Yearn For Me: A Hockey Romance (The Banks Sisters Book 2) Page 8

  I had to have been about 10 years old when I learned that first lesson.

  They were running news that my grandfather had been having an affair.

  Then, my grandparents were around a lot and my grandmother would go into the room she stayed in and not come out for hours.

  She genuinely didn’t have any idea, and it broke her heart. So much so that within the span of a few years, she went from the lively grand-mother that I knew to withdrawn and cynical.

  In my head, I’d always reasoned that if it wasn’t such a big shock to her - she wouldn’t have taken it so hard.

  It wouldn’t have stolen her joy in the same way.

  I’ve gone nearly 20 years trying to make sure that is never me and succeeding.

  “Come into the living room.” Sina directs us. “I set out some snacks and things.”

  Might as well get comfortable.

  I kick my heels off in the corner and plop down in the middle of the large couch, sitting on my feet, my skirt covering my legs.

  “What the hell did you do to her on vacation?” I hear Kaija ask Mickey, and I raise an eyebrow at her as I pick up a Dorito.

  Little neatly cut assorted sandwiches are on the table and small bowls of our favorite chips. Doritos for me, sour cream and onion for Mickey, and Cheetos for Kaija.

  Playing on our nostalgia, reminding us that they know us and we’re comfortable and safe here.

  It’s a page right out of my book.

  “Does alcohol not contribute to the feeling of comfort?” I pipe up and my dad gives me his stern face as he, Sina, and my mom stand in front of the table.

  A united force.

  “We have something we think it’s time to discuss with you girls.” My dad starts.

  “I wonder what it could be?” I insert, biting the corner of a tuna watercress triangle.

  I’m being childish, but I want them to spit it out. Just confirm what I know.

  “Keyra, don’t be disrespectful.” My mom warns in a low voice, and I immediately feel chastised.

  “Yes, ma’am.” I pop another chip into my mouth but resolve to be quiet.

  Damn near 30 years old and still, I know that if my mom steps in - it’s serious. Sina takes my dad’s hand and he takes a deep breath.

  How odd. Why do Sina and my dad seem more together on this than my mom and dad? They’re the ones who hid a whole kid from us.

  “I’m illegitimate.” My dad says, and I almost spring up from my seat in vindication.

  I fucking kn—

  “What did you just say?” I swallow.

  “I’m not a Reed. Not by blood, anyway.”

  “Could you like, start from the beginning?” Kaija sits forward, the confusion on her face matching that of Mickey and I.

  “Wait, so there’s no secret child you and mom gave up for adoption?” I blurt. Everyone swings their heads towards me, and when my mom speaks, there’s surprise in her voice.

  “Is that what you thought was going on?”

  “Uh, yeah? I picked up a bit of a chatter and I pieced it all together and thought you two hid a child and someone was blackmailing you with something about it. Honestly, it was such an exhausting thought that I wasn’t going to delve into it until I heard from you two.”

  “So you did know something.” Mickey swats my leg, and I shrug.

  “How’d you know about blackmail?” Sina asks, fingering her bracelet.

  “That was part of the chatter.”

  “Well, you’ve got 50 percent.” My dad rumbles, shaking his head. “No wonder you ran out of here the other day. You really thought we’d hide something like that?”

  “I didn’t know what to think. We’ve been pretty lucky to not have too much sordid family drama, I thought it was catching up. This is a relief, though. Mostly. What is this about blackmail?” I push.

  Thank fucking god. All the air is pretty much whipped out of my sails with my dad’s admission.

  I’ve trusted them so fully that I don’t know what I’d have done if my thoughts had been confirmed if I’d had to accept a different truth.

  “My mother had an affair. When she got pregnant, my father swore her to secrecy and the man signed over his parental rights. Your grandfather adopted me and treated me as his son and we never told anyone differently.”

  Whaaaa?

  “Wait, so when Grandpa Vic’s affair came out, were he and Grandma even on good terms?”

  “Theirs was always a business partnership. But around the same time, my mother’s first love passed away and the public scrutiny from the affair plus her grieving took its toll.”

  I blink, completely wowed. “All this time, I thought she literally passed from a broken heart, but because she didn’t know about his affair.”

  “Well, it’s not as if you knew the rest of the story, sweetheart.” My mom smiles. “No wonder you’ve always wanted to know every little thing.”

  “Well, I for one am glad all the drama happened before I came into the family.” Mickey teases.

  “You’re not right in the head if you think that.” My dad pokes fun and we all laugh, the tension from earlier broken.

  “But seriously…the blackmail?” I ask.

  My mom, dad, and Sina look at each other nervously and I narrow my eyes.

  “What?”

  “You’re still not allowed to work for a few more months, Keyra. If I tell you everything, you’re not going to be able to help yourself. We’re handling it.” My dad’s voice is firm and matter-of-fact.

  I can’t believe them.

  “Respectfully, I do not accept that.” I stand, bare feet sinking into the soft carpet. “I went on vacation, I’m relaxed and I realize that I need to do more than bury my head in the families problems. But that is a big part of my life, this family. I will not feel bad about that and I will not just sit back when we all know damned well that if you just let me do my job - this would be resolved.” I meet my Dad’s hesitant eyes, imploring him. “I am good at this. Please. Just let me figure it out, and I’ll go join a nudist colony after if you want me to. Just, let me.”

  “Marcus, you raised a damn intelligent and resourceful woman. You know she’s right.” My mom throws in, and Sina nods her head, putting a hand on his chest.

  “Camille has a point. Keyra’s always going to be the best person to fight for all of us on these things, more than anybody we could hire.”

  I’m so grateful that they’re adding their support.

  I glance at Mickey and Kaija and they nod.

  “We should put it to a vote,” Kaija says. “Everyone who thinks Dad should let Keyra go all protective she-wolf on their asses, raise your hands.”

  My dad props his hands on his hips, his lips pressed into a grim line when everyone’s hands immediately go up - including mine.

  “Since when did this family become a democracy?” He grumbles.

  “Since you’re the only man,” Mickey says helpfully, twisting a strand of hair around her finger.

  “I can’t wait to marry all of you off, then I’ll finally have some support.” He rolls his eyes. “Alright Keyra, but this is temporary.”

  “Aye aye captain.” I’m practically bouncing, I’m so excited to do something again. To dig my claws into someone who doesn’t know what the hell they’re getting into.

  I will never give up a fight where my family is involved.

  20

  Dane

  Lately, every time I find myself outside Keyra’s door, I’m nervous as hell.

  Last time I was here, it was to break her trust.

  This time, I’m hoping to start gaining it back.

  I knock since I don’t have a key anymore, setting the food I brought out of sight because I want it to be a surprise.

  It swings open after a few seconds, and she’s in a short robe with her dark hair in a low, loose bun. Her full lips tilt up a little, and her nose does the cute wrinkle thing I notice happens when she’s a little surprised.

  The r
obe is a similar cranberry color to the lingerie she was wearing that night, and suddenly, I’m thinking about a little more than trust.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?”

  The only time I ever feel tongue-tied is around her, I swear.

  “Earth to Dane?” She reaches up and taps a finger against my forehead and I grab her wrist softly, using it to pull her to me.

  “Sorry, I was distracted.” I murmur and she inhales quick.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Righting a wrong.” I frame her face with my hands and press my lips to her gently, reverently. I want her to have no doubt that this is different.

  For a second, I stay on track and our lips melt together almost sluggishly like time has slowed long enough for us to never forget how the other tastes.

  But her mouth is like water after a drought and I can’t get enough, unable to stop myself from biting and sucking on her lips as our tongues finally meet.

  “Ahem.” I reluctantly pull away and look to the side, where an older woman is looking at us disapprovingly.

  “How is your night, Ms. Wilkes?” Keyra asks, voice husky and amused.

  “It was just fine.” The woman snaps and walks away, towards the elevator.

  “Clearly, she’s jealous.” Keyra giggles and I just feel relief and lightness. I didn’t really know how she’d react after the kiss.

  I notice the bag against the wall and scoop it up, holding it like a prize. Sheesh, I’m like a teenage boy around her.

  “I bought wings and crispy French fries.”

  She puts a hand on her chest, tilting her head to the side. “You even told them crispy?”

  “I did. I still think it’s ridiculous, but I know you like it. And I got extra blue cheese.” Never forget Keyra’s extra blue cheese.

  “Damn boy, you came to play.” She steps back and I step inside, walking in and setting the food on the table. “I’ll grab some plates. Do you want beer? I uh…had your favorite dropped off the other day out of habit.”

  “Yeah. Beer’s good. Thanks.” I remove the containers from the bag, opening them on the table and waiting for her to see.

  She stops when she gets close enough to the table to see, two bottles in her hands and plates tucked under her arm.

  “Hot teriyaki and lemon-pepper?” She whispers, and I can’t help but laugh at her expression.

  You would think I just told her Beyoncé invited her to dinner, that’s how awed and reverent her face is.

  “I’m bringing out the big guns.” I smile. She sets everything down and puts one hand on my cheek, looking down at me.

  “Food is the way to my heart. You know me so well.” She gives me two pats and climbs over me, settling next to me on the couch. “We’ll talk about that kiss after I smash this food.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I open our beers.

  “Is it a coincidence that you showed up right on time for Quantico?” She clicks on the TV, and since I know not to come between her and food, I ignore the way her robe has opened a bit to reveal a very tempting thigh.

  I raise an eyebrow and she laughs, tossing her feet up on the table and leaning to put food on her plate.

  “Very smooth, Mr. Thoreau. Very smooth.”

  Once Quantico ended, we started bingeing Sense8 because we always said we wanted to check it out but never watched it.

  “I’m very uncomfortable.” I narrow my eyes at the TV, one hand resting on Keyra’s leg.

  “Really? Because I’m a little aroused.”

  “Me too. Which is exactly why I’m uncomfortable. I never questioned my sexuality until I saw Lito.” I admit.

  “If you were going to experiment for anyone, I think he’d be a pretty damned good choice.” The episode we’re on ends and the “Are you still watching?” message pops up.

  “Are we still watching?” Keyra asks.

  “Are we?” I stroke my hand down her calf, something I’ve done numerous times before, but that holds an entirely different charge now…we both know it.

  “Oh, you’re going to put this on me?” She scoffs.

  “I’m completely sure about what I want this time,” I say, and her lids lower a little. Silently, she clicks off the TV and pulls her legs away, tucking them beneath her.

  “Okay, let’s talk. What was that kiss about?”

  “That kiss was me letting you know that I came here tonight with no hidden motives. I’m here for you because I want you. No excuses, no extra reasons, just me.” I lay it all out. More bare than I’ve ever been to a woman since Natalie.

  “So to be clear - If I went out with Michael tomorrow, you would be okay with that?”

  The fuck? “If you go out with Michael tomorrow, I’ll string him up by his balls and then I’ll buy your wing place and shut it down.”

  Her mouth drops open and I stare at her, unamused.

  “You’re dating me and only me. None of that seeing other people shit.”

  “I haven’t agreed to date you yet.” She crosses her arms, but there’s a small smile on her lips that she can’t hide.

  “If you do, I just want you to know what you’re getting into. I’m not shopping around for the best fit. I want to try this because you’re the first person in a while that I’ve never doubted, even if it seemed like I did.”

  “So I got lucky to get past your trust issues?” I hate when I can’t read her eyes. She does this thing when she’s probing for information where she makes them just go…bland.

  We always joke about her having had some serious special training, and I’m definitely feeling it right now.

  “No. The person you are, how fierce, how genuine, how honest, how intelligent, how beautiful inside and out…that’s why you got past me “trust issues,” I use air quotes, “not because of luck. All you.”

  “Tell me more about how intelligent I am.” She puts a hand on the couch and rises on her knees, leaning forward so she’s closer to me.

  “You’re so smart. I feel like I can watch your mind work sometimes, hear the wheels turning quickly because you’re so clever and perceptive.” I close the space between us, noses brushing one another.

  “More.” She breathes, grinning.

  “Sometimes I would get hard and it would be pretty confusing because it’d be while you were on the phone cursing someone out, and I didn’t know why seeing you mad at someone else made me want you more. I was terrified when I found out about you being shot, but when I found out you were okay - shit woman, you’re a force to be reckoned with and that’s sexy too.” While I’d been talking, she’d pushed me back on the couch and climbed onto my lap.

  “Okay, you can stop now. My ego has been stroked sufficiently.” She flattens her hands on my stomach and runs them up over my chest and on my shoulders.

  “Good, because there are so many more things I want to do with my mouth.” I untie the tie on her robe and she’s got boy-shorts and a strappy tank top on underneath. I can see the outline of her nipples and dark areolas through the thin fabric.

  “Oh really?” She murmurs, pressing her chest against mine and tightening her arms around my neck.

  “Really.” I kiss her softly, feeling contentedness run through me. But I remember something. “This means you’re saying yes to this right?”

  “Ask me again after we have sex. I need to make sure I remember things correctly before I just tie myself down. What if your equipment isn’t up to par?” She sits up, shrugging as my jaw drops.

  “Woman, are you fucking kidding me?”

  One eyebrow arches. “Do I look like I’m kidding? Better get to work, Mr. Thoreau. Time’s a ti—.”

  She yelps as I spring up from the couch with her in my arms and head to her bedroom.

  “I’ll show you work,” I growl and smack her ass where she’s over my shoulder, shaking my head at her squeals.

  Women.

  21

  Keyra

  I lay in my bed and don’t want to open my eyes. Like some mild post-trauma
tic stress, I’m scared that I dreamed everything and I’m going to feel the same stomach drops I felt that first morning after we were together.

  If I keep my eyes closed, I can keep out whatever reality is waiting for me.

  Then I feel a huge hand splay across my abdomen and I mentally give the largest sigh of relief I ever have.

  “Are you awake? We haven’t discussed whether it’s okay wake you up by fucking you so I’d really like you to open your eyes so I can get my fill this morning.”

  Good grief.

  “I think your growly morning voice just made me pregnant,” I whisper, turning on my side towards him, his hand sliding around to my lower back.

  “Oh, you like it when my voice sounds like it’s been run through a blender?” He nuzzles my ear, obviously amused, and I squeeze my thighs together.

  “You’re laughing, but it’s really doing it for me.”

  “Something else wants to do it for you too.” He jerks our hips together and I immediately know exactly what something he’s referring to.

  I turn my head when he tries to kiss me, though. “No kissing till after I’ve brushed my teeth. Especially since we ate those wings.”

  He drops a kiss on my neck. “Fine. Next time, we keep those Listerine strips or some mints next to the bed, though. I’m only going to accept this once.”

  “I thought I was the bossy one.” I roll to my other side, laughing when he rubs his scruffy cheek up and down the space between my shoulder and ears, like a cat at a scratching post.

  “You still are. Any more condoms over there?” Lord, the way his voice is rolling over my ears is just…I’ve never been this sensitive before. I guess it’s just Dane.

  “You’re in luck, you left one.” I snag it and pass it back. Not long after, he raises my leg and slides his sheathed cock over my labia. He puts my leg back down and pumps his hips slowly. I shiver, swallowing a moan and pushing my hips back. He’s not even inside me and it’s still hot as hell.

  I push back impatiently and he thumbs my nipple, clutching my body tightly. I feel surrounded by him.