I tiptoe across the hall moments after I hear the guest room door swing closed, my curiosity overflowing. After dinner, Archer, Dad, and Zane sat on the porch for ages, drinking and chatting together. I’m not sure what they discussed, and the frequent laughter I heard isn’t as reassuring as I thought it’d be. Each time I tried to join, I was shooed away unceremoniously, and eventually, my mom banned me from trying to go out.
It doesn’t matter how old I am, Mom will never cease to terrify me when she scolds me, which, in all fairness, happens very rarely. Perhaps that’s why I heed her words more than I do anyone else’s.
Zane looks up when I walk into the guestroom, a slow smile transforming his face. “My goddess,” he whispers, slurring his words slightly. He has lost his suit jacket, waistcoat, and tie, and the way he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt is ridiculously sexy.
He cups my face, and I study him carefully. It sounded like things went well, but I can’t help but worry nonetheless. Both Archer and Dad are incredibly protective, and the thought of them being mean to Zane or making him feel unwelcome just breaks my heart.
“Is this a dream?” Zane asks.
I grin at him and shake my head. “No, boyfriend dearest. This is all very real, but I’ll admit you’re a dream come true.”
He sighs as he drops his forehead to mine. “I love you, Celeste.” He grabs my hand and places my palm on his chest. “I love you so much that it hurts here.”
My stomach flutters, and I grin as I slowly unbutton his shirt. He wouldn’t believe me if I told him I love him more. Zane doesn’t get drunk often, but when he does, he gets adorably stubborn. “I’ll kiss it better,” I promise him.
“You have to,” he tells me. “My heart is yours now, so you have to take good care of it.”
“I will, my love.”
“Is that a vow?” he asks, his gaze heated.
I nod. “I vow to take great care of your heart, Zane. It’s mine now, isn’t it? I’ll keep it always.”
His shirt falls open, and I run my hands over his chest in appreciation. I should be used to the sight of him now, but I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. “This isn’t a dream, is it?” he asks, his hand threading through my hair. “You have to tell me if it is.”
“It’s not a dream, babe.”
“Okay, good, because I’m going to kiss you, and I don’t want to wake up and find out it wasn’t real. That happened a few times. A lot of times, actually.”
I chuckle, and Zane cuts me off by pulling me closer, making me crash into him. He dips his head and kisses me slowly. I moan and push my hands up his chest until I’ve got them hooked around the back of his neck.
“So perfect for me,” he whispers, walking me back until I fall onto his bed. He grins as he places his knee between my legs. “I can’t tell what’s real anymore, because when I’m with you, it feels like all my dreams have come true.”
My heart skips a beat when he pulls his shirt off and throws me one of those smirks he knows I can’t resist. “Zane Windsor,” I whisper. “Don’t be a tease.”
He leans over me and runs the tips of his fingers down my stomach. “But I love teasing you, Celeste. I love everything about you, but I love the way you beg the most.”
He pushes my underwear aside and looks at me through his lashes, his gaze heady as he coats his finger in my wetness. “Such a pretty pussy. You know what’s best about it?”
I shake my head as he pushes two fingers in. “It isn’t how greedy this pussy is, or even how incredible it tastes. Nah. The best part is that it’s mine. Forever. My touch is the first and last it’ll ever know.”
“Only,” I correct him, admitting something I haven’t before. “Your touch is the only one I’ll ever know.”
Zane blinks, and then a wide grin spreads across his face. “Did you know you’re my only too? You’re the only woman I’ve ever slept with, Celeste. My first, my last, my only.”
I blink in disbelief as he draws circles around my clit. “Then… then how did you… how did you become so good at this?”
“Watched a lot of porn,” he says, shrugging, a cute drunk smile on his face. “And I’m a quick study. When it comes to you, I’m eager to please.”
“Zane,” I moan when he continues to tease me, his slow pace maddening. “God, I’m so in love with you.”
“Yeah. You are, aren’t you? It’s crazy. You’re a goddess, and I… well, I’m not worthy.”
He pushes his fingers in and curls them, making me bite down on my lip to keep from moaning. I can never resist him — I didn’t even come in here expecting anything. I just wanted to see if he was doing okay and kiss him goodnight.
“Please,” I whisper.
He grins as he pulls his fingers away. “Please what, Celestial?”
I lift my hips and push my panties down entirely. “Please fuck me, Zane. Please.”
He inhales shakily, his gaze so adoring that it makes my heart overflow with a kind of tenderness I’ve never felt for anyone but him. “You’re such a good girl, aren’t you?” he whispers. “You look so pretty when you beg for my cock.”
I watch impatiently as he puts his hands on the buttons of his suit pants, his movements slow. Just as he’s got the button undone, someone knocks on his door.
“Zane?”
His eyes widen. “Fuck. It’s my brother-in-law.”
“Your what?”
He doesn’t respond as he pulls me upright and looks around the room. “Get… get under the bed.” I stare at him wide-eyed, uncertain whether I should be amused or offended. “Quick! I can’t get caught with you in my bed! I finally got him to like me!”
I bite back a smile and do as he asked, hiding myself moments before my brother walks into the room. “You’re still awake,” Archer says, slightly slurring his words. “I b-brought you a towel, and s-some of my clothes to wear. Spare toothbrush too.”
I hear some shuffling in the room and peek from underneath the bed to find my brother smiling at Zane. “As far as boyfriends go, you’re not so bad, I guess,” he adds.
Zane looks up at him wide-eyed. “Thanks, man.”
“She’s happy, I know that. I can see it in the way she smiles, the way she looks at you. For years, you made my sister so damn sad, and I still want to make you pay for it. But fucking hell, Zane, at the same time I don’t think I’ve ever seen her as happy as you make her. I wish you were a dick. Would make things m-much easier.”
I only just about manage to keep from laughing. I never knew my brother could be that cute, and the way Zane stares up at him all wide-eyed is equally cute. I can’t believe I’m witnessing the making of a true bromance.
“Thanks,” Zane stammers. “I appreciate it. I love her, you know?”
Archer sighs and shakes his head as he walks to the door. “Yeah, I know.” He opens the door and looks back. “Welcome to family, asshole. I doubt you w-will, but try not to give me another reason to punch you in the face. Pretty sure my little sister likes that face quite a bit. I’d hate to ruin it.”
Then he walks out, the door slamming closed behind him far louder than necessary. Zane stares at it as I wiggle out from under the bed, unable to keep from smiling. “I think…” I murmur. “I think you and my brother just became… friends?”
“Friends?”
I nod, endlessly amused by his disarmed expression. Tonight has gone far better than I ever could’ve hoped for. Now we just need to tackle our grandparents — but that was always going to be the hardest part.
