After The Break

by Andrea Joan

  And this dick has the balls to stride right over to our table, throw an arm around Skylar, and kiss her on the cheek.

  “Hey there, Speedy, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” he says, pulling out an empty chair from our table as if someone invited him to sit here and join us.

  “You know I hate when you call me that, Cass.” She moves her body away from him, scooting as far into her chair as she can manage. It is clear as fucking day she doesn’t want him touching her, but she still smiles genuinely like she is happy to see him. I can’t get a read on this situation and it’s starting to piss me off.

  “Can I help you?” I know he saw me the second he stepped up to the table. I’m hard to fucking miss. He wants to play some game with me, but I don’t need to stake my claim or play ‘who has the bigger dick.’ I already know. Sky moves into my touch, never away from it; she craves it. And I honestly don’t give two fucks about his dick size.

  “Liam, this is Cassiel. Cass, this is Liam, my new bodyguard.” The introduction could not seem more forced and unwanted, as if she could have gone her whole life without the two of us ever meeting.

  “Yeah. Saw you two all over the gossip sites this morning. Hey, bro.” He gives me a chin lift then turns his attention back to Sky.

  “I’m not your fucking bro.” My knee is bouncing anxiously, spiked with the adrenaline that is spearing through me as he just sits there calm as ever. This ass has been running his mouth all about their sex life, and he has the balls to walk up to her and talk and touch her like he did nothing fucking wrong and she isn’t even calling him out on it.

  “Ok then,” he says, essentially brushing me off with a roll of his eyes. “So, Speedy, I tried calling you but your number changed again. Can’t believe you didn’t give me your new one. Breakin’ my heart, darlin’. Luckily I happened to see the ‘Stang sitting in the parking lot, so I decided I would just come see you.”

  ‘Stang? What a douchebag. “Oh yeah? And where did you happen to see her ‘Stang from? I didn’t see any stalker bushes out front.”

  He just smirks at me. “From my condo, bodyguard.”

  I’m going to hit him.

  “He lives across the street, Liam. It’s how I found out about this place. Sorry I didn’t give you my new number, Cass, it just slipped my mind.” She places her hand on his arm and rubs him slightly as if to assure him. It fucking irritates me that she doesn’t seem to mind him being here. “Anyway, what’s up? Did you need something?”

  “I just wanted to tell you the boys and I have a show coming up next Friday at the Viper Room, and then we’re throwing a welcome home party at Club 7 now that the tour is over. I figured since you’re back we could make it a kind of joint party. Celebrate our homecoming with a bang like we used too. Wouldn’t be the same without you, Speedy,” he says as he reaches out and grabs a lock of her hair, tugging at it and causing her to back away again.

  Motherfucking asshole. “Are you fucking deaf, Logue?”

  Both their gazes shoot over to me in surprise. Where just seconds ago I was on edge, now I’ve adapted a more casual stance. My laid-back demeanor at the moment is the complete opposite of the storm raging inside me. But I want to observe before I attack. It was a skill I used to be very familiar with, patience and attention to detail before I went on the offensive. Like, for example, the way he sits straighter in his chair now, his hands clenched at his sides, the right more than the left, his jaw tight and breath short, his eyes narrowed right fucking at me. He gets rattled quick, which means if he comes at me, he will come hard and erratic. He would go for my face first because he is cocky enough to think he can take me out with one punch. The second he goes to hit me, he’ll leave the right side of his body open which is where I could land one hit. Hard. Directly into his kidney. I could have Cassiel Logue pissing blood for a week and barely break a sweat.

  “Excuse me?” He keeps his tone low and angry, almost like he is trying to growl at me as if that would scare me. I’m shaking in my boots.

  “I said. Are. You. Fucking. Deaf? Sky just told you she hates when you call her Speedy. I know this because I can hear.” Cassiel looks over at Sky, who is looking at me. Shock registers on her face, but there is something else. Something almost appreciative. As if it’s rare that anyone would stand up for her.

  “Sky, is it?” he sneers, still looking at her.

  “Look at me, don’t look at her. I’m the one talking to you.”

  His eyes meet mine, and I can tell he is close to snapping.

  “What the hell is your problem, dude?”

  “My problem is I’m not your bro, I’m not your dude, and the lady asked you not to call her that name, so show some fucking respect.”

  The small smile I see from Sky just now is worth any trouble that is about to come my way. But as much as my instinct is telling me to end him here and now, I actually have the forethought to look around and see the people surrounding us. The audience. Any outburst from me will affect Sky, and I don’t want that. But then he makes the mistake of opening his mouth with a smarmy fucking grin plastered to his face.

  “Lady, huh? I take it you haven’t know Skylar Barrett that long. Liam, is it? I think she lost that lady status a while ago. Right, Speedy?”

  Before I even have time to register and react to what he just spewed from his mouth, Sky is out of her seat looking pissed as fuck. “Cass, you need to leave. You are not allowed to disrespect me or Liam that way.”

  Cassiel slides his chair back and stands up. I follow suit because I’m fucking ready now. My patience is gone.

  “Sorry, Skylar. That was rude of me. I’ve got to get going anyway. Please come Friday. It won’t be the same without you. I need you there.” His manipulative apology almost seems sincere. But I know better.

  “I’ll think about it, okay?” This is just fucking perfect. What is between these two? She can think about it all she wants. She isn’t going anywhere with him.

  “Thanks, Spee—Skylar. Don’t forget to send me your new number.” He gives her a quick peck on the cheek then looks over at me and smirks. “Stand down, bodyguard.”

  Cassiel Logue is a self-righteous, arrogant fucking bitch, and I can think of no greater pleasure than wiping that smirk off his fucking bitch face, but as I make a move toward him, Sky shakes her head. My teeth clench at having to stand down as he walks out the front door, but as I glare at Skylar I notice her breathing becoming labored. Shit. She’s hyperventilating. Unshed tears begin to form as she tries to shakily find her way back down to her chair.

  “Sky, what’s wrong? Jesus, are you okay?” I run over to steady her in my arms before she collapses.

  “I-I’m fine,” she stutters through shortened breaths. “I’m just…I’m just humiliated. I’m so sorry, Liam.”

  “Why are you sorry? You have no reason to apologize for that asshole.” I pull her into me, feeling her tears wet my shirt. Why the hell is she apologizing to me? Cradling her head as she cries into my chest, I look around and notice people are beginning to stare. I need to get her the hell out of here. “Come on. Let’s go to the car, okay?”

  Taking more than enough money out of my wallet, I throw it onto the table and lead her toward the parking lot, tucking her into the crook of my arm so few people can see her cry as possible. As soon as we reach the car, I open the passenger door and set her gently down on the seat. Tears still fall from her eyes, and I want nothing more than to stop them. They cause an ache in my chest and I don’t fucking like it.

  “Sky, look at me,” I say, cupping my hands around her face. She complies, her red teary eyes locking with mine. “You have to stop crying sweetheart. If you don’t I’m going to get fucking angry and ruin Logue’s face. Then what will the tabloids say about your fake boyfriend?” I say, working for that gorgeous smile. She does one better and laughs through her tears.

  “God, I am being so ridiculous, aren’t I? I just…” Skylar buries her face in her hands.

  “You just what, Sky?�
� I say, pulling her hands from her face.

  “I just don’t want you to see me that way. The way Cass sees me, the way my own father portrays me, the way the tabloids paint me, even Noah. I mean, I know Noah was joking with the whole sexcapades comment, but I don’t want you to think I’m some kind of…ignorant slut.”

  “Stop talking, Skylar.” I take a deep breath and try calming myself before I end up snapping at her again. “I would never think that about you. I don’t give a shit what anybody says about you, especially assholes like Logue and your father who, no offense, happens to be the biggest fucking prick I’ve ever met. You are intelligent and beautiful and incredibly strong. That is how I see you,” I say, wiping the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs.

  Time seems to stand still as I wait for her to say something. Anything. But there she goes, yet again, staring at me curiously like it’s the first compliment she’s ever received. Her face moves closer to mine, and I can now feel her hot frantic breath on my lips. My hands slide from her cheeks to her neck where I can feel her pulse thumping wildly through my fingers. My skin, my blood, every fucking fiber of my being burns with a raw primal desire for her.

  Without warning, Skylar closes the small space between us and presses her soft lips to mine so passionately that it almost knocks me back from the door of the car and onto the pavement.

  Fucking hell. I pull back in shock because I was not fucking expecting that, and everything about this seems wrong—the wrong time and definitely the wrong place. The car is in a busy parking lot on the side of The Regal, in full view of the public; anyone can see us. Definitely not how I pictured our first kiss.

  First kiss? What the fuck. I’m a man not a pre-teen girl. After a kiss like that though, one thing is clear.

  I need more.

  I launch myself into the car, my lips crashing into hers as I reach back to pull the passenger door closed. She accommodates my brash movement by working her way backwards into the driver’s seat. Her legs fall open, allowing me to press my body into hers, and cause her dress to hike just enough that I can see the small strap from her lacy pink thong.

  Fuck me.

  Not being able to get enough of her mouth as quickly as I fucking need it, I devour and stroke her with my tongue then bite her lower lip and suck it into my mouth. Hard. Maybe too hard because I get a faint taste of blood on my tongue. I’m too unrestrained. Like a fucking untamed animal starved for his next meal, and god she tastes as good as she smells—sweet like those damn macarons she was eating. Skylar pulls her mouth from mine, panting and pulling air into her lungs but I don’t stop. I can’t stop.

  I lick and bite and suck my way down her throat as my hand runs up her soft bare thigh, pushing her dress even higher. I hook my fingers into the side of her thong, preparing to shred it from her body. I need to slow down. She can’t possibly want this, want me. Not like this.

  “God Liam, please.”

  I guess I’m wrong because she is fucking begging me now. Shit I don’t think I’ve ever been this hard in my life. My dick is pushing so painfully against my zipper I wouldn’t be surprised if it bust my pants open.

  My cock is a genius. When I grind my hips into her looking for some kind of friction, she moans as one hand pulls at my hair and the other reaches back and slams against the now foggy window.

  Her hips push up into mine, matching my frenzied pace. I can feel the heat coming off her pussy and it fucking brands me. My lips find their way back to hers, and we’re kissing and grinding as the world around us disappears. Skylar pulls me closer with her hands around my neck, practically whimpering into my mouth each time I thrust my hips into her.

  “Sky, you are so fucking perfect.”

  I don’t even realize the words I’m saying to her because I’m so drunk off her soft skin and full lips, her scent. Everything about her is overriding the logical part of my brain, the part that is telling me to stop.

  To pull back.

  Not here.

  But when Skylar’s fingers move under my t-shirt and she clumsily tries to take it off, my dick goes back to doing the thinking. I break free from her mouth helping to pull the shirt over my head, then I toss it onto the floor, hastily returning to her lips. Her soft hands caress my chest and abs, gently stroking each scar she comes across, until her fingers find their way to the waistband of my jeans. I’m going to come way too fucking soon if we don’t slow the hell down.

  My lips move back up her neck, kissing the curve of her throat as she moves her hands up through my hair, willing me to keep going. Voices outside catch my attention, a few errant catcalls and whistles—people know what is going on in the vehicle. Luckily the windows are so fogged up that no one can see us. The last thing Skylar needs is to be caught making out with me in a parking lot, and if I don’t stop this now it won’t be long until it passes the making out stage right into the me shoving my dick into her pussy stage.

  Moving up to her ear, I lick the outside rim. “Skylar, we need to stop,” I whisper, my hips still thrusting, my fingers pulling at the lace edge of her panties. Don’t pull. Don’t rip. Remove your hand from her panties, asshole.

  With a strength I didn’t know I possessed, I remove my hands from the lace and bring it shakily up to brush the hair away from her face. I know I’m less than convincing in my attempt to derail this situation we seem to have worked our way into.

  “I know,” she says, her eyes hooded as I bring my face back up to hers while she kisses and playfully nips at my lower lip.

  “Christ you are so damn intoxicating,” I swear under my breath as my head falls into her chest.

  She runs her fingers through my hair while we both try to catch our breath and regain some composure.

  How can she be this gentle with me after I practically mauled her in her car?

  “I don’t think I did a very good job convincing you I’m not a slut.”

  “What the fuck, Skylar!” I sit up angrily and grab my shirt off the car floor, pulling it over my head. “I don’t like it when you talk about yourself that way, even if you are joking.” I grab her chin and place a deep kiss on her lips so that she really fucking gets what I’m telling her.

  “Crap! I can’t believe I did that. I just couldn’t hold back anymore,” she says, hiding her face in her damn hands. I fucking hate that she hides from me.

  “What did I tell you about hiding your face from me, Skylar?” I refuse to pull her hands away this time. I want her to do it.

  “Sorry.” She removes her hands from her face.

  “What do you mean you couldn’t hold back anymore?” I ask, but she won’t look at me, her hands grasping the steering wheel so tight her knuckles are turning white. “Sky. What did you mean by that?”

  After a few seconds of torturous silence, she finally speaks. “There’s something here, right? Between us? I’m not-I’m not imaging this, am I? When I first saw you I felt it, and every time you touch me, it’s like something…I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong, I know I mix stuff up in my head sometimes and don’t always see things how they are. Crap I’m not explaining myself right…” She trails off, trying to describe something so simple.

  I stroke her hand and pull her fingers off the steering wheel one by one, then I bring it to my chest, placing it over my erratic heart, which is quite telling of my feelings for her at the moment because what I really want to do is place it on my cock. “You’re saying you’re attracted to me. I get it, Sky, and yeah I’m fucking attracted to you too. And before you start overthinking things in that pretty little head of yours, no I don’t just mean physically attracted.” My dick does, but I don’t. “But Sky, I work for you. I practically live with you right now.”

  “Right, I know.” She quickly pulls her hand from my chest. “I’m so stupid. I should never have kissed you. It’s like sexual harassment or assault or something. I’m so sorry. Can we just forget this happened? We can go back to—”

  I slap my palm over her mouth to shut her up for a second
because no way in hell am I going to let her ramble on and talk herself out of this, and I really fucking hate when she calls herself stupid. “Sky, calm down. Stop talking and listen. You’re misunderstanding me. Especially if you think I could just forget this happened. Now, if I take my hand off your mouth, do you think you can stay quiet long enough to let me finish talking?”

  I WENT FROM BEING humiliated to hyperventilating to essentially attacking Liam in the front seat of my car. In a public parking lot no less. All in under ten minutes. That has to be an emotional rollercoaster record for me. Quite frankly, I’m a little worried he can see how crazy I am, and I would be more concerned about it except for the fact that he has his hand over my mouth right now, physically shushing me, which is actually rather obnoxious and really annoying.

  “Nod your head if you understand me, sweetheart.”

  I wrap my hand around his wrist and pull his hand away from my face. “I understand that if you ever put your hand over my mouth to quiet me again I will bite off one of your fingers.” I smile sweetly.

  “There’s my little hellcat,” he says right before he winks at me, causing me to forget why I’m even irritated in the first place. I’m kind of starting to loathe that he has this kind of pull over me. “Now, let’s talk about what just happened.”

  I’m literally biting my tongue, making sure I don’t spew word vomit all over him again because I’m pretty sure saying, ‘you mean that whole totally mind blowing dry hump session where I almost came before you even got your pants off’ is not what he wants to talk about.