Bliss Series Boxed Set: The Whole Damn Harem (90 page)

I melted into him, the champagne I’d been drinking all night making me more brazen than normal, even though I’m
far
from prudish sober let alone tipsy. He tasted divine, the hint of whiskey mixing with his cologne making me lose my head. I matched him stroke for stroke, our tongues dueling in a war that we both wanted to win, even though we knew losing would be just as sweet.

That was until we were jerked apart, and I was spun around until I was facing my sister-in-law, Kate, who was looking at me with wide eyes and a very shocked expression.

My brother decided to get all macho and punch Noah, which just riled me up. Zander and I have never been good when we’re pissed at each other, so I let rip at him, yelling at him in no uncertain terms that I was an adult who could make her own decisions and could definitely defend herself.

Cue Noah spewing up in a trashcan and Daniel having to step in and drag him away, while Kate and Mac steered me in the opposite direction.

“Zoe, are you okay? I’m so sorry,” Mac says, appearing at my side.

“It’s not your fault, Mac,” I start to explain before Kate rushes up to us.

“Noah is going to get
such
an earful when I get hold of him.” She’s pointing in the direction Noah and Daniel went. “His best friend’s wedding is not the place to try and score.
Especially
with all the shit he caused just getting that
bitch
invited.”

Mac smiles at Kate, looking as if she wants to burst out laughing. “Seriously, it’s fine. She’s stayed away from me, thankfully. Though I was getting sick of the daggers she was shooting at me whenever Daniel and I were touching.

“You’re always together. It’s your freaking wedding day for crying out loud.” I snort and nod in agreement, my anger seeping out of me as Kate and Mac’s banter distracts me from thoughts of siblingicide.

“Exactly my point. She may have been steering clear of me but if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under by now.”

“Well this girl needs alcohol,” I announce to no one in particular.

They both watch me move toward the bar and signal the barman, Mac’s eyes full of pride, while Kate’s are more wary. Then, like I’m the pied piper of alcohol consumption, they’re joining me.

“If it helps, I’m sure Daniel is laying into him as we speak.” Mac’s eyes are full of understanding. “And I’m sorry he did that. Bet it was the last thing you expected when you got up this morning. ”

“I’m not pissed at Noah.” I sigh despondently as three drinks are placed in front of us. “I’m actually pissed off at my dumbass brother for stopping us.” I look up just in time to see Kate spit out the drink and Mac’s jaw drop to the floor, both of them looking at me as if I have two heads.

Kate lifts her hand up to interrupt me. “Hold on a minute. You
wanted
to kiss Noah?”

I shrug and give them a sly grin. “He’s hot, he was there,
he
kissed me, and he’s good with his mouth. Why not?”

“It’s not the only thing he’s good at,” Mac mumbles under her breath, which earns a snort from Kate.

“What do you mean?”

I see Kate’s mouth open to say something before it closes again. After a minute of silence Mac speaks up.

“Well,” she states with a laugh, “one thing’s for sure—you two definitely livened things up.” She waggles her brows at me, now wearing a huge smirk on her face. “At least now people will have something to talk about, considering they all thought there’d be a smack-down between me and a certain blond Satan. You always need drama at a wedding reception. Personally I thought it would be my dad getting drunk and dancing on tables.” She looks toward the dance floor where her dad and mom are dancing with Daniel’s parents, performing the YMCA dance to perfection. We all start laughing as we stand there watching them.

“Let’s get another drink. I think I’m going to need as much help as I can to get Zander to calm down,” Kate announces as she waves to the barman.

“Well, you know one surefire way to do that. And I promise, no clam jamming this time.” Mac laughs again, and Kate’s cheeks turn red at the obvious private joke. I stick my fingers in my ears.

“Clam jamming?” I ask, perplexed.

“Female cock blocking. Or maybe it should be cock stop.”

“La la la. You’re talking about my brother here. It’s bad enough knowing you’ve both been there.”

Kate starts coughing just as Mac interjects. “Oh, don’t worry, we don’t talk about that. That’s an unspoken rule. Besides, I’m a married woman now. There’s only one penis for me for the rest of my days. It’s a chronic condition called one-cock-itis. It’s terminal. I’m just lucky he’s a superhero. He can scale tall buildings in a single bound and give me multiple orgasms morning and night. Both keep me happy.”

I look toward the double doors at the back of the room, trying to catch a glimpse of Noah, but all I see is frosted glass and nothing else. Sighing in disappointment, I turn back toward the bar and see tequila shots lined up in front of us.

At least I can get drunk and forget about my brother’s dad complex. If there were a definition of a brother twat-blocking his sister, tonight would be it. His heart’s in the right place but treating me like I’m a child in need of saving pisses me off.

Ten minutes later, Daniel swoops in and snuggles up to Mac, murmuring in her ear something undoubtedly dirty if her blush and wry smile are anything to go by.

“I can’t apologize for interrupting, ladies. But if my
wife
has any more shots, she’ll be hazardous in the bedroom tonight, and I’ve already got a fake tooth to show for Mac’s drunken efforts. I don’t need any more.”

“Daniel!” she exclaims, whacking him playfully on his arm which is now wrapped around her waist.

“Just stating facts, gorgeous. Now, our chariot awaits.” He steps away, grabbing her hand and entwining his fingers with hers. Her whole body softens and nothing could wipe the smile off her face as he pulls her into his side. “Time to go see to my wife.”

“I love that word. Say it again,” she breathes.

“Wife,” he whispers against her lips before kissing her gently, reverently, and sweetly.

The love in their eyes is unmistakable, and I’m more than a little envious, but looking at those two, anyone would be. Apart from Kate and my brother, I’ve never met two people so perfect for one another.

Soon we’re standing in two lines, making a corridor for Mac and Daniel, throwing confetti as they run toward a black town car. As the door closes and we’re waving goodbye, Kate leans into me. “They’re going to Hawaii tomorrow. A week on the beach with nothing but sand, sun and sex. Total bliss if you ask me.”

And there you have it—I’m beyond jealous now. I’d give my right boob up for a week on a beach with a hot guy and nothing to do but sleep, eat, and screw all day.

I’m just about to reply when a yellow cab pulls up to the side of the country club and I see Nikki pushing a stumbling Noah toward the car. He pauses briefly, looking toward the crowd and for a moment my heart stops, hope blooming inside me that maybe he might come back for me.

Hope that is crushed like a bug moments later when he turns back to the bimbo and tries to pull her close for a kiss in a scene reminiscent of my own just thirty minutes earlier. She pushes him away before his lips can make contact, then opens the car door and shoves him inside before getting in. He was going to kiss her right there in front of everyone. In front of me.

It’s then I realize that I’ll be that drunken mistake he won’t remember in the morning. He’ll be the best man at the wedding who drank too much and made a fool of himself, and I’ll simply be the random woman he inappropriately made out with.

A speck on his radar that won’t even resemble a blip in the morning.

He was probably just looking for a quick thrill. Instead, he gave me a much needed but way too brief one.

Noah Taylor. Another name added to my list of Men Who Don’t Deserve Another Minute Of My Time.

Lord knows I had enough trouble with the last man I let in my heart. I think it’s time to cut my losses and enjoy the single, carefree life.

Best idea I’ve ever had.

“Wasted”

Noah

I turn my body toward Nikki, wanting to take her scowl away. And in my drunken haze, I figure the best way to do that is to give her my dick.

Well that, and try and get her to finally admit that there is more to us than sex.

The first will be easy—just not in the back seat of a taxi. The second, not so much.

“Did you have fun, baby?” I place my hand on her bare knee, her cream dress hitched blessedly high up her leg, showing skin I’m desperate to lick my way along.

“What do you think? I just watched the love—my ex-boyfriend marry a woman not worthy of him. I’m just fucking peachy.”
Well ain’t that just grand.

“He chose Mac. He loves Mac. Mac is awesome.” I hear an unladylike snort escape her mouth as I come to the defense of my best friends. “Now you, you need to move on . . .” I run my hand up the inside of her thigh, hoping like hell she’s not wearing any underwear.

She stills my hand’s advance and glares at me. “Noah, you might be accustomed to women who let you paw at them in the back of cabs, but I’m not one of them. Either wait till I get home or else I will kick you out at your place and go home to my own bed.” There is no missing the spite in her voice, an almost vindictive edge that grates me the wrong way—or would if I wasn’t inebriated.

Leaning over, I rest my chin on her shoulder and wince as pain radiates along my jaw from Zander’s powerful left hook. My hand stays wedged between her closed legs. “I want more, Nik.”

“Then wait till we get home.”

“No, not that.” I sigh. “What if I want more?” My words are slurred as the events of the day—and the alcohol—take their toll.

“You need to sleep this off.”

“I need more . . .” I close my eyes and turn my head to lean against her.

“I need more than you,” she says flatly. The words don’t sink in and as sleep takes hold, I welcome the darkness and wonder whether Nikki will ever think of me as more than a quick fuck on tap.

∞
∞
∞

My throbbing head wakes me up. Inching one eye open, I blanch at the bright light streaming in my bedroom window as I curse the gods for not giving me enough foresight—even in my drunken state—to close the blinds last night.

I reach an arm out to the other side of the bed and feel a warm naked body. Turning my head, I look to see Nikki stretching up above her head as she smiles at me.

“Why are we naked? ’Cause I doubt I was in any state to get it up last night.”

She smirks at me. “You weren’t, but your clothes stunk of vomit and after I had a shower, I just got in and went to sleep.”

“Huh,” I murmur, as the thumping in my temples gets louder.

“Bet you feel like shit right now.” She smirks.

“More like a horde of beginner drummers practicing their craft in the auditorium that is my head.”

“Serves you right.” She scoffs and sits up, swinging her legs over the side of my bed. Unable to resist, I run my hand over her skin and try to warm her up to the idea of staying with me.

“I’ve got to go home, Noah.”

“I thought we could talk.”

She swivels around to look at me, her blatant disregard for her exposed body endearing. Raising an eyebrow, she crosses her arms and waits for me to continue. I pull myself up to a sitting position, leaning against my iron headboard.

“My parents invited you to their Fourth of July party. I got the invite in the mail. I’d love to take you with me. There’s also a hospital fundraiser coming up that I’ve been told to bring a partner to.” I watch as her eyes shift away from mine, as if she doesn’t want to reveal her reaction to my words.

“Noah, I can’t do that,” she says on a sigh as she bends down and I get an oh-so-nice view of her backside. She pulls her panties on roughly, as if there’s a fire and she needs to get out of here stat.

I roll over and reach out my hand to rest it on her forearm. “Nik, why are you leaving? Why the sudden rush?”

She steps backwards, away from my touch. Securing her black lace bra behind her back, she then throws her expensive dress over her head as if it costs nothing, but knowing Nikki and her tastes, it’s bound to be worth a shitload. Looking back to me, she puts her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing as she sighs loudly.

“Look, Noah, it’s been fun and all, but I just can’t do this anymore.”

Now I’m confused, and a little lost. Maybe I drank more than I thought—or not enough. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t go to hospital fundraisers with you or attend your parents’ tenth annual holiday whatever.” She throws her hand in the air, as if it means nothing to her. “I’m just not that interested in anything more than a bed, and if I’m honest with you, your big dick.”

“Harsh, Nik.” I scratch my jaw, speechless as I watch her in total disbelief. She waves her hand between us. “This,
this
I can do. We meet up; we have sex. It’s awesome; it’s good. We both get off and go on our merry little way.”

I raise an eyebrow at her blunt description of the last eighteen months we’ve been sleeping together. I’d expect a recollection like that from one of my guy friends, but not a woman of class like Nikki. “Noah, if we did anything else together it would just feed into your false hope that this will ever turn into anything else.”

Hold up. When did I become the girl in this fucking relationship, arrangement, or whatever the hell it is? I cross my arms in front of me and her eyes flare with interest. Pity I’m too angry to see through the red haze and let anything other than her little rant penetrate. So I don’t. I just finally let rip. I’m sick of being led around by my dick, a fact that in this moment is glaringly obvious. I straighten my back and level her with a stare.

“Let me get this straight. We’ve been friends for what, near on fifteen fucking years, most of which I’ve wanted you but couldn’t have you. Then, for the past year and a bit, we’ve been fucking each other like rabbits on a Viagra binge, and when I finally make it fucking obvious that I want to see you outside of the bedroom, you brush me off and turn me into the fucking girl? Me?” I’m yelling at this point, the anger coursing through me and increasing more as it sinks in what an idiot I’ve been.