He touched the satin, running his fingers inward until he was tracing the edge of her bra. Her little shiver told him to continue, so he moved downward and circled around her nipples. Pebbled, the tips wanted his touch, so he stroked a finger over the end through the satin, and she shuddered.
“Macy, you with me?” His voice was a rasp.
“Oh yes.”
He smiled at the sexy little purr. Reaching behind her, he unhooked her bra and dropped it on the dress.
Her breasts were full and high. He thought he could spend a lifetime worshipping them and it still wouldn’t be long enough. Kissing her again, he took her mouth on a slow sensual ride that left them both wanting more.
“You’re so good at that.”
He didn’t answer, instead lowering his head to run a long, hot lick down one breast, the action making her suck in a deep breath. He did it again, until he pulled a soft moan from her, and only then did he take her nipple into his mouth. He was gentle, and she responded by pressing closer. Her hands went to his head, fingers diving into his hair, her nails leaving little trails of sensation on his scalp as they moved.
Brad touched her stomach as he kissed her breast, tracing the small indent of her navel, then to the waistband of her panties. Slipping a finger inside, he ran it slowly from side to side.
“Your touch,” she whispered, “I've never....”
Brad lifted his head. “Kiss me,” he whispered.
She did, her lips tentative and soft as they explored his. He let her lead, tensed as she ran her tongue over his lips, and then opened wider as she pressed deeper.
He'd never taken his time with a woman before. Sure, there was the presex, as he liked to term it. The touching and kissing, the foreplay, but this was something else. It was an exploration of each other, a slow torment that was heightening his passions even more.
He trailed his fingers down the satin front of her panties and ran a finger around the leg softly.
“Touch me.” She said the words against his lips.
“That's what I'm doing.”
“More. I want to feel your hands.”
“I thought we were going slow.” Brad lifted her so she was standing over him, and then eased her panties down her lovely legs.
“I know you won't hurt me now, and I want this.”
He pulled her down again.
His fingers brushed the soft folds of her sex and found the bud between her thighs.
“How do you know I won't hurt you?”
“I-I just do.”
He felt humbled by her words.
“Now shut up and keep going.”
“Yes, ma'am.” Brad looked at her, lids lowered, lips wet and swollen from their kiss. “You are a sexy woman, Macy Reynolds.” He followed up the words by slipping his fingers inside her wet sheath. She arched into him, and he took the nipple again.
Her breathing increased and she was soon moaning, then her body tensed as she rocked against his hands. He felt the moment she reached her climax, and pulled her forward so he could swallow the cry.
“Wow.”
“Wow?” Brad was so hard his eyes were nearly crossed.
“Wow, so that's what it feels like.”
Her makeup was smudged, hair everywhere, and she looked like a sultry pinup girl.
“Are we going further?” Please say yes, he added silently.
“After that, I want it all,” Macy said, reaching for his jeans.
Between them they had him stripped in seconds.
“Do you have a condom?”
“Wallet, in the pocket,” Brad said, surprised he hadn't thought of it sooner. Protecting himself and his partner was usually his top priority.
She retrieved it, which gave him time to look at her tight little butt and the long line of her back. The woman was hot as hell.
“I want to touch you first.”
She was kneeling beside him now, her eyes running over his body.
“Well hell, I guess if you have to,” he managed.
Her fingers started on his thighs and moved upward. Brad kept his eyes on her, watching the thoughts come and go and thinking this woman could be trouble to him if he stayed around long enough to let her be. Not that he would, but still....
One small hand then wrapped around his erection, and he couldn't think again.
“It's hot and hard.”
“Aha,” he gritted out as she moved her fingers up and down, then when she reached the top again, she ran a finger over the tip.
“You are a beautiful man.”
Brad couldn't think as all sensation rushed to where she was caressing him.
“I need you now,” he rasped.
“Yes, oh yes please.”
He ripped open the condom and sheathed himself. Pulling her onto his thighs, he then lifted her and lowered her onto him.
Her eyes closed as he stretched her, filling her completely. She was tight and wet and felt like heaven.
“Y-you all right?”
“It feels.... I don’t know how to describe it.”
“It’s good though, right?”
“So good.”
He was relieved about that, because from his side, it was fucking excellent.
“Take control, Macy. You ride me.”
She looked at him, then down at where they were joined. Brad gripped her hips and lifted and lowered her, the feel of her releasing then accepting him once more, exquisite.
“Take control, Macy.”
She placed a hand on his chest and lowered her head to kiss him, and as she did she rose and lowered. The tension inside Brad was fierce, and he battled the need to let go as she continued to ride him. Cupping her breasts, he ran his thumbs over the nipples, causing her to arch back, and the sight was enough to tip him over the edge, but he held on. Damned if he’d come before her, not when she needed this, to understand what could be between a man and woman.
“Let go, Macy,” Brad urged her.
“Yes!” She gripped him hard, and then gave a soft moan. Brad followed.
He fell to his back, taking her with him.
“Macy, honey, tell me you're okay?”
She lifted her head and managed the words “I'm fine,” and then slumped back down onto his chest. “More than fine, I’m Jell-O.”
He managed a snort as he once again heard the sounds around them. The lap of the lake, the gentle rustle of the leaves, all sounds he’d been deaf to seconds ago. Brad had a scary feeling this was pretty much the most perfect moment in his life, and that thought was enough to break the spell she’d woven around him.
“We need to get you back now, before they come looking and then lynch me for touching their girl.”
“More than touching.” She giggled.
He lifted her to her feet and took a last longing look at her body, trying to memorize every dip and curve, because he would never see it again. He didn’t want to feel like he did right at that moment, like the ground was moving beneath his feet. That wasn’t for him.
They dressed in silence, and Brad battled the turmoil in his head. He shouldn't have done this, shouldn't have slept with one of his brother's friends, a woman who had issues, a son, and would probably now want more from him.
“Macy, this was a one-time thing.” He felt like an asshole for saying it, but it needed to be said. “I'm leaving tomorrow.”
She had been fussing with her high heels, but she stopped and faced him. Her expression was composed now. He could read nothing in her eyes.
“I don't want happy ever afters either, Brad. This was a great experience that taught me not to be scared, and that I can be a passionate woman, but you need not worry I am going to beg you for more. I did this with you because I knew it wouldn’t lead anywhere.”
Great, it was fucking wonderful.
“Ah, sure, great, good to know.”
She took the helmet from him and slipped it on, and then he helped her into his jacket.
“Macy, I just need you to know—”
“Brad, there’s no need for this, really. It was great, and now I can move on with my life, thanks to you, so please don’t say anything more.”
“Okay, good to know.”
Lifting her back on his bike, he swung his leg over the front and joined her.
She was saying all the things he usually wanted to hear, so why the hell wasn’t he happy about it.
Kicking his bike to life, Brad decided it must be fatigue that had his head all over the place. Fatigue, and the best goddamned sex he’d had in his life.
Brad woke the following morning in the room he had booked at the Howler. He'd let Macy go back to the wedding by herself, and then gone in to say good-bye to his siblings before heading up to his room.
Swinging his feet out of bed, he grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. Rotating his shoulder, he eased out the stiffness; hot water would do the rest.
He’d banged it up bad in the accident, but losing Mark had been more painful. He’d been the only person Brad had ever called friend. With him, he’d been himself, not who his father wanted him to be.
Shaking off the sadness that still pulled at him, Brad decided that he would leave Howling today. He would pack and find Ethan, then say good-bye. Brad had no intention of running into Macy again, and leaving was the best way to ensure that.
The water felt good, and he rested his head on the wall while he thought about Macy. As far as sex went, it was the best he'd had, Brad could admit that to himself at least. Once she'd given herself to the passion, she was right there with him every step of the way.
“You are one sweet woman, Macy,” he said as the water streamed over his body. Her lips had sent him to places he'd never experienced before, and when he’d sunk deep inside her, the pleasure had been beyond description.
“It's been a while,” he reminded himself. He hadn't had time for a woman in his bed lately, so that was probably why he'd felt like he did with Macy.
The woman was made for passion, and he refused to acknowledge that the thought of her experiencing such pleasure with another man disturbed him. In fact, it made him fucking angry.
Turning the water to cold, he blasted it over his body, and then got out and rubbed himself down, hard, with the towel.
“It's done, you had a good night, massive understatement, now it's time to get out of Oz, Dorothy.”
He dressed in another pair of worn jeans and a T-shirt, then closed his duffel and headed downstairs.
“Can you give me directions to Ethan and Annabelle Gelderman's home, please,” he asked the girl on reception.
Minutes later he was on the same road out of town, only this time he didn't have the legs of Macy Reynolds wrapped around him. He followed the lake, the blue waters looking inviting, but he didn't have time for that. He needed to get this done. Say hello and good-bye to his brother and then leave. No need to speak about the stuff that was inside his head, no need at all.
Texas was of course still the most beautiful place in the world, but Brad had to admit that Howling was right up there. He’d always believed himself a big city boy, but he could see this place had its pluses. Peace, friends, and community to name three of them.
Finding the recently wed Geldermans’ house, he turned his bike up the drive.
Set back in the trees, the entire front was glass and open. The roof was pitched, the materials natural, and it looked like it had been there for years.
Pulling his bike to a stop, he lowered the stand and climbed off. His brother's face appeared above him.
“I wondered when you'd find your way here.”
“I said I'd see you before I left.”
“Come on up then, we have food and coffee.”
His stomach rumbled at the words, and he was soon taking the stairs.
The view was spectacular. Snowcapped mountains, a vast expanse of water, and he could see why Ethan had settled on this spot to make a life with his new bride.
“Hi there, Brad.”
Annabelle wore shorts that showed off long limbs, a multicolored tank, and in her hair was an emerald scarf.
“Hey, Mrs. Gelderman.”
She gave him a cheeky smile, then moved to slip an arm around her husband's waist. He in turn leaned in to her. Macy would roll her eyes and say something about everyone being loved up about now, and it pissed him off that he knew that on such short acquaintance, even if he did know the woman intimately.
“So you probably met this idiot last night, but let me introduce you again,” Ethan said as Brad noticed the man lounging in a chair on the deck.
“Paul Newman, aka Newman, meet Brad Gelderman, my brother.”
Brad ignored the small jolt as Ethan claimed him, and then moved to shake the man's hand.
“No way, I'm a huge fan, man. Have all your movies.”
Newman gave him an easy smile, and Brad guessed he was used to the notoriety that came with his name.
“You should try my organic, dark-chocolate peanut butter cups, they're really something.”
Brad laughed. “I may just have to do that.”
“Sit.” Ethan waved him to a seat.
They didn't touch on anything personal, and he guessed that was because Newman was here, and he was thankful for it. With luck, he could leave Howling without opening another vein of emotion.
“So before I left D.C., I heard a rumor that I've been sitting on until after the event of the decade,” Newman said, looking from Ethan to Annabelle.
“It was, wasn't it?” Annabelle preened. “Better than any society wedding you've been to is my guess, Newman.”
“No comparison.”
“What society wedding have you ever attended?” Ethan asked his friend.
“Plenty. One in particular had a champagne fountain and handmade chocolates in the shape of each guest’s initials.”
“Get out.”
“True.”
“Champagne fountains are so last month.” Annabelle faked a yawn. “So what's the rumor?”
Brad watched the smile fall from Newman's lips.
“A developer is looking into buying the Buchanan land, and several other locations around this lake.”
“What?” Annabelle's shriek was loud enough to make her husband wince. “Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan wanted it to remain in the family, untouched, and until now I thought that had happened. It's got some of the oldest Redwoods in the area.”
“I know that, Annabelle, but before I left D.C. a friend of mine told me he was involved in a large property transaction and he thought I'd be interested because it was close to Howling.”
“But what does a developer want with it? With any of it?”
Brad knew Annabelle wasn't going to be happy with her friend's answer to that question, because his face showed his reluctance to speak.
“Well shit, Annabelle, don't shoot the messenger, and remember I'm friend not foe.”
“Just spit it out, Newman.”
Ethan was taking the passive route and waiting for Newman to answer, face calm, unlike his wife’s.
“Seems they want to build several boutique resorts, and the Buchanan land is their first purchase. It will be exclusive and for the rich and famous.”
“What!” Annabelle leapt to her feet. “We don't have that shit here! The Buchanan land is literally only a three-day walk from Howling. We'd be swamped with tourists year round if that was the case. Helicopters would be buzzing overhead from dawn till dusk. This is the work of that Nadine Buchanan. She's the sole heir, and a nasty bitch.”
“I don't want you to hold back, honey.”
“It's true, Ethan, she and Macy were tight, but unlike Macy, she didn't have the nice inside her just waiting to come out.”
“How much land is it?” Brad asked, refusing to acknowledge that he wanted to ask questions about Macy and what had happened to bring out her nice.
“Two hundred acres, give or take,” Newman said.
“That land has some really cool trees and rivers. This can't be allowed to happen.”
“Nadine Buchanan can do whatever the hell she wants to it, if her folks didn't stipulate otherwise, Annabelle.” Newman frowned. “We would have heard if it was for sale, so my guess is whoever wants it came looking.”
“But why here, and why now? And how will we know if the will stated that the Buchanans wanted it left untouched, Newman?”
“It would have been filed for probate, so you'd need to request to take a look at it,” Brad said. “It's not that hard, you just need to find out which county it's filed in. Again not hard, as it should be this one.”
Brad felt his brother's eyes on him. He knew what Ethan thought, knew he believed him a man who once had little to offer but drinking and being a bully.
“Do you know who's behind it, Newman?” Brad asked, then told himself to stay out of this. He didn't need to get involved; he was leaving, and this was his brother's town, not his.
“He said it was the Falkirk Consortium.”
“What did you say?” Before he could stop himself, Brad had climbed to his feet.
“The consortium's name is Falkirk.”
He felt their eyes on him and could do nothing to stop the flood of rage that threatened to choke him. Stepping away from the others, he walked down the deck, sucking in deep breaths as he went.
“What's going on, Brad?”
Ethan stood behind him, close enough that he was casting a shadow over him.
“Did you know? Have you got something to do with this?” Brad didn't turn, just dug his fingers into the wooden railing.
“Know what? What the hell are you talking about?”
“EG, is head of that consortium.” Brad fought to keep his voice calm.
“Okay, so I understand why you reacted to hearing the name then, but not why you accused me of being involved.”
Brad made himself turn and face his brother.
“Why would he come here if there was no connection? If someone hadn't tipped him off to what lay out there.”
Ethan shed his calm and it was swiftly replaced by anger.
“Are you actually accusing me of some involvement in this?”
Brad nodded.
“Well, fuck!” Ethan ran a hand through his hair. “What the hell have I ever done to make you think I would associate with that asshole, loosely termed our father?”
Brad saw the truth then. He'd thought he had his anger toward Ethan under control, but apparently not. Apparently, he was willing to think the absolute worst of him.
“I haven't spoken a word to him since I punched you in the jaw, and believe me when I add that I'm real close to doing it again if you carry on with this shit!”
“Don't threaten me, Ethan. I reacted and I'm sorry for that, but I don't know you and have no idea about the man you've become. If you swing at me, I'll react.”
The breath expelled from his brother.
“I understand that, and know we may be brothers, but know nothing about each other. But I need you to listen to me now, Brad. I'm not involved with him, and never will be, and it pisses me off you think I could be. Especially as it was me originally who reached out to you.”
“You expect me to believe you're a good person because of a few texts?”
“This is about me leaving you behind to live with him, isn’t it? The anger and resentment, it’s clouding your judgment.”
“No… yes.” Brad closed his eyes briefly. “Shit.”
“I can think of a few stronger words.”
“I shouldn’t have come here, I can see that now. I thought it was time, but clearly it’s not, and maybe it never will be.”
“Because you don’t think you’ll ever forgive me?”
Brad shrugged, on edge. He was being irrational and he couldn’t stop himself. His shirt felt tight suddenly, and his boots one size too small.
“I’m going. It’s the best thing.”
Ethan blocked his path.
“Move… please.”
“No. I’m not letting you leave until we talk.”
“Okay, that's enough. You're upsetting Annabelle, and as she got married yesterday, it's fair to say she's still got that whole jittery bride thing going on.”
Brad looked over his brother's shoulder and into the cool eyes of Paul Newman. Gone was the placid, laid-back man Brad had recently met. This one meant business.
“You okay, baby?” Ethan said the words to Annabelle but kept his eyes on Brad.
“Of course I am. It’s Newman who’s upset. He can’t handle raised voices, you know that.”
Annabelle was in fact still sitting, drinking her coffee calmly, as if two men arguing on her deck was a daily occurrence.
“No one’s throwing a punch, Newman, so relax,” Ethan then said.
Newman didn’t move, standing a few feet behind Ethan, a gesture that to Brad said, “I have his back.”
“I don’t want you to leave until we talk this through, Brad.”
“Ethan—”
“If you leave, I’m following. I’ll get in my bird and track you.”
“What? Why the hell would you do that?”
“Because you’re my brother and I love you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You think I left because I didn’t love you?”
Brad didn’t nod, but he wanted to. Instead he made himself breathe slowly. Inhale, exhale. He unclenched his fists and dropped his shoulders. Anger was not going to help anything, and he was done with that these days. He’d been constantly angry once, but never again.
“Look, let’s just leave this, okay. Opening this particular vein isn’t going to make anyone happy, least of all us.”
“I don’t want you to leave Howling. So what will it take to keep you here?”
“I have things to do.” Brad fell back on excuses.
“What things?”
Ethan folded his arms in a gesture that told Brad he wasn’t going anywhere without an answer.
“Business interests that need my attention.”
“If you give me a few days of your time, I promise that if you want to leave and have no contact with me after, I won’t stop you.”
Brad was fairly sure he was looking into a mirror at the moment, because Ethan’s expression was calm but his blue eyes were anything but.
“You couldn’t stop me if I wanted to leave now.”
“Actually I could. One call and I’d have Cubby arrest you.”
Brad snorted at those ridiculous words.
“You don’t believe me?”
They stared at each other for long, tense seconds, and then Annabelle moved around her husband to stand directly in front of Brad, so close he could see a handful of tiny freckles on her nose.
“I want you to stay here, Brad. I want to get to know my brother-in-law, and I want you in my life, in our life. Please, just stay for a few days and see how things play out.”
She touched his cheek, her fingers warm on his skin.
“You two were pitted against each other, and both of you have suffered. But you’re good guys, Brad, and I know you will both be happier with each other in your lives.”
Brad looked over her shoulder to Ethan.
“She’s good.”
“The best.”
He exhaled loudly, and then leaned forward and kissed Annabelle’s cheek.
“All right. I’ll stay for a few days, but this emotional shit just makes me itch.”
“Of course it does, because you were raised without it.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
She laughed, and then turned to take Ethan’s hand and lead him back to his seat, leaving Brad and Newman alone.
“Your brother is one of the best men I know, Brad. He would never jeopardize any part of this town or its inhabitants by allowing this development to go ahead. Since he came into my life, I’ve never doubted he’s there for me if I need it.”
“So you say.”
“So I know,” Newman said. “He saved the life of one of my friends, and I could name several other equally heroic gestures on his part, but you'll just have to take my word for that. So whatever this shit is between you, I’d suggest you take the time to fix it. If you have his blood, then chances are you’re a good man too. Get to know each other and heal this divide.”
“It’s too soon for this. I should have stayed away,” Brad said, disgusted that he'd reacted the way he had. He’d told himself to keep his thoughts to himself, and it pissed him off that he'd let them out. Brad had spent the last few years becoming a different person from the spoilt, out-of-control man he'd once been, and just the mention of his father had thrown him back there. That and the fact he was still carrying a trunk load of emotional baggage where his brother was concerned.
“From where I’m standing it’s perfect timing, because we may need your help to fight whatever your father is planning.”
“How do you figure that?”
“You worked alongside him from what Ethan’s told me. Maybe you can offer us some insights. Or are you involved in this consortium?”
“What? No!”
Outraged, Brad glared into the calm face of Paul Newman.
“Not nice to be accused of something you didn’t do, is it?”
“Well fuck.” Brad muttered the words under his breath. “You did that on purpose.”
“Of course I did. Now come and sit back down, Brad, and let’s talk.”
He found himself following the man when what he should have done was keep walking until he reached his bike, then get on it and leave town.
Sitting, he picked up his coffee and swallowed a large mouthful to steady himself. The Geldermans had disappeared, and as Newman didn't seem inclined to continue the conversation, Brad looked at the lake and let his mind wander.
What the hell was his father's game?
“I brought food.”
Brad made himself turn and face Ethan and Annabelle. The latter held a plate of sandwiches.
“I’m sorry, I had no right to come here and upset you the day after your wedding.”
“Why did you come here, Brad?”
He didn't see any censure in Annabelle’s eyes, just curiosity.
“I was involved in an accident, and my friend died. After the funeral I decided it was time to mend some fences with my family.”
“Was this friend a close one?”
Brad shrugged. “Possibly the closest I’ve ever had.”
“How were you injured?”
“Shoulder, but it’s healed now.”
“Can I see.”
“No.”
“Is it really healed, or just man healed?”
“Man healed?” Brad looked at his brother, who rolled his eyes.
“She thinks because we have this tough guy image we let our health suffer, or some other BS. I could go on and on about it, like she does, but that’s kind of the root of it.”
“It’s not BS, it’s very real. Some men neglect themselves and think things will heal without help, but often they don’t and those issues go on to become bigger ones.”
“My shoulder’s fine, Annabelle,” Brad said as she got to her feet. “Really,” he added as she stepped closer.
“Let me see.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“She’ll win,” Ethan drawled. “Just get it done, Brad, it’s easier.”
She reached for his shirt and started pulling.
“Jesus, Annabelle.”
She had it raised and over his head seconds later, her eyes on the thick scar that curved over his shoulder from back to front.
“Ouchie.”
“Ouchie?”
“Nurse speak,” Newman translated.
“Looks like it’s healed up okay.”
“Is now a good time for I told you so?”
“Definitely,” Ethan said. “Get it in while you can.”
Brad pulled his shirt back on.
“So this friend of yours.”
“Mark.” It hurt even saying his name out loud. “And I don’t want to talk about it, Annabelle.”
“All the more reason to do so if you want to heal.”
“I am healed.”
“Physically maybe, but not emotionally.”
Brad groaned.
“She’s big on expressing what’s inside you, Brad.”
He sent his brother a glare.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you lost your friend. It must have been hard.”
Brad acknowledged Ethan’s words with a nod.
“Please tell me why you left home, Brad,” Ethan then asked him.
The please made the difference, and what the hell, maybe he should try and at least have a civil relationship with his brother. He doubted they’d have anything deeper, but he could play nice, even if it was just for Annabelle’s sake.
“EG asked me to fire Troy five days before Christmas, and I couldn't do it.”
Ethan whistled. “Troy has been my father's right hand since before we were born,” he added to get Annabelle and Newman up to speed.
“Why'd he want him gone?”
“He said it was time for a change. Time to bring in someone young and more innovative. What he actually meant, I found out from Troy, was that he was hiring a young woman he wanted to get into bed.”
“So you told him no,” Ethan added. “Must have been ugly.”
Brad remembered the day clearly. The rage that had mottled his father's face, and the anger that had gripped Brad.
“Uncle Mitch walked in when I had Father pinned against a wall.”
“Good timing, Uncle Mitch, is my guess,” Newman said.
“Don't worry, he's like part of the furniture.” Ethan waved a hand at his friend as Brad looked at Newman. “You get used to just talking and every ear listening here, it's just the way of things.”
“I'm the comfortable ottoman.”
“Idiot,” Ethan muttered. “So what happened then?”
“I left. Packed my things, told Uncle Mitch I couldn't live there any longer, and that he needed to watch out for Mother.”
“Just like me,” Ethan said. “Uncle Mitch was there when I left.”
“Guess.” Brad didn't want to think about the moment he knew his brother had thrown him to the wolves… or more importantly, one wolf in particular.