Blocked: A Breakaway Novel

by L. P. Dover

  Grabbing the remote, I turned on the TV. I had to see him. Dressed to perfection in a dark navy suit and tousled brown hair, Dallas stood there at the front of the house.

  “Are you ready to meet your housemates?” the host asked. The host was Ryan Chamberlain, a former soap opera star who now hosted other shows.

  With a wide grin, Dallas nodded. “I am.”

  The door burst open and Hannah charged inside. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

  She stood in front of me, blocking my view of the television. “I couldn’t help it,” I confessed. “Maybe I just like being tortured, I don’t know. Madison told me he had no choice but to do the show, but it seems like he’s enjoying it.”

  I looked around her at the TV and one of the limos pulled up to the house. A tall, sexy blonde stepped out and walked up to Dallas, kissing him on the cheek. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Andrea,” she said sweetly.

  Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t stop the jealousy from plaguing me. “This is going to make me sick.”

  “Then stop watching it,” Hannah argued. “We have to get back to work soon anyway.”

  One by one, I watched each girl get out of the limos and smile their perfect smiles and show off their sleek bodies. They all looked like fashion models, something I definitely wasn’t. Once they were all introduced, Dallas and the host walked inside the house. The ladies gathered around him while the host explained the rules of the show. It was like a herd of animals, ready to pounce on their prize.

  Swallowing hard, I turned away from the screen. “I’m done. I can’t watch anymore.” I hurried to the door, but stopped when I heard Dallas’s voice. It was like I was in a trance; I couldn’t walk away. Gripping the door handle, I leaned my head against the wood.

  “Good evening, ladies. I have to say, I should feel like a lucky man being here today,” Dallas began. I squeezed my eyes shut as I listened to the women giggle. “Unfortunately, I don’t feel like that. The one woman who makes me feel lucky isn’t standing in this room tonight.” Everyone grew silent and I turned back to the TV. Hannah smiled and put her arm around my shoulders.

  “What’s going on?” I demanded.

  “Keep watching.”

  The women looked around at each other, clearly confused, while Dallas smiled directly at the camera. It felt like he was staring straight at me. He shook the host’s hand, and turned to the women. “I’m sorry, ladies, but I don’t belong here. Excuse me.”

  He walked out the door and all hell broke loose. The ladies went crazy, throwing their arms in the air while Ryan followed after Dallas. “Where are you going?” he shouted.

  The cameramen charged after them. Dallas opened his car door and chuckled. “I’m going to find the woman I love and tell her I’m sorry. You’re welcome to come along.”

  Ryan looked at the camera men and nodded. “Let’s go.” Then he pointed at someone in the background. “Follow us.”

  Ryan and the camera guy hopped into Dallas’s car and he sped down the road, all while the camera was still rolling. It was surreal. Clapping a hand over my mouth, I watched through my tears. “He doesn’t know where I’m at,” I cried.

  Hannah squeezed my shoulders. “Yes, he does.”

  Confused, I faced her. “How do you know?”

  She bit her lip, regarding me sheepishly. “I might have kept a secret from you.” Looking up at the TV, she grinned. “Dallas came to see me. He wanted you here and not at home, so that’s why I asked you to take a late shift with me.”

  “You knew he was going to do this and you didn’t tell me?”

  Shaking her head, she met my gaze. “He didn’t tell me exactly what he was going to do, but he said it’d be a grand gesture to get you back. At first I wasn’t going to ask you to stay tonight with me, but then I thought I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.” Her smile faded. “When he came here, he was so upset. I could see how much he cared for you.” Heart racing, I stared up at the TV. He was on the interstate, heading straight for the hospital. “He’s willing to give up everything to be with you, Callie. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.” She walked to the door and the light from the hallway shone in. “He’ll be here soon. Might want to figure out what you’re going to do.”

  She shut the door and I grabbed the box of tissues, wiping my eyes frantically. The only problem was more tears flowed down. What was I going to say to him? I’d ignored him for days, never giving him a chance to explain.

  I looked back up at the TV and saw Dallas pulling into the parking lot. The cameras recorded him from behind as he rushed into the hospital. It felt like my heart was going to explode from beating so fast. Once he got out of the elevator and onto my floor, I saw everyone gasp. I could hear them all the way from down the hall.

  He stopped at the desk and Sandra shot to her feet, gawking at the camera and then back to him. She ran a hand over her short brown hair, fidgeting nervously. Then it hit me: I was about to be on live TV, looking like complete and utter shit.

  “Where’s Callie?” he asked her.

  “I—I don’t know,” she stuttered. “You can look in the break room.”

  Without another word, he marched into the break room, cameras following, and everyone was ready for him, their phones out and taking videos. He searched around frantically and found Hannah, grinning slyly. She walked up to him and whispered something in his ear. A smile lit up his face and he squeezed her shoulder.

  “Thanks. I owe you for this.”

  She snorted. “Damn right you do.” Then she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, didn’t mean to say that on live television.”

  The camera turned to Ryan, the host, who chuckled and nodded toward the door. “Go find her.”

  As he bolted out the door, I knew it was only a matter of seconds before he charged into my room. Was I ready to face him? I was about to find out. Turning to the window, I peered out at the city lights, keeping my back to the door. I heard him getting closer and held my breath. When the door opened and I saw his reflection in the window, I froze.

  “Callie,” he whispered, taking slow steps toward me. More people flooded into the room, including the cameramen, and I could feel the panic rising in my chest. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. He’d given up so much to be with me.

  Taking my hand, he pulled me back from the window and stood in front of me. When I looked up into his crystal blue eyes, every emotion I kept locked up inside of me burst free. “I’m so sorry,” I cried, squeezing his hand. “I should’ve given you a chance to explain.”

  “I’m the one who’s sorry, angel,” he murmured, sliding his hands up to my face. “I know it hurt you to see that I was still doing the show. I was told a grand gesture was the way to get you back. I hope it was enough.”

  Tears streaming down my cheeks, I fell into his arms. He held me tight and I’d never felt so complete in my life. “I can’t let you do this. I heard about the trouble you’d be in if you canceled the show.”

  He pulled me away and kissed me, his lips urgent and full of heat. Taking my face in his hands, he looked right into my eyes. “I don’t care about any of that. I just want to be with you.” He kissed me again. “I love you, Callie Davis.”

  Resting my forehead to his, I smiled for the first time in days. “I love you, too.” Cameras flashed and everyone cheered.

  “And there you have it, ladies and gentleman,” Ryan announced to the camera. “It appears we’re out of time for the night. I’m sure there’ll be more on this story soon. Thank you for joining us tonight.”

  The red light on the camera shut off and the crew headed out the door. Ryan’s phone rang and he looked down at it, sighing. “It’s the producers.” He looked up at Dallas. “Meet me outside in a few minutes. I have no clue what they’re going to say about this.”

  He hurried out the door and so did everyone else. It was all surreal. Dallas held me in his arms and I didn’t want him to let me go. “Did you
mean what you said?” he murmured.

  “Which part?”

  With a heavy sigh, he ran his fingers up and down my back. “The part where you said you loved me.”

  I gazed up at him and he wiped my tears away. “With all my heart.”

  His eyes glistened. “I’ve been dying to tell you, but I never got the chance.”

  “I know now,” I whispered softly. “But what’s going to happen with the show?”

  “I don’t know, but whatever happens, I’ll be fine. There’s so much I need to tell you, but I know you have to get back to work. Can I pick you up when you get off? I have a feeling there’ll be reporters waiting on you.”

  I figured there would be after what happened. “I’d like that. Besides, we have to make up for lost time.”

  I winked and he bit his lip. “That’s for damn sure.” He kissed me again. “See you soon.”

  Chapter 34

  Dallas

  I didn’t want to leave Callie at the hospital, but I knew she had to stay. When I got out to the parking lot, Ryan and the camera crew were waiting for me along with other news vans with reporters ready to pounce. However, I was surprised to see who was standing by my car. “Here to kick my ass?” I asked him.

  Justin shook his head and smiled. “Didn’t think you had it in you, Easton. Have to say I’m impressed.” He glanced around at the reporters slowly flocking toward us. “Although I know the attention isn’t Callie’s style.”

  “I know,” I replied regretfully. “I couldn’t think of another way.”

  Closing the distance, he held out his hand. “It’s all good. You just better be glad you had a late practice the past two nights. I was prepared to beat the fuck out of you.”

  I burst out laughing and shook his hand. “You could’ve tried.”

  Returning the laugh, he started toward the hospital entrance. “Take care of my sister.”

  “I plan on it.” Ryan joined me by my car, his arms crossed over his chest. “What did the producers say?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “There’s going to be a meeting first thing in the morning to discuss it. To be honest, I have no clue. Although they did say the network had a spike in ratings. It’s a good sign.”

  I shook his hand. “I’ll be prepared for whatever happens.”

  Chuckling, he nodded toward the hospital. “What you did tonight was pretty epic. I wish you the best. I’m sure you’ll get a call tomorrow.”

  “Thanks. I look forward to it.”

  Once he and the camera crew left, the reporters descended on me. It was time to tell them the truth.

  By the time I was done with the media, Callie walked out the hospital doors. She pointed to the last van pulling out of the parking lot. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

  Lifting her in my arms, I kissed her. I’d missed the way she tasted, like strawberries. “I wanted them gone before you got out here. I know you didn’t ask to be in the spotlight.”

  She shrugged. “It’s the choice I made by being with you. I don’t mind.”

  I opened the car door for her. “Do you care if we go to my house tonight?”

  Her smile widened. “Let’s go.”

  We got into my car and headed straight for my house. “What did you do this weekend? I called you probably a million times.”

  “I know. Justin was about to call the police on stalking charges.” She reached for my hand, entwining her fingers with mine. “Justin and Maddox took me to Nags Head. I needed to get away.”

  “I don’t blame you,” I said. “It killed me not being able to talk to you. I found out some things while you were gone.”

  Her brows furrowed. “Like what?”

  Huffing, I clenched the steering wheel tight. “Like my agent was the one to leak the story to the tabloids.” She gasped and I nodded. “Yep. I saw the texts on his phone. He also didn’t cancel the show when I told him to. He thought if he broke us up, I’d want to go on the show.”

  “What an ass,” she spat. “Hopefully you fired him.” My knuckle was still split open from where I hit him. I glanced down at it and Callie followed my gaze. “Looks like you sent him a nasty farewell gift as well.”

  I chuckled. “And blasted his name to the reporters. His career is done.”

  “It just so happens I know of two agents who’d be more than happy to take on an extra client,” she said, winking at me.

  “Think they’d be willing to take me on?”

  She shrugged. “I’m sure I can persuade them. They love me.”

  We pulled up at my house and I parked in the garage. “Think I can persuade you to do something else?”

  Biting her lip, she opened her door and got out. “What do you have in mind?”

  I followed her inside the dark house to the kitchen, pinning her against the counter. With her back against me, I breathed her in. I’d missed everything about her: the way her hair smelled of her favorite grapefruit hibiscus shampoo and the strawberry body lotion she wore every day. I couldn’t get enough of her.

  “I want to make love to you, Callie,” I whispered in her ear, sucking her lobe between my teeth. Sliding my hands over her stomach, I moved them down to her thighs, grazing the spot between her legs. She sucked in a breath and rubbed her ass against my already hardened cock. “Please,” I begged. “You have no idea how fucking bad I need you right now.”

  Giggling, she turned around, her eyes full of fire. “What are you waiting for then?”

  She squealed as I lifted her in my arms and carried her into my room. I wanted to feel every inch of her, inside and out; to see her back arch, pushing her breasts higher so I could suck and bite them while I made love to her. I’d never felt another woman’s body that was as perfect as hers.

  Setting her down, I couldn’t get her scrubs off fast enough. I feasted on her lips, her neck, and every square inch of skin I could get to. Her breath came out in rapid pants as she helped me unbutton my shirt and pants. “I want to feel you inside me,” she moaned.

  I grabbed her around the waist and we fell onto the bed, only she moved out of my hold to straddle me. Legs spread wide, she slid her wetness up and down my cock, driving me completely and utterly insane. I wanted to push into her, but she lifted her hips.

  “You’re teasing me, angel.”

  With a smirk, she slowly slid her hand down my stomach and reached into my boxers, wrapping her hand around my cock. “I figured you deserved it,” she uttered breathlessly.

  I knew what she was planning to do the moment she licked her lips and moved down my body, and oh God how much I wanted to feel her mouth on me, sucking me as hard as she could. Not wasting any time, she lowered her head and my muscles jerked as she closed her lips over the tip of my cock, circling her tongue around it over and over.

  Her torture would come soon, and I was going to make sure she begged before I gave her what she wanted. I groaned when she sucked harder and cupped my balls, massaging them. Dammit, I wanted to let go so bad, to come in her mouth and claim her body in every way possible. I wanted to make love to her until she ached. I wanted to hear her scream my name from her red, swollen lips. Before she could drive me over the edge, I grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her onto the bed.

  She shrieked as I ripped off her underwear and unclasped her bra, discarding them as quickly as I could. Immediately, I bent down to suck on her perfectly taut nipples, one after the other, the tips getting larger the more I teased them. Moaning, Callie spread her legs wider and pushed her hips up against mine. I intentionally kept my cock as far back as possible so I could tease her; she was always so hot when she panted for me.

  “Please,” she begged, trying to move down. When I pressed my weight into her and bit her bottom lip, she gasped. “Now how long are you going to torture me?”

  “As long as it takes.”

  Tracing my tongue across her chest, I sucked her nipples, one after the other, groaning as my dick jumped in response. Her back arched and I trailed my tongue down a pa
th on her stomach to between her legs. Right there in the middle was the sweetest taste of all. So wet and swollen.

  I groaned in anticipation because I knew the first taste would be the best. She moved her hips against my face as I fucked her with my tongue, burrowing as deep as I could so I could smell her . . . taste her.

  “Dallas, please,” she begged. “Please make love to me.”

  Ignoring her request, I pushed a finger inside of her, still keeping up the punishing pace of my tongue on her clit. The wetter she got, the more I wanted. Spreading her legs wider, I rubbed my cock around the wetness of her opening, and without warning I entered her. Gasping, she screamed out a pleasured cry and wrapped her legs around my waist. I took her face in my hands and she gazed back at me with hooded eyes and lifted her mouth to kiss me. I opened her lips farther with my tongue, tasting her . . . claiming her. She was mine again.

  Moaning in my ear, she dug her nails into my back, and her body clenched so tight around my dick that I was close to exploding. The tighter she got, the harder it was to keep going. Her moans grew louder, and as soon as she let go I pumped as hard as I could, filling her up deep inside. Both of us were breathing hard and covered in sweat, and the smell of sex filled the room. It was unreal how much I craved Callie’s touch. I couldn’t get enough.

  There was nothing in the world that could break me, not my agent or anyone else who tried to come between me and what I wanted. Nothing mattered to me except Callie. She was the key to everything, my salvation . . . my redemption. I was a better man because of her.

  We had one more chance to make it right, and if she left again there was no going back. I would surely break.

  There was no doubt about it.

  Chapter 35

  Callie

  “Why can’t it be the weekend?” I grumbled, pulling the covers up over my shoulders.

  Dallas held me close and chuckled in my ear. The bedsheets smelled like him and I didn’t want to get up. “Only two more days and it will be. At least, you don’t have to be at work until ten.”