Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(40)

I look up, our lips, our kiss a whisper away...

And I still just as the release detonates at the base of my spine, and the load splatters the tiles. A low, pained growl flies past my lips.

“I can’t have you, baby,” I grunt into the empty room, my eyes closed, the orgasm stripping me of the firewall. “You’re not mine to take, no matter how much I want you.”

This is messed up. I can’t even fuck her inside my head because my brain is a cockblocker.

FIFTEEN
Nico

THE WHOLE FAMILY gathers at the Country Club on Friday morning, where a luxury bus waits to take us to an old military airfield outside of town.

Mom’s events used to be more low-key, but since I bought the club and she started organizing the Balls here, her Charity became a hot topic in OC.

With an abundance of important guests came a change in how she hosts. The quarterly events now span two days. A sophisticated dinner party for the biggest donors on Friday and the main invitation-only event on Saturday.

My brothers and I are invited to Friday dinners regardless of how much we donate. We all help Mom with press releases, admin, and accounting throughout the year.

“Time to party!” Cody booms, entering the building.

We’re greeted with a glass of champagne, the spacious lobby full of our parents, grandparents, and older brothers. Save for Thalia, who’s pregnant, Mia, who’s afraid of flying, and my grandparents, everyone is sky diving today.

Thirteen people.

I pledged ten grand per head to convince them to get off their asses, but in reality, Mom gets seven figures out of me every year, so a check for a quarter of it—two hundred and fifty thousand dollars—is already in her pocket.

“Oh, I’m so happy to see you!” My grandmother charges past me and the triplets as if we’re invisible. Her chiffon throw, cardigan, or whatever it is, shimmers as she wraps her arms around Mia. “How have you been? You’re pale, honey. Were you unwell?” She glances at Grandad on the other side of the entryway. “William! Look who’s here!”

I know they play Bridge every week, but I’ve not realized how close Mia is to my grandparents. And they must be very close if my grandmother picked Mia over her three favorite grandsons standing to my left with their dates.

I know the girl on Colt’s arm. I don’t remember her name, but she sneaks out of my house enough that she must be his regular lay. It’s hard to forget her head of bright-red hair, freckled face, or thick British accent.

Conor’s date has that girl-next-door vibe he’s so into. Her makeup isn’t overdone, she’s in funky jeans and a t-shirt, and her hair’s up in a messy bun.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Mia says, hugging my grandmother before she wraps her arms around my grandfather, who sauntered over here as if he’s thirty years younger.

He’s been complaining about arthritis in his knees since he retired a few months ago, but it must’ve magically gone away.

Once grandma’s happy that Mia’s had breakfast, isn’t hungry, thirsty, tired, or unwell, she pecks her cheek and finally notices her grandsons.

I can’t make out Mia’s quiet conversation with my grandfather but notice the fondness painting his face as they talk. I don’t remember the last time I saw him wear a full smile.

“Right, since we’re all here now, I say we get going,” Logan yells over the chatter, either impatient or nervous, as he bounces on the soles of his feet.

Forty minutes later, we arrive at an old military airfield, where three small planes sit on a short runway. Instructors, inside a huge hangar, are waiting for us to disembark the bus so they can start the safety briefing.

Mia spent the ride at the back with my grandparents while I gawked over my shoulder too often.

Doomed is what I am.

Fucking doomed.

One of the instructors comes closer when we gather in a large group on the tarmac.

“Right,” he says, frowning as he quickly counts the heads. “I’ve got a note that fourteen are jumping.”

“Yes, some are just here to watch,” Cassidy supplies, handing the buggy with Noah to grandma.

“Actually, it’ll be thirteen,” Cody says. “Mia’s not good with flying.”

“Make it twelve. I’ll skip the fun today.” I regret saying it before the words fully roll off my tongue.

The only reason I want to stay on the ground is to spend half an hour alone with Mia.

“Why? It was your idea.” Theo’s eyebrows draw together, utterly confused since I’m always the first one geared up, ready to go.

“He’s done it so many times it’s not much fun anymore, right?” Colt says, his piercing stare searing right through me before his eyes quickly jump to Mia and back, a silent I know what you’re doing in that look.

Shit... busted.

I glance at Cody, wondering if he connected the dots, but he’s chatting with Logan, paying me no heed.

“Okay, twelve it is,” the instructor says, impatient to get things started. “Everyone jumping, follow me.”

I’m sure Colt will bust my ass at the earliest convenience, and my mind blanks on how to save my face. Nothing justifies me spending time with Mia while Cody’s crushing on her. Nothing. I’ve got no line of defense.

Everyone follows the instructor into the hangar, and I’m struck that Cody didn’t say one word to Mia. He just walked right off. He needs a lesson on how to properly take care of a girl like her. But... I won’t be doing him any favors. It’s not Cody she wants. It’s me.