Happily Ever After Collection

by Melanie Moreland

  We turned the corner into the produce section, and I had to stifle a groan. She ate way too many vegetables—never mind the fruit. She was constantly filling my plate with them, and damn it, I ate them because she asked me to with those soft eyes and sweet voice. I was so whipped.

  I sighed and grabbed a bag. I didn’t even ask before I went over to the apples and started filling it up. They were always on the list—along with bananas, grapes, and, whenever she could get it, watermelon. Jenny loved watermelon. She said I picked good ones, so I was in charge of choosing one. I liked impressing her with my melon-tapping skills to find the perfect one. Normally, I made a great show of picking them for her; I loved making her laugh. But tonight, I just wanted to finish the damn shopping and go home. I wanted her. Alone. It wasn’t melons I wanted to tap.

  Well, maybe her melons.

  Plus, I had some sugar sprinkling to do.

  My hands were full as I turned and stopped dead. Jenny was across the aisle, her stance rigid, her expression appalled, and in front of her—John. I could tell from her body language she wasn’t scared, but she wasn’t happy to see him. I hurried over, stopping when I reached her side. He was talking, gesturing, telling her his sob story. He barely glanced my way as I dropped the bags in the cart and wrapped my arm around her waist in silent support. John was so busy blabbering, he didn’t even notice the gesture.

  “It’s been awful, babe. It’s as though my luck has changed. Nothing has been right since you walked out on me.”

  Babe? Walked out on him? He was fucking someone else when she walked in. What the hell?

  Beside me, Jenny stiffened, and I tightened my arm, wondering if I was going to have to shut him up soon. I wasn’t going to let him upset her.

  Jenny stepped forward, my arm slipping off her waist. She reached out her hand, and I grabbed it with mine, holding it firmly.

  “I didn’t walk out, John. You threw me out. Forcefully.”

  He looked at our entwined hands and blinked, not even acknowledging her remark. Then he carried on as though nothing had happened.

  “It started with some weird shit with my car. It got towed that day—towed, J, if you can believe it. I mean, who would tow a fine piece of machinery like that?”

  I had to swallow my snort. He glanced at me, frowning, before he turned his attention back to Jenny.

  “It hasn’t been right since. I’ve spent thousands on it, J. It’s as if there is a curse on it. It smells. I can’t even describe it, like something died in it. It’s been cleaned, detailed, and steamed… Nothing has worked. I think I need to replace the engine.” He looked at her in all seriousness. “You know how much I love that car.”

  I choked back a laugh. It wasn’t the engine that needed replacing. He needed to look behind a speaker or under the glove box—for starters.

  Was he seriously talking to Jenny about his stupid car? The one he prized more highly than her? And why the fuck was he calling her “J”? Did he not know her name? Was Jenny too hard to say? I eyed the watermelon in the cart. I had an idea where I wanted to put it right now. He was certainly a big enough asshole to handle it. A small chuckle broke through my lips before I could stop it.

  He looked at me, his expression curious. “Do I know you?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  He frowned and looked back at Jenny, who was gazing at him impassively. “Tami quit and dumped me.”

  Jenny’s voice was dry. “What a shame.”

  “Did she buy you a watch?” I mumbled.

  Jenny giggled, her hand tightening on mine. I squeezed back.

  John looked at me, confused. “No.”

  I shrugged. “Too bad. A good source tells me that’s the latest craze.”

  “Are you sure I don’t know you?”

  “Nope. Never formally met you.”

  He glared at me and returned his gaze to Jenny. “I think I’ve been cursed.”

  “Oh?”

  “It never ends, J. I’ve gotten tickets for parking, speeding, littering, talking on my cell phone in the car—it’s as if the cops are watching me all the time. Every time I do something remotely illegal, they’re there. Just the other day, three of us stepped off the curb too soon, and I was the only one nabbed and given a ticket for jaywalking!”

  It was all I could do not to laugh out loud at his morose expression. He made it all too easy. I could feel myself shake with repressed laughter, and I bit down on my lip so I didn’t start guffawing.

  Jenny’s head snapped in my direction.

  Oh shit. I was so busted.

  I moved and wrapped my arm around her tightly. I needed to make sure she couldn’t use her legs.

  I knew how dangerous she was with her legs.

  Jenny

  As soon as John started listing off his problems, I knew. Beside me, Connor was almost vibrating in silent laughter. He was in so much shit.

  “J!”

  I looked back at John. “What?”

  “Did you hear me?”

  “I’m sorry you’re having a rough time, John. But it has nothing to do with me.”

  Inside, I was fuming. It had everything to do with my current boyfriend, who had moved in closer, holding me tight against his side.

  “I think you need to give me another chance.”

  I gaped at John as Connor stood taller and pulled me even closer.

  “Excuse me?” he hissed.

  John frowned at Connor. “Wait. I do know you. You’re the neighbor guy. I saw you in the hall a couple times.” He glanced down at the cart. “Shopping together?”

  “I’m not the neighbor guy, John. I’m the boyfriend guy. Jenny’s boyfriend. We’re shopping together because we are together,” Connor snapped in response.

  John looked between us. “You have another boyfriend already? It didn’t take long for you to move on.”

  I laughed. “That’s rich coming from someone I found fucking his assistant. I’d say you moved on first.”

  “Well, it’s not as if you’d been offering it up much, babe. I had needs, Jenny. You no longer met them.”

  “So, it was my fault?”

  “Well, yeah. I’m willing to take you back, though. Give you a chance to make it up to me.” He lifted his hand as if he expected me to grab on to it like a lifeline. Did he seriously not see Connor right there beside me? Or hear what he had just said? Could he not see how securely I was nestled into his body? I pulled back, not wanting John to touch me.

  Before I could say or do anything else, I found myself tucked behind Connor. The cart was pushed out of the way as he stepped in John’s direction. Connor’s voice was almost eerily calm, and I realized I was hearing Officer Michaels speaking. “You don’t touch her. Ever.” He breathed through clenched teeth. “Now listen, you scumbag. First off, her name is Jenny, not J, and not fucking babe. Not to you. Show the lady some much due respect. She is not interested in your problems, and she certainly has no interest in taking you back. I think you need to be clear on something in that tiny pea brain of yours. She is not at fault for what happened. You made the choice to cheat, not her. This was all on you.” His hand settled on his hip, pulling his jacket away from his waist. I saw John’s eyes look down before they snapped back to Connor’s face. John’s cheeks reddened, and he stepped back.

  “We are a couple now, John, and I have no intention of letting her go. Unlike you, I’m not stupid. I look after the people I love—you understand me?”

  John nodded, but he didn’t say a word.

  “I suggest you apologize to my lady and leave. Don’t contact her, and don’t come near her. I’d hate to see your bad luck get worse.”

  John took another step back, glancing between us. I had no idea what he had seen that made him so uncomfortable, but he looked downright ill. “Yeah, so I’m gonna go. Sorry to have bothered you. Um, have a good night and, ah, yeah. The whole Tami thing? My bad. Bye.”

  He turned and hurried away.

  Connor stood watching h
im before he turned around. “You okay, Wren?”

  “What just happened?”

  Connor shrugged. “I said my piece. I wasn’t going to listen to him degrade you in front of me.”

  I shook my head. “I get that, Connor. Why did he look so frightened?”

  He shrugged and grabbed the cart. “He doesn’t like dealing with someone his own size.”

  I narrowed my eyes and pulled his jacket away. My mouth dropped open. “Connor!”

  “What?”

  “Don’t you what me. You know perfectly well. John saw your badge and your gun clip.”

  “It’s empty, Jenny. My gun is at work, in my locker. I had left the clip on so I remembered to clean it tonight. It got some sticky donut stuff on it.” He grinned, no doubt hoping I would laugh with him.

  “He didn’t know that. You only let him see you were wearing one. He thought you were threatening him.”

  “I can’t help what he thought—or thought he saw. He was being an asshole and disrespecting you!”

  “What if he makes trouble?”

  “I have lots of witnesses that saw me lock my gun away. I always carry my badge. I forgot I was wearing my clip. There was no threat. I did nothing wrong.”

  “You forgot? You did nothing wrong? At all? Nothing in that conversation sounded familiar to you?”

  He had the grace to look slightly ashamed, but he shook his head. “No.”

  “You always flash your badge at ex-boyfriends? As a warning?”

  “No, I only do that for you.”

  I huffed out a sigh and shook my head.

  “We are not done with this, Officer Michaels.” I grabbed the cart and started to walk away. Connor followed me to the register, shifting uncomfortably behind me as we waited in line.

  “He fucking ignored me, Jenny. He was trying to get you back, and I was standing right there!”

  “So, he isn’t very observant. He’s always been an idiot, and I think it’s worse now. You didn’t have to scare him.”

  “All I did was send him a subtle message,” he muttered.

  I snorted. “Subtle? Dragging him out back and beating him with your nightstick would have been more subtle.”

  He leaned forward, his lips ghosting my ear. “The only person I want to take out my ‘nightstick’ for is you, Jenny.”

  “Stop it,” I said with a hiss. “I’m mad at you.”

  “Damn it! I should have taken a swing at him. It would’ve served him right.”

  “Why would you say that?” I gasped.

  “Fucker just cost me some hot sexing with my girlfriend,” he grumbled, his soft lips pouting the way I liked. Every time he pouted like that, I wanted to kiss him—hard.

  He looked at me, winked, and deliberately pouted, lowering his face in a silent invitation. I felt a smile tug on my lips, knowing I had spoken out loud again as well as loving the pleading, hopeful expression on his face. Leaning up, I kissed his pouty lips, unable to refuse him.

  “Jaywalking, Connor? Your fellow officers have nothing better to do than watch for him to jaywalk?”

  He chuckled. “He makes it too easy on them.” He pressed his lips to mine. “Don’t be angry. I hate it when you’re angry.”

  I glared at him. I was still pissed, although somewhat amused. I was also turned on by the way he stood up for me. I still wanted to get him home and naked. Maybe even punish him a little.

  A delighted grin broke out on his face. He leaned forward, dragging my face to his.

  “Go with it, Jenny.” He kissed me hard. “I’ll take it.”

  Internal dialogue. Damn it.

  Chapter 5

  Connor

  “Oh God … Baby… Please…” I begged, pulling on the handcuffs restraining me. I lifted my head, desperately trying to figure out where Jenny had gone. I couldn’t see because the little vixen had slipped a mask over my eyes, plunging me into darkness, then she disappeared.

  Where was she?

  Jenny’s voice was far away. “Please what, Connor?”

  I loved it when she let her slightly kinky side come out to play. When we got back to my apartment, she’d tackled me on the bed, kissing and licking her way up and down my chest, before she surprised me by snapping on the handcuffs and the mask.

  Punishment time.

  I was good with that. Really good.

  Except, I was lying on my bed, naked and aching for her, and she was gone. I yanked on the cuffs again, raising my head. “Jenny, come back.”

  “Maybe I should just leave you here, all tied up, nowhere to go…” Her voice teased from the foot of the bed. “I could go home and have a good night’s sleep.”

  Fuck no. I didn’t deserve that kind of suffering. That would be a real punishment, and I much preferred Jenny’s form of torture. It was far more satisfying.

  I lowered my voice to the deep tone I knew she loved. “Come back, baby. Let me show you how sorry I am.”

  Her hand drifted over my foot, caressing and stroking, rubbing my ankle in a long, slow drag. I blinked under the mask as I realized she had just tied it to the foot of the bed. That was a new move. She repeated the gesture with the other foot, and I heard a long, contented sigh escape her throat.

  I was truly at her mercy, and I swallowed in anticipation.

  “See something you like, Jenny?” I murmured huskily, playfully arching my hips.

  “Isn’t that a lovely sight,” she whispered. Her hands were once again on my legs, slowly drifting up and down, each time edging closer to where I wanted them the most. I groaned in eagerness then frustration as her hands disappeared.

  The mattress dipped, and she straddled my waist. I could feel her warm skin sliding against my abdomen, and then her mouth covered mine. I strained my head up, my tongue searching and sucking as we kissed, both of us moaning. She pulled away, leaning back, her hands now splayed across my chest. “You were very…naughty in the store, weren’t you, Connor?”

  “Yes. Give me your mouth back, Jenny. Please, baby.”

  She ignored me.

  “All the dirty talk that you know turns me on—is that what you wanted?” She pressed down against me, her center hot and wet against my skin. “Can you feel what you do to me?”

  “God, yes.”

  I felt a soft flicker dance across my chest, and I groaned. I knew that feeling. Jenny had a feather in her hand, and if she had a feather, that meant she had the jar of honey dust as well. It was her favorite torture toy. She loved sprinkling it on my chest and stomach, driving me mad with the feather before licking it off.

  The licking was my favorite part.

  She moved off me, and sure enough, I felt the downy sensation of the sweet dust settle across my chest, followed by the trailing of the feather as it ghosted over my skin. But it didn’t stop at my chest. Soon, I was nothing but a blaze of sensation as Jenny’s honey dust settled over my entire body. Her feather swirled and teased, moving and touching every inch of my skin, only to slip to a new place, drawing yet another groan from my lips. Her feather trailed over my torso, teasing my taut nipples, up and down my legs and arms, soft and light as it went, leaving me panting, aching, and wanting. Like a whisper of air, I felt the sensation float over my throbbing cock, and I hissed and arched into the sensation. I wanted more. I wanted her mouth on me.

  My voice was low and rough as I pleaded with her. “Jenny, please…”

  Seconds later, I was lost in a fog of need as her tongue met my skin. Swirling and dancing, it drifted and tormented, her mouth licked and stroked, nipped and teased. I bent and twisted, wanting free of my cuffs, begging her for release. When I felt her move between my legs, my voice was wild as my arms and legs pulled on my restraints.

  “Jenny… Please, baby, put your mouth on me. Now, God, please…”

  Her low laughter caused a breath of warm air to drift across my cock, and finally, I felt her tongue run a soft trail over my length before the heat of her lips closed around me. I growled and shuddered as I arched i
nto her wet mouth. The way her tongue swirled around the head had me bowing upward, desperate to be closer to the source of pleasure as I moaned and writhed. Her hands cupped and stroked my balls as she sucked and licked, humming around my cock as I begged and groaned, thrusting and yearning.

  I wanted more. I always wanted more of her.

  “I need to be inside you.”

  One last long lick and she moved up, straddling me again. Her wet, slick heat engulfed me, and I cursed as she started to move. She pushed and pulled, rocking into me, her hands braced on my thighs as she whimpered and undulated above me. “You feel so good, Connor. So good. I love how you feel inside me.”

  I continued with my pleading. “Let me see you—now, Wren. Now.”

  Light poured into my eyes, and I blinked and focused on the beautiful woman riding me. Her face was a study of emotions, and I knew she was close. Her eyes were wide and wild as she looked down at me, her entire frame trembling with passion. She was so stunning in her need, and I knew what she wanted, what we wanted.

  “Unlock me, baby.”

  Jenny leaned back, first releasing my feet before she moved forward and snapped open the cuffs restraining my wrists. I watched her body curve as she moved, my desire only raging higher as I glimpsed her fluidness. I sat up, drawing up my legs and enclosing her in my arms, both of us gasping at the new angle. This was her favorite position—me buried deep inside her, my arms holding her close, anchoring her to me as she fell apart. She loved the intimacy, and I loved sensing her body shudder and clench, feeling her orgasm ripple through her. My mouth covered hers, sharing deep, bruising, unrestrained kisses before she stilled, gasping my name. I buried my head in her neck, thrusting into her heat until I was spent, groaning in ecstasy.

  The room was quiet except for our heavy breathing. Gradually, I leaned back, taking her with me, keeping her pressed into my chest. Reaching down, I gently helped her straighten her legs, drawing the blanket around us. For a while we were silent, just relaxing into each other. When she shifted, I rolled us onto our sides, keeping her close. I didn’t want to let her go. Her eyes were wide and soft as she gazed at me, and I leaned down to kiss her. They were slow, indulgent, sweet kisses this time. Teasing and gentle, my lips lingered on hers.