Fractured Minds (Rebels of Sandland Book 3)

by Nikki J Summers

  I sighed as Finn lifted his head and then kissed my cheek.

  “I don’t want to leave you tonight. I know I’ve got to, but I don’t ever want to let you go.” His words warmed my heart even more.

  “Why do you have to leave me? We could go to yours, well, Zak’s, and I could stay the night.”

  He lifted himself up to look at me and asked, “Really? You’d do that? But what about your parents?”

  It was sweet that he was being respectful and thinking about them.

  “I could text and tell them I’m stopping with Ryan and Emily. Say that we drank way too much and it’s easier to crash there.”

  “Won’t they check?”

  “No. To be honest, if I told them I was stopping at yours, they’d be fine with it. They like to think they’re cool parents. But I know it would freak you out if I told them the truth. Plus, I’d probably never get you over to my house ever again because you’d feel too embarrassed.” He smirked because he knew I was right. “So, I figured a little white-lie would benefit everyone.”

  “Go for it.” He smiled and we both reluctantly parted and started to sort ourselves out.

  I sent a quick message to my parents on our family group chat and instantly they responded with, “It’s fine. Hope it was a great night. See you tomorrow.”

  “All sorted.” I shook my phone at Finn to confirm it.

  “I really do have the best girlfriend ever.”

  “Yes. Yes you do.” I nodded smugly.

  When we got to Zak’s, he was still awake and playing on his X-Box in the living room in nothing but his boxers. When he looked over his shoulder at us, he smirked.

  “Hey, Eff. Are you stopping the night?”

  I smiled and nodded as Finn stalked around the room picking up empty cans and dirty plates. Then he threw a blanket from the sofa at Zak and told him to put some clothes on. Zak just laughed and pushed it off. He didn’t care.

  “It’s like living with my mother all over again,” he joked, watching Finn through the door that led to the kitchen, seeing him load the plates into the dishwasher.

  Finn didn’t respond, but the noise from the crockery crashing about was answer enough. He was pissed, probably because he felt embarrassed about living here, and the fact that Zak was sitting in ridiculously tight boxers that left nothing to the imagination. Not that I was looking.

  “I think I might head off to bed anyway.” Zak lifted his arms up and gave an over-exaggerated yawn. “And just so you know, I wear earplugs, so you needn’t worry about the noise.” He winked and I flinched as the door of the dishwasher was banged shut.

  “Night.” I gave Zak a sheepish smile as he got up and walked past me and out of the living room.

  “I should’ve text beforehand, let him know to get dressed.” Finn shook his head then put his hand out to take mine.

  “Stop worrying.” I threaded my fingers through his and he led me to his room.

  When we walked in, he clicked on a lamp next to the airbed that he slept on and then tutted to himself.

  “It’s not a lot but it’s a damn sight better than my parents place,” he said, fussing over the bed linen and smoothing it down.

  “I’d have spent the night in the car with you if it meant we could be together.” And I would’ve.

  I knew he was nervous but I wasn’t the kind of girl who was bothered about material things. I didn’t care that he was stopping in Zak’s spare room. He kept it clean and he was obviously respectful about staying here.

  When he was satisfied that the bed was as tidy as he could make it, I laughed and said, “You do realise we’re getting in that thing now?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned and blushed. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m nervous. It’s only you. I mean… not only you. What I meant was, I’m never nervous around you… not anymore, anyway...”

  I’d never heard Finn waffle before and it was beyond endearing.

  “Shut up and get naked.” I laughed to try and calm him down and it worked. He smirked then shrugged his jacket off, placing it carefully on the back of a chair. He watched me through hooded eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt and then peeled that off next, laying it over the jacket. He lifted one leg after the other, popping his trainers off and pulling his socks off last. And then he stood up tall and proud, yanking the buttons of his jeans open, pushing both his jeans and boxers to the floor before kicking them off. When he was standing in front of me naked, he smirked and held his arms out to the sides.

  “Now your turn,” he said, gesturing to where I stood.

  He sat down on the mattress then climbed under the covers, getting himself comfortable to watch me.

  I lifted my dress over my head and then smiled hearing him groan at me pulling my boots down and off my legs.

  “Fucking love those boots. Might have to ask you to put those back on again later.” He winked and I threw them to the side of the bed, giving him a sexy smirk as I did. If he wanted that I’d do it. I’d do anything for him.

  I stood in front of him in my black lace bra and knickers. I figured he’d want the panties to come off last, so I reached behind to unhook my bra and then let it fall to the floor. The way his eyes darkened as he looked at me made my insides tingle.

  “Can I take those off?” he asked, nodding at my lacy G-string.

  “I’d love you to.” I knelt on the mattress and he opened the covers so I could slide in next to him. He pulled me to him and kissed me, his tongue slowly circling mine and making me wetter and hungrier for him. I could feel his hard dick pressing against my thigh and I reached down to take it in my hand and stroke him. He moved his hips slowly into me and then, when he couldn’t hold back any longer, he lifted himself up and sat on his knees between my open legs.

  I lay back as he hooked his fingers into my knickers, and slowly, he pulled them down my thighs. I lifted my butt to help him and then moved my legs so he could take them off completely. He threw them on the floor and then looked at me.

  “You are so beautiful, Eff. But lying here, wet and ready for me, it’s the hottest fucking thing ever.”

  He started to fist his cock as he stared at my pussy. So I gave him a show I knew he’d love. I ran my fingers through the wetness and rubbed over and around my clit, and he moaned.

  “That’s so sexy,” he said, still pumping himself and never taking his eyes off my fingers. Then, when I pushed a finger inside myself, he let out the loudest moan. “Fuck. I want inside of you so badly. Keep doing that. Don’t stop.”

  I carried on using my fingers to pleasure us both and he licked his lips as he watched. I was so close that I arched my back and used every trick I could to hold off my orgasm so it’d be better, stronger, when I did finally come.

  “I need to taste you,” Finn said in a low gruff voice and leant down, moving my fingers away and pushing his tongue into my pussy. I whimpered as he licked right up to my clit and circled, then sucked it into his mouth over and over again. Words couldn’t ever describe how good it felt. I had no words, only sounds and feelings. Fucking amazing feelings.

  “I’m gonna come,” I cried out, and then I grabbed the bed sheets in my fists as I came hard with Finn’s tongue buried as deep inside me as he could get. Wave after wave of intense pleasure that was magnified by a million because having him there; lapping, sucking, teasing me, it made everything so much better, more sensitive.

  I felt him kiss me over my pussy and then my clit, a gentle peck that made my heart swell. Then he crawled up my body and held himself over me. His face glistened with the evidence of what he’d just done and a soppy grin on his face.

  “I love it when you come,” he said, and I gave a low laugh, wiping his mouth and kissing him; tasting myself on his tongue.

  “I love it when you make me come. It’s better than the orgasms I give myself,” I whispered into his ear and he pulled back and frowned at me.

  “Have you done that recently? Given yourself an orgasm?”

  I chuckled. He alm
ost looked jealous. Or worried?

  “No. Not since I drafted you in for that job.”

  “Good.” He nestled back down into my neck, kissing me and nibbling. “I’m forever at your service.”

  “That’s good to know.” My eyes rolled into the back of my head as he kept on sucking and nibbling my neck. “Now hurry up and fuck me.”

  I felt his shoulders jiggle as he held in his laugh.

  “I never knew you’d be such a dirty talker,” he said and bit into my shoulder.

  “You ain’t heard nothing yet,” I hissed, secretly loving the wilder side of him.

  We lay kissing, touching and loving each other, and when he finally pushed inside of me, we both gave a satisfied moan at how good it felt to be joined this way. I loved the feeling of him stretching me, there was nothing like it. I lifted my knees and wrapped my legs around him as he gave me slow long thrusts. This time we didn’t fuck, we made love. There was no rushing, just savouring, taking what we both needed but letting our bodies enjoy each other. We had all night, and as I felt the crest of my orgasm building, I knew we wouldn’t be getting much sleep. Tonight was about cementing our love, drowning in it. And I was more than okay with that. Sleep could wait, but the way he made me feel, that couldn’t.

  I loved having her in my bed, being able to take my time. It was everything I’d always dreamed of and more. I never realised it would be possible to feel this way about another person. I’d always loved Effy, but now it was so powerful and strong I felt like I’d cease to exist if I ever lost her.

  The whole night had been perfect, apart from the glitch in the middle that I didn’t want to think about, but right now was my favourite part of all. She had her head resting on my chest, her arms and legs wrapped around me, and I could feel the tickle of her breath as she slept. My arm had gone dead hours ago but I didn’t care. I never wanted to move. This was what heaven felt like.

  She started to flinch slightly, rousing from her sleep, and I hugged her tighter to me and kissed the top of her head.

  “Morning,” I whispered into her hair. “Are you feeling okay?”

  She lifted up to look at me then nuzzled back down and yawned.

  “I’m perfect.” She reached up to smooth her hair down. “Why is my hair so matted? I mean, I know we were… active last night, but it’s all knotted.”

  “Sorry. That might be my fault. I was stroking your hair while you were asleep.” I hoped she didn’t hate me for it, but I couldn’t help it. She looked too damn cute.

  “Oh my God, that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” She squeezed me tightly around my waist and I hugged her back. It was so warm in this bed, I doubted either one of us would ever want to leave.

  “Are you working today?” she asked me, and reality hit like a bolt of lightning. I’d promised the others I’d be at the factory today to help prep things ready for the party.

  “Shit. I’ve got to meet the lads to sort out Friday night.”

  I grabbed my phone from the floor to check the time and groaned. I had about twenty minutes before I was supposed to be there. There wasn’t a chance in hell that I was going to make it, so I fired a text off to let them know I was running late.

  “I have to be in uni later, anyway. Don’t worry.” She patted my chest and we both sighed at the prospect of leaving this room and facing the rest of the world.

  We put if off as long as we could, but eventually we dragged ourselves out of bed, got ready and headed out into the living room to find Zak grinning at us with a plate of croissants in his hand.

  “Just in time, lovebirds. Get them while they’re still warm.” He thrust the plate forward and Effy took one. I couldn’t stomach food yet though. I still had the nagging dread of what would happen later when Brandon cancelled his fight.

  “You running late too?” I asked him, surprised he was still here.

  “We’re running late. I saw your message on the group chat, so I figured I’d wait for you and we could go together. I’ll drive. Eff, we can drop you off home too.”

  “No need.” She smiled, looking between us. “I have my car outside. You boys have fun today, though.” She patted my chest as she made her way to the door.

  I followed her, feeling like I didn’t want to say goodbye. Not yet.

  Effy had borrowed one of my hoodies to put over her dress from last night. And I knew she wanted to go home, get properly showered and changed before she headed into uni. But seeing her in my clothes did something to me, and I really wished she’d keep it on, just so every guy there would know to stay the fuck away from her. She was mine.

  I found it hard to say goodbye to her, especially with Zak hovering and watching us from the doorway, but knowing I’d see her later helped. There were no more endings for us, only a see you later, and I liked that. I’d never had it, I’d always wanted it, and now… I’d got it. My own happiness.

  When we arrived at the factory an hour later, I headed straight to where Brandon was camped out in the boxing area, setting up his hay bales that he still insisted on using. In typical Brandon style, he had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth as he lugged a bale across the room.

  “I thought you quit?” I knew he’d cut them out ever since Harper fell pregnant and I was surprised to see him back to his old ways.

  “I did, but it’s been a tense few days and I needed one. I’ll quit again once I get back home,” he said with the cigarette still hanging out of his mouth.

  “Is Harper okay?”

  He stopped what he was doing, dropped the bale to the floor and sat on it, then he took a long drag on his ciggie before blowing out the smoke.

  "She’s uncomfortable and I’m worried sick... about both of you.” He flicked his cigarette to the floor and stared back up at me. “I spoke to Harper last night about the fight. We both agreed that I can’t back out. But let’s be honest here, was that ever gonna happen? I’m not a quitter. If I said I’ll fight, I’ll fucking fight. I wouldn’t let people down like that. If they’re paying money to see me, I’ll give them what they want. Harper agrees. She doesn’t like it, but she trusts me.” He stood up and started moving bales again as he spoke. “I’ve always said the bout only stops when someone drops, but it won’t be me. I’m still fit and Joe Hazel is a lazy boxer. He’ll go down, I’ll save face, and you get whatever it is you need from me doing this.”

  I was stunned.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you’ll tell me what this is all about when it’s all over. I fucking hate being left in the dark.” He turned to glare at me and I was so fucking thankful to him for what he was doing. I could never find the words to let him know how truly grateful I was.

  “I will. I promise,” I said, feeling the words stick in my throat.

  I grabbed a bale and helped him to stack them up. It was the least I could do. I had plans for artwork, but that could wait. I felt like I needed to do something to show him I wasn’t totally blocking him out. Not on purpose, anyway.

  “Don’t look so worried,” Brandon said, looking calmer now as he interrupted my racing stressed-out thoughts. “It’ll be fine.” He smiled. “We’ve got you. Did I mention we want you to be godfather when the babies come?”

  “No. Mate, that’d be awesome. Thanks so much for choosing me.” I went over and gave him a manly hug, patting him on the back. Thinking about those babies helped to get some perspective in all of this. I couldn’t wait to meet them.

  “Harper wanted to ask you when we were together, and she’ll probably give me grief for telling you now, but you looked like you needed a boost today.” Brandon nudged me as he spoke, making the clouds that were darkening my mood clear slightly.

  “That’s quite a boost too.” I grinned and pulled my phone out to text Effy and tell her.

  “Focus on that. That and Effy. It’s what I do when shit gets too much. We’re fighters, you and me.” He punched my shoulder for effect and I smiled and tripped back a little as he did. “Onl
y, I fight in the ring. You’ve been fighting every day of your life.”

  I stopped texting and looked up at him, my expression turning serious.

  “Don’t think we don’t all see how hard you fight, Finn. We do and we’re all here for you. Hell, if you asked Ryan or Zak to fight in the ring for you, they would. The girls too probably. I’m respecting your wishes that you don’t want to share this, whatever this is. But I need you to know, whatever happens this weekend, we are all beside you.”

  “I know and I appreciate it. I really do.”

  I might’ve been dealt a shit hand in the family stakes, but when it came to my friends, I’d hit the jackpot. I just hoped that wouldn’t all come crashing down when the weekend finally came.

  It was the day of the party, and I couldn’t stop my mind from serving up a whole host of dreadful, awful scenarios of what might happen. I knew the soldiers would be there. It was a party in their manor. They wouldn’t be able to stay away, but I didn’t trust them not to say anything or cause trouble. I had to be on high alert tonight, and that included keeping Effy close to me at all times. I usually rocked up to these things on my own, but for this one, I wanted to go with her. I didn’t want to spend it alone, lost in my art. I wanted to share it with Effy.

  There was still a few hours to go until kick off, but I couldn’t stop myself from pacing the room and climbing the walls. I had to do something to take my mind off the main event, I was slowly going insane. I decided to go to Effy’s and pick her up earlier than we’d agreed. I made sure I texted her first though, so she had enough time to get ready. I wasn’t that clueless about women, despite what it looked like.

  As usual, she looked stunning in a little black dress, but when I said I wanted to stop off at the park before sunset, she frowned, looking down at her outfit and said, “I’m not dressed for the park. I’ll look silly going there like this.”