Her shoes piss me off. Fuck-me pumps. She has no business wearing anything like those.
Who is this hot, beautiful woman who has replaced Claudia Laine Bliss?
I was six when she was born; I've known this girl all her life and most of mine. Since the time she could walk, she spent her days chasing Owen, River, and me. Always slower. Always weaker. Always so soft, sweet, and delicate. She'd have chosen death over admitting a single one of those facts back in the day. But we didn't care. She was Owen's baby sister.
Our little Claud.
That was then and this is now. And our little Claud isn't so little anymore.
She rushes toward me and leaps into my arms, same as she has for years, with her legs wrapped around me. But this time feels different. My dick immediately recognizes the changes in her, too. The fucker spasms and comes to full attention when her body collides with mine.
The exposed skin on her neck and shoulders calls out to me like a siren. A seductress. A fucking temptress. Touch me, Bram. Kiss me. Lick me. You know you want to.
What. The. Fuck.
No, no, no. Every thought going through my head about her right now is wrong. So many kinds of wrong. This is our little Claud. My best friend's baby sister. Not some random chick I'll bang and abandon before morning.
Still wrapped around me, she holds my shoulders and leans away so we're face to face. So close I could kiss her. "I've missed you so much. I'm very upset with you for staying away so long."
"You know I was taking extra classes so I could graduate early."
"I know … but you didn't come back to see me. Not even once." Her pouty bottom lip protrudes and it reminds me of the face she used to make as a child when she wanted her way. Except this time, it's hot as fuck. I want to suck that lip into my mouth. Maybe even bite it.
"I didn't do much of anything for the last five months except study. But it was worth every weekend I spent with my head in a book; I'm finished for good."
She slides down my body and her crotch rubs my cock-no, make that my hardening cock. I will it to stop but it's a dick. It can't not respond to the touch of a woman. Especially when that woman is this hot.
Shit, I hope she can't tell that she made me hard.
Even more so, I hope Owen and River can't tell that she made me hard. They would kill me.
Her pouty lips transform into a broad grin. "You're back in Lynchburg for good?"
"That's the plan. Starting my new job next week."
"Good. This is where you belong." With me. She doesn't say the words but I suspect it's what she's thinking; she's always considered Owen, River, and me to be her boys.
"I hear you have a date tonight." And I don't like it worth a damn.
She lowers her eyes. "Just a boy from school taking me out. It's not a big deal."
"I don't care how nice you think he is. I don't care how cute you think he is. Don't believe a word the little prick says. Trust me when I say he wants one thing and one thing only from you."
She looks up and our eyes connect: so fucking gorgeous. "Tell me. What one thing and one thing only would a boy-or man-want from me?"
They will want to fuck you. All of them. I can't bring myself to say those words to her. And it's not my job.
"Owen. Don't tell me you haven't had the guys-are-horny-bastards-and-she-should-avoid-them-all talk with her." It's his brotherly duty to give his baby sister fair warning about our ways.
"We had that talk a while ago and then we had it again after all of this happened."
Claudia's cheekbones rise as her dimples deepen. "Owen and River say I've changed. What do you think?"
I think our girl is fishing for a compliment. "You've become a lovely young lady."
Her smile fades. "A lovely young lady? That's it?"
I know. It sounds like something her grandfather would say but it's all I've got. I can't tell her she's hot and sexy and gave me a hard-on.
Her frown transforms into a one-sided half-smile. "Thanks a lot."
Damn. I know Claud and that forced expression. I've hurt her feelings. And it's the last thing in this world I'd ever want to do.
The doorbell rings. Worst timing ever. The little shit's arrival ends any chance I have at redeeming myself with her.
"Go to your room," Owen says.
Claudia's voice rises an octave. "Why in the world would I do that?"
"Go to your room and freshen up your lipstick or whatever girls do when they make us wait on them. The three of us need to have a little talk with Connor. Make sure he understands what's expected of him on this date."