Whiskey & Honey Read online

  He reaches over and grabs my hand. Tingles. Every damn time he touches me the tingles begin in my toes and make their way up my legs, stopping for a little visit in the lady parts, who by the way are really aware of how close I’m sitting to Bentley, before stopping in my tummy. I look down to where his hand is and then up quickly to his face. He’s looking forward toward the road as if he doesn’t feel the same connection I do. Of course he doesn’t. I look back down at our hands and pull mine from his and place it in my lap.

  Ben pulls his hand from where it was just holding mine and puts it on the wheel to replace the one he’s now resting on the window. The mood in this truck just went from banter-filled to awkward.

  Clearing his throat, he turns his attention to the road. “Relax, I’m not kidnapping you or anything.” I start to reply but he cuts me off. “You sounded panicked for a second. I found a place I’m considering and I want your opinion.”

  “Not you, too,” I sigh. “What is it with you and your sister? If you found a place, great. You have to live in it, not me.” That may have been a tad bit snarky and reflected a smidge too much frustration. I’m less frustrated with going to look at an apartment than I am that his simple touch put me on edge.

  Ben doesn’t even respond; he just begins singing along to the radio. I concede I have lost this battle. I am officially the Sullivan Apartment Hunting Chaperone.

  Deep cleansing and calming breaths are perfect for regulating your heartbeat. They are also detrimental to their purpose if it means you take in the scent of Piper Lawrence. I realize I sound like some sort of lovelorn teenager, but the minute I saw her open the door I couldn’t breathe. That dress not only hugs her in all the right places, it also puts her tits on full display. The most glorious set I’ve seen outside of a magazine. Her long hair just barely grazing their tops had my attention right away. I managed to get my act together and move my attention to her face. I swear my heart stopped. How is it possible for one woman to be so absolutely perfect?

  Then she spoke. That sweet and sultry voice, full of sass to cover the insecurities I see in her eyes, sets my soul on fire. I was thankful she walked ahead of me down the stairs allowing enough time for a few cleansing and calming breaths. That was, until I caught sight of her ass in that dress. I spend more time thinking of kittens and reciting baseball stats when Piper is around. Each statistic is an attempt to rid myself of the raging hard-on she gives me.

  I do find how uneasy I seem to make her very interesting. I see how much she tries to fight the attraction and her reaction to it. The sassier and infuriated she gets only entices me more. Whether she’s sassing me because I already purchased a gift for my sister or because I hold her hand, seeing her unsettled in her seat puts a smile on my face. It means she feels something. As confusing as it is and complicated as it makes things, I want her to feel everything too.

  “Where are we going, Ben? There aren’t any apartments out this way.”

  “I never said apartment. Stop being so impatient, enjoy the ride.”

  A roll of her eyes and she promptly turns her back to me, looking out the window. Sass, so much sass.

  I’m not sure what prompted me to want to bring Piper out here with me. When I was looking at rental ads earlier in the week, I had every intention of finding a little apartment to call my own. Then, as luck would have it, there was a listing for a house. Not just a house but a traditional farm house on acreage.

  After giving in to my curiosity, I drove out here the other day and it was love at first sight. Well, as much love as you can have for a house that looks like its dying. I’m not even kidding, it looks dead. A dead house.

  During my walk of the property, I happened up on the cherry on the house sundae - the land backs up to a stream. A rambling, ready-to-drop-my-fishing-pole-in-it stream. I knew in that moment that this was my house. I’ve thought of nothing except this house since but can’t seem to shake this need for someone else to react the same way. Some sort of confirmation that my reaction isn’t abnormal and maybe, just maybe, find it as fantastic as I do.

  My eyes wander from the road and over to Piper. I can tell that her tension has eased a little. I also notice that the hem of her dress has raised a little and I see just enough leg to make me let out an audible groan. Piper looks at me, and while her posture shows she’s releasing the tension, the look in her eyes is anything but relaxed. Another eye roll and she adjusts her dress to cover the exposed part of her leg and begins to braid her hair.

  I approach the turn to the long drive and cautiously make the turn, avoiding the previously standing mail box that now lays partially in the drive. I suppose the list of things I’ll have to replace at this house is going to quite lengthy if that mail box is an indicator.

  As we make our way down the long drive that is lined with a few trees, I feel Piper sit up straighter and roll the window down all the way. The way she is peering out the window is like a puppy catching the wind in his face. Although I see beyond the unkempt land and home, I’m not sure what Piper sees but I hear her gasp as I bring the truck to a stop in front of the house.

  “Ben,” she whispers. Unbuckling herself, she opens the door and hops out of the truck. I follow suit and walk around the truck to stand next to her.

  “What do you think? Too much for a bachelor?”

  She doesn’t respond so I look at her. Her mouth is open in awe and her eyes are shimmering with the slightest hint of tears.

  “Piper, what’s wrong?”

  She waves her hands at me, takes a long breath, and releases it as she wipes her eyes.

  “Sorry. Ben, it’s wonderful. This house. It’s…”

  She doesn’t finish her sentence and instead begins walking toward the steps that lead to a wraparound porch and the front door. Stopping at the base of the steps, she turns to me and I can still see the slightest hint of tears.

  “Can we go inside? Will the owners mind?”

  “Nah, that’s why we’re here. Come on,” I reply as I grab her hand. This time she doesn’t pull away but instead squeezes my hand.

  I point out a few spots that are questionable and we step around them. Savoring the feeling of her hand in mine, I lead her into the house. Standing in the foyer, I look over at Piper. Her eyes wide as saucers and her mouth open enough that she’ll catch a fly given the opportunity, she’s uncharacteristically quiet.

  I was here yesterday so I’m familiar with the layout and turn toward the living room, giving her a little tug as I do. She closes her mouth and silently follows my lead. I move so that that we are in front of the large window that looks out past the porch we just stepped across and down the drive.

  “It’s a four bedroom and two bath on four acres. Obviously it needs a lot of love and care but I’m thinking I’d be a fool if I didn’t scoop it up. What do you think?”

  Piper lets go of my hand and starts walking around the room and eventually back out and toward what is the kitchen. I let her go ahead and follow her. She seems familiar with the layout, which would be strange if it wasn’t a typical farmhouse. Most of these homes have a similar floor pattern, but I’m surprised Piper would have such a familiarity. Growing up she was either at our house or the apartment she shared with her mom.

  Once I make it to the kitchen, I lean in the doorway. When I was here yesterday, I immediately thought of family dinners that could be prepared in here and of the imaginary smiling faces of kids sitting at the long table, and I knew there was no doubt I wanted this house. Watching Piper make her way around the room, I allow myself a nanosecond of those smiling faces belonging to a woman like Piper.

  As Piper runs her hand across the counter and over the front of the large sink, I feel a tug and need to break the moment. It feels too intense and like there is something more to this house with Piper here.

  “Cat got your tongue, Princess?”

  “What? Oh, I’m sorry. It’s wonderful, Ben. Breathtaking.”

  “Oh good. My gut said the same thing but I needed
a second opinion before I put in an offer. It’s going to take a lot of work, but in the end I think it’ll be worth it.”

  “This kitchen. It’s a dream kitchen, Ben. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to dream kitchens and this is what they all look like. You have to get this house. It’s too perfect to let go.”

  “I agree. Of course, this doesn’t get me out of my parents’ house any faster but it is a great investment.”

  I look down at my watch and see that we’re going to be late if we don’t leave now. “We should go; Ash will have a meltdown if we’re late.”

  Silently, Piper tilts her head in contemplation and, instead of walking out of the kitchen, she walks to the back door and places her hand to the piece of stained glass that sits in the center of the door. It’s a simple design that projects little prisms all over the room, almost like a kaleidoscope. After a few heartbeats with her hand on the glass she turns and offers me a small closed-mouth smile before heading toward the front door.

  Once outside, she begins walking toward the back of the house. Again, I follow. Piper stops to stand in the knee-high dead grass with the sun shining bright; she’s never looked more beautiful or serene. I walk up behind her and place my hands on her shoulders. She doesn’t move, but I feel her take a deep breath and I swear I also hear a sniffle.

  “Just beyond that tree line is a stream. It’s not much, but it’ll be great for a little after-work fishing, that’s for sure.”

  Only nodding in response I hear it again, a sniffle. This time, instead of ignoring the sound I turn her toward me. Those tears that were lingering are now freely falling. What is going on? I place my finger to her chin to catch one as it falls.

  “What is it? What’s wrong, Piper?” I can’t hide my concern or confusion in my voice.

  “It’s nothing, I’m being silly,” she says, gently shaking her head. I won’t be swayed.

  “It isn’t nothing, Princess. Why are you crying?”

  “The house. This land. It’s all … it’s all so familiar.”

  “What do you mean, familiar? Have you been here before?”

  She shakes her head no and another tear falls on my hand that is now tipping her face up. I look into those gorgeous eyes. The lightest brown with gold flakes, they never cease to take my breath away. For a brief moment time stands still. I want to kiss her.

  “You’ll think I’m crazy.”

  “I won’t think you’re crazy, but you’re kind of freaking me out here.” She offers me a tentative smile.

  “Sorry, I don’t mean to. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a recurring dream. It’s silly really. These dreams have always come and gone but they never change. There’s a long drive, a beautiful house.” She pauses and another tear drops.

  I wipe the stray tear from her cheek as she puts her hand on mine and lowers my hand from her face but doesn’t let go of my hand.

  “You used to dream of my house? This house?” I ask, and she nods.

  “It’s just a coincidence. I don’t know why I’m crying,” she says, releasing my hand and wiping the remaining tears from her face.

  “Hey,” I say and she looks up at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. I just felt overwhelmed. I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t leave me more time to get ready or I’d be Rocky Raccoon with my makeup a hot mess,” she jokes.

  “You could never look a hot mess, Princess. We really should get going.”

  She agrees and we fall in pace side by side back to the truck. Once we’re both in I start the truck and look at Piper. She’s staring out the window, but the tears seem to have stopped.

  It’s silent for a few minutes as I drive toward my parents’ house. Thankfully, the tension from the earlier silent treatment is gone.

  “Thank you for taking me there, Ben. I can’t believe that house actually exists. That’s so crazy. What are the chances?”

  “It’s a pretty run-of-the-mill farmhouse, Pipe. You probably saw one when you were little and it stuck with you.”

  “No, Ben. I mean it was the house. The porch, foyer, and kitchen, all of it. Even that little stained glass window in the kitchen. All of that was from my dreams.”

  The look on her face as she tells me this is one I want to memorize. She is equal parts excited, mesmerized, and a little scared. I imagine it’s similar to the look I have each time I touch her.

  “The stained glass?” I ask.

  She nods in response.

  “Huh, that’s pretty cool.”

  “Yeah, pretty cool. Completely weird and a little on the creepy side but cool, Ben.” Giggles and a smile take over her face as she reaches toward the radio and turns up the volume, ultimately regulating the moment.

  We make it to my parents’ house with less than four minutes to spare. As we make our way up the to the kitchen door – nobody uses the front door here – the door flies open with the birthday girl shouting.

  “Where the hell … Why are you guys together? Oh presents! Gimme!”

  I shake my head and lift my gift bag up as Piper does the same and they are snatched from our hands. “Why are they the same? Did you get me the same thing? Ben, did you keep the receipt?”

  I walk in and scoop my mom up in a big hug and offer a kiss to her cheek. I turn to Dad and he hands me a beer. “Ash, if they are the same, why would you take mine back and not Piper’s?”

  “Because, you big oaf, she’s my bestie. Yours goes back,” she says, sitting down at the kitchen table. Before she can begin pulling the pink paper stuff the shop girl put in the bag, my dad takes the gifts from her.

  “You know the rules, Ashton Marie. No gifts until after we eat. Piper, can I get you something to drink? A glass of wine?”

  “Thanks, Paul. Actually, I’ll just take some water for now. I had to take allergy meds and need to drink more water.”

  That reminds me, I never asked her about the roses. “Hey, Piper, who left you the roses? You never said.”

  She shakes her head and takes a drink of water. Ashton, still pouting from Dad taking her gifts, looks between the two of us. I know that look so I put finger up to stop her before the inquisition starts.

  “Piper and I were both at the school today when I found her in the middle of an allergy attack.” My mom turns to me with an arched brow as she sets the final tray of food on the counter.

  Before Ashton can offer commentary, my dad looks at Piper, confused. “What idiot gave you roses? You’re allergic.” Piper smiles in response.

  “That’s what Ben said too. Obviously it wasn’t a Sullivan as you all seem to be up to speed on my allergies.” We all laugh before my mom declares it dinnertime. Dad and I let the ladies put their plates together and head out to the patio before we start on our own.

  “So, you spent the day with Piper?”

  Here we go. “No, Dad. Piper and I are both teachers at the same school. I saw her like I said and made sure she was okay. Don’t make this something it’s not.”

  I finish putting my burger together and grab my beer to join the ladies outside when he starts laughing.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You. I think you almost believe that line of shit you just fed me, son. The only time you have ever been defensive is when you’re caught in a lie. I can probably count on one hand each time. I believe this conversation just started me on hand two.”

  “I’m not lying. Piper and I are friends. And co-workers. Look, I was thinking of getting Ash a second gift and figured who better to help than her best friend. So yeah, I asked Piper to help me. Come on, Dad, you know Ash is a royal pain when it comes to her gifts and if I screwed this up I’d never hear the end of it.”

  “Royal pain is being kind to your sister. She’s the most selfless person I know except on her birthday. If we let her, she’d have it declared a national holiday.”

  This time, we both laugh and join the women outside. Dinner goes along as normal with no more comments about me and Piper.
Of course, since it is Ashton’s birthday most of the conversation is geared to her liking.

  Once we’ve cleaned up dinner and let the meal settle Ashton declares it shortcake time. A quick rendition of the birthday song and she quickly transitions us to gift time. First up is the gift card for a day at the spa for Ashton and Piper from our parents. Squeals and high fives abound as they declare it the best gift ever. Which is funny because it is the same gift they have both been getting from my parents since they were sixteen.

  Next is Piper’s gift. I admit I took a peak when the clerk first handed me the bag. Ashton is instantly crying as she opens the box the silver compact sits in. She flips it over and begins reading the inscription aloud, “Friends by chance. Sisters by choice.”

  “Oh, Pipes! It’s perfect. You bitch, now I’m crying!”

  Everyone laughs as the girls hug and sniffle together. Next up is my gift. I hold my breath a little as she pulls a box similar to that of Piper’s gift. This one, instead, is long and rectangular. My mom looks at me with a twinkle in her eye and I know more tears are coming.

  Ashton pulls the locket from the box and she lets out a gasp. With glistening eyes, she looks at me. “Open it,” I tell her. I watch her as she does and the tears freely fall.

  “Ben,” she whispers and comes flying at me.

  “I love you, Monkey.”

  “Thank you, I love you too. I’m so happy you’re home.”

  “Well, let me see what has you all teary-eyed, Ash,” Mom says, crying and holding her hand out for Ashton to hand her the locket.

  Ashton shows Mom and Dad the pictures I had put in the locket. The left side is me holding Ash when she’s a baby and the right is a picture of us on Halloween. It was the year I was dressed as the Cowboy and Ashton was dressed as a very well-endowed Dolly Parton.

  Mom smiles and looks at me. “Oh, Bentley James. Is that why you were in the old photo albums? It’s perfect.”

  I smile in acknowledgement while she dabs her eyes with a tissue. I glance at Piper and she raises an eyebrow at me. Busted. She knows that I had a pretty spectacular gift for Ash and didn’t need her help after all. I shrug in response and she just smiles and shakes her head at me. My dad clears his throat and I glance at him as he shakes his head and smiles. Yeah, he’s not buying what I tried selling him earlier.