Sin City Baby: A Reverse Harem Accidental Marriage Romance Read online

  The elevator door opened, and the sound of a crying child filled the corridor of the office space. I watched my temporary boss get up and walk over to his wife, taking the crying child from her arms. She looked tired. Ragged. Worn down. I watched her lean into her husband as he cradled his child, his lips kissing the top of her head. So gentle. So loving. So understanding of her plight even though he was at work.

  It made me sit back and wonder where the hell my life was headed.

  I had my dream career, but I also pictured more. Marriage. Kids. I had an entire plan for my life, and I currently wasn’t abiding by the guidelines. At this point in my life, I was supposed to be dating the love of my life. Preparing myself for an engagement and already talking about children. All of that was supposed to happen before thirty, when I would stop writing and start designing my own fashion line and launching it the summer before my thirty-first birthday.

  But how could I get married when none of them compared to the men I grew up with?

  The Anderson brothers set the standard. The four of them showed me the kinds of men I needed to find in my life. And every single man I’d come into contact with fell drastically short of that mark. In some respects, it probably wasn’t fair to hold one man to the standard of four, but I hadn’t settled with my career. I pushed and I looked and I worked myself to the bone until I found exactly what I was looking for.

  Why should finding a husband be any different?

  I shook my head and got back to work. The sooner I could get everything turned in, the sooner I could get on with my break. The sooner I could celebrate my best friend’s wedding. The sooner I could venture to Vegas and give her the best Bachelorette party she could experience.

  And the sooner I could see the guys.

  Sam: One more article, then I’m clocking out for good. You guys ready to see me?

  I didn’t even get my phone set back down before messages came pouring through.

  Luke: I’ve been ready since the moment you left, Sam.

  Logan: Hell yeah, I’m ready. Who’s picking you up from the airport?

  Levi: Wait, you’re already done? Does that mean you’re getting an earlier flight out?

  Liam: Wow anxious much?

  I laughed at their text messages as I grabbed my things and submitted my last article for my trip to Paris.

  It was time to go pack.

  It was time to get home.

  It was finally time to see my boys.

  CHAPTER 2

  LIAM

  Fully caffeinated from Red Bull, I was looking forward to crossing off all the tasks on my to-do list.

  Then, I could finally make my way to see Samantha before heading over to Sin City.

  I heard the phone ring on my desk.

  Crap, not again.

  “Yep?” I asked as I picked up the phone.

  “Is that really how you answer your work phone?”

  “Hello, Sis. And no, you’ve called me seven times today,” I said.

  “I haven’t called seven times.”

  “Seven. Times,” I said half-joking.

  “Whatever. Fine. Have you left work yet?”

  “No. Why?”

  “So, you’re still sitting at that desk?”

  “Well that’s part of the job. I run a construction company. What do you expect Sis?” I asked.

  “I expect you to be packed and ready for Vegas!”

  “I’ll be ready to leave by two,” I said.

  “It’s almost noon now.”

  “It’s a weekend trip to Vegas. I’ve got this covered. Two outfits and a suit, maybe.”

  “But everyone else is already here! None of my other brothers are working.”

  “They should be. They help me run this damn place.”

  “You’re a slave-driver, Liam. Now come on. Get up out of that seat, go get packed, and get to Sam’s house.”

  “I thought we were meeting at your place?” I asked.

  “Change of plans. That’s why I was calling. I figured you were already on your way over.”

  “I get it. I get it. I’m wrapping up paperwork as we speak. Don’t worry Sis. This weekend’s going to be blast and you deserve nothing but the best. I’ll go home, grab my stuff, and head on over to Sam’s.

  Samantha had always been one of those classy girls that didn’t know how hot she was. I called her Samantha instead of Sam like everyone else, because she was a beautiful woman in my eyes. She’d always been different, and as she grew her differences made her that much more beautiful in my eyes. My first memory of her was a pool party my father had thrown to usher in the summer. He was celebrating some big promotion or whatever at his company. I don’t really remember. All I did remember, however, was Samantha in her bathing suit. It was a one-piece that accentuated every curve that blossomed during her teenage years and left just enough skin through to play peekaboo with my raging crush. Her innocent smile and her long, flowing hair dripping with water was not a memory I would too soon forget.

  I’d always had a thing for her, but she was my sister’s best friend. Younger than me by eight years, which meant she was off-limits. I didn’t make it a habit of enjoying the company of teenage girls, and I wasn’t going to start with Samantha. But when we celebrated her twenty-first birthday party as well as her graduation from college, it was hard for me not to see the woman she’d blossomed into.

  I locked up the office and headed for my apartment. I grabbed a couple of outfits, grabbed my good suit, then tossed everything into the car. A weekend in Vegas was just what the doctor ordered after a stressful few weeks at the office. The flight from Bakersfield to Las Vegas was only an hour or so. An easy trip to make for a weekend party. And I was excited about it. My brothers and I were ready to treat Todd the best way we knew how. He admitted to us he’d never been to Vegas, so we had all sorts of treats in store for him.

  I got in my car and drove to Samantha’s townhome. I knew the rest of my brothers would meet up with us there before we all headed to the airport, but part of me was hoping I’d get a bit of alone time with her. I enjoyed spending quality time with her, listening to her soft voice and hearing her breathless giggles. If she really got going, she snorted, and it was the cutest sound. I’d come to enjoy it.

  And even though she was my sister’s best friend, it didn’t stop me from thinking about her. Wanting her.

  Dreaming of what it would be like to hook up with her and feel her curves against my body. She had these luxurious hips I’d sink my fingertips into and a neck that called to my burning lips. A small dip in her waist I could cradle perfectly in my palms and handfuls of breasts that would overflow between my fingers.

  Just the idea of feeling her smooth skin against the muscles I painstakingly kept up was enough to send my groin throbbing for mercy.

  “Thank you for meeting up with Sam. I’ve got to keep after my fiancé, so Sam’s offered to wrangle you guys until we get down there.”

  “You make us all sound like a herd of cattle.”

  “With the way the boys have been stomping around, you guys might as well be,” she said.

  “I take no responsibility for the actions of my younger brothers.”

  “Well someone needs to. They’re going to get in a mess this weekend if no one watches them,” she said.

  “Isn’t that the job of your fiancé?”

  “No, it’s not. This is a combined Bachelor and Bachelorette party. You guys get to show Todd a good time, and Sam and I get to spend some much-needed time together. That girl’s been gone to France this entire month! I miss my best friend, and I won’t spend my weekend cleaning up after my brothers.”

  “So, you really want me there just to keep an eye on everyone,” I said.

  “Welcome to being the oldest.”

  I grinned as I sat back in my chair. I was happy for my sister. Granted, the man she was set to marry was in his forties. Easily twice her age. But he was kind to her, good to us, and really did love her. My sister could be
a bit wild, and he took everything in stride. Took care of her when she needed it. Never hesitated to provide help if she was in a bind. The true definition of what a man needed to be for a woman. Supportive without being intrusive on her independence.

  I liked that about Todd.

  It was the only reason I gave my consent when he asked me for Lauren’s hand.

  “Are you excited?” I asked.

  “Who the fuck wouldn't be about Vegas?”

  “You and that language,” I said with a grin.

  “Of course, I’m excited,” she said. “I’m marrying the love of my life, Liam.”

  “And you really love him?”

  “I do.”

  “Because I can tell that man loves you. And you’ve been known to chew men up and spit them out.”

  “When they’re jerks, sure. But not with Todd. I can’t imagine my life without him. I know my relationship history hasn’t been the best, but Todd? He was worth the struggles I went through.”

  “Are you happy?” I asked.

  “Happier than I’ve ever been in my life, Liam. I promise.”

  “Then that’s all I care about. I have to put my signature on some things, then I’ll grab my stuff and head to Samantha’s.”

  “Woo-hoo! Party time is about to commence,” she said.

  “Don’t get too drunk before we get to Vegas. I don’t think they let drunks in. They only keep them in once they get drunk.”

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. Leave the jokes to Logan. You’re terrible at them.”

  “I’ll let him know you said that. He’ll be pleased.”

  “And Liam?”

  “Yep.”

  “Thanks again.”

  “For what?”

  “For looking out for all of us after Mom and Dad died. I know it wasn’t easy for you. Never has been. I’ve been thinking a lot about them and how things changed when they died, but I want you to know I appreciate all you did and sacrificed for us.”

  “Love you too, Lauren. Now get off this damn phone so I can finish up. I don’t want you calling here again and plugging up the line.”

  “Don’t you pick up that phone. All of you have this weekend off. I told you to take it off.”

  “I’m kidding,” I said.

  “And as I said, leave the jokes to Logan.”

  I hung up the phone and put the finishing touches on the paperwork. I knew Lauren was excited, and I knew Samantha would be, too.

  ***

  “Liam!”

  As I pulled up, Samantha dashed off her small porch and leaped straight into my arms.

  Fuck, she felt so good pressed against my body.

  “Hey there, Samantha. I take it you’re excited?”

  “Where are all the other guys? We have to head to the airport in, like, an hour.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be here soon. Are you packed?”

  “Yep. Got my small carry-on bag and everything. I’m ready.”

  “How was the flight back from France? I was hoping you’d call when you got back in. Who picked you up?”

  “I took a cab. I got in really late. Like, three in the morning late.”

  “You know you could’ve called me. I’m usually up thinking about you anyway,” I said, winking.

  “You’re so bad,” she said as she wrapped her legs around me.

  The heat from her thighs tightened my gut as my eyes danced along her smiling face.

  “Come on. You can tell me the truth. Did someone scoop you up in France while you were there? Is that why you didn’t want me to come to your rescue?”

  “You know I don’t ever need rescuing, Liam. And no. None of the guys piqued my interest. Not that there weren’t any suitors available.”

  “So the beautiful Samantha breaks hearts again. You’re just using your writing career to travel around the world and stomp on them, aren’t you?” I asked.

  “Well, if you’re the standard Liam? Then none of them stand a chance.”

  I set her down on her feet and allowed my eyes to roam. Samantha was gorgeous -- always had been -- but with each passing day, she grew more and more beautiful.

  Samantha was tall, five-foot-ten. With slopes at angles that would make even the Pope turn his head and look twice. And with me being almost six-foot-four, that meant her face fell directly into the crook of my neck when she hugged me.

  So many nights I imagined her kissing that place. The place where her head fell every time I pulled her into me. Her plump lips parted as her smile grew, showcasing her bright smile that crinkled her eyes at the corners.

  I was always tempted to smooth my thumb along the peaks of her cheeks. Down the curve of her neck. Tap the tip of my finger against her pulse point.

  Just her hugs could send me into a frenzy that made my cock throb.

  I enjoyed her hugs. I always pushed for a second longer before I let go of her body. Before my hands released her curves and succumbed to the space she would eventually put between us. Her clothes were tight and showcased the valleys and peaks of her curves, but she was always tasteful in her wardrobe. Her jeans were tight, but never low. Her shirts fit her body, but never dipped beyond the top of her cleavage.

  More nights than one I imagined what her body looked like underneath them.

  I drew in a deep breath as she turned around to walk back into her townhouse. My eyes fell directly to her toned ass, and it put me in a trance. She never knew what she did to me.

  She never knew the mesmerizing spell her body had over mine.

  The rhythmic swaying of her hips as her long legs carried her tall body.

  The mixture of confidence and seduction ensnared within a blanket of innocent ignorance made me bite back more groans than I cared to admit.

  Then, her voice ripped me from my trance.

  “You coming?” Samantha asked.

  I cleared my throat and looked up to see her standing in her doorway.

  “No use standing outside until they all get here,” she said.

  “Exactly. Coming your way,” I said.

  She held the door open for me, and I took one last glance at her. Samantha had these bright blue eyes that sparkled whenever she smiled. Big. Round. Innocent—until she started talking about her college days.

  Around my brothers and I, she’d always step out of her conservative shell. A rebel. Independent and headstrong. I was attracted to those qualities. A woman who could stand her ground against anything. Her long blonde hair fell all the way to her chest, covering the small spot where her nipples would’ve been exposed.

  The perfect length for me to fist and bring her in for a kiss.

  “So, tell me about France,” I said. “What did you do there?”

  “My boss is considering me for a promotion. He wanted to see how I would do with boots on the ground, so to speak. I went to write pieces on the most unique fashion moments I could find and take photographs of the models coming down the runways.”

  “Sounds exciting,” I said with a grin.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I love the work I do. A fashion magazine that’s solely online? I can take my work anywhere and fuse it with what I ultimately want to do, which is start and design my own fashion line. But I’m not sure if photography is my greatest skill.”

  “Did all the pictures come out blurry or something?”

  “A crying toddler could take a better picture than me,” she said.

  I chuckled and shook my head as my eyes swept over her body again.

  I couldn't get enough of her when I was around her, and I knew that was dangerous. My brothers, at some point or another, had all expressed an interest in Samantha to me, which didn’t surprise me, given her beauty and down-to-earth personality. They didn’t seem to give a shit that their sister was Samantha’s best friend, but I did.

  It was a line I was hesitant to cross. I didn’t want to do anything to damage Samantha and Lauren’s friendship.

  “Did you get your electronic confirmation in your email?” Samantha asked. �
��When I bought the tickets, I tried to make sure I sent individual confirmations out.”

  “I got it. If I remember correctly, I’m in seat 21F.”

  “Good! Then I got it right. That’s one of the exit seats on the plane, I think. So you can uncurl those long legs of yours and not get cramped.”

  Typical Samantha, always considering what others would want.

  Another reason why I cherished her.

  “What seat are you in?” I asked.

  I watched her pull her phone from her purse as she scrolled through her email.

  “Well, looks like you’re stuck with me. I’m seat 21E,” she said.

  “I think I could have worse seatmates than you,” I said with a wink.

  “Gee. I think I’m almost flattered, Liam. I see Levi’s been teaching you how to flirt.”

  “I don’t need flirting lessons from Levi.”

  “You know he’s the best flirt. He’ll probably snag the most tail in Vegas, too.”

  “He’ll be too drunk to try,” I said.

  “Speaking of, you plan on sowing any wild oats while you’re down there?” Samantha asked.

  She peered up from her phone. Her bright blue eyes pierced my chest. I found myself wishing that she was the one that would land in my bed. I felt the veins in my cock pulse to life. The mere idea of having her shapely hips slapping against mine as I took her made my heart pound. Her blonde hair started to flutter as the air conditioning in her townhome kicked on, and I drew in a deep breath to pull myself back to reality.

  “I don’t know if I’m feeling the whole hook-up thing this weekend. But we’ll see.”

  “Rough week at work?” Samantha asked.

  “Construction’s always rough. It’s more of a drinking weekend than a fucking weekend.”

  Her phone dinged causing her to glance down at the message.

  “Seriously?” she said.

  She looked annoyed, and I watched her type away on her phone before she bobbed her head back and groaned.

  “What is it?” I asked. “Is something wrong?”

  “Levi texted me and said he and the other guys booked earlier flights out.”

  “Wait, so they’re already gone?”

  “They landed ten minutes ago!”