Off the Ice: A Breakaway Novel

by Dover, L. P.

  “Why’d you stop?”

  He bit his lip. “I think it’s time to heat things up a bit.”

  “Oh yeah? How so?”

  Without answering, he gripped my waist with his strong hands and lifted me off his length, turning me around. I gasped with how quick he moved me, my heart thumping wildly in my chest when he lowered his lips to my ear, biting down.

  “You’re going to want to hold onto the edge, angel. This might get a little rough.”

  Instantly, my insides tightened in anticipation, and my nipples grew more sensitive. I held onto the edge of the pool as he snaked his arms around me, pushing his rigid cock between my legs and pinching my nipples between his fingers. I squeezed my legs around him, and he used my breasts to pull me up and down his length. I could feel my orgasm beginning to build, and the moment my body clenched down, Justin changed angles and slammed his cock inside of me.

  I bit my lip to keep from crying out as he rode me hard, rubbing his thumb achingly fast across my clit. The water sloshed around us, and I was about to lose my hold on the edge of the pool, but Justin’s grip held me firmly in place. His thrusts went deeper and deeper, until it was too much to bear.

  “Fuck, angel,” Justin grunted. “I’m gonna come.”

  Hearing him say that was my undoing; it was too late to hold back. The harder he pushed, the harder I came, trembling all around him. My orgasm went on and on, getting stronger the second Justin dug his fingers into my hips and yelled out, cock pulsing as he came inside of me.

  Breathing hard and jerking with aftershocks, Justin kissed the back of my neck and rested his head against mine. “You know what would make this night even better?”

  “What?”

  “Food.”

  Laughing, I pushed my ass into him. “Perfect. You made me hungry. Then after we eat, we can go for round two.”

  Justin left for the store to grab us stuff to make dinner with while I stayed back to take a shower. When I got out, I heard him downstairs, moving around. “That was fast,” I shouted. I ran the towel through my hair and threw on a pair of shorts and the T-shirt he had on this morning before he left for court. It smelled just like him. My stomach growled so I hurried down the stairs. “Hope you got something good. I’m starving.”

  I turned the corner to the kitchen, expecting to see Justin, but was in for the shock of my life. Miranda stood there, dressed in a skintight red dress and heels, holding my license. “Hello, Meghan.”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I was right. She was a psycho.

  She held up her hands. “No need to get angry. I just stopped by to grab some of the things I left here.”

  Anger welled up in my chest. I didn’t have my phone close by to call the police. “More like broke in. There’s something seriously wrong with you. Get out before I call the police.”

  Rolling her eyes, she tossed me a key. “Technically, I didn’t break in. I won’t be needing that anymore.” Her focus landed back on my license. “Meghan Taylor. Thirty-one years old from Wyoming. You’re a long way from home, aren’t you?”

  “That’s none of your damn business.”

  She snorted. “That’s exactly what Justin said when I asked about you. I was wondering who you were.” She tapped my license. “Now I know.” Her gaze roamed up and down my body. “Not really anything to look at, are you?”

  “Obviously, it was enough to make you break in. Let me guess, you’re going to go screaming to the tabloids about how hideous Justin’s new girlfriend is.” That would be my worst nightmare. I let my anger take over, and it helped with the fear. Miranda could ultimately ruin me.

  Miranda scoffed and tossed my license on the kitchen counter. “Please. I’m not going to waste my time on you or Justin.”

  “Then why do you care? Move on.” Not that anyone would have her, now that she proved to be a crazy bitch.

  “Oh, I plan to, honey. I was just curious to see who took my place. From what I can tell, you’re a nobody. Probably a stripper he met at the bar last night.”

  “Get out,” I growled, taking a step toward her. She didn’t like that. Women like her were all bark and no bite. Unfortunately, I couldn’t physically kick her out because knowing her, she’d sue me, even if she did practically break in. I couldn’t afford it either way.

  “Men like Justin don’t stay with one woman for long. Has he told you he loves you?” Chest tight, I froze. I’d been waiting on those words, but he had yet to tell me. Her grin widened, and she laughed. “Didn’t think so. He’s happy at the beginning, but then he gets bored. Might as well get out now before he breaks your heart.”

  My blood boiled, and I slammed my hand down on the kitchen counter. She shrieked and scrambled back toward the door. “So help me God, get the hell out of here right now, or I’ll rip off your anorexic-looking arms and shove them up your ass!” She hurried out the door, and I slammed it so hard behind her that the doorframe shook.

  Hands shaking, I leaned against the door, taking short, slow breaths to calm myself down. Nothing worked. I wasn’t about to listen to anything that sea donkey had to say, but I couldn’t ignore the pang in my chest. Justin hadn’t said he loved me and vice versa. I wanted to, but it never felt like the right time. Deep down, I was afraid I’d come off too needy. With Trey, nothing was hard. We were both from Wyoming, and we loved the same things. Our relationship came so easy to us. With Justin, I had everything on the line. Everything about our relationship was difficult.

  Looking around Justin’s house, at all the fancy furniture and how enormous it was, it finally dawned on me that it wasn’t mine. It was all a fantasy, one that could easily be taken away. Hurrying up the stairs and to the bedroom, I packed my bag and sat on the bed. Was I doing the right thing? Hell if I knew, but I had to protect myself and my heart. Justin and I were going to have to say goodbye in two weeks anyway. Maybe now I could get a head start in dealing with my inevitable heartbreak.

  I called for a cab and walked down to the kitchen. There was a notepad on the counter so I grabbed a pen and scribbled a quick note.

  Dear Justin,

  I’m sorry, but I have to do this.

  Meghan

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Justin

  I was so happy, I felt like I was walking on air. Everything was perfect. The lady at the register smiled at me as I came into her line. Her name was Kathryn, and I tried to get in her line every time I went into the store. She was in her late-fifties, with red hair that she’d braid down her back. What I loved about her was that she treated me like every other customer.

  “Good afternoon, young man,” she said, scanning my groceries.

  “Good afternoon, Kathryn. Are you having a good day?”

  She winked at me. “Now I am. Haven’t seen you at all the past few weeks.”

  I pulled out my wallet and slid out my credit card. “Yeah, I’ve been out of town. I needed a vacation.”

  “I bet.” After scanning all of the food, she reached into the cart and grabbed the flowers. She smiled wider as she rang them up. “Someone special?”

  “You could say that.” I was going to lay everything on the line tonight and tell her how I felt, that I loved her. I was nervous just thinking about it, but it was time I took that step. What worried me was that she’d think I was moving too fast. I didn’t want to ruin what we had by trying to move things in a different direction.

  Kathryn placed the grocery bags of food in the cart, along with the flowers. “Good luck, Justin. Whoever she is, she’s a lucky girl.”

  I shook my head. “I’m a lucky guy.”

  I carried everything out to my car and started on my way back home. I’d been gone a lot longer than expected, but hopefully, I could smooth things over with the flowers. When I got home, I pulled into my open garage and went through the kitchen door.

  “Angel, I’m back! Sorry it took so long!” I put the groceries away and grabbed the flowers. She hadn’t answered me, which probably meant she w
as in the shower. However, when I turned the corner to the living room to head upstairs to surprise her, I stopped dead in my tracks. Sitting on my couch in a short red dress and heels was Miranda, grinning like the evil thundercunt she was. “What the fuck are you doing here?” My eyes instantly shot upstairs to my hallway, where I prayed to God Meghan didn’t come out.

  Miranda stood and waved her hand dismissively in the direction of my bedroom. “Don’t worry, Meghan’s not here. She left in a cab about ten minutes ago. I came to get the diamond earrings I left here.” She held up the earrings and batted her eyelashes innocently.

  It was as if everything came crashing down. Miranda knew who Meghan was, she broke into my house, and had most definitely said some vile things to her. Rage boiled in my veins, and I dropped the flowers, clenching my fists so hard my fingers went numb.

  “What did you say to her?” I didn’t even recognize the sound of my own voice. I was so fucking angry I couldn’t see straight.

  Miranda smiled down at the flowers and laughed. “Guess you really like this Meghan. You never got me flowers.”

  “It’s because you’re a hateful bitch that only cares about herself. Now tell me what you said to her, dammit!” I demanded through clenched teeth.

  She shrugged. “Nothing really, just that you get bored easily. I didn’t know she was going to pack up and leave with me saying that.” Pursing her lips, she shook her head disapprovingly. “Kind of a sad. Didn’t think you liked weak women.”

  “She’s not weak,” I growled. “You’re jealous that she’s everything you’re not.”

  Her laugh made my ears hurt. “Me, jealous? Yeah, right. She has nothing on me. From the second I looked at her, I could tell she was a nobody. People like you and me can’t date normal people. It never works.”

  I shook my head. “Wrong. Nothing will ever work with you because you’re a desperate whore who’d fuck anyone and everything just to get ahead.” I’d never spoken to a female like that before, and I didn’t like doing it, but it had to be done.

  Miranda’s mouth gaped, and she fumed. “I’m glad she left. You don’t deserve to be happy after what you did to me.” She stormed off toward the front door and opened it, but I slammed it shut.

  “Actually, I do.” Sliding my phone out, I called the police. “I don’t know what you said to Meghan, but I’m going to make sure you pay for everything you’ve done.”

  The police had taken Miranda away, and I’d made sure the photographers were here to watch. I didn’t feel sorry for her one bit. For good measure, I put a restraining order out on her and made sure it included Meghan as well. I didn’t want Miranda getting anywhere near her.

  For the past hour, I’d called Meghan over and over, but she didn’t answer. I left her a shit-ton of messages and still nothing. There was no trace of her at my house, other than the note she left. That wasn’t good enough. I needed to know why she left.

  Grabbing the keys to my fastest sports car, I hopped inside and sped out of my driveway. Meghan could be at the airport or on her way to the Outer Banks. I had no fucking clue which way to go. Before I could get on the interstate, I pulled over into the gas station and tried Meghan one more time. I prayed to God she answered. It rang and rang, and I was prepared to leave another message when her voice spoke on the other end.

  “Hey.” Voice raspy, I could tell she’d been crying. It sounded like she was in a car, not in the airport.

  “Meghan, I don’t know what Miranda said to you, but please come back to me. We need to work this out.”

  She sniffled and blew out a heavy breath. “No. I didn’t leave because of what of Miranda said. I’m not that stupid to believe anything that came out of her mouth. Although, I did want to punch the shit out of her.”

  That did nothing to help the ache in my chest. “I don’t understand. Why’d you leave?”

  “Someone was going to have to, Justin. Miranda breaking into your house like it was normal made me realize that your world is completely messed up. I’ve never had to deal with psychotic exes and people getting away with breaking and entering just because they have money.”

  “She didn’t get away with anything, Meghan. The police came and took her away. I got a restraining order out on her.”

  She gasped, and it was the first time I heard a small level of excitement in her tone. “Good. Maybe now she won’t feel so invincible.”

  “Does that mean you’ll come back?” I asked, hoping and praying she said yes.

  “I miss my daughter, Justin. This fairytale we’ve lived in the past few weeks is just that, a fairytale. I have responsibilities that are waiting for me. One way or another, this had to end. It’s best we end it now before—”

  “Before what?” I said, interrupting her. “Before it’s too late? Sorry, angel, but that’s not how this works.”

  “I’m not the kind of person you’re used to, Justin. Models and socialites understand the kind of life you live. I don’t. Normal for me is waking up in flannel pajamas with my little girl right beside me and going to work to teach my fifth-graders.”

  “And you think that’s something I don’t want? Why do you think I’ve been with you all this time?”

  She sighed. “I don’t know. I was hoping that maybe you …”

  “That I what? Loved you?” The line went silent, and my heart stopped. I wanted to say it a thousand times to her, but I didn’t know if she was ready to hear it. I refused to wait any longer.

  “Doesn’t matter,” she whispered, “there’s nothing we can do about it. Your life is there, and mine is in Wyoming with my daughter. It would never work.”

  “Yes, it will. We can make it work. I—”

  I was about to tell her I loved her, but she cut me off. “No, don’t. It’s over, Justin. We have to let each other go.” She let out a sad, ragged breath. “I’m sorry.” And that was it. She hung up, and I sat there, holding the phone to my ear. I didn’t get the chance to tell her I loved her, but I’ll be damned if I’d let it end like that.

  Tossing my phone in the seat, I sped out of the gas station and over to Callie’s house. Dallas was outside cutting the grass when I pulled in. He hopped off the riding mower and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his shirt. “Dude, you look like shit. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Meghan. She left, and I don’t know what to do.”

  He shook his head. “What’d you do?”

  I closed my eyes. “It’s what I didn’t do, I think. Plus, Miranda broke in and said some evil shit to her. Now she’s gone, and I want her back.”

  Patting my shoulder, he nodded toward the house. “Callie’s in there watching TV. She’ll know exactly what you should do.”

  I hurried inside and found her asleep on the couch, a bowl of grapes resting on her large stomach. Ever so gently, I sat down on the other end and tickled her foot. She jerked awake, and the grapes went flying in the air.

  “Oh, my God,” she shrieked. She grabbed her chest with one hand and slapped me on the arm with the other. “You scared the crap out of me.” My smile faded, and her brows furrowed. “What’s wrong? Where’s Meghan?”

  With a heavy sigh, I leaned back against the couch. “She left. Miranda broke in and said some things to her, and she bailed. Left me a note saying she was sorry.”

  “What?” she growled, her face turning bright red. “If I wasn’t pregnant, I’d beat the snot out of her.”

  “Snot? Really?”

  She rubbed a hand soothingly over her stomach. “I have to watch my language around the baby. I don’t want her coming out and saying bad words.” She waved impatiently for me to continue. “Now tell me everything.”

  I shrugged. “I’m pretty sure she’s driving to the Outer Banks to be with her family. She told me about her responsibilities and how it would never work between us. I tried to tell her it would and that I loved her, but she hung up. Every time I call now it goes straight to voicemail.” Gaze narrowed, she studied me, and I held up my arms. “What?�
��

  “How do you know it would work between you two?”

  “Because I know. I love her, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

  She shook her head. “She’s going to kill me for saying this, but has she even told you her biggest fear?”

  That took me aback. “What do you mean?” I asked.

  Reaching over, she grabbed my hands. “While you and the guys were working on the grill, Meghan was with us in the back room. She said something to us that really got me thinking. I don’t think you know.”

  I squeezed her hands and let go. “What’d she say?”

  Her gaze landed on her stomach, and she smiled. “Being a mother changes you, Justin. You have a little person that depends on you for everything. Meghan’s situation is harder because she’s a single mother, whereas I have Dallas. If you want a future with Meghan, you have no choice but to take on a father role for Ellie. That means you have to be in her life.”

  I nodded. “Exactly. I’ve heard her and Meghan talking, and she’s funny and sweet, just like Meghan. I’d give anything to meet her.”

  “Have you told Meghan that?”

  “No,” I said, averting my attention to the floor. “I was afraid it’d scare her off.”

  “That’s where you need to figure things out. If you want to be a part of Meghan’s life, you need to show her that you’re not scared. She’s afraid that if your relationship fails, it won’t just break her heart but Ellie’s as well. That’s why she was prepared for you guys to go your separate ways.” She brushed a hand down my arm, and I met her gaze. “She just wants to protect her daughter, even if she has to sacrifice the love of her life. Believe me, I’d be the same way.”

  “Then tell me … what would you want the love of your life to do if this was your situation.”

  Her lips pulled back in a sad smile. “In your heart, you already know. You’re a good man, Justin. And you have a kind heart, even if you have made some horrible decisions in your life. This is a choice you have to make on your own. As much as you love Meghan, I don’t think you’ll go wrong.”