Sisters in White Read online

  She was just about to jump out of bed and head to the shower when she felt Blake’s body sidle up behind hers. His arms wrapped around her; his hips pressed into her backside, firm and warm.

  He kissed the back of her neck, then kissed the peak of her shoulder, sending a shiver down her back.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” he whispered.

  She shook her head, closing her eyes and reveling in his touch as he caressed her breast. She turned onto her back, and he slid his hand down her belly, splaying it across her abdomen as he moved closer to her. She felt the heat of him as his naked body slithered alongside of her, the hair on his thighs tickling her. He brought his right hand under her hair and grasped the base of her skull, using his other hand to turn her body toward him as he settled his mouth onto hers, gently kissing her at first, then harder, his tongue pushing the worry right out of her mind. She moaned as her body gave in to his touch, arching toward him, wanting him to love the memory of Kaylie trembling at the table right out of her mind.

  Heal me.

  Blake pulled back, leaving her hungry for more, the taste of him lingering on her lips. He arched over her, trailing his fingers along her side, then grasping her waist and holding tight. He looked into her eyes with a sultry, yet sorrowful gaze, his dark eyes hurting right along with her heart.

  How was he able to reflect her pain so perfectly? she wondered, and sucked in a sharp breath as he gripped her tighter.

  “Tell me what you want,” he said huskily.

  The strength of him elicited fire in her veins, and she leaned up toward his lips. He closed his eyes and drew away.

  “Tell me,” he whispered.

  “Love me,” she said, wishing he’d take her in every way possible and make her forget the look in Kaylie’s eyes when she’d seen Lacy across the room.

  “Tell me how,” Blake urged. He’d been trying to get her to be more verbal when they made love, to let go of her fear and trust him completely. Although Danica knew exactly what she wanted, she still held back. She’d never let go with anyone. Not the boyfriends who talked dirty to her, or the guys who tried to coax her into doing the same. She couldn’t trust that much, because, thanks to her father, she knew what lay ahead.

  “How?” he pushed.

  She closed her eyes, unable to make herself say the words. She grabbed the back of his head and drew it to her breast.

  He licked the tip of her nipple—one quick swipe of his tongue, just enough to send her pulse soaring, then again, a long, slow lap around her areola.

  “Tell me,” he said.

  Danica’s chest rose and fell to the beat of each heavy breath. She arched toward the warmth of his mouth, ready for him, wanting him inside of her. She thrust her hips toward him, trying again to guide his mouth to her breast.

  “Tell me,” he coaxed, running his index finger along her lower lip.

  She bit her lip as he rose above her, settling his warm palm on her cheek. “Baby, it’s just me. Let me love you. Tell me what you need.”

  Oh, how she wanted to scream it from the rooftops! Everything about Blake proved his love for her, from his gentle touch to his constant consideration, and yet the fear remained. What if one day...? She’d come a long way, sexually. She’d become playful and had learned how to tease and taunt. Her sex drive was ten times what it had ever been before, but saying what she wanted—what she craved? Out loud? Asking him? No, begging him? She didn’t know if she could do it. No, she couldn’t cross that line. She wouldn’t cross that line.

  He ran his tongue between her breasts, then lapped at the curve of her collarbone. Looking at her with those incredible eyes that seared sex into her mind, he took her lower lip between his teeth, then licked at the tender spot, ever so lightly, until Danica’s body trembled beneath him.

  She closed her eyes tightly, wanting to please him, wanting to trust him, and wanting, more than anything, more of him. She gathered her courage and tried. “Lick me,” she said.

  He licked her lips again.

  “My breast.” Was that her breathy voice? That sexy, wanting, throaty voice? “Lick my breast.” It wasn’t as difficult as she thought it might be, and as he followed her command and lowered his mouth to her breast, nipping at her nipples with his teeth until they stood erect, she ached even more for the wetness of his mouth. He circled her nipples with his tongue.

  Yes! Oh God. Yes! “More. Harder.” She clutched his hair in her hands and pulled him down. His tongue pushed hard as he suckled her breast until she was moaning in ecstasy, on the verge of peaking.

  Then he drew away slowly, and she reached for him. “No, don’t stop. Touch me. Touch me,” she pleaded, her shyness lost amid the desire that pulsed and swelled within her. She took his hand and drew it down between her legs.

  “Uh-uh,” he said, and held her hand there.

  Danica felt a rush of titillation. She’d never touched herself in front of anyone before, and she could barely believe she was doing it now—but, oh my—this felt so naughty, so forbidden. A rush of excitement set her hand in motion.

  His tongue moved back to her mouth and he thrust it in, exploring in a way that sent shivers right through her. She found the spot she knew would carry her over the edge and moved quick and hard against it. She felt his hand move away and she opened her eyes. He was quick to plant a kiss on each lid, forcing them closed.

  “No,” he whispered when she drew her hand away. “Keep going.”

  She felt his eyes on her as she moved swiftly and skillfully along the moist folds of her sensitive skin. Every muscle in her legs tightening, heat rose within her to a fever pitch—one final stroke and she knew she’d be there. Blake’s fingers found hers, and he worked her into a frenzy until her body bucked and rocked against him. Her flesh throbbed and pulsated against his fingers as sensations tightened every nerve in her body, then slowly dissipated, leaving her body limp, her mind foggy, and her heart full.

  “That’s my girl,” Blake said, kissing her cheeks and her neck and pushing her hair from her forehead.

  Every touch was so tender and loving that she melted into the safe and sated feeling. Their bodies were slick with sweat as he pulled away. Then his massive thighs were pushing hers apart. She gasped, not sure she could take any more. He leaned on his elbows, holding her head between his hands.

  “Look at me,” he said, staring into her eyes as he slid into her, until she could feel every blessed inch of him. Then he drew himself out slowly.

  No. Don’t stop!

  Danica felt her eyes fluttering open, closed, then open again as she fell into his rhythm, her body responding again and again, in ways she didn’t think possible. He moved faster, harder, and she grabbed at his back, and when he hit just the right spot that stole her breath, grabbing wasn’t enough. She clawed at his back, forgetting whatever had held her back when they first began and pleading for more.

  “Faster.” To her dismay, he slowed his movements. “Fast, faster,” she pleaded.

  He pulled out from between her legs and slid down her body until she felt the heat of his tongue upon her, lapping, sucking, making every nerve in her body tingle and burn. His hands slid up her body and he took her nipples between his index fingers and thumbs.

  She couldn’t take it. Her loins were on fire, aching for more of him. She clutched his hair as her body finally found its release. She clawed at the sheets as aftershocks rocked her insides, like bolts of lightning searing her again and again, until she had no more energy to give. Her body fell limp, shuddering against him. And his sweet voice found her ears again.

  “Tell me.”

  She shook her head, unable to think, much less speak. She couldn’t take any more. There must be a sin in experiencing that much pleasure in such quick succession.

  “Tell me,” he urged again, drawing his tongue up the center of her belly, to the undersides of her breasts, until she was pulling him into her, ravenous for his love.

  “More. Now, more.”

  “M
ore what?” he teased.

  Her eyes flew open. “Really?” Her voice was throaty and raw.

  “Really,” he said, and began to pull away from her.

  She grabbed him and pulled him back toward her. “Aren’t you? Don’t you need to...?”

  “I will. Tell me what you want, babe.”

  “Take me. All of me. Love me. Fuck me.” She couldn’t believe she’d said the words.

  Blake’s eyes darkened and he took her hard and fast, his hands gripping her shoulders, his hips fueled by as much love as need. “Oh, Danica. I love you so much.”

  She wanted to say it back. God knew she felt it down to her very core, but she couldn’t stop gritting her teeth, willing her body to ride out their heated wave. His motions took her right up to the peak again, and she rode out the unexpected crescendo along with him as he arched into her, moaning his pleasure, gritting his teeth, and pumping slower, slower, until they both collapsed, side by side, their fingers intertwined, their breathing filling the space between them.

  Later that morning, Danica felt Blake’s eyes on her from the moment she came out of the shower. How could she have said those things? What had she been thinking? Now she was too embarrassed to look at her fiancé. She dressed in a pair of capris and a peach sleeveless shirt, keeping her back to him as he sat on the edge of the bed.

  She dried her hair while he showered, then put on a pair of amber earrings and slipped into a pair of peach sandals while Blake zipped up his shorts and pulled a T-shirt over his head. She couldn’t ignore his stare any longer.

  “What are you staring at me like that for?” Oh God, he thinks I’m a fool. I made a fool of myself. I did it all wrong.

  “I can’t stop loving you. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, the most sensual woman I’ve ever met. I just—” He shook his head, like words couldn’t express what he was feeling.

  Danica’s cheeks warmed. “I’m so embarrassed. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

  “Yes, you have,” Blake said with a laugh. “We make love all the time.”

  She spun around. “Not that. You know what I mean.” She watched him for signs of mocking, but there were none. And when he took her in his arms and kissed her so passionately that her body instantly responded, she knew he was not mocking her.

  “I want you to trust me. We’re going to be husband and wife. You don’t ever have to be embarrassed in front of me.” He sat down on the bed and put on his shoes. “Danica, anything we do in the bedroom, it stays between us, and anything you don’t want to do, we won’t do. Ever.”

  She nodded, unable to speak. How could she tell him that she loved what they’d done? How could she tell him that she actually liked touching herself when he watched her? That it was probably one of the most erotic things she’d ever done. She couldn’t tell him those things, and she wouldn’t, because the memory of the evening before settled in, reminding her that even when you think you’re safe, life can slip you a mickey and turn your safe and happy life upside down.

  Chapter Four

  “This is going to be so awkward,” Danica said as they rode the elevators down to meet everyone for breakfast. “I texted Kaylie, but she didn’t answer.”

  “She’s got a lot to take in. It’s not just your dad. I mean, dealing with her feelings toward him is enough to send anyone back to bed, but remember, Danica, you’ve had time to adjust to Lacy and Madeline. You’ve spent a year and a half getting to know Lacy, and through her, you got to at least become familiar with Madeline, too. To Kaylie, they’re still strangers. Strangers who stole your father.”

  Danica realized that she’d been so focused on Kaylie, she hadn’t even taken the time to see how Blake was doing. His father would be at the wedding, and he hadn’t seen him in quite some time either. There were no hard feelings between Blake and his father, who’d raised him as a single parent, working two jobs and doing the best he could. Life and distance were the only things that separated Blake from him. Still, he deserved the same care and tenderness that she and Kaylie did.

  “How do you feel about seeing your dad?” she asked as they came to the entrance of the restaurant.

  “I’m good. Actually, I can’t wait to see him. It’s been too long.” Blake ran his hand through his thick dark hair and scanned the tables. “There they are.”

  Danica followed him toward her father and Madeline, who were sitting at a table. Lacy met them on the way with a plate from the buffet.

  “Good morning,” Lacy said cheerily.

  She reminded Danica of Kaylie so much that it almost hurt. “Have you seen Kaylie?” she asked.

  Lacy shook her head. “No, she hasn’t been down yet. Do you think she’s okay? Should we check on her?”

  We. Lacy’s empathy only further endeared her to Danica. “She’s probably talking to my mom on the phone. I’m sure she’ll be down soon.” Like hell I am.

  They sat down at the table. Danica plastered a semi-fake smile on her face. “Dad, Madeline, did you sleep okay?”

  “Perfectly,” her father said.

  His voice stirred memories of when she was younger and they were still a family. Danica pushed the nostalgia away and turned to Madeline. “I really like that skirt. It suits you perfectly.” Madeline was only about five foot three, and while Danica remembered seeing the photographs of her as a younger, thinner woman, which Lacy had sent of the three of them from the years when her parents were still married, she now looked more like her age: early fifties, with a mildly thick middle and gentle lines around her eyes. Danica silently thanked God that Madeline wasn’t a trophy wife. That would have made the whole situation much more difficult. Kaylie would find competition with two women instead of just one.

  “Thank you. How’s your sister? I was so worried about her last night. We’re a lot for her to digest.”

  The pain in her voice was palpable, and Danica rode the fine line of not wanting to say anything that might make Kaylie look immature. “She’s okay. I’m sure she’ll be down soon.”

  “I’ll get us some breakfast. Can I bring anyone anything?” Blake offered.

  “I’ll come with you.” Her father stood, patting Madeline’s shoulder on his way.

  Danica watched them walk away and suddenly felt like there was a little more breathing room at the table. “I’m sorry about Kaylie. This is all very difficult for her.”

  “We know,” Lacy said with a tentative smile. “I wish we could have at least gotten to know her before today, with phone calls and emails, maybe even passing a few old photos through the mail, like we did with you. She seems like she’d be nice, from what you’ve told me.”

  “Danica, I appreciate how kind you have been to Lacy, and I know this is hard for you, seeing me and your father together—”

  “It’s fine, really,” Danica said, cutting Madeline off midsentence. She swatted the air like it was no big deal, even though her stomach clenched so tightly she thought she might be sick.

  “No, it’s not okay, and it’s not my place to discuss that whole thing with you. That’s your father’s place. You deserve to know what happened all those years ago, and I’m sure he will find the time to tell you, but for now, between us women, I just wanted to thank you for your kindness toward Lacy.”

  Danica took a drink of water, hoping it would settle the twisting in her gut. “I really like Lacy,” she said honestly. “But I also love Kaylie, and I think we have a rough road ahead of us. I’m not sure if this was a good or a bad idea.” She watched Madeline’s smile fade and felt even worse for being honest. “I don’t mean not a good idea for you to be here. I mean talking about Kaylie. I can’t talk about Kaylie without her here. She’s a really great person, and I know you’ll love her once you get to know her.” Why was she selling Kaylie to them? Kaylie get down here!

  Blake and her father returned with plates of food, and the smell turned her stomach.

  “I have to...I need to go to the ladies’ room. Excuse me.” She escap
ed the restaurant and headed up to Kaylie’s room. She’d need to be quick, or her father’s family would think she’d lost her mind, too, disappearing during breakfast. Although Madeline seemed to take Kaylie’s absence in stride. She even appeared to understand it. So why can’t I?

  She knocked on Kaylie’s door twice, and when no one answered, she texted her.

  Where r u? She paced the hall. Damn it, Kaylie. Her cell vibrated.

  Pool.

  Danica cursed under her breath as she headed back down the elevator and outside into the warm, morning sunshine. The pool was behind the hotel, built high enough to give an extraordinary view of the Bay. She found Kaylie and Chaz lying on lounge chairs. Chaz’s arms were folded over his chest, his lips pinched into a hard line.

  Her anger spewed forth. “Kaylie Elizabeth, what are you doing?”

  Kaylie looked like she’d never had one baby, much less two. Her stomach was taut between the tiny swatches of her bikini. She lowered her sunglasses and peered at Danica over the frames. “Getting a little sun. Want to join us?” She righted her sunglasses on her nose.

  “Listen, I know this all sucks for you, but that was really rude of you to skip breakfast and not tell anyone.”

  Chaz sat up and leaned his elbows on his knees. “Just for the record, I wanted to go, but Kaylie nixed it.”

  “I’m sure she did,” Danica said. Kaylie made no move toward joining them, and Danica was not going to spend the next two days running between her father and Kaylie. She sat down on Kaylie’s chair, pushing her over with her butt, and took her glasses from their perch on her nose.