Tug of War Read online

  “If you think you can handle all of this, you’re sadly mistaken, but I’m happy to take you up on the challenge.”

  Jake

  My beer flies out my mouth, across the bench and on to the breakfast seating in front of it.

  Damn waste of a good beer.

  If she thinks having her in bed would be a challenge, she’s the one mistaken; and I’m quite tempted to take her up on her offer.

  I haven’t seen Stephanie since the night of James and Riley’s wedding, and in truth, I’ve wanted to. I overstepped my boundaries that night and opened my big mouth about her boyfriend, and how I think their relationship is a sham. She didn’t speak to me for the rest of the night although she did dance with me. Holding her close made my heart ache even more. The little black dress she had worn had given me a glorious view of her body and made me think of all the dirty things I wanted to do with her. To her.

  I dropped her home that night and tried to be a gentleman. She was drunk, horny, and she tried to kiss me. I pushed her away, and the pain of doing it hurt more than I’d expected it to. I’m not saying I didn’t want to kiss her because I sure as fuck did, and my cock wouldn’t have minded going further, but she’s dating someone and I’m not about to be the one she cheats on him with. I’ve seen that happen to buddies in the army and it never ends well.

  It doesn’t negate the fact I can’t get Stephanie out of my head. I dream about her, think about her every day, and every morning. I wake up with a raging hard-on, desperate for her touch. I swear, I can smell her perfume in my dreams. It’s intoxicating and also infuriating because it seems to linger in the air after I wake.

  Something within me changed the last time I’d seen her. I saw her as more than another sister. Stephanie now appealed to me as a potential partner; someone who would challenge me—my thoughts, my opinions—someone that would laugh at my silliest jokes no matter how lame they can be. My stone-cold heart cracked just a little as the woman I used to view as a sister seeped into my veins, calling me to her like a siren. I want her the way I’ve never wanted another woman before.

  What am I fucking thinking?

  She’s my sister’s best friend! I shouldn’t even be entertaining these thoughts, and yet, they won’t leave me alone.

  I try to move away from the bench, but it seems my dick has joined the party going on in my head and trying to move around with a hard-on in jeans fucking hurts. I put my beer down on the bench and lean on it. My palms are resting flat upon the granite surface as I’m wishing my rock-hard cock to fuck off. I’m grateful the bench is there because if Aria knew what was happening in my pants right now, she’d tease the shit out of me. That is something I really don’t want to deal with.

  “How have you both been?” I ask, hoping to distract myself. Easier said than done, though.

  “Not too bad. Busy with work. What about you?” Aria asks, sipping her wine.

  “Same. We have a wave of new recruits and they me want to help train them. When I’m not working, I’m usually being attacked by Toby’s bloody cat.”

  Aria laughs. “You probably deserve it.”

  “I’m covered in scratch marks,” I retort.

  “Where?” Stephanie asks a little too gleefully, and I cast my gaze to meet hers. Our eyes lock, and it’s as if she sees through the armour I’ve built up around myself.

  Her brown eyes watch me expectantly as she awaits my answer. I need to think of something witty to reply with, but right now, my brain has turned to complete and utter mush as I get lost in her eyes.

  I’m screwed.

  I want to see her naked about as much as she wants me to be naked too if her gaze is anything to go by. Additional note...this is not helping my current hormonal state.

  I need to think of something to make it go away.

  “You just want me to remove my shirt so you can see me naked.” I laugh. I’m egging her on when I shouldn’t be.

  She shakes her head. “No, thanks. I don’t think Aria needs to see her brother without a shirt on.”

  There it goes!

  The idea of my sister seeing me naked is certainly not a turn-on, nor should it ever be. Thank you, Stephanie. Smiling to myself, I manage to walk over and sit down next to her. I’m expecting a whiff of her usually sweet perfume, and instead, I get chlorine.

  What the hell?

  “What’s that look for?” Stephanie demands.

  “What look?”

  “The one that says you think I stink.”

  “No offence Steph, but you do. That chlorine is overpowering.”

  She blushes. “Damn, I thought I’d washed it off at the pool. Maybe the staff put too much in today.”

  “You swim?” I ask. I didn’t know she swam.

  “Of course. How else do you think I keep myself looking this good with all the wine I drink?” She waves a hand down her body.

  “Don’t forget all my cookie dough and chocolate,” Aria chimes in.

  “Shh.” Stephanie places her index finger over her lips. I wish I was the one touching those.

  I burst into laughter as Aria casts a strange look at me which I ignore. “How often do you swim?” I ask.

  Stephanie arches an eyebrow. “Why do you want to know? Are you planning on turning up to gawk at me in my bikini?”

  She wears a fucking bikini in the pool.

  Jealousy wells within me at the thoughts of other men getting to look at her in that outfit, and I clutch my beer tighter. The idea of her prancing around the pool in a flimsy swimsuit makes my mouth dry. If she was mine, there’s no fucking way in hell I’d let her wear a goddamned bikini to a public pool.

  That shit would be for my eyes only and probably living on the floor of my room while she was in my bed having the time of her life.

  “Actually, I was wondering if I could join you. Perhaps we could have a race,” I suggest.

  “Race? Jake, I swim for fun and pleasure.”

  What else does she do for pleasure? Would she do me?

  “Are you scared you’ll be beaten?” I quip.

  “Not at all.”

  “So, answer my question.”

  She sighs. “If you must know, I swim on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.” I whip my phone out of my pocket and make a note of those days, then show her. “You will not turn up and annoy me.” She jabs a finger into my chest and pouts. It’s sexy and a little cute. I want to lean in, and kiss the expression right off her mouth, assuring her we are indeed going to race.

  “So, what are you doing here?” Aria asks.

  “Aside from annoying us on a girls night? Because seriously. When are you leaving again?” Stephanie asks.

  “You only want me to leave again so you can’t get all hot and bothered over my sexy body.” I waggle my eyebrows at her.

  “In your dreams.”

  “I’d rather know about yours,” I quip. She blushes and looks at her glass of wine. “If you must know Stephanie, I’m probably due to deploy again soon since I haven’t gone in almost two years and I have been training the other recruits, but I know they’ll be sending a team over soon and will need me.”

  Disappointment washes over her face, leaving me to wonder whether she wants me to go or not.

  “You know I was teasing, right? I don’t want you to leave.”

  Good to know.

  Truthfully, I’ve spent much of the last two years training new medic recruits since I came home. Usually, I’ve done back-to-back deployments, but after the last one, I asked my boss for a bit of time off from doing them. I wanted to be with my family.

  We’re interrupted when Simon enters the lounge wearing a relieved look upon his face.

  “She took forever to go to bed tonight.” He slumps down in the seat next to Aria. “Oh, hey Jake, sorry to leave you here with the ladies so long.”

  “No worries mate, you were putting the little princess to bed.”

  “I need a drink,” he says, standing and walking into the kitchen.

&
nbsp; “Babe, do you blame Charlotte? She hasn’t seen you all week. She missed you.”

  He shakes his head as he pours himself a whiskey. “I don’t blame her, but I wish she’d pick a better time to start having a deep discussion about being a big sister.”

  Aria frowns into her wine. A sense of disappointment washes over me. It’s a twin thing, and it’s kind of annoying. I’ve been able to pick up on Aria’s moods quite frequently over the years. Simon clearly does too as he marches across the room to his wife. He places his drink upon the coffee table and kneels before her.

  “Baby, it’ll happen. We just need to give it time.”

  “What if it doesn’t?” Aria asks, her lips trembling. Nothing makes my heart break more than seeing my sister about to cry, and this time, no matter how much I want to, I can’t fix the situation for her. My family is all that matters to me in life, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them, and that includes Stephanie.

  “It will, sweetheart.”

  She glances at me, and a sad smile forms upon her face. “I just have to stay hopeful, right?”

  “It will, sis. Don’t worry. You’ll end up with twins.” I chuckle, hoping it will lighten her mood.

  She rolls her eyes at me. “Well, I hope the boy will be better behaved than you.”

  “Hey, I only tried to kick you out once.”

  She smiles and wraps her arms around Simon. “I’m being silly. I know I am.”

  “No, you’re not, honey. I love you.” He wipes away the stray tears with his thumb across her cheek and kisses her.

  She pulls back. “Kiss me like that again, handsome, and you’ll be getting some action tonight.”

  I roll my eyes and stand up. “I’m going to get the pool game set up. Join me when you’re finished making out with my sister, Simon.”

  As I walk away, I look over my shoulder at Stephanie. “See you Monday for that race.”

  “We are not racing,” she calls back.

  Oh, yes, we are.

  I set up the pool table, wearing a stupid grin on my face. I love winding her up, especially if it makes her laugh or smile; because when she smiles, my world becomes brighter.

  Stephanie

  “What was that all about?” Aria asks as Simon disappears. She leans forward, opening a second wine bottle, and pours us both another glass. This time I’ll be sure to watch myself when trying to grab it.

  I shrug. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “You were flirting with Jake; practically eye-fucking him. Is there something going on between you two?”

  “Nothing is going on.”

  I wish there were.

  “You should just tell him how you feel.”

  “Aria, I can’t. I’m seeing Ben.”

  “Which brings us back to earlier. What were you about to say before we were rudely interrupted?”

  “I’m going to break up with him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice guy, but I think I was using him as a distraction. The spark isn’t there, or at least it isn’t for me. I thought he might grow on me, but he hasn’t. Even in bed, he’s just…boring.”

  She snorts with laughter. “Boring as in he doesn’t rock your world?”

  “Precisely.” I groan. “I mean, he won’t try anything new. We have sex in the same position every single time, and spanking is out of the question. He doesn’t want to hurt me.”

  “Do you think you’ve been reading a little too much romance lately and looking for a fictional character?” she asks, sipping her drink.

  I shake my head. “How can I be? I’ve barely been reading lately.”

  “Oh. Well, there goes my theory.”

  “I want what you have with Simon; that earth-shattering sex, but the crazy in love mushiness.”

  She laughs. “We aren’t exactly perfect, but we try.”

  “You two are cute together, and I can’t help that I’m a little jealous. I want that for me too. I design wedding dresses for other people, but I can’t seem to get the right guy for myself. I know I’m selfish by holding on to Ben, and I need to let him go so he can find the right woman for him. She’s not me.”

  “You’re not selfish. You just haven’t told the guy you want to be with that you like him.” She nods towards the library where the guys are. “I think you need to break things off with Ben, then take a break from men altogether. You don’t want Jake feeling like he’s the rebound guy. He won’t like that.”

  “I don’t want that either.”

  “Then once you’ve had a break, tell Jake how you feel. You’re a strong, independent woman. You can ask him out; or rather, tell him you’re going on a date with him. Sometimes he needs to be told what he’s doing instead of being asked.”

  I sigh. “What if he says no? What if he rejects me? I’m going to feel like a fool. I don’t want to risk our friendship over this. I couldn’t bear to be around him if he rejected me.”

  “After what I just saw, I’m pretty sure my brother won’t turn you away.”

  How can she be so sure?

  Nothing more is said because the guys re-enter the room, bickering about who won and who didn’t. When I finally retire to their spare room that night, thoughts of both Ben and Jake swirl around in my head.

  Breaking things off with Ben is the right thing to do. He deserves better than me, and a chance to find love with someone who will return his affections.

  If I’m meant to be with Jake, I have to believe that it will happen eventually, but I won’t know until I tell him how I feel. I just can’t be sure he’d feel the same.

  I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

  Chapter Two

  Stephanie

  One more lap then I’ll get out.

  I’ve been at the pool for almost an hour. My body is screaming at me to get out and go to the spa pool. I’ve pushed myself longer today than I normally would. Resting against the wall of the pool, I catch my breath. I love swimming because it relieves stress, and I’ve been feeling rather wound-up lately.

  I steal a glance at the pool entrance. No sign of Jake. He told me he was coming to see me for our race, but so far, he’s a no show. Clearly, he was teasing me and trying to be cheeky. My heart sinks as disappointment washes over me. I’d been hoping to see him. I shouldn’t want to see him, but I do.

  I kick off from the end of the pool and make my way down to the other end. My goggles help me see under the water since I can’t see very well without them. A familiar figure crosses the pool floor.

  He’s here. I don’t believe it!

  My heart leaps into my throat as my brain lets out a silent squeal of delight. He’s wearing swimming trunks and walking with a swagger that makes every woman in the pool stop and stare. I want to yell at them to take their eyes off my man.

  He’s not my man, and I can’t be sure he even feels the same way about me as I do him. Like the rest of the women here, I stare at the perfection that is Jake. His broad shoulders are as muscular as his torso, revealing an epic eight pack of washboard abs.

  Is he even aware of how fucking good looking he is?

  He sits on the side of the pool, dipping his feet in the cool water, grins at me, and beckons me to move closer with a crook of his finger. Like the puppet I am for him, I move, making his grin widen. He’s got me wrapped around his little finger, and he knows it.

  “So, you do actually swim. Here I was, thinking that’s what you told everyone.”

  “What took you so long to arrive? Weren’t you going to be turning up here like two Mondays ago?” I laugh as I splash him with a bit of water.

  He laughs as he slides into the water beside me. “Some of us have to work, Steph. I don’t draw pictures for a living.”

  “I don’t draw pictures. I design dresses. Big difference.”

  He dips beneath the water and comes back up again. The clear liquid cascades down his built torso like a waterfall. A very sexy waterfall. I want to trail the drips of water with my tongue, licking eac
h one off his delicious skin.

  “Steph, my eyes are up here.”

  He reaches out a hand to tilt my head to stare into his emerald, lust-filled gaze. I can’t stop the way my body reacts to him. My nipples are hard beneath the flimsy material of my bikini top, and my vagina is begging me to have my dirty way with him. I bite my lip to stifle the groan brewing at the back of my throat. He cocks his head to the side, a smirk crossing his face as if he can read my mind and see what I’m thinking. He can’t possibly know.

  “Huh?”

  He chuckles. “You were staring.”

  “Was not.” I so was and unashamedly too.

  “How about that race?” he asks.

  “Race? Yes, good idea. Loser buys coffee,” I say in an attempt to distract myself from the thoughts.

  “Deal. I’ll have a cappuccino, one sugar, take away, please.”

  “You think you’re going to win?”

  “I am.”

  “Not if I start swimming now.” I begin doing just that, moving backwards and then speed away from him. He’s not that far behind, and suddenly, before I know it, he’s right beside me. He easily passes me, but it’s not hard. I’m not the fastest swimmer. When I finally reach the end, I’m puffing while he remains barely winded.

  “Stop fucking grinning at me like that.”

  “I believe I won the race. I’m going to enjoy that coffee.” He slides his hands onto my waist, pulling me closer to him. “Best of three?”

  “You’re on, but believe me, you used all your puff to do this one lap. I’m going to win the next two.”

  “One…two…three...go!” He speeds off ahead of me, literally leaving me in his spray of water. I shake my head before making my way speedily down the pool.

  Suddenly, I’m rocked by a sharp pain followed by a cramp down my leg. My body immobilises as my leg curls into a ball beneath me. The weight of my body drags me under the water. I can’t move. I inhale as I sink beneath the surface, pain gripping my leg as I try furiously to rub it out.

  Panic sets in, my heart races, and my pulse quickens. I’m going to drown and all because I accepted Jake’s stupid challenge for a second and third race. Hitting bottom, I look up. Using all my strength, I push off from the ground, burst through the water and scream, “Jake!”