The Confession

“No, I’m being honest. She might have been a virgin, but she was so uninhibited. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t try and didn’t love. And after all the kinky shit I did to her? She begged for more. She lost her damn mind when I started teasing her ass. And, sweet Jesus…her ass. I mean, her pussy was velvety soft and perfect, but when I worked my way past her tiny rim, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. It was another level of paradise, and I—”

“Better introduce me when you find her again or I’ll rain down a whole world of shit on you,” Dean warned.

“I swear, man, when I find her, you’ll be balls deep inside her with me.”

“Damn right.” Dean nodded as they clinked beers.

“I’m telling you, the more I think about her, the more I think”—River’s face turned solemn, and his voice followed suit—“she’s the one we’ve been looking for, brother.”

It was obvious River believed he’d found his one, but he knew Jasmine didn’t want to see him, right? So why did he imagine she would welcome Dean, too? Even if she was game to take on both of them, what assurance did River have that Dean would actually fall as fast and hard for her?

“Damn,” the cop cursed. “We’ve got to find her.”

“Well, you won’t succeed today,” Seth informed them.

“Why not?” River glowered.

“Apparently, she’s out of town.”

Raine’s brother nearly came out of his seat. “How do you know that?”

Well, Heavenly had told him first, but he was leaving his girl out of this. “Pike.”

“That motherfucker. Did he say where she went?”

“Sorry. I didn’t ask.”

“Go talk to him again, man. Find out everything you can.”

“He isn’t going to tell me shit.”

“I’ll bet my sister knows. She’s got Jasmine’s phone number and won’t give it to me, so why wouldn’t she keep this shit from me, too?” River grumbled. “She’s convinced this is a good ‘growth experience’ for me. It’s bullshit.”

Seth tried not to laugh. He’d always known Raine was clever, if a little underhanded—usually for a good cause. But she wasn’t wrong in thinking that everything came too easily for her brother. River going after something he craved badly enough to work for would be good for him. But Seth didn’t say that aloud, merely smiled.

A long minute later, Jack, Connor, and Zach sprinted in their direction, skidding to a halt at the table.

“What are you hellions up to?” Seth asked, trying to find the balls to meet Zach’s gaze.

Beck’s brother seemed more focused on the gathering around him.

“Not much,” Connor replied. “Sorry we didn’t get to visit much with you and Heavenly.”

“No worries. The party is for you three to get to know the people we care about and trust.”

“And they’re all damn amazing.” Jack grinned.

“Totally. Everyone is…nice,” Zach piped in.

They were. Seth figured he’d done a pretty good job reuniting with old friends and finding new ones on the West Coast.

“Hey, we’re about to head out and hit some clubs. You two want to come?” Connor asked.

He was asking River and Dean. Seth wasn’t the least bit miffed that they hadn’t invited him. But he wasn’t going to let the chance to fuck with his brother pass him by.

“Aww, thanks for the invite, but I think Heavenly and I are going to head over to her place and watch some movies.”

“Oh. Cool. Um…” Connor turned toward River and Dean. “How about you two? You feel like going to find some—”