It was easy to figure out that the Sharp women were sisters; Alana, Adrienne, Alexis and Ava were all chocolate beauties with shining black hair, beautiful skin and petite figures. When his best friend, Jared, had introduced him to Alexis the first time, Roland had immediately asked if she had any sisters at home. When Jared got finished laughing at the remark, he told Roland that she had a houseful of them and he could have his pick. But when hed met Alana, hed known that he wasnt looking any further. Alana wasnt making things easy for him, however.
Whenever he saw her in a crowd of people, she was warm and friendly, full of humorous conversation and borderline flirtatious. How she was in a one-on-one situation he didnt know because she was a master of avoidance. Hed asked her out a few times and she always managed to have some ironclad reason not to go. Normally he wouldve moved on and found a more willing companion without giving her a second thought. He was far from conceited but he wasnt unaware that he had a certain magnetism when it came to women. He was the oldest of seven children; there were five younger sisters between him and the youngest, his brother, Glenn.
Hed spent his adolescence ducking and dodging the myriad of besotted friends of his sisters, all of whom wanted him for their very own. It was something of a relief to him when he went off to college so he hadnt had to worry about hurting some young girls feelings. One thing he wasnt used to was being ignored, though, and Alanas behavior was close to a total shut-out. Normally he would have returned the favor and gone on his merry way, but there was something about her that captivated him.
He was having a great time with her, going from table to table talking to family and friends. His family had come down from Chicago for the festivities, as they had been close to the VanBurens since Jared and Roland were small boys. Alana and his sisters had hit it off when Jared and Alexis got married and they were gossiping like sorority sisters while Roland had a chance to look at Alana as much as he liked.
Her glossy black hair was twisted into some kind of updo that showed off her long slender neck and drew attention to her oval face with the big almond-shaped eyes. Her features were delicate but sensual, especially her lips. They were a perfect cupids bow, but plump and inviting like a ripe plum. Everything about her was fine and elegant, from her slender shoulders and arms to her long, artistic fingers. It was hard to believe that she was a mechanic, but she owned Custom Classics, the top auto repair and custom paint shop in Columbia. Her business was the best place in South Carolina to get a car restored to its former glory, especially if it was a vintage model. She even had offers for reality TV; producers were constantly after her to make a series about her business but she turned them all down.
He would have been content to watch her for hours, but his youngest sister, Pamela, chose to tease him about his fascination. Shed taken a vacant chair next to him and started meddling, which was one of her favorite things to do.
Your eyes are gonna fall out if you dont stop looking. I think youre drooling, do you want a bib? Her eyes were full of merriment, but her lips were barely moving, a trick shed mastered years ago when she wanted to talk in church, in class or anywhere else she was supposed to be quiet.
Quiet, you nosy wench, Roland said with an unmistakable note of fondness in his voice. He loved his sisters madly even though their sole purpose in life seemed to be to get on his last good nerve. Go find yourself something else to do besides get in my business or my retaliation will be both painful and public.
Pamela grinned wickedly as she glanced with great interest from Alana to her big brother. You need to take a picture, itll last longer.
Thats original. Never heard that one before, Roland muttered as he gazed at the delectable nape of Alanas neck.
I mean it, protested Pamela. Theres a photo booth over there. You should get this moment commemorated because it might be the closest you get to her for the rest of your life. She yelped as Roland thumped her on the back of her head.
He did follow through with her suggestion, though. After Alana took her last sip of champagne they went over to the booth and found it empty. They attempted to sit on the bench but his long legs took up most of the room so she sat on his lap. Her perfume was as sweet and captivating as she was and as she closed the curtain he inhaled the fragrant essence that was one part Chanel No. 5 and three parts Alana.
The camera clicked as they smiled into the lens and made funny faces. She closed her eyes and planted a big smacking kiss on his cheek, which he returned. Their eyes met and by an unspoken mutual consent their lips touched softly and deliberately before merging into a powerful kiss. Roland was right; her lips were like fragrant plums dipped in champagne and the taste released a powerful longing in him. Their tongues mated and lingered, stoking the growing fire between them.
Alanas arms went around his neck and he pulled her closer to him, crushing her soft breasts against his rock-hard chest. His hands slid down to her slim hips and she pressed against him harder as one slim hand stroked his smoothly shaven head. It could have gone on and on but the curtain was suddenly pushed aside by two smirking women, Pamela and Ava.
I told you they were in here, Pamela gloated.
You two should probably get a room somewhere, Ava advised. There are children and old people here, you know. You could give somebody a heart attack.
I should have known you would find each other, Alana said with a resigned expression. Arent there some interesting men out there for you to torture?
Pamela grinned and said, Yes, there are, but this is more fun. How much will you pay me to keep these pictures off of Facebook? She was reaching for the photo strips when Roland grabbed her wrist firmly.
Ill let you live, hows that? He gave her the expression that she knew meant business and since Alana was giving Ava a similar look, they decided to leave.
We can go spread gossip, thats almost as good, Pam said pragmatically.
Roland and Alana looked at each other and burst out laughing. Is there any lipstick on my mouth? he asked.
Alana assured him there wasnt. This is the non-smear, perma-shine kind. No smears, I promise.
Well, in that case, I think we need to finish what we started, he murmured, just before his mouth joined hers for one more mindlessly sweet kiss.
Chapter 2
The morning after the wedding found Alana in a mood that most charitably could be described as foul.
Her head was pounding from all the bubbly Moet shed had at the reception and she wanted nothing more than to be alone for the rest of the day and possibly her life. Sitting up in her bed seemed to take all of her energy and she groaned loudly and with great pain. It was going to be a miserable day.
Only a few drinks in her system, and she could barely remember what shed done the night before. Compounding that was the fact that shed had an array of dreams that were blazingly hot, featuring Roland Casey as her partner in every kind of erotic crime imaginable. Why in the world shed managed to conjure the two of them, naked, sweaty and tightly entwined the way she had was just beyond her. There were some mental puzzle pieces missing, but her head hurt too badly for her to figure it out at the moment.
After her eyelids finally came unglued, she squinted around her bedroom, trying to figure out where her robe was. Since her sister Adrienne was staying with her, she tried to do it as quietly as possible, although it was so late that Adrienne was probably awake. Alana was in no shape to converse with anyone, however, and she was aiming for total stealth at the moment.
She managed to find the robe and her slippers and she staggered into the bathroom, hoping that a blast of hot water on her face would bring her back to the land of the living.
The shower was a mixed blessing because her head was throbbing so hard that the stream of water was actually quite painful, but she clenched her teeth and hung in there, scrubbing her body mercilessly with a nylon puff and a huge amount of Au Lait body wash.
The mild, clean scent gradually soothed her senses until she was at least able to move her neck without wincing. While she moved the puff up and down her body she tried to recreate the evening, hoping that there was a reasonable explanation for her steamy dreams and her deep sense of embarrassment. Maybe she had an alter-ego like Beyonce, she thought mirthlessly. Maybe her personal Sasha Fierce had taken over her dreams last night because it sure wasnt the real Alana. With a sigh that came from the depths of her being, she turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a big soft towel before putting the robe on again.
Adrienne was probably up and moving around because the thermostat had been turned up and the house was no longer chilly. She could also smell her favorite morning aroma, coffee. God bless her, Adrienne knew the only thing that would help her headache was a large cup of joe. Maybe the whole pot.
Alana made a detour through the living room on her way to the kitchen and found her shoes, which had been left by the front door. She also found the attachment to her gown, the rest of her dress, her purse, her jewelry and everything else shed worn that shed apparently tossed this way and that as shed staggered into the house. That must have been some striptease shed done on the way to the bed.
Hauling everything into the bedroom, she was about to pile her clothes onto the window seat, but it was already occupied by Adrienne, who was holding a large mug out to her.
Just toss em on the bed, Sissie. Lets talk, Adrienne said brightly. Sissie was the name Adrienne had called her from the time she was first able to talk.
Alana dropped the clothes and reached for the mug, which her sister pulled away. Not a chance, not until you agree to talk to me.
Fine, whatever, just give me that coffee and tell me whats on your mind.
Youre on my mind, sweetie. Im concerned about you, Adrienne said, her eyebrows raised slightly. I thought you could use a listening ear.
Alana took another long swallow and stared into the mug like it was a Magic 8-Ball or some other kind of oracle. Did I do something stupid last night that I dont recall?
No, you were actually behaving like the Alana that Ive always loved and admired and tried to emulate. Youve been my role model since the day I was born. We practically shared the same womb, Adrienne said with a grin.
It was true; Alana and Adrienne were born only ten months apart, and were as close as twins in a lot of ways, even physically, although Adrienne was a lot more bohemian than Alana. Alanas style tended to be more classic while her younger sister wore avant-garde garb of her own design. She was a much sought-after costume designer in Hollywood and she looked the part.
Alanas relaxed hair was worn in a sleek shoulder-length bob, while Adriennes hair was worn in wild spiraling curls. She also wore glasses because she couldnt be bothered with contact lenses, and she always managed to find stunningly fashionable ones that showed off her eyes instead of hiding them.
The sisters were the same height and size, although Adrienne was heavier now that she was entering the second trimester of her pregnancy. Shed thought she was pregnant back in February when Alexis got married, but it had been a false alarm. This time it was the real deal. She was definitely with child, a child she was sure was a boy, even before the ultrasound had proved her to be correct.
Why in the world would you want to be like me? Im completely and totally boring. I think your hormones are making you a little crazy, Alana said as she put the mug on her nightstand. She picked up a bottle of Au Lait body lotion and began applying it to her legs before continuing.
Youre avoiding my question, she said sternly. What did I do last night? Im having a problem remembering some details, like how my clothes got strewn all over the living room.
You didnt do anything scandalous, if thats what you mean. You were a little frisky, no doubt due to the amount of champagne you had, but all you did was dance a lot. And you took some cute pictures with Roland.
Cute pictures? What cute pictures? Alana demanded as she took off her robe to finish putting on lotion.
Adrienne gladly handed her the strips from the photo booth and sat back to watch her reaction. She didnt have long to wait as Alanas cheeks turned red and her eyes got huge.
Good Lord. I forgot all about these, she mumbled. Was I drunk or what? How did I get home? Did I make a fool out of myself?
Adrienne laughed at the look on her sisters face. I brought you home because Roland took his parents back to the hotel. On the way home you started singing and you kept on singing when we got to the house. Then you started dancing through the living room, tossing your clothes. It was pretty cute. Actually, you were singing I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and it was hilarious.
Alana made a scornful noise and continued her grooming routine, putting body butter on her feet, elbows and knees. Youre just making things up to get on my nerves. I dont remember doing anything of the kind. I had a little to drink but not that much. I certainly wouldve remembered a performance like that, she said haughtily. Holding her towel tightly, she went into her walk-in closet and emerged wearing a lacy pink bra and matching thong.
Adrienne was waiting for her, holding out her smartphone. Alana leaned over to get a good look at it and squealed when she saw the video playing on the screen. There she was in all her giddy glory, singing loud and off-key as her clothes went flying.
How do you delete this? Alana turned the phone over and over, examining all the buttons. If this ends up on your Facebook page, Ill get you, she vowed.
I was thinking more like YouTube, Adrienne teased. Or that funny video show on TV. We could make some money, honey.
Alana tossed the phone to her unrepentant sister and went back to the closet for jeans and a sweater. Adrienne continued to talk to her while she dressed.
You didnt do anything really crazy last night. You were acting like a normal, happy, sexy woman. I love these photo booth pictures because theyre you, the real you. I was so happy to see you dancing through the house last night without a care in the world because thats how you should be. Theres nothing wrong with being with a delicious man whos obviously interested in you. I havent seen you like this since... Her voice trailed away for a moment and then she finished. Since Sam died. You deserve to start living again, Sissie.
Alana picked up her mug and drained the rest of her coffee, which was now stone-cold and tasted like prune juice. Im hungry. Are you hungry? Cmon, Ill make you some breakfast, she said as she abruptly left the room.