and twisting. Not painfully, it's just enough to let me know he has control.

I hate it and love it at the same time.

Pulling my head back, he crashes his lips to mine.

The kiss is wet, messy, loud, carnal.

His hand slides into the waistband of my leggings and underwear.

I stiffen, open my eyes, and break the kiss.

"Your door's open," I pant.

Guiding me backward, his hand disappears from my pants to close the door.

My back connects with the surface and his knees go to the floor.

His fingers grip the sides of my leggings and each knuckle digs and runs rough down my thighs as he takes them off.

Holy shit.

Grasping my hips in his hands, he turns me toward the closed door. Hand at the base of my back, he pushes me against it and uses his other hand to pull my left leg out. Then…

"Oh my God," I moan, pressing my cheek to the door.

His tongue slides inside and swirls. From behind.

These aren't slow, tasting, teasing strokes—he's raw, animalistic in his attack. This is the epitome of being eaten. Two fingers slide on each side of my clit before he pinches.

"Fuck," I scream, slap the door, and come on his face.

One long lick from pussy to ass, and he's on his feet behind me.

"Brace yourself," he demands.

Who am I to say no?

Xavier's hands grip my hips and pull them farther from the door. I moan when my ass meets his hard, naked cock.

His hand pressing to the middle of my back pushes my ass out further.

"I said brace yourself," he growls.

Scrambling, I adjust my feet and press my forearms to the wood.

He slides his length between my legs, but doesn't enter. Back and forth, he moves against me.

"You're so fucking wet," he praises, snaking his hand into my hair.

Fisting the strands, he pulls my head back.

"Did my tongue get you soaked and ready?" He jerks his hips, thrusting against me.

"Yes," I breathe, digging my fingers into the door.

"Tell me what you want, Sid?" His question is strained, barely hanging on.

"I want you to slam your big, hard cock inside my pussy until I scream your fucking name," I challenge.

He growls and rears back, giving me exactly what I asked of him.

Hand tightening in my hair, his hips slapping against my ass, and the sound of him between my legs increases my arousal to a new fucking level.

"Shit," I gasp when he hits the spot.

"Right here?" He hits it again.

"Yes," I call out.

Again and again, his dick finds the magic button.

"Give it up, tiger," he growls, releasing my hair and gripping my hips with both hands.

His fingers dig into my flesh. It's almost painful, but delicious at the same time.

"Give it to me." His hand slaps my ass to accentuate his demand.

"Oh, fuck." I push back to meet his thrust.

Then I come so damn hard, calling his name.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Xavier

I haven't had Sid alone, and awake, since the welcome to my room fuck yesterday.

Cass and Lyra dragged her around the house before dinner. My mother and sister commandeered her after dinner. And even my father stole her away to show off some of the AVN awards. The wink he sent me after putting his arm around her let me know he was totally fucking with me.

Then, Mom got Sid so drunk, it took Dad, Em's husband, Drew, and me, to stop them from skinny dipping in the fountain out front of the house.

Once we got to the bedroom, Sid was out.

"I still can't believe you stripped me naked," she whisper-scolds so the girls don't hear her.

"You owed me," I whisper back.

Her mouth drops open right before she snaps it shut and narrows her eyes at me.

"For what?"

"Preventing you from skinny dipping in the fountain and carrying your ass to bed," I retort.

Her mouth scrunches to one side before she nods. "Okay, you have a point, but taking advantage of a drunk woman?"

"I'll never apologize," I state, throwing my arm along the seat of the car.

She may have been passed out, but that didn't stop me from stripping her out of her clothes so I could easily access her ass and boobs all night.

"I slept like a fucking baby," I add.

She snorts. "I'm surprised I didn't wake up with my boob in your mouth. Were you not breastfed as a child?"

Before I can answer, we pull into the lot of The Fillmore.

The marquee isn't lit up, but each band's name is already posted for tonight.

Inside the venue, people bustle around.

"I've gotta find Chantel and Red," Sid says, looking at her phone.

"I'll see you guys later." She starts to walk away, but I grab her arm and spin her around.

"What?" She blinks in surprise.

"Xavier?" Mel appears next to us.

Ignoring him, I grab the back of Sid's head and kiss her.

Releasing her mouth, I whisper against her lips, "That's what."

I free her head and slap her ass when she walks away, earning a scowl and a mumbled manhandling from Sid, but I achieve giggles from the girls.

Corbin comes down the same hall, smiling and winking at Sid as she passes.

"That's new," he says, passing by us.

"What's up, girls?"

"Hey, Uncle Corbin," they reply.

"What's up, Mel?" I acknowledge my assistant once Sid disappears around a corner, her computer bag bouncing against her hip.

"I'll show you to the dressing room," he says, clearing his throat.

"Lead away."

The girls move in close, one on each side. They've done this since they were babies. And maybe it's my doing since I could never carry one and not the other. So, I'd carry them on their respective side.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?" I wrap my arm around Cass and the other around Lyra.

"Is Sid your girlfriend now?"

I take a deep breath and exhale, loudly.

"It's not that simple," I state.

"What do you mean?" she asks, her eyes on me.

"He means they're having sex, but not together, together," Lyra answers.

Her response shocks me still and I look down at her.

"What?" she asks with a shrug. "There are many sexual based arrangements."

"Lyra, I'm going to need you to do your old dad a favor."

"What?" she asks through an eager smile.

"Stay out of your grandparents library," I grumble.

"There's nothing wrong with being educated," she argues.

I pull my arms away from their shoulders and rub my face.

"And after reading about it, I've decided I'm not having sex—at least, not for a long time," Lyra discloses.

A sudden wave of relief washes over me.

"I changed my mind. Keep reading."

Reclaiming their shoulders, we follow Mel to the dressing room.

"Cass doesn't agree," Lyra continues.

I drop my head back on a groan. "Fuck my life."

"Pay up!" Lyra and Cass shout in unison.

Red enters the dressing room, two phones in his hand and a small, cocoa-skinned woman behind him.

"Hey, assholes," he greets Corbin, Randy, and me.

Then, he sees the girls.

"There're my angels," he croons, making them giggle.

"Hey, Uncle Red," they say as one.

"It still creeps me out when they talk like that," Randy says from the chair across from mine.

Scowling, I flip him off.

"It is very horror movie," Corbin agrees, earning my other middle finger.

"You two wanna go on stage?" Red asks, ignoring us.

"Yes," Lyra jumps up.

Cass' brow furrows and she bites her lip.

"Come on, Cass," Lyra begs. "There's no audience."

"You don't have to do anything you don't want, baby," I tell her from across the room.

Her wide eyes turn to me and she gives me a small smile.

"Those jerks will be out there, too," Red tells her, pointing at us, "so you won't be alone."

"Come on, come on, come on," Lyra bounces.

Sighing, Cass gives a nod.

"Yes!" Lyra fist punches the air.

Red escorts them out of the room, then sticks his head back in.

"Come on, assholes, you've got a rehearsal."

"What a dick," Randy states.

When he stands, I notice how sweaty and jumpy he is.

"You okay?"

My question brings his worried eyes to mine.

"Yeah, just trying to detox a bit." He gives a shrug and leaves the room.

I share a look of concern with Corbin before we follow him out.

The stage crew already has our instruments set up.

Taking a seat behind my drum set, I watch my girls twirl on the stage.

I never knew I wanted kids. When Maria found out she was pregnant, it was a shock to my system. Watching them now, my heart swells, warming every depth in my chest.

"Sid," Red broadcasts on a mic. "Sid, where the fu—" his eyes shift to the girls, "where are you?"

When there's no sign of her, he keeps making his announcement.

A walkie-talkie flies through the air and smacks his shoulder just before she ascends the stairs stage right.

"What's the point in making me carry that if you're going to scream for me?" she bitches, snatching his mic away when she gets close enough.

"I forgot where I put it," he yells, picking up the device at his feet.

"Well, what do you want now, Rumpleforeskin? My first born child? Blood?" Her hands plant on her hips.

Watching my little tiger bitch out a massive guy like Red makes my chest warm.

I pick up my sticks, twirl them between my fingers, and freeze.

My heart swells and my chest warms.

I look over at my laughing daughters and then back to Sid.

It's the same feeling. Of course, there are other feelings regarding Sid, but…well, fuck, my little tiger's gone and made me fall for her.

"You look like you just lost something," Corbin states, modifying his guitar and strumming.

"I think I did," I snort.

Corbin adjusts the knobs on his main amp before responding.

"Need help finding it?"

Shaking my head, I twirl my sticks again.

"Nah," I respond, "I'm pretty sure she," I point one stick at Sid, "has it."

Corbin glances to Sid and back to me.

"Ah…" he nods, strumming again.

His eyes go very serious, almost angry, when he snaps, "Good fucking luck with that."

Furrowing my brow, I take a moment to really look at Corbin.

He's older, still in good shape, but thinner. For a moment, it was like having the old Corbin back, and the next, right now, I watch him curl back inside himself.

Goddamn, death doesn't just take the life of the person it claims

Randy starts to play an acoustic version of a song for the girls. They start singing into dead mics. The warm feeling returns to my chest.

"Damn it, woman," Red yells, arms thrown in the air.

Now, Bethany stands next to Sid, and she doesn't look happy.

"She's one person, Red," she shouts.

"But I trust her," he argues.

"You're impossible," Bethany growls, shoving his chest and turning to Sid. "I'll be helping her, which will probably exhaust me by this evening," she throws over her shoulder.

"Don't play the vagina hold-out card," Red warns.

Turning, she puts a hand to her chest and fakes insult.

"I would never," she exaggerates, spins, and sashays away.

"You're not getting any tonight," I shout, pointing at him.

He flips me off right as a beautiful voice fills the venue.

Everyone stills and turns to the twins.

Cass drops the mic and it squeals from feedback.

The sound booth shuts it down, but all eyes are on Cass.

"Holy shit, dude," Randy exclaims, twisting his neck to look at me.

I'm too shocked to say anything.

My girls could often be found singing around the house. They played that damn video game all the time, sang in their rooms, or just when they were doing homework, but I'd never heard
that
voice come out of my daughter—especially not quiet reserved Cass.

"Jesus," Red sighs, "can you sing like that, too?" he asks Lyra.

Shaking her head, she grins wildly.

"Nope, it's all Cass," Lyra boasts, clearly proud of her sister.

"Did you know about this?" Red turns his questions on me.

Still shocked silent, I slowly shake my head.

"She only sings for Mom," Lyra explains, wrapping a thin, tan arm over her sister's shoulders.

Cass looks like she might faint and leans into her sister for support.

"Lyra can sing," Cass says, her voice shaking with nerves.

"But not like that," Lyra clarifies.

Sidra

I have a ton of shit I should be doing, but instead, I'm standing, slack-jawed, watching the events unfold.

"They should sing with us tonight," Randy states, setting his guitar in the stand on stage.

"What?" Xavier asks in disbelief. "You want to put my thirteen-year-old daughters on a stage with the kind of crowd we draw?"

"They can both sing really well," Randy argues.

He's not lying. Playing that damn game back in the cabin, I heard both girls. They can carry a note. However, Cass had been holding back.

"That's a terrible idea," Xavier dismisses the suggestion.

"Why?" Red surprises me by jumping on Team Randy.