All the Wrong Choices

by C. A. Harms

  The panic I'd felt moments ago slowly leaves me as I try to slow my racing heart.

  That's when she turns around and freezes, her eyes slowly scanning over me, before she covers her mouth to hide her giggle.

  Following her gaze, it hits me I'd been in such a hurry to find her that I'd foregone getting dressed.

  "You forget something?"

  Smirking, I start toward her stark naked, not caring the slightest, and pause at her side. Reaching past her, I turn off the stove and move the pan off the burner. "Not something, someone," I state before hooking her waist and lifting her to the countertop before stepping in between her now parted thighs. "But I found her," kissing her jaw; she arches her neck to give me full access. "I may have panicked when I woke up, and you weren't there," I confess, smiling against the base of her neck.

  "I was making breakfast."

  "I know," I push up the sweatshirt to find she’s wearing nothing beneath. Growing hard, I run my thumb over the crease of her leg, and when I make contact with her clit, her back arches. "But I want you first, then food."

  Stepping in closer, I grip my hardness and find no resistance when I push forward to enter her slowly. She places her hands on my shoulders, and her fingernails dig in deeply as I thrust forward.

  "Better every time," I growl. Made for me, I swear Dani is perfect. "You are so incredible," no words can describe what she does to me; believe me, I've tried to find them.

  The sound of my doorbell ringing makes me instinctively cover her up and look back over my shoulder. It's not like anyone can see us where we are, but just the thought that we’re in my kitchen, with me buried deep inside of her, and someone is standing at my door just around the corner is unnerving.

  When she buries her face to my chest and starts laughing, I glance back at her. "Expecting company?" I ask.

  "Not me; this is your house." True, but something about her statement bothers me.

  "It could be yours too," the words are already out of my mouth before I have time to think about them. I mean them, but the timing probably isn't the best choice.

  "We should," she tries to move away, and I grip her hips and hold her tightly to me. "Jonah."

  "No," no way is she getting away from me. "I don't care who it is. I'm where I want to be, with the only person I want to be with." I push my hips forward, and her lips part as she once again moans at the feeling of me sliding inside her body. Covering her mouth once more, I start to grind against her. The sound of the doorbell fades amid our panting.

  Gripping her hips tight, I pull her closer to the edge of the countertop. I speed up my movements and focus on holding her upright as she grows closer to release. Sex in the kitchen is my idea of a perfect morning. I meant what I said. I want her here, not just now but every morning. It's a topic I'll be revisiting, but for now, I'll focus on convincing her she wants this too.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Danielle

  "Maybe stopping by isn't the best idea," I pause outside of Jonah's office and step off to the side. "He's busy, and I can always just text him."

  "Hello," Addison rolls her eyes. "Why shouldn't you stop by unannounced? As if he's going to care. Besides, you can't just text him if you need to know now."

  Addison, of course, doesn't wait for a second longer. She pulls open the door and walks inside like she owns the place. I have no choice but to follow her.

  As we enter, I glance around his office and find the decor clean and simple. Primarily throughout the entire space is black and white with touches of gray. But there are a few splashes of reds and yellows that honestly pull it all together quite nicely. A few people sit around in the waiting area, and they look up as we step inside and the door closes behind us.

  The woman behind the half-moon desk looks up and offers a kind smile. She is older, maybe my parent's age, with much kinder eyes than theirs. "Good morning ladies, what can I do for you today?" I'm about to tell her I will leave a message for Jonah, but of course, my pushy friend jumps right in, not giving me the chance to say much of anything.

  "My name is Addison, and this is Dani, or Danielle," I notice the way she immediately looks at me and ignores Addison. "We were hoping to get a second to talk to Jonah, or should I say, Dr. Brooks."

  "You're Danielle," the woman ignores the question; she stands walking around the counter.

  "Dani?" I swivel quickly to find Jonah stepping out into the waiting area while a younger boy walks past him toward a woman waiting in a chair a few feet away. Jonah closes the distance between us and rests his hand on the small of my back.

  He leans over and presses a kiss to my temple.

  "Addi," he nods in her direction before tugging me along toward the hallway. "I need a few minutes with my girl." He doesn't wait for a reply before practically forcing me into an office at the end of the hall. Instantly my back is pressed to the door, and Jonah's body is firmly pushing up against mine. "Hi," he smiles before kissing me softly, "I like this surprise."

  "Yeah?" Circling my arms around his neck, I tug his lips back to mine.

  He cups my ass beneath my dress and growls. "You think you can be quiet?"

  Shoving him against his chest, he laughs before squeezing my ass once more and then steps back. "A guy can try. But you know what seeing you in a dress does to me."

  He walks back to his desk and adjusts himself, which makes me laugh. I take a step toward him, and he reaches out to take my hands in his before sitting down on the edge of his desk. I'm more his level now. "What are you ladies out doing today?"

  "Tony is meeting Addison and I for lunch," I widen my eyes because Tony and I still haven't really had too much time together since Jonah and I had our fallout well over a month ago. His feelings toward me are still unpredictable. I honestly think if he could choose anyone for his best friend, it wouldn't be me.

  "When?"

  "In about forty-five minutes, it was a last-minute thing."

  By now, he's released one hand, and with his free one, he is casually running it over the outer part of my thigh. I'm not even sure he comprehends he's doing it. I, of course, can't control my body's reaction to it. I can feel my nipples hardening, and when he looks down and smirks, I know he understands what he's doing.

  "Am I invited?"

  "Yes," using my thumb, I wipe off the lipstick he has smeared on his lip.

  "Leave it," he smacks my hands away playfully, which makes me laugh. "Keeps the ladies away."

  "Oh, the ladies, huh?"

  He nips at my finger and stands, being sure to kiss me once more on the way up. "I have two more patients before I can sneak away. Can you wait for me, and I'll drive?"

  "I can tell Addison we'll meet them at the restaurant."

  "Perfect," He spins me around and pulls me toward the door. "Did you meet Betty?"

  "Betty?"

  "Yes, my receptionist," he's already dragging me down the hallway with a smile on his face. He's happy, and that, in turn, makes me happy. We've already had so much stress on our relationship, and seeing him playful and smiling, it's how I want him to be always.

  "I was in the process of meeting her when you interrupted us."

  He stops walking and turns around, taking a few steps backward, and I walk toward him. "I needed a few minutes alone with you." It is the only explanation he has to offer and to be honest, it's good enough for me.

  I wait for Jonah to finish up with his patients, sitting behind the counter where he strategically placed me. Betty has some fun stories to share with me since she's known him long before she started working for him. It's fun to get the chance to hear about the boy before the man. She talks of Avery, his sister, and how fiercely protective she is of her brother. That alone gives me a rush of nervous energy because I assume if she knows of our past, she'll be another person who will believe I'm not good enough for her brother.

  When he walks his last patient out and comes around the counter to gather me up, he doesn't shy away from leaning over me and kiss
ing the corner of my mouth. "You ready, baby?"

  I feel my cheeks heat when it hits me, Betty is only a few feet away from us. "You were right, Jonah; she is sweet and beautiful," Betty pats my arm. "When are you going to introduce her to your mother and Avery?" My chest tightens at the idea. "They'll love her."

  "Soon," he assures her, linking his fingers through mine. "I want her all to myself a little longer before they dig in. You know how monopolizing my mom can be. I'm not ready to share her yet." Holding onto me from behind, he rocks from side to side and nuzzles my neck.

  The sound of the door opening gains all of our attention, and the brunette who walks in wearing a pale yellow pair of scrubs looks around with purpose. She pauses in the doorway crossing her arms over her chest, and arches her brow. Immediately it hits me that this gorgeous creature has to be Avery. That can't be mistaken. She resembles her big brother and his mannerisms to a T.

  "So this is the reason you didn't answer your door this morning?"

  He chuckles, and I attempt to step away, but he holds on to me tighter. "This is Danielle."

  His sister comes closer, leaning over the counter and offering me a smile. "Nice to finally meet you, Danielle. This big goof has been hiding you from us. I think he's afraid we'll run you off."

  I could feel intimidated by her, feel as though I need to act a certain way or maintain a shy vulnerability to her forwardness. That is what I would do before, being introduced by Matthew to anyone in his circle. But this is Jonah, and if she's anything like him, which I presume she is, well, then being myself is who I decide to be. "Not a chance," I reach back with confidence and place my palms on the side of his legs. "I sorta love this goof," I notice the pleased surprise in his sister's eyes.

  "Love you too," He whispers near my ear before biting the side of my neck. Wiggling against him, he bites more aggressively, which makes me laugh. All while his sister happily observes our exchange.

  "What brought you by before eight in the morning anyway?" Finally releasing me, he walks toward his sister and leans on the opposite side of the countertop.

  "Oh nothing," she places her elbows on the counter opposite him and wiggles her hands in some weird way before laying them flat in the open space between them. "Just thought I'd tell you the news before mom or dad do, and then you'll be all mad you are the last to know."

  "What news?"

  Again she lifts her hand, and the light from above reflects off her ring, and before I can compliment her on how pretty it is, Jonah practically pulls her over the tall desk when he grabs her hand. "Holy shit."

  "Mouth boy," Betty warns him, but neither of them seems to be paying her any attention.

  "Tucker finally found the courage and decided to do right by my little sister. Hot damn!" He hurries around the tall desk and grabs her up in a big bear hug, her feet dangling as he spins her in a circle. She laughs, throwing her head back in the process. She's beautiful, and even her smile reminds me of her brothers.

  It is adorable to watch him with her.

  "Dinner," she says as he finally lowers her to the floor, "you and Danielle, me and Tucker. Sometime very soon?"

  I'm already nodding my head before he has the chance to ask. When he looks back to ask me and finds I've already agreed, his smile grows wider. "Just let us know when."

  We all remain where we are, watching his sister practically skip out the door happily, and a part of me wishes more than anything I had a relationship with my sister, even half as unique as Avery and Jonah's.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Jonah

  Leaning back in the booth, I place one arm over the bench seat and toy with the ends of Dani's hair, which tickle my hand. I’ve eaten far too much. Dani's been quiet, and I'm not sure why, but know I'll be asking her as soon as I get her alone.

  "Saw Heather this morning at the coffee shop," looking away from the side of Dani, I narrow my eyes at Tony and wonder why in the fuck he'd even choose to mention that to me. "She asked about you."

  I immediately notice how Addison pokes him hard in the side, and she looks about as happy about the chosen topic as I feel.

  "What?" He shrugs. "You two talk. You're friends, right?"

  I can feel Dani's eyes burning holes in the side of my head.

  "Your point?" I'd punch him if we weren't sitting in a restaurant with an audience.

  "Nothing, just thought I'd let ya know she asked about you," he picks up a piece of sweet roll off his plate and tosses it into his mouth. I notice the way he glances in Dani's direction and then back to me. My friend still has some unresolved resentment for my girl, it seems. "I told her she should reach out and ask you herself." Again he looks out of the corner of his eye.

  "Excuse me," Dani starts to slide out of the booth, and I place my hand on her thigh.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Bathroom," she whispers and then continues. I don't argue, though I'm more than sure she doesn't have to relieve herself, she's simply trying to get away.

  Immediately both Addison and I turn on Tony. With a slap to his shoulder and an angry look, Addison is out of the booth in a huff. Tossing her napkin down, she glares at Tony. "Prick," Addi whispers harshly before storming off. She doesn't even look back.

  "What the hell," he asked but gets no answer. I have half a mind to punch him between his eyes.

  Tony looks at me, his forehead scrunching up as if he is confused. "What, you too?" He asks, and again the urge to break his fucking nose hits me.

  "What the fuck was the point of that?"

  "I was just letting you know."

  A few times in our friendship, I've wanted to drop him before he knew what hit him, this is one of those times. "Stop running her through your fucking line of tests. You have a choice here. You can stop being a dick and accept what's happened between Dani and I is our fucking business and move on." It would be his best choice. "Or you can stay the hell away. She's in my life, and she's who I choose."

  "Why?" He doesn't back down, leaning forward, his elbows rest on the table as he holds my stare.

  "I'm in love with her," he arches one brow. "I've never in my life met a woman who makes me feel the things Danielle does. Yes, we hit a fucking wall, but that's between us. That always has and will always be our fucking story, our obstacle. She's it for me, and I think you know that. This shit ends now. You have a problem with her. I suggest you figure out a way to let the problem go, or I mean it, Tony, stay away."

  I climb out of the booth, leaving him staring after me. He has some shit to sort out on his own. I don't care either way. Dani comes first, and I'm not about to sit back while he makes her feel out of place.

  Best friend or not, next time, I'm cracking his jaw.

  I sit in the hot tub, watching Dani approach carrying a beer for me and a glass of wine for her. She's started to put back on a few pounds she'd lost, and the light in her ocean blue eyes has returned. Seeing her walk toward me wearing that same blue bikini she wore at Tony's party makes me instantly hard. Thoughts of pressing her to the side of his house, moving in behind her, and damn. I push down on my growing erection, trying to adjust myself without her noticing.

  "Thanks," I reach out, taking both the beer and wine glass from her, setting them on the side of the hot tub. "Let me help you."

  With one arm outstretched, she starts up the stairs and climbs into the hot, steaming water. "Mm," she moans, and again it goes straight to my cock. Honestly, she doesn't have to do much of anything for me to react to her. "This feels nice," she closes her eyes and I take the opportunity to pull her to me, her front pressing to mine.

  “You, feel better," her eyes meet mine, and I press a kiss to her lips. "Have I told you today how beautiful you are?"

  "I think at least twice," she confesses, her mouth tipping up into a smile.

  "I'm slacking," kissing her once more, I slip my tongue between her lips, and she moans. I love kissing her, love feeling her in my arms. Cupping her ass, I lower us to the water, and insta
ntly she straddles my lap. "I can't seem to get enough of you."

  "I don't want you to." Pushing her hips forward, she grinds against me.

  Lost in our kiss, I slide my hand around her back and over her ass. Following the trail, I trace over the barrier of her bikini bottoms and slip my finger beyond the material. I lightly graze over her center, the incredible feeling of how slick my finger glides ever so slowly.

  "I want you to move in," her eyes fly open, and she pulls back, sitting upright on my lap. "I know what it's like to have you here now, and I don't want to go back. I love having you here, and it feels better coming home to you."

  "We just," she pauses, her eyes roaming over my face as she bites her lip.

  "I know," we've just gotten back together is what she is thinking. "But that doesn't change the fact I love you, and I'm happier when I'm with you. Why wait? What will change? I know what I want, and that's us; it's not going to change if I wait another three months, six months, or even a year."

  She worries her lips. "Tell me what's going on in your head, Dani. Why the hesitation?"

  "While we were apart, you tried to find someone to help you get over me." I don't hold back, gripping her hips harder to ensure she remains where she is. Because I'm not letting her move away, if she wants to talk about this, I'm going to make her look at me when we do. "The two of you seemed like you had fun together."

  This topic makes me more pissed off at Tony for even bringing up Heather in the first place. He planted a seed of doubt.

  "When I saw you two together at the restaurant, you looked cute together."

  "Cute?" Was she serious?

  "Yeah," she averts her gaze, and I wait for her to settle so she can look back at me. "I think Tony would prefer you'd stayed with her."

  "And it's not up to Tony or anyone else for that matter." One step forward, three steps back, that's what it feels like with Dani and I. "I did date her, and yes, we kissed, but you already know because I told you." When she tries to look away, I lift my hand and hold her face, so she has no other choice but to see me. "Do you know who I thought about every single time I was with her?" Her nostrils flare. "You," she closes her eyes. "Look at me," when she does, I continue. "You want to talk about this, then we will. I kissed her, I could have slept with her many times, but I chose not to. I couldn't do it, because all I could see was you. You were there, Dani, in my fucking head every minute of every day. I spent our time apart trying to forget you and hating you because you'd made me love you, and then you left me."