Page 23 of Sweet Temptation
“Am I going to hate it?” I ask as I slip out of my clothes and into the first bra.
Damn... She’s good. It fits like a glove.
A soft pink French silk demi-cup with an intricate white lace overlay that ties between my breasts and pushes them up, making it look like I’ve got way more than I actually do. This is the kind of confection that’s meant to be untied by a man.
“Mother...” I blurt out as I pop my head back through the curtain. “Exactly who do you think is going to see this bra on me?”
“I volunteer as tribute,” Ridley Beneventi, one of Brea’s older brothers, answers, and I want to crawl in a hole and hide. Thank God I only stuck my head out.
“Hi, Ridley.”
“Hey, Lex.”
Why do all the Beneventis have to be so hot?
Mom’s laugh echoes through the shop as I make my way through the rest of the stash she left me. Each one prettier than the next. And when she eventually opens the curtain, the evil glint in her eye tells me she knew exactly what she was doing. “Please tell me you’re not trying to set me up with Brea’s brother.”
She crosses her heart with a wink. “Just take the lingerie, Lexie. You can thank me later.” She holds up a black bag with pale-pink strings and paler pink tissue paper and opens it, waiting for me to fill it with the silks, satins, and two bikinis, which I do appreciatively. “Love you, honey. I’ll see you Sunday.”
“And are you going to tell me what you’re scheming then?”
She shrugs. “Have fun this weekend.”
I kiss her cheek. “Are you going to the game tonight?”
“No. Your brother and the boys aren’t even playing. Declan never plays his starters this close to the season. We’ll be there in two weeks for the first game. I hope you’re planning on being there too.”
“I wouldn’t miss Linc’s first game,” I promise and make a mental note to get a new Sinclair jersey with Linc’s number on the back. “Love you.”
“With my whole heart, sweetheart.”
She takes an extra second before she lets go, and I let her. This is what Mom does. But she’s Mom, and she’s amazing, so I let her. And she basically just gave me lingerie to do filthy things in. So there’s that... Now I just have to find a man worthy of it... One willing to accept what I’m willing to give.
Athick humidity clings to the air as the clouds overhead threaten to open at any moment and drench us all. I love this weather. There’s something about a storm. I love the sound of the rain. The electricity in the air. Some people hate them. I find them relaxing. And my favorite weatherperson was just saying the next few weeks look like they’re shaping up to be the wettest September we’ve had in years.
Linc and Lucky step outside as I shut the door of the brand-new, baby-blue Mini Cooper Dad had dropped off at the house two days after I moved in. “Hey. You guys headed to the stadium?”
“Yup. You skipping the game?” Linc asks as Lucky throws his bag in the back of his G-Wagon and watches from a distance. He’s avoided me since the other night, and I’ve let him. I mighthave done the same thing, given the chance, but he hasn’t given me that. Very mature. I’m so proud.
“Yeah. If none of you guys are playing, I’m not going.” I grab my Le Désir bag, and Linc shakes his head. “I saw Mom. She said dinner Sunday night.” Thunder rumbles in the distance. These guys are going to get soaked on the sidelines tonight.
At least it’ll be warm.
“I think we’re going to West End after the game. You coming?” Linc turns to toss his bag in Lucky’s car. “Come on, Lex. It’ll be fun.”
My eyes track Lucky as he gets in the car, and anger gets the best of me. What the hell does he have to be annoyed about? He’s the ass who lickedmydamn finger.
Screw that.
“Yeah. I’ll stop by. I’ll check with the girls to see if they want to come too.”
Linc’s lopsided smile cracks me up.
I might as well expect to see Brea walking downstairs in his clothes tomorrow.
“Good. Now get inside before you get drenched and get sick,” he orders, and my hackles raise.
“Yes, dad.” I salute him, and he shakes his head.
