“Five. I’ll pick up Chinese on my way home.”
“And I’ll pick a movie.” It’s a shame we’re not lesbians because we have this cohabitation thing down to a T.
She walks out the door as my phone rings with an incoming call. Lo-and-behold it’s my failed booty call. Shit. Thank God Kenzie isn’t here to witness the fallout of my drunken shenanigans.
“Hi, you’ve reached Hailey. She’s way too embarrassed to answer the phone right now. Please call back never again. Thanks!”
A deep chuckle rings in my ear. “Good morning to you too. What’re you up to today?”
“The usual. Going on the lam so I can die of embarrassment in peace. How about you? Big plans today?”
“I’ve got a paddle if you’re up for it.” The laughter in his voice mortifies me beyond reason. “I’m kidding. Though I like the nickname ‘Red’ I don’t need your cute little ass to match it.”
“Will I ever hear the end of this?” I groan into the phone.
“Depends on if you let me in. I’m outside.” I glance down at my attire—last night’s wrinkled clothes and I can only imagine what my hair and makeup look like.
“Give me five minutes then come up. Door’s unlocked because Kenzie just left. See you in a few.” I barrel down the hallway and turn on the shower, jumping under the cold spray. There’s no time to wait for the water to heat up.
Like a madwoman, I wash my hair and body at lightning speed. I drag my razor along my legs and armpits, nicking myself at least three times, but I’m in too much of a rush to care.
I’m out of the shower in record time but the front door clicks open and shut before I’m able to get dressed.
I run into my closet, grabbing the first pair of leggings and T-shirt I see, not caring that it’s a band tee from the time I went to Warped Tour.
My hair is still damp, making me look like a wet dog and I’m now makeup-free. I throw my mop into a messy bun and call it a day.
“Hey, stranger.” I cringe at my lame greeting as I walk into my living room. Why am I so freaking awkward around him?
His winning grin lights up his face and makes me weak in the knees. I brace myself on the kitchen counter so I don’t collapse on the spot.
In a simple white t-shirt and dark jeans, he’s casual and comfy, but he’s rocking the hell out of a backwards baseball cap and it’s my undoing. What is it about backwards hats?
“Where’s Kenzie?” He stalks toward me with narrow eyes and a lascivious grin.
I back up with every step he takes until my hip hits the counter. His grin widens because I’m his prey and he trapped me. My lower half is throbbing with anticipation.
“She’s, um, working. Until 5.” His hands cage me in, resting on the counter on either side of my waist. I wet my lips and his gaze drops.
“Good. We have all day.” His kiss bruises my lips. His hunger for me is unmatched. I moan into his mouth and the sound spurs him on. He’s unhinged as he bends, never disconnecting our mouths. He cups his hands under my thighs, lifting me, urging me to wrap my limbs around his trim waist.
As if he’s already memorized my apartment, he carries me to my bedroom, kissing me with fervor the entire way. He bites my lip and the slight pain has me writhing against his crotch.
I’m rewarded with a groan and he pushes open my bedroom door only to kick it closed once more. He sets me on my feet in the middle of my room and stares down at me. His blue eyes shine with adoration and lust and the sight is hard to bear.
Taking the edge of my t-shirt, I hope I master some level of seduction as I pull the fabric over my head. I jolt as his cold hands graze my bare skin, sliding over my curves and finding the clasp of my bra. With a practiced mastery I don’t want to think about, he unhooks the band and my breasts fall free.
My bra straps slide down my arms, tickling me in their wake. The soft caress is in stark contrast to Chase’s greedy touch. He kneads my breasts, cupping them and pinching my pert nipples.
“I love how responsive you are. I know when I touch you, you’ll be soaked.” To prove his point, his hands make their way down my sides, pushing at the waistband of my leggings. “No panties? God dammit, Hailey, what you do to me.”
I step out of my pants and walk backwards until my naked cheeks hit the edge of my bed.
“Next time will be in my bed. You deserve to be properly fucked and I can’t do all the things I want to do to you in a full bed. I need a king to take you for a ride.”
He pushes me so I’m sitting on the ledge and he drops to his knees. He looks up at me from under his long, gorgeous lashes. His grin could rival the devil’s and I know he has wild plans for me today.
My legs part for him and he slides his hands up from ankles to thighs. It’s slow and tantalizing. I whimper, needing so much more.
One sole, long digit pushes into me with an embarrassing amount of ease. “Like I said. You’re soaked for me, Red.”
His mouth becomes a suction cup, latching onto my clit. I grind my hips into his face, my race to climax negating all sense of self-awareness. My hips buck and my vision goes black. I fall back, collapsing onto the bed, my limbs shaking as my orgasm overpowers me.
His tongue dips into my core, drinking me up before he departs. His hands brush my thighs and I groan. Even that touch is too much after my climax.
A chuckle falls from his lips and I’m all too eager to repay the favor. He stands, pulling his shirt over his head as he gets up. I don’t remember when he lost the hat at this point and I don’t even care.
The telltale sound of his zipper has my eyes zeroing in on his crotch. I watch him undress and his sloth-like pace may be enough to kill me at this point.
His erection springs out as he pushes his jeans over his hips. I lick my lips in anticipation. He doesn’t know what my plans are, but I feel sure he won’t mind.
He climbs on the bed looking ready to pounce. I gather all my confidence and authority, sitting up on my knees on the mattress.
“Lay down.” My voice doesn’t get the memo. Instead of confident seductress it comes out like mousy virgin.
His eyes blaze and desire pools in his blues. He does as he’s told, not mentioning my awkward command.
On all fours, I crawl up his body, careful not to touch the one appendage begging for my attention. I demand a kiss, taking his mouth with mine as I hover over his body.
I move down his neck, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin. His hands are lazy as they trail over my body, never resting on one singular spot. Though, they do find their way to my breasts more often than not.
I leave wet kisses in my wake as I make my way down his chest and abs. My nails graze over his sides and hips, getting close to his cock but not as close as he’d like. He’s squirming, becoming increasingly impatient the longer I wait to touch him.
My mouth teases him, gliding down the fan-fucking-tastic V that turns me on like there’s no tomorrow. His hands curl in my hair, pulling at the strands with enough force to make me look at him.
“You’re killing me here.” His voice is desperate. He’s hanging onto his sanity with a single, flimsy strand. I smirk and lower my head back down, licking his dick from root to head. His hips buck up and I don’t expect it, almost losing an eye. There’s no doubt in my mine we’d end up on Sex Sent Me to the ER if that happened.
I’ve had my fun. I swallow his head, the drop of pre-cum gleaming on the tip a salty treat on my tongue. I work him over, using my hands to accommodate the length my mouth can’t reach. His moans get louder and more frequent. He’s unhinged, and it’s hot as all hell. I might come again from his sounds alone.
“Fuck, Hailey, I’m about to come, baby.” He’s tapping me out but I’m not ready to leave the ring.
I pump him until he explodes in my mouth. It’s not like cum is some tasty, divine treat I’m dying to get. But the look on his face, how he’s staring at me like I’m a goddess sent from heaven for his pleasure alone, now that is something I’m
dying to see.
His arm calls to me and I crawl into his embrace. Soft lips kiss my hair and a smile spreads across my face. I lift my head to give him a proper kiss. He holds my head when I pull away, not letting me get too far.
“I’m not done with you yet, baby.”
15
Hailey
Three rounds of sex and one Postmates delivery later, Chase sneaks out of my apartment with fifteen minutes to spare before my roommate gets home. He gives me a long, passionate kiss worthy of an Academy Award and struts out the door, placing his hat back on his head and the look almost makes me call him back for another round.
I close the door behind him after his fine ass rounds the corner at the end of the hall. With my back pressed against the door, I slide down, a grin on my lips reeking of feelings and emotional attachment, yet I can’t wipe the smile away.
I need to pull myself together before my best friend comes home and hits me in the back with the door. I all but skip to the couch, feeling light as a feather and high on Chase. I put on Sixteen Candles and settle in, though I don’t wait for long before the doorknob rattles.
“Honey, I’m home,” Kenzie sing-songs as she opens the door with a boatload of Chinese. Damn, life is good.
◊◊◊
School takes up most of my time for the next month. I’m cramming for midterms and I don’t see the sunlight unless it comes in through my window. Similarly, Kenzie is locked in her room, stressing over, well, everything. She lost her way when her parents died and she’s been working her ass off to pick up the slack ever since.
I’ve put ice on my fuckathon with Chase because school comes first and he knows that. He’s messaged me several times over the last few weeks, even offering to bring me coffee as a pick-me-up. I declined, knowing if I saw him we’d end up naked on the nearest surface.
I saw him last week at a Halloween bar crawl through the city. We were both in costume, meaning we could sneak around in public for a change. Things were steadily heating up between us and my feet were getting colder. But now, after seeing him for one night, I realize I miss him too much to avoid him any longer.
My phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts. I roll over in bed, too lazy to sit up, and grab my phone from my nightstand. The name on the caller ID has me bolting upright, anyway.
“Hello? Hunter? Are you dying or something?” Ever since the wicked bitch of the east invaded my brother’s life, I almost never hear from him anymore. It must be life or death for him to be calling out of the blue.
“Hey, Hails. Nice to hear from you too.” His chuckle sounds sad and my fist clenches on instinct. If that bitch hurt him, I swear to God.
“What’s going on?” I’m happy to hear from him, but I know better after all these years to get my hopes up.
“I have good news.” He claims the news is good, but I only hear sadness in his tone. I wait for him to continue because I’m tempted to ask if Alison is the one dying, and he wouldn’t appreciate that. “I’ll be home for Thanksgiving.”
“Holy shit, are you serious?” Hunter hasn’t been home for a holiday since the first year he started dating her. Something is fishy here. “Oh, my God, please don’t tell me she’s pregnant.”
A long pause is deafening on the other end of the phone. That wench will be in our lives for the next eighteen years at least. This can’t be happening.
After twelve years of waiting, he clears his throat. “No, she’s not pregnant. We broke up.”
Is it inappropriate to do a happy dance despite the fact my brother is obviously broken up about being broken up?
I don’t care. What he can’t see won’t hurt him.
“I’ve never lied to you and I don’t intend to start now.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m glad you broke up if it means I get my brother back.”
“Well, I can promise you’ll be seeing a lot more of me. I’ll be staying with Mom and Dad until I get settled.”
My screech into the phone probably has his ears bleeding.
My bedroom door slams open and Kenzie comes barreling in with a baseball bat in tow. “What’s happening? Where is he?”
“Where’s who, you psycho?” I motion to the phone.
“Oh, sorry. I heard you scream and thought you were being murdered or something.” She shrugs, placing her free hand on her hip.
“I’ll fill you in later.” She takes the hint, backing out of my room and closing the door to give me back my privacy.
I lie back and get comfy, ready to talk to my brother for hours if he’ll let me. Also, a plan forms in my head and once one takes root, I can’t get rid of it. “So, big bro, you’re single now. You remember my best friend Mackenzie, right?”
◊◊◊
Since midterms are now over and fall break is this week, it’s the perfect time to heat things back up again. A ton of bars are having big parties for Thanksgiving Eve, and I intend to invite Chase along for the booze fest.
I come out of my room for what feels like the first time in weeks and make a large pot of coffee. While it’s brewing, I knock on Kenzie’s door. I’m surprised she’s not up yet, since she’s the early bird between the two of us and it’s almost ten-thirty.
“Come on in.” Her voice is muffled. With crinkled brows, I push open her door. Mittens rubs against my leg, purring for attention. I pick her up, scratching her head and plop down on my best friend’s bed where she’s lying buried under her covers and pillows.
“What is it?”
Mittens climbs off my lap and goes to town kneading the comforter.
“I’m a failure destined to die alone in my box under a bridge. I should start scoping out territory so all the good spots don’t get taken.” She isn’t one to be this dramatic, but I still roll my eyes at her expense.
“I doubt that. Spill it.” She sits up, her hair a bird’s nest of knots. She looks like an unkempt Cindy-Lou-Who with how her hair is standing up in all different directions.
“I failed the psych midterm.” My mouth drops open. There’s no way she failed. I helped her study for that for hours and I aced it.
“What? Are you sure?” She leans over her bed, picking up her opened laptop and spinning it to show me her grades.
A laugh escapes me, which causes Mackenzie to hit me with her pillow. “Ow, relax. You got a B- on the exam, not an F.”
“But it counts for half my grade.” Her face is comical, with her wide eyes and deep frown, but I know school is a touchy subject for her.
“Kenzie, listen to me. Your grades are fine, you’re going to graduate on time, and you sure as shit won’t be living under any bridge. I’ll let you crash at my house when I’m a super-rich doctor.” That earns me another whack with the pillow. “I’m serious, Kenz. Everything will be fine. Now, get your ass up and get ready. We have to leave soon for my parents’ house.” I throw the covers off her and smack her leg. “Up and at ‘em.”
I take my own advice and get ready to spend a week at home. I’m eager to see my brother and get all the dirt on what the bitch did to him. Then I plan to track her down and kill her.
On a whim and before I lose my nerve, I pick up my phone, dialing Chase. “Hey, Red. To what do I owe this pleasure?” His voice alone makes my panties wet. It’s been too long since I’ve seen him.
“Did you hear the good news? Hunter and the bloodsucker are over and we’re heading to my parents’ house for the week. I wanted to invite you to Thanksgiving dinner.” There’s a long, complicated history with Chase and his parents, but I don’t know all of the details yet.
“He called me and told me. He also invited me out with him this weekend and I think you and Kenzie should join us.”
“I like where your head is at.” I’m already planning outfits in my head to make him wild.
“You’ll like where my head will be at this weekend too.” I flush at the innuendo. I love when he talks dirty to me.
“A little presumptuous don’t you think, Mr. Westbrook?” He loves when I call him that
.
“It’s not presumptuous if I’m right.” The man makes a damn good point.
After we hang up, Kenzie and I pack up the car and make our way home. My family took her in after her parents died since she was practically my sister before that, anyway. She used to spend holidays with her parents’ family, but she isn’t even as close to them as she is to us. Plus, they’re super weird. It’s time she spent the holidays with us.
And if my hunch is correct, and she has feelings for my brother, now’s the perfect time to push them together. I need to get someone else’s claws into him before Alison comes running back.
I park my car and burst from the seat so fast I forget to remove the seatbelt and crash back into my seat. After unbuckling, I barrel through the door, a large black lump wags its tail in greeting, but I ignore it. I only have eyes for one guy right now.
“Hunt!” I launch myself at my big brother and he catches me. Happy tears threaten to fall, but they stop in their tracks when Kenzie walks in the door and gets mauled by the new dog.
Not only is my brother home, but he adopted a puppy too. Can today get any better?
As he’s helping me carry my bags up to my room, I broach the important, although delicate, subject. “I think Mackenzie likes you.” I never said I was subtle.
“Who? Squirt? No way. She hates me.” He places my bags on the bed and I roll my eyes. He’s such a guy—blind and clueless.
“Stop calling her Squirt. You know she hates it.” Kenzie and I have been best friends since we were kids and that’s when the unflattering nickname started. It’s always pissed her off, but more so now that she’s older.
A boyish grin takes over his face and I take that as a good sign. He doesn’t seem too upset over the break up anymore and if he’s willing to take shots at my best friend, then maybe he is ready to move on.
Tonight we’ll all go out and I can scope out the scene to see if there’s any attraction between the two of them. Then again, I plan to be busy with Chase and I need those two distracting one other to keep us from getting caught.
After eating dinner with my parents, Kenzie and I rush to get ready, throwing clothes across the room like suburban moms at the clearance rack. She looks killer and I dress with Chase in mind.
Chasing Red Page 11