British Bad Boys: A Bad Boy Romance Boxed Set

by Marissa Farrar

  ***

  Coffee is the only thing keeping me going. I dropped Amy at the bus stop so she could get the bus to school as usual, then headed into the office, where, just like I expected, I was talked about in hushed whispers. The day passed and I wasn’t called into Mr Johnson’s office even though I was on high alert just in case. I was thinking maybe Amy was right, but then just fifteen minutes before the end of my shift I’m summoned and it’s as bad as I had imagined.

  “But Sir, I didn’t consent for this photo to be used online.”

  “It doesn’t matter, you’re our employee, Miss Black, and we can’t have that association. We’re a family firm. Dealing with family-run businesses and family-orientated companies. I’m sorry, you’ve always been a great worker, but we will have to let you go.”

  What more could I do? I leave his office, pack away my photos, lunch box and pens and head out of the office for the last time. I drive home completely numb with shock. When I park up outside our house I pick up my phone and notice a notification on the screen.

  Mum, I’m going to Kirsty’s, so don’t panic. I’ll be back about eight. We have an art project to work on. Her mum will text you to confirm it’s okay. See you later.

  Amy uses text speak with everyone else, but after me correcting her spelling and grammar on dozens of texts she just sticks to standard English these days with me. Sure enough there’s a confirmation text from Claire. I reply with my thanks and offer to have Kirsty over to tea sometime soon.

  I sigh heavily and climb out of the car and onto the pavement. My house might only be rented, but it’s mine. I pay for it, all the bills, everything. And now I need to find another job, another way to support me and Amy. All the stability I’ve worked years for has crumbled away beneath me.

  “Fuck you, Thunder,” I mumble under my breath as I fit my key in the lock.

  Chapter Six

  “What the—” I cry when I see the candles lit on the dining room table and the place settings for two. “Amy, I thought you were going to Kirsty’s?”

  “It’s not Amy.”

  My jaw drops and my eyes widen when I see Thunder, dressed casually in jeans and a plain T-shirt walk through from the kitchen.

  “How, I mean, why? I mean, what? I mean—what the holy fuck?”

  “Yeah, I’ve got a lot of explaining to do. Sit down, Josie. I’ll bring you a drink. Do you want tea?”

  “Yeah, tea’s good.” I’m in a complete daze. I don’t know what’s going on and I can’t work out how I feel, so I just go along with what’s happening. A cup of tea is never a bad thing.

  “Do you have milk and sugar?” Thunder calls from the kitchen.

  “Milk, no sugar. I’m sweet enough,” I answer on autopilot.

  “You sure are,” he responds with a sigh.

  I bite down a scathing response and fight back the tears that accompany my boiling anger. If I’m so damn sweet, why did he use me so?

  “Here you go, then.” He carries the cup over and puts it on the corner of the coffee table.

  “Thanks. Now I think you owe me one hell of an explanation.”

  “Sure, I know.” He runs his fingers through his dark hair. “Okay, first of all, I’m incredibly sorry about all this. I want to make it right.”

  “Hmm.” I tighten my lips and narrow my eyes. How much can I trust this man?

  “Secondly, I didn’t break in. Amy let me in.”

  “How in the hell? Have you been stalking my daughter?” Now a man can break my heart, but go near my daughter and I will pull his heart out and feed it to the urban foxes that howl in my garden on summer nights.

  “No, no. I texted you yesterday but you never checked your phone. So I rang you and Amy answered. Wow, she’s a really mature young lady, isn’t she?”

  I nod.

  “Anyway, she told me how mad you were and stuff and well, together we came up with this plan to put things straight. She said it was best I cook for you. That always fixes things, apparently. Unfortunately I can’t cook. So I thought we could order pizza—”

  “Hang on a minute.” I bang my hand down on my thigh. “Hang on, don’t trivialise this. It’s going to take a damn sight more than a fucking pizza to put this right.”

  “I know.” He hangs his head, then looks up at me again. “But I really want to make it right.”

  “Okay then, pal. Tell me, what the fuck happened?”

  “As much as I know is that my phone got misappropriated somewhere along the line. I had my phone all the time, but obviously someone got into it to access my data.”

  “Bollocks!”

  “I know it sounds bad, but Josie, it’s true. A whole load of stuff was taken off there. I’ve had to put a stop on my bank account because the data thief took a huge chunk of money out of it. Took my credit card for a whirl, too. I can show you, look. I’ve got a police crime number and everything.”

  I look down at the screen he’s showing me and sure enough there’s an email stating a crime number and the police’s details and a list of all the data that Thunder claims has been stolen, including my image.

  “Oh yeah.” I shrug non-committedly.

  “I think they sold the photo to a journo. If we can track down who was hanging around at the hotel, who could have got the regular pap photos, we might be able to track down the thief.”

  “Oh good,” I snap. “Not like it’s completely too late now anyway.”

  “I’ve issued takedown notices to anyone using that image. It’s stolen property. I’m going to keep on top of it until every instance is taken down. I’ll get it purged from search engines too. I will do all I can to have it erased. I’m so, so sorry, Josie.” He puts his hand on my knee and I pull away sharply.

  “No. It’s not that easy. I lost my fucking job!”

  “What?” he exclaims.

  “Yeah, because of that image. Damage is done. I brought the company into ill repute, apparently. I have been let go. I am jobless. Jobless, Thunder.”

  The tears come. I don’t want them to, but I can’t hold them back. I am so angry, so sad, so confused. I’m feeling a million strong, negative emotions all at once, and the only way they can escape is through my eyes.

  “Oh, fuck.” Thunder sighs. I watch him reach a hand forward then snap it back before he touches me. “Jesus, Josie. I’m so sorry. I’ll pay—”

  “I don’t want your fucking money! This isn’t about money!”

  “I know, Josie, I know, but you shouldn’t be out of pocket just because of your association with me. I’ll cover you until you get a new job. I know it won’t be long. It’s the least I can do. I insist.”

  “Fine,” I growl, dashing the tears from my eyes with the back of my hands. “I really don’t want to accept anything from you, but I have to pay the bills, keep a roof over our heads. I need to look after Amy.” I gulp down more tears and my breath shudders out as I try to control my emotions. It’s difficult when I think about my daughter and how much she depends on me.

  “I know.” His voice is soft, gentle. “I’ll make sure you’re both looked after.”

  “Thunder, don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “Pretend you care. That I’m more than a one-night stand to you. I know that’s all it was.”

  “Oh, you do, do you?” There’s steel in his tone now. He’s not about placating me.

  “Yes I do.”

  “Fuck, Josie. Would you listen to yourself! Judging me like that. I’m here doing my best for you. Do you think I’d do this if you were just some chick I picked up? I care about you, Josie, I really do.”

  “I wish I could believe that.”

  “I’m so sorry this happened. So very sorry. I understand you’re feeling betrayed, angry, hurt. And I accept responsibility for that. I am so sorry. How can I make it better? I don’t want to lose you from my life.”

  “Really?” I gulp, eyes stinging with tears.

  “Really. We’ve got something special, and I’d kinda g
iven up on ever finding that.” Thunder cautiously puts his hand on my knee again. I don’t knock it away this time.

  “I’ve been so angry, Thunder. Not just because of the photos and the article, but because my dream was shattered. I thought we really had something. I mean, there was a definite connection between us, and then all this happened and it went away. I was left on my own again, picking up the pieces.”

  Thunder squeezes my knee, then wraps his arm around my shoulder. Again, I don’t move to push him away.

  “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. I was thinking of ways to see you again. It’s not easy with us touring, but I was looking at gaps in my schedule and figuring out how I could get back to visit you. I was. Ask the guys. They were teasing me bad.”

  “Were they?”

  “Yeah, bastards.” He grins.

  “Bastards.” I agree. “I want to believe you, to believe all this. It’s going to be hard.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it will be, but I really want us to work this out. I’m going to do all I can to make things better. Please say you can begin to forgive me?”

  I look into those green eyes, swirling with grey and brown patches. It’s amazing how much eyes can change with mood. I can see nothing but sincerity and regret in them. “I can begin to try.”

  “That’s all I can ask for, really.” He holds me tighter and I relax into his arms. He kisses the top of my head. “Right then, shall I order that pizza?”

  ***

  As we chew on our newly delivered pizza, we chat. The dining table is still set but we’re sat on the sofa, the box propped between us.

  “So how on earth are you here? I thought you were on tour?”

  “We are, yeah. But no fucker wants to go to a concert on a Monday so Monday and Tuesday are usually our days off. The rest of the band are in Birmingham. Only I’m back here.”

  “Oh, right, you wanna stay here then? I can make this sofa pretty comfy.”

  “Nah, thanks for the offer. I’m booked in at a hotel. I didn’t want to presume anything.”

  “Wise.” I nod. “And anyway you’d not get a moment’s peace from Amy asking all kinds of questions.”

  “Oh, I’m used to it.” He laughs.

  “No, I don’t mean because of the band, I mean because you’re dating me.” I grin.

  “So we’re dating now?” He raises an eyebrow.

  “Well, yeah. I guess. I think so, I mean, we are, aren’t we?”

  “Yes,” he replies. “I was just teasing.”

  “Bastard,” I grumble. “Watch it, pal, I’ve only just started to forgive you.”

  He pokes his tongue out playfully and we both laugh.

  I know it’s not the most sensible thing in the world, this. I know I should be raging and cagey and not letting him anywhere near me. But God, how lonely and scary would that actually be? The most important thing is that I believe him and I want this to work, however crazy it is.

  I can give him one more chance. What difference does it make? If it goes wrong it’ll break my heart, but if I can eke some more good from it first, why shouldn’t I? I trust this guy, for better or worse, and I’m not ready to give up on him yet.

  ***

  When Amy gets in she squeals excitedly.

  “It worked then.” She bounces.

  I look up at Thunder from where I’m snuggled into his side.

  “Yeah, it did,” he replies with a grin.

  “Oh my God, I’m so happy for you!” She jumps round and round in a circle, waving her arms in the air.

  “I should have a stern word with you, young lady. Answering my phone and conspiring with a strange man behind my back.”

  “But it’s Thunder, Mum, God.” She shakes her head. “I was sensible, Kirsty and her mum were with me the whole time while I let Thunder in. I didn’t do it on my own. I’m not stupid.”

  “No, you’re not, kid.” I grin. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” She bumps down on the sofa on the other side of Thunder.

  “So, can I get that autograph now?”

  The rest of the evening passes in light-hearted conversation and wild fangirling from my child. I finally pry her away from Thunder and send her off to bed.

  “See you tomorrow?” he asks as I see him out.

  “Sure, I’ll come over to the hotel after I drop Amy at the bus stop. I guess it’ll be about nine o’clock.”

  “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you.” He kisses me, there, brazenly on my doorstep, and I kiss back with all the passion and joy that fills my heart.

  Chapter Seven

  Amy will not shut up about Thunder in the car while we drive towards her bus stop.

  “You know not to talk to anyone at school about this, right?” I remind her yet again.

  “I know, Mum. I’m only going to talk to Kirsty about it because she already knows. I’m not stupid.”

  “I know, love, I know. I just worry, that’s all.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m sensible. Thunder said so,” she replies with much smugness.

  “All right then, I’ll see you later.”

  “See you, Mum. Have a good day.”

  “You too, hon, you too.”

  She knows I’m out of work, but is sure it’ll all be all right because Thunder said so. I guess we’re both hanging a lot on him. I should really be job hunting, not speeding across to his hotel wearing my second best knickers—the best are still drying on the radiator—because I’m expecting a morning of lustful shenanigans.

  You only live once, though. I never thought I was the kind of person who would chase after storms but here I am, in hot pursuit of Thunder and the madness that a relationship with him will ensure.

  I double check my phone as I rush into the reception of the far too posh for me hotel. It’s not the one from last time—this one is far closer to me but part of the same chain.

  648. I head to the lifts and towards his room, sending him a cheeky text warning of my imminent arrival. I stand in front of his door and pull in a deep breath. He opens it before I can even knock, grabs the front of my dress and drags me in, slamming the door shut with his other hand.

  I want to yell at him for scaring me but his lips are on mine and his hands are roaming up and down my body and I’m completely incapable of any thought. I join in with equal passion, sliding my hands under his T-shirt, tracing over his soft belly and higher, to his harder muscles.

  He pulls up on the edge of my dress and I allow him to completely remove it from my body, letting my hands fall to rest on his shoulders after they stood up in surrender in the air. The position made me think of that photo for a moment, but I don’t let the negative associations linger. If I’m in for this, I’ve got to let that go.

  “God, you’re gorgeous,” he groans, kissing my neck, nibbling and biting. His passionate assault pushes me back step by step until I’m up against the wall.

  “As are you.” I tug on his T-shirt and he retreats just enough so I can whip it off. His chest is covered in flames, a Chinese style dragon darts through them and I trace its journey down the middle of his body.

  At the top of his jeans I stop and look up into his eyes. He nods gently, first slipping something out of the pocket and into his hand. I pop open the button and pull down the zip. He has no underwear beneath so all I see is him; hard, powerful flesh waiting for me. I drop to my knees before him, he moves to accommodate me and groans before I even lay my lips on his cock.

  He is beautiful. His cock is red and straining, decorated with veins that I trace with my tongue. He tastes good, sweet and savoury, like the best kind of salted caramel. I’m lost in the need to please him, dipping my mouth around his cockhead, sliding my tongue down and exploring his length before bobbing my head up and down enthusiastically.

  “Jesus,” he groans, grabbing a handful of my hair. “Jesus, Josie.”

  I grin around his dick, relishing the way he fills out my mouth, the way he tastes, the way I have him completely at my merc
y.

  He jerks his hand back suddenly, dragging me off him with a pop and a gasp.

  “I’ll come if you do that anymore and right now I want to fuck you.”

  I’m not going to argue, so when he pulls on my hair again, I stand. He keeps the one hand wrapped in my hair, and holds me close to him with the other. Within seconds I’m once again pressed up against the wall. I am completely his, wanton and needy.

  He lets go of me for a moment, opens the packet and slips the condom over himself. I wait for him to move back, to take me over to the bed or even the sofa but no, we don’t move.

  He kisses me again and this time his hands roam down my body, one seeking out the wetness of my pussy and God, I am soaked. He leisurely fucks his fingers into me for a while, making me moan and gasp against his lips, and filling the room with the scent of my sex.

  I wonder what he’s doing when he pulls my leg up to rest on his hip, then I feel his cock nudging at my entrance and I get it. He’s going to fuck me up against the wall. I shudder with lust and apprehension. He pushes forward, using his free hand to lodge his cock against me.

  “Fuck!” I exclaim. It feels so different him entering me this way. Once he is inside me a little way he grabs my other thigh.

  My eyes flash wide with panic.

  “Don’t worry.” He groans. “I’ve got you.”

  I nod and let him lift me, his cock shifting inside and lodge deeper within me.

  “Oh God, oh God, oh God,” I moan, wrapping my arms around his neck. He thrusts, banging me against the wall over and over. His pubis hits my clit and my orgasm rises. I gasp and groan. All I can do is hold on for the ride. I can’t move. I just have to take it.

  “Josie,” he gasps. “Holy fuck, I love you.”

  “I love you too.” It might be the heat of passion, it might be something true, something deep in our souls. I don’t know, I don’t care. I just revel in it.

  “I love you.” He drives each word into me with hard thrusts.