Reese Dalton held up his guest pass to the guard and entered the gated community known as The Lake. Nice place to visit, but he wouldn’t want to live there. Living there would mean being closer to Sara, and that was something he was desperately trying to avoid. He hadn’t been overly thrilled when Cade called and asked him to stop by, but his brother had said it was urgent. Reese only hoped that Sara wasn’t around.
He snorted. Not that it mattered. Lately when he’d come over for a visit or to work on some cases with Cade she’d excuse herself and leave the room. That behavior was strictly out of the norm. She used to sprawl on the couch and pip in with a comment or crack a joke. It was as if he had suddenly become a stranger. He hadn’t a clue as to why her behavior had suddenly changed, but maybe it was for the best. He was thirty-four fucking years old and for the past six months his mind and dick were constantly on Sara. He wanted a life with Sara.
Okay, he was in love with his brother’s wife. Maybe he was being too transparent and it was making her uncomfortable. That was something he didn’t want to do. She knew that in the past he and Cade had shared women, but that came to a complete stop when she and Cade hooked up. Reese was happy for the both of them, but longing for a woman he could never have was wearing him down. Eating away at his very soul. He was constantly comparing her to other women and that wasn’t fair.
He needed to move on. Whatever Cade had to say he’d suck it up. He’d miss his brother, but when things were straightened out at the Dalton Law Firm, he was selling his half to Cade, packing his gear, and heading back to California.
Reese pulled into the tree lined driveway. Sara’s red BMW was nowhere in sight. He felt a stab of disappointment. Shit. The woman was driving him nuts.
He turned off the car and stepped out of the vehicle. He shook his head in dismay when he saw Cade standing on the porch, decked out in black dress slacks and a black t-shirt. His demeanor was just as dark.
“Why do you look so pissed off? You’re married to the most beautiful woman in the world. Life should be grand.” He pointed to Cade’s attire. “Don’t you ever relax?” Reese sprinted up the two cement steps leading to the door. “You’re off work for at least a few more days. Lounging around in a pair of sweats isn’t against the law, you know. You’re too tense.” He opened the door with one hand and smacked Cade on the shoulder with the large manila envelope he held in the other. “Loosen up, older brother.”
Cade arched a brow and followed Reese into the house. “I can’t help it if I’m the one who inherited dad’s fear-provoking features. Actually, I feel pretty good, but you look like hell. Out fucking all night?”
“I wish I was fucking all night. I haven’t been home yet.” Reese rolled his shoulders. “Corrine and I were deciphering dad’s chicken scratch. We got all of the files up to date and in the computer.” He dropped the envelope on the kitchen table. “Here’s the file on Caroline Martin.” He caught the beer Cade tossed him and popped the top. “I thought Sara didn’t give a rat’s ass about her mother.” He swallowed down nearly half the can.
“She claims she doesn’t, but I don’t buy it. You know Sara has a soft heart. This crap with her mother has to be gnawing at her. We’ve discussed it several times. Just when I think I’ve convinced her to at least let me locate her so she can hear her mom’s side of the story she changes her mind.” He lifted one shoulder. “So I thought it’d be a good idea to have a chat with Caroline Martin myself.”
“Hmm, knowing Sara’s temper I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when she finds out you’ve been digging in her past. By the way, our secretary deserves a raise.”
Reese went into the living room and flopped down on a leather recliner. He had always felt relaxed in this house. Now he was on pins and needles. Setting his beer on the end table, he slid to the edge of the chair and clasped his hands together. Most days he was a patient man, but today was not one of those days.
Cade sauntered over to the fireplace and propped himself against the mantle. “Everything is filed you say?”
Reese nodded.
“Wow, Corrine does deserve a raise. Thank God she agreed to stay on for a while.”
Reese had tried to find out Corrine’s plans now that the old man was dead, but casual conversation last night had turned up zilch. He even mentioned the idea of moving back to California but that hadn’t worked either. If he left, Cade would need her help. He’d just have to make sure there was another secretary hired before he left. “Look, bro, enough with the fucking chit-chat. I know you called me here for another reason besides this file, but before you say anything I want you to know that I’ve decided to move back to California. I’ll sell you my half of the business at a fair price.”
Cade’s jaw visibly tightened. “It’s because of Sara, isn’t it? Don’t bother denying it. I know damn well how you feel about her.”
Reese slammed back against the cushions in defeat. “Yeah, I love her, but I get the feeling that she doesn’t want me around. I don’t know what I did or said, but I’m going to be the first one to act.”
Cade raised his hand. “No, hold on a minute. I haven’t had a chance to talk with Sara, and even if I had I doubt she’d tell me the truth. I’m positive she wants a threesome.”
Reese shook his head in defeat. “It’s not going to work. If she’s just curious about how it feels to be fucked by two men at the same time I’m not doing it. This will not be a one-time thing for me, Cade. I love that woman. If she agrees and we go through with it, I want more than just a fuck. I want to be a part of her life in every way.” Talk about a bald-faced lie. If Sara wanted to be double-fucked then there was no way he’d let Cade bring in one of his buddies. It may tear him apart to leave but at least he’d have the memory of her hot body to carry with him until the day he died. Christ, he was all messed up.
Cade went into the kitchen and came back with the file in his hands. “Trust me. I won’t go into further detail, but my gut instinct tells me she has feelings for you and this will not be a one-time thing. All I need you to do is follow my lead when she gets home.” He emptied the contents of the envelope onto the couch. “This is all the info I collected on Caroline Martin before Dad died. Sara’s mother lives in Arizona. I want to talk to her and find out why she hasn’t bothered to check on her daughter.” He finished off his beer. “And if Sara’s aunt had anything to do with it, God help her.”