Karma (Endgame Series Book 3)

by Leigh Ann Lunsford

  Hooking my arms between her spread thighs, I lift her feet off the floor and slam home. She’s using her hands to lever herself and pushing back each time I thrust in.

  Hard.

  Fast.

  Primal.

  I take her and make her mine. I thrust in as deep as I can and swivel my hips as she keens. “There.” Oh, that’s right baby. I’m there. Repeating the movement that is making her buck ass wild, I continue using her pussy as a punching bag and hammer into her.

  Her walls spasm and grip my cock until the base of my spine tingles, and I push in a few times screaming her name as I empty myself into the condom. Sweat dripping from my body, legs feeling like noodles, her panting fills the room and both of us are spent.

  I place her legs down and move her to the center of the bed. “That’s the correct apology. I have lots of lessons to teach you.” I leave to discard the condom and get a cloth to clean her up.

  “I’ll have to fuck up a lot. I like apologies.” Fucking made for me.

  “You’re staying tonight.” I climb in bed behind her.

  “Okay,” she answers.

  But I wasn’t asking her. I’ll leave that tidbit unspoken. “Why’d you get so pissed at me?”

  “First, thank you for my computer. It’s too much, but I love it.” And I love you. “Second, I think it was pride. You think relationships are easy for girls, but let me tell you buddy, I’m fucking outta my element. Brody and I didn’t grow up with money, and I can’t go buy a computer, let alone a top of the line computer at the drop of a hat. It freaked me out, and I took it out on you.”

  “Don’t do that. Talk to me. And it’s okay. I’ve been told you mistreat the ones you care for the deepest. Some security shit.” She curls up next to me.

  “You were talking to Emberlee.”

  “Busted. And I know you’re avoiding this, but I love you.” She opens her mouth to argue, but I place two fingers over her lips. “Shhh. We won’t repeat it, but know it’s true.” Her eyes close, and I don’t want her to say something to ruin this moment. “Go to sleep or no more apologies.” Her neck tilts, her lips find mine, and she pours what she can’t say into that kiss.

  In that joining of our lips I feel love. I feel passion. I feel my future.

  I feel her. All of her. Every nook and cranny she hides. Every piece she flaunts. Every fragment she hasn’t discovered. I feel it all.

  I’m dying while watching Emberlee school Brody after he questioned her caffeine consumption. Brecklynn FaceTimed me so I could watch this fiasco, and I’m wondering what I can use as blackmail. Some days he’s Satan in the gym, and I need a break.

  Oh shit. He’s upset her and is having a melt down with her tears. Brecklynn isn’t helping the scene, reminding Emberlee the bugger inside her shares DNA with the man causing her anger. Fucking give her caffeine. Problem solved. I should be a diplomat if baseball doesn’t come to fruition.

  Brody flips my girl off ,and we’ll have to have a talk regarding that. Did he just tell her he hated her? I start searching for my keys. That’ll be handled right fucking now.

  “Hey,” her face comes in view. “Looks like I’ve been banished to the dungeon.” She’s laughing, and I’m confused why she’s happy when she’s fighting with her brother.

  “I’m heading that way.” I grab my wallet.

  “No. They’ll be fine and I’ll be in your bed so I don’t have to hear the Fuck Wagon.”

  “He just told you he hated you. That isn’t cool. I need to talk to your brother.”

  “Whoa,” she manages amid her giggles. “That’s code for I love you.”

  “I need to get you a dictionary.” I pause at the door.

  “No. I was a pain in the ass and refused to tell him that. So I hate you is our code for love you. It’s our thing.” I exhale, feeling a bit better.

  “I could use some of your hate.” I wink. Throw in a waggle of the eyebrows for shits and giggles.

  “Later. I need to make sure he’s okay. This is all challenging. Both of them are headstrong.” I nod.

  “I’ve got a strong head,” I tease.

  “And it isn’t the one on your shoulders with shitty lines like that.” She sticks her tongue out, and I roll my eyes. Fucking bad habit-giver she is. “Bye.” The screen goes blank, and I’m left wandering my house until Caden comes in.

  “Wanna hit D&D?” Code for Denim and Diamonds. One of the few clubs in Wichita that’s eighteen and up.

  “Fuck it. Let’s go. I’m gonna call Deacon.” He shakes his head.

  “Julie is teething. He isn’t gonna make Saylor deal with that by herself.” Hell, my poor princess is miserable.

  “I’ll take her some lollipops when we leave. Let me go do the three S’s, and I’ll be good to go.” Shit. Shower. Shave. A guy’s guidebook to getting ready.

  “I’ll drive.” He hates being a passenger, and I’m down for it in case I can sneak a few drinks. Alcohol isn’t high on Caden’s list of things to do. He’ll have a beer or three with us, but he doesn’t drink in public.

  “Deal.”

  The club is packed with plenty of BB’s I’m trying to avoid. I forgot my phone at the house— typical guy move— and Caden is nowhere to be found in this place. He disappeared when groupies accosted me. He sucks as a wingman. Or bimbo bouncer.

  I disentangle myself from octopus arms with blonde hair. The only blonde I want is at home and more than likely pissed I haven’t responded to the numerous calls I’m sure are waiting for me. A flash and pair of lips are on my cheek simultaneously and my stomach drops.

  “Excuse me ladies,” that’s a term I can use loosely with this crowd. I’ve tried to move and evacuate this crowd for an hour. I head to the front to get the bouncers to call an Uber when I see Caden. “Hey fucker!”

  His head swivels, and he stops when he sees me. “Where you been?”

  “Hell no. Where have you been with that hickey on your neck?” He runs his hand up his neck and winces.

  “Ready to bounce?” Avoidance. A tactic he’s good at.

  “Yep. I’ve been ready for a bit.”

  “Couldn’t tell with that lipstick staining your collar. Dick move, Mace.” What the fuck?

  I don’t say a word until we’re in the car and I can look at what he’s referencing. Sure enough, pink sparkly lip prints mark my collar. I’ll be throwing this shirt in the trash. “Shit.”

  “If you’re fucking with Brecklynn, let me know. Brody will flip his lid. I’ve got your back, but you know how I feel about bullshit.” His words light me up.

  “Fuck you. You disappeared, and I had to fend for myself in a crowd of hanger-ons. I’m serious as fuck about that girl and this,” I point to my collar, “is none of my doing.”

  “Hold up. I’m sorry. That’s been your scene, and I’ve never had to hold your hand and babysit you.” He chuckles. “You really serious about her?”

  “Yeah. I am.”

  “I guess I’m the holder of man cards now. Passing the baton. We should hold a ceremony.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “This is perfect.” His cackles mimic me the rest of the drive home.

  Sure enough. Eleven calls and nine texts. It’s past one in the morning, but I shoot her a text anyways.

  Me: Went to D&D with Caden. Forgot my phone. I’ll pick you up at nine. Lake, boat, you and me.

  If I knew how to send the heart thing she sends, I’d do it. I’ll ask her tomorrow to teach me.

  I’m beating the door at five ‘til nine, and she throws it open with a groggy look, bed head, and in her nightshirt. “What the hell?”

  “Haven’t we talked about proper greetings?”

  “Too early, Mason. What are you doing here?” She yawns and opens the door wider.

  “Did you check your phone?” I wasn’t expecting to surprise her.

  “I fell asleep waiting for you to call me.”

  “Hurry, get ready. Bathing suit and sunscreen. I have everything else. Leave your
phone. We’re spending all day on the lake.” Her smile beams, and she rushes from the room.

  “I’ll be ten minutes.”

  Nine minutes pass, and she’s in front of me, mouth latched to mine. “Good morning,” she smiles coyly.

  “Much better.” I grip her ass and smack. “Let’s go.”

  I’ve been to my parents and gotten the boat trailered and ready for us. It’s close to a forty-minute drive to Lake Cheney.

  “What were you doing last night? Beating an eight-year-old at Call of Duty?”

  “You mock my mad gaming skills. I’m hurt.” I fake disdain. “Caden and I went to Denim and Diamonds, and I forgot my phone. Sorry, Doll.”

  “No, it’s fine.” That tone says it’s anything but fine. “Did you have fun?”

  “Not really.”

  “I’ve heard that place is fun.” She side-eyes me.

  “It can be. We can go next weekend.” Her smile is quick and doesn’t last long. “What’s bothering you?”

  “I don’t know.” I let it go because she’s as perplexed with what’s bothering her as I am.

  My girl can bait a hook. And catch a fish. Hot damn I’ve scored the jackpot. Minus the fact she can’t drive a boat for shit. I don’t know how she is in a car. I’ve never ridden with her, but she gets from point A to point B in the car Brody has for her.

  “We should all come back and go skiing before the weather gets chilly,” I suggest.

  “Yes.” Her hands clap. “That’d be fun. We can pack lunch and just escape.” Easy living. It’s what I strive for and what makes me drift to her.

  “You know next season may be my last year here. When we chose this school we had to sign our eligibility away for three years before we could move to the majors.”

  I need to let her know what my path is. I’m not gonna be the guy who can give her stability.

  “I didn’t know that. Aren’t you gonna finish school?”

  “I’ll have my degree. I’m smart.” I wink at her. “What are your plans?”

  “I don’t know. My professor is impressed with my photos, and he referred me to a studio in town. I go next week to see about working with the photographer.”

  I try to hide my disappointment. A job will cut into our time, and her traveling to away games will be out of the question. It’s kinda selfish of me considering I’m gonna follow my dreams.

  We float around the lake and nibble the snacks I threw in the cooler. “Ready to head back?”

  “No, but we have to. Thanks for today, Mason. I loved it.”

  “There’ll be plenty of days to come.”

  She helps me guide the boat on the trailer, and we head home. She flips the radio volume up and fidgets with stations. ‘My Girl’ by Dylan Scott plays, and she turns it up. I laugh as she hits the buttons for the windows to go down, and grabs my baseball hat, and tucks her hair up. Her feet go out the window, and the wind and sun is kissing our skin as we drive. I feel carefree. She subsides something in me and makes me want to be all she needs.

  Her exterior is beautiful. She has a smile that lights a room, a mouth that can cause laughter or tears— dependent on her mood. Her inside— no description has been formed. It’s pure. It’s simple. It’s love. It’s all mine.

  I love you.

  It’s hard to stop myself from blurting the words, but I’ll wait. I’ve told her, and I need her to come to terms with all that brings. I’m cocky. I live for baseball. I have plans that will take me to places unknown, but the one constant . . . I want her by my side.

  “I’ll drop you off, but be ready at seven,” he says as we pull into the apartment complex.

  “What? Why?” I’m tired from a day in the sun and need to sort my portfolio and finish some of my project.

  “Dinner. Movie. Date night.” His wink and dimple have me blowing off school for him. It’s that easy to become wrapped up in Mason.

  “Okay, but tomorrow I have to commit to this project.” I’m trying to be stern.

  “Pack what you need. I have game tapes I want to watch, and you can work next to me.” He leaves no room for discussion, but that scenario works fine for me.

  At the same time he puts his truck in park, he reaches for me and draws me close. His nose skims my cheek, his lips seek mine, and it’s as if he brands me. He starts slow, closed mouth and gentle nips until I open and allow his tongue entry. Soft swipes, easy tangling with my own until I need to pull back for a breath. His fingers flex against the nape of my neck, and he places a kiss against my nose and opens his door. He insists walking me to the door, and I can’t lie . . . I find it endearing. He makes me feel he’s cherishing each minute with me— then the doom and gloom part of my brain sets in. He’s relishing each moment because it will end soon, and he wants the memories. I’m the girl that stresses over events that haven’t happened, which leads me to stress more over the fact I’m stressing, forcing me to miss something and I stress over that.

  Shaking the thoughts from my head, I take his hand in mine, bring it to my mouth, and kiss his knuckles. His grin is quick, brilliant, and flutters my belly. “See you in few hours, Doll.” I open the door and walk into a sight no sister— no human— should ever see. Brody’s lily white ass moving up and down, Emberlee’s leg thrown over the back of the sofa, her toes curled and her screams piercing my ears. I slam my eyes shut, and hurry to my room by memory.

  Bad decision.

  My hip meets a corner, my head meets a doorjamb, and my eye explodes in pain. “Fuck!” A thump and muffled curses reach my ears, hands grab my shoulder holding me up. “No. Don’t touch me. Put some clothes on.” If that dirty motherfucker just put his hands on me while his wet willy is flapping in the wind, I’ll bathe in acid. No sister should be subjected to this.

  “Brody, go get some clothes.” Emberlee trying to be the voice of reason admonishes him. “Brecklynn, it’s safe. You can open your eyes.” The humor lacing her tone doesn’t carry to me. “I’m covered, he’s gone.”

  “I’m moving to the dorms.” I try to open my eyes, and only one cooperates. Holy hell, is the other one there? I bring my fingers up to force it open. “Ouch! Shit! I hate you, Brody Collier! And not in the normal hate you way . . . I really hate you.” I can’t fucking see out of my right eye.

  “Shit. I’m gonna get you some ice. Sit down.” She takes my arm to lead me, but I won’t move my feet.

  “Is there a piece of furniture y’all didn’t desecrate?” My ass isn’t sitting in a wet spot. I think I’m gonna be sick.

  “We aren’t savages.” She pinches me.

  “Ow! Don’t abuse the blind. And you have no idea the shit I’ve heard . . . and now seen.” I let her lead me in the room but I choose the floor. Safer option because my brother wouldn’t want his baby momma to get rug burn, and it’s been cleaned and vacuumed since she announced her pregnancy.

  A cold towel is placed over my eye. “Hold it there. I’m gonna go soothe your brother’s ego.”

  “Are you kidding me?” She’s worried about him after what I just witnessed.

  “He didn’t get to finish.” She giggles.

  “Go! Get out! There is something seriously wrong with you. Oh, I’m sorry he’ll have a case of blue balls, but I’m visually impaired. From the wall and seeing his ass.” My voice is shrill and pierces my own ears.

  “Sissy. It isn’t like you haven’t had sex.” Oh, it gets worse. Make it stop.

  “Not in the middle of this living room. When other people live here.” It’s a violation of some sort of code of conduct.

  “Okay, okay. Chill. By the way, your phone’s been going off all day.” I hear her footsteps retreat because I still can’t see.

  “Don’t bother to offer to get it for me or anything!” I shout.

  “We live in a two-bedroom apartment, Breck. No reason to alert the neighboring town you need your phone. Give me a minute.” She huffs. Their voices are muffled so I can’t hear what they’re saying, and I pray she brings me my phone prior t
o easing his issue.

  I open my good eye and stand so I can go to my room. Pressing the ice tighter to alleviate the pain and swelling, I grimace with the pain. Locating my phone, I see red bubbles of notifications overloading my screen. Fucking social media— can’t live without it.

  I pray my vision is impaired because the picture I’m looking at can’t be true. Denim and Diamonds is the location tagged.

  A blonde.

  Mason.

  Lips that aren’t mine press into his skin.

  A ping to my heart. A rolling in my stomach. A black curtain over my future.

  It all comes crashing down. Sinking to the floor, I don’t cry. I don’t react. I stare at the wall and wonder when I allowed myself to get so invested in him. When I dropped my guard and believed he was serious about wanting a relationship.

  “There you are,” Lee Lee barges in my room. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere else?”

  “No. I’m good.” If good means fucking distraught and the laughing stock of the bimbo wrapped around my soon to be ex at a bar where I wasn’t invited.

  “No you aren’t.” She takes the phone from my hands. “Why would you torment yourself looking at this?” She drops her hand and catches sight of my face. “Oh, Brecklynn, tell me this doesn’t bother you? It’s a photo op. It’s set up.”

  I want to believe her . . . but why didn’t he tell me he was going? Why didn’t he bring his phone? Was today a way to distract me from his guilty conscious? Releasing a frustrated scream, I drop my head. “We were supposed to be fun. Somehow it turned into this and I’m not equipped to handle this.”

  “Do you still have fun with him?” I roll my eyes at her question.

  My cheeks still hurt from smiling and laughing today. “Yes,” I grumble.

  “Are you happy?” She keeps at me.

  “When I don’t have this shit greeting me after a wonderful day.”

  “You hit the nail on the head. It’s shit. Do you know his side, or are you thinking the worst? That isn’t fair . . . to either of you. Relationships aren’t easy . . . if they were there’d be no rewards.”