The Sterling Boys (15 page)

RAIN

This is the worst I've ever hated any sort of party. This charity is for feeding the hungry. I'm going to hell because all I can think about tonight is getting Dane out of here and enjoying what I've always wanted—him. Have I not waited long enough? I'd say eleven years of waiting is more than plenty.

Britt is the only amusement I've had in hours. She's still holding those roses tightly to her body—even as they wilt—and carrying them around for everyone to see. If not for her, I'd be pulling my hair out right now.

"You look bored," a sexy voice says in my ear, and I grin foolishly while Dane wraps his warm arms around my waist, tugging my back to his front.

"I'm less bored now."

So this is what it feels like. I've written so many romances, and all of them have spawned from the way Dane made me feel when I was just a kid. Now that his arms are wrapped around me, and we've actually started a real relationship... It's better than I thought it could feel, and we've just begun.

I thought we'd talk about the letter, but I really don't want to ruin this night. Instead, I turn in his arms so that I can face him, and I smile up at him as he leans down to press a teasing kiss to my lips.

"I'm done!" a girl screams angrily, and I jump in a startled response, whipping around to see what's going on.

Erica tosses what's left of her champagne in Wren's face, and he closes his eyes while clenching his jaw. She storms out, leaving behind several gasps and dropped jaws. Wren takes a napkin from Tag and wipes his face as everyone stares, still stunned.

"Let's crank up the music," Tag says, trying to make everyone look away from his friend.

Ash shakes her head while watching the doorway where Erica retreated. I don't even know what to say or do right now.

"That was... weird," Dane murmurs.

"That must have been a nasty fight."

Dane shrugs as Wren walks out the door with Tag, and Ash slowly makes her way toward us, frowning.

"What happened?" Dane asks as she reaches us.

"I'm pretty sure Erica just left Wren."

My eyes almost pop out of my head. "Why?"

Her eyes lift to my cousin Billy, who I've learned happens to be her best friend, and then she looks away.

"Sometimes people think they've moved on from something, but they really haven't. I don't think Wren ever really forgave her for what she did with his brother. He tried, but in the end, neither of them really tried hard enough. I just hope they're both okay right now. Erica seemed pretty worked up."

If I knew Erica, I might go to her, but I really don't know her that well. Wren is my cousin, but I'm not really as close to him or Billy like I am Kade Colton.

"I think I should probably go check on her. I don't know if she has anyone else to do it right now," Ash sighs, turning and walking briskly on her way to the door.

I can't believe Tag Masters landed a girl that good. After the way he treated women, I expected karma to pay him back.

"Ash is too good for Tag," I murmur casually while turning around to face Dane.

"Actually," Dane says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as he guides me toward the door, "she's good
for
him. You don't know what he went through to be with her. It changed him, and for the first time in his life, he's actually happy.
Really
happy."

We gradually make our way through the next horde of people, and Dane does the obligatory shaking of hands and exchange of cordialities.

"What did he go through to be with her?" I ask as we grab another glass of champagne from a passing tray.

"A crazy stalker, a secret pregnancy, gunshot wound, knife stab, a lunatic father... the list goes on and on. Rene Ballinger actually died during all that, and Ash went through hell."

I gasp and cover my mouth. Damn. And I thought I had it bad. I'd heard about Rene dying, but no one ever elaborated. I didn't really know her, so I never looked into it.

"Wow. I'm surprised Tag stuck it out."

"He never even faltered, surprisingly enough. From the second Ash needed him, he was by her side. It forced him to grow up. Tag was furious about her keeping Trip a secret, but he did something I never expected; he forgave her. That's not really Tag's style when it comes to girls. But he truly forgave her, and now he's... happy."

It seems like he's saying more to me than just explaining Tag's story. Then he turns me around and guides me into a private piece of the country club. My heels click against the slick floors, and every rustle is echoed through the empty room that is devoid of anything but mirrors and ballet bars. In fact, there are mirrors from the floor to the ceiling all the way around the room.

After putting down our champagne glasses, his lips lightly graze mine, and he pushes me into a corner. I grin as his hands come to rest on my hips, and all other thoughts start to shuffle out.

"Let's forget about the time we wasted—move on from it. I can get over the past if you can, but we have to be able to move forward, because I really want this to work."

He thumbs my chin, freeing my bottom lip from my teeth, and stares expectantly into my eyes. His emerald green beauties hold a depth of genuineness I can't deny, and I soak in his words.

He doesn't want to talk about that letter. He doesn't want to explain what happened, and this is his way of telling me that. Tag's story was Dane's way of letting me know he wants forgiveness—real forgiveness. Can I just let it go without discussion?

When he slowly slides his hand up my body, I shiver against his touch. I can forgive him because I love him, and I can forget it because I don't want to lose him. I've never wanted anything like I want Dane. And I refuse to spend any more time being pissed about that damn letter. We were just kids back then. If he wants me now, that's enough.

"I'll do whatever I have to in order to make this work," I say honestly, pulling him to me for a real kiss, one that I fully intend to deepen.

My tongue explores his mouth, and he returns the favor. I moan as he pushes against me, and my body melts against his. Can I really have sex in the country club? Is that a little cheap?

Fuck it.

"We should lock the door," I murmur against his lips, making his already hungry kiss become ravenous.

DANE

She wants me to lock the door? Oh hell yes.

She may not have apologized for the past, but I still forgive her. I love her too much to allow us to become Wren and Erica—a set of unresolved issues and festering resentments. We don't have to hash it all out. I can just let go of the past, and that's what I was telling her.

Refusing to leave her for even a second, I pick her up, forcing her dress up as she wraps her legs around my waist. This room is meant for dance lessons—my mother's project—so there's no furniture in here. That only leaves me with one option. The ballet bars.

I can work with that.

Trying to stay cool, I briskly walk to the door and click the lock, thankful this room is full of mirrors instead of windows. Mirrors... I'll get to see every angle of Rain's body.

"Dress off," I mutter against her lips, making it a command unintentionally.

She bends toward me, tightening her grip on me as I start unzipping her dress. I wish I could get the damn thing off her without removing her from me, but I can't. Her feet drop to the ground, and the dress falls to the floor with barely a rustling motion.

My breath ceases as she steps out of her dress. Her breasts are bare, and only a lacy thong covers her lower half. Her silver heels are still on, and I'm quite certain this is better than any fantasy I've ever had.

Absently, I start loosening my tie as she slowly slides her panties down, her eyes connecting with mine the entire time.

"Leave the heels on," I say with a grin, and she chuckles.

"You're such a guy," she teases.

In record time, I'm out of all my clothes, and Rain is naked in front of me... all except for those heels. Now would be a good time to propose—if I had a ring.

Christ, she's driving me mad.

"Are you going to look all day, or am I going to get touched at some point?" she asks, looking amused as I gawk openly.

My arms go around her, and she jumps up to wrap her legs around my waist again. This time there aren't layers of clothing separating us, and her heated center presses against my painfully erect cock.

We're all hands, tongues, and harsh breaths as I back her against the cool surface of the mirror, placing her ass on top of the ballet bar as I position my cock right where it needs to be.

She pulls my hair hard as she hungrily kisses me, and I surge in, putting us both out of our misery as I sink inside her. Her sharp intake of air is even sexy right now, but her moan is almost enough to make this end too soon.

My lips move away from her mouth as my rhythm picks up, and I watch her face as my strokes get faster and harder. She bites down on her lower lip, and my knees tremble, forcing me steel myself quickly.

Leaning over, I tug her lip free with my teeth, pulling it into my mouth, and enjoying it just as I'm enjoying the rest of her body. These mirrors are officially my favorite things in the world, because I get a panoramic view of the girl I love as she becomes lost in me.

Her breaths hasten, and she tugs my hair harder, pulling her lip away as her head drops back. Those sexy little moans get louder, and I angle her just right, giving me the depth I need to send her over the edge.

When my name tears through her lips and her walls clench around me, my body tightens and explodes. My ragged breaths slow as I lean against her, feeling completely exhausted after that, and she pants in my ear while keeping her legs firmly strapped around me.

"Have I told you how fucking perfect you are?" I murmur against her ear through my heavy, labored breaths.

She giggles while tracing the lines of my tattoo, strumming her lips against my neck as I stay inside her. I really suck at pacing things, because I want to confess how much I've loved her all these years, and then I want to drop to one knee and ask her to be mine for the rest of our lives.

At least I'm smart enough to lock my lips up instead of saying all that craziness aloud.

"You ready to get back to the party?" she murmurs against my ear before tugging my earlobe into her mouth.

I smile as I glance in the mirror beside her, feeling myself getting hard again when I see our bodies still connected.

"Not yet," I say with a grin that matches hers. Rain Noles is finally mine.

RAIN

"I have school," Britt says as she walks out of the kitchen, and I push the laptop away from me to give her my full attention.

"Okay," I say, confused.

She shrugs as she grabs her backpack and then she walks toward me.

"Dane always makes me tell him where I'm going and what I'm doing before I leave, and he's not here. Since you're living here, I thought I might be supposed to tell you."

Living here? Crap. Dane and I have only been dating for a couple of weeks.

"Um... I'm not living here."

It's apparently her turn to look confused. "You've been here for several weeks, you have clothes here, you're showering here and sleeping here... I think that means you live here."

My lips thin as I think it all over, and my stomach clenches. I guess it does look like I live here, but I've just been staying here more because Dane wants to be around for Britt, and we've been making up for a lot of lost time.

Before I can argue, she's already walking out the door, leaving me in the stewing pile of concerns in her wake. We don't need to rush this. I sure as hell don't want to scare him off right when I finally have him.

A knock at the door puts my concerns on hold, and I make my way over to answer it. Tria is standing there, surprising me. She's wearing a short, vibrant orange sundress that blends well against her tanned skin, and that raises a few questions.

"Hey," I say slowly, hoping she's not here to see Dane.

We might be finally getting a little closer, but I'm still not comfortable with her being close to Dane. I don't care how insecure that makes me look.

"You look like you forgot. We're supposed to go to the benefit breakfast. You've got a speech to make."

"Oh shit!" I screech, diving away from the door and rushing to the bedroom.

She snickers quietly while following me into my bedroom as I rummage through my closet. I've gotten so wrapped up in writing and Dane lately that I completely forgot about this benefit breakfast. And I'm the guest speaker, dammit.

"Wear this," Tria says, pulling out a dark blue sundress that looks similar to hers in style, but just a little shorter. "It'll suit the occasion the best. Your hair and makeup look good."

I breathe out, cursing this morning already.

"I had a conference meeting this morning, and everyone was going to have to see me through the computer screen, so makeup and hair was necessary. One of my books is being made into a movie, and they're about to start shooting."

She gasps, and I realize I haven't told anyone from here about this. It's been in the works for several months, and it'll take at least a year to finish it. But I finally have a movie deal.

"That's amazing! Which one? I've read them all."

That's... surprising. Tria reads my stuff?

"Um... well, this one is actually under a different pen. It's the Easton Boys."

Within a second, her phone is whipped out of her purse and she's pressing buttons like crazy.

"No!" I blurt out, panicked. "Don't tell anyone. There's a reason it's under a different pen."

She never even looks up. "I'm not telling anyone; I'm just ordering the hard copy. I'll get the kindle version when I get home."

My smile involuntarily tugs up, and I watch as she finishes up and puts her phone away. But in the same moment I feel touched by her gesture, a wave of regret washes over me. Ah, crap.

"Um... I wrote this book before you and I were... better. This book is based on... the guys, but you're kind of in it."

She shrugs, acting as though she's not offended. I always thought Tria was nothing but drama, but in all honesty, she's barely any drama at all.

"I'll survive whatever is said. To be honest, I didn't portray you so well when I talked about you. You were sort of a bitch to me."

I laugh humorlessly, only because our lives are so fucked up. She's right. Where she's concerned, I was sort of a bitch—an envious bitch because I thought she had it so much easier.

"Since we're finally on good terms, think I could get my books signed?" she asks with a smile that warms me.

I never realized how badly I wanted to be close to my sister, but since all this happened, I really want to make this work.

"Absolutely."

She sighs happily while walking me toward the door. I slip my heels on as I walk out, happy I had out a pair that matches.

"So, does Dane know about the breakfast benefit?" she asks as we get into her car.

"Um. No. I didn't want him coming. He's got a busy day today anyway."

She frowns as we drive toward the hotel where the benefit is.

"Why don't you want him there? This is a pretty personal thing, and the two of you are living together now, so—"

"We're not living together," I groan, exasperated. "And you're right. This is personal. I don't think it's something a man can understand."

She looks like she wants to argue, but she bites back whatever it is she wants to say. We pull up to the hotel, park quickly, and take hurried strides toward the side entrance. The banquet hall was donated for this, and it's absolutely beautifully decorated. Gold glimmers on every surface—curtains, tables, chairs... all of it. For this morning, everyone will feel like royalty, which is something these women deserve.

A girl rushes over to me, tugging at my hand, and scaring me a little when she starts dragging me away.

"We were starting to worry you weren't going to make it."

Am I that late?

I glance over my shoulder to see Tria smiling softly while sitting down in an open spot. I'm glad I invited her to this, especially since I'd have forgotten about it without her. Viv always handled my schedule when I lived in New York. Now she just handles my professional stuff.

"Most of you know Rain Noles and the challenges she's faced because of breast cancer. This morning, she's here to talk to you, to remind you how good life can be even when it seems there's no way it can ever get better," the lady at the podium announces.

I swallow hard as I make my way to her spot, taking a shaky placement. I've always hated public speaking, but my name on the docket was to draw in more benefactors for the cause.

Looking out at the sea of faces, I'm met with eyes that have more scars than I do. I was lucky—one of the few who survived without having to endure the life of chemo—but cancer has taken more from me than any one person should ever have to give up.

With a nervous breath, I pull my notes from my purse and set them down in front of me.

"Everyone here has experienced loss in some form because of breast cancer. Whether you've managed to escape it or not, it has left its mark on you in some way. I lost my mother when I was just thirteen. Endometrial cancer had snuck into her system as well, but the breast cancer had already signed her passage to the other side. The uterus cancer just sped things along. My grandmother died from breast cancer and uterus cancer before that, so I knew there would be a day when cancer came for me.

"When I was eighteen, the blood work came through, announcing I was next in line to die from it if I didn't act quickly. Through several preventative measures, I was fortunate enough to dodge the cancer, though we all know it's a day by day thing. But in the process, I lost my breasts.

"How could I be a woman without my breasts? It seemed impossible to live a normal life without one of the things that made me feminine. Even after they were reconstructed, I felt insecure, undesirable, and more importantly, I was scared. Scared that no man would ever want to touch me if he knew the truth. But mostly, I was scared that I'd never feel whole.

"To be honest, I still have some insecurities, but they don't cripple me or hold me back, because I refuse to let cancer steal my life when I've spent my days beating it. There are women here who've gone through more than I have—women who've been on death's doorstep and flipped the Grim Reaper the bird. Those women are my heroes."

I pause as everyone smiles and laughs a little. Some are even wiping tears because those are the women who've gone through hell. The ones here wearing scarves on their heads instead of hair. Those women are the ones who should be standing up here. Not me.

"Cancer will take it all from you if you let it. It doesn't just want your body, it wants your smile, your laugh, your hope, and it wants to leave you with nothing but emptiness. It's a pit of despair, and it wants to suck you into it. That's why it's so important to have a support system around you. No one should ever try facing it alone."

I suck in a breath as I think about my latest loss. No one knows besides the doctors and nurses. I'm preaching about support systems, and yet no one knows that cancer has just stolen my future for children. I haven't even talked about it aloud since the day I found out.

Shaking away those thoughts, I continue. "People always tell you to be strong, but what does strong really mean? What makes a person strong? Is a person strong when they don't break under pressure? If they never show their pain, does that make them strong?

"What makes a person weak? If they cry, are they weak? Are they considered fragile if they fall apart when the world crashes down on them? Does vulnerability make them weak?

"My definition of strong may not match everyone else's, because I believe no one can be strong if they've never been weak. Because if you've never once found a point in your life where it was a struggle to meet the next day, then you've never been challenged; therefore you don't know if you're strong or not.

"I think being strong means you get up when you've been knocked down. You cry your tears because those tears will help you heal. And you move on, because you're worth it, and you owe it to yourself. You'll take the punches when they come, and you'll know a stumble never makes you weak; it only gives you character."

A standing ovation surprises me, considering my personal journey pales in comparison to some of theirs. But tears are in the eyes of every woman who knows exactly what I'm talking about. These strong, beautiful, unstoppable women are applauding for me, and in this moment, I don't feel worthy.

I shake the hands of everyone here, smiling and hugging women who share their battle stories. Then I sit down to listen to the next speaker, hoping maybe she can give me what I need right now.