Chapter One

Wholesome?

Had Jessica Hayes’ twin brother just used the word wholesome to describe his girlfriend as she swayed on the reception dance floor, alone, fifteen feet away? Surely, Jessica hadn’t heard right.

Of all the words Jessica might use to describe the lithe brunette a few yards away on the rented parquet planted on the Hayes’ lawn, wholesome was not one. Willowy. Lush. Sultry, even, but never wholesome. Not since the moment she’d met her twin brother’s girlfriend did she ever get a wholesome impression of Sabrina French.

But her brother, Kyle, had just claimed her to be, standing next to Jessica, arms crossed over his wide chest and an awe in his voice that she’d never heard before. Not in relation to a girl anyway. Of course, this was the first girl he’d brought home to meet the family in all his twenty-one years. Their mother had been so stunned by the “miracle” that she’d been rendered speechless for a full five seconds. A record, to be sure. But she wasn’t the only one.

Jessica had lost all train of thought too, but not for the same reason. Definitely not. She wasn’t relieved to see her brother finally getting serious about someone, not once she saw Sabrina and every last ounce of breath seemed to pull from her body then whoosh right back in like a tidal wave. Had there been less chaos in the room, one of her brothers surely would not only have noticed but likely rushed to her side, pressed a hand to her brow and fanned her face. Or pinched her, depending on which of the three saw. But none had.

Thankfully, in perfect matriarchal fashion, Corinne Hayes had recovered and welcomed Sabrina with both arms and a kiss per cheek. Their mother had then proceeded to gush enough to have all three brothers’ eyes rolling so well that no one saw Jessica slip out of the kitchen to gather her blown wits back about her.

It hadn’t taken long--no more than a couple of deep breaths and calming scolds from her addled brain--and she’d returned to the kitchen in time to be properly introduced to Sabrina. Warm green-brown eyes and a long slender hand reached out to her. And Jessica had nodded and smiled back, swallowing down her pulse but not attempting to speak since it would only have come out a croak.

This wasn’t the first time she’d been struck by a beautiful woman, just the strongest and most errant. Sabrina was Kyle’s girlfriend, for Christ’s sake. She had no business fluttering over any of her three brothers’ girls and most of all Kyle’s. He was more than her brother. He was her best friend.

And her best friend-brother was deluded. Not that she could blame him. Sabrina was enchanting. In the few days she’d stayed with the family, she’d won each of the Hayes’ clan over, even Jessica’s stern and reserved father. Watching her now, moving to the music like a snake being charmed, the string of lights competing with the stars above, Jessica’s chest ached.

She took another sip of champagne, refusing to comment on Kyle’s description. What good would it do to argue when he was so clearly enamored of his mistaken impression of her? Besides, how could Jessica explain how she knew he was wrong? Having a massive crush on the girl didn’t make her an expert after all.

In part, she hurt for her brother. He didn’t really know the girl who’d stolen his heart. If he did, he’d never use the word wholesome to describe her in the sermon he’d just given Jessica on why he was certain that Sabrina was the one. The one? They’d only been dating a few weeks, for crying out loud. And he thought she was the one?

Another ache swelled in her chest. Sabrina. She wasn’t the one. Not for Kyle anyway. Jessica would never say so though. She loved her brother too much to see that look in his eyes die because of her. She knew that look. Had looked that look on far too many occasions. But it was Kyle’s first.

“Why don’t you go dance with her?” she asked him, after a stretch of silence between them.

At first he didn’t answer, then he shrugged.

“Because she looks so happy out there now without me. I’d only lose my rhythm and stub her toe.” He sent Jessica a loopy smile. “Why don’t you go dance with her?”

Jessica snorted. “No. I am not the person to send in after your girlfriend. Go ask Davis to.”

“He’s too drunk,” Kyle said, glancing in the middle Hayes brother’s direction. “And looks to be too busy hitting on that server.” Kyle flashed his eyebrows up.

Jessica shook her head and bit back the giggly smile creeping up her cheeks. “Then Lawrence. Go get Lawrence to. It’s his duty as oldest anyway, not mine.”

“Nah. Lawrence is busy necking his bride,” Kyle said, cocking his head in that charmer way of his that always worked on their mother and likely every other heterosexual female on the planet. “Besides, girls like dancing with other girls far more than with a guy. I see you all, out in your flocks, grinding your hips, never letting one wander away.”

If he only knew how tempting his request was, he wouldn’t be asking her. But, she’d already promised herself, no matter what, to her dying day, he would never, ever know that she was attracted to Sabrina. Very, very attracted.

“We do that with friends,” Jessica said, latching onto the first excuse her brain could muster. “Sabrina hardly knows me well enough to welcome me on the dance floor.” She ignored the rush of heat in her belly, down her thighs.

“Nonsense. You two have gotten along famously,” he said, using their mother’s favorite wording and matching Corinne’s tone far too well. “Why you’re thick as thieves. Now go on, Jessica.” Then he shuffled his hands in the air.

Jessica glared her refusal and crossed her arms over her bright green bridesmaid’s taffeta. “No.” She would have crossed her legs too, to keep them from moving straight into the direction they so wanted to go, but she was standing and three glasses of champagne did not a graceful Jessica make.

Kyle exhaled loudly. “All right, but I think she’d be really hurt if she knew. I really think she digs you, Jessie. She can’t stop talking about you. I can just see you two up there every night in your room whispering and giggling like a couple of teenagers.”

Egh. The burn rose up to her cheeks. Guilt. His favorite weapon and so well used on her every time. He knew that of all things, Jessica would not want to hurt someone’s feelings and most times would set aside her own discomfort for another’s comfort. Plus, she liked--(too much)--that Sabrina talked about her. Bastard. She rolled her eyes and tightened her arms under her breasts, not caring how much extra cleavage plumped out. There weren’t enough wedding guests left for her mother to worry about seeing such an improper thing anyhow.

She wouldn’t give in. She couldn’t. If Kyle knew what kind of fire he was asking her to play with, he’d end the torture and never say another word. But he couldn’t know, and that was the droplet that broke the dam. If she grew too adamant, he might suspect what was really going on.

Her feet were moving before she could even scald him with a solid I’ll never forgive you for this glare. His low chuckle behind her only deepened the desire to keep going. To get closer to the object of both their desires. As the music turned and her low heels clicked onto the small dance floor, Jessica felt something inside of her ignite. Letting go of a shaky breath, she slowly approached Sabrina.

Her eyes were closed and the dark lashes fanned and shadowed her skin. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” hit its fifth note and Sabrina opened her eyes as Jessica stopped in front of her. Jessica dropped the arm she’d been about to tap her shoulder with and smiled lopsidedly.

“Jessie.” Sabrina’s face lit with pleasure, amplifying the breathy note of her voice. Jessie. Kyle was the only one she’d ever allowed to call her Jessie and only because they were twins. Anyone else, she’d have pitched a fit over doing so from her youngest age. But, Sabrina could call her Jessie. On her lips, it felt like a kiss.

“Thought you might want company,” Jessica said, impressed with how smooth her words came out. Finding the beat of the music, letting the lyrics speak for her soul. She might be a bit shy, a little awkward, but three glasses of champagne made dancing easy.

Sabrina narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips curled mischievously. “Did Kyle send you in for me?”

“No.” But her voice rose too high. “Just love this song and saw you out here.” She nodded her head and pressed her lips down to verify the lie.

Sabrina’s delicate brows arched and her smile widened. “Well, if he didn’t send you after me, then you came because you wanted to dance.”

Jessica heard the dare but saw no way out of it. “Mmm-hmm. I haven’t danced yet. And my mother always says you have to dance at weddings. At least once. Otherwise you may insult your host. Or hostess.” It might’ve sounded a bit more believable if she could have gotten her voice to lower to a normal sounding pitch.

“Then you’ll dance with me?”

“What was that?” Jessica said, hardly able to hear above the sudden thump of her heartbeat and buzz in her veins.

Sabrina stepped closer, her shoulder--bare and glowing where the spaghetti strap had fallen away--coyly shrugging. She bent close and Jessica’s neck tickled under the warmth of her breath. “Dance with me.”

Jessica swallowed. Dance with her? Never in her life had she more wished the world could disappear and only one other person could exist in a single moment, suspended forever. Sabrina faced her, her warmth leaving Jessica’s skin. The lights strung above them turned her parents’ backyard-made reception lawn into someplace suddenly magical. The other dancers faded in the backdrop. Jessica blinked rapidly, trying to clear the sudden whir in her head. If Sabrina only knew what she was doing to her right then.

But, how could she?

How could she know that from the second she’d laid eyes on her, Jessica’s world had tipped off balance?

Sabrina’s eyes shone bright in the dim evening lights. Bright with what? Effects of alcohol? The glow of mischief? Jessica knew what she wanted that shine to be and a small hopeless part of her drank it in.

And those eyes were waiting for her to take what felt like a dare. With another gulp, Jessica lowered her lashes, tipped her head and nodded. “Yeah. I’ll dance with you.”

To anyone else, she was sure the exchange looked like no more than two friends sharing a secret, as girls do--according to her mom. And maybe it was what Sabrina intended--a secret little dare, an innocent tease. But, what was born, grew.

Thankfully, the DJ stuck with sexy and hip rather than slow or seductive. The latter might have changed things, changed Jessica’s moves to something obvious. As Marvin Gaye’s persuasions faded, Jessica gave in to fantasy and danced the night away, letting laughter bubble up and out alongside the exquisite happiness as she bumped and twirled and twisted to song after song.

With Sabrina.

As the reception cleared of final guests and the bride and groom made their escape to their hotel, Jessica sighed, still smiling. She watched her brother kiss Sabrina, whisper something in her ear, and denied how much it hurt to see.

Those chocolate pixie curls and slender hips would be gone tomorrow, back to school. And in her wake, Jessica knew she’d feel a little hollow. But not yet. Not until morning and the night was not over.

Not that she’d try to take advantage of the intimacy gained in those handfuls of songs. She’d never make a pass at Kyle’s girlfriend, or any of her brothers’ for that matter. There were things you just didn’t do to family, lines that couldn’t be uncrossed.

But, thanks to her mother, Sabrina and Jessica would bunk together one last night. She would get no sleep. Again. But it would be worth it. To watch her sleep, to talk for that last hour about things she had never told anybody, but could tell her.

Sabrina kissed Kyle back then looked over her shoulder in Jessica’s direction. Before their eyes could meet, Jessica looked away and walked past a group of lingering guests. There really was no need to stand there and gawk. In no time, she’d be in her room, changed into pajamas, brushed, fluffed and ready for Sabrina to come in for the night.

A trill of anticipation rippled down her belly at the image forming in her head. Maybe she’d brave pushing back a tendril from Sabrina’s forehead as they whispered about law school or summer camps again. And tuck it behind her ear, the way Sabrina had done to Jessica last night.

Maybe their toes would touch.

Maybe Sabrina would kiss her cheek goodnight.

Upstairs, Jessica stared at her reflection in her full-length mirror. Her nipples hardened and poked tents in the thin cotton tank top. And the little boxers showed far too much leg. What was she thinking? Was she daring too much? Her eyes lingered at her breasts. She imagined Sabrina’s hands cupping them, tentatively, curiously, like a woman innocent of how to touch another woman in such a way.

A surge of warmth raced between Jessica’s thighs. Her own hands cupped her breasts and she closed her eyes, letting her mind drink in the dream for a stolen moment. Her breasts grew heavy, tingled and wanted more. More that could not be satisfied by her own hands. Then she opened her eyes and shook her head as though it might clear the images of Sabrina. Her mouth bent to lick a nipple, her hands caressing, sending rushes of pleasure--such a reaction or action would never see fruition. She’d better stop these kinds of thoughts before they got her so hot and bothered she did something stupid. Something she would regret.

Quickly, hearing murmurs and footsteps on the stairs outside her door, Jessica slipped off the boxers and shoved her legs through her shabbiest sweatpants. But, before she could change into a loose t-shirt, the knob of her door clicked open, then paused.

Her breath caught and she stood still, gaze fixed on the knob. When it released the other way and another click sounded, she leapt for her queen sized four-poster bed. She fumbled for the book on her nightstand and left the single low light there on. She might not be able to show her true feelings, but she would never miss her last night with Sabrina by accidentally falling asleep.

Over the last five nights, it had become like a ritual for them. She would read--well, pretend to read and try not to watch the clock--until Sabrina entered on bare feet. At first her nose wrinkled in uncertainty, then relaxed and a smile fixed on her face. Yes, Jessica would be awake.

She kept her eyes on the door, her book forgotten, and strained to make out words in the murmurs. It was her. She knew it was her. And she was with Kyle. Hearing the giggles made her teeth clench, her cheeks burn. He was trying to seduce her, and right outside Jessica’s door!

But then she had no right to be angry over that. He was her brother, and a young man who was rather prolific when it came to seductions. Never before had such sisterly awareness made her skin itch.

She rubbed her shoulders and nearly got up to press her ear to the door when it clicked again and a sliver of bright light fell across the hard wood flooring. Jessica let out a shaky breath and only then did she realize she’d been holding it in turns.

Sabrina’s voice carried to her ears. “Kyle, stop it. I have to get up at the crack of dawn.” Kiss. Murmur from Kyle. Probably spoken through a neck nuzzle.

Jessica silently willed Sabrina to step across the threshold, to change the flirtation in her voice into firm resolve. She ran a hand over her brow and picked up the book.

The door opened.

Jessica looked up expectantly.

Kyle.

Where was Sabrina?

With a glance past his shoulder, her brother stepped inside and closed the door. “Hey,” he whispered.

“Hey,” she whispered back, ignoring the catch in her throat. “What are you doing in here?”

“Sabrina went to get her shoes. She forgot them downstairs.” He moved to her bed, his shoes squeaking over the floor. He sat. “Hey, I need your help.”

Jessica tensed. “With what?” She could feel what he was going to say in the pit of dread in her stomach.

“Sabrina leaves in the morning.”

She nodded. “I know.” Sheesh, did she ever. And every minute that she wasn’t here was a waste of Jessica’s valuable crush time.

“We haven’t gotten any real time alone, you know?”

“So?”

“So, I’m going to explode.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Help me out with her.”

Explode? He had no idea of the half of it. She couldn’t speak and didn’t move, just blinked back at him.

“Just sleep in my room tonight. Mom will never know in the dark if she comes in to check on any of us.”

“No,” she said it so fast, he didn’t seem to hear it.

“And then in the morning, when she leaves, we’ll switch back.”

“No.” And though not a single reason why not entered her mind, she couldn’t agree to what he asked. He could see her again. He could taste her, touch her, anytime he wanted. Was it too much to ask to have one single night of chatter and sleep before she let go of a dream that had no business forming in the first place?

Kyle frowned at her, his eyes flashed in anger. But before he could lay into her, the door opened. Sabrina tiptoed in, her nose wrinkled, shoulders up, and stopped cold when she saw Kyle.

“What are you doing in here?” she demanded, setting her shoes less than gently on her suitcase.

Kyle rose and tipped his chin at her. “Talking to the best sister in the entire planet.” He bent a little so their faces were level. “She’s going to sleep in my room tonight so we can be alone.” His charmer smile put a sweet period on his sentence.

And Jessica wished she could slap it from his face. She opened her mouth to protest but Sabrina beat her to it.

“You can’t do that to her, Kyle. Besides, I’m exhausted and you’re drunk. Just go to bed. I’ll come wake you in the morning.”

Kyle put his hands in his pockets, wavered slightly and even tried a slight pout, but he didn’t argue. Jessica raptly watched the exchange, her hopes rising with each firm word.

He kissed her cheek, nodded and slipped out the door on quiet feet. Before he shut it, he blew a kiss and winked. As his footsteps faded, Sabrina came over and plopped onto the bed. She let out a breathy, exasperated sigh.

“I know he’s your brother, but can I just say, 'Thank God he's gone for the night'?”

Jessica laughed, and placed her thumb between her teeth to keep from smiling like a lovesick fool. Both straps hung at Sabrina’s bare arms, exposing the hollow of her collarbone, the smooth line of her silhouette. Jessica wanted to run her tongue along that line, wanted to taste that skin.

“He has the most one track mind of any man I have ever known. And he’s too persuasive, by far,” Sabrina said, her gaze on the ceiling. She peeked over then rolled toward Jessica, propping her head on an elbow.

A hint of cleavage peeked out of her scooped bodice. Jessica kept her eyes on Sabrina’s face, and not on her mouth. “He’s a Hayes. They’re all famous for their charm and persistence. Even my father, back in the day, according to my mother.”

“Then it’s genetic,” Sabrina said.

And if Jessica didn’t know better, she’d say Sabrina was trying not to look at her nipples. But then, even if she was, that could hardly be construed the way her infatuated mind was inclined to.

A soft knock broke the small silence. Jessica moved to get up but Kyle peeked in before she could. Sabrina bolted upright. Before Jessica could hiss a scold though, he tossed in a black bundle and whispered, “Wear this and think of me.” Another wink to Sabrina and he was gone again.

Sabrina shook out the fabric. A t-shirt. A vintage heavy metal t-shirt. Sheesh. Kyle was farther gone than Jessica had realized.

With a shrug, Sabrina stood, pulled her dress up over her head and picked up the shirt. Jessica cleared her throat and forced her eyes to her book, but she had seen what her body craved and the rush of heat that trembled up her thighs and down her belly to nestle in a coil of want.

Long legs tapered up to slim hips and an impossibly flat stomach. And it didn’t stop there. The little black lacy panties only acted as an exclamation for her eyes to keep going up. Two small, high, round, perfectly delicious looking breasts stared back at her, bouncing with Sabrina’s movements.

Her book. She must read her book and breathe, she must breathe. But her pulse throbbed indelibly in her throat, begging her to glance just once more. And she did. Forcing a calm smile on her face and trying to think of something casual to say, she looked up.

Sabrina was watching her and the soft curl of her lips widened when their eyes met. “Are you a fan?”

“Huh?” Jessica didn’t know whether to be relieved or crushed. Sabrina was dressed. In nothing more than those little panties and an aged rocker t-shirt. Her ringlets were losing their bounce and hung limply, framing her heart shaped face.

She pointed to her chest. Oh. The band. Was she a fan of the band. No. “No. The guys like metal. I’ve never been much for it. Unless you count the love songs.”

Sabrina giggled, rounding the bed to her side, her cheeks peeking out from under the tee as she ran her hands over her hair. Jessica’s face warmed, along with another more southerly area. Her nervous tension slipped away when Sabrina wiggled under the covers and propped herself sideways.

“What are you reading?”

Jessica set the book down on the stand, switched off the light and propped herself, too. Happiness bubbled up inside of her. “Nothing exciting.” Nothing so wonderful as this.