Redemption (Cambria University #2)

by Sadie T. Williams

  “Jesus, fuck, Maisy,” he says in a guttural, deep voice. “You’re so fucking tight and wet. I’ve never felt anything like this.” His movements continue, sliding in and out, moaning each time, his cock hitting my g-spot with every thrust.

  Van grabs my right leg and throws it over his shoulder. The position deepens the angle of him inside of me and is agonizingly pleasurable. After a bit he picks up his rhythm and I match him. We’re moving as one body. One unit that was destined for this moment. The tension is building in my lower abs as I involuntarily clench around him, milking him as he thrusts, my back arching off the bed.

  “Oh baby,” I moan, “I’m coming!” And with that my body tightens around his shaft as an orgasm shatters me from within. Stars are in my eyes as I come down from my release. Van is still pumping, making sure I’m satisfied.

  Van grabs my other leg and hook my ankles around his neck. He’s up on his knees and picks me up by my hips so I’m shaped like an L. His eyes are narrowed and he looks like he is going to devour me.

  He rubs his hands down my legs. “Mmm,” he moans softly.

  “Hang on, Maze,” he commands. I grip the sheets as Van grabs onto my hips again. “I love you.”

  After the words leave his mouth he begins moving in and out while using my hips to match his rhythm. “Oh!” I moan as he plunges deeper than ever before. He’s pulling me towards him with every thrust as the headboard bangs against the wall.

  Thrust after thrust, Van, is pushing me closer and closer to another orgasm. My insides clench again as the heat blasts from core through my extremities.

  Van releases my hips, unhooks my ankles from his neck and leans forward so my toes are now touching the headboard and he’s lying on top of my legs. He continues his movement and the euphoric feeling of him hitting the deepest parts of me, metaphorically and physically, are too much. I come again, tightening around his erection with the headboard banging rhythmically with us.

  As I come down from ecstasy, Van’s thrusting becomes more rapid and less controlled, from all of the blow jobs I have given him, I know he’s close.

  “Owl, I’m gonna come,” he warns, but doesn’t let up. He fills me, cock twitching inside with his release. After a few seconds, he rolls off and collapses next to me on the bed, sweating and panting. I roll onto my side and put my hand on his chest, my finger tracing his eagle as his breathing returns to normal. Our bodies are in a state of pure elation and exhaustion. I feel the warm come drip on my inner thigh as I continue to lie there, unable to move. We unloaded everything tonight in more ways than one.

  I never want this to change. I wish we could stay together in this hotel room for an eternity, but we have a party to get to, and without fear or reservation, I’m ready to introduce my man to my friends.

  Chapter 31: Donovan

  The “Happy New Year!” cheer rings through the air as we all toast on the beach to the start of a fresh beginning. The significance of this night means more to Maisy and me than most people know.

  I lean down after we clink our glasses together and whisper, “Happy New Year, love of my life. Here’s to many more years of us.” I kiss her cheek and make my way to her lips where I lay the softest kiss on her plump lips. They’re still slightly swollen from our rambunctious session back at the hotel. I can still taste her sweet, sweet pussy on my lips.

  I pull back and rub my lips with my fingers, remembering the feeling of her orgasm on my face just hours ago. I can’t wait to do that over and over again for the rest of my life.

  This day that has extended into the night, and now into a brand-new year. It has surpassed my expectations. I didn’t expect Maisy to forgive me – hell, I haven’t forgiven myself, but that’s what makes her perfect for me. I silently vow to be a new man, a better man, for her.

  “So, Donovan,” Kali says as her Ruby, Brody, and Monét all stroll over to where Maisy and I are camped out by the fire.

  “Yes, Kal-Pal?” I flash her a brilliant smile. She’s been in interrogation mode since we arrived to Pete’s an hour ago. I can’t blame her, and I’m not upset by the inquisition. I deserve it. Maisy told me that Kali is the only one she told the whole story to, so it makes sense that she is the one who’s the most protective of her friends. They’re as thick as I am with my boys back at Cambria.

  Kali’s face blushes at my use of her nickname. “I’m glad you came out here for New Year’s.”

  “You’re not getting soft on me now, are you? Where is Detective Kali with all the questions?”

  “Stahhp.” She blushes again and swats my arm. “It was necessary, and you passed. It’s a new year and I’m happy if my BFF is happy. I’m Team Vansy all the way.”

  “Team Vansy?” I ask and shoot Maisy an inquisitive look.

  She rolls her eyes and laughs, “Yeah, it’s our celebrity couple name that Kali made up. You know like Brangelina or Bennifer.”

  “Those couples all failed. You know that right?”

  “Huh, didn’t think of that.” She considers my point as she stares at the fire.

  I pull her closer to me and kiss her temple. “That’s not us though.”

  She looks up at me through those long lashes and smiles. A smile that stretches all the way to the corner of her eyes. The most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.

  “Oh. My. God. I love you two,” Monét swoons, which makes everyone burst out laughing.

  “So, Donovan, what the fuck happened to your face?” Pete asks as he joins our group by the fire.

  “Pete!” Maisy shouts as she starts to defend me.

  “It’s fine, Owl,” I say as I give her a tight squeeze. “Open and honest, right?” She nods.

  “This is going to be good, I can tell.” Ruby snuggles into Kali and opens a new beer.

  I tell them the whole story from the beginning, including all the information about the bet and all the fights. I explain how miserable I was, and how I was looking to expel my anger and my pain because I didn’t think I could ever be happy again after Maisy left. The mood shifts throughout my story from pure anger after I confess the details of the bet and the incident with Sydney, to disappointment after they found out I was fighting, then finally to admiration as I tell them I came to Cali to tell her the truth and win her back, no matter how long it took.

  “All it took was a new surfboard and an orgasm,” Kali laughs. Maisy smacks her arm. “Ow, what the fuck?”

  We all laugh again and it feels good to get that whole thing off my chest to the people who are most important in Maisy’s life.

  “That was a dick move, but we all make mistakes. You’re lucky your girl has one of the purest hearts I’ve ever known,” Brody says.

  “I am.” I smile down at Maisy. “And I hope you all can forgive me at some point for being a royal cunt.”

  “I think I can speak for everyone,” Pete offers up, “and say that we do. If Maisy is cool, we’re cool.”

  “You are a royal cunt,” a voice slithers in from somewhere behind us. A tall, thin dude with long blond hair walks up to our group wearing nothing but board shorts. He looks extremely intoxicated judging from the way he’s stumbling to get over to us and the way he slurred the hell out of the word cunt. It sounded more like sunt, but we got the point.

  “Ah, you must be Bates.” I stand and offer my hand only to have him swat it away. Twenty-four hours ago he would have been flat on his back with a broken nose, but this is the new Van. The man in love with the perfect woman, and a non-fighter. “I get it.” I hold up my hands and sit back down.

  “Bates, what do you want?” Kali asks, clearly annoyed.

  “Maisy. I fucking want Maisy. Is that too much to ask? Is it too much to take my best friend to dinner on New Year’s? Apparently it fucking is too big a task for her.”

  “Bro, it’s time go.” Pete stands to escort Bates out.

  “Fuck off, man. You’ve known how I felt about Maisy for years. You should be on my side, considering what this fucknob did to her.”

/>   “Fuck you, Bates!” Maisy’s voice cuts so loudly through the music that people stop dancing and chatting and turn to stare at her.

  She stands and pokes him in the chest. “You had years to tell me how you felt. Instead you just fucked anything that moved and expected to me to, what? Wait for you?” She is swearing a lot, which means in Maisy-translation, she is super fucking pissed right now. “I thought I loved you three years ago, but that was me just being naïve. It was because you were my first, and I was going through a shit time. You were what I thought I needed, but then you got what you wanted and shit all over it. So, no, you don’t get to come out here on New Year’s, expect me to go to a romantic dinner so you can tell me you love me again and it will magically be like we’re fifteen again. I’m not that same person anymore. That girl was scared and losing everyone and everything. I’m not her any more, and I’m certainly not alone,” she concludes and grabs my hand. Damn, my girl is fierce. She pulls me up to stand with her and glances around at all of her friends who are staring at her. “We’re leaving. Happy New Year everyone.”

  “Maze, wait,” Bates tries again. “So you can forgive him, but not me?”

  She freezes. He has a point as much as I hate to admit it.

  “No, Bates. I forgave you a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean I want anything more from you.”

  And together we walk back to the Jeep, hand in hand.

  “Owl, I’m sorry that happened.”

  “Why is life always something good and then something bad? Why can’t it ever just be good and leave it at that? Like tonight, with us. So good! The amazing sex. My friends officially love you – I’m sorry about all the questions, but you won them over. But then, Bates fucking ruins everything and has me cursing like a sailor again. Ugh!” She crashes her head back against the headrest.

  “I don’t know, but what I do know is that we’re in this together from here on out. Me and you against the world, right?”

  She turns to look at me. “Right.” She grabs my hand.

  “You’re staying with me tonight. I want more pussy juice on my chin,” I say as I run my tongue over her knuckles. I can see the flush of her cheeks under the streetlights as we drive. “You won’t even remember who Bates is. You’ll only remember one name, and it’s mine.”

  “God, Van, I’m wet just listening you.”

  Cue stiff dick in my pants. My little Maisy is learning to talk to dirty.

  “Tomorrow I have an early meeting with Chet. Would you come with me? I’d like to introduce you to him and Jo.”

  “Of course.”

  Chapter 32: Donovan

  January

  We pull up to a five-story office building just before 9:30 a.m. and I’m drained. I lost count of the orgasms last night after four for Maisy and two for myself. I don’t even know what time we finally fell asleep, but even though I’m exhausted, waking up to Maisy’s naked body entangled with mine, her signature coconut scent filling my hotel room, everything was perfect.

  Maisy was super giddy this morning and talked my ear off the entire drive about Chet and what a dominant force he is in the courtroom. Looking at this building though? I feel like I’m about to meet Saul Goodman instead. I can’t believe a big-time lawyer would work out of such a plain building. Manhattan lawyers’ offices are all glass and steel. Powerful buildings, much like the men and women inside.

  We take the elevator to the fifth floor and Maisy greets a maternal-looking woman in a royal blue cardigan, white skirt with pink flowers on it, and a string of pearls around her neck. Her grayish-brown hair is cut short and curled all over.

  “Jo!” she exclaims and wraps her arms around the little lady’s neck. Ah, the famous Jo. I know Maisy loves her like a grandmother.

  “Oh, my sweetheart, I have missed you!” Jo squeezes Maisy hard, as if she’s her own grandchild.

  “Jo,” Maisy breaks the embrace, “this is Donovan.”

  “Donovan. Beautiful name for a beautiful man. Are you treating my Maisy-girl well?”

  I can feel my face get hot because, no, Jo, I haven’t been. I was a complete asshole.

  “He’s wonderful,” Maisy replies when I hesitate. “We have a meeting with Chet. Is he here?”

  “Yes, just have a quick seat over there.” Jo motions toward a small waiting area with white leather couches and a cracked wooden coffee table covered in old magazines. Jesus, are we in the right place? This place is a dump. “So great to see you looking so happy, my dear.”

  Maisy and I sit. “That was fucking awkward. Thanks for lying for me.” I’m not the dude you bring home to mom and dad, or in this situation, Chet and Jo, and I’m suddenly very nervous. Almost as nervous as I was walking up the beach to meet Maisy yesterday.

  Maisy reaches over and touches my leg through my gray dress pants because it’s shaking so hard. We stopped this morning so I could buy some appropriate clothing. I didn’t have much with me since I left straight from our bowl game. I’m wearing gray dress slacks, a white button-down shirt with the sleeves I rolled to my elbows, and black loafers. Maisy wanted to take me to her favorite thrift shop in L.A., but I couldn’t do it. The thought of wearing other people’s clothes grosses me out.

  “Calm down, Van,” she whispers as she squeezes my leg. It stills under her touch. “No one needs to know about our story except us. I love you. They will love you. That’s all that matters.”

  “Doubtful. Why did he want to meet us anyway?”

  “Well, me – he doesn’t know you’re here.”

  “Fucking hell. I’m sure he’s the type of guy who loves surprises.” I rake my hands through my hair.

  “Not at all actually.” She smiles.

  “Helpful, Owl. Really helpful,” I reply and swipe my hand through my hair a second time.

  “Sweetheart, you and your friend can go back now. You remember the way.” Jo smiles cheerfully. Nine-thirty on the dot. Well done, Chet.

  We walk into a large corner office after navigating through a maze of cubicles. Maisy says hi to a few people she clearly knows from her internship, but something tells me she didn’t hang out at work much.

  “Well, Maisy, my little genius, you look fantastic! The East Coast is treating you well.” A husky guy several inches shorter than me stands from behind an extra-large mahogany desk and strolls over to us. He grips Maisy’s shoulders and pulls her in her for a hug. Maisy freezes for a second, but returns the embrace. She doesn’t seem scared, just shocked. Maybe Chet isn’t normally a hugger.

  “Chet,” Maisy says when they end their embrace, “this is Donovan Blake.”

  “Mr. Blake.” Chet extends his right hand.

  “Mr. Barry,” I return the gesture. “Please call me Donovan.”

  “And call me Chet. Anyone who has managed to lock down this priceless little lady is worthy of a first-name basis.” Chet smiles at Maisy. He really adores her. “Someday I hope she joins our firm, but first I need to convince her to go to law school.”

  “She would make an excellent attorney, sir.” I smile at Maisy. She blushes.

  “I just file and deliver coffee.”

  “Bullshit!” Chet exclaims. “You’ve given me so much insight to the cases I’m working, Maisy. Do you think I ask the opinion of the morons I work with? Hell no! Just you and Jared. I value your opinion, you’re a goddamn genius.”

  A knock interrupts our introduction, “What?” Chet snaps toward a middle-aged man who is standing in his doorway.

  “Mr. Barry, sir, I’m working on the Pfiefer case,” he begins, “and—”

  “And what, I don’t have all day, Robert. Spit. It. Out.”

  “Well, we lost one of the witnesses. He just ran out of the safe house and Skeels couldn’t catch him,” Robert grimaces.

  “Robert is Chet’s full time P.A.,” Maisy clues me in. “I worked with him when I had my internship.”

  “What the actual fuck, Robert? Skeels is a Team USA Olympian in the 100-meter. How is that even fucking possible!�
�� Chet screams. “Get your ass out of my office and don’t come back until you find him!”

  Robert’s face pales and he rushes down the hallway through the cubicle maze. Chet is definitely softer with Maisy. Maybe because she’s smarter and works harder than most of his apparently incompetent staff.

  “I’m sorry for the outburst. We’re working on a big case and our sole eye-witness is in protective custody. Was, was in protective custody.” He sighs and rubs his hands over his old face. “Maisy is a natural, Donovan. I don’t think any of our witnesses ever took off during a case she was helping with. She created trust amongst our clients and helped them feel at ease.”

  “She does that to everyone, not just your clients, sir,” I agree. She makes me feel things I haven’t felt in years, if ever. She really does make people feel that they are valued and worthy.

  He motions toward the two leather chairs bellied up to his desk. “Call me Chet, remember? Have a seat.” He returns to his chair and plops down.

  “Maisy, I have some very private matters regarding your dad that I need to address with you,” Chet says and glances over at me. He wants me out. I get it. I just earned Maisy’s trust – I don’t need to be involved in anything that this guy thinks is private. I’m sure he knows details about Maisy’s life that she hasn’t shared with me yet.

  “It’s fine, Chet.” She smiles at me. “Van knows everything about my past.”

  “Sweetheart, this is stuff even you don’t know, and I need to protect you from what is coming and we don’t have a lot of time.”

  Protect her? I’m not fucking leaving now. If anyone is protecting my girl, it will be me.

  “Chet, with all due respect, if this something that requires Maisy to be protected, then I’m all in.”

  “Boy, you have no idea how bad this might get.”

  “Don’t care, sir. Whatever she needs, I will be here. Money, safety, anything. I’d die for her.” And I mean it. I’ve lived life without Maisy, and it wasn’t a life I care to return to. I will do whatever it takes to protect her.