Jersey Girl (Sticks & Hearts #1)

by Rhonda James

  "Shit, man. I don't know anymore. Most of the time it seems like things are great, but lately I've been getting this weird vibe from her."

  "What kind of vibe?" I ask, eager to shift the focus away from my guilt-laden sex life.

  "Like I'm not giving her enough," he answers flatly.

  "Wow, that's... That's rough dude." I hold it together for all of five seconds before I'm doubled over in laughter.

  "No, that's not what I'm implying. Asshole. I've got plenty to offer her in that department. I'm talking about marriage. She wants us to get married, have kids and all that shit," he states, giving me a frustrated scowl.

  "I take it that's not on your radar?"

  "Yeah, in five years. Maybe. But I'm heading to the pros next summer. I guess I expected to be going there alone. The way she sees it, we should be looking at apartments together." He drops his head, looking defeated.

  I'm the last person to give advice on relationships, but this is my best friend and his future may be in jeopardy. "What'd you expect, Scott? You've been together for two years. For a woman, that's practically a lifetime. I hate to say I told you so, but I did. I warned you this would happen when you started spending every waking moment with her. Give a woman that kind of power over you and the next thing you know they're moving in and picking out china patterns, and you're left wondering where the fuck your life went."

  "Christ, that bitch really did a number on you," he says quietly.

  "Yeah, I guess she did."

  I don't like to think about all the shit that went down between Vanessa and I, but every so often it happens and I'm reminded why I've avoided falling in love. I'd rather stick to random sex. Over the years, there've been a few girls I've gone back to for a repeat hook-up. Cassie is one of those girls. When I'm with her, I forget about all the other shit that fills my head and we just have fun. Today's been a shit-filled day, and I really need to lose myself in someone. Thanksgiving break is this week, which means everyone I know will be heading home, while I sit in an empty apartment, watching football and eating a frozen turkey dinner. This may be our last opportunity to meet up before she boards a train to Chicago. I'm not sure why, but tonight, that bothers me.

  Me: U awake?

  Her: Umm hmm. And u interrupted me.

  This peaks my curiosity a little bit.

  Me: What r u doing?

  Her: Thinking of u. Touching myself...

  Now I'm curious and hard.

  Me: The bus pulls in around midnight. U alone?

  Her: Roni's here, but she's a heavy sleeper.

  Me: R u DTF?

  Her: My fingers are soaked. Does that answer your question?

  Fuck if that's not a sexy image to have stuck in my head. I adjust my junk and look out the window to gage how close we are to campus.

  Me: I want to be the one who makes you come.

  Her: Then get your ass over here.

  "Can you catch a ride with Davis?" I check with Rivers as we're getting off the bus. "I've got someplace I need to be."

  "No problem, buddy. Have a good time." He winks and gives me a slap on the back before leaving to find Davis.

  I shoot a quick text to let her know I'm at her door, and she answers immediately and pulls me in for a sloppy, wet kiss. She's dressed for bed, and I slip my calloused hands under her shirt just to feel her. I'm dying to get her naked and on the bed, but she's pressed up against me, fucking my mouth with her tongue. My dick is so hard it's already cresting the band of my sweatpants. I walk her to the bed, where she lies back and stretches out an arm to draw me to her. The mattress dips when I rest one knee beside her and lower my face to hers.

  "Hi," she greets in a breathy whisper that shoots straight to my crotchal region, "what took you so long?" My arm extends behind my head to remove my shirt while Cassie slides my sweatpants down my thighs. This position puts her at eye level with my dick, and when her tongue sneaks out to moisten her lips, it jerks in response. Forming a circle with her fingers, she lowers her hand down the entire length of my shaft then tightens her grip and reverses the motion. I blow out a shuddery groan as she runs the flat of her thumb in a small circle and coats the tip in precum. Taking pity on my throbbing shaft, she opens her mouth, and I watch through half-lidded eyes as the crown disappears between her soft lips. I cup the back of her head in my hand, loving the sleepy look her eyes get whenever she goes down on me, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to take over and jam my dick against the back of her throat. When her warm tongue slices through my slit, I have to clamp my ass cheeks to keep from blowing my load.

  "Slow down, baby." She releases me with a pop and stares up with those sleepy eyes. I jerk my head in the direction of her roommate's sleeping form. "You sure she's out cold?"

  "Positive," she drawls and lifts her top to reveal two beautiful nipples that beckon my mouth. "Now get down here and fuck me already," she commands, and my ass clenches again.

  Climbing under the blankets, I cover her body with mine and capture her mouth in a kiss. "Since when are you so bossy in bed?" I chuckle, sucking her lower lip between my teeth before resuming the kiss.

  "Since you interrupted my private party with promises of making me come." She gives my lip a playful nip and whimpers. "I'm dying here."

  "Oh, that's right. Why don't you show me where you left off?" I rasp, drawing a nipple into my mouth as she guides my hand to the heated flesh between her legs. Christ, she wasn't kidding. She's soaking wet. I circle her opening with my thumb then trace up her slit, slowly spreading her arousal over the swollen bud. I ease a finger inside and give my hand a few lazy strokes. When she moans, I bring my lips to her ear and whisper, "Is this where you left off?"

  She squirms beneath me with parted lips and eyes half-closed. "Almost," she coos, and I add a second finger inside and tease my thumb over her clit. The breathy sound she releases makes me horny as fuck, and I respond by pumping my hand faster. I drag my thumb over her opening to get it nice and wet then work the tiny bud into a frenzy. Her pussy grinds against my hand while I lavish her tits with soft, open-mouthed kisses that leave her a whimpering mess.

  "How about now? Is this about where you were?" I murmur around her pebbled nipple.

  "So close," she answers breathlessly. When I slip a third finger deep inside, she lifts her hips and frantically bucks against my hand before releasing a shuddery moan. "Yesss."

  "Jesus, baby. You're fucking killing me." I throw her leg over my shoulder and bury my face between her legs. With the first swipe of my tongue, her knees come together in an attempt to stop me. But that's only because she's sensitive from the orgasm I've just given her. Flattening my tongue, I start at her opening and lick my way through her lips with slow, repeated strokes before focusing on her clit. When I do this, her legs splay open and her knees press into the mattress as she rocks against my face.

  "Does that feel good?" I hum against her swollen flesh. I already know the answer. I just love hearing her response.

  "Yes," she rasps and grabs the back of my head, "it feels sooo fucking good. Almost too good."

  "You want me to stop?" I chuckle as she rocks her hips, bringing her mound back to my lips.

  "Don't. You. Dare." Her words are choppy as she lets go and rewards me with her release.

  I love performing oral sex on a woman. The first time we fucked, she told me how her ex was all take and no give. Me? I'm a giver. That's not to say I don't love a great blowjob. I most certainly do. Hell, I challenge you to find any guy over the age of fifteen who'd turn down a BJ. But I digress... Back to her pussy. First of all, she waxes, which is a good thing. A great thing, really. But she's not bare. She's has them leave the thinnest strip of hair, and it's incredibly sexy when I'm inside her and look down to where we're joined and see that little strip. Something about that turns me on, big time. Then, there's her scent. The best way to describe it would be a salty, musky, citrusy combination. I don't know what she does to make it that way, but it's like the sweete
st fragrance. I could lick her pussy every damn day and you wouldn't hear a single complaint out of me.

  Once she's sated, I crawl up her body, leaving a trail of kisses every few inches. Her arms circle my neck as my cock settles in the cradle of her thighs. I stare down at where she's lying beneath me. She's wearing her satisfied sex face. Her lips are full and her eyelids are droopy. I love that I'm responsible for giving her that look.

  "Are you happy?" I kiss her tentatively on the lips.

  "Mmmm hmmm. So happy." She kisses me back, swirling her tongue with mine. I'm certain she can taste herself on me, and knowing that is a big turn on. "Now it's time for you to be happy," she smiles seductively and starts to shimmy down the bed, but I reach out and stop her. "Is something wrong?"

  I shake my head and bring her back to the pillow. "Nothing's wrong. I've just had a shitty day, and watching you come made it so much better. Now I just want to forget, and the only way I'm gonna do that is by losing myself inside you. Right now, that's all I need. Is that okay?"

  "Of course it's okay. Come here." Her mouth parts, and she extends her tongue to meet mine. Our tongues wrestle outside our mouths until we crash together in a sloppy, sexy kiss. The tip of my cock nudges her entrance, and it's so warm and wet, my vision goes white and everything stops. Including me. I hover over her, bracing my weight on my forearms.

  "Fuck," I hiss through clenched teeth.

  "What is it?" She starts to sit up, and the change in position presses me further inside. When her inner walls tighten around my shaft, my eyes roll all the way back in my head.

  "My wallet's in the truck." I reluctantly ease out and kneel between her legs with my head down. I'm ready to haul my ass down three flights of stairs and across two city blocks, naked, just to grab my stash of condoms. I've never had unprotected sex. Ever. And there are reasons for that. STDs are an obvious one. But also because Vanessa pulled some shit that scarred me for life.

  "It's okay, B. I'm on birth control. I get the shot and everything. I trust you," she angles her head and brushes her lips over my neck.

  "I don't know, baby. It's still pretty risky. I've never had sex without a condom." I'm trying to remain strong, but it's hard when her soft tongue teases over my skin. "We need to be careful. I don't need another reason for Scott to—"

  Her hand on my cock shuts me up when the pads of her fingers delicately stroke the underside of my shaft. With every pull of her hand my tip brushes against the hot, pebbled bud, making her purr in my ear.

  "I haven't done this before either. But we'll be careful. I need to feel you inside me with nothing between us. Just once. I'll make you feel better." Her lips form a seal over my neck, licking and sucking. Bruising to the point of pleasured pain. "You can finish in my mouth if that makes the decision easier."

  I hang my head, torn between what I need and what I probably should do. Of course, my needs are going to end up winning this one.

  They always do.

  "Go ahead, baby. Lose yourself in me," she plants her feet firmly on the mattress and spreads her legs for me. I line myself up with her opening and hiss as I watch the head slowly disappear. I continue watching as her tight pussy swallows every last inch until our bodies become one, and tell myself I never want to use a condom with her again.

  "Fuck." I fall forward, bracing my weight on my forearms as I fight to get my breathing under control. It's not entirely easy, because being bare inside her feels A-Ma-Zing. "You feel... so good," I can barely choke out the words. I reverse my hips then rock forward, gliding easily within her slick walls.

  "I love the way you feel too," she stretches her hand to where we're joined, and when her fingers brush the base of my shaft, I snap my hips and drive deeper. The soft, keening noise she makes tells me she wants more.

  Our lips brush together as our rhythm increases. With each rotation of my hips she rises to meet me. At one point, I drop to my elbow, knee digging into the mattress for leverage, as our bodies slap together and I lose myself completely. My balls draw tight against my body, signaling I'm close. Our mouths meet in a sloppy kiss that deepens as she comes and her pussy contracts around my cock. It feels so incredible, I almost forget I'm not wearing a condom. I quickly pull out and damn near growl when Cassie's lips envelop me just in time for hot ribbons of my release to meet the back of her throat.

  My bones feel as if they've turned to jelly, and I collapse beside her on the narrow mattress. It's a good thing she's so tiny or else my ass would hang off the edge of her damn bed. I wrap my arms around her and rest my lips on her temple as we both recover. No sexual encounter has even come close to comparing to what we just shared, and I'm already calculating when we'll be able to meet up again. Except for our breathing, the room is completely quiet. Until her roommate rolls over and interrupts the silence.

  "So, I guess the rumors are true. Christ, Brantley. If only you'd held out another minute I would've come too. Now, if you two are finished with your fuckfest, some of us would like to get some sleep," she announces before turning to face the wall.

  "I thought you said she was a heavy sleeper," I whisper through muffled laughter.

  "I may have stretched the truth, just a little," she giggles, and doesn't stop until I shut her up the only way I know how.

  With my tongue...

  ***

  We must have fallen asleep after her roommate's confession, and at some point I rolled over and the pain in my back made it impossible to fall back asleep on her narrow bed. I stagger through the door sometime after four in the morning. The room is dark except for the sliver of moonlight that shines through the blinds. I drop my keys in the glass dish we keep by the door and head to the kitchen for a glass of water.

  "Late night," says a gruff voice in the dark.

  "Jesus, Davis!" I flip the light switch and find him sitting at the kitchen table. "You scared the crap out of me." I reach for a glass and turn on the tap. "How long have you been sitting there?"

  "Not long." He drums his fingers over the polished wood. "How long has it been going on?"

  "What are you talking about?" I ask warily.

  "Come on, Brantley. You really need me to spell it out?" He gives me a look that tells me he already knows, so there's no sense trying to come up with another lie. I glance nervously over my shoulder and back to him. "He's not here," he says flatly, already knowing my question. I pull out a chair and sit down across from him.

  "Who told you?"

  "No one. I figured it out for myself. Actually, it wasn't all that hard. I've noticed the change in your behavior. The way you look at her when she's around. You also go out of your way to avoid Rivers. You two were always thick as thieves. I guess it all added up to tell me you're fucking Cassie." He shrugs and leans back in his chair. I'm quiet as I try and gage his level of anger. His voice is calm, and he doesn't appear to be pissed I've gone against my best friend's wishes.

  "I never intended for it to happen. And it hasn't been going on long, just since the night of her recital. Either way, I know I fucked up."

  "Why do you say that?" His eyes narrow. "Do you like her?"

  "Of course I like her."

  "Do you care about her?"

  "Hell, yes. I'd do anything for her," I answer defensively.

  "Then I fail to see where you fucked up. So you went against the code. Big fucking deal. If Rivers finds out, he'll probably kick your ass, but he'll get over it and forgive you. But if you're just screwing around with her and she gets her heart broken, I'll be the one to kick your sorry ass. Cassie's my friend and I care about her. I don't want to see her get hurt," he pushes away from the table and stands.

  "I don't want to hurt her either," I admit.

  "Then don't," he replies and leaves the room.

  "Davis, wait," I call after him, "are you going to say anything to him?"

  "No," he says quietly, "I think I'll leave that to you."

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CASSIE

  The train to Chicago l
eaves in two hours, but I can't bring myself to leave without saying goodbye to Brantley. We've both been really busy this week, so we've only had time to talk on the phone. I remember him saying his plane leaves at two, which means I have just enough time to surprise him before he heads to the airport.

  He answers the door dressed in a pair of sweatpants and nothing else. They hang low on his hips, and for a moment I'm distracted by the view.

  "Hey." He smiles stiffly as he grips the top of the door with his right hand. "I figured you'd be at the train station by now."

  "I thought you'd be leaving for the airport by now. I wanted to come over and say goodbye," I answer sweetly, then step inside and greet him with a heated kiss.

  "Whoa." He licks his lips after we pull apart, "I like the way you say goodbye."

  I look around the apartment and quickly assess there's something he isn't telling me. "You want to tell me what's going on?"

  He scratches the back of his head and gives his shoulder a partial shrug. "My plans sort of changed."

  It's only then I realize he may not be alone, and I take a step back toward the door. It hadn't dawned on me he may be sleeping with other girls. I'd foolishly assumed that while we were in the FWB stage, we would be exclusive. It was an easy assumption on my part. It's not as if I have many guys beating down my door. But he is #2 on that stupid conquest list. He has hundreds of girls waiting in line.

  I need to get out of here.

  "Cassie?" He eyes me suspiciously. "Are you okay?" He reaches out and removes my hand from the doorknob. "Where're you going? You just got here."

  "It's just... I thought... I thought maybe you had another girl here," I stammer and chew the side of my cheek.

  "Why the hell would you think that?" He gives a snort of derision before pulling me into his arms. "Go check for yourself. There's no one else here. It's only me, the television, and a freezer full of food. Oh, and now there's you." He grips my face in his hands and claims my mouth. His tongue makes lazy circles over mine and with every stroke his fingers weave through my hair to draw us closer. I can feel his arousal pressing against my stomach and I'm not surprised. He's always in the mood.