It Was Always You (A Calamity Falls Novel Book 5)

by Erika Kelly

  With a mischievous grin, she stuck her finger in a belt loop and swung them around. “Well, look at that. No panties, just like you asked.”

  Fuck, she was cute. And fun. And sexy. And every damn thing he could ever want.

  Landing on the seat, half on top of her, he yanked the top of his jeans, popping the buttons open. He got them down to his ankles, when he remembered his damn boots.

  Laughing, Gigi reached over him for the laces. Her hair tickled his bare skin, and her breath warmed his cheek. Her scent was like a direct hit to his pleasure center.

  He couldn’t take it anymore. “Get over here.” Gripping under her arms, he pulled her on top of him.

  She landed with a shriek and quickly fell onto her back, shoving the hair out of her eyes, revealing the joyful glitter in them. “You need to get naked, buddy. Chop, chop.” She pulled herself into a sitting position, her bottom half naked, her top covered only in a lacy white bra. Her tits jiggled as she untied his boot, cupped the heel, and yanked it off.

  He was so hard, and yet he wasn’t ready to fuck her. He wanted this moment to last. Because it was them, laughing, just like in the treehouse, only this time they were really together. The promise of sex with Gigi was as exciting as the forbidden had once been.

  She was having trouble with the other boot, so he batted her hands away and did it himself. “Take off that bra. I want your tits in my mouth.”

  Desire rose like a pink wave across her body, cresting over her cheeks. Eyes lusty, she flicked the clasp and pulled the straps down, dropping her bra to the floorboard.

  As he kicked off his jeans, she reached for the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it up, her hot, wet mouth kissing a path from his belly to his pecs to the curve of his neck. “I can’t believe I finally get to touch you.”

  Laying down, he shifted until he propped his head on the armrest. “Get on me.” He wanted to see her hourglass shape rising over him, wanted to feel the ends of her hair fluttering across his chest. He wanted to watch those amber eyes turn soft and lusty.

  Without hesitation, she straddled him, and he flicked the long hair off her shoulders so he could see her big, bouncy breasts. “My beautiful Gigi.” He wanted to make sure she knew this was so much more than sex for him. “You’re everything to me. You know that, right?”

  Her smile was soft, a little shy. A lot naughty.

  “If you never wanted to have sex with me again, I’d still die a happy man as long as I got to be with you.”

  “Oh, we’re going to have sex, all right. Lots and lots of it.” She shifted restlessly, and he clutched her ass, hauling her up his lap.

  He moved her rhythmically over his cock, her slick heat lighting up his nerves. “Goddamn, you feel good.”

  Leaning forward, she clutched his shoulders, her hair falling like a curtain around their faces. Her hips moved sensuously over him—so sexy—eyes glazed with lust, brow furrowed in concentration. Each slide of his cock through her hot, slick folds struck his nerve center like a bolt of lightning. She gasped, so he knew he was stroking her clit.

  He didn’t think he could contain it, all this desire and want and need for her. Her fingernails dug into his skin. Their breaths mingled. He reached for her breasts, held their soft, heavy weight in his hands. Arching up, he sucked a nipple into his mouth, flicking his tongue over it, while his fingers teased the other one. “You ready for me?”

  The little vixen gripped his cock. “Mm. God, yes.” She lifted up on her knees and then sank down on him—nice and slow. Once seated, she swiveled her hips to take him deep. “You feel so good.”

  He couldn’t even speak, the pleasure was so intense.

  She fell forward, her cheek brushing his, as she rocked—letting him ease out and then slide back in—over and over—like she was savoring the erotic sensations. With each stroke, her nipples grazed his chest, and his body trembled with a need that threatened to break him.

  “So good. I never want this to end.” She gasped, tucking her face into his neck.

  He cupped her jaw, forcing her to look into his eyes, the intimacy raw and pure. And then he pressed a soft, sweet kiss on her mouth.

  She opened for him, licking inside. As the kiss deepened, turned wild, her hips moved faster. She sat up, tilting back, her hands braced on his thighs. He reached for those full, round breasts, pushing them together and feeling them bounce in his hands. Oh, fuck, yes. It was too much. Thumbs flicking over her nipples, he thrust up into her.

  Her eyes closed, her lips parted, and a blush spread across her chest, rising up her neck and coloring her cheeks. A look of utter bliss captured her features, and if he wasn’t so fucking close to coming, he’d freeze this moment in time and save it forever.

  Jesus, he felt her everywhere, her hands gripping his thighs, his cock wrapped up in her tight, slick, velvety channel. Gigi. She’s mine.

  I love her.

  I love her so fucking much.

  It hit too fast, that roar of sensation down his spine, the tightening of his balls, so he reached between them, found her clit, so wet and swollen, and the moment he caressed it, her body flung forward, and she cried out.

  She lost her rhythm. There was no turning back, his climax was right there, so he clutched her ass, jacking her furiously on his cock. She was out of her mind, swiveling her hips and slamming down on him.

  And then she cried out, her body writhing, jerking. “Cassian.”

  That voice drenched in ecstasy, calling out his name, did him in. He came hard, his hips bucking off the seat. He held her ass tightly against him as he released, each explosion lighting him up, showering him with hot, fiery sparks.

  He’d never felt anything like it.

  She slumped on top of him, both of them breathing hard.

  He felt whole, sated. His life had never been so perfect.

  Finally, he had peace.

  Everything would be all right.

  Not once in his twenty-seven years had Cassian slept in the same bed with a woman.

  Until today. Waking up with a warm, soft, curvy body tucked tightly against his, knowing it was Gigi…the rush of pleasure jolted him wide awake.

  His arm slung around her waist, they held hands tightly, and his cheek rested on her silky hair.

  If he hadn’t already missed a week of camp, he’d stay just like this. But, no, he had to talk to the coaches about Walker. He’d messaged everyone last night, calling for a brief staff meeting. He needed to let them know the situation.

  He knew the moment he released her hand, he’d wake her up, so he kissed her rosy cheek and gently let go.

  “No.” She tugged on him, rolling onto her back. “I’m not ready to get up.”

  “I am.”

  She looked shocked and maybe a little hurt.

  But he just smiled. “Because the sooner I get going, the sooner I get back to you.” He kissed her mouth. “I’ll be thinking about you all day. But there’s nothing new about that.”

  Her features melted, and she looked like she was about to tear up. Instead, she got all stern. “You’re too charming.” She sat up. “So help me God, Cassian Ellis, if you break my heart again, I’m going to—”

  He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Does that mean you’ve given it to me? Do I have your heart?”

  She gazed up at him, pushing the hair back from his temples. She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t need to. The wariness in her eyes told him he had a lot of work to do to make her feel safe with him.

  “I’m not going to break your heart, but I do need time to earn it.” One more kiss, and he lifted off the bed. “I have to go. Got to get everyone up to date on Walker.”

  He headed into the bathroom, flicked on the lights and turned on the faucet. It had been the best night…but he was keenly aware that it could be his last.

  However many steps he’d taken forward, seeing Amie leaning against his car and in the Jacuzzi had set him back. But it wouldn’t happen again. He’d make sure of that.<
br />
  He just…it wasn’t about what he could do. Once the season started, he’d have no control over the press, the paparazzi, or the people who inserted themselves into his space.

  He stepped into the shower, tipped his head, and let the hot water course over his body. With his eyes closed, he sank down into the way it had felt waking up with her in his arms. How happy she made him…how complete. And he’d use that. Every time he started to lose hope, he’d go back to those moments, use them to keep up the fight.

  He would win her back.

  She was his future.

  His everything.

  Eggs crackled in the skillet, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled his kitchen.

  This moment, making breakfast with Gigi, after having her in his bed all night, spread through him like a blush. It seemed too good to be true. “What’s your plan today?”

  In one of his Mavericks T-shirts that ended mid-thigh, she stood at the island, one bare foot on top of the other, slicing strawberries for her fruit bowl. “First, I’m going to pull out my notebook and take a look at my songs, see if I’ve got anything that would work for Dale. But, then, I want to talk to Grant about recording that duet with me.”

  He poured coffee into a mug and handed it to her.

  She shook her head. “Caffeine dries out my vocal folds.”

  “I didn’t know that.” But he was glad he did. He wanted to know every single one of those details about her. “What do you drink?”

  “Tea with licorice root.” She flashed him a grin. “Which you don’t have. So, really, just room temperature water is good.”

  “You got it.” He’d pick up some tea for her. “In fact, give me a list of everything you want. I’ll run by the store on my way home from camp.”

  She got up on her toes, knife in one hand, strawberry in the other, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” Getting back to work, she said, “I texted Grant yesterday, but I haven’t heard back from him.”

  “You mean that song about me being an asshole?”

  “It wasn’t about you. It’s about me. My experience of us. But, yes, that one.” She sounded particularly cheerful. And then the smile fell off her face. “Of course I haven’t heard back from him. My phone’s in my purse. Which I left in your truck.” Shaking her head, she headed out of the room. “Is it unlocked?” she called.

  “I wanted you naked. I’ll be lucky if I thought to turn off the engine.” He needed to check in with Amie, so he grabbed his phone from the charger. Oh, shit. When had all these messages come in?

  Fuck, he’d turned the sound off during camp yesterday. He’d forgotten all about it. As he thumbed through them, his phone vibrated, and he quickly answered his manager’s call. “Hey.”

  “How hard is it to stay out of trouble?”

  “I haven’t checked my phone since yesterday afternoon. Skip to the punchline.”

  “Just look at your social media pages. Pick one. It doesn’t matter. It’s everywhere.”

  “What’s everywhere? I haven’t done anything.” He opened his newsfeed.

  And there it was.

  Two images side-by-side. On the left was a photograph of him in the Jacuzzi, untying Amie’s bikini top. With her head tipped sideways, her long hair spilling over her breast, it looked like he was whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

  The photograph on the right was of him carrying Gigi out to his truck. She was laughing, while he looked at her with pure, flagrant lust.

  Is Cassian Ellis two-timing the

  hot cheerleader with a Lollipop?

  “Dammit.” Gigi’s contract. This headline would kill any shot she had with Clean Beatz. “I’m not with Amie. I’ve never been with her. How do I fix this?”

  “What about the Lollipop?” A seasoned sports manager, Ethan had dealt with these situations countless times.

  “We just came back from doing the tour together.” Which only fueled speculation that they’d hooked up. “We…” He was about to say, We grew up in the same town, but he didn’t need to announce that kind of information. Shit. “What can I do?”

  “Where’s it taken? Is that your hotel? It looks like an indoor pool.”

  “It’s the resort pool, why?”

  “Well, that’s a public space. And the one with the Lollipop? That looks like a parking lot.”

  “I’m not looking to sue anyone. I need to get it out there that I’m not with Amie, so I can’t be cheating on her.”

  “You don’t really think anyone cares about some formal statement you make, do you? Because they see what they want to see. Look, get me the direct line to Gigi’s manager. We’ll get on the same page before we approach your coach and her label. My number one priority is making sure you keep your job.”

  “Ethan, listen to me. That story’s going to sink Gigi’s career.” Fuck it. Gigi wasn’t his manager’s job. “I have to call Joan.” His publicist would understand. “Let me get off the phone.”

  “Get that number for me.”

  “I will.” He disconnected, then took off to find Gigi. She hadn’t come back into the house yet.

  A horrible sense of foreboding had the hairs on his arm standing on end.

  His phone vibrated again. Bill. He needed to check in with the head of his security, so he took the call. “Hey.”

  “All right, so I did hear back from them.”

  “Back up. I haven’t looked at my messages this morning.”

  “Right. So, this story broke last night around eleven. I immediately contacted the hotel, requesting access to the security footage, and I’ve been waiting to hear back before briefing you. Fortunately, both properties—this one and the one in Aspen—are owned by locals, so it’ll be easy to view what they’ve got. What I need from you is a timeframe. When were you in the Jacuzzi with Amie—”

  “Around eight pm. And I went to the Roadside Inn about a half hour later. I was back home by ten, so that should make it damn easy to pinpoint.”

  “Excellent. I’m meeting with them this afternoon.”

  “Look, this guy’s getting into my private parties. He’s following me. I can’t help but think it’s Xander.” Cassian wouldn’t let some fuckstick ruin his life. “I want you to hire more security. Whatever we need. I’m done with this shit.”

  “You down to hire a PI firm?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. I’ll make that call right now. Listen, Cassian, we’ll get to the bottom of it, I guarantee it.”

  “We have to.”

  “I hear you. I’ll let you know what we get from the footage.”

  He disconnected and looked out the living room window to find Gigi pacing in front of his truck. Fuck. She was clearly upset, talking on the phone.

  While he waited for her to finish her call, he skimmed the messages on his phone, freezing when he saw one from his coach.

  Coach: You’re going to make me trade you, aren’t you?

  Right before he could answer, Gigi ended her conversation. Hands on her hips, head lowered, she stomped a bare foot on his lawn.

  Cassian threw open the door. “Is everything okay? Who was on the phone?”

  “My manager.” She sounded distracted.

  “And?” Dammit, he couldn’t believe this had happened.

  “And I told her the truth. That we knew each other in high school, got reacquainted on the tour…”

  “Did you tell her we’re together?”

  “Yes. I had to. She can’t help me if I hide the truth from her.”

  “Okay. My manager said he’s going to talk to yours. If you want to text me her contact info, I’ll forward it. In the meantime, I’m hiring a private investigator.” He couldn’t be the reason she lost her contract. “I’m going to find out who’s doing this.”

  She gave him an exasperated expression. “Why is your first thought not Amie Clover? You told me she wants to get back on NFL Cheerleader.”

  “First of all, she’s caught up in this, too. As a cheerleader, she could
lose her job if she’s seen drunk and stripping for the football team. She’s also got a serious boyfriend. But secondly, she’s a friend, and she wouldn’t do that to me.”

  “Does she know you might get traded?”

  “Of course not. Outside my manager, only you and Dean know.”

  “Then she doesn’t know how this could impact you. She’s probably using this to get back on her reality TV show.”

  “It’s a possibility, but she spent two nights on the tour with me and nothing was leaked. I think the common denominator’s my backup quarterback. Right after Aspen, he gave an interview, basically confirming the threesome. It’s no secret he’s not my biggest fan. And he’s the one who’d benefit if I got traded.”

  “Would he do something like this? In a time when it’s so easy to find out who’s behind these things?”

  “People do stupid shit all the time.”

  “Wow, if he’s behind it…” She softened. “What are you going to do?”

  “The only thing I can do right now is wait to hear back from my security team. They’re looking at the footage from both hotels and hiring a PI.” He reached for her, but she didn’t step into his arms. “Tell me how I can fix this for you. I’ll do anything you need me to do.”

  “It’s done. There’s nothing I can say, no press release I can put out that will change peoples’ perceptions. And, honestly, the only perception that matters is Dale’s. If she decides she’s done with me, then what do I have? She gave us one month to be in the press for only good things, and every single one of us is involved in some kind of scandal.”

  “Me carrying you is not a scandal.”

  “If Dean carried me it might not be. But it’s you, the Bad Boy Quarterback.” She looked exasperated. “It’s not just this contract, Cassian. It’s my career. My reputation. No label’s going to want anything to do with me.”

  “In your field, real talent is a rare commodity. And you’ve got it, Gigi.”

  “Don’t try to minimize this. It’s no different for you. You’re a great quarterback, but your backup’s just waiting for you to screw up. Every year, new guys are drafted. We have to be very careful with our careers. We’re too easily replaceable.”