Sprung Read online

  “Damn, girl,” he says with a low whistle, his lame attempt at a pick-up line doing little more than making me roll my eyes. “What’s your name?”

  “Rein it in there, hoss,” I warn, my joking tone only halfway genuine. “She’s Mason’s sister and she’s with someone.”

  “Well, whoever she’s with obviously ain’t doin’ it for her if she’s sitting at the bar all alone in the middle of the afternoon,” he smirks, throwing her a wink as he takes a step closer, propping himself against the bar, doing some piss poor impression of that guy in Cocktail. “Ain’t that right, sugar?”

  I’m somewhere stuck between telling him she’s mine and punching him in the face when the saccharin sweet, sarcastic tone I’ve heard countless times breaks the silence.

  “Oh, don’t you worry about me, sugar. He does just fine,” she husks, leaning closer with a seductive grin that’s got both of us wrapped around her sadistic little finger. “But I do love a man with so little regard for women that he talks about their sexual needs like they’re not sitting a foot away from him,” she purrs, her red lips wrapping around the straw before she bites down hard, her eyes turning to stone in a flash. “Really makes the helpless little damsel in me super-hot.”

  “Wait a minute,” he says, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Maybe we started off on the wrong foot, but just hear me out. I only meant if this guy of yours…”

  “Come here,” she cuts him off, luring him over with a sultry smile as she leans forward on the bar, causing him to take a half step closer. “Can you hear me, sugar?”

  “Mhmm,” he hums, his expression going dopey at her husky tone.

  She leans closer, running the edge of her perfectly manicured fingernail across his collar seductively, the way the edges of her lips tilt up just slightly as she flutters her thick, black eyelashes up at him.

  Fuck me dead.

  I’m half a second away from going into a possessive fury and even my dick’s throbbing.

  “If I wanted you I’d be sitting on your face right now,” she whispers. “Not resentful of the fact that I’m wasting a free diet coke.” Holy fuck, I think I just came. “You can run along now, sugar,” she continues dryly as she leans back into her seat, making me smirk. “We’re all done here.”

  She spins away from him, glancing down at her phone carelessly, scrolling and sipping from her straw like she didn’t just completely emasculate a grown man.

  “Jesus Christ,” Tony stammers under his breath as he takes a step back. “I feel sorry for the poor bastard who’s hittin’ that.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t,” I manage as I stare into her and give his shoulder a brotherly pat, harder than probably needed before I lock my register for the second time today. “Watch the front for me, will ya? Stay out of the office and keep your mouth shut,” I order, not waiting for an answer as I gesture for her to follow me. “You? Come with me.”

  chapter nine

  evie

  “Are you sure no one’s going to see us?” I ask, following him into the small office in the back of the bar.

  “Yeah, I’m sure,” he promises quietly as he flicks the light on, pushing the door shut. “Even if I wasn’t, I don’t think I care right now,” he admits, his hands moving to my waist, his lips almost immediately on mine. “That was hot as fuck, baby.”

  “Hmm,” I smirk, my eyes dancing in a combination of amusement and arousal. “Well, that guy’s pretty stupid. Keep him around and I’m sure you’ll see plenty,” I chuckle. “Seriously, though. Are you sure it’s okay for us to be in here?” I ask, meeting his hooded gaze. “I know Mason said he wasn’t coming back, but people talk and that guy made it pretty obvious he doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone.”

  “Walt never comes in without calling first and I’m pretty sure you set Tony on his ass good enough that he’ll never come near you again.”

  “That was the plan,” I admit, setting my purse on the small desk before turning to face him once more. “Well, you have me all alone,” I smile playfully. “What will you do with me?”

  “Hmm,” he hums, returning his hands to my hips as he takes a step closer, pulling me flush with his chest. He runs his lips over my chin, his beard tickling my jaw as he begins nipping at my earlobe before flicking his tongue down my neck. “I don’t know. You kept me up pretty late,” he whispers, sucking my skin slightly as his palms move toward my ass, gripping tightly as he pushes me against the edge of the desk, settling between my thighs. “I might get creative… have you file some of this paperwork for me so I can take a nap.”

  “Oh, really?” I chuckle breathlessly as I grip his chest, holding myself steady. “I knew you were just using me for my clerical skills.”

  “I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” he smirks against my skin, lifting my skirt and pushing it up over my hips as he sucks on my lower lip. He traces the edge of my panties, his hooded eyes holding mine as he lets out a low groan. “You’re already wet.”

  “I find office work very arousing,” I mewl, making his lips spread into a wide grin.

  “I need you,” he admits, his eyebrows scrunching together slightly at the thought while he teases my mouth with his tongue. “Watching you put that guy on his ass made my dick hard as fuck.”

  “Hmm,” I hum, biting down on my lip as he pushes his hips into mine just slightly. “Believe me. The pleasure was all mine.”

  “Some of that pleasure’s about to belong to both of us.”

  He kisses me then, his tongue dipping into my mouth and tasting mine, swallowing a low whimper. His masculine scent invades my senses, taking me further with him almost instantly. By the time he pulls away, we’re both panting.

  “Turn around, baby,” he whispers, keeping his hands on my waist as I do what he asks. He moves my hair away from my neck, sucking on the skin there and slipping his hand between my thighs, sliding one finger inside. “Jesus Christ,” he breathes, panting against my skin as he bites my shoulder. His waist brushes against mine and my breathing hitches when I feel how hard his cock is, my limbs tingling in anticipation. “Fuck, Evie…” he slides his hand down the front of my silk thong before yanking it to the side. “I’m about to tear you up, little monster.”

  His name slips out in a desperate whimper, the feel of his fingers teasing my swollen clit making my head swim.

  The wide mirror behind the desk we’re facing gives me a good view of him working me over. He’s worshipping me, my body falling prey to his touch and I can’t deny myself the pleasure of watching him lost in devouring me. Feeling my eyes on him, he raises his and meets my gaze, flattening his tongue against my skin and running it to the base of my ear.

  “Are you watching?” he asks, his smirk meeting my red cheeks in our reflection as I whisper my admission. “Hmm…” he hums his approval, rolling his hips into mine and making me moan quietly. “You little freak.”

  I’m about to speak, but the feel of him pushing his jeans down as he lifts one of my knees to the edge of the desk shuts me up.

  “Hang on, baby,” he warns before pushing into me from behind, filling me instantly as my hands grip the edge of the desk.

  He snakes one arm around my waist, steadying me against his chest as he thrusts forward, pushing into me hard and fast. His free hand moves to my hair, winding it around his fist and gently positioning my head against his shoulder. He joins my gaze in the mirror, watching himself thrust in deep, heavy pants leaving his chest as my jaw goes slack and my eyes begin to grow heavy.

  “Kiss me,” I mouth, turning my head and moving one hand from the edge of the desk to grip the back of his neck. His lips find mine, kissing me hard and deep all at once and the feel of his beard tickling my fingertips makes me sink into his lips even further. He sucks on my lower lip as he continues to drive into me from behind, holding my gaze as he stares into me possessively.

  “Tell me you love me, baby,” he whispers against my jaw. “Tell me you’re mine.”

  “I love you, D
ash,” I pant, my back arching as he releases my hair and kneads my breast in his large palm. “I belong to you.”

  “Fuck,” he mewls, sucking my earlobe and sinking his lips into my neck. “I love you.”

  We’re both climbing, my walls starting to tremble and clench as he pushes faster, chasing his own release. He slides the pad of his thumb over my clit and I release a louder moan, pulling a low growl from him as I husk his name out, begging him never to stop.

  I slowly begin to fall apart at his touch, my eyes grow heavy with lust as he pushes deeper, my orgasm threatening with every thrust. I’m sailing over the edge, savoring in the uncharacteristically sweet whispers he pants against my skin when movement pulls my gaze back to the mirror behind the desk.

  “Shit!” I call out, my desire making way for panic as I attempt to cover myself quickly. “Dash, stop!”

  “What’s wrong?” he asks, surprise filling his voice, but my words making his movements still instantly.

  His eyes move to my reflection and at the same time reality registers, the silence in the office is broken.

  “What the fuck!” Mason shouts, his expression furious as he looks away, shaking his head before turning and slamming the door shut behind him on his way out.

  My eyes are stinging, my body starting to both heat and tremble in a combination between fear and humiliation all at once as I try to pull away from Dash. His forehead rests against my shoulder, holding me tight against his chest as I process the last five seconds.

  “Oh, my God,” I manage, my voice strangled with emotion, sounding nothing like my own. “Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no…”

  “Baby…”

  “Fuck, Dash. This is bad. This is so, so, so bad,” I cut him off. “We are fucked right now.”

  “Evie?” he whispers against my skin, his thumb brushing over my stomach. “It’s gonna be okay. I’m gonna take care of it.”

  “Dash,” I start, shaking my head, standing upright and quickly righting my clothing, meeting his eyes. “I don’t… you can’t…”

  My tears take over my words for a moment and his eyes soften before he pulls me close to his chest, wrapping both arms around my shoulders.

  “Shh… it’s okay,” he whispers, kissing my neck as I shake my head, hating the tears that I can’t stop from falling. “Don’t cry, baby. I’ll take care of it, okay?”

  “You can’t,” I shake my head, swallowing hard and wiping my cheeks clear. “I just… I’ll go talk to him. Try and diffuse the situation,” I insist, ignoring the shake of his head. “He’ll forgive me much faster than he will you, Dash.”

  I move to reach for my purse, but his hand on my arm stops me.

  “You’re probably right,” he offers. “But I’m still not letting you do it.”

  “You’re not letting me?” I scoff, swiping at my cheeks. “What the hell do you mean you’re not letting me? You can’t-”

  “That came out wrong,” he admits, putting his hands up in retreat. “I just meant it needs to be me.”

  “Why?”

  “I told you why.”

  “Because of some kind of stupid, bro-code bullshit?” I demand. “Dash, this is serious. I know you’re his best friend, but he’s my brother and I know him. If you talk to him first, especially after what he just saw us doing, he’s absolutely going to hit you. You know that, right?”

  “I can handle it, Evie,” he says, zipping his jeans and correcting his shirt before facing me. “I’m a big boy.”

  “Dash…”

  “Please stay here, baby,” he cuts me off, cradling my chin with his hands before pressing his lips to mine. “I’ve got this.”

  “You’re making a mistake right now, Dash,” I say, anxiety and frustration coursing through me as I stare back at him. “I’m telling y-”

  “Evie!” he cuts me off. “I said I’ve got it.”

  “You don’t have it, you idiot!” I whisper harshly, watching him turn away from me and move toward the door. “The only thing you’re about to have is a busted-”

  “Baby!” he hisses. “Chill the fuck out. I’ll be right back.”

  I shake my head, wiping away my tears as he turns away from me, facing the door with a sigh before pulling the door open.

  He’s only one step out before Mason’s fist is crashing into his face.

  dash

  My face is throbbing as I blink myself awake and my chest feels heavy like there’s weight on top of me. A sharp whack against my cheek clears my vision once more and I find Evie straddling my chest, smacking me conscious.

  “Ow!” I manage, grabbing her wrist to keep her from slapping me again. “How is that helping?”

  “Baby, I swear to God, your idiocy astounds me sometimes,” she sighs, shaking her head in irritation as she ignores my question. “I distinctly remember telling you he was going to hit you.”

  “You’re welcome,” I groan.

  “For what?” she asks, making me jolt slightly when I feel the coldness of the ice pack touching my skin. “For getting punched in the face because you refuse to listen?”

  “I did it for you, you ungrateful little shit!”

  “No, you didn’t!” she rails, the pitch of her voice making me flinch. “You did that for you. You were so worried about your stupid ass bro-code, you got yourself a black eye. Now, the whole time I’m home, every time we have sex or anything else, I’m going to have to look at your stupid, bruised up face,” she continues, barely taking a breath before she starts again. “I told you to let me talk to him, but did you listen? No,” she says, dragging the last word out. “You never listen to me, Dash. I asked you to let me handle this when I got here, but you just think you freaking know everything. God forbid you listen to me just once! I told you exactly what was about to happen and you just ignor-”

  “Okay! Jesus Christ,” I shout over her, finally shutting her up as I raise up onto my elbows to face her, covering her hand with mine as she holds the ice pack to my eye. “You’re lucky you’re so fuckin’ hot, do you know that?” I shake my head in annoyance, my words making her features soften slightly. “Because your personality fuckin’ sucks sometimes.”

  “That’s the worst apology I’ve ever heard.”

  “Yeah? You should listen to some of yours then,” I reply dryly.

  “Well, of course mine are terrible. I don’t mean them,” she shrugs. “Why should mine need to be believable? You’re the one who’s wrong all the time.”

  “I’m sorry I let your brother punch me in the face defending our love,” I sneer playfully. “There. Is that better, princess?”

  “It’s a start,” she sighs dramatically, hiding the smirk dancing over her lips. “I guess I forgive you.”

  “Lucky me.”

  “So, are you also going to admit that coming out here first was really dumb?” she asks. “I mean, if you just wanted to get socked in the face, you didn’t have to piss off my brother. I could’ve done that for you.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt about that,” I chuckle as I meet her eyes, happy to see her full lips twisting into a small smile. “Are you okay?”

  “Meh… my former nemesis/secret boyfriend and my psycho, overprotective brother are fighting over me while I sit in the middle of a skeevy barroom floor getting one of my favorite skirts dirty,” she shrugs sadly, returning the ice pack to my jaw and wincing when I flinch. “I’m livin’ the dream, ya know?”

  “It’s gonna be alright,” I sigh, resting my hand on her thigh and squeezing gently as I turn my head to kiss the inside of her wrist. “He can’t stay mad forever.”

  “You’ve obviously never truly pissed Mason off,” she sighs sadly. “I told mom he was trying to watch porn in his room once when he was thirteen and I thought he would never forgive me for that.”

  “I remember,” I admit, glancing off to the side before returning my eyes to hers. “He actually brought that up again a couple months ago when you didn’t call him back.”

  “See?” she sighs, her at
tention locked on the ice pack. “This is way more serious than porn.”

  I study her features, hating the way she chews her lower lip with anxiety, wondering how I went so long without ever wanting to kiss her.

  “It’s gonna blow over, Evie.”

  “It better,” she shakes her head in exasperation, slowly standing and reaching for my hand to help me up. I don’t need the help, but I want her hand in mine, so I take it anyway. “Kate Middleton doesn’t have to deal with this shit.”

  “Baby, you’re gonna have to stop comparing your life to Kate Middleton’s,” I smirk, pushing her hair away from her face as I bend to give her a quick peck. “You’re not Kate Middleton.”

  “Yeah, well you’re no Prince William, but you don’t hear me complaining, do ya?” she counters, raising her eyebrow as she meets my eyes, which are now crinkling in amusement. “You know, you’re lucky I’m even dating you. I could totally land a prince if I wanted one.”

  “I know,” I sigh, wrapping my arm around her shoulders as we make our way toward the door. “Call someone in if you need help,” I call back to Tony who gives me a quick nod. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “You got it,” he calls out as I pull Evie through the door behind me and lead her toward my truck.

  I’m not looking forward to what’s coming at all. I know it’s going to suck, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a little relieved that Mason finally knows. I mean, I wish he hadn’t found out by walking in on me fucking his sister, but at least now we can stop hiding.

  I just hope our friendship survives the damage I’ve already caused.

  The thought of that makes me nervous again and as I glance down at Evie, I can see despite the playful front she’s putting on, she’s really upset.

  Eager to keep her smiling and my anxious thoughts at bay, I clear my throat and reach around her to unlock her door.

  “You know, you shouldn’t get too cocky. I could probably fuck a princess if I really wanted to,” I start, pulling the door open for her. “You’re just lucky I like my women rotten and angry.”