Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)

by Phillips, Christina

  Whatever. I might as well tell him what’s on my mind.

  “It’s like you’re two different people.” I wave my hand at the frames. “This isn’t the Will Henderson I’ve known most of my life.”

  He stands beside me, and although I’m staring at the framed certificates, he’s not. He’s looking at me. All I need to do is turn my head, and we’re close enough to kiss.

  Do. Not. Turn. Your. Head.

  “Yes, it is.” His voice is low with a sexy, raw edge, that sends goose bumps chasing over my skin. “This is just the other side of me.”

  “But this level of commitment.” I let out an impatient breath, not sure why I’m so bemused by this other side of him. Maybe because he no longer fits into the neat little pigeonhole you shoved him in two years ago? “It’s like you plan on taking expeditions into the mountains or something.”

  As soon as the words leave my mouth, comprehension hits like a bloody great sledgehammer. Talk about missing the obvious. “Is that what you’re going to do?”

  He grins. “What did you think I was going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I thought you were their financial wizard. I didn’t guess you’d be so hands-on.”

  “I am their financial wizard.” Then his grin fades. “That was never the reason why I’m involved, though. We planned this all out while we were at Uni. The only reason I’m not here is that when Dad died so unexpectedly, I had to dig in at the company and sort stuff out.”

  “Oh.” It had never occurred to me that when he took over his dad’s position, it wasn’t something he’d always planned on doing. Well, it made sense. He was the only child.

  Why didn’t I ever ask him, though? We were so close after his dad died, for over a year until that Christmas. Then again, he never breathed a word about any of this.

  I risk shooting him a glance, and there’s a brooding expression on his face. He doesn’t often do serious. Will, like Lucas, is usually the life and soul of any party.

  We’re not at a party. And this is a side to him he doesn’t show to the whole world.

  A strange, hot pain fills my chest. For some odd reason, I get the feeling he’s holding something back. “There must’ve been a lot to sort out. That was over three years ago.” The week he left Uni.

  “Yeah.” He’s focused on the framed certificates as if they’re the most fascinating things he’s ever seen. It’s like he’s fighting an internal battle as to whether to share more with me. It’s hard to keep my hands to myself when I’m dying to wrap my arms around him. And not because I can’t get him out of my mind, even when he’s out of sight.

  It’s because, even though things fell apart, he used to be one of my very best friends. And some things don’t change. I hate seeing him like this. Please don’t tell me it’s nothing.

  Then he gives a heavy sigh. “I’ve not told anyone else.” Reluctance drips from each word, and alarm streaks through me. What happened? “I only planned on staying at the company for a couple of years, max. But Mum—she had a stroke. She couldn’t work, and I couldn’t leave.”

  Shit. Whatever I’d expected him to say, it wasn’t anything like this. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” This time I reach out and thread my fingers through his. This must have been the reason why he’d sounded so stilted when I asked about his mum the other day.

  My stomach churns as I recall the coursework I did on strokes. Why didn’t I pay more attention, instead of sketching in my notepad? “Is she okay?”

  “She’s great.” He squeezes my fingers, and it’s crazy how good that feels. And relief washes through me that his mum had suffered from a less devastating type of stroke. “It was sheer bloody luck I stopped in to see her that morning. I found her on the floor—she’d only just passed out. We caught it fast.”

  “That’s awful.” Before I can stop myself, my mind fills with the image of my own mum, the last time I saw her in that hospital bed, and phantom fingertips slide over the back of my neck.

  “Could’ve been worse. At least I knew what to do.”

  “Thank God you weren’t working that day.” I don’t even want to imagine the outcome if his mum hadn’t been discovered for hours.

  “It was Boxing Day. I’d planned on visiting later that afternoon, but…yeah. If anyone met her now, they’d never guess. But it was a tough few months. And she didn’t want anyone to know.”

  “In case it affected the company?”

  “Yes, but also…she wouldn’t accept the fact she had to slow down. Step back from things so she could concentrate on her recovery.”

  “So you had to put your dreams on hold.”

  His smile warms something deep inside me. “Something like that.”

  I take a step closer to him until our bodies are all but touching. “At least it’s not forever. Another few years, you said, wasn’t it? That’s not so long in the great scheme of things.”

  “I know.” His voice is husky, and his sexy, woodsy cologne creates havoc with my hormones. “I’ve got the rest of my life to do what I really want.”

  “Not many people can say that.” The words are soft and breathy, and I’m lost in his gorgeous, deep brown eyes. There’s something infinitely magical holding hands with Will and having him gaze at me as though I’m all that matters in his world.

  It’s only an illusion. I knew that before I ever stepped into his bedroom. And sure, he’s my brother’s best friend, but that was never a reason to stop me. I just don’t want to listen to my brother giving me a hard time about messing around with his friend. Lucas can be very annoying that way.

  But right now, none of that matters, and I sway toward him, needing his kiss more than my next breath. But he doesn’t meet me halfway. Instead his hot gaze rakes over my face, and heat pools between my thighs. He makes me needy with just one look.

  Then he leans in, his five o’clock stubble grazing my cheek as he whispers in my ear, “Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter Ten

  Will

  Don’t do something we’ll both regret in the morning.

  It’s a hollow warning when all I can see are Mac’s beautiful blue eyes and the glossy red lips that have been driving me crazy all night. She doesn’t pull her hand free as I lock up, or when we give Luce back the key. It’s like she doesn’t care if they jump to conclusions, and hell if I do.

  I don’t care about anything right now, except being alone with her.

  Being alone with her doesn’t mean we’ll end up having sex. I can stay the night in the same room as her without doing anything more than holding her in my arms.

  We don’t talk as we make our way back to the pod. Our fingers are still entwined, and her elusive scent of orange blossom fills my head, fighting every sane thought.

  Just go in, grab your rucksack, and get out of there. Yeah, it’s a lot safer to leave than stay.

  She unlocks the door, and I follow her inside, pulling it shut behind me. Bad move. Fuck off. Let go of her hand.

  For endless seconds we stand there, as I fight the need to pull her into my arms. She doesn’t move, doesn’t say a word. Like she’s waiting for me to do…something.

  The right thing?

  We’ve been here before, where she put her trust in me and I took advantage.

  Turn around and walk away. It’s the only right thing to do.

  But she’s older now. More experienced.

  Still off-limits.

  I don’t fucking care.

  She smiles, and before I can stop myself, I wind my free hand around her neck. She melts against me, and her soft curves short-circuit whatever is left of my good intentions. Go straight to hell. Do not pass go.

  I kiss her, long and slow, the way I’ve wanted to all evening.

  All day.

  Ever since I walked away from her on Tuesday night.

  She glides her hand over my back before grazing her palm over my butt. I groan and tear my mouth from hers. I don’t want to ask the question, but I’m not a total arseh
ole. “Do you want me to leave, Mac?”

  The tip of her tongue licks her bottom lip, and I’m mesmerized. Don’t tell me to go.

  “No.” It’s a smoky whisper, which does nothing to cool the lust burning through me. No has never sounded so damn good. “Do you want to leave?”

  My laugh is hoarse as I untangle our fingers and wind my arm around her. She gives a provocative wiggle, and my dick’s so damn hard I can barely function, never mind think of all the reasons why I should go right now. “Does that feel like I want to leave?”

  Fail…

  “I just want to be sure.” Her breath drifts across my jaw, another form of pleasurable torture. “I think we need this…”

  Our kiss this time is hungry and raw, and claws through every last shred of sense I possess. She pulls my shirt from my jeans and the touch of her fingers against my naked back fries my mind.

  Without breaking our kiss, I grasp the collar of my shirt. This isn’t gonna work. I pull back, panting, rip the shirt over my head, and fling it across the floor. She laughs, a breathless sound, and I grin back. “You like?”

  She scrapes a fingernail along my pecs, and goddamn, it’s good.

  “Guess I know how you got these scars, now.” There’s a soft smile on her face. Never guessed something so simple could be such a turn-on. “Extreme sports, huh?”

  “I got smashed up the second time I went mountaineering. Never make the same mistake twice, that’s my motto.”

  What the fuck are you doing now, then?

  This isn’t a mistake. No way. Even if it is, I don’t bloody care.

  She kisses me, right above my left nipple, and I let out a choked groan.

  “Could take me a while, to kiss all these scars better.”

  “Yeah, and I’d be dead before you’re done.”

  She glances at me, a wicked gleam in her eyes. “What a way to go.”

  Any other time I’d agree. Right now, I wouldn’t last that long. My fingers spear through her hair. It’s as soft and silky as I remember. “I can think of a better way.”

  “A girl could take that the wrong way.” She circles my nipple with her finger, and it’s hard to remember what we’re even talking about. “Tell me what could be better than having me kiss you all over.”

  The way she breathes those last two words sends all my primal instincts straight into the gutter. I tighten my grip on her head, pulling her head back, and her gasp dives straight to my dick.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” My lips brush hers, and it’s crazily arousing.

  “I don’t.”

  “Gonna hold you to that.” I graze kisses along her jaw and press my mouth against the erratic pulse in her throat. What was I saying? “After I’ve kissed you everywhere.”

  “I won’t say no to that.” She arches her back, and I want her soft and naked in my arms. With a growl, I release my possessive grip on her head and pull off her T-shirt.

  I suck in a sharp breath. She’s wearing a dark blue bra with silver stars, and her cleavage is fucking insane. I can’t drag my eyes away. She’s gonna kill me. It might be worth it. “Gorgeous.” My voice sounds like I smoke a hundred a day.

  She wriggles out of her jeans, and any good intentions left in my brain unravel. Did I just die and go to heaven?

  My gaze slides down her body. Her matching dark blue knickers are tied at her hips with ribbons, and the lacy material forms a perfect V, as though showcasing her sexy navel piercing.

  It’s like a siren’s call, and I fall to my knees, my hands cradling her hips. Her piercing glints at me, a curl of gold with a sapphire blue stone. So hot. I press my lips against her flesh and flick my tongue over the gem. She shudders and grips my head, keeping me where she wants me.

  “Will.” Her gasp barely penetrates the need thudding through my head. I tug on the ribbons of her knickers and the bows slowly unravel, before dropping to the floor. Her nails dig into my head, pinpricks of pain, and it’s fucking amazing.

  I cup her naked butt and look up at her. Her black hair tumbles over her shoulders, and in that sexy-as-hell bra, it’s like a scene from my dirtiest fantasies made real.

  “You’re beautiful.” I don’t even know if I say that aloud, or whether it’s trapped inside my head. She smiles, her red lips hypnotic, and traces her fingers over my shoulder.

  “So are you.” Then she cradles my jaw, and her touch is electrifying. “Do you know how hot it is, seeing you on your knees?”

  A raw laugh escapes. That’s so Mac. “Do you know how hot it is, me being on my knees like this?”

  “Gonna rock my world?” She gives a breathless laugh, as if that’s some private joke, and I grin back, even though I don’t get it. But if anyone’s going to rock her world this weekend, I’ll make damn sure it’s me.

  “That’s right.” I trail kisses across her stomach and glide my hands over her butt and along her thighs. Her skin’s smooth and warm, and the way she shudders at my touch is the sexiest thing ever.

  I ease her thighs apart and press my lips to her sweet clit. Her strangled moan fills my head, and her legs shake as she grips my shoulders.

  Should’ve taken my jeans off. Not that I’m moving now. Not when her taste teases my tongue, driving every sane thought from my head.

  Her nails rake my skin, and her harsh gasps fill the air. I wrap my arm around her sexy arse, holding her where I need her. My other hand strokes the curve of her waist and cups her gorgeous tit.

  I tongue-fuck her as she bucks into me, and my need unravels.

  Keep it together.

  A faint demand. I can’t even recall my own damn name. She’s hot silk, filling my world, and I can’t get enough.

  With a soft cry that spears through my chest, she shatters, and goddamn it’s good. She collapses onto me, hugging my head as if she’ll fall without me. I wrap both arms around her, my face pressed against her stomach, as her erratic gasps shudder through her body.

  The need to be inside her claws through my reason. I’m fucking dying, but this feels so good, holding her. Knowing I’ve done this to her. Thank Christ there’s a condom in my wallet.

  Her vice-like grip on my head eases, and she slides to her knees so we’re facing each other. Her eyes are glazed, and her lips parted as she drags in uneven breaths. You’re so fucking beautiful.

  “World rocked.” Her voice is husky, and she links her hands behind my head before giving me a lingering kiss. I plunge my fingers through her hair and twist the black strands around my knuckles. “That’s so sexy,” she whispers against my mouth. I tug on her hair, and her eyelashes flicker as she lets out a sultry moan.

  I rip open my jeans, but it’s not enough to ease the pressure on my dick. “I’ve gotta get these things off.” It comes out like a growl, but she smiles, as though she loves it.

  “Let me.” She doesn’t wait for an answer. Not that I’m capable of giving her one, as she’s already tugging my jeans over my hips. “Nice boxers.” She glides her hand over my erection and even through the material her touch is like fire.

  “Condom.” I sound rabid, but it’s all I can manage. My gaze is fixed on her fingers as she teases my dick before slowly peeling my boxers down my thighs.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got some.” She glances up and gives me such a sweet smile I nearly lose what little remains of my control. “In my bag. I’ll get them in a tick.”

  “I can’t wait that long.” I grind the words between my teeth. Having her play with me while her tits all but spill out of that low-cut bra pushes me right to the edge. “Mac…”

  I don’t even know what I’m going to say, but she doesn’t give me the chance to finish. Instead, she leans forward, her hair spilling over my thighs, and gently rains kisses along my throbbing cock.

  “Ah, fuck.” I grasp her hair and can’t tear my eyes from the sight of her going down on me. Not that she takes me in her mouth, but her tongue and lips are driving me insane. If she keeps this up, I won’t last two damn
seconds.

  She tries to sit up, and with reluctance, I loosen my grip in her hair. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  I couldn’t move if my life depended on it. My hungry gaze fixes on her cute butt as she crawls across the floor and digs into her bag. Only when she turns around do I think to struggle out of my jeans and boxers.

  Struggle’s the word. I’ve lost all coordination. But I can’t drag my gaze from her. Like she might disappear if I don’t keep her in my sight.

  “Here we go.” She pulls out a condom, before pinching the top and grasping my cock in her other hand. Not like our first time, when I showed her how to do it. I wrap my hand over hers. Don’t know why. Just feels right.

  When she’s done, she exhales a long breath, and our gazes lock. I tug her to me, and she sits on my lap, and I rein back the overpowering need to lose myself in her. I’ve waited this long, another couple of minutes won’t kill me.

  You sure about that?

  Doesn’t matter.

  We kiss, deep and long, like she’s the only reason for being. My hands are everywhere, stroking and teasing, and much as I want to see her naked breasts, I love her sexy bra. She wriggles on my thighs, her breathing erratic, and it’s sweet agony. Need you so bad.

  She pulls back from our kiss, her hair falling across her face. I lean my back against the sofa and circle her piercing with my finger before dipping between her legs. She’s hot and wet, and the way she arches her back and lets out a breathy sigh is fucking killing me.

  With a primitive grunt, I haul her up my body. She braces her weight on her knees, and I grip my cock. “Mac.” I don’t know if it’s a threat or a plea, but with agonizing care, she slowly sinks onto me.

  She’s hot and tight, everything I remember but so much more. I grasp her hips and push in all the way, and a harsh groan razes my throat. You’re all I need.

  Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I can’t drag my gaze from her face. Hold on. Muscles strain, there’s a roaring in my ears, and when she goes rigid and rasps my name, I follow her over the edge of the universe.

  She falls onto me, her head on my shoulder, and I hold her close. Could stay like this all night.