Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers 4)

“Will you hold it for me?” Aurora asks, and I know I do not imagine the drop in her tone of voice. It’s almost sultry. From the hard swallow Grant performs, I know I didn’t. Aurora makes a show of peeling the banana slowly, and dropping the peel onto the paper towel, and handing the banana to Grant.

She’s my future sister-in-law, which means she’s my sister, and a year ago, I never could have imagined her agreeing to this. Grant is good for her. They’re good for each other. With that being said, I’m a man, and I can’t look away as she leans in, her hands clasped behind her back, and takes her first bite. But it’s not any bite. She makes sure to make it as provocative as possible, licking the tip of the banana and moaning before taking a bite.

“Son of a bitch,” Grant hisses. He moves the banana and takes a huge bite. “All done,” he says, his mouth full. The room erupts in laughter, and my brother, well, he’s flushed, and the look he gives his fiancée tells me her little performance isn’t over. He has plans for her. It’s written all over their faces.

“Okay… uh, Rory, it’s your turn,” Marshall says, tilting his beer to his lips and taking a long pull. I do the same. I think we all need a drink after that.

Aurora throws her head back and laughs. All the women seem to be amused. “Conrad,” Aurora calls me out. “Truth or dare?”

I see a look pass between the sisters. “Truth,” I reply and feel Aspen’s shoulders relax.

“Let’s see. What is your ultimate sexual fantasy?”

“I need to clarify that in order for this to be the ‘ultimate sexual fantasy,’ it needs to be with someone I care about.” I don’t look at Aspen, but I do press my thigh into hers, letting her know this is all about her. “Finding someone you care about, someone who wants you for the man that you are and not your name or money. Someone who is also your best friend.”

“Get to the good stuff,” Marshall chides.

“It’s going to disappoint you,” I tell Marshall. Then I make eye contact with each of my three older brothers. “You three will get it.” No one says anything, so I keep going. “Something intimate yet informal. Like maybe building a fire, and hell, I don’t know building a fort, you know, like we did when we were kids? I’d imagine that making love to someone you care about in that kind of situation would be the ultimate fantasy. You get to be silly and romantic, all at once with your best friend.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, but my heart is racing as our night together flashes in my mind. It’s a night I know I will never forget.

“Wow,” Layla breathes. “That’s… wow.”

“I second that,” Sawyer chimes in.

“Damn, Con.” Aurora fans herself.

“That wasn’t even hot. He said making love. I was expecting leather and chains and shit,” Marshall jokes.

“Nah, it’s about the intimacy, little brother.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my brother? Wait!” Marshall points at me, giving me a pointed look. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole too? Damn it, Conrad,” he scolds me. “We were supposed to be the last two holdouts.” He sounds defeated.

“You find your magic, brother?” Royce asks.

I don’t hesitate to answer him. “Yeah. I found my magic.” My confession has my three older brothers nodding, and even though I know they want to ask me, they let it slide. I’m certain the first opportunity they have, they’ll corner me.

“This one needs to be put down.” Owen looks over at his wife and stands. “See you all in the morning.”

Royce and Sawyer agree, as do Grant and Aurora. We all know what they’re rushing off to bed for. “You two bailing on me too?” Marshall asks, moving to the couch.

“Want to watch a movie?” Aspen asks him.

“Hit the lights!” Marshall calls after our siblings and scrolls through, finding a movie to watch. He doesn’t ask us our opinion, and really, I don’t care. I’m not going to be paying attention anyway. Instead, I pull a cover off the couch and cover Aspen with it, sliding my hand under the covers and lacing my fingers with hers. I’m acting like a teenager, but I don’t give a fuck. It’s my skin against hers, and I’ll take it.

Not twenty minutes into the movie, and her head falls to my shoulder. Knowing she’s asleep, I press my lips to the top of her head.

“It’s like that, huh?” Marshall whispers.

I almost forgot he was here. Almost. “It’s like that,” I admit.

“She know?”

“She knows.”

“You happy?”

“Yeah, Marsh. I’m happy.”

“Is she?”

“I think so. We have a lot to talk about. Everyone arriving early threw a wrench in that. No one knows, so can you keep it between us until she and I have had a chance to talk?”