Pursuit of Love (The Pursuit #4)

Chapter 1 Backfire

BACKFIRE

Eli

June

Eli: My bed is cold without you. Are you missing my sheets?

Cici: Among other things.

Eli: You shouldn’t have run away from San Diego, then.

Cici: I didn’t run away. A lot of people move for work after graduating college.

Eli: That’s what you’re telling yourself?

Cici: On that note, goodnight, Eli.

Eli: Night, cutie.

Weeks later

Eli: Did you get silk sheets yet?

Cici: It’s freezing in Bozeman. I had to go with flannel.

Eli: That’s too bad because mine feel so good right now. There’s only one thing that would make them better.

Cici: You can’t keep saying things like that.

Eli: Why? It’s the truth.

Cici: You’re infuriating. Goodnight.

Eli: Sleep well, Cici.

Weeks later

Eli: How’s the new job treating you?

Cici: I love it! Everyone here is great. It’s such a fun place to work.

Eli: I’m happy for you… Sort of… I’m trying to be anyway.

Cici: Whatever. I bet your bed is already warmed up by now.

Eli: Only when I bring your underwear with me.

Cici: You have my underwear?

Eli: Yeah, but it’s time for a replacement pair.

Cici: How about some granny panties?

Eli: As long as you wear them first. Not sure they’ll go under a skintight dress, though.

Cici: Who said anything about a dress?

Eli: Sebastian’s proposing at the club. You’re not showing up in a sack, are you?

Cici: Ugh. I’m so excited! Have you seen the ring?

Eli: Of course. I helped pick it out.

Cici: Send me a picture!

Eli: I’ll consider it if you guarantee a replacement pair of sexy panties.

Cici: Meanie. You’ll have others for your collection soon.

Eli: None like yours.

Cici: You’re terrible. Goodnight.

Eli: Night, cutie.

August

Cici: It’s killing me not telling Lily I’m coming. Why do I have to wait?

Eli: Element of surprise. She might wonder why you’re visiting so soon. He doesn’t want her to have time to overthink it.

Cici: She’s not going to say no.

Eli: His anxiety is off the charts. Thank God it’s almost over so he’ll be normal again.

Cici: I can’t imagine normal is much better when it comes to your brother.

Eli: True. So since they’ll be fucking like rabbits afterward, what’s your plan for the night?

Cici: Staying at my brother’s.

Eli: I have a better idea. How about you come to my place and we do the same? It’s just one night.

Cici: I’ve heard that before.

Eli: I’ll make it worth your while.

Cici: I know you will. That’s not the problem.

Eli: Come on. You’ll return home a million miles away the next day. You know what I do to you.

Cici: I’ll think about it.

Eli: You better, because I can’t stop. In fact, it’s the only thing I’ve thought about since you left.

Cici: …

Eli: Don’t tell me you haven’t.

Cici: Goodnight, Eli.

Eli: Night. See you in a couple weeks.

My breath stops the minute she steps into the darkened hallway.

God, I’ve missed her. She’s positively stunning.

The skintight red dress contrasts with her blonde hair to make her stand out like a beacon.

I know what she really is, though: a siren with the ability to lure me to my death.

The problem is, even knowing what fate awaits me, I’d still walk right toward her with my eyes wide open, if only to spend the last five minutes of my time on earth with her.

As my eyes roam her full length to check out those beautifully toned legs and hips that are begging to be gripped, I can’t help the first thing that comes to mind—she’s certainly not wearing granny panties. It wouldn’t surprise me if no panties are underneath. My cock hardens at the thought.

“Hey, cutie,” I greet loudly over the pumping music.

My arms immediately reach out and pull her in, breathing deeply to take in the scent I’ve been deprived of for too long.

The feel of her full breasts against my chest flips the switch from longing to lust. It appears we’re both eager to hold each other by how she snuggles into me, pressing her head into my shoulder like it’s where she belongs.

If only she felt that way, I wouldn’t have had to endure the last three months of pining after the woman who stole my heart and ran a thousand miles away with it.

When she told me she was moving after her college graduation, I suggested she stay and give us a chance, but the one time I brought it up, she seemed to pull back, which made no sense considering not only were we on fire in the bedroom, but we clicked in every way possible.

Rather than push, I decided to give her space, thinking she just needed to have a taste of independence before getting serious. And I’m still waiting.

Too soon, she extracts herself with a massive smile on her face. “Are you as excited as I am right now?”

Not for the same thing you are.

She claps her hands rapidly, distracting me from the overpowering urge to have my filthy way with her here and now. She better not fool herself into turning down my offer for the night. I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks. But rather than go down that road immediately, I stay on topic.

“You have no idea. Sebastian’s been a little bitch. I’m hoping he settles down after the ring’s on her finger. Speaking of, we should get moving.”

Grabbing her hand, I guide her further into the shadows and stop, coming face-to-face.

My emotions are shouting—lust, desire, want, and way more that need to be kept at bay.

Before I give in to the ones she’s willing to reciprocate, there’s movement drawing our attention to the proposal we’ve been waiting for.

My brother, Sebastian, has Lily pinned up against the same wall in the exact position he did the night of their first embrace six months prior.

I remember hearing all about it while secretly reminiscing about my own sexy tryst with Cici, only to find out later the two women were best friends and roommates in their senior year of college.

We met each girl separately the night they showed up to the dance club.

By the time I’d put two and two together about the women we were seeing, Sebastian was already obsessed and struggling to win Lily over.

I didn’t want to complicate things, so I never told him that I happened to be screwing her best friend, who incidentally became my obsession.

Cici and I stand in silence, watching while it plays out.

The minute Sebastian lowers to one knee before Lily, Cici’s eyes glisten as she brings her hands to her mouth in anticipation.

My face turns up in a smile when I hear Lily’s resounding “Yes!” We immediately join the pair, who are still clinging to each other, but as soon as they part, Cici and Lily embrace, jumping up and down, both squealing with excitement.

Sebastian and I do the manly bro hug, firmly slapping the other’s back.

I’m happy for my twin brother. Settling down wasn’t something I expected him to do since playing the field used to be one of our favorite pastimes.

We may share the same birthday, but our similarities as fraternal twins are few and far between.

He’s imposing, broody, and severe, whereas I’m the fun-loving, charismatic one.

He resembles the part, too, with dark hair and olive skin, taking after our father.

I’m glad I inherited Mother’s softer traits, with light brown eyes and hair to match.

I’d much rather be described as a golden retriever than a Doberman pinscher.

Cici releases Lily and grabs her left hand. “I’m so excited! Let me see. I’ve been dying in anticipation.”

Lily splays her fingers, revealing the monster rock, which I’m overly familiar with after the lengthy search.

Leave it to Sebastian to make sure everyone in the room knows she’s taken.

He’s about as possessive as they come, but Lily seems to love it, making me thankful he found someone to put up with his dominant nature.

“How long have you known? Wait… this wasn’t a last-minute trip, was it?” Lily asks Cici suspiciously as Sebastian and I stand to the side.

“Too long—it’s been killing me every time we talk. Sebastian didn’t want to ruin the surprise and wouldn’t let me tell you I was coming. But the look on your face was priceless, so it was worth it. I can’t believe you had no idea.”

Cici then hugs Sebastian’s stiff posture, making me chuckle. “Congratulations. The ring is beautiful. You did well,” Cici tells him.

“I’m glad you approve. You made Lily’s day by being here. Thank you for helping it come together,” Sebastian returns.

With Lily free, I wrap her in my arms and swing her around as she squeals in delight.

“Thank God you said yes. Do you realize what I’ve had to put up with over the past few weeks?

It was hell. I’m excited to have you as family, Lily.

Congratulations.” I set her down next to Sebastian.

“All right, lovebirds, let’s have a celebratory toast before you two go do your version of celebrating,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.

Cici shoves my shoulder, and Lily ducks her head into Sebastian’s chest in embarrassment as we return to the table where the ladies began before Lily set the plan in motion by using the bathroom.

A bottle of Dom on ice with four glasses is waiting—a perk of owning the club.

It’s the fun, albeit tiny, piece of the billion-dollar international holding company my brother and I operate from San Diego.

After our father passed away following the death of our mom two years prior, we inherited Dubree Enterprises at the age of twenty-five—almost three years ago now—and have worked our asses off ever since.