Falling For My Best Friend's Brother (17 page)

Chapter Sixteen

The Beginning of Wonderful

“Are you home?” Liv came running into my room as soon as she arrived back at the apartment.

“Yes.” I sat up and jumped off of the bed so I could give her a hug. “We got back about an hour ago.”

“Oh, Aiden’s not here, is he?” She looked around with a disappointed face.

“No, Mr. Pleasure is not here.” I laughed as her eyes widened.

“‘Mr. Pleasure’?” She groaned. “Please no.”

“That’s his new name because—”

“No, no, no.” She cut me off. “That is TMI, Alice.”

“What?” I smiled widely. “I didn’t even say why yet.”

“I don’t want to know about the magical things he does with his penis.”

“Very magical things indeed.” I laughed and grabbed her hands. “Let’s go into the kitchen and have some hot chocolate and I’m going to tell you everything that happened this weekend, aside from how many times I—”

“Nope.” Liv covered her ears. “I don’t want to hear about how many times you orgasmed.”

“I was going to say how many times we told each other ‘I love you.’”

“You what?” she screamed and grabbed me. “This is the information you lead off with, Alice.” She jumped up and down and squealed. “I can’t believe you guys said ‘I love you’ already!”

“And he gave me a bear.” I closed my eyes and relived the memories. “It was awesome.”

“I still can’t believe that my brother, Mr. Stick-up-his-ass, told you he loved you.”

“He said that he’s had a thing for me for a while.” I grinned. “Just like me. He said he didn’t want to rush anything or pressure me into getting into a relationship because he wanted to be sure that this wasn’t just a crush for me. He wanted to know that it was an adult Alice making the decision and not an immature Alice.”

“He did not say that.” She rolled her eyes.

“I know. I couldn’t believe it when he said that either.” I laughed. “I wanted to say, what do you mean ‘an immature Alice?’ but I kept my mouth shut.” I grinned at her. “I didn’t want to ruin the bath.”

“The bath? Don’t you mean the moment?”

“The moment happened in a bath after we’d had birthday cake.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet. He got you a cake?”

“Kinda.” I licked my lips.

“What do you mean kinda?”

“Well, he got me the toppings: whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce and then put it on the base.”

“What base?” Liv said and then made a face. “Oh my God, he was the base, wasn’t he?”

“Yes, he was.” I nodded and opened the fridge. “Best birthday cake I’ve ever had.”

“Oh, Alice.” She giggled. “I cannot believe my brother had the audacity to make himself the birthday cake.”

“You can’t?” I asked her with a questioningly look.

“Okay, I really can believe he had the audacity to do that.” She opened the cupboard. “Want some cookies?”

“Do we have shortbread?”

“All the way from Scotland, baby.” She nodded as she pulled out the box of Walkers Shortbread cookies.

“Yay!” I took out two cups from the cupboard and heaped the hot chocolate powder into them. “I’ve never been so excited, Liv. I guess I know what you feel like when you’re with Xander.”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” She smiled as she thought of her handsome fiancé. “Sometimes I just can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“I know,” I said as I waited for the water to boil. “You know when you and Xander got engaged, I was a little jealous for myself. I felt so bad about it, but I was thinking to myself, will I ever have that? Will I ever have someone love me back so much that they would want to marry me?”

“Oh, Alice.” Liv made a sad face. “I’m sorry you felt that way.”

“Don’t you dare feel sorry for me.” I took the milk out of the fridge and turned to her. “It was selfish of me to even let myself think that in your moment. But I did, and it worried me. All I could think was that I didn’t even know what I was going to do if it ended up that Aiden didn’t really like me. I know I’ve dated other guys, but he’s always been the one in my heart.”

“Alice, you know how special you are. If it wasn’t Aiden, it would have been some other fantastic guy.”

“Some other fantastic guy wouldn’t have been Aiden.”

“And any other girl he would have ended up with wouldn’t have been you.”

“How did I get so lucky to have you as a best friend?” I asked Liv as I stirred the milk into the hot chocolate mix.

“I think it was fate,” she said seriously. “I think we were meant to be best friends so that you could meet my brother and then we could end up as sisters.”

“That’s if Aiden and I get married.”

“Oh, you’ll get married.” She laughed. “I’m positive of it, sis.”

“Oh God, that means I gain Gabby as a sister, too.”

“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, Alice.” She laughed and picked up a cup. “Let’s go through to the living room and watch some TV while we chat.”

“That sounds good to me.” I followed behind her and we both settled into the couch and made ourselves comfortable. “I’m going to miss you when you move out.”

“I’m going to miss you, too.” We stared at each other for a few seconds, and we both looked at each other in surprise when the doorbell rang.

“Who’s that?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat, hoping it was Aiden.

“No idea.” She shrugged. “I thought Xander was going home.” We both jumped up and hurried to the door as the doorbell rang again. “It has to be Aiden.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s the only one I know who’s so impatient that he has to ring the doorbell multiple times in seconds.”

“Oh Liv,” I said, but I hurried to the door and opened it. “Oh, it’s Aiden and Xander.” I grinned at Aiden, who looked me over with an expression of desire on his handsome face.

“Hello to you, too.” Aiden swooped in and picked me up and gave me a big kiss.

“What are you guys doing here?” Liv stepped forward and gave Xander a kiss on the cheek.

“We didn’t want to leave our two favorite girls home alone.” Aiden grinned as he put me back down. “Plus, I didn’t want you to get into any trouble.”

“What trouble are we going to get into on a Sunday night, Aiden?”

“Knowing you two, I’d say a lot of different things,” Xander said with a laugh as Liv hit him in the shoulder.

“We were just about to watch TV, actually.” I kissed Aiden lightly on the lips. “And we were just drinking hot chocolate.”

“I love chocolate,” he said and sucked on my lower lip.

“We know,” Liv said loudly and cleared her throat.

“You told her already?” He groaned as he looked at his sister. “Alice!”

“What? She’s my best friend.”

“And I’m her brother.” He shook his head.

“I’ll have to tell Mom and Dad that they deserve an award,” Liv said with a small smile.

“Award for what?” Aiden asked her with a curious expression.

“An award for creating Mr. Pleasure,” she teased, and I watched as Aiden’s face went red.

“I’m going to kill you, Alice.” His fingers came up under my arms and started to tickle me. “I’m seriously going to kill you.”

“No.” I tried to push him off as I started squirming and laughing. “You can’t tickle me. No!” I shrieked as his hands kept up their assault. “Aiden, please!” I caught his hand and tried to stop him. “I won’t tell her anything else.”

“Liar.” He pinched my nose. “If you don’t stop lying, it’s just going to keep growing.”

“I’m not lying.” I giggled. “I mean, obviously I’m going to tell her stuff—”

“I’m right here, guys,” Liv interjected. “I can still hear you.”

“Maybe we should give them some privacy,” Xander said and grabbed her around the waist. “Maybe we can go to your room.”

“Nope,” Liv said and shook her head. “Alice and I were planning on watching TV and talking. If you guys want to stay, you can just watch TV with us.”

“Do we have to?” Aiden made a face and looked at me. “I had much more exciting plans for us.”

“They will have to wait,” I said and grinned at Liv. “We had a girls’ night planned. If you guys want to stay, you’ll just have to participate.”

“What does that mean?” Xander asked.

“It means I’m painting your nails.” Liv grabbed his hands. “You can choose the color.”

“Ugh.” Xander groaned, but he was still smiling. “I’m going to need a beer
—
or ten.”

“Coming right up,” I said and pulled away from Aiden. “Do you want anything?”

“Besides you in the bed right now?” he said softly as he whispered in my ear.

“Aiden,” I groaned as he caressed my back. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“Besides your juices as you come in my mouth?” he whispered again, and my face grew bright red.

“Aiden!” I slapped his shoulder. “Go into the living room with Xander now.”

“Yes, Aiden.” Liv pointed her finger at her brother. “You’d better behave.”

“Or what?” he retorted back.

“Or I’m going to show you what happens to boys who don’t behave.” I grabbed the top of his shirt and pulled him towards me. “I bought a paddle online and it arrived while we were gone.”

“A paddle, huh?” His eyes sparkled down at me.

“Yes, a paddle.” I pulled him even closer to me. “And I’m not afraid to use it.”

“I hope you’re not afraid to feel it as well,” he said softly. “‘Cause my hand is itching to give you a good spanking right now.”

“Oh yeah?” I said and then whispered against his lips, “I think I’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen, then. I think tonight I’ll handcuff you to the bed.”

“Oh yeah?” he said and tugged on my lower lip.

“I’m going to tease you until you beg me to take you.” I licked his lower lip and he groaned.

“What if I beg you right now?” he said and pulled me into him so that I could feel his hardness against my stomach. “What if I begged you to take me right now?”

“It wouldn’t matter.” I gave him a quick kiss and pulled away from him. “I’m the one in charge right now. We’ll go to bed when I say.” I watched his jaw drop open in surprise, and I grinned as I walked back down the corridor to the living room while swaying my hips. I looked behind me as I got to the living room door and I saw Aiden just standing there, looking at me with narrowed eyes and a huge grin on his face. I walked into the living room feeling warm and excited. This truly was the beginning of something wonderful and adventurous between us.

Chapter Seventeen

Waiting Is Part of the Fun

“No Monopoly tonight,” Liv said as we all sat around her parents’ dining room table. She spoke directly to Aiden and he made a face at her.

“Fine,” he said as he held my hand under the table. “What do you want to play, then?”

“I don’t care,” she said and then looked at Elizabeth. “What do you want to play?”

“Who, me?” Elizabeth blushed. “I’m just happy to be here. I’m surprised I was invited.” She looked at me. “I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about me being here.”

“Oh, I’m fine.” I laughed. “You were a great actress, but you were always nice. I’m glad you’re here. Liv and I need another girl in the group.”

“Aww, thanks. I’m so happy to be here.” She smiled at me and then at Liv. “I’m so glad to make some new friends in town.”

“Oh, I thought you made friends quite easily,” Scott said with a weird look on his face.

“I’m glad I gave you that impression,” she responded with a tight look on her face.

“I think we all got that impression, didn’t we?” Scott looked around the table, and I could see that he looked slightly annoyed. Liv and I gave each other a look and I was dying to talk to her about the weirdness between them. What was going on there?

“I’d be happy to show you around town,” Henry said from his seat next to Scott. His green eyes looked friendly as he smiled at her and he was clearly oblivious to the tension in the room. Typical man!

“Oh, thanks.” She smiled back. “I’d like that.”

“I’m sure you would,” Scott said and then chugged his beer down. “So what are we going play, then?”

“I think we should play whatever Liv and Xander want to play,” I said. “This is their game night.”

“Yeah. I agree,” Chett said and jumped up. “Sorry, guys, but I just realized that there’s a NASCAR race on. I’m going to check it out. I think Mom and Dad have gone to bed, so I can change the channel.”

“Chett!” Liv said and laughed. “Fine, go and watch your car racing.”

“Hey, at least I came.” He grinned. “Gabby didn’t even show up.”

“That’s not a shock.” Liv laughed and Xander wiped his forehead.

“I can’t say I’m complaining.” He made a face. “I’ve had enough awkward with Gabby to last the rest of my life.”

“I know!” Liv clapped her hands. “Let’s play truth or dare.”

“Okay.” Aiden nodded and sat back. “Is everyone in?”

“Yes,” Liv, Xander, Scott, Henry, Elizabeth and I all said in chorus.

“Okay,” Liv said. “Let’s go in a circle. I’ll start the questions and Elizabeth will be first up, then we’ll just go round, okay?”

“Okay.” We all nodded.

“Okay, truth or dare?” she asked Elizabeth.

“Truth,” she said with a smile and made a face. “I hope I don’t regret this.”

“Why did you take the fake-girlfriend job?” Liv asked and I was surprised by her question, though I had wondered myself.

“Because I needed the money.” Elizabeth looked at me. “I’d lost my job, and this was the first offer I’d got and I needed to pay rent. Plus, Aiden didn’t seem sleazy, and when he explained to me that he was trying to see if the girl he loved really cared about him or was just playing games, I kinda felt for him. And then I met Alice, and I knew that they were perfect for each other.” She smiled at me. “I have to admit I felt bad, especially when I had those cuff marks on my wrists. I thought it was going too far, but I think Aiden got a bit carried away.”

“I did.” He nodded and kissed me on the cheek. “I wanted to see how far I could push you. I’m sorry. I just wanted to see what you’d do. I kinda liked seeing you jealous.”

“Aiden!” I hit him in the shoulder. “You’re awful.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Guys.” Liv grinned at us. “This is Elizabeth’s time. You guys will have your chance later.”

“Sorry.” I grinned back at her.

“So do you have a job now?” Liv asked Elizabeth and she shook her head.

“Not yet.” She sighed. “I’m still looking.”

“Maybe I can help,” Scott interjected. “I’m looking for some help.”

“Oh, really?” Elizabeth looked at him, her expression unsure.

“Yeah, we’ll talk later.” He nodded.

“Okay,” she said, and Liv looked at me with a huge grin. The game continued on for a few rounds and almost all of us chose dares instead of truth. It was crazy when Xander dared Henry to kiss Elizabeth. I wasn’t sure what he was playing at, but if looks could kill, Scott would have killed both Xander and Henry.

“Okay, you’re up, Aiden,” Liv said. “Truth or dare.”

“Truth,” he said simply, and Liv looked thoughtful for a while before speaking.

“When did you realize you had a thing for Alice?” she asked softly, and my heart thudded as I stared at him. This was something I’d been wondering as well and I loved her for knowing to ask him.

“Aww.” He grinned and looked at me. “I should have known this was coming.”

“Answer, please.” I grinned back at him.

“I first knew I was falling for Alice many summers ago,” he said and held my hands to his heart. “It was the summer after I’d graduated from college. I was in the kitchen with Mom, and you came sailing through the doors like sunshine and rainbows and you gave me a huge smile and my breath was just taken away. I remember standing there and staring at you and thinking that you’d blossomed into a beautiful, beautiful girl.”

“Wow,” I said as I gazed into his blue eyes. I could remember that exact moment and it struck me that the emotions and feelings I’d been feeling that summer weren’t just a part of my imagination, but very real.

“That was when I knew that Alice was the one.” He chuckled and looked embarrassed. “That sounds corny, doesn’t it?”

“No.” I shook my head and then I thought about something. “So you knew before I crept into your bed?”

“Crept into his bed?” Henry looked amused. “What?”

“Not now, Henry,” Xander said and shook his head at his brother.

“Yes,” Aiden said with a smile. “I knew I was falling for you before that night.”

“I didn’t know.” I stared at him in amazement. “I can’t believe I didn’t know that.”

“Why do you think I went ahead with it when you slipped into my bed?” He laughed. “I don’t just sleep with anyone.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I laughed and snuggled into him. “I was so scared to fall for you. I was so scared that I was going to ruin everything. You’re my best friend’s brother, and I thought that I jeopardized everything that night, especially because you never spoke about it to me again.”

“You were too young, Alice. I wanted you to date, go through college and see how you felt after you’d had a few more life experiences. I didn’t want to start something with you and then have you regret it and change your mind. I don’t know if I could have coped with that.”

“I understand.” I nodded and kissed him. “Thank you.”

“Aww, who knew my big brother was such a softie?” Liv smiled happily. “Now we’re one big family.”

“Not quite.” Xander laughed. “Don’t go jumping the gun, Liv.”

“I think it’s fair to say not yet.” Aiden squeezed my hand and then stroked my hair. “We’ll all be one big official family one day.”

“I’m going to be Mrs. Pleasure one day?” I asked happily.

“I think so.” He laughed and kissed me softly. “As long as you pass all of the tests.”

“Tests?” I pouted.

“You know.” He grinned at me. “Our special tests.”

“I’m ready to take an exam right now.” I stroked his thigh and he groaned.

“I’m ready to test you,” he replied, and Liv groaned.

“Enough, guys!” She held her hands up. “This game night is rated PG.” She giggled. “You guys have to go somewhere else for the rated X nights.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that, little sis,” Aiden said and winked at me. “I’ve already got our first X-rated night out planned.”

“You do?” I asked him, my heart racing. “Where?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He grinned. “The waiting is part of the fun.”