Pawliday Love

Chapter 5

DANIELLA

“ Don’t wait up for me,” I told Dad, placing a kiss to his cheek.

“Not a chance!” I heard him yell.

I wish I had the freedom my brothers did.

Timothy, Nathan, and Holt were waiting by my truck for me when I came outside. Seemed like we were all going to the same place, why not carpool?

Or were they babysitting me?

“Shit, it's about time you came out,” Tim huffed.

“You could always go in your own vehicle, you know,” I bit back, keys in hand.

“Someone has to drive your truck if you can't,” he replied.

“Can we just go?” Nate asked.

“Brothers,” I muttered under my breath.

“Yes, but you love us, sis,” Holt said, grinning.

That was debatable.

“I do. You're lucky.” I slid into the front seat, started the engine, and waited for them to settle in before I backed out. “Don’t roll the windows down this time either.”

“Why? Don’t want to mess up that head of hair you got?”

“It gets all knotted. You three wouldn’t know anything about that, now would you?”

Nate passed his long fingers through the small amount of hair on top of his head. “Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s so damn hard to comb once I let the wind blow through it,” he joked.

By the time we got to Wild Spurs the bar was hopping. It was after nine and my brothers were already antsy for a beer.

Being I wasn’t twenty-one yet, I shouldn't drink. I probably shouldn’t have been in a bar either. Another year and I would be free and legal to do as I pleased.

I never really acted out or got overly drunk, or even slept around… much . I was more somewhat timid, less rebellious than most girls my age. Down deep within me, I craved to break free. To have that wild side like some girls my age.

College would change my life in more ways than one if I took that route.

My brothers and I walked over to the bar so they could order for us. A hand reached around my waist and another moved my hair. I felt his warm breath against my neck as he kissed there.

“If you're not Kent, you're in trouble, mister,” I said, leaning against his chest.

“Guilty, baby,” he rumbled.

Tim grunted close, out of earshot of Kent. “Ian is going to fuck him up.”

“Only if one of you tell him, Tim.”

“Watch your step with my sister, boy. If she gets hurt in any way, you're going to pay for it.” Holt stood before him, warning.

“Yeah, whatever. I have no clue what you guys have against me,” Kent defended himself. “Step the hell back and leave us alone. Dani isn’t a sixteen-year-old girl.”

“She needs someone who can take care of her. You can't,” Nate snapped.

“Guys you all need to quit this nonsense. Kent and I aren't getting married. We’re just… having fun. You know what that is, right? F.U.N.”

I spotted Caden and Amber walking toward us. Maybe with more people around my brothers would ease up on Kent.

Yale had been a dream of mine, but with our business, I wanted to stay closer to home.

They needed to give me space.

Amber hugged me to her and whispered in my ear, “Wet t-shirt contest starts at ten sharp. Are you in?”

“Oh, um. Maybe not. I don't think my chaperons would like it,” I admitted, pulling away a little.

“About what, baby?” Kent asked.

“The wet t-shirt contest,” I replied.

“You’d win if you did it.” He kissed my cheek.

Kent just wanted to see me naked. Again. He’d get that chance later if he played his cards right perhaps.

“I don't have a white t-shirt,” I confessed.

“I have one under this shirt,” Caden offered.

“Oh, what the hell. Okay. Let’s go change then,” I said.

We started for the bathrooms. In the hallway, Caden took his black buttoned shirt off, then slipped his white t-shirt over his head, handing it to me. I couldn’t stop staring at the shirtless guy.

“You work out now, I see.”

He grinned. “Aren't you glad we slept together?”

“Yes,” I whispered, my face heated.

It only happened twice. I gave Caden my virginity. Two weeks later, we slept together again. I was nineteen at the time.

He slid his black shirt back on. I disappeared into the bathroom with Amber to change.

In the stall, she cornered me. “Did you have sex with Caden? Is that what I overheard?”

I told her the truth. “Yes, and I almost regret not keeping a relationship with him,” I totally confessed what no one knew about me.

“Wow,” she whispered. “Does Kent know?”

“No. I don’t think so. Unless he heard what Caden told me in the hallway. It happened before him anyway. It shouldn’t matter.”

“Well, he won't hear it from me.”

We stepped out of the stall. I washed my hands and pulled my hair into a ponytail. I folded my pink, button up shirt that I had set down on the countertop. Amber pulled up her long hair as well, facing the mirror.

Caden and Kent were waiting for us when we came out. “Thanks for the shirt.”

His response was readable when he said, “Lucky shirt.”

We could’ve been a couple.

Kent never heard him or if he did, he didn't act on it.

Amber and I finished off our beers. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand the whole hoopla about beer.

When Kent offered me another one, I passed.

Kent winked at me, then got the bartender’s attention for a red wine. I took it from him and rewarded him with a kiss.

“Lord if daddy knew what I was up to,” I murmured to myself, holding up the glass for another round.

“You’re too damn old to be grounded,” Amber said, tugging at her ponytail. “Grow up, girly.”

“Ah, you heard that? I thought I said it low enough.”

Humph.

“Loud and clear, buttercup,” Holt said from across the table where he stood. “I’ll be over there if you need me. Okay?” He gestured to a group of women.

“I was talking to myself, not all of you.”

“They put people away for talking to themselves. Careful, baby,” Kent said. “We may be visiting you in a white padded room soon.”

“Stop it.” I slapped his hand as he attempted to take the glass out of mine.

My brothers had gone their way. I was no longer being supervised, but I bet they were watching from a distance.

“You want another?” Kent asked.

“No.” I felt light-headed. “I’m good.” I should’ve slowed my pace. I wasn’t a lightweight, but I didn’t want to go home intoxicated either.

Five minutes to ten, Amber and I made our way over to the stage with the rest of the females in white tees. We lined up to one side of the stage, gave our first names to a guy writing on a yellow pad.

Kent, Caden, and pretty much the rest of the bar scene crowded closer. It was a wet-t-shirt contest, so why wouldn’t they?

There was a guy standing on the very end of the stage with a microphone. “Welcome to Wild Spur's Club. These beautiful young ladies are competing here tonight in our wet t-shirt contest. The one with the wettest revealing top wins. Please ladies, remain on stage until the judging is over. The winner will receive two hundred dollars in cash.” The guy stepped off the platform and stood a safe distance, so he wouldn’t get splashed. He then spoke again, “On the count of three we’ll begin. One, two, three.”

Four guys walked up the steps we’d just come from. They came forward toward us females with white buckets in hand and started pouring water on our chests. There were ten of us. Amber and I were on the end.

Suddenly, in the crowd, I heard one of my brothers yell, “What the fuck are you doing?” The outburst came from Nate.

“Get your damn ass down now, Dani!” another called out.

Shit a brick!

I felt freezing-cold ice water being poured on my chest. I hadn't braced for it because I had been eyeing my brothers stomping closer.

I glanced over at Amber, who was soaked and giggling. I looked down at myself. My breasts to be exact. My pink, lace bra was showing straight through my t-shirt.

What the hell was I doing?

This was a bad idea.

Abruptly, someone covered my shoulders. The scent of a spicy, woodsy cologne woke my senses up automatically.

What was he doing here?

“What the fuck were you doing up there?” he scolded.

“I'm c-cold,” I muttered,

My brothers hurried over. Nate noticed Grady right off. He thanked him for getting me from the stage. Amber appeared next to me. We eyed each other.

“We need to go change,” I said, voice shivering. I felt naked in front of everyone.

In front of him .

“Yes, please,” Amber replied with her arms crossed over her chest. “That water was freezing.”

“It’s to make your goddamn nipples show,” Tim concluded, disdain laced in his tone.

“Tim,” I began. “I only wanted…”

“No,” he snarled. “Go!” He pointed to the hallway in a reprimanding gesture.

I didn’t want to make more of a scene. I cooperated, shamelessly. I chanced a glimpse over my shoulder. The men were following us as they talked.

“Great, do they think we need bodyguards?” I mumbled to Amber.

“I dunno,” she stammered.

Amber and I ducked into the bathroom. A woman entered behind us. Embarrassed, we both turned our gazes away.

She used the bathroom and washed her hands while we were changing.

When we exited the stall, the woman stopped me. “Are you two alright?”

“Yes, just cold, but fine. I don't think I'll be doing that again in this lifetime.”

“Neither will I,” Amber mumbled.

“Just checking,” the woman in a blue silk top said.

“I need to get this guy’s jacket back to him. Come, Amber. Let's get out of here before they think we have climbed out the window.”

“Why on earth would they think that?” Amber asked.

“Really? You have to ask that question? Don’t go thinking my three brothers out there won’t rush in here to get me.”

“Ah.” She wrung out the white t-shirt she’d been wearing over the sink.

She fucking pitied me. I hated that too. I lived with overly protective assholes. The true story of my life was all out in the open.

I had no damn life.

I mimicked her movements with Caden’s shirt, wringing most of the water out. “Perhaps we could hang them on the back of a few chairs to let them dry out.” I paused.

“Good idea,” she agreed. “Ready to face the guys?”

“Yeah,” I said, but in reality, I wasn’t.

“You first.” She jutted her chin in the direction of the door.

I rolled my eyes at her. “Wow, thanks for sending me out to the lions first.”

Amber only shrugged as I turned from her.

The guys were waiting for us when we came out. I immediately handed Grady his jacket. “Thank you.” I said, meeting his dark stare.

“You're welcome. Do you still need it? You still look cold,” he offered.

“I... No. It's okay.” I tried again to hand it to him, trembling slightly.

His lips formed a scowl. It was slight, but I saw it. “Just wear it a bit longer. You're cold. Your lips are blue.” The man pushed the jacket in my hand.

“No, really,” I started.

“Why don't you all come over to our table. When you warm up, you can give the jacket back,” he suggested, ignoring my words as if I didn’t have a say.

I glanced up at my brothers. I then met Grady’s gaze once more. He was barely taller than my brothers and wider in the shoulders.

Tim spoke, “Sure. Because I could use a drink.” I didn’t miss the sarcasm in his tone.

I didn’t need the money. No, I needed to do something out of bounds. I needed to be bad for a change.

I wanted freedom.

And I’d succeeded. Well, sort of.

My best friend whispered next to me, “Did you sleep with him too?”

“What?”

“Tall, sexy, and mysterious?”

“I'm not a slut, Amber.” I glared at her. “I met him at the ranch. His nephew wanted to ride a horse. I gave the kid a lesson.”

“It was just a question. Get your panties out of that twist,” she hissed.

Nate looked over at us. I saw the anger in him too.

I’d managed to piss off three men. It wasn’t my first time.

They’d get over it. I had plenty to hold over their heads, and I would spill if they told our father about what I’d done.

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Grady. I took in the area, searching for Kent and Caden. I didn’t see them.

A waitress ambled over. I ordered coffee.

The short introduction around the table was over as I slipped my arms into the sleeves of his jacket. My fingertips didn’t reach the cuffs.

Big fellow.

A guy named Neal offered his jacket to Amber. She didn’t hesitate and took it.

“Where's your fucking boyfriend, Dani?” Nate asked.

“He's not my…boyfriend,” I snapped. “He's a friend. Get it right!”

“He's fired, Dani.”

“You can't do that. If you do, I'll tell dad you brought me here and you watched the contest too.”

My brothers thought they were invincible.

“Like hell our father will believe that crap. That little bastard’s the reason you're here? And furthermore, I can watch what I want. I'm a grown fucking man. You on the other hand are not grown.”

“Fuck off, Nathan!” I scoffed.

Grady cleared his throat as the waitress returned. She passed out our drinks and smiled at Grady when he paid.

I sipped my black coffee, hating the bitterness. Caden walked over to talk to me, but from where I was sitting, I couldn’t really move.

He stood directly behind me with a hand on my shoulder, leaned in, and whispered next to my ear, “I'll get my shirt later.”

I saw Grady eyeing him. “It was your idea for her to take part in that contest?”

It wasn’t his business.

“No, it was hers, actually. She wore my shirt.” I felt Caden’s hand give me a gentle squeeze on my shoulder.

Tim stood up to approach Caden. My heart fell rapidly. “Tim don't, please,” I urged.

“Get the fuck away from my sister. Now.” He gave him a shove.

Why me?

It would always be like this if I continued to live at home. I’d never be my own person.

Caden held his hands up in defeat, backed away, then turned in the direction of the bar without saying another word. Caden would never purposely cause a scene.

“That’s just fucking great,” I murmured with a finger to my right temple.

Grady questioned, “How old is that guy?” He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder once he was facing me.

“He's old enough to be in here. He's twenty-one,” I spat bluntly.

“Another boy,” Grady grunted. I saw his jaw tick.

“Yes,” Tim said.

“We were twenty once, guys. Calm the fuck down, Tim,” Neal butted in.

I wanted to hug him.

I sipped my coffee again, then cleared my throat. “I need to go home.”

“I can drop you off if you want?” Grady offered.

“I drove.” I looked at Holt, who wasn’t saying shit. “I drove my brothers here.”

“Give them your keys. I'll bring you home,” he tried again.

“You've been drinking.” The men I came with were going to allow me to leave with him.

No chance.

“I have a driver outside.”

Of course, he did.

I studied Tim. For what? His approval? I pulled out my cell. It was almost midnight. I took my keys out of my pocket and gave them to Nate.

“I’m going to go home and sleep this night away,” I said to Nate.

“I can bring you home, then come back-”

“She’ll be fine with me,” Grady said straight-faced.

“I’ll be okay,” I told my brother. “I’ll text you when I’m home.” The sooner I got out of here, the better.

Grady didn’t seem like the type to harm anyone. Sexy and devilish, yes, but no a rapist.

I hugged Amber and made her promise me she wouldn’t drink anymore. She drove herself there as well and she wasn’t a big drinker.

Grady and I told everyone at the table goodbye. The way the night had gone, I didn’t want to stay any longer. I’d been humiliated to no end and treated as if I was a child.

We walked out into the cool Colorado air. As we stepped to the side to let people pass, he held open his jacket that I still had on. For a second, my chest tightened as I thought he was going to pull me to him. Instead, he reached for the inside pocket for his cell.

“Do you want it back?” I asked, tugging at the jacket.

“No, you look good in it.” He winked.

My face warmed. I was attracted to him or maybe it was the wine I ingested.

He was so handsome. Tall, about six-two. Maybe six-three. Grady had dark brown hair, brown eyes, really nice muscular arms, a great ass in jeans, and smelled amazing. He was simply gorgeous, straight-forward, and held such a power in his stance.

A black car pulled up. Grady opened the rear door. I climbed in and he slid in behind me, then shut the door.

The driver didn’t drive off. He looked at Grady from the rearview mirror.

Grady glanced down at me to ask, “Where do you want to go? Home?”

“Yes, home,” I replied.

“Pierce, let's get Dani home.”

“Yes, sir.” The driver merged into the traffic.

I leaned my head back against the seat and shut my eyes. I then felt Grady's hand on mine. “Do you mind?” he asked.

“No,” I whispered.

His touch was warm on my chilled hand. I turned my hand over, lacing our fingers.

He stroked my knuckles gently. No one had held my hand like this before. My body warmed a little. This was so different. Nice. The gentleness of his touch had me lulled off.

The ride was about forty minutes by the time we got to the ranch. I didn’t realize that I’d been so tired.

The seat crunched beneath him as he moved. A soft whisper cooed next to me, “We’re here.”

I loved his accent.

I slowly peered up at him through squinted eyes just when the car turned onto the long driveway. “Thank you for taking me home.” I stretched a little.

He leaned in more, crowding my space. The seat crinkled from his weight again. My lips parted when his nose touched my cheek, barely brushing my skin.

“You’re welcome,” he said, keeping his position.

My breath caught. My chin up as if I were listening to him command me. Our mouths met, lips parted, breathing altered and heavy.

Grady was kissing me. No, he was making love to my mouth as the car coasted. I should’ve pushed him away. But I didn’t.

I wanted to yank away, then I couldn’t. I never been kissed so…. What in hell had I been missing out on?

When he released my mouth, I protested, grasping his shirt. I tugged his shirt with my hand trapped between us, demanding with no words that he place his mouth on mine again. We collided once more. His lips were soft. My mouth opened more, begging for the attention he hadn’t minded giving.

I gripped the shirt taut. A moan escaped. Who the fuck was I? Why was I kissing Grady?

His talented tongue caressed every inch of my mouth. I melted between the man’s arms. Lost. I was someplace else. Not in the backseat of an SUV making out with an older man. A man that wooed me.

A large hand cradled my backside with pressing fingers. Grady growled low, never leaving my lips. His breath increased as he pinned me to the door. I needed something. Anything he offered I’d be willing to accommodate him, if he’d ask.

I was dazed when I let him pull away, dropping the hand that was holding his shirt captive.

“Your lips are soft. Just as I imagined they would be.” Grady whispered, rubbing his nose from my jawline to my ear.

“Did I say thank you y-yet?” I asked breathless.

“You did.” He grinned, meeting my eyes. “I would like to see you again. If that's okay?”

I nodded. “I would like that, Grady.”

His driver came to a stop in the driveway of my family ranch. I never been so thankful for having a long road for an entryway prior to now.

I felt the chill when Grady opened the door to exit the car. Standing outside, he took my hand to help me out. He tucked two fingers under my chin, then kissed me again.

“When do you turn twenty?” he asked, breaking our kiss.

“Two weeks.”

“No, Angel, what day?” he pressed.

“Not this Friday but the next. Why?” I licked my lips, tasting him and beer.

“Because I want to see you again. I'll fly in for your birthday and take you out to dinner.”

“Amber and I have plans. Prior to that, my father is throwing me a party early in the afternoon.”

“You and Amber intend on going back to this bar you were at tonight?”

“We were.” I searched his gaze for a reason for the question.

“No bars, Angel. Cancel your plans with her. I'll pick you up after your party.” I was about to stroke his stubbled jaw, but suddenly dropped my hand when he said that.

“No.” I placed my hands on his chest and pushed off, not hard, but enough to get his attention. He didn’t move much. “You can't pick me up. I have plans. And even if I were to say yes, my dad and brothers will want to know where I'm going, how long, and a whole line of other questions would follow.”

“I can pick you up and I said break those plans. Let your family pester me. It's their given right. I’d be worried if they didn’t.”

With his palms on my hips, Grady retained me snug against him. I pushed him again, softer. I looked down between us in the moonlight. I knew it. I felt the bulge against my thigh in the car just minutes ago. Now the swell of his jeans was against my belly. “Oh… Grady. I...” I trailed off.

Again, his arms pulled me into him, ignoring my protest. He brushed his lips teasingly across mine, whispered in a warning tone, “Don't fuck Kent again.” He guided me backwards, my backside firm against the car. “If you do, you won't have me.” He pressed his cock into my belly, emphasizing the meaning. “I'm not a sloppy-seconds kinda guy.”

“But he's…”

“What, Angel? Not your fuck-friend? I want you, Daniella. From this night on, you’ll not have sex with anyone, but me.”

I laughed.

He did not.

“Grady-”

He cut me off. “Are you laughing at me?”

I smiled.

Sort of.

If I hadn’t been up against the car, I think I’d have run.

Thank you for reading this preview of the Obedience Duet.