He mumbles, “Bitch” as he stands. I doubt anyone else could hear it over the loud previews. Ashley takes his seat, and without saying anything else, offers me his tub of popcorn.
“You knew Adam wasn’t coming and they were,” I say. He shrugs and keeps his eyes on the screen. I take some popcorn in my hand and notice again just how nice he’s dressed. He’s also freshly showered and shaved. “I thought you were here for a hot date with how nice you look.”
“I am.”
“Oh?”
“I’m here with you, ain’t I?” Instead of allowing me to answer, he places a sugar-coated candy between my lips. His eyes sparkle as he watches them close around the candy. It’s both sweet and sour. My favorite. The tension between us is so thick as we stare at each other through the darkness. I can barely see him, but knowing he’s looking back at me, the two of us shadowed in the darkness, makes this so intimate. My anger is shifting into other feelings. I’m not thinking clearly. My emotions are all over the place, and my body is in conflict with my head. There’s this rage coursing through me, all while I’m overwhelmed with deep shame and complete stupidity over falling for Adam. Yet, here’s Ashley, the brother I could never have. But he’s here… for me. There’s this energy whenever we’re together, my body begging to pull closer to him. I need to stop and think. I didn’t think before, and the consequences of that decision are now in the form of two horny guys a few rows back, thinking I’m an easy lay. Nope. I need a moment of clarity and to gather my thoughts. And those thoughts will not be about how much I want to climb onto Ashley King’s lap. He shifts in his seat, and his clean, masculine scent has me closing my eyes.
How can I possibly think about anything else when Ashley’s so close to me?
I swallow the candy and open my mouth for him to offer me another piece. Instead, he puts his lips on mine, and as his tongue licks the sugar from my lips, the deep moan from the back of his throat has me squeezing my legs together.
“Guess from the sounds of it, she really does taste like sugar.”
The other one chuckles and asks, “That’s what Adam said. Think we can find out after both brothers get their turn?”
Ashley immediately stops our kiss, but he doesn’t pull away. His whole body is vibrating in anger. I was hoping those assholes would leave, but nope. They simply took a back-row seat to watch the ‘Let’s humiliate Serenity show.’I count to five before I open my eyes.
“Do you want me to throw them out, or do you want to leave?” Ashley asks, his voice shakes with barely controlled rage.
“I don’t think you’re allowed to do that.”
Ashley snorts. “I’m only asking for your permission. I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks. The worse that’s going to happen is I get banned from the movies, which doesn’t matter since I’m only here for you.”
My chest tightens at his words. Then I hear snickering from behind. This is wrong. Those are Adam’s friends, and this is his brother. “I’m leaving.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“No,” I snap.
“Sug—”
“No! Don’t call me that. Don’t… just don’t.”
* * *
Tears burn my eyes as I open the cabin door. I went by Adam’s, but he wasn’t home. Zuri told me he’d left earlier and said he was going to find me. I’m hoping when we find each other that he has a logical explanation. I doubt it, but I can hope.
As I walk through the door, I notice all the lights are off. Fran must already be in bed. She told me she would probably call it an early night because of a headache she’d had all day. I open our shared bedroom door and let out a startled shriek when I hear a male moan.
I flip the light switch. “What the hell?”
Fran is on her side, her back to me, but behind her is… Adam? He quickly jumps up, wearing only his boxers. “Sugar!”
Fran rolls over and screams. She’s in her silk nightgown. I stare and then blink a couple of times, hoping the image in front of me changes. “You didn’t meet me at the movies… because you… you were…” I can’t get the words out as a sob breaks free. Fran stands up and rushes around the bed.
“No!” I hold up a hand to stop her from reaching me. “You did this to my mother. Your own sister. Now me?”
Fran’s eyes widen in horror as tears fill them. “Absolutely not! I didn’t even know—”
Smack! I slap her as hard as I can. “I’m done. I’m leaving. This was all a huge mistake!”
“He’s high! Look at him. He probably thought I was you. I just woke up!” Fran screams as rivers of tears stream down her cheeks.
“Ah, shit. You’re going to act like we never had sex?”
My eyes slowly turn to Adam and then back to my aunt. “Have you had sex with Adam?” She remains silent. “Well, have you? Now? In the past?”