Not the One

by Toni Aleo

  “No, don’t,” he said, stopping her when she tried to get up. “What’s the rush? I don’t even know your little so-called fiancé’s name.”

  Her stomach clenched as she looked away, shaking her head. “Yeah, you do.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “What? My older half brother?” When she didn’t answer, just met his gaze, his laughter faltered, and soon he was staring at her. “No way.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve been with him for five years.”

  “What the fuck? How could you be with him a day?”

  “He’s a good man.”

  “He’s a fucking asshole, just like his dad.”

  “Your dad.”

  “Fuck that. My mom is my dad and my mom. Jesus, I thought—” He paused, shaking his head. “Wow, really, Genny? Why? Why him?”

  She looked away. “Because I love him.”

  “Liar,” he yelled, and when she looked up, he was crossing his arms over his wide, thick chest. “You may have loved him at one point, but not anymore.”

  “What? That’s preposterous.”

  He laughed some more. “I always did like those big ole words you used, but it’s true. When you love someone, Genevieve Stone, you love with your whole self. I’ve seen it, and that’s not what I see right now.”

  Her heart stopped dead in her chest. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered, pushing back the whiskey-vomit combo that was burning the back of her throat. “I do love him.”

  Why was she lying?

  But Theo just laughed, shaking his head. “You don’t. ’Cause if you did, you wouldn’t have let him hang up on you. You would have called back until he listened to you. You’re a fighter.”

  She was flabbergasted. She hadn’t seen this man in years, and he was sitting here talking like he still knew her. “You don’t even know me.”

  “Oh, I may not know this version of you, which I’m sure I’ve made known. You may be even more gorgeous, but, Genny, I know your soul.”

  Her lips pressed together as she just blinked up at him. But his eyes, man, they were fierce. His words weren’t just words; that wasn’t Theo. His words were true, from his heart, and that was bad, so very bad. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be with him. His claim of them just catching up was complete bullshit. There was no catching up with them. There was too much unfinished history between them, and she had to get out of there. But she didn’t move because she wanted to know what the hell he was implying. She knew what she was feeling—which was wrong on so many levels—but was he feeling that too? Shit, why did that matter? And why did his eyes still make her skin break out in gooseflesh!

  Damn it! This was bad. So damn bad.

  Leave. Leave now, Genevieve.

  But when she opened her mouth, with every intention of forming a sentence, she found that, instead, it was to promptly puke all over both of their laps.

  She tried to stop, Theo tried to move, but their legs were locked together. And before she knew it, she was puking up the entire contents of her stomach.

  The damage was done.

  Awesome.

  Looking up, embarrassment burning her face and her neck, she met his shocked gaze before she asked, “Can you hand me that rag, please?”

  Chapter Nine

  Gen wiggled her toes.

  Then her fingers.

  When she didn’t feel like she was going to puke, she slowly opened her eyes. But when the sun hit her eyes, she winced, squeezing them shut again as she swallowed back the bile. Reaching for the pillow beside her, she covered her face as she groaned loudly into it. What did she do to herself last night? She knew damn well what she did, but damn it, she was usually good when she drank. But then, had she ever drunk so much not only to forget her…her…well, whatever the fuck Montgomery was? And then, Theo? Nope, and the whiskey in Spring Grove was always stronger.

  Whiskey: 1. Gen: 0.

  She knew better, she did, but yet, there she was, lying with a pillow on her face. Wishing for death. It was obvious no work would be getting done, especially if she couldn’t find a way downstairs to get some food to soak up all the whiskey still swirling in her gut. She gagged at just the thought of trying to shove something down her throat.

  I could help shove something down your throat, angel, something thick and long. You ready?

  A grin pulled at her lips as Travis spoke in her head. He wanted so badly to be written, and she wanted to write him, but the problem with that was moving. Moving wasn’t an option right now. Swallowing tentatively, she exhaled. What in God’s name was she thinking last night? All she wanted was info on either Theo or the people who owned the Blu. But what she got was another fight with Montgomery and puking all over Theo. Other stuff happened, but she didn’t want to think of those things. She couldn’t. Theo was ancient history. He was probably already married, seven kids, and all that jazz. Not that it mattered, but man, she bet his wife was one lucky lady.

  Because Gen could still feel his lips on hers. There was something about his lips, the bottom one larger than the top. When he devoured her mouth, his bottom lip would almost suffocate hers, and she lived for it. His kisses, they were…heaven. And like clockwork, every time, he’d pull back and whisper mercy against her lips. Two weeks, that’s all it had been, but it felt like a lifetime. Seeing him again, those frayed, worn jeans, the tight tee on his shoulders, his lips, his eyes, his beard, it was all so overwhelming, and those feelings she shouldn’t be feeling came back tenfold.

  It wasn’t fair, really. These feelings that were drowning her senses like the whiskey had, how could she feel them? She was supposed to be in love with Montgomery; he was supposed to be her forever. But if that was the case, why was she wanting so badly to find Theo, sit down, and just talk. She wanted to know everything. Where he had been, what he had been doing, who he was with. Anything and everything, but she knew if she allowed herself to do that, it would lead to more. They’d slept together the second night of knowing each other. Yeah, it was mostly because she wanted to piss off her parents, but once she got some, it was all she wanted. Him. All of him.

  But Montgomery…

  Fuck.

  She had to stay away from Theo.

  That was the only option.

  She had to stick to the plan, stick to her reasons for being there. She had to finish her book, she had to go home, and then she could figure out things with Montgomery. If they were gonna call everything off, then fine, they’d come to that decision together. Over the phone wasn’t working. He was acting like a child, and that couldn’t last. In the meantime, though, she had to stay clear of Theo. Which meant she wouldn’t be leaving the Blu because while she’d done okay controlling herself around him last night, she couldn’t trust herself for long. He was irresistible. All the heroes she wrote about were mainly based on him, not that she’d ever admit that, but it was true.

  He was the one who got away.

  Or better yet, the one who was thrown in jail for drug trafficking.

  Which may have been good for her at the time.

  Gen had needed those two weeks with him. To feel that rush, to know what she wanted but could never have. Her dad had made sure of that with his threats of not paying for school if she waited around for Theo the way she’d wanted. Even with her dad telling her Theo wasn’t the one for her, it took a long time for her to accept that. When she graduated college and came home, seeing Montgomery for the first time since they were kids, she could glimpse a little bit of Theo in him. Just a bit and that alone had her giving Montgomery a chance. He was comfortable, he was easy, and he worked so much that she really didn’t have to do much but write, which was what she wanted.

  But then that all went to hell in a handbasket the moment he asked her to marry him.

  What was she doing?

  The tears ran down the sides of her face, emotion suffocating her from the inside. Seeing Theo, fighting with Montgomery. It was such a mess. Two weeks ago, her life was easy, b
ut that wasn’t the case anymore. But did she even want easy? Where was her sense of adventure, her bad streak? She was wild during college, but that all ended the moment she entered into a relationship with Montgomery. That hadn’t saddened her, she was older, she couldn’t be a teen anymore. But was she really cut out to be the kind of woman a man came home to, who had dinner ready and the kids on perfect behavior? No, no, she wasn’t.

  It was over.

  Squeezing her eyes shut, the tears still leaking out, she suspected she’d known this before she even came to Spring Grove. She may have always known, especially when they started fighting about her job. What had she done? Why was she dragging this out? Why did she really come here? Montgomery was right; she could have written at home, but she’d needed to come here. Why?

  She wanted to say she had an answer, but she didn’t.

  She threw the pillow off her face and opened her eyes with a groan she was sure bounced off the walls. She needed food, she needed some water, and she needed to get to work. She had to finish, and then she had to go. She had to call everything off, she had to move out, she had to figure out her life. She owed all that to Montgomery. Pushing the blankets off her legs, she sat up slowly as the tears rolled down her face. Wiping her cheeks, she inhaled deeply and was about to get up when she noticed a tray positioned beside her bed with a carafe of water, some ice in a glass that had melted a little, along with two pieces of toast and cheese on a napkin.

  Her brow perked as she reached for the water, dumping it over the ice before downing it. She hadn’t realized she was so thirsty until she refilled her glass, drinking from it once more. Reaching for the toast, she ate it slowly as she thanked Delaney over and over again in her head. Gen didn’t remember a lot from last night, especially after the puking episode. She’d blacked out, thankfully. But Delaney must have made sure she got into bed and tucked her in, like the good friend she was.

  It was obvious from the look on Delaney’s face that she hadn’t expected to see Theo, which intrigued Gen. Why was that? Did he not live in town? Was he just passing through? There were so many questions circling her mind, but she knew they didn’t matter. She couldn’t care about those answers. She was in a relationship—yes, it was ending, but she wasn’t that girl. She wouldn’t cheat. So, really, what was she thinking about? She wouldn’t even see him anymore. She knew that for a fact, and no matter how bad it sucked, she knew that was the way it had to be.

  Stuffing the other piece of toast in her mouth, she headed for the bathroom to wash up and brush her teeth. She somehow found the strength to get in the shower. It was just what she needed. Getting out, she threw her hair in a wet bun and got dressed in a pair of shorts and a large tee. Grabbing the carafe and her glass, she sat down at her desk, opening her computer. She was on a mission, and she was going to get it done, damn it.

  He felt so good. So damn good as he wrapped her body up in his thick arms. Her body was vibrating against his, his cock throbbing along the inside of her thigh as she let her head fall back to his chest, looking up at him. His face was flushed, his lips swollen from where she had bitten him and kissed the hell out of him. He was beautiful. Her forever. As his eyes met hers, she smiled at the uncertainty in his gaze. She knew he was nervous. She was his best friend’s sister. But what Matt didn’t know, and neither did Travis, was that Ashley had wanted Travis for a very long time. She wasn’t the baby they both saw her as. She was a woman, and she had fantasies that starred Travis.

  Closing her eyes as his lips slowly caressed her, she moved her hands down his hips to his thighs, her nails biting into his skin. His kisses became more demanding, his arms tightening around her. She wanted him. Again. And again. She didn’t care that she had to be at work or that he had to go either. She didn’t care about anything but him fucking her.

  “I want you inside of me,” she whispered against his mouth. His eyes were hooded as he shook his head.

  “Angel, we both have places to be.”

  “I want you inside of me,” she said again, more sternly, moving her hand between her legs, stroking him along her thigh. “Don’t you want me?”

  His jaw went taut, his eyes darkening as he took in a quick breath. “That’s not fair.”

  “When do I ever play fair?”

  He was breathing heavily, but all she could do was grin at him. She loved him. God, she did, and she knew that they might not work, that he would more than likely sabotage them, but until then, she was going to get her fill of him. She went to turn, but his arms wouldn’t allow her to. “No, Ash, we gotta go.”

  Her eyes darkened. “I want you to fuck me.”

  “You’re killing me. I can’t be late, and neither can you.”

  “I don’t care, Travis. I want you inside of me. Now.”

  She challenged him with her eyes, and when a slow grin moved over his lips, her heart leaped up into her throat. She thought he was going to kiss her, slowly lay her down, but boy was she wrong. Slamming her down onto the bed, face first, he held her down with his hand as he positioned his cock at her entrance. “Want me to fuck you, huh?”

  She was breathless as she moved her face out of the covers, trying to look up at him, but his hand was holding her square in the middle of the back. “Yes. Now.”

  He groaned loudly as he slammed into her, so hard, she cried out. But not in pain. In total and unbelievable pleasure. He was so big, so thick, and she wanted nothing more than to be fucked until she couldn’t walk. His hand held her at his hip, holding her so tightly it burned as he continued to slam into her, over and over again. Each time felt deeper, and she swore she would never again feel what Travis made her feel. She could feel him throbbing—he was almost there—but she also knew he wasn’t wearing a condom.

  “Finish off in my ass.”

  He stilled, his breathing so fast as he squeezed her hip. Pulling out of her, he smacked her ass hard, causing her to cry out. He took her by her hips, pulling her up on her knees, which confused her for maybe a moment before his mouth was on her ass, running his tongue along her asshole and vagina. Crying out from the sheer pleasure, she dug her fingers into the sheets as his fingers bit into her ass.

  “I can’t handle you,” she cried out as he spat on her anus.

  “Oh, baby, I’m not even done.”

  His words vibrated her soul, and when he joined her on the bed, his thighs lining up with hers, she held her breath as he pushed his lubed-up cock inside of her ass, groaning with every inch that disappeared inside of her. “Mercy—”

  Fuck.

  Closing her eyes, she shook her head. Why was she writing that? She laughed. Why did she even ask that? She knew why. Pressing the delete button on her keyboard, she took the word out before she reached for her cup, only to discover it was empty.

  “Damn it.”

  Looking back at the carafe of water, she noticed she had drunk it all too. So she grabbed it, heading downstairs to refill it so she could get back to work. The house was quiet as she walked down the stairs, and when she glanced out the window on her way to the kitchen, she noticed Delaney’s car wasn’t there. She’d probably thought Gen would be sleeping all morning, which was a fair assessment, but what Delaney didn’t know was that Gen had a plan. A plan she was going to stick to.

  Reaching the kitchen, she went to the fridge to get some of the filtered water. As it filled, she looked around the large kitchen that was decorated with roosters, and she smiled. She had bought a lot of these roosters for Ms. Neil, and it made her happy the new owner had kept them. Then she wondered if they’d mind if she took one, just to remember Ms. Neil by. Man, she missed that lady. Gen was convinced Ms. Neil would know exactly what to do about Montgomery. Even though Gen knew she had to end it, she wasn’t sure how that was going to happen. Montgomery was a very proud man; he wouldn’t take her breaking up with him lightly. Which sucked.

  Sighing heavily as the water finished, she pulled the carafe back just as she heard, “Mercy me, I’m surprised you’re vertical
.”

  The words ran up her spine as she turned slowly, her eyes widening at the sight of Theo leaning against the island like he belonged there. A grin sat on those devilish lips, his eyes bright and full of actual surprise. “I was convinced you’d sleep all day. Oh good, your eye didn’t blacken.” When his grin grew, his eyes dropping to her shirt and shorts, he smirked. “Nice.”

  Her eyes widened more when she realized she was wearing her shortest shorts and a shirt with no bra. She’d taken her hair out of its bun, and the damp strands brushed across her shoulders. Exasperation flowed through her body as she glared over at him. “What in the hell are you doing?”

  He gave her a dry look. “Well, at this particular moment, I’m admiring your thighs, but I was fixing the stove. It went out last night.”

  She pursed her lips. “Don’t look at my thighs.”

  He shot her a cocky look. “Hey, they’re on display, darling.”

  “Don’t call me darling!” she added and he laughed. “And don’t say mercy!”

  That made him laugh harder before he shrugged, so carefree and not even the least bit concerned he was driving her wild. “Free country.”

  She glared. “So, you fix things around here? When are you leaving? I’ve got work to do and wanted to go to the porch, but not while you’re here.”

  He scoffed. “What the hell did I do?”

  “You exist.”

  “Hey, you liked my existence when I was carrying you up those stairs and tucking you into bed.”

  “You did not!”

  “I did,” he laughed, his eyes blazing blue. “And you loved puking on me, which by the way, you owe me for laundry. Those were my favorite pair of jeans.”

  “You have like nine of the same pair!”

  “So?”

  “So!” she yelled, her body shaking with annoyance and maybe a little lust, but that was probably from the hot love scene she was just writing. “When are you going to be gone?”

  He just shook his head, feigning hurt as he pressed his hand to his chest. “Good golly, Genny, I never thought I’d hear ya want me to leave.”