Closer Than A Brother Read online

  “Oh?”

  He smiled at her. “I’m going to walk away before something starts that neither one of us will be able to stop.”

  He left before she could say anything else.

  Chapter Five

  “What are you doing?” Brandi walked in her room. “You’ve been in here for a while, honey. Are you okay? Oh wow! Look at you!” Brandi said, looking over the dark blue halter dress. Danielle was just finishing tying the straps behind her neck.

  “You don’t think it’s too much?” Danielle asked turning around to show her bare back.

  “No! I love that dress! If you find it in red, please send me one.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” She smiled at her friend.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Brandi dropped to Dani’s bed watching her place earrings in her ears.

  “He followed me to my room.”

  “Really and what happened?”

  “He told me we have unfinished business.”

  “He wants his girl.”

  “I’m not his girl.”

  “Yet. You can keep fighting it, or you can just enjoy the fact that pesky, little kid grew up to be a delicious looking man, and he still has a crush on you.”

  “He tastes delicious.”

  “You kissed him?”

  “He kissed me.”

  “And?”

  “He is an incredible kisser. Makes me wonder how he would be in bed.”

  “You are thinking about sleeping with him?”

  “That is just so crazy. I’m not talking about this right now. We are going to go out. We are going to have a good time tonight. I’m not talking about or thinking about sleeping with Shane Matthews. I’ll probably find a fine brotha at his club anyway, and then what?” She asked, picking up her bag to walk to the door.

  “You’ll break Shane’s heart,” her friend answered following her out the door.

  * * * *

  Shane left her house with a raging hard-on. He said good-bye to his mother and Miss Izzy quickly. He had to get out of there. “Could you ask Brandi and Dani to meet us at Imagez?” He asked, kissing his mother on the cheek. “I need to run by my house really quick and take care of some things at the club, and you never know how long ladies will take to get ready.”

  “You aren’t being a very good date,” his mother scolded.

  “Ma, this is hardly a date. You know Danielle doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.”

  “Nonsense,” his mother pouted. “I want grandbabies, Shane.”

  “Ma, come on, not right now. Besides, we both know that would never happen with her.” He laughed. “I gotta go.”

  “Shane Scott Matthews.”

  He cringed. His full name never meant anything good. “Ma’am?”

  “If you love her, you tell her.”

  Love her? I adore her. No other woman would ever compare.

  He kissed his mother. “Thanks, Ma. I love you. Mom two!” He called out to Miss Izzy as she came to join them. He gave Danielle’s mother a hug. “You’re food—awesome as always. Love you.” He left the two women watching him with a knowing grin.

  * * * *

  “Where is this club?” She asked checking her hair in the vanity mirror. Brandi drove them in her SUV.

  “We’ll be there in just a couple minutes,” Brandi responded.

  “I can’t believe they left and made us come to them. I’m not into chasing guys,” Danielle complained.

  “Have you seen them?”

  “Brandi, stop it. This is not about how they look. This is about how they treat a woman.”

  Brandi laughed. “Girl, please,” she said, swinging into a parking area at the valet. “We are going to Imagez,” she said, winking at the man who took her keys. He handed her a ticket.

  Brandi joined Dani on the walkway. “Hey,” she said coming up beside her. “There are two sexy, younger men in there waiting for us. We are going to go in there, we are going to have fun, and we are not going to think twice about anything we decide to do, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Imagez was alive and kicking when they entered. “Ladies, may I see ID?” The woman at the entrance asked. A big gentleman stood behind her in case there were any problems. They produced their ID’s, handing them to the lady. “Brandi and Danielle?” The bleached blonde asked.

  “Yes?” they said in unison.

  “You are Imagez VIP tonight. Thor, please show these ladies in.” The husky bouncer offered his arm to the ladies leading them through the dancing crowd to a less-crowded area. The music wasn’t as loud here. A booth was set in the far corner. “Ladies, if you will just wait here, Shane and Jason are taking care of some business, but they will be with you in a few minutes. Can I get you a drink?” The ladies put in their request for a fruit-infused martini and stood at a high-top table.

  “Shane and Jason will be with you in a minute,” Danielle mimicked. “I like how they invite us to their club, leave us to find our own way, and then keep us waiting once we get here. Oh yeah, that’s sexy,” she complained.

  Brandi raised a knowing brow. “I think you care about Shane more than you want to admit.”

  “I think you are full of shit.”

  “We are here to have fun, dance, drink, and not think about anything, Dani. You are only in town for a little while. Let’s not start a fight with the local boys, especially ones in uniform, if you don’t mind.”

  * * * *

  “What did they order?” Shane asked as he and Jason walked to the bar.

  “Are you talking about hot Miss Brandi and her sexy friend that just walked into the VIP?” the bartender asked.

  “Watch it, Marcus,” Shane growled.

  “Sorry, man, I didn’t realize Brandi’s friend was your date.”

  “After tonight he hopes for more than just that.” Jason chuckled, taking the glasses off the bar. “The lady with the curly hair asked for the green-apple martini. Brandi asked for her usual, pomtini.”

  “Danielle looks hot in that blue dress, man. Are you going to be able to contain yourself?” Jason teased.

  “I’ll be fine. Just take your woman and get out of here. You two have helped enough,” Shane mumbled.

  “Do you think Dani will be mad to hear that Brandi and I have been dating?”

  “Let Brandi deal with that. She’s her friend.”

  “I’m your friend and business partner, and I’m telling you to calm down. Don’t lay it on too thick or she’ll be running away in no time.”

  “Jason, honestly man, I’m not the same stupid kid that tried to get Danielle’s attention before. This is different. I definitely plan on getting her attention this time.”

  * * * *

  The minute he walked into the VIP, she devoured him—from the top of his dark blonde hair, to his tanned skin, and over the faded jeans covering muscled thighs—with her gaze. An involuntary groan escaped her lips.

  “Down girl.” Brandi smirked.

  “Damn,” Danielle muttered. “Where is that drink we asked for?”

  “The guys have them.” She met Jason halfway and wrapped her arms around his neck. Since when does Brandi kiss men she isn’t with like that? she wondered, watching her friend. Jason’s hands dropped to her friend’s waist, pulling her to him. “What is going on there?” she asked taking her drink from Shane.

  “Oh, Jason and Brandi? They’ve been dating on and off for about two years.”

  “What?”

  “You didn’t know?”

  “No, the hell I did not.”

  “They look good together.” He watched her.

  “Yeah, I guess they do,” she answered, swiping a glance at Shane. “Is there a reason I’m the last to learn about their relationship?”

  “I thought Brandi would have told you.”

  “I will grill her about that later.” Shane and Danielle watched the couple leave the VIP.

  “So I guess it’s just you and me.” He turned to her. “You look great,
Dani.”

  He looked over her blue dress. The force of his gaze left tingles in its wake. “Why didn’t you get yourself a drink?” she asked, taking a sip of her martini and avoiding his gaze.

  “Because I don’t drink while I’m at work.”

  “You’re working tonight?”

  “I own the place. I have to stay up on everything going on without being under the influence.”

  “Okay, then. Are you able to dance while you’re here?”

  He smiled at her. “Are you asking me to dance?”

  “Not necessarily,” she mumbled.

  “Well I’m asking you.” He stepped toward her. “May I?” He took the drink out of her hands and placed it on the table next to them, not waiting for her response.

  “Won’t any of the people in the VIP take offense to the owner dancing with me? I mean really, I saw a few of these ladies give me a really mean look when you came over here to me. Aren’t you pissing off a girlfriend or something?”

  He didn’t answer her as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “You are not going to make excuses to keep from dancing with me tonight, Danielle.” He tightened his grip. Her breasts were firmly pressed against his hard body, and she watched as his eyes grew darker as he looked down at her. “There are no girlfriends to be jealous of anything. Besides, none of these women here compare to you,” he said against her ear.

  Her heart fluttered. I can’t believe I’m being wooed by little Shane.

  “You have a way with words, Shane. You continue to flatter me,” she purred as his hands ran up and down her bare back.

  “This is a fast song, Shane. Why are we slow dancing?”

  “I want to feel you against me.”

  “Stop that.” She stepped away from him. “You can’t…you shouldn’t be touching me like that.”

  He smirked at her. “Tell me you don’t like it and I’ll stop.”

  “I-I…” She turned, picked up her drink and took a sip. She cleared her throat. “I can’t feel any way about you, other than how I would feel about a brother.”

  Shane moved her closer to him. “Are you sure that is the only way you can feel about me, Danielle?” He put his forehead to hers.

  “Shane, stop it,” she whimpered.

  He looked around them at the other couples in the VIP dancing. “Come with me,” he said taking her hand.

  “Wait, where are we going?” she asked before draining the last of her drink and leaving the glass on the table.

  “I want to show you my office.”

  This can only mean trouble, she thought as he guided her out of the room.

  * * * *

  Shane’s and Jason’s offices were above the club on the second floor. “I can see them, but they can’t see me?” she asked him, looking out over the dance floor. They could see everything happening below.

  “That’s right. The walls are double-sided mirrors, much like the mirrors we use in interrogation rooms. Everyone standing on the outside, looking in, only see their reflection,” he explained. “Jason’s office is next door, set up the same as this office.”

  “This is very nice. It seems very cozy and private.” She turned to look at him. “How often do you bring girls up here to party, Officer Matthews?” She raised a brow at him. He joined her where she stood.

  “Not often,” he said with all seriousness. He caught her gaze with his. She looked away first.

  Ten years ago, if Shane looked at her, she would have had no problems telling him to go away. The way he looked at her now made her want to cream herself on the spot. She had to get away from him. She needed distance. He wasn’t moving, so she had to do it herself.

  “May I?” She pointed to a sofa on the opposite side of the room.

  “Please, make yourself comfortable. So, tell me, what brings you back home?”

  “Hmm?” she asked, turning to him before she could reach the couch.

  “Well, you are back from New York. One might wonder why, when you haven’t been home in a long, long time.”

  “Maybe that is the reason,” she answered. “Do I need to explain?”

  “Simple question, Dani. No need to get upset.” He closed the distance again. This time an arm wrapped around her waist before she had time to think or stop it.

  “W-what are you doing?” She knew as the words left her mouth she’d failed to hide just how much he affected her.

  Shane grinned slowly, illuminating his handsome face. “I told you we have unfinished business.”

  “There is nothing…between us.” She could feel her cheeks growing warm as his blue-gray eyes dropped to her lips. She knew exactly what he had in mind and that scared her, because she was thinking about the same thing.

  “You see, that is where you’re wrong. I’m not the pesky, little kid that used to bug the shit out of you. I have changed a lot since then. I hoped that you would notice.”

  The beating of her heart and the heat of his gaze was every indication that she noticed just fine. He firmly pressed her lower back with his hand, inching her lower front closer to him. He pressed his hard length against her belly letting her know how he felt. Her gaze lowered to his lips. “What are we doing?” she asked, voice shaking.

  What is wrong with you, girl. This is Shane.

  “Tell me what you want, Danielle.” His lips were just a breath away from hers. She searched his eyes, filled with lust, admiration, and pure want for her. Oh, what the hell. She wrapped both of her hands around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

  She thought she would have control of the situation. She went into the kiss confident that she did, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Need took over the minute their mouths touched. He caressed the insides of her mouth with his tongue, and moaned his pleasure. She felt his desire for her, turning her on and driving her wild. She became numb as she felt his hands run up her bare back. The contact of his skin against hers sent waves of heat over her body. She let her hands drop from the nape of his neck, searching for the waistband of his jeans. She pulled his T-shirt up over his head. He immediately returned his mouth to hers. She ran her hands down his arms, across his contoured abs, and back up to his chest.

  God help me. His body is rock solid.

  She rolled her head back as he began kissing her neck. He worked his tongue in lazy circles over her pulse and she begin to work on his belt. He let his hands fall to her butt, kneading at her cheeks as he worked his way up to her jaw to her ear. “You feel so good,” he growled in her ear. “If you want to stop, you better tell me now. It will be hard as hell to stop anything that happens beyond this point.”

  She opened her eyes to look at him. Damn how she would feel about all of this in the morning—she would deal with that then. She wanted this man now. She undid his pants, watching them fall to his ankles. His eyes glazed over when she slid a hand between their bodies and cupped his balls though his boxer briefs.

  “You want to show me how much of a man you are, Shane Matthews? I want to see what you’ve got. We will let tomorrow worry about itself.” She caressed and fondled him through his briefs. A firm hand caught her wrist.

  “You never thought I was good enough for you.”

  “I never said that.”

  “You didn’t have to say anything. It was the way you treated me.”

  “Shane, I’m sorry. I was a stupid teenager.”

  “You were beautiful.” He tangled his fingers in her hair at the nape of her neck angling her head to allow him access. “You still are,” he mumbled as his mouth found hers again. He untied her dress at the neck and let the halter top fall forward, baring her breasts to him.

  His gaze darkened, and she heard a low moan escape his lips as he feasted on the sight of her. His hands recaptured her ass, hoisting her up until her legs wrapped around his waist.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as he began to walk with her wrapped around his body.

  “Just hang on,” he muttered. Positioning her against
the cool glass overlooking the club, he captured her right breast in his mouth circling her erect nipple with his tongue and softly nibbling at her. She braced herself against his shoulders. The chill of the glass against her back set off her nerves even more. His free hand worked down her body and over her bare thighs.

  “You aren’t wearing panties either,” he said against her nipple. She couldn’t respond, and couldn’t deny it. Her legs were wrapped around him, her pussy creaming his belly. He had her wet and wanting him. His hand disappeared underneath her dress. She inhaled sharply when his fingers moved over her moist lips.

  “Mmm, you trim?”

  She opened eyes that had flickered shut in pleasure, and looked at him. “Yes.” The word was barely audible as his hand moved between their bodies, sliding easily on her juices. He rolled two fingers over her nub. She yelped in delight. He recaptured her nipple in his warm mouth. She bore her fingers into the flesh of his shoulders.

  “Yes, touch me there.” She clamped her eyes shut, enjoying the pleasure of his fingers against her.

  “Let me taste you,” he asked.

  Her eyes shot open as he carried her to the couch. He lowered her under him, kissing her mouth slowly. His hands were on an exploration of their own, pulling her free from her dress. She lay naked before him. He ran his hot gaze over her body, admiration showing. Running his warm hands over her belly and over her sensitive V, he gently parted her legs and continued his journey. Her eyes rolled shut when his fingers found her opening. He moved two fingers into her slowly. He captured her mouth with his when she tried to voice her pleasure. His free hand found a breast, working her nipple to a hardened pearl. He massaged his fingers in and out of her warmth.

  The sudden absence of his body heat made her open her eyes. She was not expecting his tongue and mouth to join the assault. His fingers moved in and out of her body as his mouth moved over her clit. Her fingers moved through his hair, pressing him closer to her heat.

  “Ahh, Shane,” she moaned his name.

  “You are so sweet, baby. I could do this all night.”

  “Please don’t stop,” she gasped.

  “I have no intentions of stopping. Come for me, Dani.”

  She arched her body off the couch. The first of her orgasms started to flow over her body as Shane worked her spot with penetrating finger thrusts. She rose from the couch and yelled his name. He met her mouth capturing his name in his mouth. She tasted herself on his lips. His hands found her breasts as they fell to the couch together.