Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
MAYA
"Are you hiding from the bride or the best man?" a voice says from behind me.
I don't even think, I just react. My training kicks in, and I plant my left leg and back kick with my right.
Avoiding the kick, he steps to the side and into me, grabbing my hips.
He pulls me back toward him. Our bodies are pressed together, but I continue to fight.
I raise my foot, poised to slam my heel into his shoe, but he avoids it.
"Hold up, honey. It’s me, Duncan," he whispers in my ear.
I start to bring my elbow back to connect with his ribs.
He pulls me in even tighter to his chest, sending my senses into overdrive.
I now don't know if I want to kick his ass or fuck him.
I feel his erection against my lower back, his hands rub up my waist to under my heaving breasts, and his fingers gently caress the underside of them. I involuntarily moan.
"God, baby, that was the hottest thing I've ever seen.
Tell me where you learned to do that?" His voice is husky in my ear.
His lips caress my neck and then move up to my earlobe.
I want to answer him, but my brain has turned to mush.
What this man does to me is crazy. I rock my hips back into his erection.
He groans and bites down on my neck. "If you don't want to end up bent over that bench over there, you'll stop that," he growls against my skin.
"You're by far the sexiest woman at this bloody do.
All night I've wanted to shag you with those bloody heels pressed into my back. "
"What if I told you to bend me over that bench?" I boldly reply. "Wait, what the hell is a do?" I ask confused.
He growls again just before his lips return to my neck, right where my pulse is racing. I can't believe I'm instigating this.
I want him.
He drags his teeth and tongue across my skin, gently pulling as he sucks. He’s marking me, but I can't stop him.
I really want him.
"A do is a party," he replies against my neck, making goose bumps rise on my bare skin.
I moan as I feel myself grow wet.
"God, baby, I want to hear that sexy sound again."
"Duncan, please," I groan. "I want you, but we can't. Your sister…"
"Baby, my sister is busy. She'll never notice us missing.
I have wanted you since I watched you get off that bloody bike two weeks ago.
Do you know what it feels like to wake up hard as a rock and no one to relieve it?
" He walks me further into the garden where it's darker.
"Answer my question. Where'd you learn those moves? "
It isn't a question, it's a command. My breathing increases, my nipples pucker, and my clit throbs in response.
What the hell, I've never responded to a man bossing me around.
I actually tend to go for the weaker guys so I can boss them around.
But Duncan has me hot and panting with his commands and dominance.
"I've studied...Krav Maga...since I was a kid...along with...other martial arts." I pant.
"God, I'm so hot for you. First, tell me if that guy from the bar is your boyfriend and who sent you flowers today," he demands.
I'm almost shaken from my sexual lust by his question.
"No, he's my partner, only a friend. A business associate here in London sent them," I lie. I can't tell him about the flowers, and I won't tell him anymore about Derek.
"Ever since I picked you up at the airport, all I've wanted to do is push my cock into your tight little body. This dress, with all your exposed cleavage, is turning me on. I want to taste every inch of you."
I'm going to hyperventilate, I'm panting so hard. His dirty talk and kisses alone have me on the edge of an orgasm.
I see a wall loom up ahead of me, then I'm spun around in his arms and lifted up.
My back hits the wall, and I wrap my legs around him.
I groan as I feel his erection right where I want it.
His hands divide and leave my waist—one going to my neck to control my head while the other trails down my side again.
His hand ends up at my knee, where it starts a slow slide up my leg under my skirt.
His lips claim mine in an intense kiss to show me who's in charge here.
My body is on fire. His tongue rubs my lips and I open to him, allowing him to plunder my mouth.
I swirl and stroke my tongue with his. His hand goes into my hair, positioning my head where he wants it.
I've never been kissed with this much intent. I follow his lead, my hands start roaming his shoulders and go to his hair to pull him in closer.
God, can this man kiss.
His other hand is still slowly moving up my thigh and encounters my bare backside from my thong.
He dips his thumb toward my core. I wiggle, bringing his erection closer to where I want it.
His fingers are now at the front of my panties and they slide in the side.
He rubs my clit and glides his fingers down to my entrance.
I moan into his mouth. I'm going to come if he keeps this up.
"Baby, you're so wet," he says as he pulls away and lays his forehead against mine.
"Come to my room. I want you spread out on my bed for me.
I'm going to eat this bare pussy for dessert.
" His words pull me under more. He continues to rub his thumb over my clit while he enters me with his middle finger.
I gasp and lean my head against the wall.
"I need to taste you. I want you, Maya."
"Maya, are you out here?"
Shit, my luck. My head whips to the side where I hear Ana's voice.
"Just a second," I gasp.
He removes his hand from between my legs and licks his fingers and groans. I'm so turned on. He lowers me down as my legs unwrap from his body. His other hand moves back to my neck, pulling me closer to him.
He leans forward, speaking into my ear, his lips brush the shell, "You know where my room is, and here is my spare key." He slides it into my cleavage and is gone before I can say anything else.
Holy shit!
"Maya, what're you doing out here?" Ana asks as she descends the stairs to where I'm standing. I casually smooth out my dress, making sure nothing is out of place.
"Just getting some fresh air. I think the jet lag is catching up with me," I try to explain. Of course, I can't tell her I was making out with her brother.
"Well, come on, I want a shot with my best friend." She laughs.
I'm reminded of how Jonathon controls her and how much she has changed.
"Okay, let's go, sister."
I follow behind her, hoping Duncan didn't leave too many marks on my neck. I smooth my skirt again and check the bodice, making sure my full breasts are still contained and his key card is hidden.
"So, what're we drinking to that we haven't already toasted? Also, please tell me this will be a drink I like?"
"Well, you're my best friend, my sister, and one of the few people I trust. What else would we do shots with?" Her words give me a slight pause. She sounds melancholy.
"What's the matter? You’re less than twenty-four hours away from marrying the man of your dreams.”
Ana stops and turns to me, her head slightly tipped to the side and down. Her lips form a small frown and I can see the sorrow on her.
"Maya, if anything ever happens to me, will you take care of Daddy and Duncan? They've nothing in common now except me. They barely talk. Since Duncan joined the Army they've only fought. Please, I need you."
"What're you talking about?" My brain reels. She's actually starting to scare me with the way she is talking.
"Maybe I'm feeling everything is going too well, that something is going to happen. I want to make sure that I never have unfinished business. I've also had too much to drink." She smiles with the last part, but I still feel like she isn't telling me something.
We both lost family at young ages, and we’re both serious about never leaving our future kids like what happened to us.
Ana’s mom was killed in a car accident that Ana miraculously survived.
Ana wasn’t even six months old at the time.
I'm sure I'll never have children. Besides, I’d have to trust someone with my heart for that to happen, and that isn't going to happen anytime soon.
We make our way to the bar. "Two shots of any American whiskey, preferably Jack Daniels," I tell the bartender. He hands us each a shot glass filled with our drinks.
"Okay, to always being on top and best friends forever. Cheers," I say, and laugh as I throw back the shot. The bartender pours me another and sets a single red rose down next to my glass.
"For the lovely lady," he says, and I smile at him. He doesn't need to know I hate flowers.
"To friends forever and angels in dark places. Cheers," Ana says, and throws back hers. That's been her toast since we were nineteen. She's setting her glass on the bar when a manicured male hand grabs her wrist.
"Darling, I think it's time for Mia to take you to your room. You've imbibed too much." Jonathon mispronounces my name.
"Her name is Maya. And for your information, I'm alright.
" I watch her back straighten, and her petite frame appears to be taller than she is.
She's actually going to stand up to him in front of everyone.
It's about time my Ana started thinking for herself.
Then I realize how many people are watching us.
I know Ana wouldn't want to make a spectacle.
But I'm proud of her for finally finding her voice.
"It's all good, Ana, we can take the bottle and head to your room.
" I signal the bartender to give me the bottle.
I feel Duncan's key at my breast and know I'll not make it there.
But I need to diffuse this before people get a show.
I also know that Duncan is a bad idea. I reach for the bottle the bartender placed beside the rose.
For a moment, I wonder about the rose, it's the only red rose in the venue.
"Maya, Anabel is done drinking for the night." Jonathon’s hand releases hers and grabs my wrist, stopping my progress toward the bottle. His touch feels like ice water has been injected into my veins. His grip tightens, each of his fingers dig into my skin.
I'm going to kick this English prick’s ass. How dare he touch me?
"Let go of me, now," I whisper, staring him in the eye. He's going to remove his hand or I'm going to make him.
"Let her go. Now," the words are snarled from behind me as I feel Duncan's hand on my shoulder.
Ana slides over to her brother's side. I knew without looking it was him. I felt the electricity between us. Jonathon looks over my head to Duncan, then to Ana.
"Anabel, don't cause a scene. Go to your room like a good girl.
I'll see you tomorrow. Remember your promise to me.
" His voice is cold, his face pinched and eyes narrowed.
He is looking at Ana like he wants to hurt her and is disgusted by her.
He is not only treating her like a child, but like a child he hates.
How dare he talk to her like that! I've had enough of this asshole.
I grab his wrist with my other hand and push down as I push up and twist with my captured hand. I bend his wrist back and look him in the eye as I step into his space.
"I don't need to be a good girl. Don't ever touch me again. And if you ever talk to her like that, I will break your jaw," I whisper so only he can hear. The urge to punch him or break his wrist is overwhelming. I let him go before I do either.
Wrapping my arm around Ana's waist, I feel her deflate, her head bows and she instantly becomes the other woman again.
Duncan lowers his hand to my waist and turns both Ana and me toward the doors.
His hand slides to my lower back as his head turns back to Jonathon.
He seems torn between getting us away and going back to fight him.
I want to go back and kick his ass. We've barely cleared the doors when I whip around to Ana.
"What the hell was that?”
"What the bloody hell was that?"
Both Duncan and I say at the same time. I nod my head to him to continue.
"Ana, please tell me that tosser treats you better than that?"
I can see him trying to control his anger, his body vibrates from the tension. He doesn't want to scare her any more than she already is.
"He's just stressed with the wedding tomorrow." Her head stays down. I've seen this behavior before. She'd never allow that to happen to her. Right? I've watched many victims of domestic violence act just like this. Not my Ana, my mind screams.
"Ana, sweetie, does Jonathon get stressed a lot?" I dread the answer.
"I'm tired, Maya, can you and Duncan help me to my room?"
She avoids my question. Now I know for certain she's hiding something from me.
She's acting like a battered woman. Oh God!
How could I let this happen? Last time I saw her she was energized for whatever life was going to dish out.
She was starting art school. Did my being away so much cause her to turn to a man like that?
I shake off the thoughts and follow my training.
"Ana, how about you and I ditch out on this pomp and circumstance?
" I know it's bad to ask, but I need to protect her.
I need to give her what she gave me years ago, a safe place.
"Let's give Jonathon a break and you come home with me this time.
" I know her answer when her shoulders push back and she stands up to me. What's his hold over her?
"Now, Maya, you know I can't walk away from Jonathon. He loves me. Don't you dare push your paranoid bobby barmy on me or your fears of relationships."
Wow, it feels like she just slapped me in the face. No going back now.
"Ana, how about you tell me what the hell your fiancé was thinking talking to you like that?
Explain why you're so different? Tell me why it bothers you so much to upset him?
" I fire off each question as I step further into her space. I know my anger might set her off more, but I need to know the answers to my questions. I need to protect her. She’s my family and I won't lose her too.
Duncan puts his arm between us, pushing me back, trying to calm us both.
"Hey, Sis, Maya's just concerned. He just treated you like a daft cow. He grabbed ahold of Maya and was trying to hurt her, and he enjoyed it." His voice gets gruffer the more he talks about it.
"Okay, I'm sorry for my fiancé. Maya, he just doesn't want me hungover for tomorrow. Now, are you both going to walk me upstairs or am I going by myself?" She lifts her chin, nose going in the air, and all I can think about is Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
"Okay," Duncan and I say in unison.
We walk her back to her room, and as she enters, she turns to us. "Go back to the party. Get to know each other. I'm tired."
I want to protest. I want to take her from here. But Ana closes the door before I can say anything.