Sixes & Sevens (Seven Hearts Book 1) (16 page)

“All right, sweetie, are you getting hungry?” Alec asked.

“Yes! I think I could eat a horse…well, not really a horse. That would be cruel and awful.” Jaycee’s mood suddenly plummeted, but Alec couldn’t help but crack a smile and laugh. She was too cute.

“I know what you meant. They have burgers and sandwiches here, or we can leave, and go get a bite elsewhere. Which would you prefer?” Heading back to the locker, Alec retrieved their things as he spoke.

Biting her bottom lip, Jaycee thought for a minute. “Um…either would be fine. What are you hungry for?”

“I could go for a burger, but then again, I just might be hungry for a pretty girl.” Alec rolled his eyes back, and pretended to be a zombie. Moaning, he nibbled on her neck; causing her to drop her coat and purse, squealing like a five-year-old.

“S-s-stop! Stop. B-burgers it is!” she said between giggles.

January 6, 2016 — Riverton Arcade

After eating a yummy lunch consisting of greasy burgers and fries, they strolled back over to the arcade games for round two. Alec planned on heading out after another half hour or so of play time. He wanted to have Jaycee to himself for a while, without any distractions. Someplace they could talk. And then there was the debt he needed to pay. A butt naked run through the house would have been no biggie a week or so ago, but now? The guys were going to murder him.

When they’d first arrived at the arcade, there hadn’t been a huge group of people. As time went on, the arcade had grown into a bustling crush. Between the college students and the townies, there were plenty of people looking for something to do during the day. Head cheerleader Samantha Pierce, and her posse of bimbettes picked a perfect—or not so perfect, based on your bias—day to head to the arcade. They were on a manhunt, and luckily for them, they spotted Alec right away. This was not lucky for Jaycee and Alec because Samantha had just dumped her current boyfriend. Her beady little eyes were now trained on Alec and his beautiful physique. Swaying her hips, Samantha made a slow saunter toward them. Jaycee slid behind Alec, hoping to avoid a confrontation with the girl who clearly figured she had dibs on Alec.

“Hiya, Al,” she purred, her hypocorism grating to the ears. “Who would have thought we’d bump into each other today? I missed you at Chad’s party last night. There was a huge turnout…but the best man on campus didn’t show.” Samantha pouted her pink frosted lips, and leaned onto the waist-high game, pushing her meager breasts together, and leaning forward so they spilled out of her top.

“Sam, have you met, Jaycee?” Alec knew she’d purposely ignored his girl. While she didn’t want to offend him, she wasn’t above being a bitch to anyone that might turn out to be competition. It hadn’t gone without his notice that Jaycee was hiding behind him. Not wanting the shark to smell blood, Alec pulled Jaycee to his side, and tucked her under his arm. Samantha tended to believe men were blind to her tactics, but Alec wasn’t a fool. He’d never given Samantha any more attention than any other girl he knew, but somehow she’d reached the idea that she was special all on her own. It was one of those times where the gossips saw something innocent and ran with it. He’d been polite, okay…maybe he’d flirted lightly, but that was just his nature. He teased and joked with everyone, and most people understood that was all it was. Samantha was either thickheaded—or too damned stubborn—to call it like it was.

“Yeah, sure. So, big guy, my sorority is throwing a kegger this Saturday, I can put you on the guest list…” Sam focused all her attention on Alec, not even bothering to glance at the girl he’d plastered to his side.

“I have plans with Jaycee and the guys.” Alec didn’t smile and chat like he normally would have. Knowing how talk starts, he wanted to make it clear here and now that Jaycee was forever a part of the guys’ lives. Less bullshit would occur if everyone was well aware she was under their protection.

“Oh.” Samantha put a hand on her hip, and swung Jaycee a scathing gaze. Starting at her toes, Sam gave her a thorough appraisal, and quickly dismissed her. “Well, I guess I’ll catch you next time, hot stuff,” shaking her hips, Samantha addressed Alec as she turned and sauntered away. Missing the scowl on Alec’s full lips.

“Is she a friend?” Jaycee whispered to Alec.

“There was a time when I would have said yes, but after that performance? Hell no. Pardon my French, gorgeous.” Alec turned his head to plant a kiss on her brow. “I’ve always been friendly with everyone, but no one disrespects my family, and gets away with it.” Squeezing her tight, he pulled her fully into his arms. “It’s been years since I dated anyone, so most of the girls I know have never really seen me with anyone. There’s going to be an adjustment period, but if anyone gives you trouble, you come to me, okay?” Jaycee nodded against his chest.

Samantha and her posse had taken up residence beside the drop claw, while Sam simply stared at Jaycee with contempt. It was clear she had made an enemy today.

“Would you mind terribly if we left? I’ve been having a great time, but the air seems to be a little frosty in here now,” Jaycee said, motioning with her eyes toward Samantha. Alec let out a frustrated sigh. He retrieved their belongings, giving Samantha a glare of his own.

“No worries gorgeous, we need to get moving anyways. The guys will be getting restless. I’m sure they planned an early dinner, just to make sure I wouldn’t keep you out all night.” Alec made a show of kissing Jaycee’s cheek, before leading her out the door.

“Let me get your door,” Alec called to Jaycee when they reached his vehicle, halting her reach for the door handle. He’d installed the hard top on his Jeep to winterize it, but it was still a Jeep. She would need some extra umph to get seated. Opening the door, he took Jaycee’s hand, and assisted her into her seat. He even took it a step further, and leaned across to buckle her seat belt. Jaycee held still afraid to move, and accidentally brush her chest against his hand. It was a sweet gesture, but potentially dangerous to her nerves. Alec regained the driver’s seat, and headed toward home.

The rest of the guys were waiting for them to arrive in the living room. They were watching
Game of Thrones
, but quickly turned off the television when Jaycee appeared beside it. Jonathan was embarrassed to be caught watching a sex scene, but he wasn’t the only one. Even Lee ran a hand through his hair, and averted his face to hide his blush.

“Were you guys watching porn?” Jaycee questioned, aghast.

“No.
Game of Thrones
,” Garrett replied.

“It wasn’t what it looked like…” Jonathan scrambled to think of an excuse.

“Being a doctor, you should know what sex looks like when you see it,” Alec teased as he came to stand behind Jaycee.

“Alec,” Lee growled. “Jaycee, it wasn’t porn, but it was a very graphic show. We won’t watch it with you here.”

“It’s okay,” she said, although she seemed uncertain. No one had let her watch anything above an R rating, but she usually kept to PG-13 and below.

The guys shifted and squirmed. The thought of watching such a sexually charged show with Jaycee sitting beside them was arousing. Surely she wouldn’t want to watch it…would she?

“Never mind, beautiful. We won’t be watching any more of that tonight. How was your time at the arcade?” Lee inquired.

“Great! I didn’t know playing laser tag could be so much fun. I was terrible at it though. Next time we should all go,” Jaycee spoke with excitement.

“Sounds good to me,” Garrett replied.

“I’m in,” Sean chimed in.

“That would be fun,” Lee agreed. “Did you have anything to eat?”

“We ate lunch there, but I figured you guys would have my…butt…if I didn’t bring her home early for dinner,” Alec said, pestering his brothers.

“Your thoughtfulness is appreciated,” Jonathan said, rising to embrace Jaycee. The day had seemed long without any word from her. Having started giving out hugs, the guys all decided to cash in. Jaycee was passed from one set of arms to another. She ended in Garrett’s arms, who seemed more than content to simply keep holding her while everyone talked. His body was so warm, Jaycee snuggled her nose into his chest and sighed. Jonathan had taken up the role of chef again and had a meatloaf in the oven. Mashed potatoes were being kept warm on the stove top and a fruit salad waited in the fridge.

Seeing as it was now four thirty, it was time for an early dinner. Jaycee insisted on helping set the table this time, but she was only allowed to lift the light items, like the drinking glasses. When the table was set, everyone piled into the chairs and dug in. Once again, Jonathan had surprised Jaycee—the food was delicious. She wasn’t normally a big fan of meatloaf, but his wasn’t dry or oozing sauce like most of the meatloaf she’d been subjected to.

“It’s really good, Jonathan!” Jaycee complimented, followed by a round of agreements from the others.

“Thanks, Jaycee. It’s nice to have someone appreciate my efforts.” He laughed as he shot a faux glare at the other guys.

“You know we appreciate your cooking. It wouldn’t disappear so fast if we didn’t,” Lee returned.

“True dat.” Alec chuckled, causing Jonathan to roll his eyes.

“What did you have at the arcade, little flower?” Lee inquired.

“Besides Alec’s man card? I had a burger.” Jaycee giggled, sending a loaded look in Alec’s direction.

“How did you take Alec’s man card, sweetie?” Garrett asked.

“I beat him at his own game,” she crowed.

“Well, to be fair, you distracted me first by falling all over me,” argued Alec.

“You fell? Are you okay?” Sean asked.

“I’m fine, thank you, Sean.” Jaycee looked embarrassed.

“Yeah, she fell on me, then proceeded to use her feminine wiles on me, before she shot me in the chest!” Alec feigned disbelief.

Lee burst out laughing. “Attagirl.”

“Feminine wiles?” Marc questioned with a dark look at Alec.

“She looked so cute with her face pressed near mine, and then
wham
! She shot my chest plate.” He explained.

“I didn’t use any wiles. But you haven’t told them what you bet me.” Jaycee couldn’t help but stir the pot after being accused of using her feminine charms.

“What did you agree to, Jaycee girl?!” Garrett questioned.

“Please tell me he didn’t get you to agree to anything bad…” Jonathan ran a hand through his already tousled hair.

“Actually, since I scored the first point, I won. Since he lost…” Jaycee decided to drag out the punishment to torture Alec.

“I have to run buck naked through the house tonight,” Alec finished, impatient to face his brothers’ ire.

“What?!” they chorused.

“You didn’t agree to do that if you lost, did you…. Jaycee?” Jonathan was both aroused and appalled. Lee seemed surprised, but not as shaken. Sean was blushing head to toe with his mouth gaping, and Garrett was clinching his fists. Marc was livid.

“What would you have done if she lost?!” Marc fumed. Smoke practically poured from his ears.

“I would have asked you all to go to your rooms and I would have closed my eyes.” Alec said, as he stuck his nose in the air.

“Sure, and I’m a starving Ethiopian girl,” Marc replied.

“I was wondering about the hair.” Alec laughed, until Lee delivered a swift knock to his gut. “Kidding, kidding.”

“I think your hair is lovely, Marc,” Jaycee offered, trying to keep the peace.

“Thank you, Jaycee. Yours is exquisite. Mine pales in comparison, but I’m happy if you’re happy.” He kissed her cheek dangerously close to her lips. Jaycee’s pulse raced and her heartbeat thrummed in her ears. A crimson tide washed over her cheeks.

“Any time…” Jaycee mumbled, touching her cheek.

“That’s a good color on you, love,” Marc spoke next to her ear. “I wonder what else I could do to cause such a marvel.”

“All right, let’s clean up the dishes. Alec, I suppose you need to go prep for your run. A deal’s a deal,” Lee said with a smirk.

Alec shot a remorseful look at Jonathan, before slyly winking at Lee. He wasn’t ashamed of his body, and Jaycee was a grown woman. If she wanted to look she would, and if not, well she could cover her eyes.

Honestly, he’d never thought she’d agree to the bet in the first place. He’d expected her to hedge until she backed out. It hadn’t occurred to him that he’d lose either. With his training it should have been a shutout. Jaycee had gotten lucky that they had bumped and fallen. Her body had been so soft, fitting into his in all the right places. It’d taken him a second just to start breathing again, let alone wonder if she was okay. All thoughts of the game had fled his mind, until she’d shot him in the sternum. His girl was crafty.

How had she recovered sooner than him? Was she not attracted to him like he was to her? Nah, he’d seen the desire in her eyes. Maybe it was her innocence. She didn’t have a dirty mind racing with thoughts like he did. He groaned, he couldn’t think dirty thoughts now. Marc would chop off his willy if he got an erection before he did his strut in the buff. Slowly, he ambled up the stairs to his room. He stripped down to his boxers, and stood before his bathroom mirror. He was covered in muscles from all the sports he played, not an inch of fat on him. What would Jaycee think of his body? Wait, where had that thought come from? Alec had never been one to doubt himself before. Jaycee must have really done a number on him. Rolling down his boxers, Alec checked to make sure he was presentable…as much as one could be fully naked.

Maybe he should shower first? If Jaycee did decide to look, he didn’t want her first naked male to be a dirty one. Deciding he had the right idea, he hopped in the shower, and turned it on cold. Just the thought of one of them being naked, while he was in a room with Jaycee, was getting him more riled up than he’d been since he was a preteen. The cold water was shocking, but not enough to dose his growing arousal. Alec started singing the
Barney
song, and any unsexy song he could think of. Finally, he turned off the shower, and toweled off. The moment of truth, Alec headed down the stairs even more slowly than he had ascended them.