by Mignon Mykel
“Mostly, yes.”
She shakes her head and her hair falls over her shoulder. “You didn’t need to do that. This will all blow over in a few days. The media will move on to another story. Slow news day.”
Mom brings us two coffees and waters. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Thank you, Monika. Why didn’t you tell me she’s your mom?”
I chuckle. “We don’t really tell many people. Mom doesn’t want this place to become a tourist attraction. The diner does really well on its own.”
“I understand. It’s definitely become one of my favorite places.” Her hazel eyes beam. She’s so damn cute.
When I met her all those years ago, I knew Lark was special. Call it fate or serendipity, but I knew Lark was meant to be in my life. She ignited something inside me.
“So, Brenner . . . what will you be having?”
“You.”
She stares at me. “What?”
“I want you.”
“Are we circling back to the conversation from three years ago?” she asks, before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Maybe.” I smirk. “What would you say to me taking you on a date?”
She laughs. “I don’t think a date is what you were after that day.”
“Not that day, no. But that night, I would have asked you out if Alec hadn’t seen you first.”
Mom stops by the table to take our order—blueberry pancakes for me while Lark settles for the french toast and home fries.
She stares at me, eyes hooded, and lips parted. I want to kiss her. Taste her.
“What night are you talking about?”
“The night I told you tequila was a terrible idea.”
She leans back in her seat. “The tequila was an excellent idea. Alec, on the other hand, was a bad idea.”
“I’m glad you came to your senses. What happened there?”
“After our breakfast, I marched back to his house and told him it was over. Then I focused on myself and volleyball.” Her slim fingers slide over the handle of her coffee mug.
My eyes pop wide. “Good for you. Do I get some credit for giving you a shove in the right direction?”
She smiles at me over the rim of her mug. “Yes, you get some credit.” Lark sips her coffee. “I may even thank you.”
“Another way to thank me is by going on a date with me.”
She glances around the diner. “Some people might say that we’re on a date right now.”
My palm glides against the smooth tabletop. “I’d say, I think they’re right.” I grasp her fingers and a shiver courses up my spine.
The way she’s looking at me, our flirty banter, and the electricity that’s soaring between us makes me half-hard. She wants me as much as I want her.
Lark’s thumb brushes over my knuckle. “After breakfast, we’ll go for ice cream, which will be another date—this time, my treat.”
Mom brings us our food and refills our coffee. “Everything all good here?” She’s smiling from ear to ear.
“Yeah, we’re all good.”
Mom looks down at our still joined hands. “So, is Lark your plus one for Anson’s wedding? Your assistant, Kandace, called me and said to change your single status to plus one.”
Kandace must have anticipated I’d ask Lark. She’s a damn good assistant.
I waggle my brows. “If she’s not busy that day, yeah.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Two weekends from now.”
Lark picks up her fork and cuts into her french toast. “I’m free as a bird.”
Mom claps her hands together. “Wonderful. Enjoy your food.” She scurries off, leaving the two of us alone.
“Do you have a place to stay while you’re here?”
“I will check with the hotel where my brother’s getting married. I have a room booked for the wedding weekend. It’s a matter of moving some things around.”
“So, you’re not going back to New York between now and the wedding?”
“Nope.”
“You can stay with me.”
Game fucking on.
5
Lark
The morning bleeds into the afternoon, and all I want to do is get Brenner back to my house and in my bed.
He’s been thinking about me all this time, just like I’ve been thinking about him. There were so many times I wanted to call Brenner. I almost had my agent get me his number. But I chickened out.
After we had ice cream, we went for a walk on the beach. Brenner tells me about his childhood and how he’d lost his birth mom in a terrible accident. I tell him about my childhood and lack of parental love . . . interest. Whatever.
“I’m sorry to hear about Porter,” I tell him. “Sounds like he was an amazing man.”
“Losing him was hard, but I’m thankful for the time I had with him. He taught me so much and encouraged me to play ball.”
I wonder how things would have been if I’d had supportive parents. What if they’d have taken an interest in my life when I was younger. But it doesn’t matter, wondering leads nowhere. I’m in a far better place.
“So”—he claps his hands together—“you need to be anywhere soon?”
I laugh. “I don’t have any plans today.”
“Good. Then we can keep this day of dates going, right?”
“I’d like that.”
He pins me against the patio railing outside a restaurant on the beach. “Spending time with you has been the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.”
My heart bangs against my ribs, and I think he’s about to kiss me.
“I like you, Lark Saddler.” Smiling, he brushes an errant strand of hair away from my cheek, then he slides his hand to mine. Our fingers lace together as we walk along the sidewalk.
We make it back to his mom’s diner. Brenner busies himself with his phone while I step inside the ladies’ room. As I wash my hands, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. His words echo in my mind: “I like you, Lark Saddler.”
I like the way he smiles at me. I want to be the one who makes him smile so freely.
I like him too.
Maybe this is crazy.
Shaking my head, I toss the paper towel into the trash.
“Hey, I want to take you somewhere,” Brenner announces when I come out of the bathroom.
“I’m intrigued.”
“You up for a little fun?” He waggles his dark brows and I laugh.
“Lead the way.”
Twenty minutes later, we pull up to the Stingers stadium.
Once we exit the Uber, Brenner takes my hand in his. A smile breaks across my face as we stand outside the VIP entrance.
“Come on, this way.”
“What are we doing here?”
“We’re going to hit some balls.”
“I’m so excited,” I hear myself squeal. “How did you make all this happen?”
“I know people,” he teases and hooks his thumb over his shoulder. “Come on, time’s ticking away.”
All the equipment is set up and ready to go. I look around the field in awe. The green grass contrasts with the dirt. It’s beautiful.
Even though the stadium is empty, the energy that vibrates around us is insane. I’ve never been down here before.
“This is so cool.”
Brenner’s dark eyes swim with amusement. “What do you want to do first?”
“I want to hit a home run.”
“All right, choose a bat,” he gestures to the stand holding about a hundred baseball bats. “For your height and weight, which I won’t ask, you’ll probably want a thirty-two-inch bat.”
He laughs, making me laugh too.
“Okay, this one looks good,” I tell him.
“Try it out, give it a few swings. Get the feel of it in your grip.” Brenner steps up to the bin filled with baseballs and tosses one into the air.
“Like this?” My hands grip the bat and I give it a hard swing.
He runs up behind me,
his hands glide down my body. “Set your hips and feet. Get comfortable with your stance.”
Being this close to him is making me dizzy with need, I’m having a hard time concentrating.
“You got this, Lark,” he whispers in my ear before running back to the pitcher’s mound.
He winds up for the pitch and once I think I’ve got it, I swing.
It’s a miss.
“Shake it off, beautiful,” Brenner yells and picks up another ball.
“This could go on for hours,” I shout as I take my position at the plate again.
“Concentrate. Get that elbow firmly planted at your side,” he reminds.
A few more swings and I hit the ball right between first and second base. Brenner scoops me up and twirls me around.
“That was awesome, Lark.”
“It was pretty awesome.”
We’re sitting at a bar around the corner from the stadium on what we’ve decided is our fourth date.
Our dates remind me of the “Around the World” fraternity parties in college. I have no problem speeding up this process with Brenner. His confession that he wanted to ask me out that night at the Stingers party nearly knocked the breath out of my lungs.
All the time we’ve missed not exploring our feelings for one another. Would things have been different if I’d met Brenner first?
I’d only met Alec the week before. I was still on the fence about dating him. But our chemistry was white hot at the time and we seemed to have an understanding between the two of us. Regrettably, I wish I wanted more at the time. Not only from myself but also from a partner.
“Let’s talk about dinner,” I announce and order two shots of tequila.
“Dinner?”
“Yes, I’m pretty buzzed and we need to eat. A basket of fries will hit the spot.”
Brenner leans in close. “I’m hungry, but not for food.”
I smirk. “I bet your mouth does amazing things.”
“Kiss me and find out.”
A moan rattles my throat. I reach for him. My hands cup his jaw and I press my lips to his. He kisses me back, hard. His hand fists the back of my head, taking over the kiss.
For a moment, I think we will get kicked out of the bar for lewd acts in public. We don’t, sadly, which would have been a welcome relief to the torture of his kiss and the aching throb in my lady parts.
We toss back our shots and I’m pleasantly relaxed and happy. It’s more than the booze. It’s being here with him. The air surrounding us gleams, weighted with years of longing.
“You want to get out of here?” he asks.
“Did you just read my mind?” I tease.
He motions for the check and kindly pays for the bill. “I gotta get my luggage from Mom’s, then we can go back your place.”
“Today was an absolute dream,” I tell him as he cages me against the bar.
“Tonight will be even better,” he says and dips down for a quick peck.
“Promises, promises.” I smile against his lips.
He schedules an Uber, and we wait under the awning of the patio. I lean in and kiss his warm lips, the salty air wraps around us like a cocoon.
Our driver is quite chatty, and Brenner is a good sport about indulging in conversation. The car comes to a stop and Brenner helps me out with a lazy grin.
“We could get some takeout here,” Brenner suggests.
“Not a bad idea. But I think we’ll be better off ordering at my place. I wouldn’t want the food to get cold.”
He winks at me and I laugh. After we snatch up his luggage, we grab another Uber back to my place in Manhattan Beach.
We make it to my house and my hands fumble with the keys. I feel his fingers tugging at the hemline of my shorts. “Get that door open, Lark,” he hisses in my ear.
His cock grinds against my ass. “I’m trying, but if you keep that up, I’ll combust into flames and so will this house.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” he says and takes the key from my shaking hand. “Let me do that for you.”
The two of us tumble into the hallway and he kicks the door shut. He slips off his shoes and I follow his lead.
“Nice place you got here,” he whispers, feathering kisses down my throat.
My hands fist at the back of his T-shirt. “You want a tour?”
“Show me the bedroom first.” Brenner kisses me hard, then he hauls me into his arms.
“Through the living room,” I tell him in between kisses. “Can’t miss the door on the left.”
We make it to the bedroom. My back hits the mattress and his fingers work the button of my shorts. The flame in his eyes brightens. His hands stroke up and down my legs. “How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Since the day you saved me from falling on my face.” I lever onto my elbows and then sit up.
He glances down at me with a smirk. “That’s a long time.” He tugs his T-shirt over his head, then his pants hit the floor.
“Too long.”
He stands before me in these sexy as hell boxer briefs, giving me a good long look at his body. His big hand glides over his cock and then he pushes his briefs over his hips while gravity does the rest.
Holy shit.
The head of his cock is thick. He’s big. I mean, ridiculously big. He gives himself a few strokes and I lick my lips.
Brenner reaches between us and pulls my tank top over my head. He palms my breasts and then strips me of the pink lace.
After he tosses my bra onto the chair near the bed, he crawls up my body, kissing every inch of my skin he can reach. His mouth lands on my nipple, giving it two teasing licks. “That day, I’ve thought about it a lot. I couldn’t stop staring at your legs. And now I have my hands on you.”
My fingers scratch down his chest. “I like your hands on me.”
Brenner’s head drops to my sternum, he lets out a long rumbling growl that vibrates through my entire body. “You drive me crazy.”
“Let me show you just how crazy I can make you.” I move my hips and rub myself against his hard length.
“Fuck.” His fingers pull my panties and I lift to help him. He leans into me, kissing me deeply and stealing the air from my lungs. My fingers dig into the muscles of his shoulders.
“Shit,” he mumbles. “Condoms are in my luggage. Unless you have some.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t have any condoms. I’ve been tested. I’m safe.”
“Me too.” He bites my nipple as he strokes his cock at my entrance.
“And I take my pill every day at the same time, like a good girl,” I whisper. My hands glide over the hard planes of his abs.
His hips snap forward, and he pushes inside me. “Fuck, you feel so good.”
Brenner stretches me enough that it burns slightly, and I’m no virgin.
“Harder,” I beg, arching my back, urging him deeper. I cry out at the feel of him filling me completely.
“Years, I’ve waited for this,” he rasps and rocks into me with deep lingering strokes.
“Yes, Brenner.” Desire flows through my veins.
Every inch of my body tingles. I want this to last, but I’m not going too. There’s no way. Every deep, hard thrust of his cock pushes me closer to the edge.
A breathless scream leaves my lips and I’m soaring. My orgasm intensifies at the realization that it’s Brenner making my body ache and burn. It’s so good.
“Oh fuck, Lark,” he grinds out. Brenner nestles his face in the crook of my neck, and I feel him pulsing inside me. We cling to one another, catching our breath.
Shifting to lie beside me, Brenner drags his fingers through my hair and kisses me.
“God, that was so good.”
My finger skates up his chest. “It was pretty good.” It was amazing. I hide my smile under the sheet.
“Pretty good?” he echoes. “Hmm, guess I’ll have to do better . . . in about five or so minutes.”
6
Brenner
&n
bsp; “Hey, so tell me about your brother’s wedding.”
“What do you want to know?”
She smiles. “Is it a big wedding or a small wedding? Formal or semi-formal?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I tell her and grab my second slice of pizza.
Her brows lift. “I take it the two of you aren’t close?”
“It’s complicated. And since you’re my date for the event, I should probably tell you he’s marrying my ex-girlfriend.”
She nearly chokes on her wine and the sheet she has wrapped around her slips, giving me a fabulous view of her tits. “What? Who? That’s something out of a rom-com.”
“Yeah, it’s fucking awkward. I don’t want to go, but I’m trying to be a good sport about it for Mom. And the who is Claire Delano.”
“That’s tough. I wouldn’t want to be in that situation.”
I stare at her kiss-swollen lips. “Well, having you there will make it . . . tolerable.”
Lark shoves at my shoulder. “Tolerable. You’re an ass.”
I catch her by the waist and pull her onto my lap. “You’ve got a great ass.”
Her hands frame my face, then she kisses me. It speaks volumes, but she doesn’t let her actions speak for her. Lark puts all her thoughts into words. Fearless and unapologetic. I could fall for her easily. If I haven’t already.
“I’m considering relocating. I hate New York winters, and I’d like to be closer to Mom.”
“So, you’re thinking about California?”
I wink. “Dreaming about it, actually.”
“It’s a big risk,” she whispers.
“One I’m willing to take.” I owe her honesty at the very least.
“Is there more to this”—she gestures between us—“than just sex?”
Breathing in her scent, I push my nose into her hair. “I hope so. I fucking hope so, Lark.”
“It’ll be challenging, I’m training for Tokyo, and you’re . . . job hunting?”
All that’s true. But Lark is all I’ve wanted from the first moment I laid eyes on her.
“Do you want to give the two of us a serious try?”
Terrified she doesn’t want the same thing I do. Seconds feel like minutes. She hasn’t said anything, and my heart hammers in my chest.
