by Piper Rayne
I nodded hello to a few people I’d met in town and returned a few dirty looks from people I didn’t know. When a young couple who were barely able to stand asked if they could sit down, I decided it was time to give up the table and find my way out of there.
Gavin was parked on a bar stool near the kitchen, likely so he could talk to Piper whenever she walked by. I didn’t spot Willow at all, but something told me she was still there.
On my way to Gavin, I was stopped by someone I let out of a ticket the week before.
“Hey, man, let me buy you a drink,” the guy said.
“I was just on my way out.”
“I owe you, though. Letting me out of that ticket was major. You are a rock star, sir.”
I nodded at his drunk ass and debated what I should do. “How are you getting home tonight?”
“Walking, dude. I don’t drink and drive. We’re all walking. We don’t live far. See, that’s what I mean. You’re awesome!”
I forced a smile and tried not to be bothered by his beer breath when he threw his arm around me and led me toward the bar. He raised his other arm and got the attention of the bartender. “A drink for my friend, for not giving me a ticket and giving me a second chance.”
“You did what?” came from behind me.
I spun away from the drunk guy and faced Willow. She had her arms crossed below her plump chest, lifting her breasts up. Fire sparked in her brown eyes. If I was a betting man, I’d say she was going to hit me. Soon.
“Oh, he’s awesome. He was going to give me a ticket, but I saw him. I asked him not to write it, and he didn’t. It’s he great?”
“Yeah, really great. He’s the best,” Willow said, sarcasm and anger dripping from her words.
“Willow,” I tried.
She held her hands up and backed away. “Don’t. Seriously, just don’t. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Dammit,” I swore as she headed straight for the door.
My new best friend threw his arm around me again and brought a beer up in front of me. I took it and thanked him, watching Willow retreat the entire time.
One sip of the beer, and the guy cheered. All his friends joined in. They slid back into the crowd and all but vanished just as Willow made it to the door.
She didn’t look back. The door slammed behind her, telling me how pissed off she was. That fire…fucking hell she got to me. I couldn’t let her walk away alone. Even if she hated me, I wanted her, and I was going to be a gentleman, dammit.
I set the beer on the bar and pushed my way through the crowd, hoping to catch her before she got too far. She lived to the left, so I went that way, spotting her a few yards away. I hurried to get to her and fell into step beside her.
She glanced my way and rolled her eyes. “What the hell do you want?”
“I’m just walking you home.”
“I can take care of myself.”
I nodded. “I’m sure you can.”
She looked at me like I was crazy then kept walking. She didn’t tell me to leave her alone, so I kept going with her. Maybe it was going to be a good night.
7
Willow
I did not want him to walk me home again. He let some guy out of a ticket but he gave me one. What the hell? If he knew who I was and gave me a ticket on purpose, why was he spending time with me?
“Am I a joke to you? A bet? Something like that?” I asked, whirling on him on the sidewalk.
He stopped quickly, almost running into me when I stopped. He shook his head. “You really think I’d do something like that?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you. We had sex once, and we kissed, and we’ve never had a conversation. How do I know that’s not exactly who you are?”
He shook his head and took a step back. “I’m not like that, Willow. I like you. You challenge me, and you confuse me. You make me want to do new things and give people a chance. I don’t know you, but I like what I do know. Spending time with you is not a joke or a bet or a trick or whatever else you’re thinking. I’m getting more shit for it than anything else.”
“So, you knew from the beginning who I was. You put that ticket on my car because it was my car?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I put that ticket on your car because you were parked in a loading zone. And the truck was waiting for you to move.”
“What about the other guy?”
“The guy in the bar?”
“Yeah, the guy who said you’re so awesome because you didn’t give him a ticket.”
He sighed. “His meter expired. He was on his way to put money in it when I was about to write the ticket. I’m a reasonable guy.”
“Not for me.”
“Really? You were inside for at least ten minutes, blocking that truck. If you were on your way out, I wouldn’t have given you a ticket. Hell, if the truck wasn’t waiting on you, I might not have given you the ticket.”
“Whatever.”
I started to walk away again. I wasn’t interested in his excuses or explanations. He raced to catch up to me.
“Are you mad at me about a ticket or is it something else? Because I feel like there’s something else going on.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Really? Then why are you storming away from a night out and acting like I cheated on you with your best friend.”
“Why are you here? Why are you acting like you care about me?” I asked.
“Maybe I do,” he said softly. “Why is it so hard for you to let me?”
I looked up at him. “I don’t do messy things like emotions. Not anymore. I learned my lesson.”
“Then this doesn’t need to be about emotions. It can just be about sex.”
The low timbre of his voice slid down my spine like honey. Slow, sticking to every inch of me, and forcing me to pay attention to exactly what he wanted.
“I can handle that,” I said. I didn’t need a connection. I didn’t need emotions. I didn’t need a man who was going to try to take care of me.
I also didn’t believe my own lies, but a fragile connection was better than no connection at all.
We didn’t speak again until we made it to my apartment. He pressed himself to my back while I unlocked my door. His lips were on my neck as we moved inside. His hands touched my bare skin, already stripping me naked as we fought to shut the cold out.
There was nothing slow about our movements. I tugged at his pants while he shoved my jacket off my shoulders. I pushed him back while he tried to cup my breasts. We fought each other’s movements the entire time.
And we watched. We stared at each other, our eyes devouring the other’s body. His abs came into view, then his chest, teasing me and soaking my panties as he flexed his muscles to remove his shirt. He bent to untie his boots, turning to give me a spectacular view of his ass.
I couldn’t resist running my hand over his ass and trailing my fingertips up his spine. He stilled at my touch, then stood and pressed me hard against my door. His tongue was in my mouth before I could take another breath. His naked upper body was hot against mine, my bra the only barrier between us.
Not for long.
He cupped my breasts and tugged the cups to the side with his thumbs, rasping both over my greedy nipples. I gasped and bit his tongue. He pulled back and dragged his lips down my neck. He lifted my breasts to his lips, closing his teeth around one.
I moaned, loving the bite of pain that sent a jolt of pleasure through me. He sucked hard, bringing another sensation to the forefront, then flicked my nipple with his tongue.
I worked to release the clasp on my bra while he teased me, groaning when I couldn’t get one hook to open. He grinned against my flesh at my frustration, then pressed my nipple to the roof of his mouth and I no longer cared about anything else.
I bought my hands to his head and held him in place. He drew more of my breast into his mouth then released it with a soft pop. He blew on my wet nipple, igniting all my
senses.
“Oh, God,” I moaned softly, needing more of him.
While he moved to the other nipple, I fought to get my bra off, nearly cheering when it released and I could drop it to the floor. He tormented my other nipple then buried his face between my breasts and nipped at the tender flesh on the inside of each.
“More,” I begged him.
“Take the rest of your clothes off. Now,” he commanded.
I did as he asked, dropping my pants to the ground and kicking off my boots. He pulled out a condom then lost his pants and boxer briefs. He rolled the condom on quickly and pulled me close to him again. He kissed me, a kiss that was less gentle and more demanding than anything. But it was what I needed. It was perfect. Because we weren’t building something. We weren’t falling for each other. We were having sex.
And I needed that reminder.
He guided us to my bedroom and kissed me while our hands roamed each other’s bodies. I traced his muscles with my fingertips, loving the way they jumped at my touch. He pulled me in closer when I ran my nails down his back. And when I threaded my fingers through his hair, he groaned and kissed me harder.
My knees started to give out when he slid a hand between us and entered me with two thick fingers. I was wet and ready for him, unable to hide how much I wanted him. The feeling was mutual if the erection digging into my stomach was anything to go by.
His hand stayed between my thighs while he guided me to lay on the bed. He stroked me gently, teasing my body with light brushes over my clit and slow thrusts inside. I wanted more at the same time that I wanted him to keep doing the same thing.
Until he thrust his fingers hard into me, and my entire body splintered.
“Oh, God, Rowan. Yes! Yes!”
He groaned with me and withdrew his hand to my whimpers.
“No, please. More,” I begged him, reaching for him.
The bed dipped and his cock rubbed the overly sensitive flesh between my thighs. In one smooth stroke, he thrust deep inside, setting off mini-aftershocks that made my fingers and toes tingle.
“Yes,” I groaned as he began to move. More and more, the feelings ignited in me. My body was on fire, flames licking at my skin every time our bodies met.
I looked up at him, wanting to see the look on his face. His eyes were closed. His jaw clenched tight. His mouth pinched, with a slight opening between his lips. Breath rushed out of him with every thrust, like he was trying to hold it back and couldn’t. His biceps were tense, fighting every instinct to let go and collapse.
He could have been the poster boy for great sex. It was written all over his face. The intensity. The desire. The passion.
And it was all for me.
I couldn’t keep my own desire in check with his on display like that. I tried to hold back and let him have it all, let him enjoy the moment, but it was too overwhelming. It raced through me like the fire I felt was real. What started in my fingertips and toes licked up my arms and legs and settled in my core. My whole body burned from head to toe as my orgasm washed over me, blazing like a wildfire.
I shouted with surprise at the powerful sensation, then grabbed Rowan, needing him to ground me. To remind me I wasn’t alone.
I never lost my mind during sex. I never had an orgasm sneak up on me. But I never slept with a man like Rowan. A man who made me feel things I didn’t want to feel and made me want things I shouldn’t want to want.
But I did. He was there and he was making it impossible for those messy feelings to stay inside. Letting them out always meant danger. It always meant things got ugly. But when he shouted my name and pulsed inside me, I wasn’t sure I could hold them back.
He collapsed onto me, whispering words I couldn’t understand. He kissed my neck and nibbled at my jaw. When he finally pushed off me, he avoided my gaze and disappeared into my bathroom like last time.
A wave of regret hit me hard. I’d just had the best sex of my life, and he was acting like it was the same as every day. It was those damn emotions I told myself not to let out.
I got dressed while he finished in the bathroom. When he walked out, he barely glanced at me before he found his clothes. He stopped before he pulled his shirt over his head and just looked at me. His gaze slid from my toes to my eyes and back down again.
I waited for whatever he wanted to say, bracing myself for it.
“This might be about more than just sex for me, Willow. I know you don’t want emotions, but I just wanted you to know that.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but I didn’t know what I wanted to say. I snapped it shut, and he nodded once, then left my bedroom.
I followed him, wondering what to say, and realized I had to tell him the truth. “I might feel the same.”
He looked at me and nodded once. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
I nodded and waited for him to kiss me or something, but he just walked out the door.
Guess I wasn’t the only one who sucked with emotions.
8
Rowan
I didn’t see Willow again for a week. I barely saw anyone. I was focused on work and hadn’t been out much. I told myself that was why I braved O’Kelley’s with Rucker and his friends. It was not because I was trying to prove I wasn’t afraid of Ramsey and the rest of them. Or because I was hoping to run into Willow.
I might have amended that thought when I made it to the bar. I took a seat next to Ian, glancing around to see if Willow was there, and was immediately attacked.
“Why the hell are you talking to the evil seed?”
“What were you thinking leaving with her?”
“Why? Just why?”
I should have expected it but that whole small town thing was still sinking in. When Hudson set a glass of whiskey in front of me, I looked up at him. He stood back with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyebrows raised expectantly. Of course he was the one who told them all I was talking to Willow.
“Since when do any of you care what I do?”
“Since she tried to ruin my marriage. And almost did,” Ramsey said.
“Look, I get it. You don’t like her, but why does that mean I can’t?”
The rest of them leaned back and sucked in a breath, then ducked their heads and glanced at Ramsey. He glared at me, a combination of shock and anger on his face.
“She told my wife that I was in love with her. That I only proposed because I couldn’t handle my attraction to her and was settling. She manipulated Melody for years to try to end our marriage. She’s a horrible person.”
“Were you?”
“Was I what?”
“In love with her.”
Ramsey’s brows shot up, but from the curious looks the other men gave him, it was a question no one had bothered to ask. One Ramsey had never bothered to answer.
“No,” Ramsey said when he realized no one was going to answer for him. He sighed. “She was Melody’s kid sister. I thought she was sweet, but I never thought of her as anything other than Mel’s little sister. When she kissed me…it threw me off. But I didn’t choose Mel because Willow was too young. I chose Melody because she’s the only woman I’ve ever loved. I chose her because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I still do. Every day I wake up thankful she’s in my life.”
“Okay, so if you don’t love Willow, why can’t I get to know her?”
Ramsey shook his head. “Listen, I’m trying to watch out for you. She’s bad news. My wife has been in tears more times than I can count because of Willow. She was supposed to be Melody’s best friend, and instead, she turned out to be her worst enemy. She took everything she knew about us, about Melody, and used it to try to end our relationship. Because she had some misguided crush on me and thought I felt the same. If you really want to get to know her, I can’t stop you, but I want you to know the kind of person you’re talking to.”
“Got it,” I said. I sipped my whiskey. “I make my own mistakes.”
“None as big as this one,” Rucker mu
ttered under his breath.
If he only knew. But I didn’t correct him. I didn’t correct any of them. My past wasn’t a part of my story in MacKellar Cove. No one was going to know the real reason I was there, or that I was leaving as soon as I was allowed to return to my home.
I was in town to keep myself out of trouble and to wait for internal affairs to decide my future. The fact that it was going to take up to a year for everything to happen was not something I was going to dwell on.
“Is anything else going on in this town besides me making friends with the evil seed?” I asked, hoping to redirect the conversation to someone else.
“I’m getting closer to talking my sister into moving up here,” Gavin said. “She keeps saying she has to wait for the kids to finish the school year. She’s talking about spending some of the summer here, and I’m hoping she’ll remember how much she loves it.”
“How does Sebastian feel about that?” Rucker asked.
Gavin shrugged. “I haven’t talked to him much. He’s keeping his distance from us.”
“How did none of us know there was something between them?” Ian asked.
I wasn’t up on all the history, but it made me feel better that the history was spotty for the rest of them. Gavin seemed like a good guy, and his sister was nice. A little shy and unsure of herself, but Gavin shared she’d just gone through a divorce and was still raw from the end of her marriage.
“Zoey told me she thought everyone knew. When we used to come here, we sort of kept to ourselves. I mean, we were around, but there was a difference between us and the rest of you,” Gavin said.
“Yeah, because you weren’t a local. You were one of the summer kids,” Ramsey said. “When we were in high school and worked, it was nice to have extra people around to make some money, but it also sucked to watch people like you living it up and we had to do a job all day.”
“I worked, too. I just worked at the Inn. Aunt Gina made sure we were done by midday so we could enjoy some time off,” Gavin explained. He shrugged and sipped his beer. Another one appeared in front of him as he set the bottle down. He looked over his shoulder with a grin.