Wild Love (The Wilde Brothers #1)

Chapter 16

16

ELI

I was hot and bothered from watching Scarlett dance. I knew Scarlett could handle herself, but I was prepared to step in if she needed me.

Chance seemed to be irritated by something, but I couldn't get him to tell me what it was. At the same time, I wasn't sure I wanted to know. The more I hung out with my friend, the more I was reminded that I was sleeping with his sister, and he'd be pissed when he found out.

I jogged the steps to the rooftop deck with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. I wasn't sure what we were toasting to, except another amazing night together.

I got there just in time to see Scarlett standing by the pool, her bare toes curled around the edge, and her fingers playing with the bottom of her dress. With a challenging look in my direction, she lifted her dress up and off. She was naked underneath. I got a quick glimpse of the bare skin before she executed a graceful dive into the water.

I wanted to join her. I threw my suit jacket over a chair, unbuttoned my cuffs, then the buttons down the front of my shirt. I shrugged it off, toed off my shoes, and shoved down my pants.

Scarlett shot to the surface with her eyes closed. She smoothed her hair back, opened her eyes, and curled a finger in my direction. "Come here."

I didn't want to appear too eager, but I was. I dove in, pursuing her like a shark searching for its prey.

She shrieked when I snagged her ankle. She kicked, but I was able to move up her body and pull her against me.

When I came up for air, her cheeks were flush.

"You feel good. You drove me crazy on that dance floor."

"Yeah?" she asked with a sultry smile.

"You know how you affect me."

She looped her wrists around my neck. "I dance for me, not anyone else."

I growled. That made it hotter somehow. A woman who was comfortable in her own skin was attractive. She didn't need to tease me.

"I wasn't aware that you were naked under that dress, or I would have taken you to a dark corner and had my way with you."

She gave me a look. "While my brother was there?"

"Maybe not then. But when he left." The head of my dick nudged her entrance, and we both stilled. With one move, I could be inside her, filling her up, making her mine.

Scarlett raised a brow. "Do we need a condom?"

"I'm clean." And more than okay with going bare inside of her. I trusted Scarlett.

"I am too. I'm on birth control."

That was all the encouragement I needed to slide inside her.

Her breath hitched.

"I've never experienced anything hotter than feeling you from the inside."

Scarlett let her head fall back, her hair trailing in the water. With her floating on her back, I watched the spot where we were joined as one. "Please fuck me," Eli."

Nothing compared to fucking her in the pool with her spread out before me. I kept a tight grip on her ass as I thrust inside her. I was barely able to hold onto any control.

We moved together as one. Her hips meeting mine. The tingle began in my spine, and when it threatened to take over, I reached down and pressed on Charlotte's clit. She bit her lip, arching into me as she went over, her walls spasming.

I couldn't resist the pull and let go, following her over. When our breathing slowed, I pulled her into my lap and carried her to the hot tub. I barely noticed the flash of cold air on the walk.

Scarlett giggled, then sighed as we sank into the warm water. "This is heaven."

"I like to think so."

We sat like that, her in my lap for a long while, until our fingers wrinkled.

"Mac mentioned me building a house on the property. Not now. But eventually. He's going to draw up the plans."

"You don't like the penthouse or our rooftop deck?" Scarlett asked softly.

"I love it. That's why I'm not sure I'm ready for what that means." I'd be settling down in the truest sense of the word. No more walks to the bar late at night or impromptu mountain bike rides with my brothers because they showed up at the lodge.

I don't know why I was having such a hard time with the idea. Maybe it was because I didn't have anyone to share it with.

"I think it's a great idea. I've always wanted a house. Somewhere I could cook anytime I wanted."

"I thought you enjoyed moving from place to place?"

"That doesn't mean I don't appreciate having a place to call my own. You should do it. You'll still be close enough to the lodge, but it will allow you some separation. "

It didn't escape my notice that she hadn't said anything about building the place for us. I knew it was too soon, and she didn't consider us to be anything more than we were—a good time.

"I'll think about it."

She played with the hair at the base of my neck. "You should. I think it's a fantastic idea."

"What about you? Are you going to get that house for yourself?" She was encouraging me to follow my dreams; I should do the same for her.

She grimaced. "I can't have a house while I'm traveling. I've accepted that."

"How much longer will you do that kind of job?"

"Only until I get the cue to stop."

"Have you been looking for a job?" I asked as she got out of the water and grabbed a heated towel to wrap around her body.

"I've made some inquiries. It doesn't look good that I left midproduction on my last job."

I got out and grabbed the towel she held out for me. "Then why did you?"

A mix of emotions played out over her face. "It was the right time to walk away. My boss was unbearable."

"How so?"

"He decided I was what he wanted, and the other castmates and crew didn't appreciate the attention he gave me."

"You slept with your boss?" I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I knew things like that happened. It also meant that I was a rebound, and I really didn't like that idea.

Scarlett shook her head. "I said he wanted me, not that anything happened. He made things uncomfortable."

He'd come onto her, and she hadn't wanted it. I was angry for her. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

Scarlett shrugged. "I was so focused on the play; I didn't give off any interested vibes. But he persued me anyway."

"That's not fair to you," I said as she grabbed her dress, and I gathered my things. We headed downstairs to her condo. Inside, I dressed in the bathroom, and she ducked into her bedroom.

We met on the couch where I turned on the TV.

"Why don't we spend any time at your place?" Scarlett asked tentatively.

"We haven't?" At the shake of her head, I frowned. I hadn't even thought about it. "Why? Is it a problem?"

Scarlett shrugged. "I just noticed it."

I threw an arm over her shoulder and tucked her into my side. "How about dinner at my place?"

Scarlett smiled. "That would be nice."

This felt like a relationship. She'd noticed we hadn't spent time at my place, and I offered to fix it. There was give-and-take, and maybe even real feelings involved. Why couldn't she see that? Why was she so intent on doing things the way she always had?

I wondered if Chance would have any more insight into Scarlett. She set herself apart from her family and even me. She demanded certain things but would never ask for my heart or a house. It was like she was intent on being unattached forever.

Should I get deeper with her, knowing there was an end? It was going to hurt when she left, and I wasn’t sure if she'd feel the same way.

T he next week we spent at rehearsals in the evenings. I watched the kids practice when I had breaks, but otherwise, I helped Mac and his brothers, Tyler and Sam, build the sets of trees and mountains that would be the backdrop for the entire play.

"I've never made anything so elaborate for a kids' play before," Tyler muttered.

"You've never made a set at all," I countered .

Tyler's brow furrowed. "Why is this one so important to you?"

"He's infatuated with the director," Mac unhelpfully pointed out.

I lowered my voice. "Chance doesn't know, and I'd appreciate it if you kept it quiet."

Tyler raised a brow. "That's never a good idea."

He'd kept his relationship with my youngest sister, Kylie, a secret. "This is different."

Tyler chuckled. "That's funny coming from you because it's exactly the same thing. You're keeping it a secret, and it's his younger sister."

And Chance was protective, just like me and my brothers were. "She doesn't want a commitment, so what's the point in upsetting him. It can't lead anywhere."

"Still?" Mac asked as he hammered the branch so that it was attached to the rest of the tree.

"Nothing has changed for her." And I was afraid it wasn't going to. I fell in deeper every day, but I wasn't sure where she stood.

Mac frowned. "I don't know what to tell you."

"It's not a big deal." I'd pretend like it didn't matter because I didn't want to admit that I fell for a woman who I couldn't have.

Mac gave me a concerned look but let the subject drop. We refocused on the sets and, by the end of rehearsal, set up the first tree and mountain range behind the kids.

When Scarlett dismissed the kids to their parents, she came over to us. "This is amazing. I didn't expect anything this elaborate. I think we could keep this and use it for future plays."

"Plays someone else will direct?" I asked.

Scarlett frowned. "I'm sure you can find someone."

I was so tired of her not getting it. How important this relationship was to me. How special she was as a person. At the same time, I wouldn't hold her back if she wanted to leave. It sucked all around.

"I appreciate the hard work you're doing. It's going to be amazing," Scarlett said to us.

I didn't want to stick around. I stalked off stage, hoping for a moment to myself. A few seconds later, Scarlett asked, "Is everything okay?"

I shrugged. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Scarlett wrung her hands. "It seems like you're upset about something."

I put away the tools, knowing Mac would ensure they were secured in his truck. "Maybe I'm tired of whatever this is."

Scarlett's eyes widened. "You don't want to spend time together anymore?"

I shook my head, my stomach tightening. "I want more. More than you're willing to give."

Her expression was pained. "You knew I was leaving."

"I know." She'd never promised me anything more than what we had. If I wanted more, it was my fault. I was demanding something she never intended to offer.

I needed some space to think about things. I was risking my friendship with Chance for something that didn't have a future. Suddenly, things didn't seem so black-and-white anymore. Mac had put the idea of a house and a family into my head, and I couldn't shake the idea. I liked it too much. The problem was that whenever I tried to envision myself living there, Scarlett was in my head.

Mac had sent over several design options. Each blueprint came with four or five bedrooms, a huge family room, and a game room in the basement. It was perfect for a family. One I didn't have.

It figured that when I was finally ready to settle down, the woman I chose didn't want me.

"I didn't realize you wanted more," Scarlett finally said .

"Don't worry about it. It's fine."

Mac, Tyler, and Sam filtered in, cleaning up the tools on the floor and setting the partial trees against the wall.

Mac shot me a look as if he knew what we were talking about. I couldn't take any more of their pitying looks, so I walked onto the stage and hopped off the edge. I didn't stop moving until I was outside on the sidewalk. But I'd forgotten my coat, and it was cold.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets, relishing the crisp air.

"Eli," Scarlett said as she rushed through the doors. She looked right, here in front of the historic theater. She was larger than life. Her cheeks red to match the cold air. "You forgot your coat."

I took the offered jacket. "Thanks."

"I'll see you later?" Scarlett asked, already poised to go back inside. She was dedicated to her job. She was capable of commitment, just not to me.

I nodded but couldn't answer her. My throat was thick. My chest tight. I walked away. When I got to the lodge, I headed to the bar.

My bartender, Will, seemingly knew not to question my appearance. I almost never sat at the bar to drink. I was usually in a manager role but not tonight. He set a beer in front of me, but I shook my head. "Something harder."

Will raised a brow. "It's like that, huh?" He poured a shot of whiskey and slid it across the bar top.

I tipped the glass back, the burning sensation exactly what I needed.

Will braced his hands on the bar. "Is it women trouble or business?"

I raised a brow. "It's none of your business."

Will just chuckled, not intimidated in the least by my tone. "Gotcha."

He moved on down the bar, helping other customers while I sat there, feeling like an ass. Why was I getting upset about something we agreed couldn't happen? I'd broken our end of the agreement. I was the one who'd messed up. Not Scarlett. She'd been clear about what she wanted. I was the one who screwed up. Who thought there was more than there was.

I limited myself to a few shots before dragging myself to bed. I should have been planning a romantic evening at my place. But I couldn't keep my eyes open.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Thinking it could only be Scarlett, I opened it.

She wore the same dress she had at rehearsal. "I wanted to check on you."

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, closing the door behind her. I pushed her against the door. "I missed you."

I descended on her, needing to possess her. This was all I had, and I was going to make every second count. I wouldn't take any of it for granted or ruin it by asking for more. I knew what this was.

I braced a hand on the wall above her head, my other one gripping her hip. As much as I wanted to take her against the door, I had other plans for her tonight. Remembering her mention that she hadn't been in my place, I wanted to dissuade her of any negative conclusions she'd raised about that.

I lifted her, carrying her to my bedroom. It was masculine with all dark colors . The best feature was the magnificent view of the snowcapped mountains.

I laid her on the bed, and her head drifted to the side. "This view."

I turned her chin so that she was looking at me. "This is the only view you need."

I was intense, but I didn't hold back. She was going to see all of me. If she still didn't want more, then I wasn't going to change for her. This was me.

I kissed her then, my hands trailing over her body, and I slipped them under her skirt. She wore tights, necessary for Colorado winters, but they were impeding my progress. I ripped my lips from hers to hook my hands in the band and roll them down.

I flipped her skirt over her hips; her pussy was already glistening. She was always ready for me. I tried not to think about how this was temporary, but it was impossible to banish the idea from my mind entirely.

She lifted, removing her shirt and unsnapping her bra. "You're wearing too many clothes."

I didn't waste any time getting naked. She crawled seductively across the bed toward me, then she knelt on the bed, her hand gripping the base of my cock.

She was so gorgeous when she let go. I wondered what it would be like to see more than desire in her eyes. What would love look like?

My heart ached at the idea, and I moved her hand away. "That's not how I want this to go tonight."

"Oh, yeah? How do you want it?" Scarlett purred.

I tugged her off the mattress, turning her, then placed her hands on the comforter, pulling her hips out until she was on display for me.

"I want you like this. Don't move."

She looked over her shoulder at me. "Your wish is my command."

I hoped more than anything that was the case in everything, but it was only for sex. And it was only for now. I slid my cock between her folds. She was already wet for me.

I gripped her hips and entered her in one motion. It was too much but not enough. With the backdrop of the mountains, I tried to make her see how I felt, punctuating every thrust with a grunt.

She whimpered and came apart. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I followed her over, unable to hold back. I rested over her back, kissing her shoulder.

I pulled out and grabbed a washcloth from the bathroom to clean her up. Sex without condoms was messy, and I'd never done this with anyone before.

Was this special to her too? Or was I just another guy that she kept in one port and then moved on to another?