Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel)

by Meagan Brandy

  I glance back, seeing Liv’s silhouette through the door. Following her line of sight, I see Parker, Austin and Nate laughing and taking shots.

  A smile crosses my lips. Shifting my eyes back to Liv, her posture stiffens.

  The chick must have a bitch-o-meter or something because she lifts her plastic head and spots me in the yard.

  She smirks and stands up taller, flipping her fake blonde hair over her proper little shoulder, opens the door, and steps out quietly.

  “Bitch,” Mia mumbles under her breath.

  I narrow my gaze at her, hoping she’ll get the hint and go the fuck away.

  “So, Lolli.” No such luck. “How’s it feel?”

  Releasing a huff, I indulge her. “How’s what feel, Liv?” I lift my bottle to my lips.

  “Living on someone else’s fortune?”

  My hand freezes midair, my head turning slowly to look her in the eye.

  Her smirk deepens.

  Oh, okay. We’re doin’ this...

  I hop to my feet.

  No way will this bitch look down on me.

  Head tipped back, I let the liquor burn its way down my throat, and slam my shot glass on the countertop-turned-bar in front of me.

  “Shit’s nasty, isn’t it?” Parker squints his eyes, pulling the cheap whiskey bottle closer to read the label.

  “Hell, yeah.” I cough, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

  “Freshman must have brought it.” Parker’s body shakes, the aftertaste hitting him.

  “Oh, shit!” Austin’s slur grabs our attention.

  Following his line of sight, I see Liv with her hands on her hips, yapping something at my girl and Mia, who are sitting in the same spot I left them, but Kalani is quick to pop to her feet.

  “The fuck’s she doing?” My gaze narrows, but I can’t see around Liv’s body.

  “Probably spittin’ some shit about you.” All our heads swivel around, finding Jarrod leaning against the nearby wall, his arms crossed over his chest, looking like a privileged asshole. “Hope it’s false.”

  I’m quick to step up to him. “Something on your mind, Hollins?”

  The bastard smirks, kicks off the wall and raises his beer to us, before disappearing into the next room.

  When I turn back to the girls, I see Mia has stepped a few feet away, giving them some privacy. I look over at Kalani, who is now inches from Liv’s face. “Damn it.” I sidestep the barstool and place my hand on the sliding door’s handle.

  “Don’t.” Parker shoves in front of me, blocking my path.

  My breathing picks up and I clench my jaw. Parker’s big, but I’m bigger. “Get the fuck out of my way, Baylor. This don’t concern you.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Sure. Fine.” He throws his hands up, tilting his head slightly. “Go ahead, big man. Walk out there in the middle of a female version of dick measuring. Let’s see who tells you to fuck off first.” The smug bastard folds his hands in front of him, like he’s preparing for a show.

  Dick.

  I look back at Kalani, fighting the smile that tugs at my lips when I see her little finger jabbing into Liv’s chest. When I turn back to Parker, he smirks and raises a bottle of the good stuff, pouring us each a fresh shot.

  Me and the boys prepare for another shot, all the while I’m watching Kalani out of the corner of my eye. Austin’s obnoxious laugh tells me I’m not fooling anybody.

  “So, that was it boys, the final go. We’ll never play on a field together again,” Austin announces, raising his glass and we follow suit.

  My face pinches when the liquor hits my throat. “You don’t know that. There’s always college ball,” I tell them with a shrug.

  Austin nods, tossing peanuts into his mouth. “Yeah.” He chews while he speaks. “What’s everyone doing for college? We’ve haven’t talked about it since winter break.”

  With my body leaning against the edge of the counter, I pull out my phone to look at the screen I know shows nothing, but it makes me look busy so I can try to avoid the question. I want to tell Kalani before I tell my boys.

  “I’m headed to Michigan,” Matt Wicker says. “Heard Hollins is headed there, too.”

  Austin nods. “Yeah, I heard. How ’bout you, Baylor?”

  Glancing out the window at the girls, I hear Parker clear his throat.

  “San Diego State.”

  My head jerks so fast I feel a crick in my neck, but I ignore the pinch. “California, huh?” I make no attempt to hide the accusation in my voice.

  He holds my gaze, nodding.

  “When-”

  The back door slams shut, cutting me off, and a pissed off Kalani and Mia stomp past us to the bar.

  No one says anything as Kalani pulls the bottle from Austin’s hand and tips it back against her lips, taking a nice size swig.

  She coughs, wipes her mouth and goes for another, but before she can bring it to her mouth, Parker sticks his shot glass out, waving it back and forth in front of her with a smile on his pretty boy fucking face.

  The bottle freezes at her lips. She looks at the glass in his hands, back at the bottle, then at the dishes on countertop. Shoving his hand away, she sets the liquor down and snatches a lime.

  She steps in front of me with fury in her eyes. Roughly shoving the slice of lime in my mouth, she tips the bottle back, then smashes her lips into mine, biting both the lime and my lip in the process.

  It’s sexy as hell.

  But she doesn’t stop there. Spitting the lime out, she wraps her arms around my neck and jumps up, locking her legs around me.

  When people around us start to hoot and holler, I pull back, bringing my mouth to her ear. “These fuckers don’t get to watch you like this.” She licks my neck and a lightning bolt shoots through me. My hands tighten on her ass. “Stop.”

  She pulls back and gone is the fury. It’s replaced with a dirty, mischievous gleam that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in anticipation. She opens her mouth to speak, but Mia beats her to it.

  “Heads up, Lolls.”

  Kalani tenses for a moment, her eyes narrowing and slicing to the back door that’s being pulled open by a distraught-looking Liv.

  My brows pull in as I watch this chick I’ve known most my life, and never seen any true emotions from, look like she’s about to cry as she shakes her head at my girl, a dubious expression on her made-up face.

  Kalani drops from around me. She stays in my arms, but turns her head to Liv.

  Liv looks from her to me and back. “You won’t get away with this, Lolli. The truth will come out.” She doesn’t have her normal ‘girl on a power trip’ tone. She sounds kind of concerning.

  Kalani just rolls her eyes at her. “Whatever you say, Olivia. The conversation’s over.”

  Liv looks to me with a strange plea in her eyes, but she doesn’t speak, instead running off.

  Kalani looks back at me, her blue eyes now tired.

  “You ready?” I tilt my head, sliding my fingers into the back pocket of her jeans.

  She nods, leaning into me.

  “You coming with me to get swimsuits tomorrow, Lolli?” Mia slurs, stumbling against Austin’s unsteady body.

  “Yeah.” She brings her hand up to cover her yawn. “Sure.”

  “Cool. So everyone be at Lolli’s house by nine am sharp on Sunday. Plane leaves at noon.” She squeals, clapping her hands together. “I’ll send out a text.”

  “Goodnight, Meems,” Kalani calls over her shoulder as we make our way to the door.

  “Use protection, Lolli!”

  Kalani flips her off over her head, earning a round of laughs.

  She’s quiet and lost in her own world on the walk to her house. I can’t help but wonder what all that shit with Liv was about, but I don’t ask. Clearly it pissed her off and if she wanted to share, she would. So, I don’t push. With Kalani, it’s a pick and choose your battle kind of thing, and this one is not important enough to poke at.

  “Y
ou hungry?” she asks, once we’re inside slipping our shoes off.

  “Starvin’, baby.”

  She turns, giving me a flirtatious smile over her shoulder. She reads the intent in my voice. I am starving. For her.

  “Sit on the couch, Nathaniel.” Her lips barely move, and her tone is so low, her sexy little rasp more profound. “I’ll be right back.”

  With that, she heads down the hall and like a good boy, I do what I’m told, losing my shirt in the process.

  A minute or two later, soft music plays through her house speakers, and she rounds the couch, coming to stand in front of me.

  My breath is stolen from me like a hit to the stomach.

  Kalani is in nothing but my high school jersey. The one I’ll never wear again, but I’ll make damn sure she gets plenty of use out of.

  A condom package drops from her fingers, falling next to me on the couch, and she kneels in front of me.

  Her fingers find my belt, pulling it from my jeans, her blue eyes locked on mine.

  When she tugs, I lift my hips so she can pull them down, taking my briefs with ‘em, and my hard-on springs free.

  My hands skim up her arms, my fingertips scratching across her collarbone lightly. I grin when her body trembles.

  When I reach her neck, her palm closes around my dick and she squeezes, making me involuntary flex in her grasp.

  She smirks and her eyes leave mine to watch her as she works me with smooth, firm strokes.

  She starts off slow, gliding her soft little hand up and over the head, then all the way back down and I grow impossibly harder in her hold. Her other hand slides up my thigh, her nails scratching lightly as it makes its way up my chest, where she gives me a gentle nudge.

  My body collapses against the couch cushions willingly, my legs relaxing into the seat. Eyes on her, I watch her hungry gaze roam over my naked form. Her lips part slightly and her hand picks up speed. Dipping her head, her tongue sneaks out to lick the precum that’s shining on the tip of my dick.

  A deep grumble escapes, and my hand finds her hair, right as her mouth opens for me.

  Her lips don’t touch my skin until she has as much of me in her mouth as she can manage, then she seals them around my shaft, sliding them up while sucking lightly, her tongue rolling against me.

  She does it again and again, sucking harder and faster each time, and my head falls back against the couch.

  “Damn, baby… mmm.” My grip tightens.

  She likes it, the feeling of me pulling on her hair, because her speed picks up, her grip tightening around me, and my hips buck.

  Quickly and as gently as I can muster, I push her off me. Reaching down, I squeeze my dick, trying to ease the ache I’ve just created by making her stop.

  When her bottom lip pushes out in a fake pout, I launch forward, pulling it between my teeth. I suck it hard, then bite it gently, watching her eyes close from the feeling, a small whimper making its way out of her as she opens for me, begging my tongue to play with hers.

  As I lean back, she follows, climbing up to straddle my waist.

  My hands slide up her thighs, coming around to squeeze her ass.

  She moans into my mouth, grinding her pussy against me. She lifts slightly, waiting for me to enter her, but I don’t just yet.

  I reach between us and grab ahold of myself, using the tip of my dick to rub circles against her clit. She’s so ready, her thighs tighten around mine from the simple contact, so I tease her, my head pushing at her opening, then slide it back up to circle her clit again, and her head falls to my shoulder.

  She kisses my collarbone, then fists my hair and pulls my head back roughly, taking control of my mouth.

  I tease her again, but she was ready for it this time, and drops down with all her might, forcing me all the way inside her.

  “Fuck… ” I groan, my hand flying to her ass, pushing her down more, harder.

  She nods and brings her forehead to rest against mine, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, her moan coming out as a harsh breath through her nose.

  I hold her there, pushing up into her as far as I can go.

  “Condom, baby,” I whisper against her lips. “Condom.”

  I shift slightly and her eyes squeeze shut, her hold on my shoulder tightening.

  “Just pull out.”

  Oh, thank fuck.

  I nod and move her ass back and forth against me.

  She lets out a deep breath and starts riding me, slow and steady, grinding into me, her clit rubbing against my skin.

  We’re so close.

  My hands slide up under the jersey and I grip her tits in my palms, squeezing them while my thumbs and pointer fingers pinch her nipples, rolling them around.

  “Mmm… ” Her head falls back as her speed picks up.

  I grab the hem of the jersey. “Up.”

  Her arms lift above her head and I whip the jersey off, my mouth immediately closing over her right nipple.

  “Oh… fuuuck,” She slides her fingers up my neck, holding my head on her as her hips begin to circle against me.

  When I release the right nipple and move to the left, her hands fly to back of the couch, her insides tightening.

  She explodes, a long, deep moan coming from within her chest, and her body twitches against mine, but I don’t stop. I reach between us, rubbing her clit, grinding her against me. Within seconds, she’s panting again. Her moans turn into desperate pants and I feel my own release teetering. I quickly pull her off me and lay her on the couch, roll a condom on and push back into her. Her legs lift and wrap around me, her nails leaving marks on my back.

  And I’m done.

  Groaning, I squeeze her ass hard and push myself inside her to the hilt, my hips twitching and she’s right there with me. Her eyes roll back, her sex squeezing every drop out of me, and I collapse onto her.

  Once our breathing has settled, I pull back to look at her.

  She gives me the softest smile and traces my jaw with her finger. Lifting her mouth, her lips brush mine gently, and she drops back down. “I love you,” she whispers, a beautiful flush covering her skin.

  I run my fingers through her hair, looking deep into her eyes. “I love you, too, baby.”

  When I go to stand, she shakes her head, pulls the condom off me and tosses it carelessly to the floor. Both our bodies are slick with sweat, but I couldn’t care less. We can clean up later. My girl wants me to hold her, so that’s what I’m gonna do.

  I’ll hold her forever if she lets me.

  After setting my bag onto the porch, I run back inside to close the kitchen window.

  “Ready, Freddy?” Mia bounces in.

  “Yeah, I think so.” I toss my keys into my purse, making sure my charger is in there as well. “Did you give your mom my house key?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Yes, Lolli. She’s got the cat, mail, and plants covered for the week.”

  “Okay then, I think… Wait!” I turn and dash to my room.

  Pulling my bedside drawer open, I grab my camera. Running my fingers over the top, a smile graces my lips.

  This camera was supposed to be used for happy memories on my birthday the year my parents gave it to me. My grandpa was there; my parents were going to be there.

  “I’d say it’s time, huh?” I whisper, looking over my shoulder at Nate.

  He’s leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest, his soft brown eyes on me. Kicking off the door, he walks over and wraps his strong arms around me. He pulls the camera from my hand, and lifts it in the air before dropping his lush lips to mine, kissing me slow and gentle.

  A flash goes off and he pulls back, winking at me.

  He’s quick to snag the Polaroid before I can, pulling it into his chest. “This one’s for me.” He winks again, nodding his head toward the door. “It’s time to go. We’ll bring the camera.”

  With a nod, I loop my arm through his.

  The flight is smooth sailing and by nightfall, we’re che
cked into our rooms and dressing for dinner.

  It’s March thirtieth. My birthday’s in two days and I’m okay. I don’t have a constant headache, I can breathe easy, and I don’t have the urge to jump ship. I’m calm and collected, happy even. And I have Nate to thank for it.

  Speak of the devil.

  His soft knock sounds at the door, and I hustle out of the bathroom to open it.

  Nate rushes in, picking me up swiftly, and spins me around.

  Laughing, I lay my arms over his shoulders.

  He peppers my lips with kisses. “Tell me again why we even bothered with separate rooms?”

  “Because when we booked, your ass was getting sent home to sleep.”

  He smiles and kisses me one more time before setting me on my feet. “Yeah.” He smacks my ass as he walks backward onto my balcony. “Now you beg me to stay.” His smirk is cocky. “See how that worked out in my favor?”

  I slink up next to him.

  “Man, your view is killer.”

  I nod, looking out over the resort. The moon is shining against the ocean, creating a silver glow in the sky. “You act like you can’t see the same thing.” I nudge him playfully and his arm wraps around me.

  “Yeah, well. Yours looks better somehow.”

  “You’re, like, what? Four doors down or something?” I laugh, walking back into the room.

  He grins, spinning to lean his arms and back against the railing. “Yep. How you like the colors?” He raises an eyebrow.

  I look around the room, taking in the cast-iron, renaissance theme. The walls have a golden crown molding that blends into a pale pink color, with wrought iron crafting hanging sporadically along the walls. The bed is large with iron posts that climb to the ceiling and a golden satin lay across the tops, tying around each beam.

  There’s an antique-looking dresser with fancy knobs that match the curves of the plush chairs that surround the small table in the corner. An identical set of table and chairs sits on the balcony.

  My eyes find Nate’s and my chest swells. “You made sure my room was colorful, didn’t you?”

  He nods, his brown eyes roaming my face, and any piece of me I may have still owned just became his. “I love you.”