by Wendi Zwaduk
“What are you going to do to me?” Her question came out in a breathy whisper—not scared, but not sure.
“I need to relax you.” He twisted the dial on the vibrator and stroked her ripened nipples. “Lean forward and let me do the work.”
When she did as he asked, he slid the toy over her breasts once more. She bucked against his hips and groaned. “Oh, wow.”
Wow, indeed. Nate nudged her slick lips with his cock, pleased to find her sopping wet with arousal. He surged into her and fucked her pussy. Her inner muscles clamped hard around him, holding him in place. He shivered. If he didn’t pull out and continue on with his plan, he’d come inside her again and vow his undying love.
Courteney whimpered when he withdrew. “Done so soon?”
“Never done with you.” He slapped her ass with the flat of his hand and smoothed his fingers into her damp channel. “I need to prepare you.”
“Hurry.” This time a twinge of excitement coloured her apprehension. “I’m so close.”
He chuckled and squirted lube onto her puckered hole. Removing his hand from her moist depths, he filled her pussy with his cock. She grunted and pushed back, taking more of him in. When she moved, he pressed his middle finger into the tight ring of muscle. Lust filled his veins. He’d be her first anal fuck.
“Oh!”
While he leaned over her, he nipped kisses over her shoulders and plucked her nipples with his other hand. “Relax.”At his single word command, she blew out a long breath. Her tense muscles loosened, allowing more of his finger into her sacred crevice. “Yes, Courteney. Yes.”
“I feel so full.” Although her hands fisted the sheets, she moaned. “But it’s so good.” The last word came out on a groan.
He slid his cock out of her glistening pussy and refilled her with the toy. She peeked over her shoulder. Passion darkened her eyes. The corner of her mouth kinked in a smile. He could lose himself in that smile for the rest of his life.
When he eased into her ass, his lips parted a fraction of an inch and he gasped. “You’re so fucking tight.” So snug, he’d come just from being inside her. God he loved her.
Alternating his thrusts with his ministrations in her pussy, he spiralled to his own climax. Her body tightened around him, holding him fast. When she keened beneath him and called out his name, Nate came undone. The pulses of her orgasm rippled over him, stroking him. He grasped her hip with his left hand and moaned. Dropping the toy, he emptied his seed deep within her ass.
“Oh!” Courteney collapsed underneath him and buried her face in the pillow. “That was so…wow.”
Nate dropped to one elbow and held her close to his chest. “You are something else, little one.”
“Is that a compliment?” Her sleepy breath fanned over his nipples, making them erect once more.
“The best complement I can give you.” He chuckled and pulled the comforter over their fevered bodies. “I must be doing something right if I have you in my arms.”
Moments later, she nestled deep into the pillows. The sound of her soft snores filled the air. He hugged her in his arms and stared at the navy blue walls of her bedroom. Let her rest. She deserved the nap. He needed to head to the bathroom and clean up.
He smoothed the warm washcloth over his loins in case she wanted another round of sex. Finished, he tossed the cloth over the shower rail and returned to bed. Although he fought sleep, thoughts of Courteney filled his head. She understood and trusted him. She completed him and he belonged to her.
Yes, he loved her.
When she woke an hour later, Nate spread hot kisses on her neck. “Good afternoon.”
“Nate.”
“Ready for round two, or is it ten?”
“I’ve never made love so many times in one twenty-four hour stretch.” She shifted in his embrace and snuggled in the crook of his arm. “You’ll wear me out.”
“Good.” Nate pressed a kiss to the top of her head, savouring the feel of the downy soft strands against his lips. “Then I can steal you away from Arran for the night.”
“What?” She propped her chin on his chest. “I’ve never wanted anything with Arran. You know I’m not interested in him.”
“You’re right. I’m giving you fits.” With a long draw of air to fortify his nerves, Nate gave into his soul-deep desire to tell her the truth. “What if I told you that you didn’t have to work at the restaurant and could concentrate on your book?”
“I’d say big deal. It won’t happen.” She drew circles around his areola, making it hard to think about anything other than taking her again. “Everyone has to work and my novel is doomed to stay unfinished.”
Shoving the moment of irritation aside, he redirected the conversation. “Courteney, I’ve never let a woman do the things you’ve done to me. I’ve never trusted a woman like I trust you.”
Her kiss-swollen lips parted a fraction of an inch. “What are you saying?”
“I love you.”
“Not as friends?” Her eyes widened. “I mean, this isn’t a joke?”
“More than friends and not a joke.” He twirled a lock of her hair in his fingers. “I want to see your face each morning, and make love to you every night. I want to help you finish that novel and see it published. One day, I want to see you round with our first child. I love you—only you.”
A smile built from the corners of her mouth and brightened her face. The golden flecks in her brown eyes glittered. “I love you, too. From the moment I met you a year ago, I fell hard. I just didn’t think you saw me in that way.”
“Always.” His confidence soared. The gut feeling panned out. She was his true soul mate. “I have more to tell you.”
As he spoke, the doorbell buzzed. When Courteney frowned, he glanced at the digital clock. The neon green numbers read two-thirty-seven. “I haven’t missed my shift, so it can’t be Arran and you’re right here.” When the buzzer ceased, only to be replaced by pounding on the wooden barrier, her brows knotted. “Who the hell?”
Courteney grabbed his discarded shirt off the floor and tugged the oversized garment over her head, pulling her hair away from her face. She yanked a pair of cotton panties out of the dresser drawer. His cock twitched under the sheet. Damn, she looked good in his clothes.
Not content to let her answer the door alone, Nate slid into his jeans and followed her to the living room.
“I’ll be there in a moment,” she called and stood on tiptoe to peek through the peephole.
He fought the urge to scoop her into his arms and carry her back to the bedroom for another round of lovemaking. To hell with the person on the other side of the door.
When she turned, her cheeked paled. “You won’t like this.” Her dark eyes shimmered with unease. “It’s Byron.”
Nate’s heart slammed against his ribs. Of all the people to interrupt their lazy afternoon. Yes, she wasn’t interested in the sleaze, but that didn’t make up for the fact that he stood on her stoop. Nate rubbed is forehead with the pads of his fingers. The loving vibe fizzled.
Well, fuck.
Chapter Five
With shaky hands, Courteney smoothed the wrinkles in the rumpled shirt. Wearing his clothes with only her panties underneath seemed scandalous and sexy. She drew a breath into her lungs, gaining confidence from his earthy scent. Too bad her ex had to screw up the good feeling. Nate stood to the left of the door and nodded. Twisting the knob, she opened the wooden door.
“Hello Byron.”
From his position on the concrete pad, Byron smirked. The skin around his eyes crinkled, aging him beyond his twenty-eight years. “Hello, sweets.” He strode forward, shoving the doorknob from her hand. With a slight bow, he folded his arms. “I’ve come to make amends, again, my love. I realise my actions at the restaurant were embarrassing, so I’m begging for your forgiveness.”
Biting back a response, she crooked a brow. Amends, again? Now?
“Courteney, honey, I can’t let you go. I realise I was careless wit
h your heart and you deserve better.” Stepping forward, he stroked her jaw with his index finger. “You complete me.”
“What movie did you steal that from?” She rolled her eyes and held up her hands. “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. Just get to the point.”
He cocked his head. “Movie? I’m spilling the contents of my heart. I love you.”
Over Byron’s shoulder, Nate sneered. His eyes narrowed to angry slits and his jaw clenched.
Courteney planted her feet and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “And what about Amber?”
“She means nothing.”
“Really?” Always quick with the comebacks. When Nate snorted, her confidence soared. “And Karla? Trina? Were they ‘nothing’, too?”
Byron groaned and tapped his foot. Thumps echoed around the room. “Must you dredge up the past?” He nodded over his shoulder. “I don’t throw your transgressions in your face.”
Transgressions? Did he even know what the word meant? Stepping into his personal space, she jabbed her finger in his face. “You cheated on me with three women at one time. I don’t trust you.”
He pressed a kiss to her finger and grinned. “Then give me a second chance.”
“I can’t.” She bit back the bile in her throat and wiped her hand on her thigh. Byron deserved to burn in hell for his actions. If he loved her, he wouldn’t have cheated. Too late for second chances. “I moved on.”
This time, his dark brow crooked. The smile faded from his thin lips. “Oh really? You moved on…with whom? That sleaze lawyer?”
She inched backwards and processed his words. “Who are you talking about?” Was he referring to Nate? No way. Nate worked for the restaurant. Didn’t he?
“So you don’t know?” A smirk curled the corner of Byron’s mouth. The blue in his eyes turned to ice.
When he stepped from his spot beside the door, Nate clenched his fists. “Leave it alone, Solaran.”
The tight smile widened, showing off his straight, white teeth. Byron rubbed his hands together. “How cute!” He turned to Nate. “You finally bedded her. It took you long enough.” He threw his head back and laughed. “So how’d you do it? Did you stand outside her window prowling like a hungry lion until I dropped her ass like hot lead? Or did you swoop in to be the consoling friend with broad shoulders?”
“Fuck you.” Nate’s eyes narrowed.
“So you really haven’t told her?” Byron clicked his tongue. “I figured you didn’t have the balls.”
Courteney’s heart slammed into her ribs. Her world crashed to pieces. “Told me what? What’s going on?”Please let Byron be lying. No way Nate would treat her heart like a play toy or lie to her face.
“It’s sad really.” Byron turned on his heel. “Your BFF, the man you claimed could love you better than me, the same guy who didn’t need money to be happy, lied to you.” He flicked his hand in Nate’s direction. “He’s the jackass lawyer who wrote Grandma Southerland’s will and screwed her rightful heirs out of money. He’s pricey, too.”
As she plopped down hard on the arm of the sofa, she processed the new information. She’d had no idea.
With a snort, Byron waved his stubby fingers. “Oh and the gig at the restaurant was only to get in your pants. He owns the hole-in-the-wall grease pit.”
Realisation hit hard, like a slap to the face. She looked up at Nate. “Is this true?”
“Damn straight, it is.”
Ready to kick Byron in the nads, she ground out her words. “I asked Nate for an answer.”
Nate’s shoulders slumped. “I planned to tell you this afternoon; well, right before he showed up.” His voice dropped to a low tone. “I’m sorry.”
Unable to hide her frustration, Courteney jumped from her perch on the couch. “You lied to me! You led me to believe you worked with your hands, not with paper. You played me for a fool, making me think you were a decent, blue-collar man I could love. ” Her heart splintered. “You’re just as shady as he is.” And she’d thought Nate was different…
When he gripped her arms with feather-light touches, Nate rested his forehead on hers. “That’s not true.”
She bit out the only word that came to mind. “Leave.”
“See, Waterford? I told you she’d never end up with you. She’s throwing your wealthy ass out.” Byron threw his head back and laughed again. His cackle grated on her nerves.
As she spoke through gritted teeth, she unleashed her emotions. “Both of you.”
Byron’s mirth disappeared. “Honey, I love you. Don’t turn me away.”
She snorted. “He claims to love me, too. I think you’re both full of shit.” Too bad she’d believed in Nate. Again, going against type brought her heartache.
Nate’s face paled. “Court?” He stepped forward with his hand out.
“No.” She shook her head. “Get out.” He wasn’t coming anywhere near her again, despite the overwhelming desire to fall into his embrace and forget.
“Court?” Nate choked out her name.
“You! I don’t know how I can trust you again.” She held her tears in check. No need to show Nate a modicum of her true feelings. “All those times I cried on you, all those conversations about the future—it’s a joke to you. I’m a joke. You couldn’t tell me the truth.”
“We can talk this over.” He held out his hand.
Although she wanted to cave and cuddle Nate, Courteney held firm. “Go to hell.”
Nate closed his fingers and pressed his clenched fist to his forehead. “You don’t mean that.”
She meant every word. “Leave and take Byron with you.” And never come back. Ever.
When he tipped her chin with one long finger to meet his gaze, he sighed. “You’re wearing my shirt.”
No, no. He couldn’t drain her anger with a sentimental comment. Hell, no. Not when he did the one thing she hated and acted like it was nothing. He wanted his clothes back? Fine. She ripped the garment over her head and flung it at him. “Take it.”
As he stepped out onto her porch, bare-chested with his T-shirt in his left hand, Nate rubbed his eyes with the heel of his right hand. Of all the ways for her to find out his truth… Cold-cocking Byron sounded like a great idea.
“I told you she was more trouble than she’s worth.”
Nate tossed his shoes and socks into the front seat of the Blazer and whirled around. “Shut the fuck up, Byron. You screwed around and lost her.”
“And you lied like a sack of shit.” He tossed his keys in the air and caught them in his palm. “At least I have a string of women to turn to. You’re fucked.” With that parting shot, he climbed into his jet black BMW and screeched out of the parking lot.
Though the thought of kicking the Blazer tires appealed to him, Nate refrained. Kicking anything barefoot wasn’t his idea of fun. Instead of violence for the sake of venting his frustration, he drove across town to his condo.
For the rest of the day, he stole glances at his silent cell phone. She wouldn’t call. He knew it down to his bones. She hated him. And why shouldn’t she? He lied by omission. Yes, in college he’d worked for his uncle’s construction company. Back then he’d been a blue-collar worker and cared more about his family than the almighty dollar. He knew the difference between a wrench and a screwdriver. But back then, having money and not needing to scrimp in order to survive seemed like the better ticket. And where did his hard work get him? Not with Courteney!
Dammit.
Six hours later, at a quarter to ten that night, Nate pulled into the empty Besta Pizza Around parking lot. Arran’s Volvo sat behind the building, under the lot light. Jamming his hands into his pockets, he headed into the restaurant.
Arran, as per usual for a Sunday night, stood behind the bar. He nodded to Nate. “She’s gone for the night. I’ll bet you want to follow her.”
“No.” Yes. He wanted to track her down and kiss away her pain.
“So you did blow it?”
Trust Arran to get to
the meat of the situation in six words or less. Well, fuck. Lying got him into trouble before. This time, he went with the truth. “I sure did, like an atom bomb.” He threw his hands in the air. “Boom.”
“I suppose you didn’t try to talk to her.”
And the hits kept on coming. “I can’t because she ignores me. Not that I don’t deserve it.” He hung his head. “I had it all planned. I’d tell her the truth as we sat at dinner tonight, but then Byron the bastard beat me to it. Son of a bitch interrupted the afternoon after the best night of my life.”
“Best night? Wow.” Arran wriggled his brows. A lopsided grin curled his lips. “What are you gonna do about it?”
Nate speared his fingers into his hair. “I don’t know.” What a lie! He knew, it hurt like hell to admit it, but he knew. “I’ll give her freedom because if I call her now,” he checked the clock on his cell, “she’ll be asleep or close to crashing for the night. But if I call her in the morning, she’ll hang up or ignore me.”
“Then give her space.” Arran plunked a glass onto the wooden bar top and poured two fingers of bourbon. “You deserve some time, too. Make sure she’s what you want.”
As he tipped the glass, Nate downed the amber liquid in one swallow. His throat burned and his belly ached. “I don’t have to think about it. I know.”
Arran poured another shot and swirled the liquor around the shot glass. “You’re right, you don’t have to think about it now, but look at it this way. Take this week and prioritise your life. Can you see it without her?” In one gulp, he swallowed the bourbon and smacked his lips. “Love’s a tricky feeling. One moment you think you’re in over your head and the next, it’s gone. And there’s nothing you can do to change it except accept it.”
Nate nodded. Arran’s words rang true. One minute he thought about wedding bands and the next he wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to see him again. After pouring another shot, Nate scratched the label with his thumbnail. “Like with your ex, Mindy?”
“Yup.” Arran sighed. “You’d better come up with a plan of attack before you go over there with a head of steam. Otherwise you’ll scare her before you have a chance to show her you’re not a jackass.”