It also reminded me that I was a sucker for punishment. I just couldn’t seem to stay away from Jake, even though I knew having anything to do with him was a mistake. Even though I knew I was nothing more to him than an easy fuck, a way to release his pent-up sexual tension without the worry of feelings crawling their way into the mix. Without the worry of more.
Would I have gone home with him? Yeah, I probably would have. But what he failed to realise was that I wasn’t the same girl anymore. Sure, I’d let him in my bed, but I wouldn’t let him into my heart. No, I’d made that mistake once before and I wasn’t about to let that happen again.
He had no idea what I had planned for my future, and he never would. Not until I’d saved up enough money to leave this place behind me. By that time it would be too late. Not that I thought he’d care if I left or not. I knew he wouldn’t. But at least he’d be left thinking I’d never cared about him at all. A lie I was willing to keep to myself.
Noon soon rolled around and it wasn’t long before Bessy came by, her usual cheery smile plastered on her face as she greeted me the way she always did.
“Be a dear and pop the kettle on, would you?” she asked. Her eyes appeared as worn out as I felt as she glanced briefly around the space before sliding a box onto the small shelving unit.
I nodded without a word and went about fixing the tea, adding an extra sweetener because although she insisted she had given up sugar, I knew she slipped one of the small tablets into her mug when she thought I wasn’t looking.
I brought the steaming mug to her with a frown. “Arthritis playing up?” It wasn’t really a question. I knew Bessy had been struggling lately. I could tell that the illness had been keeping her awake at night.
“Nothing a mug of tea won’t fix.” She winked, her crow’s feet gathering at the corners of her dull, grey eyes, which were once bright and hopeful.
“You say that every time.” I rolled my eyes.
“And I mean it every time,” she countered, her fingers curling around the steaming, daisy mug before she brought it to her lips and walked around the table, her eyes roaming the rack I had brought through to the front yesterday morning.
“I see you finished it.”
“The dress?” I asked. “It was mostly done yesterday. I just wanted to add a few finishing touches.”
“If I’d known you were here yesterday I would’ve stopped by,” she told me. “You're never in on a Saturday morning. What's wrong? You couldn’t sleep?”
I shrugged. “I slept fine,” I admitted. “Just woke up early, is all. Thought I’d finish the dress before my shift.”
“Since when do you get up at the crack of dawn?”
“Since I was caught sleeping in Shawn’s bed again,” I admitted sheepishly.
“Oh, dear, I’m sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I said, waving it off as though it were fine. Bessy flashed me a sympathetic smile and nodded.
Bessy had become more of a mother to me over the years, since mine barely acknowledged my existence these days. She had been in my life for as long as I could remember and she knew absolutely everything there was to know about me. She knew about Shawn and his addiction, my parents abandoning me when he passed away, and how I became this calculated version of the girl she once knew. She didn’t condone any of the stuff I’d done back in college, but she never once made me feel like the rest of them did. She lent a sympathetic ear while I struggled to move on from my mistakes. She guided me through life and treated me like the daughter she never had. I couldn’t have asked for more.
“Well, I’m here if you need an ear,” she said, still eyeing up the dress. She also knew when to push and when to stay quiet… another reason why I loved her.
“Oh dear.” She tsked when I said no more, but her concerned tone caused me to look up. “Harry didn’t come again?” she asked.
Craning my neck, I looked towards the small china bowl and frowned. “Hmm… I guess not.” I shrugged, although a part of me was worried that he once again hadn’t been by to eat the food we’d left out for him. It wasn’t unusual, but it always made an unpleasant feeling work its way inside of me at the very thought that he might not come back.
“He’ll finish that bowl off tonight, I’m sure of it.” She tried to sound hopeful but I knew otherwise. Harry had worked his way into both of our hearts when he’d found his way to the warehouse almost a year ago. Since then, he’d come by most nights, with the exception of the winter months. By then he’d be hibernating someplace warm and safe. We’d been surprised when he came back in March, fuller than he was when he first stopped by. And yes, if you hadn’t already guessed, Harry was our pet hedgehog, and he was clever. He knew that once the lights were out, a heaping bowl of Frosties would be there waiting for him to delve into.
I sighed louder than I’d intended to.
“What's wrong, dear? You don't seem your usual self. Did you and Jessica leave it on bad terms?”
“I guess you could say that. I don't know. It's my fault. I shouldn't have stayed in there. I knew how doing it would make her feel. I shouldn't be surprised.”
“I think you have just as much right to be in there as she does. Don't be so hard on yourself. Here, why don't you stop by the house and show off this beautiful dress? I know she’d love to see it.”
“I don't think so. She's barely able to be in the same room as me. Somehow I don't think a dress is going to change that.”
“I’m sorry about that. For what it's worth, I know she loves you. And you remind me so much of your mother, it's uncanny.”
“You really think so?” I asked, feeling brighter than I had five minutes ago.
“I do. I remember sitting right here, just across from her when she was your age. A spritely one, she was. She could light up a room with just one smile. And she was beautiful, just like you are.”
“She still is.” I smiled. My mother was beautiful. From her luscious blonde locks down to her killer legs. Even in her fifties, she was a head-turner. I shook my head, needing a change of subject. “How is Arthur today?”
Arthur was Bessy’s better half—as she liked to call him. He was put in a care home when his dementia became too much for Bessy to handle. It had taken a lot for her to admit that she could no longer look after him the way he needed. It was a relief to Bessy once he was settled into the quaint facility just outside of Winslow. I’d visited a few times when I knew that Bessy was having a particularly bad day. I hated the thought of her going alone, although I’d never admit that to her. No, I always made out that I wanted to visit the fabric store that was nearby because the one a few blocks away in town didn’t have nearly as much as I liked. As time went on, I think she had begun to wise up to me, but she never let on. I thought she secretly enjoyed the company, and honestly, so did I.
“Confused,” she eventually said, sighing sadly.
I nodded, unsure what to say to that. It had to be hard to watch the man you loved losing himself to an illness that wasn’t treatable. Most days he didn’t know who Bessy was or why he was there. Sometimes he’d have to be restrained by the nurses. There were times when Bessy had been called in because Arthur had hurt himself during one of his episodes. Day by day, she was becoming less and less of the person she used to be. She was tired and in pain more than she wasn’t, but that didn’t stop her from coming by to bring me new material she’d stumbled across. We both knew that she only stopped by to check up on me.
“You didn’t have to come today. Go home and rest. I’ll be finishing up soon anyway,” I assured her.
“Oh no, I’m just fine here. And besides, the exercise will do me a world of good.”
“Says who? You or the doctor?” I smirked.
“Dear, you know if those darn quacks had it their way I’d be on bed rest until the big man upstairs comes for me. Like I’d give up that easily,” she finished with a wink.
I gazed up at her willowing frame and smiled. Bessy wa
s as tough as old boots and as stubborn as an ox, but the doctor was right. She needed to rest more.
“Well, if you’re not going to listen to them, how about you listen to me instead? Come on,” I announced, turning off the machine with a flick of a switch and pushing to stand. “Let’s get you home so you can rest while I raid that cookie jar you keep hidden under the sink. And I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Hmm… Now you mention it, I could use an afternoon siesta. These old bones aren’t what they used to be.”
“Come on then.” I laughed and hooked my arm through her bony limbs. “Let’s get you home.”
“Always so bossy.” She tsked again, the corners of her mouth twitching up.
“You have no idea,” I teased as I ushered her outside, making sure to lock up behind me.
10
Three hours at the gym with Rye and there was still no reply from Matt. The more time that passed, the more annoyed I became. I kept telling myself that maybe he hadn’t replied because he simply hadn’t heard anything. He’d call when he had news. But Matt was my agent for a reason. The only thing my father had given me that I’d kept, because he was too valuable to give up. He was reliable, always kept me informed, and continuously pushed for my success. It wasn’t normal for him not to be in touch, and that worried me. Something inside of me—call it a gut instinct or whatever—told me that something was seriously wrong.
I was a decent player. I did as I was told, made the right calls when it came to the team. But it wasn’t fresh news that the injury I’d suffered at the beginning of the season had set me back. Even cleared for fitness, I was still unable to play the full ninety minutes. Although I continued to train daily and hit the gym, my knee never seemed to recover. Scoring was becoming a distant memory, despite the team coach telling me that it would just take time to regain full fitness. I wasn’t naïve. All anyone really cared about was results. That’s what it all came down to. Maybe even why Winslow F.C. were so quick to grant me an early release from the club should I want one, pretty much branding me a liability. I wasn’t ready to throw it all away, though. Football was all I’d ever known. All I’d ever been good at. And fuck if I’d let anyone take it from me.
When I left Riley at the gym, I told him I would meet up with him once I showered and changed. I didn’t. I was too wired to go home. I knew I’d only be pacing the floor waiting to hear something, so I went for a run. When that hadn’t worked, I’d limped back to the house in pain. Once the throbbing eased enough that I could put pressure on my knee again, I showered before crashing out on the sofa with just a towel around my waist to keep me covered and a cold bottle of beer in my hand. I hardly drank during football season. I was struggling enough to get back to full strength without alcohol tainting my system. Now the season was over, though, I could drink without paying the price for it the next day.
I was flicking through the cable channels, trying desperately to find something that wouldn’t add to the depression I was quickly sinking into, when my phone vibrated on the small square coffee table beside me. I glanced down briefly before picking it up, praying to God it was Matt. It wasn’t. Even so, a small sense of hope filled my chest as I stared down at the screen before me… because it was Mel.
Mel - About that fun, no expectations, no more offer?
I frowned as my eyes shifted across the screen. My fingers were already tapping away before I had the chance to think of a reply.
Me - What about it?
I blew out a long breath and sank back against the leather sofa.
Mel - I’ve changed my mind.
My eyes widened. It was obvious she wanted me. Her eyes had told me so last night, even though the words that left her mouth said different. But I hadn’t expected her to message me, let alone change her mind so quickly.
Me - Where are you?
If she was willing to hand herself over to me knowing full well nothing more could ever come from it, then who was I to turn her down? Not many women were capable of satisfying me. At least with Mel I knew what I was getting.
Mel - Outside
Outside? “Fuck!” I jumped up, roughly pushing my hands through my damp hair. She was outside. And my parents were at home. Taylor was at home. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cursed as I threw on a shirt and slipped on some boxers before shoving my feet into my trainers. My feet were pounding down the pathway quicker than lightning. Coach would be fucking impressed. I laughed to myself as I continued tearing up the pathway that ran at the side of the house
My parents hated Mel. After what she’d done to Taylor and Lola, I couldn’t really blame them. If they knew she was on their property, it would top them off. And I didn’t even want to think what Taylor would do if he knew she was there. The dickhead in me wished he’d come out and spot her. Knowing his ego, he would probably think she was there for him.
I knew Mel had guts, but I wouldn’t have believed she’d have the audacity to show up after everything she’d put them through.
As I approached the gate separating the backyard from the front yard, I carefully released the catch, trying desperately not to draw attention to myself—or her—as the gate creaked with each movement. I pushed it open fully, which seemed to dull the sound. When I blinked into the darkness, I spotted her standing against the wall. She was biting her thumbnail nervously, and only when our eyes met in the dark space around us did she drop her hand. I reached for it without a word and pulled her to me before closing the gate behind us. Her fingers tightened around mine as I guided her down the pathway, her tiny footsteps quickening as she tried to keep up with mine.
Once we were safely inside, I pushed her back against the door. She let out a gasp at my roughness and stiffened in shock, her eyes widening before she blinked up at me.
I pinned her arms above her head and pressed against her. I was already hard, but when her tongue flicked across her bottom lip causing it to glisten in the dimly lit room, my erection became unbearable.
My eyes lingered on her mouth, desperate to taste her.
“How did you know I was home?” I asked, cutting through the silence.
“I didn’t.” Her voice was barely a whisper as her eyes dropped to my mouth and stayed there.
“I guess you got lucky.”
“No, you did,” she retorted with that smart mouth of hers.
Then I lost it.
I had my hands grappling at her waist and her legs around mine in seconds. Our bodies were wound so tightly together that we were practically breathing as one. When I looked at her face, her dark brown eyes met mine and widened, so unsure yet flickering with a hunger that matched my own. Then, without a second thought, I crushed my mouth to hers.
Her legs tightened around me, her back arching off of the oak door as she moaned into my mouth, the noise lost as my heartbeat thudded in my ears. I slipped my tongue inside her mouth, exploring, tasting everything she had to offer. I was a starved man, desperate for the girl before him.
Mel’s tongue met mine with the same hunger and urgency, our breaths mingling together as we continued to torture one another with increased intensity. When I released her hands from above her head, her fingers latched into my hair, tugging and pulling at the short strands as I cupped the back of her neck, deepening the kiss.
My dick was impossibly hard now, fighting to break free and take what it wanted. It didn’t help my situation when her hips ground against my own, her heated core hitting right where it needed to make her pant in want. As much as it hurt to pull away, I did. With our mouths still connected, I lowered her feet to the floor, my fingers brushing her hip as I did.
When I pushed her vest high up on her neck, exposing her braless chest, she shivered in my arms. “Jake…” she moaned against me.
“No bra?” I growled, my teeth grazing her bottom lip.
Mel whimpered in response, her hands finding the hem of my shirt and lifting. I helped her ease it up and only broke our kiss as I tugged the shirt over my head and discarded i
t on the floor beside my feet. I did the same to the thin vest top that was bunched around her neck.
I gazed down at her in awe. It was as though I was seeing her for the very first time. The way her chest rose and fell, her round, plump tits pushing up as she breathed in deeply. I made a noise that resembled a raging animal and palmed her breasts with both hands, heat and the buzz of electricity dancing around us as I began to lose myself in the moment.
I continued to gaze down at her, my teeth dragging across my lip. “Stay the night with me.”
Timidity. Something else I had never seen from Mel. Not even around Taylor. But it was all I could see. She bit her lip shyly and nodded.
That was all it took for me to haul her into my arms and carry her to my bedroom. Her arms wrapped tightly around my neck as her mouth traced a line across my collar bone. When I reached the edge of the bed, I cupped the back of her head again and lowered her to the mattress, my knees firmly planted between her thighs as I leant over. My fingers slid to wrap around her neck as I lowered my mouth to hers again and used my free hand to unbutton her white, skin-tight jeans.
Mel tugged on my bottom lip as I shifted the material from her hips, down her thighs. I pulled back, taking her in before I pulled her legs free of the denim. Her eyes never left mine as I peeled away the thin piece of material that covered her pussy. A part of me wanted to take my time, to savour every moment. But I couldn’t. It was as if a hidden need inside of me had forced its way to the forefront of my mind until burying myself inside of her was all I could think about.
“Fuck,” I cursed as I tossed the underwear aside. “You don’t know how much I need this. You...” I didn’t have time to process what I’d just said for long before I settled myself between her thighs and pushed them farther apart, exposing her completely.
A Different Game: A Wrong Game Novel Page 7