Fireworks: A Holiday Bad Boy Romance Read online

  He chuckled and brushed my hair behind my ear as I moved back up. "You're so beautiful. Not throw you in the bed and fuck you all night hot, but a pretty girl, nevertheless."

  "You dick." I swatted at him and climbed out of the bed. "Get up. I don't want you or anyone else getting ideas."

  "Well, you're three days too late at this point. I've had loads of ideas since meeting you that first night." He moved to sit on the side of my bed. "It smells good in here. Like apple pie and lust."

  "Get out." I picked up my pillow and swatted him with it. "Clay?"

  "Coming!" I could hear him from down the hall.

  Brody laid back across the bed and spread his arms out. "You think Clay's going to get me out of here?"

  "Yes, I do." I put my hands on my hips and glanced toward the door as Clay stopped just inside of it. "Help a sister out?"

  "I wish I could, Cora." Clay pressed his hands to the doorframe and nodded toward Brody. "I've known this guy my whole life and he doesn't do anything without benefiting himself."

  "Great; the greedy type, hmm?" I turned my attention back on Brody, ignoring how hot he looked spread out across my bed.

  "Thanks a lot, bro." Brody turned to look over at Clay with a grimace on his handsome face.

  "Sorry, man. Just name your price for the girl and get out of her bed." Clay shrugged and turned to me. "Ask his price."

  "Why do I feel like you guys are playing the fuck outta me right now?" I laughed and turned to Brody as my heart skipped a beat. I'd been with hot guys, but the man before me outdid them all by a long shot.

  "No one's playing." Brody winked. "I want a kiss."

  "Good. Go get yourself one." I reached for his hand. "There are loads of girls out there that would trip over themselves to be kissed by a guy like you."

  "A guy like me? A whore?" His smile faltered, and I glanced over toward where Clay was to find him gone. There would be no help from him.

  "No, a guy that looks like you." I pursed my lips and shook my hand, trying to outrun the inevitable as it rushed toward me. I was going to fall for him. Physically, I was already there.

  "Looks like me?" He brushed his fingers by mine and smiled, but didn't take my hand. "How do I look?"

  "Incredible," I whispered and licked at my lips. "Get up. Seriously."

  His expression changed a little, his confidence back into place and the silly playful guy he was moments earlier completely gone.

  "Sure. For a kiss." He gripped my hand and tugged me down, rolling us and pressing himself to the top of me as he held me tightly. "No sex. No lust. Just a kiss between new friends."

  I couldn't breathe. It felt like the first time I'd been pressed to a bed, and yet nothing could have been farther from the truth.

  "No kiss. Get up." I ran my hands by his side as I lay contently trapped beneath him. The thick press of his erection against my stomach liquefied my insides. I wanted the lust. The sex. Fuck, I wanted the kiss.

  "One kiss. Just a peck like you'd give your grandmother at Christmas." He smiled and moved down brushing his nose by mine. "Come on, Cora. Just a sweet little-”

  I leaned up and pressed my lips to his roughly. The minute I did, he moved his hand up to cup my jaw and turned his head a little, rolling his tongue past my lips and driving deeply into me. A groan left me as the taste of beer and vanilla rolled over my taste buds. Combined with the smell of his skin and the heavy press of his body against mine, I was having trouble remembering why the hell I was fighting against him so hard.

  He kissed me a few times, and I returned the actions, opening myself up to his assault and taking the passion he offered. My fingers dug into his sides as we made love to each other's mouths fervently.

  "Um, guys?" Emily knocked at the door. "We're going outside for walk. You wanna come?"

  He jerked up and moved to stand as we both panted softly, staring at each other intently.

  "No, I'm tired, but thanks." I couldn't take my eyes off of him. "I'll see you Wednesday. You got your kiss, so get out."

  He smirked and walked to the door as Emily disappeared.

  I dropped down on the bed and closed my eyes, memorizing how good the moment felt.

  "Yeah," he whispered. "I want more, too."

  "Get out, and close the door behind you." I tossed a pillow at him as he laughed and closed the door. I rolled onto my side and curled up into a ball as pleasure danced around in the pit of my stomach and my imagination went wild with the possibilities. All of them so damning and yet right.

  I wasn't going to get out of having something with Brody, so rather than run from it, I would just avoid it as best I could—or maybe just go down trying.

  Chapter 15

  Two Days Later

  Brody

  "Two days. Two fucking days and nothing." I ran my fingers through my hair as I paced the old wooden steps on our porch.

  "Dude, just go over there." Clay crushed a soda can and sat up from his reclined position. His chest was burnt from us hanging out at the island most of the day before.

  "No. We have a date tonight, and honestly, I don't want to appear needy. It's not my style." I ran my fingers through my hair before pausing and growling. "What is it with this fucking chick?"

  "I don't know, but I love it." Clay laughed and pointed at me. "You're going to go bald if you're not careful."

  "Don't mention this to anyone. Alright?" I gave him a look before turning out to the lake. The front door opened and the other guys walked out, laughing about something. Everyone was chill but me. I was playing it off as best I could in front of Daniel and Derek, but Clay and I had been friends too long to pull anything over on him.

  I was a mess. A fucking hot mess over this girl. I hadn't stopped thinking about how good it felt to press her to her cold sheets and lick at her like she was the last bit of pleasure I might experience. I was almost embarrassed to think through all the things I'd done to her in my head, the ways I'd brought her to come for me.

  "Hey, man. We hitting the water?" Derek slapped a hand down on my shoulder, causing me to jump as he jerked me from yet another wicked thought.

  "Yep. Let me grab my shades and a cooler for us to load up." I turned and walked toward the house, keeping my eyes adverted. I'd slept like shit for the last two nights and it was starting to show on my face. I needed my glasses just to make sure I didn't have to play twenty questions with everyone all fucking day.

  "What time is your date?" Daniel stood at the entrance to the kitchen as I pulled my glasses and cologne out of the cabinet.

  "Around six or so tonight, I guess. I need to get Cora's number from Clay and make sure she's still up for it." I shrugged and put my glasses on.

  "She is. I was over there yesterday afternoon while you and Derek watched that wrestling thing." Daniel shuddered. "Disgusting."

  I extended my hand. "Give me your man card for that comment, or keep it and tell me how you know she's excited."

  "She was looking up movies when I was there." He shrugged and slapped my hand. "Man card? You guys are idiots."

  "Yep. We work hard to keep our simple ways alive. The world needs more testosterone." I walked to the door and bent over to grab my sandals as the sound of laughter caught my attention. I glanced up to see Cora and her friends walking up the stairs.

  The tiny blue bathing suit she wore left plenty of her beautifully tanned skin on display, and my heart nearly stopped as my eyes moved across her. The translucent dress she wore to cover herself up was doing very little to help. My hormones were thrilled; my jealousy, not so much.

  "Hey, Brody." She lifted a bag toward me a smiled. "I got some chips and cookies for the afternoon boating trip."

  "And, we brought beer and lemonade. Cindy made it herself." Dedra moved past me, bumping me with her hip as I stood, staring at Cora.

  "Hey, dude, wake up." Clay popped me in the chest, and I reached out, taking the bag from her.

  "Awesome. Sorry. I slept like shit last night. That Friday the 13th
movie has been dicking up my dreams since we watched it. Don't tell anyone that I'm a total puss." I was grateful for the sunglasses. Otherwise everyone, including the beautiful woman before me, would know that I'd eye fucked her ten times over the last few minutes.

  "Alright, well, let's get rolling. I have a friend date for the movies tonight." She smirked. "And, guess what they're playing?"

  "Ghost?" I shrugged, already having looked at the listing ten times.

  "You looked?" She laughed and pushed at my chest. The bitch I'd started to fall for was long gone, though something told me that she might show up any minute if her protection services were required. I was almost a little concerned with Cora being so open and friendly. Maybe that meant that I had been friend-zoned and there was no reason to be pissy. Maybe Derek was completely wrong and the girl wasn't at all interested.

  Was it the kiss? No. It couldn't have been.

  "I sure did. You look fucking hot, by the way." I walked past her and jogged down the stairs. "Wanna sit in my lap while I drive the boat?"

  "Nope, but thanks for the offer," she called out behind me.

  No snappy comeback or rude back up comment? Fuck. She wasn't interested.

  "Why aren't you sleeping?" Cindy closed the trunk to Cora's BMW and handed me a bowl of dip.

  "No clue. Just a rough couple of nights." I glanced down at the bowl. "Is this what I think it is?"

  She laughed. "Sure is. Come on, let's get on the boat before everyone else and take the captain seats."

  I smirked and offered her my arm. "Sounds like a plan to me."

  "You know that Cora is really excited about going to the movies tonight, right?" Cindy glanced over at me. Her hair was the color of fire and her complexion pale. She reminded me of a model, but seemed far too fragile for someone like Derek.

  "Really, or are you just saying that?" I glanced over at her as we walked across the street and made our way down the pier.

  "No, I'm serious." She paused at the edge of the dock.

  I sat the dip down and climbed into the boat, offering her a hand and grabbing the bowl of dip once she was in the boat behind me.

  "Well, it should be a good time. I realized maybe you guys were right. I'm not looking for anything other than a friendship with her. That's probably why things are less tense between us now." I shrugged and handed her the bowl before turning back and waving at the others as they walked toward the dock. "Hurry up. It's getting busy out here on the lake. Too much competition is never good."

  Derek laughed and reached up to adjust his cowboy hat. "When in the world would we ever have thought old Brody Myers would be worried about some healthy competition? The fucking world must be coming to an end." He winked at Cindy, who giggled beside me.

  "Keep it up. I owe you a good ass-whooping, anyway. All of you, if I recall." I reached up to help Emily in the boat and moved back as the other guys jumped in. Dedra and Cora were pulling up the rear and I was quite grateful for the extra moments I got to study her legs. My stomach contracted as my cock hardened, making it quite obvious that I was turned on or sporting a gun in my shorts.

  I reached up and offered my hand to Dedra as she smiled. "You happy to see us, or is that a gun in your shorts?"

  "Four beautiful women? I'm a guy, remember?" I smirked and glanced up at Cora as the first sign of embarrassment rolled over me. How long had it been since I'd been embarrassed by something? Forever. "Come on. Let me help you in the boat."

  She glanced across the lake and then down to me with a smile on her beautiful lips. "Yeah. Just don't get any ideas."

  "I'd respond to that, but you'd like me less if I did." I reached up and took her hand, making sure to back up a little as she jumped down into the boat. I caught her in my arms and didn't release her right away. "I wanna spout a million poetic things, but I'm not thinking you'd enjoy them much. I'd get a good tongue lashing, hmm?"

  "Isn't that what you're after? A tongue lashing?" She smirked and pulled out of my arms before making her way to the front of the boat. The girls moved about, getting everything situated as my friends lay around like there was nothing going on.

  "Lazy bums." I kicked at Daniel's legs to get him to move so I could go to the front of the boat. "One of you guys drive. I'm laying out with the girls. I need to work on my tan."

  Cora glanced over her shoulder, and I took it as an opportunity to pull my shirt over my head. Her eyes moved across me slowly and a smile tugged at the side of her mouth. There was the look I wanted to see on her face. Why she felt the need to hide if from me was a mystery.

  "I like those shorts. They're cute. My cousin has a pair." She tugged at the edge of her covering and pulled it over her head, leaving me frozen in place for a minute. She had on the perfect bathing suit for her body type.

  "Your cousin?" I licked at my lips.

  "Yeah. He's ten." She winked and turned around, laughing at me.

  "Why am I not surprised by that?" My eyes moved down her taunt back to the curve of her ass, memorizing her sexiness and trying to talk myself out of reaching out and doing something that would surely end with me getting slapped.

  "Come up here with us." Dedra patted the open spot between her and Cora as the two of them crawled up onto the flat tanning part of the boat and reclined.

  I reached out and gripped the side of the boat as Clay hit the gas, almost sending me flying backward. "Ass."

  Cora pulled her sunshades on and looked my way as I crawled up in between them.

  "That swimsuit was made for you." I laid down on my back and stretched my arms above my head before turning to Dedra. "You look lovely, too, Dee."

  "Dee? You already giving me a nickname?" She pushed her shoulder against mine and smiled like a tomcat. I liked her. She would be good for Daniel, but I needed to pull her aside to explain his situation a little more. He hadn't dated much, and Dedra looked very much like a confident woman who had.

  "You look pretty hot yourself, white boy." She leaned her head back and let out a long sigh. "This is the life."

  "Agreed." I closed my eyes and lifted my chin as I stretched. "All I need is the right woman in my bed tonight, and it will be the most perfect day ever."

  "Not happening," Cora mumbled before moving up to her elbow and glancing down at me. She tugged her sun glasses off and glared a little. "Speaking of. Did you really go out with that blonde from the movie rental place the other night after you kissed me?"

  "What?" I turned to face her and propped up on my elbow. There was a wicked turn up ahead that I knew would have her rolling my way. Nothing like setting up the perfect accidental situation. "Of course not. I went home with the guys after the walk you refused to go on. I couldn't go out with that girl."

  "Why not?" Her expression softened a little.

  "Hold on, guys!" Clay yelled.

  I reached for Cora, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her to almost lay on top of me as I pressed my other arm to Dedra's chest and grabbed the bar on the other side of her.

  "Fuck, hold on." I ground my teeth and kept the girls locked to me as they screamed.

  The boat righted itself, and I half expected either of them, or really both of them to jump up and light into Clay. Instead, I got a lot of giggles.

  Cora rolled off of me and laid back onto her back. "Shit. That was crazy. Why didn't you warn us?"

  "I forgot about it for a minute there. Clay drives like a bat out of hell." I moved up to a sitting position and glanced over my shoulder to see him giving me the thumbs up. I flipped him off and let out a long sigh.

  Cora sat up and pressed her shoulder against mine, surprising me a little. "Why not, Brody? She was cute."

  "Who was cute?" I leaned back, pressing my hand just behind her rear as I extended my legs out.

  "The blonde from the movie rental place."

  "Oh. Yeah, she was alright." I looked up at the sky. "I'm not interested in another fling right now. It gets tiring."

  "What?" She chuckled. "Are you being ser
ious?"

  "Yeah." I turned my head to watch her. My heart skipped another beat, and I realized that I was in trouble. I could easily find myself coveting the idea of her time, her attention, her sex.

  "Stop it." She pushed at my arm.

  "What am I doing?" I pulled off my sunglasses and let my eyes move down her chest over her tummy to her legs.

  "Pulling my leg." She crossed her legs and turned her attention back to the water.

  "Whatever you say, pretty girl."

  Women. I would never figure them out. That I was trying was a tell-tale sign that I needed to get a couple of beers in me and find a quiet place on the beach to fall asleep. Pretty soon, I'd be trying to sweep the woman next to me off her feet.

  No. Never. That wasn't me, at all.

  Chapter 16

  Cora

  He had to be pulling my leg. The soft tone of his voice said otherwise, but I wasn't falling for his tricks. He wasn't nearly as interested in me as he played to be. All the other guys had come by the house the day before, but I'd not heard a peep from him. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but being ignored surely wasn't it.

  We made it out to the island a few minutes later, and he and the boys ran off to play a game of beach volleyball, inviting us to come, of course, but laying out sounded much better.

  "So..." Cindy dropped down in the sand next to me.

  "So what?" I lifted my sunglasses so I could see her better.

  "So, I saw you and Brody cuddling on the front of the boat." She smirked as Emily let out a soft laugh.

  "Oh... that. Right, well Clay turned the boat too hard and caused me to roll onto the sexy bastard. You probably helped plan it. At least, some of you did." I lifted my eyebrow as I turned my gaze to Emily.

  She lifted her hands in the air. "Me? Oh, hell no. I didn't do that. Clay just drives like a crazy man, from what I can tell."

  Emily shrugged and laid back, letting out a sigh. "You should be happy about it, though. Brody is wicked hot."