Alphas of Sin Read online

But, I play along and sign, my hand on autopilot while my eyes scan the crowd wondering where Londyn went.

  Really, there’s a little bit of sadist me who wonders what she thinks of all this, particularly the girl shaking her boobs at my face. Will that break the final barrier or make it thicker?

  * * *

  Londyn

  Bristol meets me with my cell phone outside of the hall.

  “Charged it for you,” she says, giving me a strange look as she hands it over. Hugh probably sent something offensive again. “So, last night,” she nudges me for information when I don’t immediately open up.

  “Don’t remember much.”

  “Declan?”

  “He was a perfect gentleman,” I assure her, but she frowns and gives me a discerning once-over.

  “Now I am suspicious,” her voice squeaks.

  “Why? Don’t think your brother’s capable of keeping it in his pants?”

  “Oh, I know he’s capable, and it pains him beyond all normal reason, but what I find suspicious is that those were his exact words when I spoke to him earlier. Did you rehearse the ‘gentleman’ gambit or what?”

  I laugh and shake it off, even though I know she’s not going to let it go so easily. “Coincidence.”

  “You two think alike. It’s disturbing.”

  “I think like Declan?”

  Bristol gives me one firm nod. “Grew up with both of you, trust me, it’s disconcerting. Which is why I worry when you two end up alone.” She playfully smacks my shoulder with her clutch. I know where this game with Declan might lead, but will she still be able to laugh then?

  “Ah,” I laugh. “I thought that was the storm of innuendos that usually follows.”

  “Exactly.” She deadpans. “That’s exactly where you two think alike. I shouldn’t say it, but I was a little shocked when you ran off and married Hugh. I didn’t expect you to settle down so quickly.”

  Settle. I know I’m taking it very differently from what she means, but I hate the word settle like some people hate moist. I didn’t settle. Or, at the time, I never thought of it as settling. I thought of it as a beginning. The launch. The set up just before a dazzling firework show.

  Boy, was I disappointed when I found out every canister contained a dud. Or, even worse, that the non-duds were reserved for other women.

  I wanted kids. Especially after my unplanned retirement. Something to fill my days with love and meaning. Hugh got kids with his mistresses. I got an aloe plant.

  Bristol bumps me with her hip. “Are you okay? I wasn’t trying to offend you.”

  “All good,” I say, looking around the crowd until my eyes land on Declan. All good. Maybe it’s time I stop playing nice-girl competitive dancer and start playing dirty just like everyone else.

  It’s time for Londyn “Pointe” to loosen up her perfect posture and have some fun.

  I watch out of the corner of my eye as Bristol joins her fiancée quarterback to the cheers of some and scowls of others, while on the other side of the crowd, some girl flashes Declan. He doesn’t bat an eye.

  I’m fucked.

  The man I’ve always wanted is a known player. There’s no dream life with him.

  But there’s no dream life back home either. At least Declan doesn’t hide his preferences.

  After getting her chest signed, the brunette takes a quick selfie with Declan only to be pushed aside by the next rabid fan. She still looks thrilled, staring down at the picture on her phone and the scribble across her chest.

  I should find someone quiet and normal. The brunette walks in my direction, but I try with everything I have to ignore her. The scowl I have inside for her would surely burn off my eyebrows.

  But she makes it very hard to take the high road when she stops next to me. “You don’t even have a chance, honey.”

  “What?” I manage not to swallow my own tongue.

  “He’s not going to chase the stick-thin, quiet girl with puppy-dog eyes when he has prime choices”—she pushes up her breasts for emphasis— “lining up right in front of him.”

  “Are you kidding?” Do not wipe that smirk off her face. How can people be that deluded?

  How deluded can I be?

  But then, I look across and see Declan staring in my direction. At me? Or the boob queen?

  I tilt my head, and he subtly mimics my action.

  Oh, he’s mine.

  I’m tired of watching.

  I’m tired of innuendo.

  He’s. Fucking. Mine.

  As I put my head up and move through the crowd, I slip my ring off and make sure it’s deep inside my pocket. If my husband can’t understand the concept of marriage, why should I hold myself to some meaningless set of expectations? I’m done holding onto everyone else’s expectations of me.

  I look up into Declan’s pale-blue eyes. “The ball’s in the air.”

  He puts his hand against my back, lowering his lips to my ear. “I’m predicting one hell of a turnover.”

  I press up onto my toes, standing as tall as I can. “Defense is wide open. Let’s see how far you can run.”

  His breath dances across my face, and his stare reflects the same intensity as I feel projected from the mixed reactions of the crowd around us. “For you,” he whispers, “I run to the end of the world.”

  Declan takes my hand, and we walk through the remaining crowd together, up to the front door where one young boy waits in a 78 jersey—Declan’s number—with a football in his lap. “Hi, sir,” the boy says, waving madly.

  “Hey, little man, what’s your name?” Declan kneels next to the boy, taking the football.

  “Corey. You’re the greatest tight end in the league Mr. Keating.”

  Declan signs the ball, handing it back while he ruffles the little boy’s blonde hair. “You can call me Declan. Are you going to be there for kickoff next week?”

  “No, sir…. I mean Declan. We—uh—we couldn’t get tickets. We’ve been waiting here all morning, just because I wanted to meet you. We’ll be watching the game from home though.”

  “I think you should be watching from the fifty,” Declan says, he looks over his shoulder then waves to another man in a suit who runs over. Declan whispers something in his ear. The man nods then gestures to the mother. “We’ll get you taken care of, Corey,” he winks. “I’ll see you next weekend.”

  “Who knew you could be such a softie,” I say, pressing against him as we walk up the hallway to the banquet.

  “Oh, Londyn.” He breathes into my ear, moving slightly behind me so he can clutch both of my hips. “I’m never soft around you.”

  My heart thuds double time. We have to make it through lunch. A two-hour lunch with all the talking everyone is going to do.

  At least two hours of waiting. Thinking.

  How badly do I want the one fling I’ve wanted my entire life? Will I sink my reputation on it?

  His fingers dance across my back, and he takes my hand, squeezing it, as the men in suits in front of us open the double doors to the dining hall. We find our seats at one of the front table next to Bristol and Nash, along with a couple of other players and their dates.

  As Declan pulls out my chair, he whispers again, “First and goal. Pressure’s on.”

  All eyes around the table are on us, but one pair of eyes falls straight to my left hand. To the ring that’s no longer there.

  Bristol’s eyes widen. Her gaze inches up my body, stopping for an instant at every point where Declan’s body touches mine. Then, she pulls me into the seat next to her. “Perfect gentleman, you said?”

  I smile and nod, picking up my fork and stabbing a cherry tomato.

  Bristol tries to maintain her smile, but the strain is evident in the twitch of her eye and her unsteady hand. She puts down her own fork and leans to my ear. “Don’t do something you regret.”

  “I already did,” I whisper back. “And it had nothing to do with your brother. Hugh’s been cheating for years, and I’m done.”

>   Bristol’s shoulders straighten, she purses her lips, then looks to her brother and nods.

  I’m sure she’s wondering if this is some rash, revenge thing. An attempt at a meaningless rebound.

  What if it is?

  But when I lock eyes with Declan, I don’t need words, thoughts, or a plan. Those eyes glimmer with unspoken innuendo. The promise that for just one day, I won’t be counting the number of affairs behind me. The promise that for one night the only thing he might devour is me.

  Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll be the only one he’s thinking about, too.

  Right before I fly a thousand odd miles back home to sever all the remaining ties with the man who promised to do that, and betrayed me every step of the way. Tonight is mine. Tonight is my ‘fuck it all’ night.

  If I can wait that long.

  Every time someone stands up at the podium to speak. I clap, pick up my fork, and find myself looking back on a very long game of foreplay that Declan and I started as teenagers. I’ve sat next to him for shows and dinners, I don’t know how many times, but this time… This time, I can’t sit still.

  Without the walls of routine and discipline I kept built up since my first dance competition, without the expectations of judges, audiences, and talent scouts, I finally find that deep burning part of me that I’ve been missing for so long wasn’t related to dance at all.

  Declan’s hand rests on my thigh as we wait for the final speaker to explain how much money had been raised for the local teen resource center. It’s been an amazing project put on by the team and local leaders, but I can’t concentrate on a word of it.

  I’m busy making a plan to get through the crowd, out those doors, and somewhere, anywhere before I come to my senses.

  FOURTH QUARTER

  Declan

  As soon as the Luncheon is concluded, Londyn stands and bolts toward the front door.

  Has she changed her mind?

  Either way, I don’t feel like dealing with the crowd out front again, so I grab her arm and pull her my way.

  “What?”

  “Back door,” I whisper. We cut through the crowd and into a back hallway toward the restrooms, and then through a steel door to the stairwell, where a final door leads out to the parking lot. A few of the others have followed us including Bristol and Nash.

  Bristol takes Londyn by the elbow before I can whisk her away. “Much as I’d like to intervene on wherever you two are in such a hurry to be”—she exhales loudly— “you’re both responsible adults... For the most part, so be safe, don’t lose your phone again, and we’d better have some serious girl time before you think about leaving.”

  “Absolutely,” Londyn grins. “And you can tell me exactly what you were drinking at the party. It was delicious.”

  Bristol narrows her eyes like she’s trying to look intimidating, but the goofy grin spoils the effect. They’re all trying to play it down, but even I know what my little sister is hiding. And it’s not going to stay hidden for very long.

  “Enjoy the weekend, sis,” I kiss her cheek. “But don’t expect to hear from us for a while.”

  “Worried about disturbing the neighbors in town?” Londyn asks as we pull on the road leading to the cabin.

  “Maybe a bit,” I admit, although I’m sure all of my neighbors have heard their fair share.

  “At least I have clothes there, and I could use a good soak in that hot tub.”

  She’ll definitely need a soak when I’m done with her. She’s been playing coy since we got into the car and that’s driving me just about as mad as seeing her standing naked in my living room. More so.

  I squeeze her thigh, pulling it toward me. “And a drawer full of condoms.”

  She scoffs. “You were serious about that?”

  “I have stashes everywhere, can’t be too unprepared.”

  “Well, aren’t you a little boy scout,” she says with a thick layer of teasing condescension.

  I press the gas harder. I’m going to nail her before we even get to the front door.

  The tires bite at the gravel as I stop in front of the cabin, throw the SUV into park, rip off my seatbelt, and jump out. Londyn is just climbing out as I reach her side. I grab her hips, lifting her against me, and pinning her to the back door in a motion that rocks the SUV and closes her door.

  She squeezes my shoulders, then her hands move to my hair, fisting it and pulling my mouth closer. “Don’t crumble under the pressure now,” she whispers. “I believe you said you’d run to the end of the world, and we’re not quite there yet.”

  Tell that to my cock.

  Her lips are parted and waiting, but I pause there, holding on to the anticipation for one final breath. This is it. The game that stands to end all others.

  My mouth crashes against hers, and her tongue flicks against my upper lip, teasing me with her taste and a hint of the white wine she’d sipped during the luncheon. She tasted better than wine or Champaign, or the most expensive drinks I’d ever bought.

  Still tangled in each other, we stepped away from the SUV. London unbuttons my shirt while I lift up the hem of her top to trace the skin underneath. When we reach the door and pause for me to unlock it, she lifts the blouse over her head, throwing it on the floor as soon we’re inside. My shirt joins it. Then her heels. Skirt. My pants. Underwear. All left through the living room like a trail in case we can’t find our way back out.

  I’m positive that won’t be a worry any time soon.

  Londyn’s pupils darken her eyes as I sit on the edge of the bed and pull her closer. Exploring her chest and stomach with my mouth until her fingers dig into my biceps. She pushes me back, but I don’t let her, starting my exploration all over again.

  “You’re. Driving. Me. Insane,” she growls.

  “Good.” I breathe the word against her nipple, and then take it into my mouth, rolling it with my tongue.

  “Declan,” she whispers on a sharp exhale.

  I moan in response, not wanting to give up my current acquisition. Needing more of her salty taste and soft skin, I lift her up and lay her on the bed next to me, her legs still dangling on the side. Then I kneel to the floor between her legs, parting her with my tongue and taking her clit between my lips.

  “Oh… My….” She fists my hair, holding me between her legs. Enveloping me in her scent as I lick, nip, and tease until her toes dig into the floor and she grabs at the mattress. When the curl of her taught body and the high moans and coos of her heavy breathing tell me she’s right at the edge, I stop.

  “Fuck,” she grunts.

  But I’m not yet done. I climb onto the bed, pulling her up with me until we lie in the center, and her legs are wrapped around my hips. Every time she moves, it amplifies the throbbing in my cock until I feel like a high school kid again. I press my lips to her neck and inhale. For what I’d considered would be my ruinous end, every sensation, delicate motion, and rushed breath seems to bring a promise of something more.

  I trace her collarbone with kisses, prolonging the moment until she rocks against me, slipping her hand between us, and taking charge of my erection. She presses the head of my cock to her entrance, lifting her hips a few inches.

  I pull her hand away, pinning them above her and balancing there, so close to claiming every single inch of her. She pouts for a second, but it’s erased when I slam into her and her eyes flutter shut.

  There’s nothing beyond this. Nothing sweeter than her moans. Nothing hotter than the feeling of being inside her and freeing every sensation of pleasure. She wriggles beneath me as I readjust, pushing deeper inside of her and grabbing the headboard. I slam harder with each thrust, driving my cock deeper and deeper. She grabs at my shoulders, then my back, lifting her hips up to meet mine and pulling me closer with her ankles.

  Then, her back arches, her head rolls back, and she screams, shuddering around me and unlocking the burning tingle that shot from the base of my spine to the tip of my cock.

  * * *

  Lo
ndyn

  It takes me a long time to float back down to earth, but when I finally do, Declan is still holding me in his arms. I’m surrounded by his smell, his touch, with his arms, leg, and sheets all wrapped around me in some kind of mess I can’t imagine climbing out of.

  I don’t want to leave it. The serenity I’ve searched so long to find had been waiting right here all along, teasing me, flirting with me.

  But as the room darkens as the sun moves over the high tree-line to the west, the line that insists on haunting me catches my eye again. This time, I don’t stiffen, I don’t move, I just take a deep breath.

  There’s no turning back now.

  “Stop staring at it,” Declan whispers, placing his hand over mine.

  “What about your rule?” I ask.

  “You’re the rule breaker, Londyn. You just shattered them all.” He tenderly kisses my neck. “But I don’t need a fucking ring, a piece of paper, or any legal document to prove what I know or how I feel. Neither would he if he really loved you, or you if you really loved him.”

  “I did once. At least I thought so, but I also never thought he’d cheat on me.”

  “That broken rule is on him, then.” Declan squeezes my hand, then kisses the tan line where the ring used to be.

  “Now I just have to go back and sort out this whole mess he started.” I imagine stepping off that plane back in Chicago, and the very though has my blood running cold. But where did I really expect this to go? I know Declan. I know his pattern, too.

  “Or not,” he says.

  I wrestle with the sheet to turn around and see his face, but he’s perfectly serious this time. And instead of explaining, his presses against my lower back until I lose the focus to argue.

  He pulls on my hip and adjusts so he’s propped up on one elbow. “Roll to your stomach.”

  I do as he says, and inch by inch, he chases away the pain and tension once again.

  “Why go back to Chicago when you have all of this right here?” he asks.

  “Hugh’s going to drag me to court, and if he finds out about any of this, I’m sure he’ll be fighting fire with fire.”

  “Isn’t that why you pay a lawyer? You don’t have to be there every day.”