Chapter One
SHE COULDN’T BELIEVE it. The man had his own frigging apartment! Why the hell were they doing the dirty deed right against the wall where Karla could hear every single moan and grunt? Revenge, that’s what it was. Pure, cruel, unadulterated revenge. Aimee was getting her back for every time Karla brought a guy home and forced her sister to hear the lustful sounds of Karla’s lovemaking. Rude.
“They definitely seem to be having fun,” Brad whispered, as he circled Karla’s n****e with his finger. “Is it too much for you to relax and have your own fun? I’ll understand if you just want to lay here and cuddle a bit.”
Karla stared at him, her eyes wide, lips pressed together. “Karla Harper does not cuddle. No, Aimee is only doing this because of how we acted the last time you came over. Nope. She’s not going to get the last moan.” She reached out to Brad’s broad shoulders, pulling him down on top of her as she swung a leg around his legs and kissed his throat. “Now, f**k me.”
He just chuckled. “I am not getting into a humping contest between you and your sister to see who can make the most noise. No, the last time you stuck me between the two of you in something, I wound up looking like an i***t at a restaurant. Forget it. Not again.”
“What? Why? She’s already heard us having s*x before. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is I don’t perform.” He rolled over, slipping an arm behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. “I came over here tonight to be with you. I thought that’s why you invited me to come back once you finished your closing shift at Sand Dune. I really thought you were apologizing for how you treated me in front of Mitch a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t come here to be the bull in a competition between you and your twin sister.”
Karla wouldn’t give up that easy. True, she treated him like s**t at that Italian restaurant just a couple of weeks ago, wanting to ruin Aimee’s date with Mitch, even though it proved to be unnecessary. Aimee only planned on opening her legs for Clint Asher, their neighbor down the hall. Yet, for a while that’s not what it looked like. It seemed like Aimee planned on breaking their long-standing rule of no guy sleeping with both twins, and Mitch tried his best to make it happen. Brad, however, was a casualty in a fight between the sisters that Aimee didn’t even know was happening. Karla used him after he was so helpful in getting Mitch to fix Aimee’s car, which Mitch would have done for free if Aimee hadn’t gotten all high and mighty. Karla was wrong to use Brad that way, and she wasn’t above admitting it. Or above having s*x with him as a way to apologize.
She tossed the covers off her naked form and straddled Brad, her hands pinning his shoulders in place as she ground her s*x on his. “This isn’t a competition; it’s an apology, remember? Now lay there and let me apologize.”
He just grinned at her, his perfect teeth almost glistening in the lamplight, his bald head shining. “Are you sure? Because it seems like quite a bit more. We can always do this another time.”
“We can, but that doesn’t mean we can’t also do it now, as well.” She leaned down, planting warm kisses on his n*****s as she circled her tongue around the shriveling nubs. “Are you saying you don’t want me? That hurts my heart.” She nipped at his n****e, making him tense.
“Hurt your heart? I doubt that very much,” he chuckled. “Now, your ego on the other hand…”
She bit down hard on his swollen n****e, making him yelp. “Rude,” she said, as she sat up straighter. “Now, are we going to screw around or are you going to act pouty.”
He laughed as he flipped her back over. “If I’m pouty, it’s because you made me this way.” He held her hands above her head as he kneed her legs open. “You’re infuriatingly insufferable.”
“What? You don’t find that appealing?” She wrapped her legs around his, holding his manhood against her heat. She could feel his c**k growing against her, bringing an evil grin to her lips.
“Frustrating is a better word for it.”
“I can help with that frustration.” She did her best to grind against his hardness, her eyes promising relief to his pent-up situation.
Brad grinned at her as he teased her opening with the head of his c**k. “I don’t know; maybe I should punish you a little bit more. Make you pay for the way you treated me.”
“If you want to punish me, then bend me over your lap and spank me. This is more like torture.” She shoved her hips upward, hoping to shove him inside of her, but he was prepared and pulled back some while keeping her pinned. And laughing at her. “Brad!” She screamed, not caring that her sister could hear her.
“Yes?”
“f**k me, dammit!”
“Bossy, bossy,” he said, still grinning, but then he plunged his c**k deep inside of her, making her mouth pop open as she arched her back, her chest rising to meet his. He held her in place as he continued to pound her, not giving her the chance to respond on her own. She didn’t care. She needed what he gave her and let him take her. Soon, the sounds of her sister having s*x were drowned out by her own.
She wasn’t sure how long it took, but soon, she felt her orgasm ripple through her, her body shuddering as he kept thrusting into her. She clawed him, her fingernails digging into his back and shoulders, her heels pounding into his legs. By the time her climax subsided, he breathed heavy beside her, his arm draped over her stomach. “What an apology,” he whispered, as he nuzzled her neck with his nose. “I’d say you’re forgiven.”
“Good,” she said through her heavy breathing.
“To be honest, I’m surprised you invited me back to your place. I just assumed you were in a relationship now.”
She snorted out a short laugh. “I don’t do relationships. I prefer being free, for nights such as this.”
“Good. Then I don’t have to worry about someone barging in, trying to kick my ass.”
She placed her hand on his arm as she took a deep breath. “The only person who will kick your ass is me if that’s all you got in you.”
He laughed. “I’m sure we can manage a few more loud moans for your competition.”
“It’s not a competition. It’s an apology.”
“But you forgave me. So I guess…”
She growled. “Fine. It’s a competition. Now get over here.”
They continued until neither of them could continue any longer, and at some point, they ceased hearing Aimee’s moans of pleasure and became lost in their own exploration. Finally, they collapsed on Karla’s bed in exhaustion, both drifting off to sleep with their arms wrapped around each other. The last thing Karla thought before slumber took her was that she didn’t do relationships, just men.
Morning came too early, and once Brad woke up, he couldn’t lie still. She should have remembered that from last time. This was why she rarely let men sleep over. That, and the fact that she didn’t want them to see her any way but perfect. Bedhead was not perfect. Stretching, using the movement to finger her hair back into place as best as she could, she rolled over, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “Good morning.”
He was already propped up on an elbow, staring at her, smiling. He always smiled. “Good morning,” he said, still smiling. “Smells like someone made coffee. Want some.”
She nodded. “And your pancakes.”
“But, of course.” He leaned in and kissed the side of her head. “C’mon. Let’s start with coffee.”
Karla slid out of bed, slipping a robe over her nude form, running her hand once again through her hair. She really needed to get back to sending her lovers home once the marathon of s*x ended. Brad slid his pants back on, giving her a nice view of his ass just before the fabric covered it. He left his shirt on the floor. She smiled as she stared at his taut muscles. She was definitely glad she brought him home to apologize. s*x and pancakes. Who could ask for more?
Putting her hand on his bare chest, she pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed his throat. “I’ll give you a better kiss once I brush my teeth, but for now…” She circled her tongue over his n****e with a smirk. “Now, let’s get you to the stove.” Grabbing his hand, she led him out of her room and down the hall toward the small kitchen. She could see Aimee at the counter pouring coffee, already dressed for work. She was talking to someone, so Karla assumed Clint spent the night, which was odd since Abigail, his three-year-old, should have been home. Abby must have spent the night at her grandparents.
But Aimee wasn't talking to Clint. Karla stopped in the hallway doorway, Brad bumping into her with the sudden halt. Her eyes widened as she stared at Mitch’s grinning face.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He heard her coming down the hallway as Aimee talked to him about something cute Abigail did the other day. At least, he assumed it was cute. The little girl was only three years old, after all. He didn’t hear any of it, because he was too busy listening for Karla.
And Brad.
Mitch grinned as he picked up his coffee cup, the steam bathing his face as he took a sip. He just set the cup back on the table when Karla appeared, stopping abruptly, causing Brad to run into her as she just stared at Mitch, acting as if she had just been caught doing something wrong. She still didn’t understand. Even after their conversation a few nights ago about non-traditional relationships, she expected him to be just like everyone else.
Mitch Greenway was far from being like anyone else. He didn’t have a typical bone in his body or a typical thought in his head. As a matter of fact, typical was the last word he would use to describe himself or his lifestyle.
“Good morning,” he said, smiling. “Aimee was nice enough to make me some coffee, but she says Brad’s pancakes were worth waiting around for.”
“What are you doing here?” Karla said, her tone snapping to irritation as she crossed the room to stand in front of Mitch, her hands on her hips. Then her eyes shot to her sister. “Don’t tell me that last night…”
“What?” Aimee looked shocked as she stared at her sister. “No. Clint was here last night. He had to pick up Abigail this morning, so he left earlier.”
Karla shot her gaze back to Mitch who just smiled at her. He enjoyed seeing her confused. It did her good to be kicked out of her control once in a while. “Then again, I ask, why are you here?”
Mitch couldn’t keep the grin from his face as he lifted his coffee cup to his lips again, gesturing to Brad with it as he did. “I heard Brad made damn good pancakes and thought I’d give them a try.” He winked at his friend, who stood behind Karla as if she was a shield. Mitch couldn’t blame the man. The last time the two of them saw each other was when Karla dragged him along on Mitch’s date with her sister. She did everything she could to ruin the night, even bringing up how Mitch and she had s*x in his garage. Brad just stood there, feeling awkward, bouncing his gaze back and forth. Finally, he just left, Aimee right behind him, the former confused, the latter pissed. Mitch just shook his head at Karla, letting her know she was ridiculous, just before he, too, left.
Brad stood there, hands stuffed in his pockets, as he rolled his eyes. He then turned to face Karla. “I truly should have known that a night with you wouldn’t be totally drama free.”
“Wait,” Karla said, spinning so that she faced Brad. “You think this is my fault? I didn’t invite him here.”
“And yet, he’s here,” Brad said as he gestured toward Mitch with a lift of his chin. “You told me you didn’t have a relationship to worry about, remember? You also said that your sister was dating the guy down the hall, so that means Mitch is only here for one other person, and it isn’t me.”
Karla spun on Mitch, and it was all he could do not to bust out laughing. He didn’t know Brad was there when he decided to pop in and surprise Karla, wanting to take her out to breakfast. No, that part was merely a bonus. “Don’t you ever call first? Tell him we’re not in a relationship.”
Mitch c****d his head, turning his lips down in a pout. “But, sweetie, why do you want me to lie to him?”
“That’s not funny, damn it. Now, tell him the truth, and then tell me why you’re here.”
Mitch glanced past her to Brad, smiling even bigger. “Cute when she’s bossy, isn’t she?” He shrugged. “Fine. We’re not in a relationship. There. Happy?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Not by a long shot. Why are you here?” She asked the question one more time through gritted teeth.
“Well, I was going to offer to take you to breakfast, but I was unaware you were previously occupied. I could take you both and you could tell me about your night?”
She ignored him and turned on her sister, who still stood by the coffee maker, sipping her morning cup while enjoying the show. “And you let him in? You knew Brad was here.”
Aimee did her best to look innocent, but Mitch could spot a phony from a mile away. “I knew he was here last night. I didn’t know he would be here this morning.”
Karla shoved her fists down at her side. “Yes you did. You knew it, because you know me. GRRRRR.”
Aimee lifted her cup to her lips, trying to use the rim to hide her smile. “Not true. You usually like to kick them out as soon as they serve their purpose, because you don’t want them to see you with that sleep crud in the corner of your mouth.”
Karla quickly wiped at the corners of her mouth, then stopped when her sister giggled.
Mitch tapped the table with his hand as he shoved himself out of the chair. “Well, Brad, are you going to make us pancakes or not. Aimee raves about them. If not, I’m going to head to the diner and grab a bite before work.”
“He is not making you pancakes,” Karla practically growled. She pointed a finger at Aimee. “I’ll deal with you later.” She turned back to Mitch, who slid his hands into his pockets. “And you can go eat at the diner.”
“Really? That’s just mean. We’re all friends here, aren’t we? Brad, you don’t mind if I stay for breakfast, do you?”
Brad kept bouncing his gaze between the other three, lost as to what to do or say or even think, more than likely. Karla, however, didn’t give him a chance to say anything. “It doesn’t matter if he minds or not. I mind. You weren’t invited. Now, go.” She pointed at the door.
“Wow,” Mitch said, with a shake of his head as he started for the door. “You sure are testy in the morning. I don’t remember you being like this yesterday.” He turned and gave Aimee a wink. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“Anytime,” Aimee said with a smirk.
He opened the door and turned back to Brad and Karla. “Good seeing you again, Brad. Karla, enjoy your pancakes.” He blew her a kiss and then sauntered out her front door, listening to her frustrated growl as he closed it behind him.
Satisfaction filling him, Mitch whistled as he strolled toward the elevator doors at the end of the corridor. Some mornings just start off better once you’ve had that first cup of coffee.