Reverb

by S. M. West

  Suddenly, his mouth is on mine. The air shifts around us—something wild and exhilarating is loose, causing goosebumps to erupt on my arms.

  He sucks deeply on my tongue and emits a low, growling noise in the back of his throat. An electric pulse shoots down between my thighs.

  His lips move from mine, planting open-mouthed kisses down the column of my neck. Lifting his head, he looks at me, and my fingers curl into his hair, trying to get him to come back. I groan at the loss of his hot mouth.

  “Eva.” He stares at me like he needs me more than his next heartbeat.

  Then his lips are back on my flesh, in the hollow of my throat, and his fingers slide my dress strap off my shoulder, exposing my breast.

  Cool air hits my nipple, and he draws my tight bud into the heat of his mouth. A quiver rushes through me as I gasp for breath and my core clenches.

  “You like that, Eva?” His swollen lips glisten, and his hooded eyes are molten as he pulls away.

  I’m writhing in my seat, my sex a throbbing pulse, and I ache, needing him. He flashes me his lopsided grin and hauls me into his lap. I yelp, hiking up my dress to straddle him and clinging to his broad shoulders.

  “Fuuckkk, Eva.” One of his hands weave through my hair and the other grips my hip, rocking me back and forth over his growing erection.

  “Jared.” My chest rubs against his, and I lean in to nip at his earlobe.

  The sound of someone entering the room causes him to wrap his arms around me.

  “Oh, Mr. Grange. I’m s-s-sorry,” stutters Olga, the chef. “I was checking to see if you were done with breakfast or needed anything else.”

  He nuzzles my neck, groaning before peering over my shoulder through my hair at her. “It’s all right. We’re good. Thank you.”

  The sound of shuffling leads me to believe she is leaving, but I stay put, against Jared, whispering in his ear. “Is she gone?”

  “It’s cool, she’s gone.” He stands, still holding me to him, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “I say we take this upstairs and I promise to feed you after.”

  “Yes.” My lips press into the spicy flesh of his neck, and his abs tighten, creating more friction for my core. “Hurry, I want you inside me now.”

  Carrying me, he strides through the house to our bedroom where he sits on the bed with me straddling him once more. Broad, muscled, and all mine.

  “I’m fucking grateful for this second chance. I’d be a fool to think otherwise.” His fingers brush back my hair and then trail a path down to my collar bone. The naked look in his eyes is intense and filled with love. “I was angry as fuck for what we lost, and I kinda still am. As irrational as it may sound, I want our time back.”

  “Jared.” My fingertips sweep over the edges of his lower lip, and his tongue darts out to lick them.

  “Hey, listen.” His fingers dig into my hips. “What you said about leaving the past behind us where it belongs—I’m going to do that. I’m working on it because I’ve got all I’ll ever need right here.”

  Firmly holding me, his hot lips cover mine and I gasp, clutching his shoulders and whimpering into his mouth. His tongue tangles with mine, and every stroke is spine-tingling, awakening my body.

  “I’m going to spend every second of my life making up for what we lost. I love you, Eva. You’re my future.”

  “And you’re mine too. I love you.”

  Dipping his gaze, his fingers trace a nipple through the thin fabric, and my skin tightens just as his body does when I touch him. He groans, sliding the dress off me.

  When his mouth wraps around my nipple, I arch and release a needy whimper, reaching my hand into the waistband of his pants.

  I wrap my fingers around him and rub up and down his hot, lengthening shaft. He groans, increasing the sucking at my breast and then slowly kissing up to my neck.

  He nibbles at the hollow at the base of my throat and then stiffens, sucking, open mouthed on my flesh, as if trying not to completely lose it. My fingers increase their tempo on his pulsing erection.

  “That feels so fucking good,” he murmurs into my flesh, his teeth digging gently into my neck while his hands grab my breasts.

  I push down his pants to about mid-thigh, lifting my body off him to do so, and then I quickly discard my underwear. We’re completely naked, and Jared’s dark, hooded eyes are on fire. He wants me as much as I do him.

  Mouth smashing onto mine, large hand firmly gripping the back of my neck, his kiss is feral, demanding. His tongue thrusts into my mouth, stroking mine, and I sense he’s on the brink of losing all control.

  “Eva, I need you now.”

  Hand between my thighs, he inches them apart, opening me to him. His thumb finds my bundle of nerves, circling while pushing a finger inside my throbbing pussy.

  A whimper explodes from my throat, and I arch my back, one hand now behind me, resting on the top of his solid thigh, and the other clinging to his shoulder. It doesn’t take long. My orgasm ambushes me, ripping through me at lightning speed. I spasm around his finger, gasping and muscles tensing, sex quivering.

  Jared coaxes every ounce of pleasure out of me. “Beautiful. So fucking beautiful.”

  With a quick kiss, he removes his hand and positions his erection at my opening, teasing his tip inside me.

  “Fuck,” he releases through gritted teeth, looking almost pained. “Condom.”

  “It’s okay, I’m on the pill.”

  “I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone in nearly a year.”

  “What?” I still, eyes widening.

  He chuckles, teasing his crown through my slick folds as if to get me to focus, and I moan. “Eva, baby, when I told you I’m clean, I meant it in every sense of the word.”

  My control snaps, my love and desire for this man ballooning inside of me, and I grasp his cock in my hand, pushing onto my knees and sliding down his shaft inch by glorious inch.

  He fills me, stretches me, and a guttural moan rips from Jared’s open mouth as he clutches my hips with both hands.

  “Fuck, Eva. You were made for me. So perfect.”

  Driving himself into me, his hips thrust upward, and my breasts bounce with every swivel of my hips as I chase another orgasm.

  “Touch me.” The words are panting gasps.

  His hand slides between my legs, and an electrifying pull swells, firing through my body where his fingers touch my clit. He teases, strokes, first fast and then slow where I desperately need the friction, anything to ease the throbbing in my core.

  “Jared,” I moan quietly, tingles to all my nerve endings starting to build once more.

  “Eva, so sexy,” he hisses.

  Shockwaves sweep through my body as I come, so long and so hard, feeling as though I may burst out of my skin.

  His eyes burn into mine, not missing a beat, still stroking into me, his cock hard and hot inside me.

  “We’re just getting started, baby.” His fingers flick my clit and waves shoot through my body.

  “Oh, my God.” I buck, unable to stop even though I am oversensitive, ready to detonate at the slight touch.

  As if sensing it won’t take much to push me over the edge again, Jared’s thumb presses on my clit in a circular motion while he thrusts and spills into me.

  “Oh, fuck!” he shouts at the same time my own climax rushes over me.

  I collapse into his hard, slick chest, and he peppers my fevered flesh with kisses and whispered words of love.

  Epilogue

  Anything for you

  Six months later

  JARED

  “Do I have you forever?” My low rumble causes her to shiver.

  “Always.”

  Eyes closed, she smiles, wiggling her ass into my groin, and I groan, nipping at her neck. She’s tucked in my arms on a blanket, and I’m wrapped around her small body. Spooning.

  The roar of the surf is background music to our afternoon slumber. Quickly becoming a habit.

  We sold my house, or a
s Eva likes to call it, the monstrosity, and bought a beach house in Malibu.

  She loved how Silas and Pansy are only steps from the ocean and wanted the same. The house came with a private beach—even better.

  Rolling onto her back, she squints and lifts her hand to her forehead, shielding her eyes from the glare. “Why do you ask?”

  “Our story wasn’t easy, not a fairy tale.” I croon, stopping to kiss her forehead. “A love like ours thrives even when it shouldn’t. Even when darkness and drought plot its demise. Worth every tear, every opposition, every demon.”

  She pushes, sitting up and crossing her legs, and I go with her. “No matter the battle. I’ll slay all the dragons. Fight all the wars. Anything for you.”

  “You finished it.” The awe in her tone is hard to miss.

  Nodding, I kiss her once more. “Yeah, it just came to me.”

  I’ve been working on my current album and “All the Wars” is my final song for my career as a singer. My first solo album launched with much success a couple of months ago, and a few songs are rocketing the charts, but my future isn’t on stage.

  That life is no longer for me. I’m thinking about working with other artists and helping them write songs and launch their careers.

  Music will always be my love. How could it not? Eva is my favorite song.

  “Sing it to me. All of it.” She’s glowing now, cupping my face.

  “I don’t know.” I squint, glancing out at the ocean. “I might need to make you work for it.”

  “Work for it?” She quirks a brow and purses her lips, now more alert.

  “Yeah.”

  “And what did you have in mind?”

  “I don’t know. Like maybe you spoil me for the rest of the day.”

  It’s an ongoing joke between us. Since downsizing, she insisted on no house staff. I protested, but truth be told, we don’t need the help. Our home is much smaller than what I lived in, and I only ever had staff because I didn’t want to live alone.

  So we do almost everything, cooking and cleaning, and I mock grumble about it, always trying to get her to do things.

  “I’ve got a better idea.” She springs to her feet, lifting her arms over her head.

  My throat instantly dries at the sight of her long hair falling down her back as her pert tits rise and fall with her slow, steady breathing.

  Fingers twitch to touch the sliver of bronze skin peeking out from where the hem of her T-shirt has ridden up. Her long, slender legs flex and tighten, and she stretches one side of her body and then the other. Fucking fantastic.

  “Do you want to hear my idea?” She straightens, cocking her hip and jutting out her chest. She knows exactly what she’s doing to me, and her naughty laugh and wicked grin say it all.

  “Eva, don’t start something you have no intention of finishing.”

  “Who said I had no intentions?” She turns, sprinting from the blanket down the beach, and peers over her shoulder to yell, “Catch me and I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  “Why you—” I jump to my feet, taking off after her, laughing.

  She’s fucking beautiful. Long waves of dark hair flying behind her, and visions of a younger Eva flash through my mind. The first time I ever laid eyes on her, running down the street on that hot summer day. She was something then and still is now.

  Her ass, tight and luscious, bounces as she runs, and I’m yanked back to the here and now. It’s as if her body, every move or smell or touch, is directly tied to my dick. I harden and swell and I can’t think straight. Never can around this woman.

  “Jesus, Eva,” I grit out, picking up my pace.

  I will catch her. I always do. And I will keep her close forever.

  Epilogue 2

  The choice is yours

  DAISY

  “No…” I dance from side to side, searching for an escape but struggling to find one. “Don’t you dare.”

  Jared and Eva unknowingly block the path to the right of me, and Henry, my son, sits on the sand to my left, building a castle, or maybe it’s a mud pie.

  “What’s it going to be, Daze? I toss you in like that?” Gray’s cornflower blue eyes flick down the length of my body in a white sundress, and my core clenches.

  The way he’s looking at me with a hunger and heat in his eyes, it’s as if the dress is already wet and my bra and panties are on full display. If I get wet, the thin material won’t hide a thing.

  Nudity never bothered me, especially since modeling used to be my livelihood. I’m accustomed to stripping in front of others, but this is different. We’re on the beach with kids and families around.

  Why did I taunt Gray the way I did? Maybe because I like his attention on me. And now I’ve gone and done it.

  I’m dressed for a client meeting and put more effort than usual into my appearance. I even curled my hair. And now, my best friend is threatening to throw me into the ocean all because I called him a pussy, in jest and under my breath.

  I asked for it.

  I should have known better.

  “Or get your swimsuit on and then I toss you in,” he teases in that playful manner I love so much. “It doesn’t make a difference to me. You’re going in, one way or the other. The choice is yours.”

  “Yeah, right, like I have a choice.” A light breeze wafts over us and goosebumps pop along my bare arms. “Go suck an egg, Grayson Bennett!”

  I twirl around, dodging Jared and Eva and charging for Pansy’s house. A small gasp comes from somewhere close by and I don’t sense Gray on my heels as I’d anticipated.

  I stop and glance behind me, preparing to charge forward if Gray is faking me out. His broad shoulders shake while he bends at the waist, one arm hugging his stomach. He’s full-on snorting and laughing.

  “Daze. Really? That’s the best you’ve got?” His big smile causes tiny laugh lines to crinkle around his eyes.

  “Yeah.” I shrug and fully face him.

  Since becoming a mom, I try not to swear, coming up with more creative phrases, even if they’re sometimes lame, like this one.

  “Mommy, why’d you say that to Gaga?” Henry stares up at me, and I swear he’s disappointed in me.

  He adores Gray, as do I, and to him, I’ve insulted the best man he knows. My best friend.

  Gray wipes at his eyes, still grinning, and crouches down to Henry’s level. “It’s okay, little man. Mommy and I were playing around.”

  My best friend always has my back, even when I don’t deserve it. I give him a grateful smile before looking to my son.

  “Henry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Satisfied with my apology, he toddles back to his sandy creation, and before I can comprehend what’s happening, Gray wraps his muscular arms around my legs.

  He hoists me into the air, slinging my body over his shoulders, and starts jogging with me in his arms. I let out a distressed shriek, slapping at his firm, gorgeous ass as he runs toward the foamy waves.

  “Put me down! Gray, stop!”

  “Nope. Not going to happen.” He slaps me on the backside and dives into the surf.

  My opened mouth fills with salty water and I float, weightless, as a mixture of pure joy and the fire to seek revenge, even in fun, swirl within me.

  Always close, Gray’s at my side, wading through the water and making sure I’m okay. A niggling voice springs to life in my head, asking questions I have no right wondering about.

  What would it be like to grab Gray and kiss him? Press my lips to his and taste him? What would it be like to be with Gray…really be with him?

  Like a bucket of water, putting out a small, gathering fire, I extinguish my desire.

  It isn’t a good idea.

  We’re only friends.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading REVERB! To continue with the guys from Trojan, read Gray’s story in Smash!

  * * *

  Smash - verb: violently breaking into pieces.

  * * *

&nbs
p; One date with the wrong man is all it takes to open my eyes.

  * * *

  I’m in love with Grayson Bennett.

  My best friend.

  My confidant.

  My protector.

  The man who treats my son like his own.

  * * *

  Friendship is no longer enough.

  I want more.

  * * *

  More of him.

  More of us.

  More of…everything.

  * * *

  And Gray wants the same.

  He calls me his everything.

  My son and I are his future.

  For one brief moment in time, things are perfect.

  Until a visit from my ex turns my world into a nightmare.

  * * *

  Drowning in countless questions with no answers, I struggle with the truth of my past.

  Demons threaten to not only destroy me, but also to decimate my forever with Gray.

  * * *

  People always say love is the strongest force on the planet.

  But this time, I’m not sure if even love is enough to defeat the darkness.

  * * *

  ONE CLICK SMASH!

  * * *

  To find out when I have new books, sign up for my newsletter.

  * * *

  If you loved REVERB and the Trojan series, you’ll love the forbidden best friend’s younger sister romance in the Love Lock Duet. Start reading Love Block!

  * * *

  And if you’re looking for something steamy and sexy, you’ll fall in love with Real Liars!