Nemesis

by Skye McDonald

  God, they really were.

  Will’s forehead hit my neck. Breathy profanities fell from his lips now and then that only thrilled me more. His arm across my ribs twisted so he could tease my breasts, and that started my detonation.

  Don’t scream, don’t do it, don’t you dare…

  “Oh, fuck, yes, please yes, more…”

  Maybe I kind of shouted. Definitely not a scream, though.

  When my body stopped convulsing, I went limp in his arms, so wrung-out and blissed that I couldn’t begin to think. He held me up so firmly that I didn’t worry about my buckled knees. My head lolled, and he nuzzled my neck.

  And then he said, “You can scream better than that.”

  My lips curled. “Damn right I can.”

  I grinned deeper when he chuckled, then opened my eyes and gazed at him through my fallen hair.

  Will’s smile faded into an intent stare. He tilted his head. One broad palm pushed my hair off my face, coasted to my neck, and brought me back for a kiss.

  But that kiss was the shot of whiskey to sharpen my senses. I went from hazy and satisfied to a woman on a mission. I whirled in his arms and whipped off his belt to shove his pants and boxer briefs to the floor.

  Good lord.

  William Langer was blessed. I raked my gaze from his dark hair down the lines and angles of his strong body, but my eyes settled on the perfection in my grip. He was long, hard, and absolutely beautiful. How unfair for such a perfect body to belong to such an arrogant jerk.

  Such a jerk. I bit my lip when my heart throbbed with affection.

  Slowly, I met his gaze. “Your turn to scream, Langer.”

  Will bent to my grip, hands braced on my shoulders, my hair in his fists. “I’m going to fuck a blister on your hand. And possibly rip this pink out of your hair.”

  “I won’t let you last long enough for any of that bullshit.”

  Touching him was so hot that I started to get achy all over again, but as promised, he didn’t last long. Impossible, with my bicep flexed in a vise-grip and all the moisture from his crown against my palm. I twisted my wrist and stroked harder when he tensed.

  “Come on, boy, make a mess for me.” My voice was a dark, lusty dare.

  Will buried his face in my neck as his hips jerked. My poor shirt; the thing had just dried up top when it was warm and soaked all over my stomach.

  Slowly, I let go, and Will lifted his face. He stepped back, hitched his pants up his hips, and—laughed.

  “Shit,” he rasped, reaching out to touch my neck.

  I fingered the tender skin and pursed my lips. “Turtlenecks in July? Really?”

  We both smirked, but my rush faded fast, replaced by a question I could see mirrored in his eyes.

  What have we done?

  Will reached for me, but I backed away and nearly fell on my ass to step into my jeans. “Don’t. Just don’t.”

  He didn’t. Speak, touch me, move—whatever finished my command, he obeyed. Why this sudden obedience hurt so damn much, I’m not sure. What I did know was that I had to do the one thing I wanted to least.

  I looked into his eyes.

  Those inky pools gave me nothing, no hint of emotion. It was an expression I knew well.

  Jaw cocked, lips twisted, I opened my mouth, but mistake, fuck you, and never again all jammed up my throat so bad, I couldn’t swallow. With one more look at that unyielding face, I spun around and got the hell out of there.

  12

  Liv

  When I finally rolled out of bed the next morning, the thought of facing him in my house nearly made me crawl right back into the sheets.

  I fled to my parents’ instead.

  I knew it was a cop-out even as I texted Tom from the safety of my room to let him know I’d pick up Maddie today, then sidled like a ninja to the back door. There was no point in calling it anything but cowardice, but I needed a few hours of sanity before I could see Will Langer again.

  The pool was a perfect excuse. With the sweltering July humidity, Mom didn’t bat an eye when I showed up in a cover-up and flip-flops to spend the day swimming and pushing Maddie around in her float.

  Mom appeared from the house when I’d tucked Mads in for a nap in her inflatable boat in the shade. I stroked lazily to the side of the pool for the glass of tea she proffered.

  “Unsweet with mint and lemon, just like you like it,” she said with a smile.

  “You’re the best.”

  She settled into a chaise and pushed her sunglasses up her nose. “How are you, sweetheart?”

  “Good.”

  “You always say good, you know.”

  I shrugged.

  She gestured to the trees. “It’s just us right now. I’ll ask again: how are you, Livi?”

  I put my elbows on the concrete. “I’m… weird, Mom. It’s a weird summer. Feels like a lot of things that were always true aren’t anymore.”

  Mom nodded. “Funny how change happens in spurts, isn’t it?”

  “It doesn’t feel very funny. But yeah.”

  “Is there anything you’d like to talk about? You can pretend like you’re thirteen again and tell Mom all your secrets if you want.”

  “You always knew how to keep it in the vault.” I grinned at the nostalgia. There was no way in hell last night was up for discussion with a single soul, but I set the tea down and opened up.

  “I’ve been thinking about changing jobs,” I said, then outlined the basics.

  Mom beamed. “I always thought you were amazing with children. You were so good with your younger cousins, even when you were a teen. Now, obviously, you’re a champion with your niece.”

  “Aw, Mom, thanks.” My grin turned goofy.

  She laughed. “Anything else?”

  “Ben Addison is getting married.”

  “Give him our congratulations—right?” Her smile turned to a grimace fast. “Or—oh, were you two—”

  I crossed my arms into an X. “I’ll give him your best. I’m totally happy for him, and of course we’re still friends. I don’t know why I mentioned it. I guess it’s kind of a big change, and not just for him. It’s… I don’t know.”

  “Realization that you’re at that phase of life?”

  I nodded and chewed my lip. “Kind of, exactly.”

  “Time catches up, doesn’t it?”

  “That’s for sure. Thanks for listening, Mom.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Eh, you know, those are the big ones. Other little things are different, too, so I guess they add up. Um, oh. I started doing CrossFit.”

  “Is that safe? That self-defense class was one thing, but I’ve heard CrossFit is something different.” She sat forward with a frown.

  “Nah, it’s just a tough workout is all. It’s hard, but it’s fine. The instructors are really good. Megan and I joined. We ran into Will there, actually.”

  Drown me now. My stomach knotted just to say his name. Why in the hell had I brought him up? My goal was to clear my head. It was as if I couldn’t resist.

  Mom hummed agreeably. “And then there’s Will at your house. That’s sure to cause a fluctuation in routines.”

  “Yeah, pretty much,” I mumbled. “We try to avoid each other.”

  Or drink each other’s souls. Depends on the moment.

  “You used to get so excited when he and Tom would come visit from college. It was the only time I could get you to help with housework voluntarily.” She chuckled.

  “College guys to hang out with? Is it really a surprise that a high school kid would geek about that?” My smile was like a crack on a sheet of ice.

  “Well, you always did worship your big brother. He was so protective of you. After your surgery—”

  “My what?” Thoughts of Will scattered.

  Mom blinked. “Surely we’ve told you about this? You were about three, and you hadn’t started to talk beyond basic sounds. Turned out you had fluid in your ears that made you nearly deaf. A surgery cleared it
all up, but Tom was so worried about you. He was so helpful as you recovered. That might’ve been why he became a nurse, now that I think of it. Anyway, you know he always looked out for you. Sometimes I worried that we babied you too much, indulged too many of your whims. But I’d say you turned out, my bold, beautiful daughter.”

  I’d been listening intently to a story I had no knowledge of, but her compliment made me grin. “Thank you, Mommy. Although I do enjoy a good whim.”

  “I know you do. And we all know you caught up on your verbal skills with no problem.” We laughed together, and then she said, “But the point was how you’d get excited when the boys came home from college. I know it was largely because of your brother, but you and Will got along fine back then.”

  My stomach dipped. “Well, we don’t now.”

  “Wonder why?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek as long-buried memories came to life. There had been a time when Will and I were pals. Not friends exactly, but he used to smile at my silly teenage nonsense. That flat expression didn’t start until—

  With a hard exhale, I dismissed those thoughts and shrugged off Mom’s question. “I guess we just don’t. Too different, maybe.”

  She smirked. My mother smirked at me. “Or too the same. Stubborn and proud.”

  I dunked under the water and stayed there until my lungs burned. When I resurfaced, it was to the sound of her laughter. “Precisely, young lady,” she called.

  We spent a couple more lazy hours in the sun before Mads and I headed home, detouring to the grocery for dinner supplies. Tom met us in the driveway with the look of a man who’d gotten laid after a long drought. Maddie zoomed to him for a hug, so I went inside to start making burgers and mashed potatoes.

  The gods gifted me with an empty kitchen to cook in. By the time I shouted that dinner was ready, I was summer Saturday chill.

  That, of course, ended quick.

  Will and I caught eyes as we all sat down to eat. I looked away first. “So, Tommy,” I said, “you look pretty refreshed for someone who was out so late. What time did you get home, anyway?”

  His light brown eyes rolled, but there was plenty of swagger in the way he reached for the ketchup. “Uh, about eleven.”

  “A.M.?”

  “Something like that,” he chuckled, reluctantly returning my high-five.

  “The best kind of Friday nights last until Saturday morning, huh brother?” My words were teasing, but the look he flashed told me Tom knew how happy I was for him.

  We slapped hands again, but when I reached for my fork, Tom did a double-take. His grin turned wicked. “How was your night, Livi?”

  I tore my burger in half. “It was alright.”

  “Just alright? Nothing at all interesting? You’re glowing a little bit.”

  “Uh, hello? I spent all day at the pool.” Now my burger was in quarters, but only one bite was missing. I started peeling the bun.

  “Yeah, right. Shame on you, little sis.” Tom pressed a fingertip against my neck and cackled. “Busted.”

  Shit, that damn bite mark. Being at the pool all day, I’d somehow managed to forget the blue and purple oval that had made me cringe at the mirror this morning. I slapped my hand over the spot. “Shut up, Thomas.”

  He laughed harder. “How did Mom not notice? God, you always did get away with everything.”

  I glanced at Will. He had one elbow on the table, fist at his mouth, and laughter in his eyes. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to deck him—or let him give me another mark.

  “Don’t tease me, Tom, I’m serious. It was just—I mean, I didn’t mean for… ugh, shut up okay?” I hid my face.

  To my absolute horror, both men laughed. Tom continued. “As your big brother, it’s my god-given right to tease you about everything, but especially about letting some guy suck on your neck. That’s reckless, that is.”

  “Messy even.” Will’s murmur dropped my heart to my knees.

  Tom loved it. Even with my eyes still hidden, I heard him clap Will’s shoulder as he said, “While we’re on the subject, how’d your night end up with Stacy?”

  Suddenly, I was very interested. I propped my chin on my hand and batted my lashes. “Yeah, Will. How was your date?”

  “Fine.”

  “Aw, come on. Poor Stace was only fine?” What the hell is wrong with you? Shut up!

  That got me a long, withering stare. “My night ended exactly as I wanted it to, Olivia. Any more questions?”

  I nodded at Maddie. “Sure, but nothing appropriate for the dinner table.”

  Exactly like you wanted? As in, you wanted this to happen? As in, you’d thought about it? As in… you didn’t want more?

  “Liv?”

  I shook my head and looked over at Tom. “Yeah?”

  “The brewer’s festival is next weekend. Should we go again?”

  I brightened. “Heck yeah! You should bring your lady. It’s high time I met her.”

  Tom nodded. “I’ll see if she’s free. Are you bringing anyone?”

  “I might see if anyone else is going and meet up there. Are you coming, too?” I jutted my chin at Will, and Tom startled.

  “I know nothing about this,” he said.

  “Beer, fun, music—obviously your idea of torture. Figured since you live here, you’re on automatic invite.”

  “I’d hate to cramp your style.”

  “Tuh!” I tossed my hair. “Honey, you’ll never cramp this style.”

  Tom chuckled. “Come on, dude, it’ll be fun. You can bring Stacy if I’m bringing Erin.”

  “I’ll come.”

  I stood up and grabbed all the plates. “Bet you can make it exactly what you want, too,” I said. The perfect parting shot.

  Or possibly a Freudian invitation. Shit.

  Megs: Ready to sweat tonight? Bring it, baby!

  The message lit up my screen at lunch on Wednesday. I sighed.

  Me: I guess. You sure you’re up for it?

  Megs: lol I’m sure jerkface won’t bully you too badly. Woman up & be there!

  “Exactly what I expected,” I muttered to the phone.

  In the hopes of manifesting my goal, I’d deliberately not packed gym clothes that morning. All that resulted in was me flying home and running straight back out the door to make it to class on time. At least all the rushing meant no time spent hiding from Will. Luckily, it wasn’t a partner’s night.

  Workouts crushed and showers completed, Megan and I were on our way out the door when Kelly, the trainer, smiled and motioned us to the front desk.

  “This is y’alls last session. Have you thought about a membership?”

  We leaned on the counter and looked at the menu of prices. “I don’t know,” Megs murmured.

  “Aren’t you hooked? You could—oh, wait. Hey, guys? Can I get a little testimonial over here? These guys will talk you into it.”

  Of. Course.

  Of course Will and two other guys were now heading our way. Of course both of the other men wore open, friendly expressions while my nemesis locked eyes with me and refused to blink.

  One of the other dudes started talking up the community vibe, the physical challenge, etc. All of it made me want to say, thanks, buddy, got it after fifteen seconds. Part of my rush was most definitely to escape the strange cocktail of anxiety and tingly pleasure simmering in my abdomen as I gazed into those dark eyes. What the hell was going on in his brain? Was he mad? Regretful? Absolutely indifferent?

  Megan nodded along. She seemed unruffled, even though I was sure she recognized Will. “Yeah, I get you. And we do like it, but we have yoga, and—”

  “What don’t you know? You should absolutely do it.” Will spoke to me as if the other three weren’t there.

  “It’s so intense,” I almost whined.

  His look turned condescending. “Can’t handle it?”

  God, he knew my triggers. “Please. I can handle anything.”

  “Then get the membership.” He looked over my shoulder.
“She’s in, Kelly.”

  “Did you just dare to speak for me?”

  Will hesitated, his brows pinching together.

  “Damn right you didn’t.” I glared at him—and slapped my credit card on the counter.

  “Well, okay then. Guess we’re in.” Megan produced her card, too.

  Poor Kelly. Her friendly testimonials had turned into a battle of wills, but she nodded as we pushed our cards toward her. Behind me, I heard Will’s hard exhale before the door chimed open, indicating the men had left. Megs and I signed our receipts and headed for the parking lot.

  “That was weird,” Meg said once we strolled out into the evening heat. “He is a bit of a dick, huh?”

  “Understatement of the year, my friend.” In all the meanings of the term.

  We slid into a booth at our pub, enjoying the air conditioner after such a sweaty hour. Adam approached and tossed napkins on the table. “Hello, lovely ladies.”

  “Well, hello Adam.” Megan’s smile went full watt.

  We placed an order after they flirted for a few minutes. Once he strolled away, I raised an eyebrow.

  “What?” She blinked, trying to look innocent.

  I wiggled my brows and made a kissy face. “You two need to do it already.”

  Megan laughed. “Oh, please. Do not make that face, you hypocrite.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “That bite on your neck? Hello, genius?”

  “Oh god bless it.” I banged my forehead on the table. I’d worn collared shirts all week, but in my rush to the gym it had slipped my mind.

  “That Chad is an animal, huh?”

  My head snapped up. “What? Who? Oh. His name was Cam.”

  Megan’s laugh died. She tilted her head, eyes narrowing. “You might as well have just said, ‘his name was Mud.’”

  I shrugged and picked my nails.

  “He gave you a bite so deep that it’s still there after half a week, and that’s all you’ve got?”

  “It’s…he wasn’t…”

  Megan’s brow shot up. “Ooh, it wasn’t Cam?”

  I gave a shrug/headshake. “Look, let’s change—”

  “Who the hell was it, then? You two were at the show—”