by Erin Noelle
Slipping into my charming, playboy extraordinaire mindset, I made my way down the hall, ready to enjoy myself some Texas girls once again. My cock jerked in excitement at the mere thought, and I could feel the blood start pumping through my body. Jess was right, I needed to get out and have fun with my friends. Release some of the stress that had built up in my day of travel.
As I approached the living room, I overheard Jess say something about someone never having gone to a party or on a date, but I had no clue who or what she was talking about. Being my usual teasing self, I swaggered into the room, a cocky smirk playing at the edges of my mouth, and asked, “What’s this I hear about never having been on a date or to a party?”
Two steps in, and I froze mid-stride. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for what I saw sitting on my couch, or rather who I saw sitting on my couch, staring back at me. For the first time since I could remember, I was stunned speechless. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I had to be dreaming. She didn’t exist in real life. She’d always been a product of my imagination.
Jess called out from the kitchen, “It’s about time, Ash, my God! Come meet my cousin Evie and her roommate, Scarlett. Hurry up!”
Scarlett. Her name was Scarlett.
Scarlett swiftly turned around towards Evie, probably uncomfortable from my blatant gawking, as I found myself moving toward her. I needed to see her face again. Immediately.
Unaware of the awkward silence in the living room, Jess turned the corner from the kitchen, carrying a couple of beers, and explained how Scarlett lived some crazy sheltered life and had never had any social life. I half-heard what she was saying, but I was more concerned about getting to her.
I first introduced myself to Evie, shaking her hand and using my last name like a fucking idiot. What in the hell? I couldn’t function normally with Scarlett being so close. Her big, brown doe eyes focused on me like she could see straight through the charming outer layer to my dark, tainted soul.
Inhaling a deep breath, I turned my attention toward Scarlett, nervous of what was going to happen when I actually touched her. As our gazes locked, I grabbed her free hand that rested across her lap, holding it delicately in mine. Almost afraid she would disappear if I held her too tightly.
Her skin felt like silk against mine, and forcing myself out of the stupefied spell I’d fallen in, I finally opened my mouth to speak. “Scarlett, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well. I can see why your parents were hesitant about letting you out of their sight. If I had a daughter as stunning as you, I wouldn’t let her leave the house either.”
What the fuck did I just say? Did I use the word stunning? Could I be any lamer? It sounded like such a cheesy pick up line. I knew there was a reason I didn’t want to leave my bed tonight.
I meant to drop her hand and back away, but instead I found myself bringing her hand up to my mouth, softly kissing her inner wrist. I had no idea what in the hell I was doing, I knew everyone was looking at me like I had lost my damn mind, but I needed to smell and taste her soft flesh. It was like I had to prove with all five of my senses that she was really alive and sitting in front of me.
When my lips touched her, an electric current like I’ve never felt pulsed through my body. With a sharp hiss, she jerked her hand from my hold, confirming she experienced a similar jolt. Then, as she nervously drew her bottom lip between her teeth, I reached up and freed it from her bite with my thumb. And that nearly sent me over the edge. My dick swelled and my pulse leapt.
“Down boy!” Jess exclaimed as she slapped me on the shoulder, forcing me out my trance.
Releasing her lip, I stumbled backwards, realizing how much trouble I was in. I needed to put some space between us.
The girl that I had sketched numerous times as my Psyche, the girl that served as my muse in the thesis I was working on, had literally walked out of my head and into my life. And unfortunately, as much as I wanted to explain to her, to show her all of my drawings that looked nearly identical to her, to tell her that I had envisioned her so that it must be some kind of fate that brought us together, I knew that I needed to leave her the hell alone.
She was exactly what I’d always imagined her to be. Beautiful. Pure. Innocent.
I knew by the way she looked at me, that she felt a connection too. It was undeniable. But I had to do what was right for her. I had to stay away from her.
I would only corrupt, disappoint, and hurt her. After all, I was my father’s son. I wouldn’t do to her what he had done to my mom. I was the only one that could save her from me
—To my girls, Gabi & Dani—
You are the reason I live; you will never know how much I love you.
SWEET REUNIONS
I WILL POSSESS YOUR HEART—DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
A DROP IN THE OCEAN—RON POPE
OVERJOYED—MATCHBOX TWENTY
SCARLETT
Wrapped tightly in Mason’s strong arms for the first time in eight long, lonely months, the overwhelming feeling of comfort and security engulfed me both physically and emotionally. I really had no idea how he was going to react to my sudden reappearance and public apology, but his response was definitely best case scenario. Relief had washed over me when he had picked me up in his arms and told me that he still loved me. His ability to forgive with ease reassured me that I had made the right decision.
“Let’s get out of here,” Mason whispered in my ear as he placed me back onto the floor. I nearly lost my balance on my Jello-like legs, but thankfully he still had his arms on mine, and kept me from falling. I looked up into his smoky gray eyes and saw the same blazing desire staring back at me that I felt in every nerve ending on my body. Oh, how I had missed the way he made me feel.
I nodded once and that was all the affirmation that he needed. Mason grabbed my elbow and steered me toward the direction of the office while the crowd in the bar cheered loudly for our reunion. We reached the door that led to the hallway and Mason turned around to nod his head “goodbye” in the direction of his friends at the table he had just left. I thought about glancing over at where Ash was just to see the expression on his face, but I didn’t. I couldn’t allow myself to care what he thought anymore. I couldn’t allow myself to care about him anymore.
Mason led me through the door with his hand on the small of my back and a happy sigh escaped my lips at the contact. We stopped in the doorway of the office where Marcus, Mason’s brother, was sitting in the desk chair with his back to us.
“Hey man, just letting you know that I’m gonna head out. Think you and the guys can handle it tonight?” Mason asked, getting his attention.
“What do you mean you’re heading out, Rat? It’s the weekend before school starts, we’re fucking slammed,” Marcus grumbled as he spun around. He stopped when he saw me and cocked one of his eyebrows up questioning my presence. I smiled shyly at him and the corners of his mouth tilted up in a knowing smirk. He looked over at Mason and nodded his head, “Alright man, no worries. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t forget I need you here by 4:00.”
“Thanks man, see you then.” With his hand still pressed on my lower back, he guided me down the hallway, through his and Marcus’ small studio apartment, and out the back door.
“Give me your keys so that I can move your car up by the building. We’ll just leave it here and you can get it tomorrow,” he said as he reached out his hand toward me.
“I can just follow you to your apartment so you don’t have to worry about it tomorrow,” I tried to argue, but he cut me off quickly.
“Angel, the only thing I’m gonna worry about is you running off again and that ain’t gonna happen as long as you stay in my sight. So give me your keys and we will get your car tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed without further discussion. He was scared I was going to run again, so if me not having my car made him feel better about it, I was more than fine with it. I wasn’t going anywhere. Not this time.
Several minutes later, my car was move
d and I was climbing on the back of Mason’s Harley. I had forgotten how much I loved to cuddle up against him while my arms were wrapped tightly around his mid-section. I pressed my cheek up against his back, overjoyed at how the night was turning out, as we made the quick trip to his apartment.
He pulled the bike up next to his building and helped me off. The brief contact of his hands on my waist, making sure I was steady on the ground, caused my heart to race and my body to tingle all over. The physical reaction that he initiated in me was incredible. My body craved his touch when I was near him.
I followed him anxiously up the stairs and through the front door. Neither of us had said a word since I had agreed to leave my car, and I was dying to know what was going through his head. He led me straight through the living room, down the short hallway, and into his bedroom. A few steps into the room, he turned around and locked his eyes on mine. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say or do, but I knew that I owed him an explanation for what had exactly happened the night that I had left him.
“Mason,” I began, looking down at the floor. “I’m not even sure where to start . . .”
He took one step toward me, closing the distance between us, and cupped my face in his large hands. I can’t even describe the look in his eyes at that moment—he was so torn by the multitude of emotions that I evoked in him. Before I could further analyze his intentions, his mouth crashed down onto mine, possessively and greedily, and I submitted to him instantly. My lips parted giving his tongue access and he took every bit I allowed him. There was nothing sweet or sappy about the kiss, it was domineering, intense; purposeful. It was a kiss that told me that he was in control of whatever relationship we were going to have from that point on.
“We can talk later, Angel,” Mason said as he pulled his lips a short distance from mine. “I’ve thought way too long about what I’d do if I ever had you in my arms again, and talking isn’t a big part of it.” He grinned naughtily and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. I reached up and ran my hands through his short, dark hair and pulled his face back down to mine. I nibbled at his bottom lip, pulling his lip ring into my mouth and sucking gently. Mason closed his eyes and moaned lightly. When I released his lip, his eyes shot open and he immediately picked me up and carried me to his bed.
He laid me down on my back in the same stark white bedding that he had when I was last there. He positioned himself on top of me so that I could feel his body pressed up against mine in all of the right places, but not so that he felt heavy on me. He leaned down and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot right under my ear.
“I’ve waited too fucking long for this. I can’t believe you’re really here, Angel,” he murmured against my skin. “I need you so bad. I’ve wanted you for so long.” He continued kissing and licking my neck and jaw line. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he wasn’t playing fair at all. It didn’t take long for my body to respond to his attack. I could feel the heat spread throughout me, and the ache in my core began to throb. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me while lifting my hips to grind against his.
“You know we really need to talk, right?” I managed to ask between his very distracting kisses. As much as I would’ve loved for us to just kiss away the last eight months, I knew better than that. Mason rose up slightly so that he could look at me.
“Not tonight, Scarlett. Please,” his eyes begged. “Can we have one night, just us, before we have to rehash all the other shit?”
I wasn’t thinking straight, I was completely enthralled in the excitement and passion of seeing and touching Mason again. There was no way I was denying him anything he wanted.
I nodded my head at him, “Whatever you want, I’m all yours for as long as you’ll have me.” That was exactly what he needed to hear.
“Oh my God, Scarlett . . .” He lowered himself back on top of me and picked up on his tantalizing torture. Feeling his solid body against mine, inhaling his clean masculine scent, hearing his raspy voice say my name . . . the assault of all things Mason on my senses was too much for me to take. The last thing I had planned on was to be back in his bed so soon, especially before hashing out everything that had transpired in the previous eight months, but I simply could not resist my bad boy rocker.
“I want you, Mason,” I whispered breathily in his ear. “I need you.”
That was all it took. Unlike our first and only other time together, when Mason was patient and deliberate with each movement, this time he was wild and almost frantic. Clothes went flying as we tore at each other, anxious to be skin on skin once again. Open-mouthed with teeth clashing, our kisses were desperate and demanding. We couldn’t get enough fast enough. He attempted to move down my body to treat my lower half to the enticing things he could do with his mouth, but I stopped him. I couldn’t wait any longer.
“It’s gonna hurt, Angel, if I don’t get you ready,” he tried to explain.
“I want to feel you—hurt and all.”
Giving me exactly what I asked for, Mason reached into his night stand and pulled out a foil packet. He quickly opened it and put on the condom, and within a minute he was back between my legs. I could feel the head of his cock pressing against my wet slit and I whimpered in anticipation.
Resting his forehead against mine, a small smile played at his lips, “Are you ready? I’m gonna slowly work my way in,” he explained.
“Not slow, please. I need you now.” I panted.
“If you’re sure . . .” I nodded my head before he could even get the entire sentence out.
Seconds later I was screaming to the heavens above as Mason did exactly what I asked him to do. In two strokes of his hips, he had filled me completely and once again, I was connected to him the way I had never been connected to anyone else. I dug my nails into his back and bit down on his shoulder as the pain and pleasure rolled through me, mixing and molding, together pushing me to the edge of a cliff. It didn’t take either of us long to find our release as our desperate pace from kissing transferred directly into our love-making. Every muscle in my body clenched as I began my free fall, clinging to Mason’s body as if my life depended on it.
Mason cuddled me against his chest after we had both caught our breath and stopped seeing spots. It didn’t take long for the questions and doubts about what we had just done to creep into my thoughts, but I quickly pushed them away. We had a lot of things to talk about, a lot of things to work through, but right then, the most important thing was that Mason loved me and I loved him.
MASON
Lying on my back with Scarlett sound asleep on my chest, I stared at the ceiling and took a deep breath for the first time since I saw her standing on that stage. Memories from the last time she was in my bed came pouring through my mind, and I instinctively pulled her closer to me. I wasn’t going to do much sleeping; the thoughts and emotions racing through me had my adrenaline pumping. Plus, I wasn’t taking the chance that she might wake up and bolt again. Fuck if I was going to let her run away from me again. We probably should have had a serious talk before jumping back into each other’s arms and back into bed, but like always, the minute our skin touched, the moment her lips met mine, I just wanted to drown in her. Even after how angry I was with her, after the hurt and pain that she inflicted on me, after how much I once thought I fucking hated her, all it took was seeing her angelic face in front of me and all was forgiven.
A couple of months ago I had finally accepted that I would never see her again. Of course that was about the time that I met Bentley and everything had changed. I knew I would have to tell her everything soon, but selfishly, I wanted to spend more time enjoying her before dropping the bomb. I wasn’t sure how she was going to react; my stomach clenched at the thought. I couldn’t fucking believe that she had come back when she did. When everything was out of my hands . . . I closed my eyes and turned my head so I could inhale the scent of her hair. It was just like I remembered, a mixture of coconut and pineapple and maybe s
ome other fruity shit. It always reminded me of being on vacation and I smiled at the thought. Hopefully I could keep Scarlett here at my apartment the entire weekend and it would be like a little vacation before we had to face the real world. I was dreading having to deal with all of the shit from the past, and figuring out what we were going to do in the future, when I was gone . . . and she was here, with him.
RIGHT NOW
YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL—THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS
YOUR WINTER—SISTER HAZEL
SCARLETT
The next morning I woke up to the smell of bacon and coffee and the sound of pans banging around in the kitchen. I could hear Mason singing along with whatever music he had playing. Either he was purposely trying to wake me up to join him or he really sucked at quietly preparing me breakfast in bed. I was going with option number one. Groaning, I rolled over and hopped down from the ginormous bed. I was still naked and not really sure where my clothes had been thrown. I didn’t see any of them around on the floor, but I noticed his black t-shirt that he had on the night before draped across the dresser, so I just threw that on and went to find him.
The sight of Mason working in the kitchen stopped me mid-route; it truly was a sight to behold. His back was facing me so it allowed me a few moments to gawk at this gorgeous male specimen that I was . . . well, I wasn’t sure what we were. Dating? Lovers? Boyfriend/Girlfriend? Whatever he was, this guy claimed to love me and I had spent the previous night in his arms, so I was happy with that. You could tell by his broad, muscular frame that he spent quite a bit of time in the gym, and the ink that covered at least half of his exposed skin indicated he spent the rest of it in a tattoo parlor. He was standing at the stovetop, flipping what appeared to be pancakes, wearing only a pair of thin cotton pajama pants. His back was Adonis-like and the pants sat just perfectly on the top of his ass, framing his entire flawless physique. Holy hell.