The Tangled Series Complete Digital Boxed Set (Bad Boy Rock Star, Millionaire, and MMA Fighter Bundle) (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

Sinclair

“That’s the one,” nodded Jesse, a look of approval on his face. “That dress is sinful, it’s over-the-top, and it fucking
rocks
. In fact, I think it could end some perfectly stable marriages.”

I turned towards him and pulled at the front. “You don’t think it’s too revealing?”

He glanced at my very exposed cleavage. “Oh, no… you’ll be overdressed to some people’s standards at tonight’s soiree. Remember, there will be musicians, actors, and more skanky, anorexic models.”

I stared at myself in the mirror at this swanky, upscale dress store called Dolce’s. The average outfit cost well over one thousand dollars and the red chiffon gown I currently had on was triple that price. I had to admit, however, I liked how it hugged my body and the way my leg peeked out from the slit on the side.

“You sure you want to pay this much?” I asked, looking at the tag again.

He stood up and put his arm around me. “Yes, sweetie,” he whispered in my ear. “I only ask that you let me borrow it from you, someday.”

My eyebrows shot up.

He put his hands on his hips. “Don’t look at me like that, Sin. You know I’d rock that dress.”

“I’m sure, but… I never knew you…” 

He smiled, wickedly. “Oh there are many things you don’t know, sweetheart.”

I giggled. “Oh, you are wild and dirty, aren’t you?”

He let out a playful growl. “You have no freakin’ idea.”

***

We purchased the dress along with a pair of sexy black heels and then went out for lunch at a cozy restaurant along Huntington Beach.

“So, what do you think of my family so far?” asked Jesse after finishing a peanut-butter-and-banana-Panini sandwich.

“Well, your mom is definitely old fashioned and set in her ways,” I said. “Which I can see why you wouldn’t want to tell her you’re gay.”

He laughed. “Could you imagine? She’d lock herself in her room with a bottle of valium and never come out.”

I chuckled. “Definitely. But what about your dad? I mean, he must work with a lot of gay people. I’m sure he’d be much more understanding.”

Jesse sighed. “You’d think, huh? The fact is that I’ve heard him bash gays, minorities, and women with small breasts. He’s a total dickhead, and frankly, I’m ashamed he’s blood-related.”

“That’s too bad,” I said.

“Not only that, he’s cheated on my mother more times than I can count. She’s a prude and annoying as hell most of the time, but she doesn’t deserve to get shit on by him.”

“I heard about that,” I said, taking a last bite of my salad. “It’s a shame.”

“Reed told you?”

I nodded and took a sip of my Chardonnay. “It’s too bad. Why doesn’t she just leave him?”

“That is the question, isn’t it?” interrupted a deep voice behind me.

“What – did Sela let you out of your cage?” laughed Jesse.

He smirked. “No, she forgot to lock it.”

“Sit down,” said Jesse. “Join us.”

Reed sat down next to me. When his leg brushed mine, my skin felt like it was on fire.

“Thanks. I saw your car outside as I was driving back to the house,” he said. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”

“No, not at all,” said Jesse, pulling out his ringing phone. He looked at it and then at me. “It’s Alex. Please excuse me for a minute. I’m going to take this outside.”

“Sure,” I said.

The waitress showed up just as Jesse walked away. Reed ordered a beer and a bacon cheeseburger with fries and then moved across from me.

“What, do I smell funny?” I joked.

He grinned. “Not at all. I just don’t trust myself sitting close to you.”

I blushed and took another sip of wine.

“Hey,” he said, reaching out to touch my hand. “I’m sorry about this morning. I mean, I am and I’m not.”

I pulled my hand away from his. “You should be. What about Sela?”

He sat back and rubbed his chin. “You’re right, it was shitty.”

“Yes. Well, I’m really sorry, too,” I said, looking out the window. “I should have pushed you away sooner.”

“I’m hard to resist,” he chuckled.

I shook my head and laughed. “Right…”

“Seriously, though,” he said, “lets’ just pretend that it never happened.”

I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

“Sinclair, I just want you to know something, though,” he said, looking into my eyes. “I’m not normally
that
guy.”

“
That
guy?”

“The kind who fucks around. What happened back in your room, it wasn’t right and it probably shouldn’t have happened, but…”

I blinked, waiting for him to continue. “What?”

With a seductive curve of his lips he said, “It was pretty fucking amazing.”

Hell yeah, and thinking about it made me squirmy. The way he was undressing me with his eyes didn’t help matters, either.

“It was,” I whispered.

We stared at each other in silence and then the waitress brought him his beer.

“So, excited about the party tonight?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

He smiled humorlessly. “Not really. I hate hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Most of them are so shallow and plastic.”

Which sounded like his fiancée.

“Not your thing, huh?” I asked.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s interesting to sit along the sidelines and watch the game when you’re not a player.”

“You’re just a fan?”

“I’m more like the person dragged to the game and forced to watch. My parents know some pretty crazy people, and I have a feeling tonight is going to be nuts.”

“Well, considering my life is pretty boring, I’m looking forward to a little craziness.”

“That’s a shame,” he said, his eyes darkening. “I would think that Jesse would make it his mission to keep you from being bored. I know I would.”

“He, um… he works a lot.”

He drummed his knuckles on the table and sighed. “I’m also guilty as charged.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jesse coming towards us and relaxed. Reed made me nervous, tense, and incredibly horny. I still didn’t quite trust myself around him, either. “Speak of the devil,” I said.

“You okay?” asked Reed as Jesse sat down next to me.

“Just some problems at work,” he said, glancing my way. From the serious look on his face, it was clear that Alex was being difficult.

“You don’t have to check in at work this weekend, do you?” I asked.

He smiled, bitterly. “No, in fact, I think I may have just lost my job.”

“Oh no,” I said, grabbing his hand. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

His eyes filled with tears and my heart went out to him. I squeezed his hand. “It will be okay, Jesse. It will.”

He looked away. “Right.”

“Shit, you’ll find a new job in no time,” said Reed. “I have connections all over. I’m sure we can get you another position by the end of the week.”

Jesse turned to me, his face distraught. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to the house to figure things out.”

“Of course,” I said, standing up. “Let’s go.”

He sighed. “No, um… could you stay with Reed? I really want to be alone right now,” he said. “I might have to make a couple of calls anyway, and you don’t want to hear what I have to say.”

“Oh, okay,” I said.

“Don’t worry. I’ll just bring Sinclair back to the house with me,” said Reed, patting him on the shoulder. “You do what you’ve got to do.”

“Appreciate it,” he said, standing up. “I’ll see you two back at the house.” Then he left us without a backwards glance.

“Wow, he must have a lot invested in that job for him to be so upset.”

“I think he’s going to miss the benefits, more than anything,” I said.

***

Michael

I watched them from the corner of the restaurant, and wondered why her gay friend had left and who, exactly, this other man was. Obviously, he couldn’t be trusted around such a tempting creature and would have to be dealt with accordingly.

The waitress returned to my table and smiled. “Would you like another glass of wine?”

“No, thank you.”

She hesitated, as if she had more to say.

I smiled up at her. “Yes?”

She sighed. “You may not remember me, but…”

I flashed her one of my most engaging smiles. Although I have met many people, I did not particularly recall this homely creature. “Of course I remember you,” I lied. “How could I forget?”

She smiled back in pleasure. “It’s been a long time. In fact, I think the last time I saw you, was at camp.”

Ah, yes, now I remembered. She’d been just as annoying back then.

“Yes,” I said. “That sounds about right.”

She relaxed. “You look good.”

“Thank you,” I said. “So do you.”

“Um, say… my shift is over now, would you like to join me for a drink? My treat?”

“Of course,” I said, trying to hide my frustration.

She nodded and smiled, again. “Good, I’ll be right back. Same thing?” she asked, pointing to my glass.

“Actually, why don’t you bring me a cup of coffee? I have a large engagement that I need to attend to this evening.”

“Wedding or funeral?” she asked.

“Anniversary party.”

Chapter Thirteen

Reed

I thought Jesse’s reaction to losing his job was a little emotional for a twenty-four-year-old man, gay or not. From the silent exchanges between Jesse and Sinclair, however, I realized that there was something more to it, but didn’t dig. If my brother didn’t want to divulge anything about his personal life to me, I certainly wasn’t going to pry.

I’d expect the same from him.

“So, are you ready?” I asked Sinclair after finishing my lunch and second beer.

She grabbed her purse. “Yes. Do you want me to drive?”

I stopped abruptly, causing her to slam into me. “Excuse me?”

She steadied herself. “Are you too tipsy to drive?”

“First of all, I do not
get
‘tipsy’. I am either drunk or just plain sober.”

“Which one are you?” she asked, her mouth twisting into one of those sexy grins I was beginning to crave.

Both,
I thought, staring at her
.
As far as I was concerned,
she
made me feel inebriated. “I’m sober,” I said. “Remember, I’m a lawyer. I know when to stop drinking before I get behind the wheel.”

She laughed. “Right. So, I’m supposed to trust a lawyer?”

I put my hand on her back and guided her towards the door. “You watch too much television,” I said, opening it, “which gives us all bad raps.”

“Television, huh?” she said, as we walked out to the parking lot.

I raised the key fob and pointed it towards my car. “Of course,” I said. “Not all of us are crooked. In fact, a lot of my cases are pro bono.”

“Is this yours?” she asked, staring at the silver Mercedes SLS. “Pro bono seems to agree with you,” she said.

I grinned. “This is just a rental.”

She shook her head and got inside.

I slid into the driver’s seat next to her and closed the door when the scent of Sinclair’s perfume engulfed me. A light fruity fragrance, reminding me of the kiss we’d shared earlier. I tried to push the memory away, but her close proximity was making it difficult. 

“Not quite a family car,” she said, snapping on her seatbelt. “You and Sela are going to have to invest in a minivan.”

“Nonsense,” I smiled. “I’ll have a special luggage rack installed. The kids will love the view from up there.”

She threw her head back and laughed. It was a beautiful sound – feminine and purely genuine.

“Oh, my God, you’re a hoot,” she said.

I raised my eyebrows. “I’m a hoot?”

“Okay, you’re kind of nuts – is that better?”

“Actually, you’re the one who got into a car with me.
Now
, tell me who’s nuts?” I said, giving her my most sinister grin.

“Touché.”

“What kind of music do you like?” I asked, turning on the XM radio.

“Whatever you’d like,” she said. “I’m easy.”

“You’re easy?”

She rolled her eyes. “God, you’re a smartass, just like your brother. You know exactly what I mean.”

“No, I don’t. Please reiterate what it is you
exactly
mean,
Sin
.”

She pointed at the road. “I’m about as
easy
as you are
hard-to-get
.”

“Are you saying
I’m
easy?” I asked, feigning a look of shock.

She pulled her hair behind her ears and smiled. “Never met a guy who wasn’t.”

“I’m sure
you
haven’t.”

Her cheeks turned pink and I had an incredible urge to place them in my palms and feel their warmth. Instead, I found a song by
Adele
and settled with a few stolen glances of her profile as she stared off towards the ocean.

“Beautiful,” I sighed.

Sinclair nodded. “Yes. It’s incredible. Man, it must have been wonderful growing up in this area.”

“I can’t complain. My brother and I were very fortunate in many ways.”

“So, what made you decide to move to New York?” she asked.

I shrugged. “My career. I was offered a partnership by an old friend three years ago and jumped on it. I guess I wanted a change at the time, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

She nodded. “I guess I can understand that. New York sounds fascinating.”

“It is. You should come out and visit sometime, with Jesse.”

“Maybe.”

I turned up the music and we drove the rest of the way in silence while I cheated and took a much longer scenic route. When we finally reached the house, I was tempted to keep driving, just so I could enjoy her presence a little bit longer. She was definitely getting under my skin.

“So,” I asked, as we pulled up to the house. “What do you usually do for fun when you’re not working?”

She smiled. “For fun? Oh, I don’t know – read, go for walks, hang out with friends.”

“Jesse works that much, huh?” I asked, smiling.

She shrugged. “We go out when we can, but I usually have to be at the shop by six-thirty most mornings, so it’s difficult.” 

“I hear that. When I’m not at the office, I’m at home, working.”

“Wow, looks like they’re already setting up for tonight,” she said, motioning towards the party supply and catering trucks.

I looked at my watch, it was just after two-thirty. “I’m surprised my mother didn’t have them here at sunrise. She lives for parties.”

“I keep hearing that both of your parents are so boring and straight-laced. I guess I’m surprised to hear that their parties are wild and crazy. At least that’s what Jesse says.”

I nodded. “Jack’s in showbiz. Having outrageous parties is kind of mandatory when you’re part of Hollywood, no matter what age you are. Like I said, it’s all one big fucking show, and that’s why I don’t visit as much as I probably should.”

“I guess I can appreciate that,” she said.

I unlocked the doors. “You just wait until tonight. You’ll never be back.”

She stared at me curiously for a few seconds and then smiled.

“We’d better go inside,” I said.

She laughed. “I guess we should.”

As we slid out of the car, a dark sedan pulled up behind us.

“Good afternoon,” smiled a thin, middle-aged man with light blonde hair, a thick moustache, and dark glasses. “I’m Pastor Richie.”

I shook his hand. “I’m Reed Eddington and this is Sinclair –”

“Jeffries,” she added, smiling at the pastor.

He shook her hand, too. “It’s nice to meet you both. I’m here to speak with Mimi or Jack Eddington.”

“Oh,” I said. “Is everything okay?”

He smiled. “I believe so. I’m helping them renew their vows this evening.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Yes. I spoke to Mimi this morning about it.”

“Well, follow us,” I said, walking towards the house. “I’m sure she’s inside somewhere, directing the pre-party chaos.”

***

Sinclair

I excused myself as soon as we entered the house, to go search for Jesse. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in his bedroom or anywhere else in the house. Then, when I tried texting him, he didn’t respond and I really became nervous.

“Have you seen Jesse?” I asked George, who was carrying a box of booze into the house.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been unloading some supplies for tonight. Have you checked the pool?”

“No. I’ll go and see if he’s out there,” I said. “Thanks, George.”

I found my way to the courtyard, where the large Olympic-sized swimming pool sat. Unfortunately, it was empty. As I was about to go back inside, I noticed a small building on the other side of the pool. It looked like a sauna or cabana and I wondered if he’d decided to unwind in it. I walked around the pool, and as I placed my hand on the door handle, I could hear moaning. Worried that Jesse was inside crying, I pushed the door open to console him, only to freeze dead in my tracks.

“Yes…” moaned Sela, who
was on her hands and knees, the top of her swimsuit pushed away from her breasts, the bottoms lying on the ground next to her. Kneeling behind her was Jack, his white ass pumping furiously as he held onto her tan hips.

Stunned and horrified, I quietly shut the door and hurried back to the house.