Cursed Love: Cursed Love (Cursed, #1)

by t. h. snyder

  She’s been brought into my life for a reason and now I know exactly what it is. Etty isn’t here to help me get over Jo; she’s here to help me conquer the pain from my past.

  Just as she’s here for me, I’m fighting the battle that rages in her.

  I can’t imagine what it was like being held prisoner of her own free will—the fears that she dealt with—shit, he threatened to kill her if she left him. What man…what monster would ever do that to another human being?

  If I ever see him near her, it will be the last moment of his life. I’ve sworn to be there for her, and no matter what, I’m staying by her side.

  Focusing on Etty this week has drawn my attention away from missing Jo. As much as I still want her back, it’s getting easier every day to think less about her. I’ll never forget her; there’s no way I can do that.

  At times when I’m alone and lost in thought, I do find myself wishing she was here next to me.

  I can still picture her wearing that red dress, walking through the bar and sitting down next to me. Her long, dark hair falling past her shoulders, and those bright green eyes that looked at me like I was the last man on the planet. Her soft touch and sweet tongue that kissed me like no one else ever has.

  I wish I knew where she was, what she was doing, and if she was okay. There’s been no communication between us since the night she fell asleep in my arms. It kills me not to know anything about what she’s doing. I can only hope that she’s found happiness and moved on to create a better life for herself.

  The bell on the front door of the shop makes a ringing sound and I’m snapped out of my trance. I toss my cigarette butt into the ashtray and walk inside, shutting the door behind me.

  As I walk up toward the front of the shop, I see Tommy looking through the Totally Ink magazine on the couch.

  “Hey, man,” I say, catching his attention.

  “Linc, brotha, how have you been?” he asks, setting the magazine on the table and getting up from the couch.

  “I’m good, really good. How about you?”

  He extends his hand to me and I reach for it while being pulled into him. He pats me on the back with his other arm as we begin to separate.

  “You ready to get that leg finished tonight?” I ask, starting to walk back to my room.

  “Hell yeah I am. I have a few others I’ve been thinking about, too. Just have to wait for some more cash and I’ll set up an appointment.”

  “Sounds good to me. Just be sure to call in and book a time with Etty.”

  “Etty?” he asks with a questionable smirk. “What happened to your girl Jo?”

  I sit down in my chair and look up at him, shaking my head.

  “Well, first of all, Jo wasn’t my girl. Secondly, Etty is our new go to girl here at the shop.”

  “Sweet, is she still here?” he asks, peeking his head out of my room and into the hallway.

  “Nah, man. You’re our last client for the night so I sent her and the guys home early.”

  “You’re a good boss, Linc.”

  “I try,” I say, motioning for him to lie down on the table.

  “So this Etty chick, is she hot?”

  I begin to stare a laser beam through the back of Tommy’s head. There’s no way in hell I’d let him near my Etty.

  “She’s pretty cool, Tommy, but don’t stress it. Etty is way out of your league.”

  He starts to laugh and turns his head back toward me.

  “You’re a cockblocker, man, are you already calling dibs on her?”

  “No, it’s not like that between us. She’s more like a little sister to me. Etty’s new in town, so I’m just trying to watch out for her.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, man. No guy is willing to keep a girl safe without wanting something in return.”

  “Good thing I’m not just any guy.”

  He lets out a laugh and makes himself comfortable on the table.

  I start to prep the back of his leg for his session. As I shave and clean the area I think about what Tommy just said.

  No matter how much I wonder what life would be like without Etty, there’s still no sexual attraction between us. In fact, she’s managed to fit right into the mix of my life like one of the guys, except for the fact she has tits and not a dick.

  She’s taught me a lot over the past few days, and for that I’ll be forever grateful. My nightmares have somewhat subsided, especially when she cuddles into me and falls asleep next to me on the couch.

  Without knowing it, she’s become my security blanket.

  Hell, she knows more about me than Jo ever did. In a way, the idea that I never trusted Jo enough to share my past sends an uneasy burst of anxiety through me.

  Did I really never trust Jo?

  Was I scared to find out what she’d think of me?

  Did I screw up something that could have been great because of my fears and insecurities?

  Is it possible that I fell in love with her and never knew it?

  These questions are starting to give me a headache. I need to refocus and get to work so I can get the hell out of here.

  I bring the tattoo gun to Tommy’s leg and get to work. The colors he’s decided to use for this tat are bright and vibrant. He’s a Marine and wanted something to honor his service. This is one of my best creations and I couldn’t be more proud.

  After about twenty minutes of work, I clean up the area and wrap it in clear saran wrap.

  Tommy is happy with the finished piece and leaves a huge tip.

  Right on!

  Walking him to the door, I lock up and head for my car. I’m completely spent and just want to get home and veg on the couch with Etty and a movie.

  As I get in the car, I send her a quick text and make my way down the block. After a few minutes I check my phone and see that she hasn’t responded. It’s not like her to not reply to a message, even if there’s no need to reply.

  Worry and a sick feeling sink in the pit of my stomach and I punch the gas to get home as fast as I can.

  Pulling up along the curb, I hop out of the car and run toward the house. I reach for the door, but it’s locked.

  What the fuck?

  I dig my keys back out of my pocket and stick the key into the lock. Turning the knob, I open the door and walk into the house. The lights are out and I hear movement in the living room.

  Flipping the switch, I see Etty pulling her shirt back on and Dault sitting on the couch with a smug look spread across his face.

  Stupid motherfucker!

  Chapter 19

  The ride back to the house with Daulton is left in complete silence.

  Not only do I feel completely awkward, but I know he probably had plans he had to change so he could bring me home.

  I stare out the window, watching as the town passes us by. The closer we get to the house, the more anxious I am to get out of this car.

  Being this close to Daulton sets my emotions and hormones into overdrive.

  Every time we are alone, we find a way to flirt and touch one another. Nothing more than that has happened, but my god, if he makes a move on me I know things will go all the way.

  I’m so attracted to him, and from the way he looks and talks to me, I can only assume the feelings are mutual.

  Linc has made it quite clear on many occasions that I’m off limits to Dault. I don’t know what it is about him, but I want him. If just for one night, I need to know his body.

  I’ve had multiple fantasies of my mouth and tongue running down his body.

  In my mind, the moment is intimate. He grabs me, I accept his embrace, and we passionately kiss for what feels like hours. While he nibbles on my bottom lip, I slowly pull away. I caress the stubble along his face in my hands as my tongues licks and my lips suck along his neck and collar bone.

  I can feel his cock pushing into me through his jeans and the urge to pull down his pants grows….

  “Etty! Earth to Etty.”

  I pull myself out of my day
dream and look next to me where Daulton is sitting in the car.

  “Damn, girl, where were you just now? I’ve been calling your name for like five minutes.”

  Embarrassment courses through me and I can feel my cheeks getting red.

  “Sorry, I guess I was just lost in thought.”

  He laughs at me and opens his car door. I look out the window to see that we’re already home.

  I watch as he walks up onto the curb and toward the house.

  Fucker!

  Chivalry must be dead in the land of Daulton. At least Linc would have come and opened the door for me.

  There’s a huge difference between these two guys. Although they may both look rough and tough on the outside, it’s the inside—their personalities—that make them each so unique.

  As I’ve gotten to know both of them over the past few days, it’s hard for me to understand how the hell they’ve been this close for so long.

  Linc is timid, standoff-ish, and would rather keep to himself than go out and party. He’s one of the most caring people I’ve ever met and always puts other’s needs before his own. Daulton is loud, obnoxious, and always needs to be the life of the party. He’s self-centered and could care less about anyone or anything.

  Their differences are what makes each of them so unique, yet I’m drawn to them in totally opposite ways.

  Linc is such a good friend—a brother that I wish I always had by my side.

  Daulton is the bad boy that I want to fuck for one night and move on; I just don’t know if I can.

  Coming here, I never thought my life would turn around as quickly as it has. Hooking up with a guy was definitely not on my radar until I set my eyes on Daulton.

  I get out of the car and make my way up the curb and toward the front porch.

  Daulton has already let himself in, so I open the door and head inside. Linc said he was up for a movie and some takeout so I figured I’d just hang out over here until he got home.

  I kick my heels off and take a seat on the couch while turning on the television.

  Flipping through the channels, I try to find a good movie for Linc and I to watch a little later.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Dault come into the room and stand up along the far wall.

  I feel him staring at me, but my body goes numb and I can’t bring myself to turn and look at him.

  My heart starts to race, knowing how close he is to me and that he’s watching.

  I find a movie on HBO and set the timer to change back to this channel at nine o’clock. Flipping the channel to something else, I see Dault start to walk toward this side of the room.

  He stands in front of me and takes the remote from my hand.

  Dear God!

  The smell of his cologne mixed with cigarette smoke hits my senses and my core begins to ache for him.

  He reaches his hand out to me and without a thought I grab onto it with my own.

  My body moves to stand up alongside of his and I can feel his hot breath hit my neck. He moves my hair to the side and trails his tongue from my shoulder up to the lobe of my ear.

  Goose bumps begin to form along my arms and legs while my entire body begins to tingle.

  “We shouldn’t,” he whispers in my ear.

  “Then don’t,” I reply.

  “I just want one taste, Etty. I’ve been craving you all night just knowing that we’d finally have some time alone.”

  My body responds to him before my brain can register what the hell I’m doing.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and dig my nails into his short blonde hair, pulling him in closer to me.

  His lips find mine. They’re soft and full, exactly how I imagined them to feel against me. He wastes no time licking at my bottom lip and I open my mouth to invite the kiss to go deeper.

  Our tongues tangle with one another and I can’t get enough of him.

  A moan escapes me and I can feel his face and lips form into a smile as he continues to ravish me.

  His hands begin to travel my body and grab onto my ass. He pulls me in closer to him and I can feel his rock hard cock pressing against my stomach.

  My panties instantly get wet and my core begins to ache for his touch.

  He moves his lips from my mouth to my neck—kissing, licking, and sucking at every inch of my flesh.

  My body responds to him like it never has with any other man. I want him so badly and right now he’s all mine.

  His fingers dig into my ass, and as he lifts me, I wrap my legs around his waist.

  He stops kissing my neck for a brief moment and looks me in the eyes. I’m not sure if he’s looking for my permission to continue or what. Rather than waste another second, I pull his head back toward mine.

  Our lips crash together and I instantly open my mouth, encouraging him to continue. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and I meet him head on to create a more passionate kiss.

  He moves us toward the couch and lays me down while he hovers over my body. He presses his dick down onto me and my body goes crazy with excitement and lust for his touch.

  I need to feel him and I’m dying for his skin to be closer to mine.

  Pulling at the back of his shirt, I try to reach for it to come over the top of his head. He pulls away from our frantic kiss to take his shirt off and tosses it to the floor.

  My eyes travel from his deep blue eyes to his chest. The art and ink sketched across his body is remarkable. His arms are strong and firm, covered from wrist to shoulder. Every inch is another detailed masterpiece. His chest design is incredible and I have to smile at the ‘Mom’ tattoo on his left pectoral muscle. The ink continues on down to his abs. Daulton is absolutely breathtaking, and right now he’s with me.

  His hands search for the hem of my shirt. Once he finds it, his fingers run under the material and he pulls it up and over my head.

  He leans down onto me and pulls my bra down far enough for my tits to pop out. His mouth is on me in seconds, and the feel of his tongue swirling around my nipple sends chills through my entire body.

  A groan escapes me as I rake my fingernails up and down his back.

  I buck my hips up to meet his while he grinds his cock down onto my soaking wet pussy.

  Reaching for his hand, I can barely stand the need to be closer to him. Moving his fingers from my tit, I guide him to exactly where I want his touch.

  “Tell me what you want, Etty,” he says in a deep and urgent tone.

  “You,” I reply.

  He lets out a subtle laugh.

  “I know, baby, but you have to be more specific. What do you want me to do to you?”

  “Touch me, please, Dault.”

  He runs his fingertips up my inner leg and stops shy of where I really want him to go.

  “Here?” he asks.

  I nod my head.

  “Come on, Etty, I won’t touch you ‘til you tell me where you want my hand and my fingers to roam.”

  “Fucking touch my pussy, Daulton,” I say through clenched teeth.

  His teasing is driving my body insane, and if he doesn’t dig his fingers into my swollen cunt I feel that I may explode at any minute.

  He leans back down to place a soft kiss on my lips. He moves his hands beneath my skirt and my body starts to quiver in anticipation. His fingers are grazing over my panties and he stops right along the edge of the lace.

  I let out a heavy sigh into his mouth and he groans into me before plunging two fingers inside of me.

  “Oh god, Etty, you’re so tight, so warm, so fucking wet. Do you realize how bad your body wants this, wants me?”

  He fingers my pussy hard, so hard that a tingle ignites through my veins. It’s as though I can see stars. The feeling is overwhelming and I can’t believe an orgasm is coming on so quickly.

  His mouth moves to suck on my nipple. He bites down and a surge of pleasure runs from my taut pink flesh all the way down to my core.

  My eyes roll into the back of my head and I begin to gro
an in sheer ecstasy. He lets go of my nipple with a popping sound and his lips find mine.

  His kiss stifles my cries of pleasure. I bite down on his lower lip and he drives his fingers into me while massaging my clit with his thumb.

  My body begins to quiver beneath him while my orgasm takes me to a whole new world.

  Chills course through my body, my heart picks up speed and for a few moments, and I feel numb.

  “That was fucking hot, Etty.”

  “Mmhhmmm,” I reply as I float down from my sexual high.

  “I’ve wanted to kiss you, to be with you since the day you walked into that diner. Now that I have you here, I want nothing more than to taste every last inch of you. Tonight you’re mine, Etty, all mine.”

  I nod my head and lean forward to kiss him.

  This kiss is different than the last. It’s slower, softer, and filled with hope that maybe Daulton really feels something.

  I don’t want to lose this moment with him; I want to take him to bed and let him have his way with me.

  The sound of a car door slamming pulls both of us away from the kiss.

  “Shit, Etty,” Daulton says while jumping off of me and the couch.

  He grabs my shirt from the floor and tosses it my way.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, unsure of what the hell just happened.

  “Pull your shirt on, Etty, Linc’s home.”

  “Fuck!” I shout while fumbling to pull on my shirt.

  I hear the door swing open and see Linc standing in the hallway. His face is one thing that I’ll never forget. Disappointment, anger, fear, and hurt are screaming from his expression.

  As much as this is my life and my decisions, I hate to have to see Linc feeling this way.

  Chapter 20

  Etty’s face is full of pure shock. She stands there before me in complete silence.

  I’m angry at Dault for taking advantage of her, and I’m disappointed in Etty for letting it happen. I’ve warned her that Dault isn’t right for her; he’s not good enough and will never treat her like she should be treated.

  She’s been through hell and back the past few years. The last thing she needs is another dickhead screwing her over for a quick piece of ass.