Crazy Sexy Love Read online

  Bryson gave me her we’ll talk about this later look before leaving me on cake duty.

  MY GAZE SHOT up at the sound of the door opening. Bryson emerged without Sophie. A few minutes earlier I couldn’t take my eyes off Soph’s sweet little ass as it swayed its way into the house. Now I wanted more. I thought today would be just another great time with friends. That Soph and I would do our little dance. She’d pretend to ignore me as I followed her around exuding my obvious charm and savoir faire.

  Hart stayed out of it, but Colin and Ronnie thought I was a fool chasing after someone who wasn’t into me. But they couldn’t read Soph like I could. As much as she tried to hide it, I saw the adorable come-hither look on her face each time I entered a room. I knew with each “no” she spat out and eye roll she aimed in my direction, she wanted me.

  When I got here today and saw her reaction to Hazel, I knew I’d hit gold. Those gorgeous violet eyes of hers turned a deep shade of green. She was jealous and I loved it. I quickly formulated a plan that if played right, would have her lips and hands all over my body by the end of the day. I stayed close to Hazel’s side, laughed at her jokes, and made sure she had a good time like Mom and Aunt Ethel asked me to do. Eventually, I’d spill the beans about Hazel being my cousin. After I got what I wanted.

  At times Sophie’s glare was so intense that if it had been lasers, my dick would have disintegrated ten times over. This confirmed without a shadow of a doubt how bad she had it for me. Since phase one of my plan was complete, it was time to pull the trigger on phase two.

  Seeing that my cousin was in the capable hands of Colin, I made my way into the kitchen. I kept my movements all stealth-like as not to arouse, at least not yet, the creature of my hot desire. Soph was standing at the counter with her back to me. I paused for a moment and took in the view. Everything about this woman turned me on. The pair of tight black jeans she had on melted over her hips and ass, and the bright white shirt exposed just the right amount of shoulder to get my juices flowing. The way her hair fell over her tanned skin had me dreaming about running my hands through it as I devoured her neck.

  I made my way around the kitchen island, still unnoticed. Over her shoulder, I could see she was adding candles to the birthday cake. Standing a foot away, the electricity that passed between us was palpable. She felt it. That’s why she didn’t startle when I placed both hands on the edge of the counter, caging her in.

  With my mouth right at her ear, I whispered, “Why have you been ignoring me all day, Soph?”

  “It’s pretty hard to ignore you with that beer breath. I got one word for you. Altoids.”

  Pressing my hips into her, I ran the tip of my nose along the length of her long neck and took in a deep breath. “Damn woman, you smell sweet.”

  I felt a shiver run the entire length of her body.

  “It’s the cake, you moron.”

  “Answer my question.”

  “What question?”

  “Why have you been ignoring me?” I continued skimming her skin with the tip of my nose.

  She swallowed hard. “I’ve been busy helping our friends. Besides, you’ve been occupied.”

  Her head tilted slightly as I nuzzled her neck.

  “I want to be alone with you so badly. How about we find an empty room?”

  Her muscles tensed. “What if someone walks in? What if Hazel walks in?”

  “I don’t know which Soph turns me on more. The dirty little girl or the shy little girl.”

  “You are so inappropriate.”

  “I thought that’s the way you liked me.”

  She reared her elbow back and jabbed my ribs, causing me to stumble back. She tried to look annoyed, but I could see the edge of her mouth curl up. She enjoyed our sparring matches as much as I did.

  Focusing back on the cake, she said, “You do realize we’re at a child’s birthday party, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Maybe now would be a good time for you to practice a little maturity and stop being such a douche.”

  I leaned toward her. “I love when you talk douchey to me.”

  She made a pathetic attempt to keep her laugh in, but it broke free and was the most beautiful sound in the world. I had a sense of pride and accomplishment whenever I made her smile or laugh because these were two things Sophie didn’t hand out easily. She made me work hard for every single one. The other women I had dated, and when I say “dated” I mean fucked, would laugh at pretty much anything. After a while it got boring. They got boring. But not Soph. In the five years I’d known her, she never got dull. Just the opposite.

  “Soph, when are you going to admit that we belong together?”

  She huffed. “Belong together? Shall I translate?”

  Dropping my hands, I took a step back. “Here we go.”

  She turned toward me. “In your world, belong together, simply means get into my pants. And let me refresh your memory. There have been a few close calls that failed miserably. And why did they fail, you may wonder?”

  “Not really.”

  “Because the universe in all of its grand and glorious wisdom stopped it. Why? Because us together in any way, shape, or form would be a disaster. Let’s face it, Doug, in your eyes I’m simply a lollipop that your momma won’t let you suck on.”

  “Jesus Christ, you know how to deflate a hard-on.”

  Her beautiful features morphed into a smug expression. Sophie thought she affected me so much and that she now had the upper hand. But I’d enjoyed her jealousy too much to let it slip through my fingers this easily. And right at that moment, as if the Lord himself looked down upon me and took pity, the door cracked opened and Hazel stuck her head in.

  “Hey, Doug, Hart wants you to grab another case of beer before you come back out.”

  Giving Sophie a sideways glance, I said to Hazel, “Sure, babe.”

  Hazel’s face immediately scrunched in confusion before she slipped back outside. On the other hand, Sophie’s expression was stone cold jealous.

  “I guess I better get back to my girl,” I said.

  “Your girl, huh? You mean the one you left in the yard to come in here and make a move on me?”

  “Oh, is that what you think I was doing?”

  Glaring, she said, “You asked me to go back to an empty room with you no more than ten seconds ago.”

  “I did that to make you feel better. I know you and I usually hang out at these things, I didn’t want you to feel awkward… Like the third wheel… Alone. You know, because of me and Hazel.”

  “God, your ego is gigantic. You actually think I give a rat’s ass who you’re with? Although, she doesn’t really seem your type. She doesn’t give off the slut vibe you’re so fond of. And she’s a little young for you, don’t you think? I realize this is a kid’s party, but you didn’t have to scrounge one up to bring.”

  “She’s an adult in all the right places.” I let a Grinch-like grin spread across my face and winked.

  Talking about my cousin that way caused my throat to close up as the hint of bile rose. But I kept my sexy face on and let Sophie’s imagination run wild.

  “Pig,” Sophie snapped.

  “Shrew,” I shot back.

  With hands on hips, fiery eyes, and grinding teeth, she said, “Moronic man-child.”

  “Dragon lady.”

  “Needle dick.”

  “Princess Swollen Pussy.”

  We stared at each other for several seconds before I turned and grabbed the case of beer from off the countertop. I could feel Sophie’s scowl as I walked toward the door. I froze trying to figure out how I was going to open the door without her help. I didn’t hear anything, but I sensed she was laughing at me.

  “Little help would be appreciated,” I said, my jaw clenched.

  “Oh, are you asking me for a favor?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Well, let me see if I can drag my swollen pussy over there. It’s kind of weighing me down.”


  She took her sweet time walking across the room. Once by my side, she slowly opened the door enough for me to squeeze through.

  Before stepping outside, I said, “Soph, before you rejoin the party, you might want to touch up your eye makeup.”

  “Why?”

  “The green-eyed monster is rearing its ugly head.”

  And with that, I power walked out before she slammed the door, sending the doorknob up my ass. I never once broke stride until I was safely out of the reach of Sophie’s wrath.

  “HELLO, GORGEOUS.” HIS tone was cheery and his right eye winked at me.

  Tightening the sash around my pale pink satin robe, I tried to process why Doug was standing on my front porch at eleven o’clock at night. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need a favor.” He stepped forward and tried to pass me.

  My body shifted, blocking him. “What does that have to do with me?”

  “I was hoping you’d help me out.”

  With my arms crossed, I huffed out a chuckle. “Me? The Shrew, Dragon Lady, Princess Swollen Pus—?”

  “Still holding on to that, are ya? It’s been like a week.”

  I remained silent as I waited for the next stupid thing to come flying out of his mouth.

  Looking confused, he said, “You want me to apologize?”

  I stood firm and silent. We were locked in a staring war that I had no intention of losing.

  “May I remind you that you too tossed a few choice words in my direction? Needle dick wounded me.”

  Silence.

  “It left a deep and lasting scar.”

  Silence.

  Doug always thought he could charm and joke his way out of any situation. Namely when he said or did something stupid, which was often. Most people caved to his pathetic little act within minutes and forgave him. Not me. If he wanted something, he was going to have to work for it.

  “Come on, Soph. Really? You’re not going to let me in?”

  Silence.

  A tiny bead of sweat popped out on his forehead. I loved making him squirm with no effort on my part.

  “All right. Some of my comments last week may have been slightly inappropriate. Admittedly, I have no firsthand knowledge that your pussy is in fact swollen. Although, I’d be more than happy to take a look.”

  “Hands down, the shittiest apology ever. What do you want, Doug?”

  “The dumbass people who live above me left their washer on and something broke. I don’t know the details except that my condo is six feet under water.”

  “Six feet?”

  “Maybe not six, but it’s uninhabitable for the time being.”

  “I still don’t understand what that has to do with me.” My gaze dropped and pure horror took over my body at the sight of the two large black suitcases on either side of him. Like a bolt of lightning, the realization hit me. “Oh, no, no, no.”

  “I have nowhere else to go.”

  “How about your girl, Hazel?”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out a nervous chuckle. “Funny thing about Hazel. I… um… think you might have gotten the wrong impression of our relationship.”

  “Oh, really? Enlighten me then.”

  “Hazel is my cousin.”

  My eyes doubled in size. “Oh my God! I know we’re in the south but that’s… that’s… icky.”

  “No… we’re not… together!” A visible chill ran through his body.

  “Did Bryson and Hart know about this? Did they put you up to it? Why did you lie?!”

  “Not sure. No. And technically I didn’t lie.”

  “Bullshit!”

  Clutching the edge of the door, I started to push it shut, but Doug slapped his palm flat against it, stopping me.

  “Let me explain,” he said.

  “You’ve got five seconds to say something that makes an ounce of sense. Go!”

  “I thought it was so adorable the way you reacted to me bringing a “date”, that I decided to have a little fun. So I pretended Hazel was my girl. If you think about it, it’s pretty charming on my part.” He blinded me with his megawatt smile.

  “Let me make one thing perfectly clear… I didn’t then, I don’t now, and I won’t ever give a shit about who you’re with.”

  “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I understand. We’re hitting year five with this sexual tension thing. I’m sure your lustful need for me is at the breaking point.”

  Shoving on the door, I snapped, “Fuck off!”

  Doug continued to block my efforts. “I still need a place to stay.”

  “Go to your parent’s.”

  Push.

  “They live eight hours away in Florida.”

  “That’s not a bad commute.”

  Push.

  “Seriously, Soph?”

  “Stay with Hart and Bryson.”

  With the next push, I really put my shoulder into it, but the door didn’t budge. Doug was stronger than he looked.

  “No can do. Hope has my room now,” he said.

  “Then Colin.”

  Push.

  “He’s too uptight and anal about things. I gotta be free to be me.”

  “Ronnie and Julia. They’re nice people and would help you out.”

  I was quickly running out of suggestions and energy. Between the long work day and all the door shoving, I felt my resolve begin to waver.

  “This may shock you, but ever since their wedding reception, Julia hasn’t been my biggest fan,” he said.

  “Why?”

  “Let’s say it had to do with the maid of honor, an ice sculpture, and a bottle of Fireball.”

  Peeking through the crack in the door, I stared at him for a few seconds trying to picture that scenario.

  “Go to a hotel. I’m sure your insurance will pay for it.”

  He shook his head. “The idea of thousands of people rolling around in the same bed with their juices squirting all over the place creeps me out. I’m all game for some dancin’ in the sheets, but after that, I gotta go.”

  I opened the door to look him directly in the eye.

  Crinkling up my nose, I asked, “So it doesn’t bother you to fuck on sheets that thousands of people have been on, but you won’t sleep on them?”

  “When I’m in the throes of passion, the only juices I’m thinking about are mine and the lovely lady I’m with.”

  “You mean skank.”

  Doug smirked. “Jealous?”

  “You’re disgusting.”

  “Be that as it may, I still need a place to stay. Open your heart up to a friend in need, Soph.” His gaze dropped, landing on my chest.

  “Stop staring at my tits.”

  “I’m looking at your heart… which happens to be hidden behind a fantastic rack.”

  “You have a brother in town. What about him?”

  “We don’t really get along. He’s kind of a dick.”

  “Oh, are you twins?”

  “Ha-ha. That’s cute.”

  Frantically, I tapped my finger against my chin, hoping other possible options would pop into my head. “There’s got to be another solution.”

  “Nope, I think we’re all tapped out,” he said, taking a step forward.

  My palm landed flat against Doug’s chest, stopping him. “Just. Give. Me. A. Minute.” Pause. “You grew up here. There has to be other friends in town.”

  “None I can think of. You may find this hard to believe, but it takes time for me to grow on people.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of… If you stay something eventually will grow on me.”

  “My feelings are beginning to get bruised.”

  Pursing my lips, I looked at the sad basset hound expression in front of me and felt my good judgment slip away.

  “How long will it take to make your place livable again?”

  “Not sure since it just happened, but I’ll check on the timeframe first thing tomorrow.”

  Hesitantly, I said, “Okay, you can stay.” He m
ade another attempt to get inside. “But there are rules.”

  Moving to the side, I let what was sure to be the biggest mistake of my life inside.

  I KNEW IT was only a matter of time before Sophie cracked and let me stay. She puts up a tough front, but deep down I could sense she had a soft spot for me. Funny how in all the years we’d known each other, this was the first time I’d been allowed all the way into her inner sanctum. Most of the time we hung out at Hart and Bryson’s place. Since Bryson was a chef and the house was set up so Hart could maneuver around in his wheelchair easily, it made sense for it to be the main gathering place. I almost got into Sophie’s the night of Hart and Bryson’s wedding, when I drove her home after our ill-fated tryst. But I was promptly stopped at the border at the bottom of the steps.

  Not sure what I had expected Sophie’s home to look like. The only room I’d ever imagined her in was the bedroom. The place was very tidy with everything being in the right place, just like Sophie. Inside was also warm and cozy, like I thought Sophie would be. I dropped my suitcases, then let my duffle bag slip from my shoulder as I scanned the room.

  A long whistle blew passed my lips. “Nice digs.” I took a few steps further into the large room, checking out each individual area. “Sofa and the big chair look comfy. I bet the white is a bitch to keep clean.”

  “It’s mocha latte with a splash of soy almond milk.”

  “Seriously?” A raised eyebrow was her only response. “Weird.”

  I made my way over to the dark wood dining table which was in front of the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the rest of the downstairs and looked to be an antique. I gave the table a couple of taps. “Good and solid.”

  With her hands on her hips, Sophie said, “It was my grandmother’s.”

  “Oh yeah? Cool.” I sauntered to the other side of the room. On a couple of the pale yellow walls hung multi-colored abstract paintings that I was sure were ones Hart’s mother had done.

  “You mind telling me exactly what you’re doing?”

  “I’m taking in my surroundings,” I said while looking at the paintings. “Getting a feel for my new home.”

  “This is not your new home. This is temporary housing,” she corrected.