Chapter 51: Waking Up in AlabamaShe stirred, then woke with a start. Her first thoughts were muddled. What time is it? Where am I? She remembered suddenly, seeing the familiar sight of her own bedroom in Birmingham. She glanced over at Luke who was still sleeping. She smiled to herself. I like the way he looks here, Bella thought. She slid out of bed and hurried to shower and get ready to leave.Freshly showered and wrapped in a fluffy cream-colored towel, she returned to the bedroom and kissed Luke lightly. "Wake up, sleepyhead. We need to go soon." He groaned softly before kissing her and rolling out of bed. She watched him stumble to the shower. "Jetlag is a bitch," she commented, laughing softly.While he showered, she finished getting ready. A few minutes later, her phone rang and she picked up. "Hello?""I'm out front, Sissy," Bubba said."Hey, Bubba. We were expecting Solomon," she said."He doesn't drive after dark these days," Tre explained."I see. Okay, we'

Chapter 53: Karaoke Night at Pale Eddie'sBella closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, Bubba. I'll go apologize. Then let's head back to town." She left the table to find Cornelia.The three men look at each other. Tre cleared his throat. "Sometimes I think that Bella and Daddy don't get along because they're so much alike. They have that same stubborn streak."Luke pursed his lips. "I have noticed a bit of hard headedness." Smiling to himself, he thought of the bar in Edinburgh where she tried to match him shot for shot.T-Nathan scowled. "I think she's the only real person in this family," he said before stalking away from the table.Tre shook his head. "It's always…interesting…when she's here."Returning to the dining room, Bella said, "I apologized. I was out of line, I know it. Let's go. I want to hit Pale Eddie's." Tre looked at her incredulously. "Really? Don't you think you've had enough?"Bella laughed. "I have not yet begun to drink! Come on, Cowboy," ta

Chapter 55: Hangovers and ConsequencesBella woke up aware of two things: an extreme headache and the need to have him. She glanced over at Luke. Asleep in her bed. In her house. And she wanted him.She tiptoed to the bathroom, found the ibuprofen, and quickly slammed three. She brushed her teeth and got into the shower. Hot water and lavender-scented lather washed over her body, and her headache was rinsed away as she imagined his hands on her, caressing her skin, cupping her breasts, teasing her nipples. And she wanted him.Her hands slid down her stomach then further down. She began touching herself, thinking of the last time they made love, on the plane home. Guess we're in the mile-high club now, she thought to herself, smiling at the memory. Turning off the water, she opened the shower door and reached for her towel. Her hand landed on an empty towel bar."Looking for this, baby girl?" Luke was leaning against the bathroom counter, completely dressed in faded jeans and

Chapter 57: An Elegant BarbequeWhen they arrived at the house, preparations were well underway. The party had been planned for months, so even with their father in the hospital, canceling it had not been considered. Cornelia was, of course, having the event catered. Bella couldn't imagine why that fact surprised her so much, but it did. When Tre had mentioned a barbeque, she'd pictured them outside grilling. But of course, creating events was Cornelia's forte.A giant white tent had been erected on the back lawn. It was filled with large round tables covered with red and white checked tablecloths. A dance floor was placed in the center and a DJ was setting up at one end. Big Daddy's BBQ had been hired to provide the casual fare. They were set up discreetly off to the side under a smaller white tent and the aroma of roasting meat along with hickory smoke filled the air. Bella went to find Cornelia to see how she could help. Tre and Luke found the beer and settled on the back

Chapter 59: IntimacyThey made their way back to their suite, managing to close the door before wrapping each other in deep passionate kisses. Luke pushed her up against the door and lightly nipped the side of her neck. She moaned, luxuriating in his touch."I want you, Cowboy," Bella whispered against his neck."Let's see about that jacuzzi," Luke murmured.Stepping back, he said, "I want to watch you take off your clothes, baby girl."She smiled at him and slowly undid the tie of her halter dress and let it fall, uncovering her full breasts with their erect pink buds. He groaned. "Oh, baby girl…" She lightly moved her palms down her sides and slid the dress down over her hips. It pooled on the floor around her feet and she stood clad only in black lace panties. He took in the sight of her, his desire growing more intense with each passing moment.Luke stepped toward her and stopped, not quite close enough to touch her. "On your knees, baby girl," he quietly instructed. "I'm