Forbidden Lust

A few hours later and the party on Lane Street was bursting with people. The best of what the Hamptons had to offer was right here, yet I couldn’t give two fucks. I wanted every guy in this place to stop eye-fucking Lourde.

Her friends weren’t so bad. Actually, the boys weren’t too bad either. They passed the time and distracted me from Lourde’s long legs. But right now, more than ever, I needed a distraction. On her way back from the girls’ room, she had stopped and was now talking to a guy. A guy who looked pissed and eager for a one-night stand. Just the type she wanted.

“You’re very watchful of her, aren’t you?” Grace questioned.

“Her brother can’t afford the bad press.”

“Uh, huh.” She sipped her champagne, glaring at me.

“To be honest, I have better things to do, but you guys are bearable.” I grinned, taking my beer to my lips and oddly enjoying myself.

“Gee, thanks. Think of it from her point of view. She’s twenty-three and having to be chaperoned to a party because of her name.”

“It’s tough being born into privilege.” I put the beer back down on the table full of empty champagne and beer bottles.

“So, you weren’t?”

“Born into privilege?” I scoffed. “No, definitely not.”

“What are we talking about over here?” Lourde walked over toward me. Sitting on my lap, she tossed her leg over my thigh, her peachy ass nestled near my groin.

“Are you drunk?” I gripped her hips, rounding her, so she faced me.

“Maybe.”

Pepper grinned. “We were talking about Barrett not coming from a privileged upbringing.”

“Connor said it’s just you and your sister. Yet, you never mention her. Are you so overprotective of her too?”

My leg throbbed. I stood up, and she slid off me toward the floor. I grabbed her before she fell and pulled her upright, her chest slamming into mine. She glared at me. Fear held behind her hazel eyes. Good, she should be afraid of me. “That’s enough, Lourde. We’re going.”

I turned to the others, who were no doubt looking our way now. “Pepper, Grace, fellas, it’s been real, but I’m taking this one home.”

“Oh right! Have fun, you two.” Pepper and Grace jumped up, saying their goodbyes. Grace whispered something in her ear. Lourde giggled, and the noise swirled inside my chest.

* * *

My head hit the pillow, but I couldn’t sleep. What Lourde said about my sister infuriated me. But I couldn’t get her long legs out of my mind. The way she effortlessly held a crowd’s attention without even knowing it. And the curve of her breasts when she was on my lap, I had a bird’s-eye view. Containment is a motherfucker, and my dick had been in my pants far too long, especially after tasting her delicious elixir between her legs.

She’d passed out before I could even talk to her and berate her for her carelessness tonight. Drunk at a private party and wearing what she wore were two things ripe for disaster. She was recognizable, and it only took one jerk to go for her. Ruin her perfect image and the Diamond name that was so sacred in America. I promised her brother I’d take care of her. But it was a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep.

I helped her upstairs and into bed, changing her into her shorts and camisole. And fuck it, I was only human. I stared at her breasts for way too long. Perfectly natural, creamy skin and soft pink nipples screamed to be sucked on hard. With that image imprinted on my mind, forget sleeping. I’d been lying here for hours.

A faint tap at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Barrett, are you awake?”

I sat up and got out of bed. I stared back at the alarm clock. Fuck, it was four in the morning.

“Yes. Are you okay?”

She slid into my room, the moonlight hitting her purple camisole. “I’m fine.”

“You seem fine, but you’re here at this ungodly hour.” Obviously, the haze of alcohol had worn off. I regarded her. She’d washed the makeup off her face and let her hair fall over her shoulders.

“What can I do for you, Ms. Diamond, at four in the morning?”

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

“For what exactly, Lourde?” I turned and paced the length of my room. “For what you wore?”

“No.” She shook her head from side to side. “I can wear what I like,” she said softly.

“No?” What the hell? And why was she so calm? A shot of adrenaline coursed through my veins.

“For talking to random men in front of me?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Then what?”

“For this.” She lowered the thin straps of her camisole, and it slid round her waist, exposing her creamy tits.

Fuck!My throat clogged, but I took a deliberate step toward her.