by J. P. Comeau
I scoffed bitterly. “Well, I was also racing his horses. He gave me the opportunity to get back into barrel racing after my last sponsor dropped me because I wouldn't sleep with him, so I figured why not? Well, with all the rich dinners and late-night dessert runs we did together, I put on some weight, and--.”
“You’re kidding.”
My eyes found his. “What?”
He narrowed his eyes. “He used your weight as an excuse to break up with you?”
“No, no, no, no. At least, well--. I mean, he wanted me to stop racing his horses because I’d put on a few pounds. And I get that. I’m supposed to stay lean and trim for races and such. But, he was just such a pompous, arrogant prick about it and things escalated, and before I knew it, I was telling him, ‘I quit.’”
I expected him to respond. To say something, or chastise me, or warn me about the dangers of sleeping with my boss or some shit. But instead, I saw something boiling behind his eyes. A fury I’d never seen on any man’s face before. I wasn't sure why, or what he was thinking about, but I knew better than to stay on topic.
So, I switched it quickly.
“How are you doing with things, though? Am I supposed to be hearing from your wife anytime soon about coming to see Marie Lee?”
He blinked, and the anger morphed into sadness. “Probably not.”
I nodded slowly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
He leaned against the couch cushions, seemingly defeated. “What’s there to talk about? I’m sure you already know what’s happened. I mean, this town talks enough as it is. Everyone from here to the East Coast probably knows what’s happening in my life right now.”
I giggled. “I wouldn't go that far. But, at least the surrounding states, sure.”
He chuckled. “What a shit-show I’ve got going on.”
“If you want to talk about it, I’m all ears.”
“Well, for starters, she’s my ex-wife. I got served with divorce papers she’s already had drawn up and signed.”
My jaw dropped open. “When did this happen?”
“This afternoon. It’s why I came home early.”
“My God, Bryce. I’m so sorry. Have you gotten a chance to read them?”
He shook his head. “I’ll read them once I settle in bed for the night.”
“Well, you can use me for a distraction as long as you’d like.”
I didn’t clock the words that came out of my mouth. But, as his eyes held mine, something fell over his stare. And I’d been with enough men to know what that look was. I felt my nipples pucker against my bra. I felt my thighs tighten with want. I couldn't feel that way. It would be disastrous for everyone involved. I couldn't help it, though, especially with that carnal lust roiling in his brooding stare.
Say something. Anything. “How did you two meet?”
Bryce blinked. “What?”
I drew in a sobering breath. “You and your wife.”
“Ex-wife.”
“Right. How did you two meet?”
He blinked a few times before responding. “I met her at a party, and I took her back to the studio apartment I was renting at the time. We were a one-night stand until she knocked on my door a few weeks later, proclaiming that she was pregnant.”
“Ah.”
“We tried to go on a few dates, but the worry clouded both of our judgments. I wanted to do right by her and by the child we had created together, so when she was around three months pregnant, I proposed and we got married.”
“You did that for her?”
He nodded slowly. “I told her I’d give her everything she needed. Her, and our child. And I figured that was that.”
“I can’t believe you did that for a woman you hardly knew.”
He shrugged. “She was carrying my child. My daughter. I wanted to make sure the mother of my child was taken care of.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. What a giving, loving, sacrificial soul this man was. And she just up and left him? Like that?
Bryce sighed. “Anyway, I see your wine glass is a bit empty. Would you like some more?”
I smiled. “I’d love some, actually.”
He stood. “Great. I’ll go get the bottle because I could use one myself.”
We sat there through three glasses of wine and kept talking. We pulled away from our exes and talked about our childhoods. Where we grew up. What our lives were like. We talked about dreams and life goals and family drama that always popped up. He talked to me about what it was like running that petroleum company with his brothers and how his parents seemed to be at a different beach in a different country every time they talked. I loved listening to him talk about his life. I adored watching his eyes light up as he talked about things he was passionate about.
And I enjoyed how he listened to me. Never once interrupting me, unless it was for clarification.
Dr. Morris had no issues running me over mid-sentence. Hell, most of the men I tried dating didn’t have an ounce of interest in anything I had to say. Not Bryce, though. Bryce was different.
I liked that he was different.
Starlight poured through the windows as we laughed and talked. The minutes turned into hours as our bodies grew closer on the couch. At one point in time, he pulled my leg into his lap as I leaned back. Getting comfortable as he told me the story of the first time he ever heard Marie Lee laugh.
But then, he stopped talking. And the silence that hung around us was deafening.
“Bryce?” I asked.
I slowly sat up and saw him eyeing me heavily.
“Bryce?” I asked again.
His hand settled against my thigh. “Can I tell you something?”
I held myself up on my elbows. “Of course. You can tell me anything.”
He squeezed my thigh softly. “You’ve been such a blessing to my daughter and me.”
I smiled. “I’m glad I can help out.”
“You’re not just helping, though. You're improving. You’re soaring, Willow. I mean, I’ve never seen my daughter act the way she does with you. I’ve never seen her take to someone like she has you.”
“It’s just my job. And she’s a great kid. Just a bit lost, is all. But, kids are strong. They’re more resilient than adults, that’s for sure. She’s going to be okay through all of this, you don’t have to worry about that. Okay?”
I expected him to nod or agree with me. But instead, he leaned toward me. He pressed up onto his knees as my body seemingly lifted itself, meeting him halfway in midair. I felt my arms trembling. I felt my legs heating up. I watched his beautiful baby blue eyes come closer to me before he reached his hand out, brushing a strand of hair away from my cheek.
One that tickled my eye and caused it to water.
“There we go. That probably feels better,” he said.
I tried not to feel disappointed. “No telling how long that’s been there.”
He smiled softly. “You’ve got another one right… here.”
I felt my lip twitch as he slid another piece of hair away from my face that had gotten stuck somewhere it shouldn’t be. And when his lingering touch warmed my skin, a shiver worked its way down my spine. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I didn’t want the moment to end. I felt my waist flare up with heat at the memory of his muscles against my body and I wanted nothing more than to pull him against me and kiss him senseless.
I resisted the urge, though.
However, he didn’t.
And before I could blink, his lips were against mine as I tugged his body down on top of me. Our glasses of wine, completely ignored as they tumbled to the floor.
12
Bryce
The second her curves caught my fall, I was lost in her. The feel of her pillowy lips against my own was something I’d never felt in my entire life. My hands cupped her clothed breasts as her legs spread for me, the couch cushions trying to make way for our debauchery. And as I felt her nipples puckering against her bra, the only thing I could think
about was getting her out of it.
So I could see those amazing tits for myself.
Our clothes came off in a fury as we tumbled to the floor. I smelled wine soaking into my pristine brown carpet, but I didn’t give a shit. I sucked on her lower lip and listened to the lovely moan that bubbled up the back of her throat. I felt the heat of her pussy radiating against my cock as I stiffened just for her. The meat of her inner thigh cradled my throbbing girth, my tip leaking with a need for her. And as her back arched, pressing her tits against my chest, my lips slid down her neck.
“Oh, Bryce.”
That soft whisper of adoration sent me into a feeding frenzy. I wiggled myself between her legs, admiring the glistening of her pussy lips. I wanted all of her. I wanted to taste her, and fuck her, and feel her riding my cock. And tonight, I’d get all of it.
And so much more.
I growled as my tongue pierced her lower lips. Her legs slid over my shoulders as I cradled her, taking her hands within mine. I pulled her hands toward me, arching her back for my viewing pleasure. And as I lapped at her clit deeply, her chest bounced for me. Her skin flushed for me. Her moans filled my ears as if I were the only person on the planet along with her.
I enjoyed every millisecond of it.
“Bryce. Oh, fuck. Right there. So good. That’s so good. You’re so good. Oh, shit. I’m gonna come. I’m gonna come. I’m gonna--.”
I didn’t stop drinking her down until every fiber of her began shuddering for me. I pressed my tongue heavily against her clit, feeling her bucking ravenously. I let her use me. I let her coat my cheeks in her juices. And as they poured into my mouth, I swallowed every drop of her whole. My cock ached against the soft carpet. Her back collapsed against the floor. I rushed up her body, kissing and sucking. Licking and marking until our eyes connected, and my cock seated itself at her entrance.
And when her arms threaded around my neck, she pulled my lips down to hers.
I slid inside her with one fateful thrust, swallowing her sounds while she swallowed my own. Every single hair on my body stood on end as I thrust inside her, feeling her walls already massaging me. They swelled around me, urging my cock to grow. Urging me to move faster. And as my hips pounded against hers, I felt the whole of her excess jumping against me.
Filling me with a pride, I’d never experienced in all my life.
“Oh, fuck,” I growled.
She locked her legs around my waist. “That’s it. Don’t stop. Don’t stop, Bryce. Oh, shit.”
Her wetness dripped down my balls. “Damn it, Willow. What the hell have you done to me?”
I felt my inner beast rattling around in its cage. I worked to keep it at bay, to keep my movements even and steady. But, all I wanted to do was pick her up, press her into a wall, and fuck her until she begged me to stop.
Maybe another time.
“Bryce!”
I grunted. “So. Close.”
Her nails raked against my back before she stilled, her body shivering beneath me. Her pussy quickened around my cock, sucking me dry as my balls pulled into my body. I felt my hips shuttering. I felt my body caving. And as thread after thread of hot arousal shot from my tip, I collapsed against her.
Sucking my mark against her shoulder as I filled her to the brim.
The world swirled around me as she milked me dry. I buried my face into the crook of her neck as she laid there, splayed out for my viewing pleasure. Her whimpers and sighs filled my ears, reminding me of the pleasure we had just experienced. Reminding me that this wasn't a dream. That this was real.
That she really just let me have her.
“Willow,” I murmured.
All she could do was whimper softly as I kissed her neck.
“Are you all right?” I whispered.
She giggled softly. “Oh, yeah.”
I grinned. “Good.”
I finally slid out from between her legs and rolled off to the side. I laid there, my arm against her stomach, as the two of us panted for air. I was covered in sweat, but whose sweat? I didn’t know. Whether it was mine or hers, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the heady feeling swirling around inside my skull.
Was this what sex felt like for every other adult?
Because I sure as hell had never experienced this before.
I closed my eyes and let the world tilt. I let my body roll along for the ride as my hand softly searched for hers. I wanted to hold her close. I wanted to cradle her in my arms. I wanted to lay there until we were both ready for a second round before throwing her over my shoulder and taking her out to that hot tub. I could see it already: her skin puckering from the heat—her clit, exposed to the jets, making her jump with delight as I filled her asshole. I could already taste her again, her legs spread as her naked body sat on the edge of that tub. Her head back, crying out for more while the acres of my empty estate swallowed her luscious sounds whole.
“Willow, that was--.”
I felt her body moving quickly before the sound of a sniffle hit my ears. And when I lobbed my head off to the side, I watched Willow scramble for her clothes. I furrowed my brow tightly as I propped myself up, watching her cling tightly to the clothes that I had scattered all over the carpet of my living room. And then, I heard it again.
That telltale sniffle.
“Willow, what's wrong?” I asked.
She didn’t answer me, though. All she did was make a break for the back patio doors, naked as a fucking jaybird. I pushed myself up onto my feet, trying to catch her before she dashed out into the darkness without a single bit of clothes on. And as worry pooled in my gut, I couldn't even steady myself onto my feet before she rushed out into the night.
“Willow!” I exclaimed.
I stumbled over to the open doors on my wobbling legs, painfully aware of the fact that I was naked and standing out on the porch. I watched as Willow tore across the lawn, walking around the pool before she sought out the comfort of that guesthouse I had. I watched her charge through the door and slam it behind her. I watched her shadow move quickly behind the windows before even the movement of her body fled from my sight.
And as I stood there, shocked and awed at the same time, the sounds of her sniffling echoed off the corners of my mind.
Willow had been crying. After having sex with me.
Had I forced her into something she didn’t want?
The thought shivered me to my core as I forced myself to go back inside.
I slid the door closed and pulled the blinds before looking behind me at the mess we made. Her womanly scent still hung heavily in the room as my eyes fell upon the wine stains on my carpet. I cursed lowly to myself as I marched into the kitchen, digging out the cleaning supplies Maria kept firmly stocked in this place. And as I grabbed some paper towels, I drew in a deep breath. I’d have to talk with Willow tomorrow to make sure she was all right. To make sure I hadn’t forced her into something she felt she had to do in order to keep her damn job.
But until then, I resisted the urge to put on my clothes and follow her.
Because my body still wanted to be laying there against hers.
13
Willow
I sat there, rubbing Marie Lee’s back as I stared off at the wall. I had taken great strides to avoid Bryce all morning until he went off to work. But, I noticed that he had been late getting to work. Clearly, he wanted to speak with me. To catch me after what happened last night. But, I wasn’t ready to address it. I wasn't ready to talk about it. So, I avoided him at all costs, using my job and his daughter as an excuse to leave him in the dust.
For now, at least.
“Hush little Marie, don’t say a word,” I sang softly.
I wasn’t sure how many times I’d sung through that song, but I did it one last time for good measure. I wanted to make sure Marie Lee was good and asleep before I made my way back downstairs. She knew something was off. She kept giving me these looks every time I deviated away from the schedule I set for
us. She tried to keep me on schedule, too, by asking me questions and pointing at things we should’ve been doing. Like, the bookshelf of books I had made for her. Or, the kitchen when snack time rolled around, where her father was standing conveniently snacking on some cherry grapes. It was as if the two of them were conspiring against me, and I wouldn't allow it.
But, once the song ended, and Marie Lee’s light snores filled the room, I quickly made my leave.
I called Sadie and Luna as I flopped down in the library room at the front of the house.
“Girl!” Sadie exclaimed when she picked up the phone, “I never thought I’d hear from you again.”
Luna giggled. “Yeah, we haven't even so much as heard your voice since you moved in.”
Sadie interjected. “How’s the job? How’s Bryce doing?”
I heard Luna’s grin through the phone. “You still staring at the hunk of man meat you’re around all the time?”
And when I sighed, I knew they both heard the stress in my voice.
“Uh oh,” Sadie murmured.
Luna paused. “Something wrong with the job?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I slept with Bryce last night.”
I expected a lot of things to happen in that moment. I expected them to scream, either with excitement or with anger. I expected Sadie to want all of the details while trying to tell Luna how things led up to that point. But instead, what I got was silence.
And it was unnerving.
“You guys there?” I asked warily.
Sadie was the first to speak. “I’m sorry, you what?”
Luna coughed. “You… slept with Bryce?”
Sadie scoffed. “You slept with your boss? Again?”
I slumped in the chair I was sitting in. “I know, I know.”
Sadie sighed. “Did we not learn the first time this happened?”
I cleared my throat. “It’s so much more complicated than--.”
“How did the hell did this even happen?” Luna asked.
My eyes flew open. “Did you just…?”
Sadie snickered. “She’s so shocked that you’ve got her cussing. You hear that?”
