I’m so excited to be on our way, I’m pretty much bouncing down the hallway ahead of him while he locks his office door. I’m out by Candy’s desk when he calls out for me.
“Wait up babe.” I stop and wait for him with a smile on my face. It may be more of a gloating, in your face bitch grin, but either way I’m happy. He grabs my hand and pulls me along with him but not before I notice Candy’s death glare.
“Have a nice weekend Candy,” I say as we get on the elevator. Once the doors close, I decide to ask him about something that I’ve always wondered.
“Have you and Candy ever slept together?” Cory looks shocked by my question.
“Hell no.”
“Really?”
“Hailey, I promise you I’ve never touched her. I know you have this whole vision of me as some horrible manwhore, but I really wasn’t. I never get my honey where I get my money.” I giggle at his reply.
“So am I the exception then? We work together and you really want my honey.” He barks out a laugh as I giggle. He leans in close and whispers in my ear.
“Oh babe, you have no idea how bad I want your honey.” His words come out with a husky tone to them. When I look up at him, he waggles his eyebrows at me, making me giggle again.
***
Cory has been driving us on the highway for about an hour now. I love to watch his strong, capable hands gripping the steering wheel. They are sexy and his large muscular forearms drive me crazy. I love when he rolls his sleeves up on his dress shirts and I can see the muscles ripple when he moves. He looks over at me and flashes me a grin when he notices me checking him out. He takes his right hand off the wheel and places it on my bare knee, sending sparks of desire to my core. I place my hand on top of his as I let my head fall back against the headrest. I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth of his hand under mine.
Cory wakes me when we arrive and I’m so excited to be here. I’m even glad that I’ll be seeing my mom. I haven’t seen her in a few months, not since Easter dinner. It will great to spend some time with my dad too. Even though I’m working for his firm, we hardly ever see each other. He’s so busy with his caseload and meetings that we haven’t even had a chance to go to lunch together yet.
***
By the time we got settled in and had dinner, it was after seven o’clock and I hadn’t even had a chance to get to the beach yet. After I had helped my mom clean up the dinner dishes and put the leftovers away, Cory grabbed my hand and started leading me towards the door.
“Come on babe, you haven’t even been on the beach yet. Let’s take a walk.” I squeeze his hand and excitedly, skip along beside him. We take our shoes off and leave them on the same big boulder we always do, before stepping into the sand. I wiggle my toes in it for a few seconds and savor the softness as it flows between my toes. I breathe in the scent of the salty air as I always do.
“God, I’ve missed being here. Can we stay for the rest of the summer and not go back to work?”
“We can stay till Monday and we can come back every weekend for the rest of the summer if you want to, babe. I will drive you here every Friday night and back home again on Sunday nights.” I lean my head on his arm.
“That’s so sweet of you Cory. I may take you up on that offer.” That would be one way to spend more time with him outside of the office.
He holds my hand as we slowly wander down the shoreline. There’s a cool ocean breeze tonight and it’s a nice respite from the heat of the city. Walking along the beach like this with Cory, gives me a glimpse of what it would be like if we were a couple. He’s taking his time and matching his larger stride to my smaller one. He keeps picking up shells to see if I want them. We’ve been walking for about ten minutes when we come upon the lifeguard shack where we had our passionate moment all those years ago. I try to avoid looking at it, but it really doesn’t matter if I look or not. It’s permanently tattooed on my brain. Cory slows his pace before stopping completely.
“Hailey, I know that you’re thinking about it too, babe. I don’t regret what happened here because it brought us to where we are now.” He caresses my cheek with his fingers before continuing. “I’m a better man today than I was then and you’re a grown woman. I want you to take this weekend to think about what our lives would be like as a couple. I won’t pressure you and I will try to keep my touches PG rated until we go home Sunday night. After that babe, all bets are off. I don’t think I can hold back any longer. I’m planning to take you out on dates and spoil you. Do you need to be wooed babe? I’ll woo you like you’ve never been wooed before.” I can’t help the giggle that slips out. He’s so freaking adorable. I wrap my arms around his waist, snuggling against his chest and inhaling the musky smell of his cologne. His scent is both familiar and sexy. It comforts me and turns me on at the same time, just like Cory himself.
***
Today is the third of July and even though I’m missing Marcus, I’m excited to watch the fireworks with Cory. I talked to Marcus last night when I went to bed. We had a nice chat and I feel like our conversation was the best one we’ve had since he moved. Usually, one of us has something going on or we’re too tired to stay on the phone. He told me he really likes working for his dad’s firm and that makes me happy. If he has to be out there for a long time, at least he can enjoy it. He also mentioned one of the receptionists asked him out for drinks. Her name is Josie and I guess in California the girls aren’t afraid to make the first move. I know I’m old-fashioned in some ways, but I think it’s the guys place to ask me out. Marcus said he turned her down, but I’m sure that won’t be the end of it. Some girls are relentless and when they hear no, it makes them go after the guy even more.
Having some distance from Marcus has helped to give me some new perspective about our friendship. I have realized that he and I are meant to be the best of friends and that is all that we should be. I have allowed myself to use him as a crutch for the past year, to keep myself from dating other people. It’s not that I don’t love him, I do. But not in the all-encompassing way that you should love the person you want to spend every moment with, for the rest of your life. After this weekend, I have to find the gentlest of ways to tell him all of this. The last thing I want to do is break his heart, but if I’m not honest with him, I’ll only hurt him more.
***
Jake and Shelby arrived here this morning, together. He gave her a ride since he only lives like five minutes from her. It didn’t make sense for her to drive when he was coming here anyway. There’s something going on between those two and I’m not sure what it is, but sooner or later I will find out. For now, I will let them work through it on their own and not stick my nose in like Shelby would, if the situation were reversed.
The four of us spent the day on the beach relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. I was so happy I got some surfing in once the tide headed back out. It felt great to be back on my board again. I even got Cory to take a few runs on it. He’s a decent surfer, although he doesn’t do it a whole lot.
After we’d had enough of the beach, we all went back to the house to shower and have an early dinner. Dad grilled steak tips and chicken and I made a salad to go along with it. My mom bought some potato salad and baked beans, so we had plenty to eat. When we were done eating Jake and Cory packed a cooler with beers and margaritas for us to take down on the beach. I grabbed my favorite blanket for Cory and me to share and I found one for Shelby and Jake too.
We were back on the beach early enough that we got to spread the blankets out in my favorite spot. We set the cooler between them and Cory grabs a beer for himself and a margarita for me. We sit in companionable silence waiting for the fireworks to start. I was lost in my thoughts a bit, missing Marcus and feeling worried about our impending conversation. The third of July has always been a day we’ve spent together so I do miss his company. Cory must sense my sadness because he puts his arm around me, pulling me closer to his side and kissing the top of my head. We stay like that, snuggled together,
watching the fireworks show, until it’s over. I’ve put away three margaritas while being cuddled up against him. Shelby will be so proud I’ve exceeded my two drink minimum. The group of people next to us have music playing and no one seems in a rush to leave the beach. Cory stands up and holds his hand out to me. I take his hand and he pulls me up and into his arms.
“I guess I should have asked you first before I pulled you up here. May I have this dance?”
“Of course you can.” We sway to the slow song, wrapped in each other’s arms. My head is resting on his chest and I never want this moment to end. We stay like that, barely moving until a song with a fast beat comes on. Cory pulls away and starts waving his arms around and dancing all crazy. He looks so ridiculous I can’t stop laughing. I’m bent over clutching my stomach laughing like a loon over his dorky behavior. He finally stops dancing when I think my stomach can’t take any more laughing. He picks me up by my waist and swings me around a few times making me shriek with laughter. When he sets me down, I’m a little dizzy. I clutch his arms until I regain my balance.
“I fucking love to make you laugh. I may make it my life’s mission to make you belly laugh every single day.” He swipes his index finger down my nose and then he kisses me on my cheek, close to my mouth. “I’m having such a great time with you, babe. Thanks for spending the day with me.”
“Cory, I’m having a great time with you too and I’m so happy you’re here.”
The four of us spent the next couple of hours sitting on our blankets and enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. I’m definitely picking up on some sort of vibe between Jake and Shelby. I mentioned it to her earlier in the night and she told me I was crazy and that they’re just friends. I know her too well and I don’t believe it for a minute.
Since coming down to the beach a few hours ago, I have finished six margaritas and I’m feeling pretty damn good from them. When we finally decide to head back to the house, my legs feel unsteady and I have a case of the giggles. Hey, at least I’m a happy drunk. Cory shakes the sand out my blanket and neatly folds it up before handing it off to Shelby. He squats down in front of me.
“Get on babe, I think you need a ride.” I clumsily jump onto him and he firmly holds the back of my thighs pressing me against him. I loop my arms around his neck and he starts to make his way through the slippery sand with me leaning my chin on his shoulder. He’s moving at a pretty quick pace now so I kiss his neck, just below his ear.
“Hailey, behave.” He admonishes me. I’m feeling naughty from the alcohol, though, so I don’t listen. I lick his neck and nibble on his earlobe as we make our way to my front door. He stops on the side of my house and removes me from his back, pressing me against the outside wall of our garage.
“Babe, you need to stop. I’m trying to behave here. I promised I’d keep it innocent this weekend, but I can’t do that if you are going to provoke me.” I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down towards my mouth.
“I just need to taste your lips, Cory. Just one little taste.” Cory lets out a groan as if he’s in pain and drops his head down closer to mine, stopping a few inches above me.
“Then taste me, babe.” I rise up on my tip toes and brush his lips with a feather light kiss. He freezes in place and lets me continue. I take his bottom lip between mine and suck it into my mouth before biting it.
“Mmm, you taste delicious,” I tell him. His hands suddenly grip my hair and he tugs my head back till I’m looking up at him.
“You need to stop now baby, I’m so close to ripping your shorts down and plunging my cock inside you,” He tells me through gritted teeth.
“Are you gonna behave now?” I nod my head and he releases his grip on me. He steps back away from me, running his hands up and down his face.” I think it’s time for you to get some sleep babe.”
“Will you tuck me in?”
“If you promise to behave yourself I will.” He takes my hand, pulling me towards the door. He pauses before he opens it. “I need you to go to bed without trying anything funny, okay?”
“Okay.” I smile up at him. ‘Can I have one more kiss?” I ask pouting. God, if I were sober right now, I would really hate myself.
“Yes, but I’m kissing you and you need to keep your hands to yourself.” He leans down and brushes his lips against mine for the briefest moment. “That’s all you get for now. Come Sunday night we can talk and decide if you want more. You need to be completely sober for that discussion, though.”
He opens my front door and pulls me inside. Before I even realize it, I’m whisked up the stairs and into my room. I pull my shirt up over my head as I make my way to the bureau to grab a shirt to sleep in. I pull the tee over my head and remove my bra once it’s on. I take my shorts off and go use the bathroom before I can climb into my bed.
“Will you come cuddle with me?” I ask sleepily. “I promise I’ll behave. I just wanna see what it’s like to sleep in your arms.” He removes his shorts, leaving on his shirt and boxer briefs and then climbs in beside me. He turns to his side and pulls my back to his chest. His arm is wrapped around my waist and I feel like I’m encapsulated in a safe and blissful warmth.
“Good night Cory,” I mumble.
“Sweet dreams babe.”
The warmth of the early morning sun on my face and the heat of a firm, male form pressed along my back are the first things I notice as I slowly stir from a deep and satisfying sleep. It takes me a moment to fully grasp where I am and who I’m in bed with. His warm lips nuzzle the back of my neck and move over to nibble on the bottom of my ear. I smile to myself, I’d recognize those lips anywhere. I arch my back, rubbing against him like a cat purring for attention.
“This is the best morning I’ve ever had,” he whispers in my ear. I’m overcome with emotion and my throat tightens as I try to speak. He needs to hear that I feel the same. As I roll onto my back and look up at his handsome face, I am once again overwhelmed by the happiness I see reflected in his eyes. He opens his mouth and I place my finger over his lips, interrupting him with a gentle kiss from my fingertip. It takes me a moment to regain my voice.
“Let me say something first.” He’s always the one who puts himself out there and for once I want him to know what I’m feeling. “I’ve had so much fun with you the past couple of days and spending so much time together has been really eye-opening for me.” I pause to gather my thoughts and he looks anxious about what I might say next. “You and I have picked up our friendship again, with no issues at all. It’s like we were never apart and it’s better than ever. His expression is so serious; I reach up to smooth the frown lines between his brows. “As much as I enjoy being your friend, that’s not what I want. I love this, waking up in your arms. I can’t think of a better way to begin my day. I want to be with you, kiss you, make love with you and wake up with you always.” The words have barely escaped my lips before he has me wrapped in his arms.
“Babe, you just made me so happy. You’re not going to regret this. I’m going to show you every day how much you mean to me.” His eyes are glassy with tears as he leans down to kiss me. I let him brush his lips against mine before I push him away.
“Babe?” He cocks an eyebrow, waiting for me to explain why I won’t kiss him.
“I don’t want to start anything physical with you until I have a chance to talk to Marcus. I need to let him know that you and I are together and that he and I will go back to being friends only. It feels disrespectful to him, and us, if I don’t handle this properly. I don’t want there to be any questions in his mind or anyone else’s that our relationship began after I ended things with him.”
“I know we’ve never talked about how you feel about him, but I am curious about it. Do you love him?” He asks with worry in his eyes.
“I do love him.” He looks crestfallen as I say those words. “Cory, I love him like a best friend. Yes, we slept together and enjoyed each other’s company but spending time with you every day for the past m
onth and even just the past two days alone, has opened my eyes. I now realize, I feel so much more for you.” He flashes me a smile, pulling me against his chest. He caresses my hair and squeezes me close.
“I’m so happy Hailey. This is the first day of us as a couple. Oh my, God, we’re an “us” now.” His smile radiates with happiness and he’s so adorable it makes my heart feel as though it can’t possibly contain all the feelings I have for him.
Chapter Forty-One
July 2015 - Marcus
I’m sitting at a bar somewhere in L.A., knocking shots back to numb my pain. Today is the sixth of July. It’s difficult for me to believe it’s only been three days since my heart was ripped clear out of my chest. It feels like so much more time has passed than that. I place my elbows on the bar top and rest my head in my hands as I think back over the events that transpired over the past few days.
I used my bonus money from my landscaping job to buy a roundtrip ticket so I could be with Hailey for the fireworks on the third. My flight was late leaving so by the time I arrived at the beach the fireworks had already begun. I made my way through the crowd, to our spot and found Hailey sitting there with Cory wrapped around her. I kept my distance and decided I would observe their behavior and see what was going on. I wish I hadn’t, I wish I had just walked straight over to her and pulled her away from him. Instead, I stayed back and watched first hand, how happy she is with him. She was laughing at Cory while he was dancing foolishly and she looked at him with an expression I’ve never seen before. An expression I’ve never seen her look at me with. I would gladly spend my whole life trying to make her happy just to see her look at me in that exact same way, but I know she never will. I’ve been fooling myself all this time. It’s always been him. Even when he was out of the picture, he was still there...in her thoughts and memories. I can’t compete with how she feels about him and she won’t want to hurt my feelings by telling me. That is if she will admit to herself that she’s in love with him. I know what needs to be done. She can’t know I’ve been there and that I saw them together. I’m going to take advantage of the distance between us and tell her I’m staying in California permanently. Then she’ll be free to move on to her happily ever after with Cory.
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