Dray (Miller Brothers Book 1) (2 page)

Luce.

* * *

“Hey, are we still on for tonight? Or are you out being the big Mr Hotshot Player Man you like to think you are?”

“Hey, firecracker, do you abuse everyone in this way, or is the special treatment just for me?” I ask, amusement in my voice.

“Well, you know I have to keep you grounded. Can’t let that inflatable ego take over now.”

“I’m sure I’ll stay grounded with you around. And yeah, tonight’s good, just no chick flicks.” I pull a face at the thought of it.

“Why, because you’ll cry?” she teases.

“Fuck off. A man needs action, guns, excitement, not a prostitute waiting on a billionaire to rescue her.”

She gasps in surprise. “You did
not
just dis
Pretty Woman
.”

“Yep, I think you’ll find I did,” I scoff. I love that she takes the bait every time I rubbish the films she loves.

“That’s one of my favourite films,” she whines. I just know right now she’s pouting; she does it all the time when she gets annoyed.

“I know, I’ve sat through it like forty times.”

Never again.

“Liar. Maybe thirty.” She chuckles. “But no, I’m not bringing a chick flick. This time, anyway.”

“Thank fuck for that.” I sigh with relief that I’m not about to be tortured again.

“Shut it, Dray. Now, do you need me to bring snacks?”

“Well, unless you want to eat chicken or eggs then yeah.”

She snorts. “Such a typical guy. You’re worse than a woman watching her figure.”

“Hey, if I want to maintain this lean physique, I can’t be scoffing back pastries and cakes all the time. I can’t be losing my definition.”

“Oh, well, I won’t bother bringing cupcakes then,” she adds teasingly.

“Now, I didn’t say you couldn’t bring them. I can have a blowout once every week. Oh, and bring some of those sausage things while you’re at it.”

“I’ll just bring everything, shall I?” I know she’s rolling her eyes right now.

“No. Yes. Oh, just bring the lot.”

“Jesus, it’s like chatting to a girl,” she scoffs.

“Oh, screw you, and make sure you get a taxi. See you at seven, don’t be late.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Bye.”

I click on the 'end call' button with a shit-eating smile on my face. Tuesday nights are always my favourite. It’s our film night together, so I’m always in a good mood that day knowing I’ll be up close to Luce. It’s moments like this I treasure as our schedules keep us busy, but to have her next to me? Now
that
is worth waiting for.

I’m soon brought out of my thoughts by a knock at the door. Caroline enters, dressed in high black cotton shorts that show off those amazing legs of hers as her boobs strain against her tight work t-shirt.

Immediately, my cock stirs.

Fuck.

She places a chicken salad and smoothie down in front of me, but there’s something else I have an appetite for. Her eyes drop down to the growing bulge, my cock pressing against the denim. I’m going to need some relief before tonight, and by the look on Caroline’s face, she’s more than happy to help. She leans down, and my eyes immediately flick to her chest. She’s a double D, although admittedly, they're fake. I prefer natural myself, but right now, my cock seems to be in agreement they’ll more than do the job. My hand instinctively reaches out and covers her breast, and I squeeze it slightly as she lets out a groan. I tweak the nipple, making her groan even harder. She leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head. That’s the one thing I refuse to do; it’s too intimate.

“Dray,” she begs, but her pleading is futile. It’s not an option I’ll ever allow.

“I don’t kiss, you know that,” I say, giving her a warning not to push it further.

“But it’s me. Maybe make the exception.” Her eyes hold mine, hoping I’ll change my mind, but she doesn’t stand a chance in hell of that happening.

“You know the rules. If you’re not happy then leave,” I reply dismissively. I’m not in the mood for her bullshit right now.

She huffs and stands back. For a moment, I think she might just do that, but then she reaches down and lifts off her shirt. Her bra closely follows as my hand reaches for my fly. My cock is happy to escape the confines of my jeans as it stands proud, liking what it sees in front of me.

I reach into my drawer and grab a condom. I always keep it wrapped, because I’m not one to take risks when it comes to catching anything, despite their claims they’re clean. Plus, I’m not about to become a daddy to a woman I just see fit to screw. I roll it on as she removes the last piece of underwear. She makes her way over with a smug smile on her face because she got her way, but who am I to refuse a little afternoon delight?

“Hey, Dray, it’s me,” Luce announces, walking through the door. She’s loaded with so many bags, it looks like she’s brought enough food to last all week.
So much for maintaining my abs of steel.
Her smile sends shivers through me, and the air around us feels electric, but Luce doesn’t seem to notice. Instead, she stares at me, looking confused.

“Is there something up, Dray? You had one too many protein shakes and your little brain can’t handle?” she mocks.

That breaks me from my trance. “No.” I shake my head in an attempt to snap myself out of it.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she adds, a little more sympathetic this time.

I walk over and grab her, pulling her into a hug as I kiss her hair. I breathe in her heavenly, intoxicating scent, and I feel my body stir.

“Did you just smell my hair?”

“Fuck, no.” I push away from her and grab the bags, heading to the kitchen in an attempt to avoid any more questions. I unload the goodies onto the counter, plating them all up before walking through and placing them on the table in front of the sofa so we can snack as we watch. As usual, Luce doesn’t stand on ceremony; her jacket and boots are off as she curls up on the sofa. She smiles as I hand her a beer, and she twists off the top and tosses it onto the table, taking a welcoming sip. I watch in awe, loving the way she looks in my home. It always feels different when she comes over, like she belongs here. She inserts the DVD into the player, quickly throwing the remote over to me.

“What did you bring?” I ask, twisting off the cap on my own beer.

“
Skyfall
.”

“James fucking Bond, now we’re talking. My kind of film. You know, I see a lot of myself in Bond,” I muse as I sip on my beer.

“Oh, piss off,” she scoffs, spluttering on her own.

I sit up in mock shock. “What? I have the looks, charm, and the ladies love me.”

“Don’t they just.” Luce snorts as she rolls her eyes.

“Hey, I can’t help it if I’m a magnet for the ladies.” I smirk as I shoot her a wink. I love winding her up, and she falls for it every time.

“Are we going to discuss your history as a ladies’ man or are we going to watch the DVD already, 'cause seriously, we don’t have all year.”

“Ha bloody ha.” I shove her playfully.

“You know I’m right.” She prods me with her foot and laughs, but that soon changes when I grab and tickle it.

“Dray, stop—argghhh—stop it!” she shrieks.

“No, not until you say I’d make a great James Bond.” I will not stop until she agrees with me.

“Never. Shit, stop.” Her eyes are wide and her arms are flailing. I smile knowing she hates every minute of this.

“Only when you say it,” I urge.

She thrashes about some more, determination in her eyes not to give in, but I know tickling is pure torture to her. She
will
give in.

“Please, Dray, stop,” she begs.

“Not until you say it,” I demand.

She tries to pull her foot back from my steely grip. “I’m seriously going to piss myself, please.”

“Then say it.”

“FINE. You could totally be James Bond.”

I release her foot and smirk, loving the scowl that quickly crosses her face. She hates to pay me any form of compliment, so I’m in my element.

“I had my fingers crossed at the time.” She pokes out her tongue and I make a dive for her foot, but she relents, holding up both hands. “Enough, just press ‘play’ already.”

I click the button and sit back, grabbing a handful of popcorn; I’ll work it off tomorrow. Luce inches over so her head rests against my shoulder like a pillow, and I sigh in contentment at her closeness. I have to bite back the urge to encircle her with my arm and hold her. It’s hard not to, but I don’t want to jeopardise anything. I take whatever I can get, even if it’s the smallest of pieces.

The end credits roll and I’m certain Luce has fallen asleep. Once the TV is turned off, I hear her softly breathing beside me. I gently lift her into my arms and walk towards the spare bedroom. She’s already in her sweats, so it'll be okay for her to sleep in them; plus, I know she’d flip if I attempted to undress her. I pull back the covers and lay her down before covering her up. I press a soft kiss against her hair and breathe her in. This time, she has no comeback, and I’m given the chance to cherish her scent. It intoxicates me and I feel my body come alive, but I ignore my urges. She doesn’t belong to me that way. We’ll only ever be friends and that part kills me, but to not have her in my life would be the biggest tragedy of them all.

Closing the door, I slide down to the floor, resisting all urge to go back in and curl up beside her. Instead, I take a few steady breaths. When I’m certain I’m fine, I head to the bathroom for a cold and lengthy shower.

* * *

After a restless night of tossing and turning, I wake early and hit the shower before going into work. We have a lot of paperwork to catch up on, and I have an appointment with my accountant. It’s the part of the business I hate, but it has to be done; plus, it might keep my mind from wandering to other places.

Scalding water spills over me before I finally turn it off, stepping out and wiping away the condensation from the mirror. My hand grazes along my stubble, and I’m considering having a shave when the door flies open and in walks a sleepy Luce. She rubs her eyes and yawns then screams and jumps back in shock when she sees me standing there buck naked. I chuckle at her response and make no attempt to reach for the towel.

She throws her hands over her face. “Oh, my God, Dray, will you put it away?”

“Err, you were the one bursting in on me. How about knocking next time.”

“Well, how about you lock the freaking door.” She finally drops her hands and her eyes linger on me a little longer, causing me to smirk. I know it’s impressive; after all, I’ve been told by every woman I meet they love my cock, over and over as I pound deep into them. And by the look on Luce’s face, she’s quite taken by it, too.

“Eyes up here, firecracker,” I jest, pointing to my face.

She scowls in annoyance and tosses the towel at me in a rage. “Dray, just cover it up. And please, I need to pee, so a little privacy would be nice. Just because you’re free and easy with people seeing your bits doesn’t mean I am.”

“Bits? You mean cock, darling.”

“Argghh, just leave!” She shoves me hard.

“Fine, but most women would have welcomed that kind of view in the morning.”

She shoves me once again, slamming the door behind her. I chuckle, wrapping the towel around me as I head off to make breakfast.

Ten minutes later, I place the coffee in front of her, but she only grunts in reply before sipping it slowly. I quickly make some omelettes, which she declines; she’s not an early morning breakfast person, strictly just coffee.

I pull up at her place twenty minutes later. She has an hour to shower and get ready before she has to be in at work, so she mumbles a quick bye. Her cheeks are still heated and I know she’s thinking of our earlier encounter, especially when her eyes drop down to my cock again. I grin and her eyes flick back up to meet my amused ones.

“Oh, fuck off,” she huffs, barely giving me a second glance.

“Love you, too, firecracker.”

The door slams shut and she strides up to her door without a wave. God, she’s angry, and boy, do I love her when she’s angry. I want to push her hard against the door, crash my lips against hers and fuck her there and then. My cock stirs and strains against my trousers at just the thought. I haven’t got time for another cold shower, so I turn my thoughts to something less than sexy and feel it deflate.

Fuck, the things that girl does to me.

* * *

“Are you in or out?” Karl asks, shooting me a look of annoyance.

Shit, where the fuck is my head at?

“Out. I’m not with it, and I’ve had sucky cards all night.” I throw them down in disgust; tonight is not my night.

“Hey, don’t blame the cards,” Karl scoffs, dealing to the other guys who are still in.

“What the hell is wrong with you, man? Woman trouble? But I know Caroline’s on hand the moment you click your fingers.” Jack snorts, sipping on his scotch.

“Fuck off.” I do not discuss my sex life. End of.

“What about the cute brunette in the coffee shop?” Charlie asks, smiling.

Now he has my attention, and not in a good way.

“Fuck, I was in the other day. God, that girl can cook. Bet she’s fucking amazing in the bedroom, too,” Charlie adds with a smirk, and it’s all I can do to not punch him. He’s trying to get a rise out of me and right now, he’s pushing all my buttons.

I clench my teeth so hard I swear they’re about to snap. “I’m only going to say this once. Mention her again in that way and I will ram my fucking fist down your throat.”

Charlie’s eyes widen at my words. “Fucking hell, Dray, calm down. It’s not like she’s your sister.”

“She’s my best friend, and I won’t have animals like you going near her.”

I’d fucking kill them first.

“Jesus, it sounds like you want to be way more than friends. She not interested? Maybe she’d prefer my cock. I
have
been told it’s exceptional,” Karl goads me.

One step too fucking far.

I leap up, the rage taking over, and I throw aside the table. Drinks crash to the floor, but I don’t hear a thing, too distracted by his words still ringing in my ears. I want to kill him, to choke the life right out of him, and right now, I’m capable of doing just that.

Ritchie grabs me, pulling me back; he knows the signs. As well as being a great friend, he’s my No. 2 at the gym. I trust him with my life, and he’s used to jumping in every time my temper flares. We work out and spar together regularly, we’re around the same build so he can match me punch for punch.

I struggle to be set free, but his hold is too tight for me. The moment I do, though, Karl is a dead man.

“Calm the fuck down, Dray. He’s pushing your buttons on purpose. Don’t rise to it,” Ritchie growls in my ear.

I’m panting hard. The anger flowing through my veins is too much. I need a way to stop it, and smashing my fist into Karl’s face is the only way.

“Whoa, Dray, did I hit a nerve?” Karl smirks. I jerk forward, but Richie grabs me tighter. This son of a bitch is goading me; he deserves to feel my rage.

“Let me fucking go, Ritch,” I growl.

“Not fucking happening. Walk away, Karl, before I let him loose and you won’t know what’s fucking hit you,” Ritchie warns.

He holds his hands up as a sign of surrender. “Fine, but what the fuck, man? I guess you really want to tap that.”

I break free and surge forward, ramming my fist into his face and knocking him spark out. Richie grabs me again and pulls me back, pushing me out the door.

“Keep walking, Dray. He’s not fucking worth it.” He shoves me again like I didn’t get the point the first time. I smash my hand into the wall and curse with the pain, but I welcome it right now as a distraction.

“FUCK!” I yell. I hate anyone getting the better of me, and he knew how to fucking play me. I was the one who kept my cards close to my chest, never allowing arseholes like that to see me lose my cool.

“Calm down, Dray. For fuck’s sake, you’d think you were in love with the girl the way you’re carrying on.”

I shoot him a look and it’s all he needs to know. It’s a secret I’ve kept to myself for a long time. The burden’s been hard, but it’s something I’ve concealed in my own way.

He lets out a long sigh, dragging a hand across his shaven blond hair. “Fuck, man, how long? Didn’t you guys meet at, like, ten?”

“Yeah. . .I think I’ve always loved her. Watching her have her first kiss, I knew my feelings ran far deeper. But it was never reciprocated so I just took whatever she offered me, and that was her friendship.” I kick the stone in front of me, trying to avoid Ritchie’s eyes. I know they’ll be filled with sympathy right now.

“Fuck, man, that must have been hard.”

I stop dead in my tracks. “It still is. Watching her date other guys, it kills me every time. I guess I’ve been lucky they’ve been few and far between, but when it happens, it’s just like being stabbed in the heart once again.” I thump my chest with my fist. It hurts like fucking hell.

Ritchie walks over and stands in front of me, forcing me to look up and meet his eyes. “Have you ever thought about telling her how you feel?”

I snort at his suggestion. “She doesn’t feel the same. Trust me, I would know.”

He frowns slightly. “But have you actually put it out there?”

“No.”

His eyes widen in surprise. “Why the hell not? Surely it’s got to be worth all this agony.”

“Because I don’t want to lose her. Things would change, and our friendship wouldn’t be the same. I’d rather have a few crumbs off the table than nothing at all.”