The Deeper We Get (The Harder I Fall #2)

by Jessica Gibson

  “Yeah, Frank and I have gone a few times. Been to the zoo, Sea World, all that jazz. Of course, if you want we can go to Disneyland instead. It is the happiest place on earth.”

  “I think I’ll pass on Disneyland for today, sugary happiness is not what I’m in the mood for.”

  “What are you in the mood for?”

  “You, always you.” I ran my fingers through her hair.

  “You’ve got me, whenever you want me I’m yours.” She smiled.

  “Are you happy with Frank?” I was genuinely curious.

  “I guess, yeah. He’s a good guy, makes sure I have everything that I need. I think it’s hard for him because he went from not having any children to taking on a ten-year-old girl. But we managed well enough. He’s always trying to make up for not stepping in sooner. I know he feels guilty about it.”

  I always wondered about adults who did nothing to stop abuse. The signs are there in most cases, I know for sure they were in mine. How no one stepped in to help us, to save us, boggles the mind.

  “What do you want in life?” She glanced in my direction.

  “To be happy. More than anything that’s what I want. I want to forget the sadness and pain and move forward. How did you push past it all?”

  “I don’t know that I really did. I still think about him, still remember how it felt to be hit, how it felt afterwards when he would tell me he was sorry and not to tell anyone. The shame.”

  “Is he in prison?” I had never asked before. It felt like prying, and I didn’t want her to feel the need to tell me things she wasn't comfortable with sharing.

  “No, he’s been out for five years. I think he lives somewhere in northern California. I haven’t spoken to him in years. He calls Frank every now and then and sometimes asks to talk to me but I never do.”

  “Tell me something that makes you happy.” We’d talked enough about sadness and hurt. I only wanted happy for the rest of the day.

  “Summertime makes me happy. Reading always makes me happy. The ocean, playing in the waves, and lying in the hot sand with a book. Nothing is better than summer,” she sighed happily. “You really are in for a treat this year.”

  “Summer on the East Coast was always hot. We went away to Cape Cod, or the Hamptons, but it was a different feeling than here.”

  “What was it like in the Hamptons? I always assumed it was really stuffy with all the rich people who have houses there.”

  “Some parts were. Ruth bought a house there a few years before I came to live with them. It was one of my favorite places to be. It was smaller than most houses in the area, but I just felt at home there.”

  “You love her a lot.”

  “Who, Ruth? I really do. She loved me unconditionally when I didn’t think I deserved it. You’d like her a lot.”

  “She sounds awesome. I’d like to meet her one day,” she said casually.

  “You will. I’m sure she’ll come out for a visit eventually, or you’ll come home with me for a holiday.” The words came out before I could think about what I was saying.

  “Do you mean that? Wanting to bring me home with you?”

  “I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.” And apparently I meant it, which was news to me.

  “Tell me about the rest of the family.”

  “I’ve told you a bit about Becca already. She’s so driven and focused in a way I never could be. Levi is her husband, and I think he really balances her out. He’s a lot more laidback about things and gets her to actually enjoy life.”

  “We all need that right? Someone to balance us out?”

  I nodded. “Seth is the most like Levi, he’s really funny. He’s married to Sienna, and they live in London with their three kids and run the European branch of the family business. Sienna is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say a bad thing about anyone the whole time I’ve known her.”

  “Have you been to London?” she asked.

  “Yeah, once. I stayed with Seth the summer between my junior and senior year of high school.”

  “I’ve never been anywhere. London seems so romantic to me, all that history around you.”

  “It’s really something to see. I enjoyed it a lot.” I stopped myself from telling her we would go together someday. I was seriously turning into a chick. “Joseph is the last of the brothers. He’s more serious, very driven. He heads up the law department of the business. It took me a while to get to know him, but he’s a good guy. He was a big proponent of me coming out here for school. I don’t think I would have won the argument without him on my side.”

  “Sounds like a good guy.”

  “He really is. Okay, your turn for the inquisition.”

  “Don’t say it like that.” She laughed.

  “Fine, interrogation.”

  “That is not better at all.” She slapped my leg.

  “Okay you win, questions. Do you have any siblings?”

  “Yeah, I have a half-brother, he’s nine. I don’t see him at all because seeing him would mean I had to see my dad.”

  “Understandable.”

  “Frank’s the only family who really matters.”

  “Favorite color?”

  “Purple.”

  “Favorite flower?”

  Tiger Lily.”

  “Favorite movie?”

  “Would you think less of me if I said Harry Potter?”

  I laughed. “No, it makes you cuter somehow.”

  The rest of the day was spent laughing. We ended up in Carlsbad and walked on the beach for hours. I felt lighter than I had in days. Scarlet was what had been missing, I just needed to remember that in the future.

  Scarlet was saving me. Little by little, I was coming back to myself. It was not that she was doing anything in particular, but just being around her was good for me. Tom continued to show up every day like clockwork. Sometimes it was at my house, sometimes it was at school. He would bring me lunch or coffee occasionally. I tried my best to ignore him, but it was getting harder to do.

  “So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Vin asked me as we were leaving the gym.

  “You tell me, this is your thing.” We were finally meeting his girlfriend or whatever he was calling her.

  “I think dinner would be the easiest.” He looked nervous.

  “Dude, you seriously need to get a grip. It’s just a meal together. Plus, Scarlet will make her feel comfortable. Is Ian coming?”

  “Shit no! The last thing Sierra needs is Ian giving her a hard time.”

  “He’s not that bad.”

  “He really is. Scarlet’s just used to him now. Why do you think he can’t keep a girl around for more than one night?”

  “It’s going to be fine, stop worrying so much.” It was kind of funny to see him like this, he was usually so together. In the few months I had known him I’d never seen his feathers ruffled.

  He left, muttering to himself. I hopped on my bike to head home and meet Scarlet. When I got inside, she was napping on my bed in just a t-shirt and underwear. I ran my hands along the soft skin of her legs. She rolled over and smiled.

  “When did you get home?”

  “Just now. Sorry to wake you.” I wasn’t sorry, I had other more fun things I wanted to do with her.

  “It’s okay, I should get ready to go anyway. How was boxing?”

  “Boxing was fine. Join me in the shower?”

  “Is that a good idea right now? We have like no time at all.”

  “We can be late.” I pulled my shirt over my head.

  “Can we? Vin seemed pretty wigged out.”

  “He can wait.” My shoes and shorts came off next. She licked her lips as she watched me.

  “Still in a hurry?” I asked as I walked toward the bathroom.

  “No so much.” She stepped into the bathroom behind me, running her hands along my back.

  “You seem a bit overdressed.” I fingered the hem of her shirt.

  “Am I?” Her
eyes met mine as she shimmied out of her panties. The shirt came next, and as always I was dazzled by her.

  Scarlet was beautiful, all soft curves and smooth skin. If I had my way, we would blow off dinner, and I would spend the night exploring those curves.

  “Come on, a quick shower and that’s it. I’ll wash your back, and you can wash mine.” She stepped away to turn on the water.

  “That’s it?”

  “Yep. It seems that I’m the only one thinking clearly at the moment.” She grinned and stepped into the shower.

  I stepped in behind her, sliding my body along her slick skin and pressing her against the shower wall. My teeth nipped at her neck. “Are you sure you want to be good?” I whispered in her ear as my hands soaped up her sides.

  “Mmm.”

  “Was that a no?”

  “No, it was not a no.” She flipped around and gave me a stern look. “Turn around, I need to wash your back.”

  I obliged and put my hands on the wall in front of me so she could soap me up. I sucked in a breath as she slipped her hands around to the front and paid extra attention to one area for a while. “You aren’t playing fair.” I turned around to face her.

  “Fair is boring.” She ran her soapy hands up and down her body. I replaced her hands with my own and made sure every glorious inch of her was squeaky clean.

  “Ready for more?” I sure as hell was ready for more, a lot more.

  “Nope, you’ll have to wait until tonight. We have dinner with Sierra and Vin.” She kissed my cheek and hopped out of the shower. She was wrapped in a big fluffy towel when I got out a few minutes later.

  “Tease.” I glared at her.

  “Hey, you started it.” She blew me a kiss and grabbed her clothes from the floor.

  Great, now I had to spend an entire evening with her by my side but not able to do anything about it until we got home.

  I chose my clothes carefully, picking things I knew she liked. Faded jeans and a plain black shirt paired with my leather jacket.

  “God, you look dangerous. Like walking sex.” She sucked in her lower lip.

  I was happy that I affected her because she sure as hell affected me. “Are you ready?”

  “Hang on, I just need to fix my makeup.” She wandered into the bathroom, and I watched as she stood on her tiptoes and applied mascara to her eyelashes.

  I couldn’t get enough of her. She had woven her way into my life and I didn't care, I just wanted more.

  “Okay, all ready.” She grabbed her jacket off the bed and walked past me. “Am I driving?”

  “Nope, we’re taking the bike.” I wanted to feel her pressed against me. Maybe I was a glutton for punishment.

  Her arms tightened around me as we zipped through the streets. Vin had texted for us to meet them at an Olive Garden nearby.

  Vin was standing outside with a petite brunette with big green eyes. She was pretty enough, but for the time being, I only had eyes for Scarlet.

  “Hey man.” I wove my fingers into Scarlet’s as we walked up to them.

  “Hey guys. This is Sierra.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you, I’m Scarlet and this is Chad,” she introduced us.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you both. Vin talks about you a lot.” Sierra smiled nervously.

  “Likewise.” Scarlet smiled and squeezed my hand.

  I was in awe of my girl, she always had such an easygoing air about her. That instantly welcoming personality I sometimes wished I had.

  They went off to the ladies’ room together as soon as we got inside. Vin looked slightly less nervous.

  “You need to calm down. It’s a double date, not brain surgery.”

  “I don’t even know why I’m freaking out so much either.”

  “You like her.” It wasn’t a question.

  “I really do. She’s so different from Anna, no crazy in sight.” A ghost of a smile on his lips.

  “Just let it happen man, chill out and enjoy it for what it is. The beginning is always the best right?” I hoped my middle with Scarlet would be just as great as our beginning. She consumed my thoughts, my whole life rearranged itself around her without even trying.

  The girls came back laughing and Scarlet took her place next to me, an easy smile on her lips.

  Over dinner we talked and laughed about everything from movies to school.

  “So Chad, Vin tells me you’re into motorcycles?” Sierra smiled in my direction.

  “I guess you could say that. I can’t seem to stay away from them. And they tend to follow me home like stray puppies.”

  “Somehow I’m imagining you walking along the side of the road with a line of beat up motorcycles following behind you in a single file line.” Scarlet laughed.

  “It’s not quite like that, but I do buy more than I should from junkyards.”

  Scarlet and Sierra were chatting away like they had been friends all their lives by the time we left. Vin looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

  “Told you it would fine.” I punched him in the arm as we walked out.

  “I’ll remember to listen to you next time.” He grinned.

  The girls had made plans for the four of us to get together the following week for a movie date.

  “So...” Scarlet turned to me once we got back to my bike.

  “So what?”

  “You going to finish what you started earlier?” She leaned against the brick wall we had parked next to.

  “Do you really have to ask?” I caged her in with my arms and brought my lips down to hers. There was furious hunger building in me, and nothing would satisfy it except Scarlet. I nudged her legs apart with my knee and ground my pelvis into hers.

  She sighed into my mouth and wrapped her arms around my neck. We needed to get back to my apartment or we were going to get arrested.

  “Come on.” I tugged her away from the wall and tossed her helmet at her. I straddled the bike and waited for her to hop on behind me. When she was firmly in place behind me we took off into the night, racing to my place.

  As we drove, her hands worked their way below my waist, and I sucked in a breath. “Are you trying to make me crash?” I laughed.

  “No, just giving you incentive to get us there quickly.”

  “Baby, I don’t need incentive when it comes to you.” There was nothing in the world that would keep me from her at this point. I was sliding deeper and deeper into the hazy red fog that was clouding my senses.

  I had no recollection of getting home and inside, but here we were, pressed against the wall breathing heavy and tearing at each other’s clothes.

  “I need to feel you,” she panted, burying her face in my neck and biting down lightly as she undid the buttons on my pants and slid her hands in.

  “Careful,” I warned between clenched teeth. “You want to make it to the main event.”

  “Do I?” She looked up at me.

  “I promise, you do.” I captured her hands in mine and walked us toward the couch. I slid my pants off and watched as she wiggled out of her clothes.

  “What?” She arched a brow.

  “I just…I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of looking at you naked.”

  “You’re such a romantic.”

  “Do you know what you do to me? How you affect me? I can’t think straight when I’m around you. You’re all I can see. I want to kiss every part of you, savor the taste that is only you. I could spend all day every day in bed with you and still not have enough.” I ran my hands up her sides. “Knowing that all of this is mine. That all of your pleasure comes from me and me alone. I’ll never get enough of you. Never.” I crushed my mouth to hers and took what was mine, our tongues dancing in unison.

  She pushed me down onto the cushions and straddled my legs. “Look at me. I want you to watch what you do to me,” she commanded as she slowly took me inside and slid down my length. “Do you see it?” She shivered, closing her eyes as she began to move. “Do you see how you make me come
undone?” Her voice was almost a whisper, breathy and sexy as hell.

  I moved my hands to her hips to aid in her movements, my breathing ragged. “Christ,” I bit out as she ground her pelvis down.

  “Keep watching baby.” She licked her lips and streaked her hands up her sides, cupping her breasts and moving up into her hair.

  She was magnificent, her hair falling around her naked shoulders like a curtain, allowing me glimpses of her creamy skin.

  “Come on, just a little more.” I urged her on, wanting to see her explode, wanting to feel it as I fell over the edge.

  Her eyes popped open and locked onto mine. “Chad...” she screamed before collapsing against my chest.

  “How was that for all my pleasure?” She giggled into my shoulder.

  “I’ll take it any day baby.” I kissed her neck.

  The next morning I dropped Scarlet off at Frank’s and headed back home to get ready for school. I stopped short when I saw who was sitting on my steps. There she was, beautiful as ever. My sister.

  “Becca.”

  “Chad.” She stood up and hugged me.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  “Because I didn’t know I was until last night. Can I come in?”

  “Yeah, come on.” I walked up ahead of her.

  Once we were inside, she walked around for a moment, looking at everything.

  “So, what’s prompted the visit?” I asked, although I had a hunch I knew the answer.

  “I think you know. Why didn’t you tell me he was here?” She looked worried.

  “How did you find out?” I sighed.

  “He called the studio looking for me and left a number with this area code.” She frowned. “How long has this been going on?”

  “Not long, a few weeks.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” She looked concerned.

  “It’s not a big deal, I’m handling it.”

  “How exactly? He’s still in L.A. then?”

  “He comes around every now and then, that’s it. He can't hurt me now.” I was so mad at him for calling her, for bringing her into this. I told him not to, and he had agreed. “Is Levi with you?” I changed the subject.

  “Yes, he’s working at the hotel. Don’t try and change the subject Chad. I need to know that you're okay, that he’s not hurting you or messing with your head.” She sank down on the couch.