Slow Burn (Brother's Best Friend Romance)

By Cheryl Douglas

Kendra
He took my virginity then kissed me on the forehead and sent me on my way. The bastard! I knew the odds of someone as sexy and experienced as Drake falling for his best friend’s little sister were slim, but he’d known I had a thing for him forever. How could he use me that way? But I dried my tears, went away to college, and forgot all about him. Not. Now I’m back, just passing through town. He says he wants me to stay, to be his. Ha! He’s about to learn the lesson he taught me... you can’t always get what you want.

Drake
I didn’t want to let her go the first time, but her dreams were too big for our tiny town. So I did what I thought was right. For her. Because I loved her enough to let her go. But the punishment for my good deed? Having to hear about all her other boyfriends, knowing those bastards were taking what was a mine, a part of her she’d promised she’d never share with anyone else. I can’t do anything about the past. She made mistakes, so did I. But now she’s back. She thinks she’s leaving me again, but she doesn’t realize how determined I am... to make her stay.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Douglas
• Release date: Jun 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370932719

Cheryl Douglas

Cheryl Douglas is a USA Today bestselling author who kicks back in the country, surrounded by farm land and nature. Her life revolves around family, country music, travel, caffeine, chocolate, and deadlines.Visit Cheryl at www.authorcheryldouglas.com

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Chapter 1

Drake

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I was on my way to my best friend’s house to ask him if he wanted to grab a beer and watch the ball game. It was a Saturday afternoon, and while I knew I should be at my shop catching up on paperwork after the grueling week we’d had, I was feeling too restless to work. I just needed to kick back with my buddy and catch up. Hear all about his baby sister…

I’d heard she was back in town after four years away, getting her degree in education. Our paths had crossed over the years when she’d come back home to visit her family, but I’d been on my best behavior. Not like the night I took her virginity, then sent her on her way.

I still cursed myself every time I thought about it. But I was trying to be a good guy. I knew she had dreams that were too big for our small town. Ivy League schools. Preppy-ass guys who drove Beemers and golfed on weekends. Pantywaists if you asked me, but I’d always assumed she’d get a taste of them, then come back to me and rural Georgia. Our hometown. The place she belonged. And the man she belonged to.

Only she’d been back a week already, and I’d been looking for those big blue eyes and corkscrew blond curls everywhere. Not a sign of her. Not at the diner. The bar. My garage. Her brother’s place. It was like she was trying to hide from me. But she couldn’t hide forever. And when I found her, it was game on ‘cause I’d waited long enough to make that sweet thing mine.

I parked my classic Corvette at the bottom of Danny’s driveway and hopped out. He was in his garage working on his beast, a ’68 Chevelle SS that gave me a rush every time I saw it.

Hey, Danny. I slipped my sunglasses up on my head as I circled his car, which was parked in the middle of his detached two-car garage. She looks good.

Thanks, he said, grunting as he slid out from under the car. Just givin’ her an oil change.

You wanna grab a beer at Toby’s? There’s a game on this afternoon.

I’d love to, but I promised my sister I’d give her a hand.

Pay dirt. Oh yeah, I heard Kendra was back. I tried so hard to play it cool as I sorted through the tools on his work bench, putting them back in their designated spots. How’s she been?

Good, but you’ll never guess what she’s planning to do now. He scowled as he wiped his hands on a greasy rag. Missionary work. She’ll be in Nigeria for a whole year. Can you believe that? He rolled his eyes. My sister the do-gooder. I swear to God she’s going to get herself killed one of these days.

I could have sworn my heart stopped beating for a second. My sweet little Kendra surrounded by poverty and violence, terrorists, living in fear every day? No way. You’ve got to be kidding. Please tell me this is joke.

I wish I were. We’ve all tried to talk her out of it, but she’s determined. She says she has to do this.

Why?

Danny didn’t know about my past with his sister. If he found out I’d been the one to take her virginity, he’d lose his shit.

You know her, Danny said, rolling his shoulders and neck. She’s always been big on volunteering.

Yeah, but for local causes. She’s never done anything like this before.

She said she couldn’t because of school. Now that she’s done with that she wants to do this, before she commits to a full-time job.

I’d always admired her huge heart and her willingness to help others, but couldn’t she see how crazy this was? It was dangerous… she might never come back home to me if she took this trip.

You said you had to help her with something today? I was already thinking of things I could say to change her mind. I’m in love with you. I want to build a life with you. But would that be enough to change her mind? When she had her heart set on something it was almost impossible to set her on a different track.

Yeah. I’m going over to my folks’ place to help her clean out the attic. Some of the shit’s mine, so I guess it’s the least I can do. My parents can’t get up there anymore, and Mama thinks it’s overrun with mice. He chuckled. That’s why Kendra refused to clean it out alone. She’s convinced one will dart out of a box and scare the crap out of her.

I laughed at the visual, though I still had a sinking feeling in my stomach. You mind if I come with you? I haven’t seen Kendra in a while. I’d like to catch up before she leaves. Not that I intended to let her leave. I didn’t care if I had to tie her to my bedposts, she wasn’t going to Africa. I knew it made me sound like an asshole, but I’d never get a wink of sleep, thinking about my girl in a place like that.

Yeah, sure. My parents would love to see you.

Danny’s parents had always loved me. But if they knew what I wanted to do to their baby girl, they’d probably wanna hog-tie and torture me. Not to mention Danny. My best friend would go ballistic when I told him I had a thing for his sister. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve been a bit of a man-whore over the years. But only because nothing and no one could fill the hole Kendra left in my heart. Five years later, it still felt like it happened yesterday.

Cool, I said. You wanna take my car?

Sounds good. Just let me grab a quick shower.

Kendra

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My parents were out golfing and the clock was ticking. I had a million things to do before I left for Africa and I couldn’t believe my lame-ass brother was late. The last thing I wanted to do was clean the attic, but a promise was a promise and I was a good girl who’d been raised to honor her word.

I picked up one of my mama’s sugar cookies and nibbled on it as I waited to hear the familiar rumble of my brother’s car announce his arrival. I looked out the window muttering a curse word that would have made my sweet mama blush when I spotted his Corvette.

What the hell was Drake doing here? I was going to kill my brother! Not that Danny knew about my aversion to his best friend. How could he? I’d die before I told him the truth: that I’d given Drake my virginity only to be sent on my way with a kiss on the forehead and his hollow words of regret ringing in my ears.

I had the few seconds it took them to get out of the car and walk through the back door to collect myself. It’s not like I hadn’t seen him since it happened. I had. Plenty of times. But we’d never been alone. There had always been people around, usually my family, so talking about that night was never an option. I’d just have to make sure we weren’t left alone today. No matter what, Danny would have to act as a buffer because there was no way in hell I was going to talk to my long-time crush about the most embarrassing night of my life.

Hey you, Danny said, pulling me into his arms.

We hadn’t seen each other since Christmas break and it felt nice to be back in my big brother’s arms. We’d always been close, despite the fact we’d lived in different states for the past five years.

You’re late, I admonished, rolling forward to kiss his cheek. I don’t have all day, you know.

Yeah, yeah, he said, reaching behind me to snag one of Mama’s cookies off the plate. I know you’ve got to get ready for your mission of mercy.

Don’t make fun, I said, backhanding him in the stomach. At least I’m willing to do something about the problems in the world instead of just complaining about them like some people.

I’d been careful to avoid Drake’s gaze, but I could feel his eyes on me. I was wearing cut-off jeans shorts, a white tank, and flip-flops. Reasonable attire for a big cleaning job, but I suddenly felt so exposed. I realized why when I finally glanced his way. He was undressing me with his eyes… behind my brother’s back!

Hey, I said, narrowing my eyes at him. What’re you doing here?

He treated me to one of those damned lopsided smiles that made my heart flutter. The sexy beast. He was tall, well over six feet, with broad shoulders and rippling muscles… God I hated him.

His dark hair was a little longer than the last time I saw him. His tan was a little darker, but it was the dead of summer this time. One thing that would never change was those caramel-coloured eyes that seemed to map every move I made.

Heard you could use a little help. He opened his arms, smirking when I took a step back. What, baby doll? No hug?

Baby doll. Ugh! He’d always called me that because of my ridiculous blond curls, big blue eyes, and petite stature, claiming I looked just like a doll. I didn’t want to look like a doll. I wanted to look like every man’s fantasy, maybe a bikini or lingerie model. But no. He looked at me and thought of some kid’s play toy.

I knew Danny was watching us so I stepped into Drake’s arms and patted his back awkwardly while holding my breath to avoid inhaling that potent scent. I loved the way he smelled. It was spicy and reminded me of the outdoors. Which led me to think about what we’d done in the great outdoors… I’d never looked at the bed of a pickup truck the same way again.

He

Reviews for Slow Burn (Brother's Best Friend Romance)

[rkaye · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Double standards at its best. Not worth reading and wouldn’t recommend