“Let me up. It’s Jared. Please.”
“Screw you.”
“Come on, Beth. Give me five minutes.”
I release the button to ignore him, but he continues with the incessant ringing.
“What,” I snarl, irritated with this asshole.
“I’m going to keep ringing your door until you let me up, so get used to the sound.”
The fucker pushes the button in the melody of Deck the Halls. I only know this because I can hear him sing through the intercom in conjunction with the bell.
“Fine.” I buzz him in. While I wait, I count to one hundred. It’s the only way to calm myself. He knocks on the door, and I open it, blocking his path.
“Hey.” Jared gives me a wry smile.
“Hi.”
“Fancy meeting you here?”
Frowning, I point out, “You came to my apartment.”
“Oh yeah.” He runs a hand across his forehead, wiping away a barely there sheen of sweat. His eyes dart from side to side, as if he’s following one of the bouncy balls that dance over words in a sing-along video.
“So, can I come in, or are you going to make me stand in the doorway and grovel.”
“This is rich. Mr. Bossman wants to apologize to me?”
“If you let me in, I will explain.”
Glaring at him for a beat, I contemplate punching him in the stomach and slamming the door in his face. I don’t like manipulators, especially hot ones such as this dick. Though it would be nice to know why they played me. Even if his presence makes me want to hit something, I’ll tolerate him for now.
Walking into the room, he goes right into it telling me, “Coop is like foil, flat and boring.”
“Hold on a second,” I interrupt. “What’s this about foil?
He shakes his head. “Umm … Nevermind. I’m just saying that you need to give Coop another chance. He’s wanted you for-fucking-ever, and if I have to hear any more about how beautiful, kind, and sexy you are, then I might murder him.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest. “If that’s your way of explaining and apologizing, then you’re wasting my time.” I point toward the door. “The exit is that way.”
As I turn to walk away, Jared grabs me by the arm and turns me to face him.
“Explanation right.” He lets out a sigh, and begins, “Coop … I mean Josh and I became friends at a young age through our parents. We constantly hung out, and he was always the shy one. He never dated or mentioned a girl until you. You were all he talked about. I wanted to make him happy because the man saved my life. There was a cliff and well, it doesn’t matter. I owed him one, and I thought the best way to do it was through you.”
Well I wasn’t expecting him to lay that on me. Perhaps he’s not as much of a self-centered asshole as I assumed; which I guess is a good thing. Biting my bottom lip, I offer him a seat. He slides in the spot next to me as he continues on.
“Coop would kill me if he knew I was telling you this, but, that day you blew him off, he agreed to let me teach him how to handle women. However, right before we had the chance to start, he got into that terrible accident. By the time senior year came around, he was recovering and getting used to the new him. When we finally began our training, the goal was to, of course, teach him the ropes, making him into someone else. He was the one who decided to legally change his name to Cooper. Eventually, becoming the man you know today. Instead of going after you like he planned, he met his ex-wife, and well you know how that turned out.”
This new information has me feeling sorry for him. He went through so much … for me. His lie wasn’t bad; it was more of an omission. Jared was the one who manipulated me, so technically, he’s at fault.
“When he saw you again months ago, it was like high school all over again. I had to find an in for him, and Danni was it. Sorry about that by the way.”
I give Jared a reluctant smile because I can tell he’s being sincere. If Carrie wanted me to do something as crazy as this, then I probably would.
“It was a shit thing to do, and as an adult I should have forced Cooper to approach you.” He grins. “I’m not sorry about last night, though. My dick still remembers that pussy of yours.”
Rolling my eyes, I inform him, “I’ve had better.”
“Liar,” he retorts. If I recall, you passed out twice, and let’s not forget the ‘fuck me harder’ demands you made. I counted seventeen.”
“Now I see why Cooper tells you to fuck off. You’re annoying.”
“What can I say? It’s a gift. All joking aside, I think you should give him another chance. I’m not saying that you should go to him now because you and I both know that he’s probably drunk. Maybe give it a day, and then work it out.”
“What makes you so sure that I’ll give him the time of day ever again?”
“Please. I can read people like a book and you, my dear, are on the verge of caving. If blaming me pushes you over the edge, then have at it, yeah.”
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Carrie chooses this moment to arrive, using her spare key to enter. She catches sight of Jared and lays into him immediately.
“What the hell is asshole number two doing here?” She scans the room. “Is asshole number one here too? I’m feeling the need to punch someone in the dick.” She glares at Jared. He covers his crotch at her threat.
“Calm down, Carrie.” I go over to her, holding her in place. “We’ve worked it out.”
“In twenty minutes? Is his cock so magical that it brainwashed you into thinking his actions were okay?
“What is this fascination she has with the male anatomy?” Jared murmurs, continuing to keep his hands in place.
“Zip it, Carrington.” I scowl at him and then inform Carrie, “It’s fine, babe. Jared and I have an understanding, so no penis punching, mmmk?”
Jared hesitantly removes his hands and stands, skirting his way around Carrie and me.
“Don’t forget what I told you, Beth, and trust me. He’s worth it.” With that last declaration, Jared steps out of the apartment.
“You sure it’s all good?”
“Yes,” I nod, smiling, “but since you’re here, let’s finish this bottle of wine, listen to holiday music, and I’ll give you the full details of how those two rocked my world.”
“Goodie.” She rubs her hands together like a mad scientist. “I’ve been dying to know if porn is an accurate depiction of what happens in the real world.”
“It is.” I grin as I explain why I’ll be buying her the Womanizer Deluxe as a belated Christmas present.
Later that night, Cooper sends some interesting texts. A couple are shocking, but after speaking with Jared, I’d expect nothing less from him. I forgive him for the most part, but as tiny payback I might make him sweat a little.
Chapter 11
Hearts and Flowers
Cooper/Joshua
I'm on my third cup of coffee and my nerves are shot. I'm surprised I haven't run to the bathroom like a preschooler, but I'm afraid I'll miss her entrance if she's coming. The woman can really make one, that's for sure. I'd watch her enter study hall, and I swear it was in slow motion, just like the movies. He red hair would bounce and everything.
“God, I’m such a tool,” I mutter, rubbing my hand over my face. After checking my watch for the millionth time, I confirm that she’s thirty minutes late. Fear sets in as I come to the realization that she’s not coming, and why would she? I’m a lying asshole. Who would want anything to do with me?
Just as I prepare to stand, resigning myself to a life without her in it, a warm hand touches my shoulder, and I know it’s her. I’d felt this type of sensation years ago, back when I was geeky Josh. As confident Cooper, it feels exactly the same.
“Where are you going, Josh?” she whispers from behind me, her soothing voice causing me to relax in my seat.
“Was waiting for you,” I mumble. I grasp her hand, tugging her around so I can see her. “And you’re l
ate.”
“Nope. I’ve been here, watching you since you arrived.”
“How?”
She places a finger over my lips to silence me. “I can stalk a little too.”
I give her a playful nip at her finger, before she pulls her hand away. She doesn’t seem mad, but I need to see where we are before I get comfortable. I motion for her to take a seat, and then I begin to speak. I explain to her about my high school crush, my college detour into married life, and how I found her again. She doesn’t appear surprised at the last part, which confuses me.
“I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid something like this would happen.”
“Jared told me everything,” she confesses, biting her lip. “I wasn't going to see him at first, but he’s a persistent man.”
“Yup,” I acknowledge.
“I’m not saying that what you did was okay, and I don’t forgive you, completely,” she adds. “But I think there’s something here. Love, lust, or whatever you want to call it. Our night together was an eye-opening experience for me, and I’d like to do it again.”
My eyes drop to the table in disappointment. I don’t want to share her again, even with Jared.
Josh, she calls, and I look up. “With only you. That thing with Jared was a one-timer. To be honest, I can only handle one of you. If you want to in the future, I'd be willing, but right now, no.”
I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. I want to push her against the wall and kiss her, but it wouldn’t be appropriate. Instead, I lean forward, giving her a gentle press of my lips. I slip my tongue in partially, doing a quick sweep, just to taste the inside.
After breaking our kiss, I tell her, “I love you, even if you don’t feel the same. Though I should tell you that you eventually will. Cooper can be very persuasive.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Calm down there, stallion,” she quips. “I’d like to get to know Josh first. Cooper can show up in the bedroom if you want. Can you arrange that?”
My lips twitch. “Yes, I can.”
“I should tell you. My friend Carrie suggested that I punch you in the dick, but I told her that I kneed you in the balls already. She wants to meet you.”
Chuckling I say, “As long as she doesn’t come anywhere near my dick or balls, then fine. They belong solely to you now.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Jared
Blue balls have become an integral part of my life. I haven’t had sex in over three months. I tried, but it’s as if my dick has suddenly gotten a conscience. I keep occupied with other things, such as spending time with Cooper. Beth hangs with us on occasion.
Their wedding was fun. It was a small ceremony in Prospect Park, which consisted of twenty-five guests, and their new puppy, Scruffy, for a ring bearer.
It was also the last time I got laid.
I blame that viper with the sleek dark brown hair, which I immensely enjoyed pulling as I fucked her. After looking into her silver-grey eyes glittering in the moonlight, I knew I was in trouble. I call her Voldemort because she’s an evil soul stealer and shouldn’t ever be named. Good pussy has never crippled me before. I always come out on top.
Until now.
New Year is about making resolutions, and unlike some, I plan on keeping mine. I won’t let that she-devil keep me out of commission any longer. I will have sex again, if it’s the last thing I do.
Coming Soon
Finishing in the New Year—Jared and Marla’s story!
Acknowledgments
Thank you once again to my husband who supports me 110%. I don’t know what I would do without him.
Thanks to my partner in crime, Amy, you do so much for me. I’d be lost in the internet abyss if you weren’t here.
Klaire, you are the best. You make everything I write so much better.
Lauren, for being another set of eyes, and listening to my crazy.
Virginia, thanks for putting it all together for me!
Danni S., Mel T., Nichole W., and Shannon S., thank you for letting me use your names for characters. I promise, I didn’t picture your face at all when I wrote those scenes.
My street team Robin, Lynn, and Mayra. Thank you for taking time out during the day to share for me. Your help is much appreciated.
Thank you most of all to the readers. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to live out my dream.
About the Author
Krystyna lives in somewhere USA with her amazingly awesome husband. Though she works full time, blogs, and reads like a maniac, she still manages to find the time to write all her crazy stories.
Her hobbies include baking, skydiving, karaoke, and general mischief. The list of her favorite authors is endless, so rather than singling out anyone particular, she'll just mention her number one go-to cookie is oatmeal raisin.
Instagram:
@krystyna_kitty_cat
Blog:
http://krystynaallyn.blogspot.com
Wattpad:
https://www.wattpad.com/user/KrystynaAllyn
www.krystynaallyn.com
Coming For Christmas: A Sexy Romantic Holiday Standalone Page 8
