The Secrets that Surround Us (Hernandez Brothers of Rose Valley #4)

1. Alex

Chapter one

Alex

“ I s it everything you thought it would be?” I whisper the words into my new sister-in-law’s ear as we waltz across the dance floor, knowing it’s going to piss my brother off the closer I get. The heat from his death glares is burning up my back, but neither of us acknowledge sit. Leaving Dexter to stew in his own thoughts and feelings. It’s hilarious.

She smiles up at me, and her eyes sparkle when she replies. “It’s even better.”

I can’t help but match her smile. “I’m glad.”

And I am. I really am. But I can’t help but feel a little jealous too. As I glance over at my other brother Mateo, I witness him picking up his girlfriend’s son, tickling him. She laughs as she stands by, watching. A pang in my chest hits ever so softly. If I weren’t paying close attention, I wouldn’t have even noticed it.

I would love to find someone, a partner, but I know it’s not in the cards for me. Wait, where did that come from? I’m not the settling down kind of guy.

Once the music stops, Hazel pulls away, but not before she taps my chest. “Thanks for the dance, Alex.”

When I look down at her hand a sit sits on my chest just over my heart, an emotion I’m not sure I can put my finger on seems to well up within me. Not wanting to pay too close attention to it, I say, “No thank you, Haze.”

As she pulls her hand away, she looks up into my eyes and hers soften a bit as she stares at me. I hate it. I hate how I see the pity in everyone’s eyes, especially now that I’m the last Hernandez brother standing with no prospects in sight.

Like she can read my mind, she says, “You know, Alex, you deserve to find someone, too.”

Not wanting her to see too deep with me, I lift the right side of my mouth, giving her my signature smirk, “You know, Hazel, I’m not meant to settle down. Who would satisfy all the ladies?” I wink at her as I put my brother out of his misery and head to the bar.

Looking over my shoulder, I can’t help but watch as the two of them embrace, picking up where Hazel and I had left off.

When I turn my head back around to continue toward the bar, a wet feeling hits me right in the chest, soaking my shirt. Not believing what just happened, I look down at my chest. Red wine drips down my white dress shirt as a soft feminine voice fills my ears, drawing my attention away from the stain. “Oh shit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

I look at her and when her beautiful brown eyes meet mine, my jaw drops. “Fuck. That’s going to be a bitch to get out. Here, let me help you.” She grabs a napkin from a nearby table and dabs at my chest. My eyes never leave her. “I really am sorry,” she mutters under her breath as she keeps dabbing.

Every touch from her jolts through my body, as if an electric current runs through me. Sweat beads up on my forehead as my brows furrow. I’ve felt nothing like this before.

I take her in. She’s donned a silky champagne colored dress that clings to every luscious curve of her body with a slit that gives a peek of her thigh. I swear I can just make out a lower tattoo; I want to see what it is and how far it goes. Black hair hangs down her back in loose curls. My cock thickens in my pants and I have to adjust my stance so she doesn’t notice.

I need to stop this before I do something I shouldn’t at my brother’s wedding. My hand wraps around her wrist, stopping her from continuing to clean me up. “It’s okay, love. But I need you to stop right now.”

Her eyes go wide at my words as she takes a step back from me. She recovers quickly, giving me a soft smile as she shuffles through her bag. “Let me pay for your dry-cleaning bill, at least.”

How did I not notice that giant black bag before.? Was I that engrossed by her?

“You don’t have to. Seriously, it’s not a big deal. It’s just a shirt.”

“I insist.” She pushes her business card into my hand.

Not wanting to offend her, I accept the card. “Well, since your last drink ended up on me, let me buy you another?” I tip my head toward the bar.

She lets out a soft giggle. “It’s an open bar.”

“Even better. Come on, love. Let me do this for you.”

“Okay,” she whispers as we make our way toward the bar.

“Do you want another red wine?”

She nods as I turn toward the bartender. “Can I get a red wine for the pretty lady and a beer for me?”

Once the bartender leaves to go grab our drinks, I turn back to her. “I’m Alex. And you are?”

She clears her throat. “I’m Fiona.”

“How do you know the bride and groom?”

Fiona gives me a knowing smile as she lifts her bag and replies, “I’m the photographer. How about you?”

Of course. How did I not see her before? The wedding was such a whirlwind. I mean, I noticed her before, but when she ran into me, I didn’t put two and two together.

“The groom is my brother.”

“Aww…I should’ve known. You resemble him.” She gives me a wide smile as lust fills her eyes.

The bartender comes back, interrupting our conversation as he places our drinks down in front of us. I hand her drink to her. “Are you done for the night?”

“Mostly. I want to take a few of them leaving the reception.” Her eyes bounce around the room. “Do you know when that is? I don’t see them.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I search the room. “Uhh…Not sure. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they snuck off.”

Her eyes return to mine with a twinkle in them. “Do they do that a lot?”

My face twists into disgust as I reply, “Yes. It’s disgustingly gross.”

Right then Mateo comes up to me, slapping my shoulder. “Hey little brother. Dexter and Hazel just left, so we’re going to take off.”

“They left already?” Fiona squeaks in a high-pitched voice.

Mateo looks over at her and raises an eyebrow, looking as if he is about to snap at her. Not wanting him to say anything rude and ruin what feels like a good connection, I step between them. “Mateo, this is Fiona. She’s the wedding photographer.” Lifting my drink to my lips, I take a sip.

“Sorry. I was hoping to get a few of them a leaving,” she explains.

“From what I saw of them in the car, the pictures would’ve been basically porn.” He shivers dramatically, as if he is seeing the image once again.

Fiona’s eyebrows lift to her hairline, but I just chuckle. “I told you they are disgusting.”

She looks at me and then grins. “On that note, I guess I’ll just finish my drink and head out, too.”

Grabbing her drink, she chugs down the rest of the wine, which I must admit is impressive. Then she places her glass back down on the bar, smiles. “Nice to meet you.”

Worry strangles me. She can’t leave without me. I’ve never felt like this with anyone before. The need to know everything about her, including every inch of her body, takes over. Ignoring my brother, I place my hand on her waist, stopping her from leaving. I lean down and whisper in her ear. “Would you like to come to my place? You know, for a drink?”

She eyes me suspiciously as her lips thin, then she takes a step away from me. She can’t say no. If anything, I just need her for the night, whether that’s in my bed or just to talk. I know I have her with the next words that come out of her mouth. “Only a drink?”

Not being able to help myself, I feel a grin spread across my face. My hand comes up in the universal signal for scout’s honor. “I promise I won’t touch you unless you beg me to.”

Visibly, she shudders, causing her nipples to pebble. Hmm…she likes that, huh? By the end of the night, I plan on having her on her knees, begging me for my cock.

Leaving me on the edge, she stays silent for what feels like forever, before she finally surrenders to my request. “Okay. Let’s go have a drink.”

“Perfect.”