Sprung

by Kate Benson

  “One more time,” she says low, her eyes slightly wild, her teeth gritting together as she takes a step closer. “Call me crazy one more time when I’m this angry, Dash and so help me Jesus…”

  “Babe, I’m sorry, but do you hear yourself?” I ask. “You’re comparing yourself to a cat.”

  “I know that.”

  “Okay,” I start, giving her a subtle nod before turning to her. “Do you also know that you’re not…” Help me, Jesus. “Baby…”

  “What?” she grounds out as she takes a seat on the edge of my chair.

  “You’re not a fucking cat!”

  “No shit, Sherlock! It’s a fucking metaphor, you idiot!” she insists. “My brother hates me right now, I’m a starving artist, not to mention, I’m practically homeless. The only difference between that cat and me is that he lives behind the bar of the guy I’m sleeping with. I am literally one circumstance away from ending up just like him!”

  “Oh, come the fuck on, Evie. Don’t you think that’s a bit of a stretch?”

  “No!”

  “Baby, I spent ten bucks on a coffee and a fuckin’ scone for your spoiled little ass this morning right after you conned me out of sixty bucks for a manicure that, I gotta be honest, looks exactly the same as it did before you left the house,” I deadpan as I fall into the cushions across from her. “You’re hardly in line for a reality show.”

  “Whatever, you don’t get it. I’m going to bed,” she sighs, shaking her head and lifting from her spot in my recliner. “While I still have one.”

  With her words, I can’t help but roll my eyes at her theatrics. I’m about to blow the whole thing off as another stupid argument until I see her swiping at her cheeks on her way passed me when she thinks I’m not looking.

  “Evie…” I sigh, glancing up at her and setting my beer down on the table beside me when I see her tremble slightly from the silent tears she’s trying so hard to hide. “Baby, stop for a second and listen to me.”

  “What?”

  “Come here,” I say, winding my arm around her waist and pulling her reluctant frame into my lap. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” I sigh, taking in her silence. “Baby, why don’t you talk to me about any of this shit?”

  “Because it doesn’t matter,” she shrugs, folding her arms. “I mean, would it have made any difference?”

  “Well, I still don’t want a fuckin’ cat, but it matters to me when you feel like shit,” I say bluntly as I rest my head against the back of the couch, studying her, frustrated when her expression barely shifts. “Baby, I know I suck at this shit and you’re pissed, but…”

  “What?” she cuts me off, still refusing to face me. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Talk to me, look at me, give me something,” I insist. “I’m pouring my heart out over here and you still look like you’re plotting my ‘unfortunate accident.’”

  “Oh, grow up. I wouldn’t kill you,” she rolls her eyes, finally facing me. “I can’t now. People know we’re together. I’d be the first suspect.”

  “Gee, thanks,” I deadpan before giving her ass a gentle, playful smack. “Come here,” I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her still frame before tucking her into my chest. “I promise you won’t end up like the cat,” I press my lips to her hair. “Mason will calm down in a few days. Even if I’m wrong and he’s mad at us forever and you dump my sorry ass tomorrow, I would never let that happen to you, okay?”

  “Thanks,” she replies, my words making her relax slightly, but the sadness in her voice can’t be missed.

  “Still love me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You sure you mean that?” I arch my brow. “Or am I gonna wake up with you holding a pillow over my face in a couple of hours?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m too tired to keep arguing or hide evidence, so you’re safe,” she promises quietly, her voice still holding an edge. “We said what we needed to say. I know you didn’t mean to be an asshole. Apparently, it’s just your gift,” she blurts, squirming out of my hold, cutting me off when I start to say something. “I’ll get over it, I just don’t want to look at you or talk to you for a few minutes.”

  “Fine,” I sigh, releasing her and watching her slip down the hallway. “I tried.”

  “Yeah, you’re definitely tryin’ me,” she mutters, slamming my door before the beer even hits my tongue again, making me pause mid-sip.

  “Oh, my God,” I grumble, taking a long pull from the bottle before setting it down onto the table in front of me. “‘Get a girlfriend,’ they said. ‘It’ll be fun,’ they said,” I shake my head. “That blew up in my fuckin’ face.”

  chapter seventeen

  dash

  I drain my beer and make my way into my kitchen for another, reaching into my fridge as my chest fills with annoyance.

  This is fucking stupid.

  I love her to death, but shit like this is exactly why I don’t do relationships.

  I give up my freedom, my sanity, my best friend for her and where did it get me?

  Locked out of my bedroom at four o’clock in the morning arguing over a fucking cat.

  Who the fuck compares their living situation to a cat?

  “My psycho, succubus girlfriend, apparently,” I answer myself in a whisper, the sound of her slamming around on the other side of my bedroom door making me freeze in place as my eyes narrow down the hallway. “Oh, my God,” I set my beer down and leaning over the counter, shaking my head. “Fucking overdramatic, spoiled, pain in my ass…” I whisper as I rub my palms over my face, yanking the longer strands of hair on top of my head in frustration. “‘I’m fine, Dash. I’m not going to kill you,’” I mimic her voice under my breath. “Lying little shit,” I shake my head. “That fuckin’ pipe probably doubles as a shiv.”

  Despite the asshole image I’ve maintained for most of my adult years and am admittedly clinging to in this moment, I’m a pretty good guy.

  I go to work and pay my taxes. Save for this shit with Mason, I hardly ever lie…

  Where did I go wrong?

  The sound of her crying pulls me from my thoughts, softening my harsh thoughts slightly and twisting them into those of guilt.

  I know I should go check on her and make sure she’s alright, but she asked to be alone. Not only that, we’re both still mad and I know the second I walk into that room, it’s gonna start another fight or she’s gonna stick out her lip and try using her wicked vagina voodoo on me to get her way.

  I talk a big game telling her it doesn’t work on me, but it fucking does. I’ll never admit it, but that manipulative little shit has me wrapped around her sadistic finger just as tightly as she has the rest of them. She’s always gotten away with everything and she’s grooming my stupid ass to fall right in line behind the rest of those chumps.

  “Not today, Satan,” I whisper.

  I stand upright, reaching for my beer in a third attempt when I hear her again.

  “Alright, I’m not dealing with this shit,” I say as I set my beer down, itching to put an end to this once and for all. “You wanna see what kind of an asshole you’re with?” I reach for my keys, swinging the door open and stomping out in a rage. “You got it, princess.”

  evie

  After a much needed bitch-fest, I’m exhausted.

  I know I’m overreacting. I know I’m letting shit fester far too long. While I’ll never admit it to Dash, I even know I’m acting like a spoiled little brat and throwing a tantrum. That being said I can’t help the legitimate emotions coursing through me as I step into the shower.

  Ever since my big blow-up with Mason, I’ve only allowed myself the meltdown that brought me to Dash’s doorstep. I cried that whole first night, baring my soul and dropping my guard in ways I never had before. Not just with Dash, but with anyone. I gave myself that first day to fall apart, but from the moment my eyes popped open the next morning, I’ve been telling myself I’m fine, trying desperately to convince myself I�
�m over it. Deep down, though, I knew it was a lie every time I said it.

  Plainly put, I didn’t see tonight coming.

  In many ways, seeing someone’s beloved pet, something that’s supposed to be a part of the family stranded and alone pulled at me deep. Having calmed down, I can see that I was experiencing things from a skewed angle, feeling things I shouldn’t feel, making things out to be worse than they actually are in my mind.

  Just like the things I’d accused Dash of.

  There was truth in some of my words, but there was also a fair amount of lashing out at the sting of rejection.

  The truth is, he may be new to some of this and it took a while for us to get here, but I know Dash loves me. I know he doesn’t see me as just another girl to kill time with, he’s genuinely trying to do his best to make me happy and take care of me. If I thought otherwise, there’s no way in hell I would have defended our relationship as strongly as I did to Mason.

  Another sting hits my chest, but this time it’s one of regret.

  I owe him one hell of an apology.

  With a heavy sigh I shut off the water and reach for a towel, wrapping it around me tight. I’m rehearsing what I’ll say, feeling nervous for no good reason as I towel dry my hair when I hear the front door close.

  “Dash?” I call out, quietly pulling the door open and finding no sign of him in the bedroom. “Is that you?”

  “Yeah,” he calls back, my anxiety calming slightly for a moment before it flares once more.

  Squaring my shoulders, I swallow my pride and move my feet slowly, ready to get my apology out of the way. I can hear his footsteps coming down the hallway at the same time I move across the bedroom and I swallow hard as I pull the door open.

  “I’m s-”

  “You’re going to help me clean the wet fur smell out of my truck tomorrow and don’t you dare ask me to feed this mean little bastard. I’ll take care of him while you’re at school, but that’s where I draw the fuckin’ line. He’s already scratched the fuck out of me twice,” he cuts me off, his dark hair damp from rain and falling over his forehead, which is crinkled in annoyance as he holds the heavy cat in one arm, the other leaning on the doorframe as he hovers over me. “Me going back for him doesn’t mean I give a shit about him. I don’t feel bad for him, Evie. In fact, if you ask me he’s a real asshole,” he shakes his head at him as the cat lets out a low and angry mewl, the two of them obviously in the middle of a grudge I know nothing about. “I just… I didn’t want you pissed off at me all week and I can tell it means a lot to you and I want you to be happy, so… here,” he shoves the cat at me, his eyes meeting my shocked gaze as I instinctively nuzzle the cat into my chest. “Keep him off my shit, don’t let him piss on the floor and don’t tell anyone.”

  “Okay,” I nod, swiping my cheek clean and watching his eyes soften slightly as he takes me in. I lean up on my toes, gripping his neck and pulling his lips down to mine, savoring in the feel of his strong hand as it finds my waist before I pull away. “Thank you, Dash.”

  “You can thank me later. In there,” he says in a soft grumble as he gestures toward the bed before they land on my new friend. “You’re not invited.”

  chapter eighteen

  evie

  “I’m thinking about shaving my head,” I announce with a yawn as I stretch out over the bed, my eyes falling to his when his lips abruptly freeze from their spot beneath my navel.

  “No,” he says immediately, his teeth releasing their hold on the barbell in my navel. “I don’t care how hot you are. I’m not fucking a bald chick.”

  “Not like the whole thing, just one side,” I smirk, running my fingers through the long, dark locks on top of his head and admiring the shading on the sides as I flip his hair over to one side. “Kinda like this, but I’d keep mine long like it is now. And mine wouldn’t have a fade. Well? A little fade might look…”

  “Why are we still talking about it?” he looks up at me, his grip still on my hips as he hovers between my thighs. “I swear to God, babe. I just did something really nice for you. The least you can do is give me an hour of nasty time before you start in with something else. You gotta ease me into this shit, Evie.”

  “Just because you do something nice for me doesn’t mean I have to listen to you.”

  “Obviously,” he mumbles, making me smirk.

  “I’m just playing,” I tease gently as he begins to nip at my stomach once more. “But for the record, you have your head shaved on the sides and you’re still crazy hot.”

  “Yeah, I also have a beard,” his eyes bore into mine. “Doesn’t mean I want you growin’ one.”

  “You might like it,” I wink. “That beard feels pretty bangin’ when you drive it downtown.”

  “Well, if you want to keep enjoying those scenic routes, you keep your hair long and your chin shaved how daddy likes it,” he says, making me chuckle as he pulls my thong down my legs and tosses it to the side before he settles back in place. “Now be a good girl and shut the hell up.”

  “I hate you,” I lie through my laughter, his chest shaking the bed with his own for only a moment before he dips his tongue low, shutting us both up.

  He tastes me in slow, languid strokes, a low groan leaving his lips at the same time I release a long sigh of pleasure. He takes his time, kissing me deep there and sinking his fingers into my flesh, holding me in place when I begin to instinctively slide up the mattress. The very beard I’d just been admiring brushes against the inside of my thighs at the same time his tongue grazes my swollen clit, making my hips buck.

  “My little monster like that?” he mewls, the tip of his tongue moving up my center at a torturous pace, driving me crazy.

  “Yes,” I manage through a pant, one hand still buried in his hair while the other falls limp on the sheet beneath us. “Yes, baby.”

  My eyes drift low to find his hooded gaze locked on me, watching me as he wraps his lips around my clit with a low hum of arousal. When my eyes begin to flutter at the sensation, he raises up on his elbows, the arch in my back taking me with him as he begins to suck.

  “Dash, fuck!” I cry out, his eyes holding mine as my back arches further, moving with me as he keeps lapping and sucking me into a frenzy.

  By the time he’s raised to a sitting position, my legs are still locked in his grip as they rest on his shoulders, my orgasm dripping down my still quaking thighs. He licks me clean, watches me come down for just a moment before he releases me roughly, watching me fall against his bed.

  My pussy is still pulsing, my hand resting between my thighs on instinct, but he’s quick to gently swat it away.

  “You taste so fucking good, Evie,” he rasps, gripping my chin and taking my mouth, swallowing my moan as he kisses me deep. “I swear to God I could live with my face buried between your fucking legs, baby.”

  His palm moves to my shoulder, the other gripping his heavy headboard as he pushes inside me all at once, pulling a gasp from me. My legs wind around his waist instinctively once more, his grip and the way he’s got me slightly pinned beneath him holding me in place as he drives into me. His hot breath washes over my skin, the deep moan leaving his chest as he begins sucking on my neck making me lightheaded.

  The force in his thrusts doesn’t relent as he dips his head lower. If anything, as the palm resting on my shoulder takes my breast in its grip and he bites on my nipple, sucking on the barbell, it only spurs him on.

  He worships my flesh, the feel of him everywhere all at once just as addictive now as it had been all those nights ago in the cabin. I thought we’d tire ourselves of each other long before now, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

  My life absolutely feels like it’s falling apart all around me, but as long as Dash Hunter is standing beside me in the rubble, I couldn’t care less.

  “Flip over,” he rasps, pulling me from my thoughts as he slips out of me and tugs on my hip. “Put that pretty little ass in the air.”

  I quickly move into positi
on, my insides still trembling at the aftershock of having him claim me. His palms knead my ass cheeks before he gives me a sharp smack on one side. Before I have time to catch my breath from the gasp it pulls from me, he traces my pussy from behind with his tongue, the groan leaving him vibrating against me making me shudder. When I think he’ll pull away, he surprises me by flattening his tongue and running it between my cheeks, licking and sucking just as fiercely.

  “Oh, my God,” I moan into the pillow I’m gripping, melting against the mattress.

  His palms clench onto my cheeks as he runs his tongue up the center once more, pulling another whimper from me.

  “Feel good?”

  “Yeah,” I admit, my cheeks involuntarily heating as my breathing goes erratic.

  “Hmm, good girl,” he mewls, raising to lean over me, his bearded lips skimming my neck as he rubs his cock against me from behind. “You’re drenched for me, pussycat.”

  His lips move over my shoulder as he sinks one hand between my legs, working me over, as the other stays locked on the headboard. I’m quaking beneath him, my thighs beginning to tremble as he drives me closer to another orgasm, my breasts heavy as they brush against the sheets.

  “Oh, my God!” I gasp, my climax coming in waves.

  “Scream my name, Evie,” he demands quietly, his lips still tracing my spine as his fingers pump inside me, the pad of his thumb on my clit making me feverish. “Give me what I want, baby.”

  “Dash, fuck!” I cry into pillow I’m still clenching before he yanks it from me with a deep, aroused chuckle.

  “Let me hear it, baby,” he croons, his fingers moving back between my thighs as he sinks his teeth into my ass and goes in for the kill.

  My orgasm takes me completely then. His name slips passed my lips in a breathy chant as the low groan leaves his chest. I can feel his eyes on me, watching me fall apart and it drives me crazy with lust. I come hard against his hand, smacking my palm against the headboard as my release drips over his fingers, making both of us gasp. As I’m coming down, he winds his hand around my waist, pulling me onto his lap and yanking my legs open once more as his palm grips me between my thighs. I’m still pulsing beneath his touch, my breath still wild as he winds his free hand around my long, blonde strands and gently tugs, kissing me deep before I have to ask.