The Lover

by E. L. Todd

  I didn’t push it. He’d just told Layla off, so it was clear he was committed to Pepper as much as he could be in that moment. “Are you going to tell Mom and Dad?”

  “Tell them what?”

  “About Pepper.”

  His eyes moved to the TV in the corner, and he watched the recap of the Mariners game as he thought about his answer. “I don’t know. If I tell Mom, she’ll have the exact same reaction as you…talking about babies and shit. But if I don’t tell her, she’ll find out some other way and slap me silly.”

  “There’s another option. She might be weird about the whole situation.”

  “I doubt it. She loves Pepper. If there’s a way to keep her in the family, Mom’ll be thrilled about it.”

  Yeah, probably. “You know, I never imagined you would be a one-woman kind of guy. But here you are…turning down sexy women without batting an eye.”

  My brother shook his head a few times before he answered. “I didn’t think this would happen either. But there’s something about Pepper that makes me different. The moment I met her, there was something there. Everything she said fascinated me. When she dated that loser guy, I kept thinking she could do better. Every time I would see her first thing in the morning, I thought she was so beautiful. Whenever I would go out to the bars and pick up a woman, I wished Pepper were the person I was taking home.” He stared at his empty glass when he finished his speech.

  “When did you fall in love with her?” Hearing my brother have real feelings for someone made me happy. I didn’t want him to be alone his entire life. I wanted him to have someone who would love him for his good qualities as well as his flaws. If Pepper was that woman, so be it.

  It didn’t take him long to come up with an answer. “The first time I kissed her. I know that because I’ve never felt so much adrenaline in my chest from kissing someone. I felt like a teenager.”

  “When was this?”

  “A long time ago now. She was kinda seeing Jax at the time. It was just the two of us on the couch, and she asked if I felt the chemistry between us. Any time we were in a room together, I could feel this charge in the air. There was more sexual tension in that moment than in all my lays combined. I told her yes then kissed her. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t stop myself. I kissed her, and it felt so damn right.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke. “We talked about it later and agreed it couldn’t happen again. I wanted her so much, but I valued my relationship with you more. So did she. But as the weeks passed…it just became more and more difficult. When Jax was gone, I couldn’t restrain myself anymore. I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life.”

  Now I felt bad for giving him such a hard time about it. “Why didn’t you tell me you loved her? If you had, I would have been a lot more understanding.”

  “I wasn’t ready to admit how I felt. I wasn’t even sure how I felt. Could I really love a woman that quickly? I’m a pessimistic person with a constant level of skepticism. Maybe what I felt was lust. Maybe it was something else. But love…I didn’t think I was capable of it.”

  “Everyone is capable of love, Finn.”

  “I don’t know if I believe that. I think I was only capable of love because she’s a special person. If I’d never met her, maybe I never would have known love at all.”

  I walked across the hall and let myself into her apartment. “It’s me.”

  “Do you knock?” She stepped out of the bedroom, straightening her top and fixing her hair.

  “I figured Finn wasn’t here.”

  “So? I don’t burst in to your apartment.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You do every morning.”

  “But the morning is different. You and Tom won’t be on the couch having sex at seven in the morning.”

  “Hey, it could happen. We both wake up early on the weekends.”

  “Well, I’ve got a super-hot boyfriend, so you should definitely knock from now on.”

  “Message received.” I saluted her. “I wanted to tell you about my run-in with Layla.”

  Pepper walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine from her cabinet. Without asking me if I wanted any, she grabbed two glasses and filled them both. “That bitch…” She carried the glasses to the couch and sat beside me. “She reminds me of a gnat. She’s an insect that just won’t go away, no matter how hard you throw your hand around.” She took a drink and smeared her purple lipstick against the glass.

  “I was out with Finn when she made another pass at him.”

  She rolled her eyes so hard as she took another drink. “I actually feel bad for the girl. She’s making herself look like an idiot.”

  She was taking this better than I thought she would.

  “Let me guess, she bought him another scotch.”

  “Yep.”

  “I bet she spiked it with the date-rape drug.”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me.”

  “What else happened?”

  “Finn told her off. That was fun to watch.”

  “He did?” She held her glass at her side and grinned. “Sounds about right.”

  “Told her to get some self-respect and stop acting desperate.”

  She slapped her knee and laughed so hard. “Oh my god. I can’t believe he said that.”

  “Finn has always been blunt…”

  “But still. He works with this woman.”

  “I don’t think he cares. Then she said she didn’t think you were very pretty…so I lost my shit. I went into full-blown bitch mode. If she were a dude, I would have punched her so hard her nose would have been permanently broken.”

  “That’s very sweet of you, Colt. You always have my back.”

  “Hell yeah, I do.”

  “But her insult is meaningless. She’s just pissed that I’m the one fucking Finn and she’s not. I almost can’t blame her. I can’t blame any woman for hating me. He’s a real man, and there’s so few of those in the world now. He’s so straightforward, and it’s refreshing. He doesn’t get jealous or controlling. He’s just…perfect.”

  “I don’t know about the perfect part, but he’s definitely macho.”

  “He’s not macho either. I can’t explain it.”

  A knock sounded on the door. “Are you expecting anyone?”

  “No. But it must be Finn.” She set down her glass. “Come in.”

  The door opened, and Finn stepped inside, wearing a gray zip-up jacket with black jeans. The hood was over his head, probably because it was raining outside. He pulled it back and revealed his face, his clean jawline and his ocean-blue eyes. “Girls’ night?”

  I flipped him off.

  He chuckled as he watched Pepper rise from the couch and walk toward him. “You look beautiful.”

  “In a sweater and jeans?” she asked, mildly surprised.

  “In anything.”

  She rose onto her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him right in front of me.

  His large hands circled her petite body, and he pulled her hard into his chest as he continued the kiss.

  I looked away and took a long drink of my wine, uncomfortable with their affection. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was my brother. It was just awkward to watch anyone make out unless it was in a porno.

  Pepper was the first one to pull away. “What brings you by?”

  “Do I need a reason?” He squeezed her ass cheek then let her go.

  “No, of course not. You want some wine?”

  He made a face. “I don’t have the palate for it.”

  I rose to my feet, knowing I should leave because they probably wanted to be alone. “I should get going. I’ll put on some dinner then do paperwork.”

  “Nonsense.” Pepper grabbed my hand and pushed me back down onto the couch. “There’s no reason why the three of us can’t hang out.”

  “Good point.” Finn moved into the kitchen and raided her fridge for a beer.

  I lowered my voice so only Pepper could hear. “It’s really fine
if you guys want to be alone—”

  “We can be alone later. How about we order a pizza and watch a movie?”

  I appreciated the fact that she made me feel included even if I was crashing their privacy. She wanted us to all be close, to still have the same friendships we used to have. “Alright…if you’re sure it’s okay.”

  “It’s definitely okay. This has been my dream for a long time.”

  “What?”

  She smiled. “This…the three of us together.”

  10

  Pepper

  I woke up that morning with my head on Finn’s chest. It was a cold and rainy day outside, but I was so warm with this personalized heater beside me. His chest rose and fell slowly, rocking my head like I was a baby. I could hear Soldier snoring lightly from the edge of the bed.

  Rain or shine, every day was a beautiful day when I woke up beside this man. There was always a smile on my face and a fullness in my soul. I could do this every day for the rest of my life if he asked me to.

  Hopefully, he would ask someday.

  I opened my eyes and looked down his body, seeing the top half of his big dick peeking out from underneath the sheets bunched at his waist. His morning wood was always impressive, especially when it was pointed right at me like it had a mind of its own.

  I propped myself up on my elbow and looked at his handsome face. Every morning there was a slight shadow on his chin because his hair grew in overnight. He was so strict about his appearance that he shaved the hair away as soon as he brushed his teeth. It was a nice look on him, but then again, he looked beautiful no matter what his appearance was.

  I shifted my body closer to his waist and opened my mouth wide to take in his perfect cock. He was impressively thick instead of just long. He had a nice girth, beautiful ridges, and his crown actually deserved a real crown on top. He kept his balls perfectly maintained, and his length had only a very slight curve that pointed to the right. A large vein ran along his shaft, more noticeable the harder he became. I pressed a kiss to his head then parted my lips to take him, getting off on the fact that he was mine to taste and no one else’s. I flattened my tongue and moved down, bringing him into the warmth of my throat.

  He moaned quietly, his body slightly shifting as he became aware of the warm mouth around his length.

  I moved him to the back of my throat then out again, going at a gentle pace that would feel good without waking him up. I could taste the come from the night before along his crown, and I gobbled that up like I hadn’t already had enough.

  He slowly woke up to the feeling of my mouth around his length. Quiet moans filled the bedroom, and his muscled legs tightened in pleasure. His breathing picked up, and his hand slowly glided to my hair. “Good morning to you too, baby.” His hand moved to the back of my neck, and he guided me up and down, showing me the easy pace he liked.

  I pushed him until I was inches away from his balls then pulled back again. I wanted to take all of him, but since it would make me gag, I stayed conservative. I kept my tongue flat as a cushion and moved him in then out again.

  He lay back with his head on the pillow, his eyes closed as he enjoyed it. His breathing grew deeper and louder as the pleasure continued. His fingers rested against my neck, but he didn’t guide me anymore. Now, he just enjoyed it.

  I pulled him out of my mouth then straddled his hips, wanting to get off because his big dick in my mouth had turned me on so much. I leaned forward and arched my back as I grabbed his base and slowly lowered myself onto his length. Inch by inch, I took him, my saliva providing the perfect lubrication for him to sink with no friction.

  He moaned louder that time.

  I leaned forward and gripped his forearms for balance, restraining him at the same time so he couldn’t touch me. I slowly sank down and arched my back, getting him deep before I rose again. Having his dick in my mouth had made me so wet, so I moaned as I treasured his long length inside me, worshiping his dick because it was god’s gift to women. And for now, god’s gift to me.

  He watched me with an intense expression, that sexy look he gave without even trying. He showed it to me even when we weren’t fucking, like when he liked the dress I wore or when he wanted me from across the room. He fought against me as he tried to grab my hips.

  I pushed him back down and kept rocking. “No.”

  He released an irritated breath, his cock throbbing inside me.

  Like he was just a man I was using for sex, I fucked his dick and rubbed my clit against his hard body, bringing myself to a climax that made me coat him in a flood of wetness. My pussy clenched him like an iron fist, and I came, my nipples so hard, they could slice through concrete.

  He thickened inside me more, groaning as he watched me come around his dick.

  I rocked into him hard as I finished, working my back muscles as I pounded him until I was finished. I slowed down once I was done, using him to my satisfaction. My fingers stopped digging into his muscular forearms, and I returned to a slower, more seductive pace.

  Finn got a hold of my arm then yanked me toward him, forcing my back to curve further as I came close to him. He propped himself up on his elbows then dug his hand into my hair, bringing us close together for a kiss.

  It was so good, I almost stopped moving.

  With his gentle breaths filling my mouth, he kissed me slowly, his lips feeling mine with masculine purpose. He loved my upper and lower lip equally, taking his time with each one before he supplemented the embrace with his tongue.

  God…this man.

  He lowered his hand and supported himself as he continued the kiss, as his cock throbbed with desperation between my legs. He breathed into me with quiet moans, so visibly turned on by me that I felt stunning.

  I wanted this every day for the rest of my life. I wanted him to be the only man inside me until the day I died. If he felt the same way, I would run down to the courthouse and become his wife. I’d never felt so certain about anything in my life. Even with Colton, there wasn’t this degree of belief.

  It was different with Finn.

  “Damn, baby.” He spoke into my mouth between kisses. “I love you…”

  My kiss stopped so I could inhale a deep breath. He turned me on all over again, made me want to ride his dick until I had another climax. My fingers felt numb, and my breath felt shaky. Hearing him confess his feelings so easily was so sexy. He’d never said those words to another woman before. I was his one and only in so many ways. It made me feel special, made me question my love for the other men in my life. “I love you too.”

  He bent his head down and kissed my tits, his tongue swiping over the nipples. His warm breath fell across my skin and made bumps appear everywhere. His cock thickened inside me, and his body tightened as he prepared to come.

  “No.” I sat on his dick.

  His blue eyes narrowed.

  “I want to come again.” I rose directly up and down, riding his dick from tip to base. I gripped my ass cheeks and spread them as I pushed his length through my pussy lips.

  He closed his eyes and moaned. “Fuck…”

  “You can come when I say so. Not a moment sooner.”

  He pressed his lips tightly together and groaned. “Yes, baby.”

  Finn dribbled the ball in his driveway, shirtless and in his workout shorts. His torso was covered with blank ink, and his muscles shifted under his skin with every move he made. The prominent V of his hips was distracting, and the tightness of his back made him look like a sculpture rather than a human.

  Zach stood next to the hoop, shirtless and muscular, but not possessing that layer of ink. “Make your shot, asshole.”

  Finn smirked and kept dribbling.

  Colton was the only one with a shirt on. “You’re just going to make him take more time.”

  “You’re really that stubborn?” Zach asked incredulously.

  Just to make his point, Finn kept dribbling.

  I sat on the grass with Soldier in front of me, rubbing him
behind the neck and digging my fingers into his fur. My fingertips had turned black from the dirt in his hair, but that never stopped me from giving him affection.

  Stella was beside me, rubbing his head.

  Tom was on the other side, rubbing his back. “Man, this dog has it made.”

  “I wish I were a dog,” Stella said. “People think you’re cute all the time and give you massages and treats…and they never really gain any weight.”

  “You aren’t going to play?” I asked Tom.

  “No,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t even know how to dribble. I’m not a sports kinda guy. I’m more of a couch-potato kinda guy.”

  Colton walked toward us with his hands on his hips. “You know, it would be nice if we had a fourth player. We could make teams.”

  Tom stared at him blankly. “I hope that statement wasn’t directed at me. I have no coordination…unless it’s in the bedroom.”

  Colton grinned as his cheeks tinted slightly. “What about you? Stella, you’re fit.”

  “So?” she countered. “Why would I want to play basketball when I could hang out with Soldier? He’s the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen.”

  “Hey,” Zach said in offense.

  “Sorry,” Stella said with a shrug. “It’s true.”

  Finn finally made the shot and let the ball fall through the net. “Baby, get your ass up and play with us.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “You better not be talking to me with that tone.”

  He walked toward me, his hard chest glistening with a beautiful sheen of sweat. “You bet I am. We need another player, so you’re up.”

  “I don’t play basketball,” I argued.

  “But you watch basketball. You know the game better than any of us.”

  “So?” I countered, copping an attitude.

  “Get up, or I’ll make you.” He turned back to the hoop.

  “Ooh…” Stella turned to me. “Let him make you. That sounds pretty hot.”