Full Moon: Second Chances, Book 2

by Mari Carr

  “Open your legs.”

  Josie complied immediately. She had gone into overdrive with the first smack. She was a beggar at the table, willing to accept any scrap of relief he’d throw her way.

  He thrust two fingers roughly inside her pussy. Josie gripped the bedspread and cried out. She was already so close to coming. God. So fucking close.

  He pressed inside her twice more, then retreated, peppering her ass with more smacks. The impact of these was lighter than the first, but that fact was made up for by the sheer number of hits. She lost count after a dozen, giving in to the animalistic need he was provoking.

  She lifted her ass, inviting more. Jake alternated his spanking with those firm fingers thrusting, thrusting, thrusting.

  He drove her to the edge time after time, never allowing her to take that final step. The one that would push her into oblivion, bliss.

  Finally, his hands left her all together. She heard the rustle of his jeans dropping, the crinkle of the condom and then…he was there. Inside her. Pumping deeper and harder than he’d ever taken her before.

  Josie came rapidly. Then she came again, but Jake didn’t relent. Didn’t give her a chance to rest or recover.

  She felt his body stiffen, the signal that he was about to come. It pushed Josie into a third, more powerful climax. They yelled out together, their voices hoarse.

  Jake shoved away when the last tremors settled. He lay on his back next to her, his chest rising and falling as if he’d just run a marathon.

  Josie studied his profile, tracing the curve of his brow, the bump on his nose that indicated it had been broken once, his strong jaw.

  “Damn.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until Jake turned to look at her.

  “You can say that again.”

  He’d misunderstood her sentiment. While the sex had been amazing—as usual—she’d just come to the realization that she was falling head over heels in love with Jake Stewart.

  “Damn.”

  Jake lifted her and pulled her closer. Both of them were half-dressed and hanging off the edge of the bed, but that didn’t prevent Jake from wrapping his arms around her.

  Josie closed her eyes in contented bliss. She needed to be careful not to fall asleep. It would be so easy to give in and spend the night here. It was where she wanted to be, but she’d promised Tommy she’d come home.

  “I can’t stay,” she whispered, halfway hoping Jake would talk her out of leaving.

  “Why not?”

  “With Tony living at my place, Tommy’s home tonight. I just can’t—”

  Jake cupped Josie’s face, tilting it until she looked at him. “So you’re going home for your son? Not because your ex doesn’t like you spending the night with another man?”

  “How did you know he was angry?”

  Jake placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. I’d tear down the walls if I knew I’d lost you and you were heading out to see someone else.”

  His words were yet another arrow fired at her heart. He’d broken down all of her protective walls and was now laying siege to the most vulnerable parts. He’d stripped her bare, left her defenseless. Maybe that idea would bother her tomorrow, but tonight, it felt like he’d carried her straight to heaven.

  “Besides,” Jake continued. “You were madder than a wet cat when you got here. I assume that was because you had a fight with Tony?”

  She nodded. “He backed me into a corner when I said I was going out. Used Tommy as a way to get what he wanted.”

  “And what he wanted was you at home in your own bed tonight?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Josie, if there are still feelings between you and Tony, I would never stand in your way.”

  She sat upright, looking down at Jake. “I can’t stand the man. Believe me, reconciliation is the last thing on my mind.”

  Jake propped himself up on his elbow. “I learned a long time ago there’s a fine line between love and hate. And it seems to me that as much as you say you hate Tony, you love Tommy more. You let Tony stay because it made Tommy happy. I suspect if you and Tony got back together, your son would be over the moon. If your situation, your feelings, should suddenly change…” He paused.

  Josie knew where he was going, but she didn’t know what to say. He was offering to take himself out of the equation if it would make her and Tommy happy. It was a generous gesture, but one she didn’t want him to make. “Jake, no.”

  He raised his hand to stop her. “All I’m saying is you have to do what’s right for you. For your family. I get that.”

  She pressed a hard kiss against his lips. “Thank you, but—” She started to tell him there was no way in hell she was taking him up on his offer, but her cell rang.

  A glance at the clock told her it was still early. Only nine thirty. She hesitated.

  “Go get the phone, Josie. You’ll worry otherwise.”

  She reluctantly crawled out of bed and walked down the hall to where she’d left her purse.

  Her home number. Tony. Josie fought to control her temper. “I don’t appreciate—”

  “Mommy?”

  “Tommy? What’s wrong, baby? Why are you calling?” Panic quickly replaced her anger.

  “You said you were coming home. Me and Daddy were wondering if you could bring us ice cream.”

  And just like that the fury returned. “Listen, Tommy—”

  “Daddy said I could stay up late on account of it being the weekend and all.”

  Josie recalled Jake’s offer to have a chat with Tony. She wondered if he’d be up for coming home with her now and helping her beat the shit out of her ex-husband. Instead, she opted for revenge.

  “Well, I don’t think that’s going to be possible. I’m going to be home very, very late.” So late, she decided, it would actually be early…tomorrow. “Tell you what. Why don’t you and your dad take a quick trip to Dairy Queen for blizzards? I have a coupon in the kitchen.”

  “Really? Dairy Queen?” It was her son’s favorite treat. She’d commit Tony to taking Tommy out for a Snickers blizzard, getting the little boy good and sugared up and then let her ex struggle to get their son to sleep all on his own. Welcome to single parenthood, Tony.

  “Yep. Let me talk to your dad. I’ll get it all set up for you.”

  She listened as Tommy handed the phone off, excitedly telling Tony about the trip they were about to take and how he’d go get the coupon.

  “Hello.” Tony didn’t sound happy with the way his plan had backfired.

  “I’ll be home when I’m good and ready and not a second before.”

  “Josie, listen, it wasn’t like that. Tommy just wanted—”

  “Pack up your shit. You’re moving out tomorrow morning. Have fun at Dairy Queen.”

  She disconnected the phone before Tony could reply.

  “Damn. I’m sort of reconsidering that fine line between love and hate comment.” Jake was leaning against the dining room wall. He’d pulled his jeans back up, but he’d lost the shirt. Josie tried not to drool.

  She laughed. “I have approximately five hours to kill before it will be safe to go home.”

  “What constitutes safe?”

  “I predict it will take my ex that long to get my son to sleep after the sugar-rush they’re about to indulge in.”

  Jake walked closer. “Five hours, you say?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. I think I’d like to explore this spanking concept some more.”

  “Aren’t you sore?”

  She grinned. “It wasn’t my ass I was talking about spanking.”

  Jake lifted her over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold as Josie squealed with surprise.

  “Come on, sweet stuff. It’s still a full moon and I’m game.”

  Chapter Six

  Josie’s Howl List—June

  1. Sex with a stranger

  2. Sex in public

  3. Anal

  4. Bondage

  5.
Spanking

  6. Double Penetration

  Josie waved as Shelly and Tommy walked—hand in hand—down to the parking lot. Her stupendous best friend was taking her son to the movies and then having him stay at her place for a sleepover, so Josie could get Tony out of the house.

  It had been nearly three weeks since her date with Jake and he’d called every day since then. They’d fallen into a regular Tuesday lunch date and they’d gone out to dinner and to the movies once. Her heart skipped a beat every time she saw his number flash on her cell screen. She felt like a teenager with her first crush. Twice at work this week, she’d actually doodled her name and his in hearts. It was ridiculous. Fun.

  Tony had moved out—briefly—going to stay with his brother. That set-up had lasted less than two weeks and last weekend, he’d reappeared on her doorstep with his luggage in hand once again. The only reason she’d consented to let him back in was because he showed her a contract agreement to the apartment he was leasing. He had supposedly been moving into it Wednesday. Then it got pushed back to Thursday, then Friday. And now, it was Saturday and he was still here.

  Georgie had given her shit for letting him come back at all, calling her an easy touch. Maybe she was, but it was impossible to live life in black and white. Josie resided in the gray zone, which meant she could still recall the times when Tony was charming and sweet. He had been her first love and he was the father of her son. Despite all the pain—and sweet Lord there was plenty of that—there had also been some wonderful times. Those memories were all mixed up inside her.

  Jake hadn’t been wrong when he mentioned that fine line between emotions. Actually, she wasn’t sure she did hate Tony anymore. While he drove her nuts and pissed her off constantly, she wasn’t able to summon any sort of powerful feelings toward him. Hate took energy and she’d decided a long time ago she needed to channel all her drive into taking care of Tommy, raising him in a loving home, not one that was filled with resentment and bitterness.

  She watched Tony’s car pull up in front of the house. This had been his Saturday to work at the garage. He got out of the car and seemed surprised to see her standing on the front porch.

  “Hey, Josie.”

  She took a deep breath, preparing for the coming battle. “Hi.”

  “What’s up?”

  Josie lifted one shoulder. “Nothing much.” She led the way into the house, stepping around Tony’s suitcases before heading into the living room. She’d packed his stuff and carried it downstairs earlier.

  Tony glanced at the luggage in surprise, then gave a forced laugh. “You trying to give me a hint or something?”

  The only hint that would have been less subtle was if she’d swung the suitcase at his head. “Yep.”

  He followed her to the living room, claiming the spot next to her on the couch. “Listen, Josie, I told you. I’ve got a place to live. It’s just finding the time to set it up. I’ve been working long hours this week.”

  She couldn’t argue with that. He’d been gone most mornings before she rose and he didn’t return until six or even seven most nights. Of course, marriage had taught her that didn’t necessarily mean he’d been at work.

  “I’ve been very understanding and patient, Tony. But I’m done. You have a place to live. Go stay there.”

  “But I don’t have any furniture yet. Janice’s being a bitch about keeping all our shit. I don’t even have a bed.”

  She pointed toward the suitcase. “That’s why I’m loaning you a sleeping bag.”

  He sighed. “I’m too fucking old to sleep on the floor.”

  Josie grinned, though her reaction wasn’t one of humor, rather it was pure frustration and disbelief. “Tough.”

  “Does Tommy know you’re kicking me out?”

  “Number one, I’m not kicking you anywhere. I’ve been extremely generous and understanding these past few weeks. Number two, Tommy helped me pack your bags. He can’t wait to see your new place.”

  Tony scowled. “I don’t see what harm another night or two would do.”

  “It’s always one more night with you, Tony. Consider this tough love. I suspect that if I let you stay here, you’ll find at least a dozen more excuses why you can’t buy a bed. Then you’ll get a bed, but there won’t be a couch or a TV. Jesus, it could be years before you fully furnish that apartment. If you’re there, you’ll do it.”

  “You never used to be this hard, Josie. You used to be so sweet all the time.”

  At that, she did laugh. “Well, you have no one to blame but yourself there. In case you forgot, you broke that sweetness when you cheated, then walked out on me and Tommy. Funny how stuff like being nice evaporates in the face of betrayal.”

  “I’ve said I’m sorry, Josie. God, I’ve told you a thousand times how sorry I am.”

  He had. It had been his standard line for most of the first year after their divorce. And not once had it ever seemed sincere.

  “I don’t want an apology, Tony.”

  “Then what do you want? Name it and it’s yours. I swear to God I’d give you anything if it would make you care about me again, if you’d just…”

  Mercifully, his words faded. He stopped himself before saying something she really, really didn’t want to hear.

  “Tony. This is why you need to leave. Being here, so soon after your break-up with Janice, is confusing you. You’re reaching out for something that isn’t there anymore.”

  “But it is. I can feel it.”

  She raised her hand, tried to wave away his words. Tony used her hand against her, grasping it, pulling her closer. Before she could figure out his intent, he was kissing her.

  She struggled, but his grip tightened. When she realized her resistance was pointless, she went limp.

  She could remember a time when she dreamed of Tony’s kisses, when she couldn’t wait until she saw him again so she could experience the magic of this. Now his touch left her cold.

  No. Not cold. Just empty.

  Tony realized she wasn’t moving, responding. He released her and studied her face. His was the picture of absolute misery. “I did kill it, didn’t I?”

  She nodded sadly. For months after the divorce, she’d been angry, wished she could find some way to hurt him the way he’d hurt her. Now that the moment had arrived, it didn’t make her as happy as she thought it would.

  “There were other women, weren’t there?”

  Tony froze, a frown creasing his brow. “What?”

  She wasn’t sure why it mattered, but part of her needed to know she hadn’t been paranoid, hadn’t seen shadows that weren’t really there. “I already believe there were and the truth isn’t going to change anything now, so tell me.”

  He shrugged, then nodded. “Yeah. There were a couple, or maybe more like a few.”

  She smiled sadly. “Thanks for telling me the truth.”

  Tony cleared his throat, his discomfort, his guilt palpable. “Who’s this new guy?”

  “His name’s Jake.”

  “He’s nice? Good to you?”

  She nodded. “He’s really good.”

  Tony leaned back and she thought she saw something like relief pass over his face. In his own, limited, somewhat twisted way, she knew her ex still cared about her. “I’m glad. You deserve someone who will treat you right. God knows I didn’t. Has Tommy met him yet?”

  “No. But I plan to introduce them soon. It’s just sort of been tough lately because…”

  “Because I’ve been hanging around, muddying the works.”

  She grinned. “Yep.”

  Tony rose slowly. She stood as well. He opened his arms and she accepted his friendly hug. “Thanks for everything, Josie.”

  She walked him to the door and waved goodbye after he loaded his car and pulled away. Then she walked back into her quiet townhouse, looking around, remembering how scary it had been when she and Tommy first moved in. It had been this vast empty space, but somehow, over time, they’d filled it with furniture and pi
ctures and memories.

  Even so, there was still one empty space left to fill. Josie grasped her cell from the kitchen counter and dialed Jake’s number.

  “Hiya, beautiful. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Did Tony go quietly or are you calling in the big guns?”

  She’d hidden nothing from Jake about Tony. Along with the wine girls, he’d become her best friend, offering her sound advice as well as getting righteously indignant with her whenever she needed it.

  “He’s gone. And Tommy is having a sleepover at Shelly’s. How would you like to see my place?”

  Jake was quiet for only a moment, though she could tell she’d surprised him. “Really? I get to see inside the inner sanctum?”

  “Shut up, you lunatic. Are you working? Can you come?”

  “I’m the boss, remember? Besides Sam’s back and he owes me for covering for his ass all those weeks when he was living the good life in front of the TV, nursing a broken ankle. I’ll be right over. Want me to stop and pick up dinner or something?”

  “Nope. What I’m hungry for requires only you.”

  Jake whistled. “I like the sound of that. I know it’s a bit early, but if you’re in the mood, we could celebrate the full moon tonight.”

  Josie recalled the next item and paused. “Does that mean you’re not coming alone?” Like most of the positions on her list, she written down every kinky, crazy craving with no thought of how she’d actually achieve the goals. Even so, double penetration was one she’d seriously considered marking off since meeting Jake. She had no desire to take another man to her bed.

  “Trust me?”

  Damn him. Jake knew she did. But there had to be limits to that, didn’t there? If there were, she hadn’t discovered any with her sexy bartender yet. “Yes.”

  “I’ll be there in half an hour. Put on something hot and pull out all your sex toys. We’re getting crazy tonight.”

  She hung up, torn between sheer panic and absolute glee.

  “Fuck it,” she muttered. “Crazy sounds just about right.”

  True to his word, Jake arrived exactly thirty minutes after they’d hung up. She’d donned her sexiest lingerie, but at the last minute, she threw a robe over it. Just in case Jake wasn’t alone.