by E. L. Todd
Zeke got me naked and removed his boxers, hard for me instantly. He positioned himself on top of me and shoved himself inside me quickly, taking me with more aggression than he ever had. He claimed me, making me his forever. His mouth crushed against mine as he rocked into me, his hands pinning my wrists to the bed.
I felt his tongue move in my mouth, and I reciprocated, feeling his weight press me into the mattress. I didn’t think about anyone else when we were together, especially the two women he screwed on that terrible night. I just thought about us, about our new beginning, and that’s when I knew everything would be okay.
That I’d truly forgiven him.
***
When I woke up the following morning, I felt whole, like I’d received months of therapy that finally paid off. The constant pain in my stomach and heart had disappeared, and only joy remained behind. I was wrapped in Zeke’s arm, his chest against my back, and I knew I could lie there all day.
Zeke kissed my neck when he knew I was awake. “Morning.”
It felt too good to be true. “Morning.”
He brushed his lips across the shell of my ear. “How’d you sleep?”
“Better than ever.”
He trailed his lips to my shoulder where he gave me a final kiss. “Good. You’re going to need your energy for the day.”
“Ooh...I like the sound of that.” I rubbed my ass into his lap, against his morning wood.
He chuckled. “Because you’re moving.”
“Today?” I asked incredulously.
“Yep. Now, let’s get going.” He hopped out of bed and pulled his clothes on.
“Wait...no hanky-panky first?”
He pulled on a t-shirt and running shorts. “There will be time for that later.”
I got out of bed and walked to him, his eyes watching my every move. Then I fell to my knees and pulled his shorts off, his cock still hard from waking up that morning. When I grabbed the base and licked him from balls to tip, he didn’t complain.
He closed his eyes and moaned quietly, his hand automatically moving into my hair. “Okay, maybe we do have some time...”
***
Zeke pounded on Rex’s door loudly before walking into my apartment. We had boxes and plastic bags to stuff everything in. The furniture was staying behind because I was going to sell it. There was no room for it at Zeke’s place.
“What?” Rex rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he entered my apartment, in only his sweatpants. “Why are you pounding on my door on a Sunday? I’m pretty sure that’s against the law.”
“Because I’m moving.” I shoved a box into his chest. “And you’re going to help.”
He looked at me blankly, not understanding what was going on because he was still half asleep. Then he looked at Zeke, still oblivious.
“Come on, Rex,” Zeke said. “Keep thinking...”
Finally, it dawned on him. “Wait...are you two...?”
“Yes,” I answered. “Finally.”
He fist-pumped the air. “Hell yeah. Damn, I’m so glad that soap opera is finally over.” He snatched the box out of my hands. “I’m getting you out of here ASAP. Just in case you change your mind again.”
“I’m not gonna change my mind.” I knew what life was like without Zeke, and I didn’t want to experience that ever again.
Kayden walked in a moment later, drowning in Rex’s clothes. “What’s going on over here?”
“I’m moving in with Zeke.” It felt so good to say that out loud, to know it was true.
“Really?” She covered her mouth as she gasped. “Aww, that’s so great.” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. “So happy for you...”
“Thank you. Looks like we won’t be living across the hallway from each other anymore.”
“Works for me,” Rex said as he shoved my photo albums in a box. “I see your ugly face too much anyway.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ditto.”
Safari was jumping on Zeke the moment he walked in the door. Like he knew something exciting was happening, he spun in circles then licked Zeke’s face.
“Whoa, boy.” Zeke grabbed him and held him still. “Yes, you’re coming to live with me. And I’m excited about it too.”
Safari whined again and pawed at his chest.
Zeke chuckled and scratched him behind the ears. “You can poop wherever you want in the backyard. It’s all yours, buddy.”
Kayden lowered her voice as she stood beside me. “Sometimes I think Safari loves Zeke more than you.”
“Sometimes?” I asked. “Try all the time.”
Kayden chuckled. “Well, at least Safari will be happy.”
“He hated Ryker, so that never would have worked,” I said with a forced chuckle.
“He did?” she asked. “Then yeah, that definitely wouldn’t have worked. Dogs have amazing senses. You should always listen to them.” She turned back to the door. “I’m gonna get dressed then I’ll be back.”
“Alright. Give Jessie and Tobias a call, will ya?”
“Are you kidding me?” she asked. “It’s only nine. I bet Jessie hasn’t even gone to sleep yet.”
I laughed because she was probably right.
***
We unloaded everything at Zeke’s, putting my clothes in the hallway of the second bedroom, along with my assorted shoes. Thankfully, he had a large house, so I was able to keep all the nonessential items I couldn’t part with.
I didn’t feel any reluctance for giving up my apartment so quickly. Carrying my stuff into the house felt right—like I was finally coming home. Safari was in heaven the moment we got there, sitting outside in the grass and searching the trees for squirrels. Zeke’s house was a little masculine in its decor, but I would leave it alone for now and slowly make my changes when he wouldn’t really notice.
“You guys wanna go out tonight?” Rex asked. “You know, to celebrate.”
“Sure,” Zeke said.
I didn’t. I wanted to stay home and have sex all night.
“But we’ll need a few hours,” Zeke said. “You know, to get situated.”
I knew what that really meant, and all my teeth were showing.
“Alright, cool,” Rex said. “So, we’ll see you later.” Everyone left the house, leaving us alone with the few boxes I still hadn’t unpacked.
“Looks like we’re officially roommates.” Even in an old t-shirt and running shorts, he looked sexy. His muscular arms looked nice and his chest was powerful. His hand moved to my hips, and he looked down at me with adoration.
“Roommates?” I asked. “I’d say we’re more than that. Maybe fuck buddies that live together.”
He chuckled. “That works for me.”
“Or maybe roommates that love each other a lot...”
“Even better.” He smiled before he kissed the corner of my mouth, making my lips go numb because it felt so incredible.
We’d been together for nearly twenty-four hours, and he still hadn’t contacted Monica, that I knew of. I tried not to fixate on it, but I wanted to know she was gone for good, that she wouldn’t show up at the door in lingerie and a rain coat. “Zeke?”
“Hmm?”
“Did you break up with Monica yet?”
“Oh, yeah. Don’t worry about her.” He squeezed my waist gently before he guided me to the couch.
“But you’ve been with me all day. Don’t you think you should let her know?”
He laid me down on the couch and pulled his shirt over his head. “I don’t remember you being this talkative during sex.”
“I guess I just need to know I’m not gonna see her again.” I was extremely jealous when it came to that woman. She was a perfect ten. Of course, I was intimidated by her. “That she’s not gonna show up at the house or something...”
“Trust me, she’s not.” He undid my jeans and pulled them off.
“Why won’t you just call her?”
He got my panties off then positioned himself on top of me, my legs around his
waist. “I’ll tell you why.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I was never dating her, Rae. It was just an act.”
“Just an act?”
“Rex thought it might make you jealous and you’d realize you didn’t want to be without me. And it worked.”
“So...you never slept with her?”
“No.” He held my look as he watched my reaction. “I’m sorry if that makes you mad, but I don’t feel bad for doing it. You’re on this couch right now because of it.”
“I’m not mad...”
“Then what are you feeling?” he asked.
“I just...” The guilt washed over me, and I felt terrible for what I’d done. “I...slept with Ryker because—”
“I know. And it’s okay. You made your mistake, and I made mine. Let’s just leave it in the past.”
He was giving me more mercy than I deserved.
“Rae, I was miserable without you. I was willing to do anything to get you back. I couldn’t picture myself ever being with anyone else, not after I found the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
“That’s so sweet...”
“I’ve never given up on us, Rae. And I’ll never give up on us.” He pressed a kiss to my lips, a slow and seductive one. He guided me farther into the couch, and his cock slipped inside me, slowly stretching me as he sank in.
I dragged my nails down his back. “I love you...”
He breathed into my mouth as he moved. “I love you too.”
***
Zeke ended the call and shoved his phone into the pocket of his jeans.
“What did she say?”
“She was happy for me.” He pulled on his black jacket. “Said she wished we could have made it happen sooner.”
That made two of us. “Well, now I don’t hate her so much...”
He chuckled. “I guess I don’t hate Ryker as much either.”
“Really?” I did sleep with him—a lot.
“He let you go. How can I really hate a guy who stepped aside?”
I told him how Ryker convinced me to come back to him multiple times. It was the most chivalrous Ryker had ever been since I’d known him. He put me before himself, even if it made him miserable. “So, you guys are best friends now?” I teased.
“No,” he said with a laugh. “But I don’t despise him anymore. Monica thinks he’s the hottest guy she’s ever seen.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand what chicks see in that guy. He’s got trouble written all over him.”
I understood far too well. “She’s into him?”
“That’s what she said.”
An idea came to mind. It was far-fetched and may not work, but it was worth a shot. “Hmm...”
“What?”
“Let me give him a call.” I fished my phone out of my purse and called Ryker.
He answered almost immediately. “Long time, no see.” His confidence was back in full force. “I thought I wouldn’t hear from you for a while.”
“Well, Zeke just told me something interesting, and I wanted to pass it on.”
“What’s that?” he asked. “I hope it’s not a victory speech.”
“No. Actually, he told me Monica said you’re the hottest guy she’s ever seen.”
His smile could be heard through the phone. “Really?”
“Yep. So...what do you think?”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re going out tonight, and we can bring her along. You want to meet up?”
He chuckled into the phone. “Are you setting me up on a date?”
“Not really setting you up,” I said. “Just saw an opportunity, and I went for it. So, are you down?”
“Well...she is pretty hot.”
I thought I would be jealous at his words, but I wasn’t jealous at all. “Zeke says she’s really cool. Down-to-earth and fun. She’s smart too.”
“You know I don’t care about any of those things, sweetheart.”
“You did with me.”
“Very different situation.”
“I think you should give it a try.” I didn’t want to push him around, but I wanted him to get back on his feet. “See where it goes.”
“I guess I can do that. Why not?”
“Great. Can you meet us in an hour?”
“Sure. I’ll see you there.” He hung up.
Zeke watched me, a grin on his face. “Did we just hook up our exes together?”
“I think so. I saw him looking at Monica last time we were together. I thought he might be interested...”
“He’d have to be gay not to be interested.”
I glared at him.
“Not that I’ve ever been interested in her—only you.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. “So, don’t worry about that.”
“Good. Honestly, I’m a little interested in her... She’s gorgeous.”
“Not like you.” He kissed me again. “She’s got nothing on you, baby.”
I smiled. “I like all these compliments.”
“Good. Because you’re going to be getting them for a long time.”
***
“Aww!” Monica hugged Zeke as soon as she saw him. “So happy for you.”
I finally didn’t feel jealous when she touched him, knowing he was mine and was never really hers.
Monica turned to me next. “I hope there’re no hard feelings.”
“Not at all.” I pulled her in for a hug before I moved away. “It hurt at the time, but it brought us back together—so it’s okay.”
“Good,” she said. “Zeke was really miserable without you. He’s like family to me, and I wanted to do whatever I could. And I’m so glad because you really are cute together.”
“Thanks.” Zeke tugged me into his side. “Imagine how our kids will look.”
“Adorable, if they look like you.” It was nice to talk about the future with certainty, knowing that we would get married and live in that house for the rest of our lives.
“So.” Monica rubbed her hands together. “Zeke tells me you brought something for me...”
Ryker appeared at that moment, in a black t-shirt and dark jeans. He looked sexy, like always. His arms filled out the shirt, and his powerful chest led to rigid shoulders. He shaved before he came down to the bar, displaying his chiseled jaw. “It’s nice to see you again.” Ryker got close to her, using his sex appeal to make her tense. “I hear through the grapevine you think I’m sexy.”
Monica handled his confidence a lot better than I ever did. “Sexiest guy I’ve ever seen, actually.”
Ryker smiled, his eyes still smoldering. “Even better. Can I buy you a drink?”
“You can buy me as many as you want.”
He chuckled. “In that case, we aren’t leaving until you’re good and drunk.”
“You can get into my bed easily without it.”
He brushed past her as he headed to the bar, peeking down her dress without being discreet about it. Then he moved through the crowd to the other side of the room.
Monica immediately turned and watched him walk away, her eyes fixated on his ass. “My god, that is one fine piece of man. I’m sinking my claws into him—and my teeth.”
“Just be careful,” Zeke warned her. “He’s kind of a player.”
“Oh, that’s fine,” Monica said. “I am too.”
Rex and Kayden walked up, their hands bound together tightly.
“Aww, this is nice,” Rex said. “Everything feels normal again. Zeke won’t stop checking out my sister, and Rae doesn’t look anorexic anymore. Now, you guys need to keep this up. Otherwise, I’m gonna kick your asses.”
“No funny business,” Kayden said, pointing a finger at both of us.
Zeke pressed a kiss to my temple. “I think we’ve got it figured out this time.”
“We’ll just keep our junk in our pants,” I said. “Unless it’s just the two of us.” Now that I was happy, I could make a joke about the past. After all, it was in the past.
It shouldn’t be taken seriously ever again.
“And I’m not gonna be jealous again,” Zeke said.
“And I won’t give you a reason to be jealous,” I said.
“Good,” Rex said. “Maybe one day, you guys can be as solid as Kayden and I. But that takes time. Just be patient.”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up, Rex.”
“What?” Rex asked. “I’m like the relationship guru. I picked up the hottest chick on the planet, convinced her to move in with me, and I love her.” He flexed both of his arms, showing off his biceps. “Who’s the man?”
Kayden didn’t seem to care about anything he said. She just stared at him with infatuation, like usual.
“Guru, huh?” I asked. “So, when Ryker delivered flowers to me, you didn’t throw them away?”
Rex dropped his arms, his face turning pale.
Zeke made a guilty face, like he knew exactly what I was talking about.
Kayden seemed clueless.
I cocked my head to the side, my gaze still drilling into him. “The guru forgot how to talk?”
“Uh...” He eyed Kayden before he turned back to me. “I gotta get my baby a drink. I’ll catch up with you later...” He left the group and headed to the bar, joining Ryker at the corner.
Kayden crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes squinting. “What are you talking about?”
“For my birthday, Ryker sent me flowers. I never got them because Rex threw them away. I figured it out a few weeks ago.” I could picture everything in my head. Rex probably answered the door for the deliveryman then immediately tossed them in the trash chute. He probably didn’t even read the card. “And judging by the look on your face, you knew about it.” I turned to Zeke next.
He shrugged. “He told me when you and I were broken up.”
“Okay, you’re fine.” There was no reason for him to come clean to me when we weren’t together. He wasn’t obligated to do anything.
“I can’t believe Rex did that,” Kayden said. “I might have to slap him.”
“No,” Zeke said. “He told me he likes it when you do that.”
“I’m still gonna tell him off... Excuse me.” Kayden walked to the bar just as Jessie and Tobias reached our table.
“What’s up with her?” Jessie asked. “We don’t say hi anymore?”
“She went to yell at Rex,” I explained.