Page 37 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

We tumble into the house in a fit of laughter.

“I cannot believe you did that to Coop.” I walk into the kitchen to grab a water bottle.

“Eh. He needs to live a little. It’ll be good for him.”

I roll my eyes at him. Cooper is not living a little, he’s pissed at Hunt. “You’re a brave soul. What time do I need to be ready for dinner?”

“An hour?” He shrugs like it’s not a big deal. But there’s no way.

“Hunter!” Placing my hands on my hip, I stare at him with my eyebrow raised. “I can’t get ready for a fancy dinner in an hour!”

“Sounds like you better get to it then, because I have my own plans.” He stalks toward me with that heated look in his eye. “I’ll give you an extra two minute start.”

I stand staring at him. “No way, Hunter. You are not going to distract me.” I point my finger into his chest.

“Oh, Peach. It’s not a distraction. It’s a reward. You’re down to a minute and a half.”

I take off running upstairs. I don’t even know what I’m going to wear. Hazel called me but I never had time to go in and grab the dress I picked out.

I quickly strip out of my jeans and tee before standing in front of the closet to find something that I want to wear, something that doesn’t remind me of my life in Portland.

Pulling out a little black dress, I slip it over my head. But it’s short, and a shift dress. Not really sexy. I toss it to the bed.

Next up, is a plum dress that I wore to a client gala with Neil. Nope. Already no.

I’ve got my hand on the fifth discarded dress when I hear the undeniable sound of a zipper being drawn down. I’m out of time.

“Having some trouble?”

Turning to face him with a pout on my face, I take him in wearing nothing but his boxer briefs, and holding a Christmas bag.

“What is that?” I drop the navy dress I’m holding in my hand.

“A little someone told me you were eyeing a certain dress. And of course she added her own flare to it.”

I take the bag, sitting on the bed and pulling everything out.

It’s the perfect green velvet dress, gold glitter heels, and a simple gold necklace with a snowflake charm that will fall perfectly between my boobs.

And of course matching dark green underwear along with some tape for the plunging neckline.

Jumping up I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him close. “You know what I was thinking about when you came in?”

“What’s that?” He nuzzles into my neck.

“That none of my dresses have any good memories attached to them.” My knees go weak as his kisses trail along my neck. “And now I finally have something that’s beautiful in memory and looks beautiful on.”

“Well, then you better get it on so I can see for myself.” He sits on the end of the bed and scoots backwards until his back hits the headboard.

“This is kind of the opposite of a striptease?” I question his watchful gaze.

“Oh that’ll come later. Don’t you worry, Peach.”

I squeeze my thighs together. I know damn sure that man’s promises are going to be held.

Pulling my panties and bra off my body, I tie my hair up in a bun on the top of my head and sway my hips a little extra to the shower.

Looking back I see Hunter laying back against the headboard with his arms behind his head, his eyes tracking every movement.

Climbing into the shower, I know that he can see my silhouette in the glass doors so I make a show of rubbing the soap over my body.

To my shock, he doesn’t join me by the time I’ve come out to towel off.

“Are you just going to sit here and watch me like a creep?” The bulge in his boxer briefs is distracting me.

“Sure am, Peach. I need a visual to get me through dinner.”

“Where’s my visual?” I pout.

“Oh you want me to tempt you?” A smirk plays at the corner of his lips.

I crawl up his body from the end of the bed wrapped in my towel. “I sure do.”

He flips me onto my back and settles me into the spot he just left. I put my arms behind my head, just like he did, and let the towel slip down just low enough to dare my nipples to slip out.

With one swift tug, his boxer briefs are on the floor and he’s sauntering to the shower himself. This time I watch his silhouette, the droplets blurring my vision. But I don’t miss the few tugs he gives his cock while staring at me.

I’m fucking soaking wet watching him. My willpower isn’t as good as his because I go to join him in the shower.

“No, no, Peach. Not until after dinner, remember?” He shuts the water off, leaving me standing outside the glass door, very disappointed.

“Seriously? You’re going to deny us what we both want?”

“I’m not denying you, I still have plans for you later.” He slaps my ass. “Now go get that dress on. I want to see what’s underneath it, and I want to see you in it.”

He towels off, standing in the doorway. Reaching over I grab the underwear that was in the bag. I slip them on and then grab the dress, making a show of sticking my lace clad ass in the air when I bend over to step into it.

“Jesus,” he mumbles under his breath.

I pull the dress up my body before turning to face him. There is nothing sexy about applying boob tape under your dress. Or removing it for that matter.

Spinning around slowly, I can almost feel the heat of his gaze on me.

“Hot damn, Peach. I don’t know what’s better, watching you get it on, knowing what’s waiting for me, or getting to fuck you from behind with that dress up around your hips.”

“I think I know my favorite.” Taking my spot on the bed, I cross my legs waiting for him to do the same. “Your turn.”

The muscles in his ass flex as he reaches into the closet to grab his black suit pants and a matching green button down. I watch in rapture as he gets dressed, each button getting closed up and taking my view away.

“Well now that my show’s over I’ve got to get my makeup done.” I abandon my post on the bed and immediately regret the choice when he follows, resting his forearm on the door frame, leaning in to watch me.

“You are really killing me.” I say to his reflection.

“With what?”

“That lean on the door frame. Are you still reading my books?” My lips tip up in a smile at the memory.

“I might be. Coop might have sent over more recommendations.” He grimaces. “I owe him an apology.”

Slapping his chest on my way by, I say, “You sure do. And probably a drink tonight.”

“Or a lay.” He laughs. “You ready to go now?”

“Just need shoes and we’re ready to go.” I turn to put the shoes on, but Hunter stops me, gripping my shoulders.

“You almost forgot this.” He slides the necklace over my head and it hits exactly where I thought it would, right between my breasts. “I can’t wait to have an excuse to stare at this spot all night.” His fingers graze my skin.

Goosebumps pebble my skin with his promises. “You know that means other people will be drawn there too.” I wrap my arms around him.

“Let ‘em look. You’re mine.” His lips take mine, possession laces the kiss.

He pulls away too quickly, ending the kiss. “Okay, nope, this was a tease. You don’t get to touch yet.”

Running away, he leaves me on my own in the bedroom to put my shoes on. I’m half tempted to get that damn vibrator for my underwear, but the fear that it would fall out in the middle of my brother’s brewery is too much.

I’m still flustered when we get to the brewery. His hand slipped into the slit of my dress and his hands caressed my thigh the whole ride over here. It did nothing to calm my libido.

The cool air feels good on my heated cheeks when we get out of the truck.

“Brother, you better be on the lookout. I heard Coop is out to get you tonight.” Wyatt yells from across the parking lot.

“If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Hunt retorts.

We push the doors open and look for the others. Hunter’s head is on a swivel looking for Cooper. His hands hover near his cock, waiting to protect it from his brother.

“Oh! There they are!” I point to the group over by the dance floor.

When I spin back to look at the boys, I’m frozen in my movements again by thinking I’ve seen Neil. But when I do a double take I don’t see the doppelganger anywhere.

“Did you see him again?” Hunter leans forward to whisper in my ear.

“I don’t know. It’s weird but, I swear he has a twin here.” A cold sweat breaks out over my body, I’m just waiting for something to happen. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Girl! This dress looks stunning on you!” Emma runs up to hug me oblivious to my plight.

“Thank you! Hunter surprised me with it.” I smirk because she knew all along. Just like she thought, he surprised me with the tickets for dinner earlier in the week. But I don’t stop looking all around.

“Come on, we already got drinks for everyone.” She pulls my hand and leads me to a table where Anna and Nathan take up their spots at the head of the table.

I follow behind her stiffly, looking for trouble. Hunt laces his fingers in mine. “It’s not him. Don’t worry about it, Peach.”

The first course is uneventful. The appetizers are amazing. I had no idea Clark was so fancy with his cooking. But he does have Violet back there with him using her fancy New York City culinary school cooking.

The salads and entrées pass by with nothing but jokes and banter from the family. And by the time our desserts arrive, I’m falling into a sense of safety that I was definitely wrong about seeing Neil. The sense of peace that I found originally when I moved back.

“Are you okay tonight, sweetie?” Anna leans over and asks me.

“I’m fine.” I plaster on a smile for added effect.

“Are you sure? I’m a mom. I know when you’re lying.” Her brows furrow in concern.

Suddenly the door opens in a flourish, camera crews come in, turned back to the doors.

“What the hell is going on?” Cooper asks Emma.

“I have no idea. This isn’t anything I planned.” She shrugs.

The doors fly open once more and my heart drops into my stomach. Daddy, Mom and Neil.

I was right.

Hunter tenses on my right, and squeezes my thigh before I stand. This is not going to be good and I want to get everyone back outside so I don’t ruin Rome’s night. I rush toward Daddy, who mistakes my worried expression, or ignores it, and pulls me in for a hug.

“Daddy, what are you doing here?” I hiss for only him to hear.

“You’re going to go with this. I have the media here to see this beautiful family interaction in my son’s successful brewery.” He whispers close enough to my ear that his stubble rubs on my cheek.

“Let’s do this outside, please.” I beg. My palms are sweaty with anxiety. I don’t trust Daddy or Neil.

When I’m let go, Neil rushes to my side to pull me in close. Everyone in Rebels is looking at us, some with mouths open, some with shocked expressions, and some have their phones out ready for whatever is coming.

“Neil, please can we go outside?”

Before he can answer, Rome comes rushing out of the kitchen and over to our group.

“What the hell is going on?” All the cameras train on him.

“Son! We’re here for the big family news!” Daddy says joyfully like we’re one big happy family.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Rome fumes and Hunter comes to stand behind him.

Without any warning, Neil drops to one knee and whispers on his way down, “I told you to come home, Evelyn.”

Gasps can be heard throughout the bar. Everyone in Balsam Cliffs knows that I’m with Hunter. They also know the strained relationship Rome and I have with our parents. Especially since I moved home and bought the insurance agency.

“Evelyn Thomas. You just mean the whole world to me. And I couldn’t imagine living another day without you. I would be absolutely honored if you said yes and married me.” He holds up a huge, gaudy ring that I would never wear a day in my life.

“Neil, no. I… this is…”

“She’s speechless, she’s so happy!” Daddy chuckles at the camera.

“The fuck she is.” Hunter pushes his way next to me.

Protectively standing between Neil and I, pushing me behind him.

“I don’t know what the fuck kind of shit you’re trying to pull here, but Evelyn is mine and only mine.

She’s been happy here and I’ll be damned if I let you show up here with some camera crew to make you look good and disturb her peace. ”

The cameramen look at each other and shrug. They clearly don’t know if they should continue filming or not.

“I don’t know who you are or why you’re doing this—”

“Fuck you, Dad. You know damn well who he is. And you know damn well he’s telling the truth.” Rome turns to the other intruders. “Shut this shit down and get the fuck out of my bar before I call the cops.”

They don’t have to be told twice, they tuck tail and run out the door.

“Neil, get up,” I whisper-shout.

He looks at Daddy like the weasel he is. When he gets the nod that it’s okay for him to stand, he follows direction.

I grab Neil by the shirt and drag him out. We’re followed by everyone else. “Neil what the fuck are you doing?”

“I told you, Evelyn. I told you on the phone that you needed to end this charade of yours. It was time to come home and take your spot by my side while I go to work for your father. But you didn’t listen. So really you left us no choice but to come to you. We needed you for approval ratings.”

Between Roman and Hunter I don’t know who is going to be the first one to attempt to throw a punch. But something is holding them back.

“You won’t get her back,” Hunter says. Neil spins to face him.

“What? She’s going to stay here with you? She’s going to be cared for by someone who hammers nails?” He scoffs. “She is welcome to be with you, unless she’s needed in Portland. And right now she’s needed.”

“Yes. That’s exactly what she’s going to do. Stay here. I love her. She loves me. And we have everything we need here in Balsam Cliffs. You’re the one who needs her. Not the other way around and don’t mistake that.” Hunter joins me by my side and I tug him close.

“I’m not coming back to Portland, Neil. You and Daddy are going to have to figure out how to move on without me. I’m happy here and in love with Hunter.”

“Evelyn, what is this? You’re to come home to Portland immediately. Engaged to Neil. We need the PR and you’re part of this.”

What the hell is happening right now? These two have gone off the deep end.