The Better Brother Read online

  Michael flew forward. He tore open the top drawer and grabbed a condom. I barely knew what was happening as he adjusted me beneath him and slid the condom over his length. My head was spinning, and my heart was pounding in my chest.

  I could feel my wetness dripping onto the bed. I wanted him so badly. I’d never felt such a primal, animalistic need before. I had to feel him inside of me.

  Michael didn’t make me wait long. He positioned himself above me. All the urgency drained from his body as he stared into my eyes. My room was dark, but I could still make out the dark blue of his eyes as he slid forward and buried his cock deep inside me.

  “Oh,” I gasped and lifted myself to meet him. He grunted and slowly rocked his hips back and forth.

  I could tell he was trying to take his time, giving me a chance to get used to it, but that wasn’t what I wanted. My body took over. I rammed my hips upward, slamming into him and making him groan with pleasure.

  Michael gripped my hips hard, pulling me to him and pounding into me roughly. All he needed was my silent okay for him to lose control completely. He fucked me hard, making me cry out with pleasure and hold tight to the bedsheets.

  My first orgasm built quickly and spilled over even faster. My knuckles were white as I held onto the sheets for dear life. My moans were deep and earth-shattering. I didn’t bother to hold back. My legs trembled, and my pussy tightened around Michael’s dick.

  “Holy shit.” He groaned and pulled out of me for a split second.

  In one quick motion, Michael pulled me up and positioned me on his lap. We held onto each other while I slid down on top of him. He buried his face in my chest, kissing and biting my tits hungrily. I groaned and threw my head back, bouncing my ass up and down while he squeezed it roughly.

  It wasn’t long before I felt my second orgasm coming. I tried to hold back, but when Michael bit down on my nipple, I came undone.

  “Fuck!” I screamed and rode him harder, bucking up and down and crying out with renewed pleasure.

  “You sound fucking amazing,” Michael said. “Come for me again, baby.”

  I giggled, but Michael wasn’t kidding. He flipped me onto my back, staying inside me the whole time. He pinned me to the bed with all his weight. I gasped and wrapped my legs around him while he pounded into me harder and harder.

  I could feel him seeking his own release. He was so close, his cock already beginning to throb inside of me. I raked my nails down his back, making his eyes roll back in his head. A cry of need ripped itself free from his chest, and just like that, I came again.

  “Oh, Michael!” I screamed his name as my body convulsed with ecstasy.

  Michael finished at the same time, throwing himself forward and collapsing against me. We were both dripping with sweat and sex as we held onto each other tightly. The three orgasms made my body weak and exhausted. I could barely breathe. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think.

  It wasn’t until Michael pulled himself away from me that I slowly came back to my senses. He laid down beside me and wrapped his arms around my shaking body.

  “Holy shit,” he said. “Holy fucking shit.”

  “That was…” I began, but I couldn’t find the words.

  “Uh huh,” he said with a deep laugh.

  We both erupted in laughter as we held each other. It wasn’t long before we started talking, falling yet again into our easy banter.

  Michael had to leave an hour later. He had work in the morning, a conference call first thing. As we said goodbye, I felt a weight fall into my stomach. I didn’t want him to leave, but when he kissed me, I knew I’d see him again.

  CHAPTER 6

  Michael

  When the sun rose on Friday morning, my eyes protested. I squeezed them closed and slapped my hand down on my alarm clock before it had a chance to ring twice. The last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed. It had been hard enough to leave Julie the night before, but after dreaming about her all night, work was the last thing on my mind.

  Seconds after I silenced my alarm clock, my phone rang sharply. I groaned and rolled onto my side, reaching for my phone before my eyes were even open.

  “Hello?” I barked.

  “Just calling to make sure you’re up,” Marcy said. “The conference call with Alaska is in an hour, Mr. Smart.”

  “I know, I know.” I groaned and pushed myself out of bed. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  “See you soon.”

  Marcy hung up, and I tossed my phone on my bed. Stretching my arms above my head, I felt a familiar soreness in my legs.

  With a grin, I jumped in the shower and tried to regain my focus. My mind was so full of last night that I could barely think of anything else. As I showered, I saw Julie’s perfect body in my mind. Her gorgeous eyes and soft hair, her perky tits and shapely ass. Last night had been one of the best, and I never wanted to forget it.

  Once at the office, I was able to push Julie to the back of my mind and get to work. The conference call started at exactly seven-thirty. It was too early for my taste, but I’d done business at worse hours.

  I sat back in my chair with my office phone on speaker and listened. Most of the call was useless. It centered around the time frame for this new job and the amount of manpower needed, neither of which was my area. I was just there to consult on tools and make sure they had everything they needed when they needed it.

  Truthfully, the call could have happened without me. As I tried to listen, I cursed myself for leaving Julie’s the night before. I had dragged myself out of her bed, away from her naked body, all so I could be awake in time for this conference call. It definitely wasn’t worth it.

  “Michael?” a voice said from the phone. “Does that work for you?”

  “Sorry,” I said, shaking myself and sitting up. “I was just reading an email. Can you repeat that?”

  “We need a ten count by next Friday,” the same voice said. I recognized it as Ernie’s voice, the owner of the rig company. “Then the next hundred by the following Tuesday. Is that doable?”

  “Easy,” I said without pause. “I’ll get it done. Anything else?”

  “I want to try out your new tech drill,” Ernie said. “You’ve been rambling on about it for months. Go ahead and send one up for a test drive, okay?”

  “Hold on,” I said with a laugh. “A test drive? Ernie, come on now.”

  “What?” Ernie asked innocently.

  “You want me to send a fifty-thousand-dollar piece of equipment to you?” I asked. “Without any promise of payment? I know we’re friends, Ern, but you and I both know that’s not going to happen.”

  “Hardball?” Ernie asked with a laugh. “Fine. You want to play it that way, let’s play.”

  Ernie and I excused ourselves from the conference call to sort things out privately. We both knew how the conversation would end. Ernie would agree to pay half the price up front, promising to pay the rest after the test drive. I would hem and haw for a few minutes before I agreed. It was all good-natured business, and after working together for over five years, Ernie and I knew how to play each other’s game.

  “I’ll have my guys process the order today,” I said.

  “Sounds great,” Ernie said. “Thanks, Mike.”

  We hung up, and I leaned back in my chair. Now that the conference call was over, the rest of my day was wide open. I had emails to return and orders to oversee, but before any of that could happen, I needed coffee.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I told Marcy on my way out. “You want anything from the café?”

  “Small latte?” she asked.

  “You got it.”

  I hurried out of the office. The weather was finally starting to cool off, but it wasn’t yet cold enough for a coat. With the holidays right around the corner, I hoped the temperature would drop any day now. It just didn’t feel like Christmas when it was seventy-five degrees out.

  As I stepped into the café, my eyes immediately roamed around the
tiny space. It wasn’t hard to take in the entire room, and it was impossible to miss the familiar face sitting by the window. I grinned and made my way over to her, reaching down to play with her hair.

  She jumped when I touched her.

  I laughed. “It’s just me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Shit.” She laughed and put her hand on her chest. “Warn a girl next time, would you?”

  “Sorry,” I said again.

  She smiled at me, a faint pink hue on her cheeks. We hadn’t spoken since last night and, for a second, I wondered if she regretted what happened between us. Then, her foot found mine beneath the table, and all my worries disappeared.

  “How’d the conference call go?” she asked.

  “It was boring but necessary,” I said, flattered that she remembered to ask about my call. “How’s the job search?”

  Julie’s computer was sitting on the table between us. It was open to yet another online journal. It seemed she, like me, had devoted the early morning to work.

  “I have a Skype interview on Monday,” she said. “It’s with this online journal that specializes in small-town news. I figured it would be perfect. I can keep up with my writing and get to know this town better in the process. That is, if they hire me.”

  “Why wouldn’t they?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “Shit happens.”

  “You’ll get it,” I said confidently. “I’m sure.”

  “It all depends on whether they like my stuff,” she said. “If my writing isn’t what they’re looking for, they’ll pass. And I’ll be back to square one.”

  “Didn’t you work as a journalist up in Dallas?” I asked.

  She nodded. “For three years,” she said. “But still, you never really know.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I said. “So, when do I get to read your stuff?”

  She froze. I thought the question was innocent enough. I smiled playfully and poked her foot with mine beneath the table. And yet, her entire body tensed when the words left my lips. I frowned and sat back.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “No,” she said quickly. “You didn’t. Not at all.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked. “Because—”

  “A lot of my old stuff is online,” she said, talking over me. “You can look it up whenever you want.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Julie smiled, but I could tell she was preoccupied by something. Her reaction to my question wasn’t at all what I expected. I wondered if I’d inadvertently crossed some line I didn’t know was there.

  “Listen,” I said. “I have to get back to the office, but when can I see you again? Tomorrow night, maybe?”

  “I’m busy tomorrow,” Julie said. “I have to go to my parents’ house for dinner. My sister is in town with her husband, and Mom wants the whole family together.”

  “Ah,” I said with a nod. “Typical mom stuff.”

  “Exactly.” She smiled and added, “But, I’m free Sunday.”

  “Sunday is perfect.” I grinned, relief flooding my body. “I’ll see you then.”

  I stood up to order my coffee and, when I did, I considered leaning down to kiss her. I don’t know what stopped me. My eyes found her lips, and I was immediately drawn in, but I forced myself to walk away. We’d had an incredible night, with mind-blowing sex, but we didn‘t think we were quite at the intimacy level of a public kiss.

  After I had my coffee and Marcy’s latte in hand, I chanced a glance back at Julie. She had already immersed herself in her laptop, her headphones planted firmly in her ears. I smiled and waved, and she grinned back at me, filling my chest with warmth. Forcing my gaze away from her, I pushed open the café door and left.

  Julie wasn’t like the other women I’d met. She was different, confusing in her own way. From the first time I saw her, I was intrigued, and every time we spoke, she left me wanting to know more.

  CHAPTER 7

  Julie

  Since I’d moved to Ennis, my parents had barely spoken to me. They weren’t angry about my decision, but they didn’t support it. To them, I’d given up everything I worked for while in college and the years after. I’d built my reputation as a successful reporter, only to leave Dallas for a know-nothing town. They weren’t happy, and as I drove toward their house on Saturday morning, my chest was filled with anxiety.

  Deep down, I knew they’d behave. My sister Bethany was in town with her husband and their daughter. My niece, Layla, was only two and a half. She was the cutest little girl I’d ever seen, and I loved her more than anything. My parents felt the same way, so I hoped her presence would keep them in bright spirits for the duration of my visit.

  Still, as I pulled into the driveway, my heart raced. I took a deep breath and checked my hair in my mirror. I looked fine, but I knew that wouldn’t stop my mother from finding something to comment on. She worried about my health more than anything. I was either too skinny: “Are you eating enough?” Or I was too fat: “Honey, did you get that new workout I sent you? It’s supposed to help tighten your core.”

  She always meant well and, yet, I found myself dreading the visit as I pushed open my car door. Glancing at the house next door, I wondered if Andrea would be home for the holidays. Her parents still lived beside mine. I made a mental note to stop by and see them on my way out later that night.

  I stepped up to the front door and shook myself. It was insane that I felt so nervous. My parents would be fine. My sister would be amazing, as always. My brother-in-law would keep everyone laughing, and Layla would make sure the conversation never got too serious.

  I told myself everything would be okay as I grabbed the door handle and turned it slowly.

  “You’re here!” a shrill voice chimed from the living room. I lifted my eyes to see Bethany running toward me with her arms outstretched. I grinned and met her halfway.

  “Hey, sis,” I said as she caught me in a bone-crushing hug.

  “Ugh! I missed you so much!” She giggled and held me tighter, smoothing my hair down as she did so.

  Bethany and I were almost ten years apart in age. My parents had tried for years to have another baby, but after being disappointed enough times, they gave up. A month before Bethany’s tenth birthday, I appeared on the scene.

  “There she is!” My dad’s voice rang out from behind Bethany.

  I pulled away from my sister and hurried over to hug my dad. He gripped me tightly and then ushered me farther inside.

  “Julie!” Bryan said when he saw me. He gave me a quick, one-armed hug and ruffled my hair. “How you been, kid?”

  “Not a kid anymore, Bry,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

  “You always will be to me,” he replied.

  Bethany and Bryan had started dating when they were sixteen. I was in kindergarten at the time. Bryan had been around ever since. He was just as much my big brother as Bethany was my sister.

  “How’s work?” Bryan asked. “Any new scoops for me?”

  “Not yet,” I said. “I have a Skype interview on Monday morning with this new online journal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”

  “You’ll get it,” my dad said brightly.

  “I hope so.” My stomach twitched again. The last thing I wanted to do was focus on work right now.

  “You will,” Bethany said confidently. “You’re the ultimate success story. You’ve never failed at anything in your life.”

  I rolled my eyes but didn’t say anything. Bethany, more than anyone, knew that wasn’t true. Still, it was nice of her to say so.

  “Don’t get her hopes up,” my mother said from the kitchen. I jerked my head up to see her watching me with reproachful eyes. “If she doesn’t get it, she’ll only be more disappointed.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said without thinking.

  “I’m just being realistic, honey,” Mom said. “Someone has to be.”

  I nodded and looked down at m
y shoes. I’d only been in the house five minutes, and already, my mom was on my case.

  “Anyway,” Bethany said loudly. “How’s Ennis? I need to get down there and see your new house!”

  “You do,” I said, grateful for the subject change. “But before we talk about that, where’s my niece?”

  “She’s napping,” Bryan said. “She should be up soon, though.”

  “Ugh, can’t we wake her?” I begged.

  “Only if you want to deal with the tantrum that will ensue,” Bethany said with a laugh.

  “I’d rather not,” I said, laughing along with her. Bryan and Dad joined in easily, but Mom barely cracked a smile.

  “Can I help with anything?” Bethany asked. She hurried into the kitchen, but Mom shooed her away quickly.

  “Go entertain your sister,” Mom said. “Your dad can help me.”

  “I suppose I can,” Dad said. He squeezed my shoulder as he passed by.

  Bethany raised her eyebrows at me and linked her arm with mine. Without a word, she led me outside to the backyard. Bryan followed close behind.

  We stepped into the backyard and, immediately, my entire body sank. I sighed deeply and practically collapsed onto a patio chair.

  “What the hell was that about?” Bethany demanded, pulling up a chair beside me. Bryan followed suit.

  “Mom’s still pissed about my move to Ennis,” I said. “She thinks it was a mistake.”

  “Well,” Bethany said. “Screw her. You have to do what’s best for you, right?”

  I met my sister’s eyes. Her expression was a little too understanding. She knew all about my breakup with Joshua. Other than Andrea, Beth was my biggest advocate when it came to leaving Dallas. She knew just how much the breakup had torn me apart.

  Still, Joshua was the last person I wanted to talk about. I quickly changed the subject, asking questions about Layla until her sweet cry rang through the baby monitor.

  “She’s up!” Bryan announced, unnecessarily.

  He and Bethany both jumped to their feet, but I was faster. I shook my head and gestured for them to sit back down.