She had become an overnight sensation and had received excellent reviews. And she had remained the lead throughout the whole production, even though she was doing clinicals for her psychology residency during the day.
Camille was the best buddy a guy could have, but he wanted more. He had always wanted more, but he’d been too afraid to take the first step. Now that she was here, he would do everything he could to convince her that they belonged together. Just before she’d left the room, he’d felt something new, something strong flowing between them. Sexual chemistry. Had she felt it, too?
“Here you are,” she said, returning with a wrapped box and handing it to him. Their hands touched in the process, and she drew in a sharp breath the same moment that he did.
“Thanks. I wonder what she sent.”
“I don’t know. It looks like she wanted it to be a surprise.”
He smiled and headed for his bedroom. Closing the door, he began unwrapping the package. There was a note attached that read… “Dre,I thought it was time you gave this to the person it was intended for.”
He opened the box…and found his book of poems.
CHAPTER 14
Cobra would have to admit that his brother looked happy, and he knew it was all because of the woman by his side. The woman he had married a few months ago. “If Colton ever gives you trouble, Kelly, just know you can ditch him and that I’m available.”
Kelly threw her head back and laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You better not,” Colton said, pulling his wife closer to his side. “There are some things we never shared, and we won’t start now. She is completely taken,” he said, leaning in to place a kiss on her wife’s lips.
Cobra would admit he was happy for Colton and Cortez. He couldn’t help wondering if he would be so lucky one day. He then frowned at the thought that he would wonder about such a thing. Hell, he wasn’t sure any woman could hold his interest for long.
At that moment, thoughts of Desiree flashed through his mind. His desire girl. He couldn’t help but recall the hot kisses they had shared a few days ago in the Belgium Room.
“Any reason you have a silly-looking grin on your face, Cobra?”
For a minute, he had forgotten his brother and sister-in-law were still there. “I don’t have any silly-looking grin on my face.”
“You do, too.” Colton then turned to Kelly. “Doesn’t he?”
She shook her head, grinning. “I refuse to let you pull me into that.”
Cobra winked at her. “You’re not only gorgeous, but you’re smart as a whip, Kelly.”
When some of their other cousins approached, the subject changed to other things, such as any plans being made for a Masters’ Christmas get-together. It was only a short while later that Cobra decided to go outside to sit in the civic center’s courtyard, where the family reunion was being held. Today had been a busy day, and he was glad that in an hour or so, another family reunion would be coming to an end.
***
“The family reunion turned out great, Cobra. You and your committee did an awesome job on it.”
Cobra glanced over at Quinn, one of his older cousins who owned a massive law firm in Los Angeles. He was also married to Grammy-award-winning artist Alexia Bennett Masters. Cobra and his brothers were blessed with older cousins they could look up to as they grew up. Quinn and his brothers—Grey, Lake, and Shane—had always been there to offer an ear and advice when needed. Now that the triplets were adults, he especially appreciated that the ‘Brothers Four’, as they were often called, never pried but were always ready to listen.
“Thanks, but it wasn’t all up to me. Aunt Gertrude drafted my services.”
Quinn chuckled. “She’s done that to all of us at some point or another. It was your turn.”
“Whatever.” Cobra took a sip of his beer and looked around. “Hayes seemed to enjoy himself.”
“He told me that he did,” Quinn said, sliding into the chair across from Cobra in the courtyard. “Of course, he’s still getting to know everyone. The past year hasn’t been easy for him. To lose both parents the way he did, and then to have to leave his friends behind and start over in a new state, a new school, anda family he’d never met. But he’s managing. He’s doing well in school, and he told me that he signed up for the softball team.”
“That’s great! It’s hard to believe it was a year ago when you got that call.”
Social Services in Philadelphia had contacted Quinn to let him know that Sonny, his grandfather Kenneth’s grandson, whom he hadn’t known about, and his wife had been killed in a robbery. They’d told Quinn that unless a family member applied for custody of Hayes, Sonny’s child, the boy would be placed in the foster care system. When they sent Quinn a picture of Hayes, Quinn could tell the boy was a Masters. He favored most of them.
The ‘Brothers Four’ immediately flew to Philly to claim Hayes. Quinn had claimed full custody since Hayes was the same age as Quinn and Alexia’s daughter, Idella. They were in the same grade and could attend the same school.
Quinn got up and grabbed a beer from the cooler, and when he sat back down, Cobra asked, “You dated a lot before you settled down and married Alexia, right?”
