Sin City Baby

I’d always had a thing for her, but she was my sister’s best friend. Younger than me by eight years, which meant she was off-limits. I didn’t make it a habit of enjoying the company of teenage girls, and I wasn’t going to start with Samantha. But when we celebrated her twenty-first birthday party as well as her graduation from college, it was hard for me not to see the woman she’d blossomed into.

I locked up the office and headed for my apartment. I grabbed a couple of outfits, grabbed my good suit, then tossed everything into the car. A weekend in Vegas was just what the doctor ordered after a stressful few weeks at the office. The flight from Bakersfield to Las Vegas was only an hour or so. An easy trip to make for a weekend party. And I was excited about it. My brothers and I were ready to treat Todd the best way we knew how. He admitted to us he’d never been to Vegas, so we had all sorts of treats in store for him.

I got in my car and drove to Samantha’s townhome. I knew the rest of my brothers would meet up with us there before we all headed to the airport, but part of me was hoping I’d get a bit of alone time with her. I enjoyed spending quality time with her, listening to her soft voice and hearing her breathless giggles. If she really got going, she snorted, and it was the cutest sound. I’d come to enjoy it.

And even though she was my sister’s best friend, it didn’t stop me from thinking about her. Wanting her.

Dreaming of what it would be like to hook up with her and feel her curves against my body. She had these luxurious hips I’d sink my fingertips into and a neck that called to my burning lips. A small dip in her waist I could cradle perfectly in my palms and handfuls of breasts that would overflow between my fingers.

Just the idea of feeling her smooth skin against the muscles I painstakingly kept up was enough to send my groin throbbing for mercy.

“Thank you for meeting up with Sam. I’ve got to keep after my fiancé, so Sam’s offered to wrangle you guys until we get down there.”

“You make us all sound like a herd of cattle.”

“With the way the boys have been stomping around, you guys might as well be,” she said.

“I take no responsibility for the actions of my younger brothers.”

“Well someone needs to. They’re going to get in a mess this weekend if no one watches them,” she said.

“Isn’t that the job of your fiancé?”

“No, it’s not. This is a combined Bachelor and Bachelorette party. You guys get to show Todd a good time, and Sam and I get to spend some much-needed time together. That girl’s been gone to France this entire month! I miss my best friend, and I won’t spend my weekend cleaning up after my brothers.”

“So, you really want me there just to keep an eye on everyone,” I said.

“Welcome to being the oldest.”

I grinned as I sat back in my chair. I was happy for my sister. Granted, the man she was set to marry was in his forties. Easily twice her age. But he was kind to her, good to us, and really did love her. My sister could be

a bit wild, and he took everything in stride. Took care of her when she needed it. Never hesitated to provide help if she was in a bind. The true definition of what a man needed to be for a woman. Supportive without being intrusive on her independence.

I liked that about Todd.

It was the only reason I gave my consent when he asked me for Lauren’s hand.

“Are you excited?” I asked.

“Who the fuck wouldn't be about Vegas?”

“You and that language,” I said with a grin.

“Of course, I’m excited,” she said. “I’m marrying the love of my life, Liam.”

“And you really love him?”

“I do.”

“Because I can tell that man loves you. And you’ve been known to chew men up and spit them out.”

“When they’re jerks, sure. But not with Todd. I can’t imagine my life without him. I know my relationship history hasn’t been the best, but Todd? He was worth the struggles I went through.”

“Are you happy?” I asked.

“Happier than I’ve ever been in my life, Liam. I promise.”

“Then that’s all I care about. I have to put my signature on some things, then I’ll grab my stuff and head to Samantha’s.”