One Click Love

by T Gephart

  “Good.” I cinched her closer to me. “Then let’s get you back to my house because I’m going to make you a feast.”

  Hayden

  “TOUCH ME.”

  It was my usual request whenever we were in bed, the contact never seeming to be enough as Mack’s hands moved from my waist to my breasts. He was on top of me, his weight held off by core muscles that defied explanation.

  “I want you to ride me.” A guttural growl spilled out of his lips as he rolled onto his back and pulled me along with him. “Ride me, Hayden.”

  It had been a long time since I’d had that kind of confidence, to be visible while I took my pleasure. But it was easy to feel like a goddess when you were being treated like one.

  Without hesitation my knees settled either side of him, my hands sliding up Mack’s chest treated to all the peaks and valleys his muscular torso provided.

  “Give me your cock.”

  God, I loved saying it out loud. Unafraid of sounding needy or vulgar, all my insecurities were ditched as I took what I wanted.

  His fingers reached down between us, grabbing his shaft and giving himself a stroke while I watched. But only once, his fist gliding down the base, holding himself steady as I lifted my hips.

  I didn’t wait, glad he was already wearing the condom, sinking down onto him fast, making him curse out the rawest “fuck” I’d ever heard. His hands moved to my hips, encouraging me to rock while I held still, enjoying the fullness inside of me. “Just because I’m on the bottom, doesn’t mean I can’t fuck you, Hayden,” he warned, his dark brown eyes simmering with heat.

  The intensity was always there, whether we went fast or slow, in my bed or in his, that desperate need I felt for him was always reciprocated. And I loved it. Loved how powerful it made me feel, the confidence I’d once had returning as I teased him a little.

  “I thought you wanted me to ride you.” My hips moved slow, circling up and then down as my hands cupped my breasts. His thighs underneath me twitched, his eyes sliding down my body as I continued my agonizingly slow glide.

  His hips bucked, filling me completely as I cursed out a moan. “Then do it,” he thrust again. “Like you mean it.”

  In case his words weren’t enough, his fingers moved to my clit and circled, driving me insane. My eyes slammed shut, a hand reaching out for purchase on the wall above the bedframe as I tilted my hips.

  I didn’t stop, rocking against him while he teased me as the tempo increased. It was unrestrained, both of us dueling for control as each one of my thrusts was answered with one of his. I loved it, the frenzied heat creeping up my back and exploding across my skin.

  His back shot up off the mattress, meeting my lips while I writhed on top, his tongue plunging into my mouth as I grabbed onto his shoulders. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he groaned against my lips. “And sexy. Got me so turned on I’m going to blow right through this condom.”

  It was a threat that wasn’t idle, his cock so hard I wasn’t sure how he hadn’t come already, and my body taking every last inch he was giving me.

  Without warning, my body tilted. His strong arms circled my torso as he lifted me, lying me down on the bed while still fucking me. Not only was it an incredible display of strength, but the action got him in deeper, making my eyes roll back into my head in euphoric bliss.

  “Come for me, Hayden,” he pushed in all the way to the root. “You’re so close, I can feel it.”

  He wasn’t wrong, my body teetering on the edge while he impaled me faster and deeper with each thrust, his fingers circling my clit. It was sensation overload, my body ignited with so much that felt good that the minute he dropped his lips to my nipple and sucked, I detonated.

  My body spasmed, waves of pleasure flooding me as I panted for breath. He hadn’t stopped though, the shudders shaking my body as I felt myself crest again.

  “Wait, I think I’m going to—”

  I didn’t get to finish the sentence, tears spilling from my eyes as every nerve in my body twitched out of control. I’d never orgasmed again so quickly, the spasms shaking us both as he kissed me, growling my name.

  His cock pulsed, coming hard and fast inside of me as he rode it out. Curses mixing with my name, as we both panted out of control. I was glad it had been like that, worried our earlier discussion had made him cautious—or worse, hesitant—with me.

  “Mmmmmm,” he chuckled, his lips moving from my lips to my neck. “That was nice.”

  I laughed, wondering out of all the adjectives he could have picked, how he’d settled on that one. “I’d say earth-shattering would be more accurate. How the hell did you even do that?”

  “Not hard when I can read your body. It tells me everything I need to know.” He shuffled onto his side, slowly pulling out before collapsing beside me.

  “Well, not sure who to address the thank-you card to, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude.” I rolled onto my side, snuggling against him. “I wish you didn’t have to go to work tomorrow.”

  Selfishly, I wanted to have the whole weekend with him. For us to wake up late, spend the entire day inside, where all we did was eat and have sex. It was hedonistic and over the top, but I was greedy, not wanting to share him.

  “You could come visit for dinner.” His hand slid down my ass and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll even cook if it helps convince you.”

  The offer was tempting, especially since I had no plans. Obviously, I could have spent the time more productively, like getting ahead on my transcripts or doing laundry, but I couldn’t motivate myself to care. I wanted to see him, no needed to see him.

  “You want to follow me into the bathroom? Join me for a shower?” Mack asked, not pushing for an answer on my plans for the next evening. He never did. Refusing to pressure me either way even though my indecision probably drove him crazy.

  I grinned, my aching muscles longing for the spray of the hot water. “I’d like that. Will you wash my hair again?”

  “Anything you want, sweetheart.” He kissed me again, lifting himself off the bed and extending a hand.

  Strong arms wrapped around me as we walked to his bathroom, only letting go when we got inside and he closed the door. He discarded the condom, grabbing two huge fluffy towels and laying them on the bench beside his shower and turned on the faucet. I loved the large stall—a treat from my shower/tub combo—both of us fitting inside easily once he was satisfied with the temperature.

  Warm water and steam filled the space, our bodies intertwining underneath the spray. And when I looked at him, his large hands brushing away the wet hair from my face, it was easy to feel like it would last forever. He was so good, so kind, so sexy, so—everything, the most decent man I’d ever met, and I didn’t think I could ever give him up.

  “What are you thinking about?” His hands tilted my chin forcing me to look him in the eyes. “That smile is really good for my ego, but I’d love to know what’s on your mind.”

  “I’m really happy, Mack. Things in my life aren’t exactly where I’d want them to be, but being here with you is the rightest thing I’ve ever done. I’m in love with you. I know I should wait longer to tell you, but my feelings aren’t going to change. I love you, Mack.”

  My body sagged against him, feeling relieved at finally telling him. I’d been nervous about the timing, hoping he wasn’t going to think it was to convince him to get me pregnant. Or worse, worried he wouldn’t feel the same way, and what that would mean for us. But the minute I’d said it, none of those things mattered. He didn’t need to say it back, the freedom of being able to love him without worrying about him hurting me, enough. He just wouldn’t do that. Even if he didn’t love me like I loved him, he’d never hurt me.

  I’d thought I’d been in love before, made a commitment to be with someone forever. And what I felt for Cooper—even in the beginning—didn’t come close to what I felt for Mack.

  “Hayden,” his hands tangled in my wet hair. “God, I love you too. You have no idea how good
it is to hear that. That you’re happy—happy with me, happy with us—because, sweetheart, I feel the exact same way. And I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.”

  I laughed against his chest, amused that there was anything that could make steady, dependable Mack discombobulated. “Well, that makes two of us. I’m glad I’m not the only one who is wandering around in a daze.”

  His hands tilted my chin, and I knew he felt it. “It’s different with you, Hayden. I swear, it defies logic and makes no sense. But this thing between us,” he stopped, shaking his head like he couldn’t find the words. “I wish I could take tomorrow off, do something special. But I’m not easily replaced and with Riley out—”

  “I get it,” I hugged him tighter. “But if that offer of dinner is still good, I’d love to come visit you. Maybe, you can give me another tour. A private one this time.”

  A wicked grin spread across his mouth. “You trying to get me in trouble, Hayden? I’ve got an example to set, and won’t take kindly to being tempted when I can’t act on it.”

  “Well, we’ll just have to see then, won’t we,” I threatened, already scheming to find something ridiculously sexy to taunt him with.

  His hand gently tapped my ass, not hard enough to sting but enough for the noise to echo. “Yeah, guess we will.”

  Dropping a kiss on my shoulder, he turned and got the shampoo, washing my hair with such care it was hard not to wonder how many times he’d done it before. But before I could let those evil and unhelpful thoughts take root, I pushed them aside, enjoying what was mine. Mine. It didn’t matter what he’d done before and who with, I would let a past that had nothing to do with me steal the joy I had now.

  From my hair he moved to my body, washing every part of me with such reverent care I felt guilty. I returned the favor, doing my best to make him feel as special and loved as he’d made me. The hot water heater was put to the test though, the stream thundering down on us running cold just as we were rinsing off.

  “Here,” he got out first, holding out a towel and wrapping it around my body while he stood naked and dripping in the cool air. “I don’t want you to get cold.”

  It was those little things that made me love him more, only reaching for his own towel once he was satisfied I was warm.

  “We should probably go to sleep. I know you have to get up early.” My greedy eyes watched as he toweled himself off, rubbing his muscular body without the care he’d shown mine.

  “You sure you don’t want to grab a snack? You didn’t eat much at dinner,” he tossed the towel in the hamper, smirking when he noticed I’d been staring. “And I mean food, Hayden.”

  I laughed, my face probably spelling out exactly what had been on my mind. “I ate plenty, you cooked enough for an army. And unless you stop doing that, I’m going to need to go on a diet.”

  “Nope, I’m not stopping shit. And you don’t need a diet, I love your curves.” His hands wandered down my torso landing on my hips, showing me his appreciation. “So if you’re not hungry for my cooking, let’s see what else I can do to satisfy you.”

  “But you need to get up early,” I half protested, wanting whatever he had planned to give me.

  His lips came down hard on mine, kissing me and stopping the argument. “So I guess I’ll be tired tomorrow.”

  Hayden

  MACK HAD WOKEN me briefly before he left, kissing me and telling me to call him later. I loved being in his condo, enjoying his comfy king-sized bed before taking a long hot shower in his amazing bathroom.

  After I dressed—and shared the news of baby Ava with Gayle and Matt—I left Mack’s condo and walked around Midtown. I’d left my car back in Inwood, Mack offering to drive me home Monday morning before my shift started at Target. So since I had some time to kill before meeting him later for dinner, and not wanting to blow up his phone with a million calls or messages, I window shopped. Wandering slowly down the streets of Manhattan, looking for that perfect sexy dress I knew would blow his mind when I turned up at the stationhouse later.

  Most of what I saw was out of my price range or geared toward a size zero, but I managed to find a beautiful black, off-the-shoulder dress in H&M which fit and didn’t require a second mortgage. I grinned in the mirror, imagining what he’d think when he saw me, excited about turning him on. I paid for my purchases, enjoying lunch by myself before heading back to his condo to get ready. I’d packed an overnight bag, anticipating spending another night even though it would be solo, doing my makeup while old-school hits streamed on my phone. My regrowth was starting to show, my hands playing with my hair as I contemplated it. I was sick of the color, the flat drugstore box blond doing nothing for my complexion. Maybe if I asked Penny for some overtime, I could justify going to a salon. It had seemed so frivolous and unnecessary before, but I shouldn’t feel guilty about something that made me feel good about myself.

  Unable to fix anything at that moment, I did what I could to make it work, without feeling as critical as I usually did. It was good to feel confident, to not automatically see my flaws and to know that regardless of what happened with Mack, I was changed for the better.

  I was better.

  And when it was finally six—the time we’d prearranged for me to visit—I could barely contain my excitement as I walked the short distance from Mack’s condo to the fire station.

  “Hey, you must be Hayden.” A tall woman who looked like she should be a model greeted me at the door. “I’m Presley.”

  She was stunning, dark brown hair tumbling around her shoulders in perfect blown-out curls. And her makeup was flawless, the smoky shadow on her lids accentuating her gorgeous light brown eyes. Not to mention she had legs for days, the hem of her bodycon dress skimming her mid-thigh while showing off her ridiculous figure. I’d have been jealous if I weren’t so happy, the twenty-something in front of me no threat at all.

  “Tibbs’s sister?” I asked, remembering when her name had been mentioned at the coffee shop a few weeks ago. “Wow, you’re gorgeous.”

  “Thanks, and yeah, the jerk is my brother, but don’t hold it against me. Mack told me you were coming and wanted you to wait.” She hooked her hand on her hip, assessing me silently. Not that I could blame her, it’s sort of what I’d been doing.

  “Oh, did he need to go?” I asked, wondering where he’d gone and why he hadn’t given me the message himself. “He doesn’t usually go out with the crew.”

  She nodded, a small smile edging across her lips. “Chief is riding with them tonight because Riley’s home being a daddy and they got called out. Probably just as well you didn’t get here early, would have been harder for him to get into the truck after he’d seen you.”

  “Well thanks.” My cheeks heated, glad my effort hadn’t gone to waste. “I thought it might have been too much, but I just got this and wanted to wear it.” My hands moved down my body as I stood up straight.

  “Oh no, it’s not too much. And his eyes are going to launch out of his head, trust me.” Presley laughed. “If I didn’t have to go to work, I’d stick around just to see it.”

  “You need to go?” I asked, hoping I’d have someone to wait with. I wasn’t sure if there were other fireman in the station but didn’t really know anyone.

  “Yeah, I like to be at the club early. Meet with my front of house and security before it gets busy. Once the doors open, I like to be on the floor.” She pulled out her phone and checked the time. “And I’d have already been there if my pain in the ass brother hadn’t texted me to meet him here. Not sure why he couldn’t just have left me a message. Weekends are insane for me.”

  “Is it as exciting as it sounds? Running a nightclub.” I felt guilty for keeping her, especially since she’d just finished telling me how she needed to leave. But curiosity got the better of me and she seemed so nice.

  She laughed, her smile making her even prettier. “It has its moments. You want to come hangout with me until they get back? It’s not far, and at least there I can buy
you a drink.”

  The offer was more than I’d hoped. Accepting the invitation so fast Presley probably thought I never went out. I even surprised myself, willing to put aside the venue—a club—in an effort to get to know her better. “Yes, I’d love that.” I left off the if you’re sure, I’d usually include.

  “Then let’s get out of here. I’ll text Tibbs and let him know you’re with me. Mack can call you when he gets back.” She tossed her phone back into her handbag and motioned to the door. “I should probably let you know I have ulterior motives,” she grinned. “Chief hasn’t dated anyone seriously since he split up with his wife. Well, not anyone we’ve seen. And considering the amount of time he spends with my brother—who no shit couldn’t keep a secret if his life depended on it—we would’ve totally known if he had. There’s been no one. Well, not until you. So, naturally I want to know everything.”

  I couldn’t help but smile, liking her even more. “Hey, if you’re buying me drinks, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I’m pretty much a lightweight these days.”

  Presley shimmered, pulling open the door and leading the way. “Oh, we’re gonna have some fun tonight.”

  She wasn’t kidding when she said the club was close, the short walk to Diablo—the name of Presley’s club—taking us almost no time at all despite Presley wearing sky-high heels. “The owner is an investor from Hong Kong. As long as I keep up profits, he doesn’t care what I do with it.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “It’s a rare thing, usually they want to interfere or assume I need my hand held because I’m a woman. Doesn’t matter I have a business degree and worked in clubs all through college. In this world, unless you have a penis, they want you either serving their drinks or dancing on a pole, and they can kiss my ass if I’m doing either of those things.”

  In what little time I’d spent with Presley, I could tell she was amazing. She was beautiful, yes, but she was also smart with a take-no-prisoners attitude that demanded respect. I could see it in the faces of her staff, each of them greeting her with status reports as she walked in, no one questioning who I was or what I was doing there as I followed her to the bar. “So what about you? What do you do?”