Coming Home Duet

by Cameron Hart

  I need to find her. She’s far too innocent to be going to a disgusting party like that, especially in her sexy ass dress. Fuck. The thought of another man seeing her like that gets me worked up all over again.

  Pulling up the campus map for GSU on my phone, I locate Greek row, where the majority of frats are located. I park my car curbside and jump out, not knowing where to start, but needing to get to her as fast as possible.

  I spend an hour searching the first three frat houses closest to me, and finally find Harper when I burst into the fourth house. She’s sitting on a dirty couch, sandwiched in between two dickheads. One has his arm around her shoulders, offering her a drink in a red solo cup. She looks uncomfortable and I get to her in three strides.

  “Harper,” I all but yell over the loud music. My tone is harsh, but I need to get her attention.

  Her crystal blue eyes snap up to meet mine, a mix of shock, anger, and relief flashing across her features. I offer my hand to help her off the couch, but she crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her perfect tits up, giving the asshole with his arm around her quite the show.

  “Don’t test me right now, Harper. You’re coming with me.”

  “No.” She spits out. I get that she’s mad, but I’m not leaving here without her. First things first though.

  I turn my deadly gaze over to frat boy douche and growl at him.

  “Hands off.”

  He immediately withdraws his arm. “Yo, is this your dad?” He addresses Harper.

  “Nope. And I’m not going with him.” She turns her face to the side, ignoring me.

  “The hell you’re not, Harper.”

  Both guys on the couch seem to get the hint and leave us alone, wandering off deeper into the house to find easier prey, no doubt. I pull her up off the couch so she’s standing in front of me, then I crouch down and line my shoulder up with her stomach before throwing her over my shoulder.

  “Levi! What are you doing? You can’t just—”

  I cut her off with a swift spank on her ass.

  “OW! Put me down! I’m too heavy, and I’m not leaving with you!”

  I see Emma storm over to us and I know it’s going to be harder than I originally thought to get Harper out of here.

  “What the fuck, Levi? What is your problem? You can’t just make Harper cry and then show up here.”

  “Yeah!” Harper agrees.

  “I’m doing what I need to do to protect her.”

  “You screwed up, buddy. I’m not letting you hurt her again.”

  “Yeah!” Harper pipes up. If I weren’t so pissed, I’d find their dynamic funny and charming.

  “I get it. I messed up. But I need to take care of her now.”

  Emma has her hands on her hips, trying her hardest to puff herself up and stand between me and the door. I’m angry, but I’m glad that Harper has a friend like Emma. Instead of going on the defensive, I try a different tactic.

  “How about I give you both a ride home? That way you know she’s safe.”

  “Not happening,” a deep voice booms from the right of us. A large, muscled man cozies up next to Emma and tugs her close to him by placing a hand on her hip. He sizes up the situation and looks me in the eye. We share a silent moment where we both acknowledge that these are our women, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to protect them. “Everything alright here, miss?” He asks Harper.

  She sighs, but then gives a defeated, “Yeah.”

  “Great.” He turns to Emma. “You’re coming with me, dandelion. I told you you’re mine.”

  “I am no one’s, least of all yours. You don’t own me and I don’t belong to anyone—”

  He hoists Emma up on his shoulder like I have Harper on mine.

  “HEY!” She yells, kicking and punching the large man.

  Again, the man and I share a moment, knowing each of us has someone precious in our arms and we're not above becoming cavemen to do what needs to be done.

  “After you,” I say.

  He chuckles and walks out the door. Emma lifts her head up and gives me the evil eye.

  “You,” she points at me. “If you ever fuck up again, I will cut your dick off.”

  The man holding her spanks her and grumbles, “Don’t talk about another man’s dick or I’ll have to stop and show you what it means to be mine.”

  I grin and shake my head at them, thinking that Emma may have met her match. It’ll take a strong man to handle the little spitfire.

  “You can put me down now, Levi. I’m too heavy. You’re going to hurt your shoulder. Plus, I’m not leaving with you, so you can forget about that right now.”

  I growl at her but wait until we’re closer to my car where it’s quieter to address her concerns.

  “First of all, baby, you’re perfect. Don’t ever doubt that. I don’t know what lies Tracy has been filling your head with, but you’re fucking gorgeous, which is why I couldn’t leave you with those assholes.” She doesn’t say anything, so I continue. “And second of all, I think I’ve proven that you are very much leaving with me. I can’t believe you would pull this shit.”

  I have to take a deep breath to get myself under control. I mad at her, yes, but I’m still reeling from the intense worry and anxiety I had the last hour to now feeling relief that she’s in my arms.

  “Why do you care what I do? I thought…” She trails off and I finally set her down in front of my rental car, still holding her hips to keep her close.

  “You thought what, sweetheart?” My voice calmer now that I have her out of harm’s way.

  “You don’t get to call me that.” Harper gives me a stern look, but she’s so fucking sweet that it just comes across as adorable. Like a little mad kitten. “You all but tossed me out of your room, so you’ll excuse me if I’m a little confused as to why you hunted me down and dragged me out of a party I was enjoying.”

  I tuck her silky hair behind her ear and cup the back of her neck, tilting her head up so she has to look at me.

  “Baby, anyone could see that you were miserable and uncomfortable, so don’t give me that shit. And you know why I had to make you leave earlier today. We can’t…I can’t touch you. Not the way I want to.”

  Her entire demeanor softens at my confession. “But you want to? Touch me?” She whispers, searching my eyes for truth.

  God, her eyes are so big and full of vulnerability.

  “Yeah, beautiful. I want to do more than just touch you. But we can’t. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you and your safety. Your piece of shit dad and stepmom weren’t going to come out here, so I did.”

  “Oh,” Harper looks away from me, chewing on her bottom lip.

  I guide her into the passenger seat and buckle her in. To my relief, she doesn’t protest anymore. I get in the car and pull away from the curb. I realize I don’t know where I’m going.

  “Where do you live, sweetheart?” I ask, tossing her my phone. “Here, pull it up on google maps. I have no idea how to get anywhere around here.”

  Harper does as she’s told and then proceeds to stare out the window for the remainder of the car ride. I park and go around to her side, but she’s already out of the vehicle, running towards the apartment building.

  I follow close behind and catch up as she's inserting the key and opening her door. She turns to shut it in my face, but I wedge my foot in between the door and its frame just in time. The door slams into my foot, sending pain shooting up my leg.

  “Shit!” I curse under my breath.

  Much to my surprise, Harper swings the door open and looks at me with big, worried eyes.

  “Oh God, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” My heart melts a little at how sweet she is. Even when she’s pissed off, she can’t stand the fact that she hurt me.

  I take the opportunity to walk inside, and she doesn’t stop me.

  “Can I get you some ice or something?”

  “No, I’m really fine.”

  Seemingly satisfied with my well-being, Har
per resumes her defensive stance with her arms crossed and an adorable grumpy frown.

  “Great. Well, I’m home, safe and sound now, so please go away.”

  I should. I really should. She’s right. I brought her back home, which was my goal. But my body and my brain are on completely different pages, as made apparent when my feet carry me closer to her, closing the gap between us.

  Harper steps back and I crowd her space until she’s up against the back of the couch. We’re inches apart now, sharing the same breath. I see her pulse pounding in the side of her neck and I long to nibble the skin there and lick her slender column until she’s trembling underneath me.

  She bites her lip again. Without thinking, I grip her chin lightly between my thumb and forefinger, taking her lip from between her teeth so she doesn’t hurt herself. Or make me cum in my pants, either of which is a fair possibility. I move my hand to cup her cheek, brushing my thumb over her soft lips. I feel her shallow breaths skate over the pad of my thumb as I continue to lightly caress her skin.

  I rest my forehead on hers, knowing this is as far as things can go tonight. No, not tonight. Ever. This is as far as things can go, ever.

  I have no idea how long we stay like that, but I know it’ll never be long enough. I feel Harper’s hand move between us and snap my eyes open, looking down.

  Fucking Christ.

  Her hand is under her dress, inside of her panties. I move my hand over hers, on the outside of the thin fabric. My cock is hard as fucking steel, aching to be inside of her. Harper pulls her hand out and places the back of her hand in my palm, guiding our hands back inside of her panties.

  She starts to finger herself again, slowly dragging our hands through her folds.

  “It’s okay,” she whispers, her breath blowing over my lips.

  “It’s okay,” I repeat, completely lost in her.

  “You’re not touching me.”

  “I’m not touching you,” I nod in understanding.

  She moves our hands faster, pressing our fingers harder, circling her clit. She bucks her hips and moans, resting her forehead on mine.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Show me how you pleasure yourself.”

  Harper dips our fingers inside of her tight, wet hole and cries out.

  “Jesus, Harper, fuck,” I groan. She’s going to be the death of me, but I can’t stop. I need more. I drop my head to her shoulder and breathe in her scent. “Do you think about me when you touch yourself, baby?” I mumble into her soft skin.

  “Yes…” Her voice is all breathy and sexy as fuck.

  “Do you imagine me fucking you with my tongue and lapping up your juices out of your gushing cunt?”

  “God, yes…Levi…”

  She moves her hand up to her clit again, rubbing herself faster. I scrape my teeth along her neck, unable to help myself, drawing out another moan.

  “Do you picture what would be like to have my huge cock stretching out your perfect pussy? How it would feel to have me deep inside of you, pulling out orgasm after orgasm?” I kiss a trail up and down her neck, savoring her taste, loving the way her skin breaks out in goosebumps.

  “Mmmm…”

  “My favorite fantasy is you riding my dick while I suck on your perfect tits. Do you see yourself bouncing up and down, chasing your own pleasure?”

  “Yes! Yes! Ohhh…”

  I feel her tense up, her breathing ragged, her heartbeat thundering out of control.

  “Cum for me, Harper. I want to feel you cum, baby.”

  She pulls in a huge breath as her walls begin to flutter and I sink my teeth down into her shoulder. Harper screams my name and I feel her wet heat running over our hands. I continue to move us over her clit, circling again and again as she shudders and moans, bucking her hips.

  “That’s it, baby, I want to feel you gush all over me, fuck, Harper, you are so beautiful when you cum.”

  When she finally floats down from her high, I withdraw our hands and bring hers to my mouth, licking off her honey from her fingers.

  Fuck.

  “Sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. So damn good, baby.”

  I trail my finger that was inside her over her collarbone and lick up the trail of juices it left behind. Resting my head on her chest, I try to think of all the reasons I should shut this down.

  Her dad. Our age difference. The lawsuit. My business. My livelihood.

  None of those seem to matter. Then, other thoughts spring up.

  I’ll hurt her. I’m no good for her. She deserves better.

  Those ones hit me deep. If it were just me at stake, I realize I’d give it all up for her. But her heart is on the line too. Her future. And I can’t compromise that. I won’t.

  Gathering all the strength I have, I pull myself away from her. My body feels like it’s made of lead and it’s almost impossible to move even an inch. Somehow, I manage to separate from her, and I swear I feel the loss all the way down to my bones.

  Harper is flushed from her orgasm her eyes searching mine, unsure of what to think about what just happened between us.

  “Levi, I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was think—”

  I place a finger over her lips to silence her. I don’t ever want her to feel guilty about anything, especially this.

  “Stop, Harper. That was…fuck. That was…” In-fucking-credible, life-altering, the hottest thing I’ve ever done and I didn’t even stick my dick inside of you… I clear my throat, along with those thoughts, and continue on to the hard truth. “But we can’t do that anymore, okay? You understand, right, sweetheart? Please tell me you understand…”

  Fuck. This hurts so much more than I thought it would.

  It’s for her own good.

  I remove my hand from her perfect lips, lips I long to taste, to bite, to see wrapped around my cock. Taking another step back, I put some much-needed distance between us.

  Harper blinks back tears, and it fucking guts me. To her credit, she doesn’t let any fall. She steels herself and keeps her chin up high. I get a weird sense of pride at how strong she is, even though I know I’m the one hurting her.

  "I get it. It's fine. I won't be at the house anymore. You can forget about me."

  Yeah right. As if I could ever forget her.

  She makes her way towards what I assume is her bedroom, but I can’t let those be the last words she says to me. I reach out and grab hold of her arm but she wrenches it out of my hand.

  “Let me go!” She shouts.

  So I do.

  I do the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I watch her walk away from me.

  Chapter 6

  Harper

  I run to my room, humiliated for what feels like the hundredth time today, all courtesy of Levi. I don’t understand him. I thought…well, it doesn’t matter. I was channeling my inner Emma, thinking about what she would do in my situation, and somehow I found the nerve to stick my hand down my panties right in front of Levi. And he seemed to like it.

  Until he didn’t.

  I’m such an idiot. One minute he’s pulling me towards him, calling me beautiful and sweetheart, and then the next minute he’s pushing me away, telling me we can’t do anything. I put myself out there – twice now, and he’s made a total fool out of me both times.

  No, that’s not accurate. I’ve made a fool of me. This is why I don’t do stuff like…well, like all of what happened today. I don’t wear provocative clothing, I don’t go to parties, and I don’t seduce older men.

  He was probably just, I don’t know. Trying to let me down easy. Playing along. And then when I didn’t back off, he had to tell it like it is so I’d leave him alone. I want to be mad at him. I want to kick and scream and throw a fit. I want to be like Emma and rage about him, calling him all sorts of terrible names and threatening to do horrible things to his manhood, but I can’t bring myself to do any of that.

  Instead, I go to sleep.

  I don’t get out of bed the next day.

  Or the da
y after that.

  Sunday evening rolls around and Emma has had enough of my moping. She plops on my bed and throws the covers back.

  “Noooo! Whyyyy?”

  “Enough. I’m sorry I came up with my stupid plan in the first place if it left you like this in the end.”

  I don’t respond, I just bury my head in my pillow.

  “Nope. No, ma’am. You stink. And your hair looks terrible. And your skin is all greasy.”

  “Gee, thanks for the pep-talk. We should have these heart to hearts more often,” I mumble from the pillow.

  “I tried nice, encouraging, cheerleader Emma yesterday, and that didn’t work. So today you’re getting hard truth, tough love, ass-kicking Emma. And she doesn’t fuck around. So let’s go. Up, up, up!”

  She claps her hands repeatedly while nudging me with her foot until I’m about to slap her in the face. I reluctantly get up just so she’ll calm the hell down.

  “Yay!” She pumps her fist in the air and I roll my eyes at her. “Okay, grumpy gills. First things first. You need a shower. Then, we’re going to dinner. My treat.”

  Half an hour later, Emma and I are sitting in our favorite little pizza shop just down the street from our apartment.

  “Are you going to tell me what happened after you left the party?” She asks, for the tenth time this weekend.

  “Are you going to tell me what happened after you left the party?” She has yet to fill me in on the huge, strikingly handsome man who also carried her out of the party.

  “Mmmm, nope. Guess we’re at a stalemate.”

  “Guess so.” I stare at my pizza but have no desire to actually eat it.

  “Oh, c’mon, Harp. Sad, depressing you is no fun.”

  “Sorry I’m not entertaining enough for you,” I snap. I instantly regret it. That isn’t like me. “God, sorry, Emma, I know you’re just trying to help.”

  “No need to apologize. That’s the most reaction I’ve gotten out of you in forty-eight hours. I’ll take it.” She grins and I can’t help but smile back at her. She really is the best friend a girl could ask for.