184
We’ll see. I know one thing for sure—when he said ‘no rules,’ he didn’t consider that by turning me on, he would have to fight himself not to lose control. On the other hand, I can seduce to my heart’s content, which tips the odds in my favor. I can make Jake insane with longing, push him to take me forcefully.
A shiver of excitement courses through me; I can pull out all the stops to seduce him, but he has to keep it at a level that leaves him able to stop. I know how to push his buttons. It’s almost certain that I’ll win if it comes down to that. I can’t deny that I feel excitement at seeing my aggressive lover again, that part of me that needs primal sex and his lack of control.
I walk out into the hall in search of him and find him in the middle of a friendly group of casually dressed people, with more appearing from various directions, all talking animatedly. He pulls me close to introduce me to his brother again, his current girlfriend, his cousins with women in tow, and a few other family and friends his mother invited.
Arrick and Jake head off into a quiet corner together, laughing and joking; I know he’s trying to put distance between us in the name of his game, and I’m left in the maternal hold of Sylvana’s arm, in a throng of loud, energetic people all vying to get each other’s attention. The overall atmosphere is noisy and bustling, but I can feel the genuine warmth and energy. These people actually like one another.
Before long, Sylvana moves us to the poolside loungers, where everyone spreads out, forming little huddles. Arrick’s young girlfriend seems painfully shy and sticks close to me, probably feeling as left out as I do, with both our men seemingly ignoring us. Jake has barely looked my way and is doing a magnificent job of making me feel invisible.
Just great!
I like Arrick’s girlfriend, I guess; Cara’s sweet and shy, and despite being maybe five years younger than me, it’s striking how similar we look. We both have tawny hair, highlighted to blonde in waves, small and busty, with soft gray-blue eyes. I guess the Carrero brothers have a type. The only obvious difference is that she seems incredibly shy and mousy, whereas I’m more of a silent, outwardly confident type by manufacture. She shadows me to the loungers and seems relieved to get a seat right beside me on the double bed.
Across the other side of the pool, Jake and Arrick strip off, so different in build. Arrick is athletic and young with a lot of lean muscle to his frame, whereas Jake is all hard ridges, power, and manliness. There is a lot more of him compared next to his smaller sibling. He throws me a look and a smile that screams ‘game on’ and then dives expertly into the water, closely followed by his equally stunning younger brother.
“Wow, Jake has a lot of tattoos,” Cara exclaims, watching the men in wonder. I glance over at her and get that familiar hint of jealousy starting to rise from my stomach. Her eyes are wide with appreciation, and her mouth is parted; I can see she’s starting to pant.
For God’s sake.
“Yeah, I guess … He got them all in his late teens.” We have never really talked about the tribal ink across his upper torso scattered down his arms. I know he also has one on his upper back spreading across his shoulder blades, all black, no color.
“It’s kind of hot. I wonder if Arrick would get some?” she whispers dreamily, watching the two swimming easily across the pool and then splashing water at each other. I can hear Jake’s laugh echoing my way, making my insides clench.
Is it now? Want to put your eyes back in your head, sweetie?
“I’m sure his parents wouldn’t be impressed,” I respond flatly. “I know they both hate Jake’s.” Which isn’t entirely dishonest. I know they both gave him a lot of grief about them at first, but neither seems to have noticed the additions in later years. Jake briefly mentioned wanting a new tattoo only recently.
“What’s to hate? I mean, on that body, they only accentuate things,” she grins, then immediately drops it when she catches my look, inner green-eyed me scowling unnecessarily. I know it’s normal for people to check out Jake. Everyone does it. Still, I don’t need someone sitting beside me verbalizing it, especially not someone so young and beautiful with an obvious resemblance to me, a more youthful, less fucked-up model.
That’s called severe insecurity, Emma!
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” she adds hastily. “How long have you been dating?” she asks quietly, obviously trying to make amends for the ogling, her eyes still on the water and the swimming men.
“A while,” I answer, contemplating poking her in the eyeballs. In truth, not long at all, but as Jake always tells me, this relationship started long before it officially did, and I’m happy to let her believe it.
Marking your territory?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
