Eye for an Eye (Take a Chance Book 2)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Hey, I need a favour.”

  “What kind of favour, because the last time you asked for one, I ended up in a cell for a night.”

  I snort. It wasn’t my fault he got into a fight with Landon when I asked him to drop a package off to Jimmy at The Ginn Inn.

  “I’m with Evie. She just went to see her mum and it went badly. Her mum attacked her.”

  “Fuck, is she okay?”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t get a good vibe from the place. They treated Evie like she didn’t belong. She’s distraught, man.”

  “What do you need?” he asks straight away, and I close my eyes. I can always count on my family.

  “I need you to let her have the day off tomorrow.”

  “Whatever she needs. It’s only one day,” he explains, sounding slightly confused as to why it would be a problem.

  “And I’ll be with her,” I rush out, hearing him groan.

  “Wyatt, we’re booked up.”

  “I know. But you haven’t seen her. I’m not just saying this to get out of work. I’m going to take her out for the day.”

  Another heavy sigh echoes through the phone. “Okay. But you can make it up by doing longer hours next week.”

  “Thanks, brother.”

  “Go see to Evie,” he orders. “Check in later.”

  “Will do,” I tell him, before ending the call.

  I head around the car to the driver’s side, before opening the door to get in. Evie’s turned away, staring out the window, her cheeks wet with tears.

  I remain silent, leaving her to her thoughts as I put the car into gear and pull out of the space.

  *** *** ***

  I pull up outside her flat, putting the car into park before turning to face her. “I know this is a ridiculous question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. Are you okay?”

  “I’m sorry you had to witness that,” she whispers, unable to look at me.

  “You don’t need to be sorry. I’m sorry you had to go through that,” I softly reply.

  She forces out a dry laugh, wiping under her eyes. “It’s nothing new for me, Wyatt.”

  “Still, it upsets you.”

  “Yeah,” she croaks out.

  I undo her belt and pull her to me, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “If I could make it right, I would.”

  “Thank you,” she replies, pressing into me. “Why don’t we go and eat the beef stew I have cooking?”

  I’m surprised she would want to. She’s no longer in a zombie state, but I can tell she’s still reeling over the effects of her mother accusing her of poisoning her.

  If anything, I would have thought she’d want to be alone. Which I wouldn’t let happen. She needs someone with her, whether she knows that or not.

  “Are you sure?” I ask, only to be polite. She doesn’t really have much of a choice since I’m not going anywhere. She doesn’t know that though. I’m being a gentleman and polite in letting her think she has a choice.

  “Of course. After tonight, I just want to relax.”

  “Well, feed me then,” I demand lightly, letting her go.

  She chuckles under her breath as she grabs her bag from the floor. “Yes, because you are deprived of food. You probably ate a full meal before arriving.”

  I reach out, my fingers wrapping around her arm. She stops with her hand on the door, turning to look at me.

  “No, I wouldn’t do that to you. In fact, I skipped lunch today and I didn’t binge on any snacks.”

  Her eyes widen as she pulls back, hearing the sincerity of it. I love my food—what male doesn’t? I can see it means something to her when her eyes flash with adoration.

  “Why did you do that?”

  I reach down and link our fingers together. “Because I want this to be special. I don’t want to ruin it by being full.”

  She studies me, her lips curving into a smile before she bursts out laughing. “You wanted to be hungry enough that if the food was horrible, you’d still eat it.”

  Affronted by the truth, I narrow my eyes at her, although my lips twitching gives me away. “Of course not. Nothing that smelled that delicious could taste bad.”

  “Nuh uh. Then why didn’t you eat those cakes Charlotte brought over a few weeks ago? They looked really good, and when I went to go have one, they suddenly ended up on the floor.”

  I’m not even sorry for knocking the container to the floor. I saved her life. She should be thanking me. “Because I like you and I didn’t want you to die by cupcake. Charlotte is one of those people who excels in everything but baking. She was always top of her class at school and knows random facts. But for some reason, when it comes to baking, she can’t grasp it. She’s put people in hospital. The last time we ate something made by Charlotte, we had to take a week off work. I couldn’t let that happen to you.”

  She leans up, pressing her lips to mine, eyes sparkling. “Then I guess I should be thanking you.”

  I nod, my lips tipping up. “I guess you should.”

  Her lashes flutter. “However will I thank you?”

  “I can think of a few things,” I rasp, my lids lowering.

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  I press my lips to hers in a hard, punishing kiss before pulling back. “Let’s go, baby.”

  She moves to get out of the car whilst I race to untangle myself from the seat belt, moving quickly to get out of the car. Once I’ve locked it up, I jog to the pavement, pulling her into my arms. She laughs, squeezing her thighs around my waist as she shoves her face into my neck, licking a path up to my ear.

  I’m already getting hard, wanting her so badly I ache.

  We make quick work of letting ourselves into the building, getting up the stairs and into her flat. She kisses me, rubbing herself against my chest, moaning into my mouth. I walk past the bedroom, heading into the front room, and drop her down on the couch.

  “Strip,” I order, already lifting my T-shirt over my head, my body humming.

  Her lips part, and she freezes for a second before doing as I ordered. She tosses her white fleece jumper to the side, leaving her in a black cotton bra, her tits pressed up and in. I groan, licking my lips at the sight of her cleavage.

  She’s clutter in my head; I’m always thinking of her, always imagining her naked, always wanting her. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing, she is in my head. Just like now. There is a flush to her cheeks, her lips are parted, and her pupils are dilated. She looks good turned on. It makes me hard as a fucking rock.

  I strip myself of my jeans and boxers, not caring that I’m standing naked in front of her. I throw the condom next to her on the sofa as she sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, pausing in her bid to remove her jeans. Grinning, I grip the ends, sliding them down her legs, revealing her matching knickers. I groan, seeing a darker patch caused by her arousal.

  She is killing me.

  I reach for her knickers and she tenses. “Don’t you dare tear these,” she orders, raising an eyebrow.

  I grin, rolling them over her arse and down her thighs before pulling them off and throwing them somewhere behind me.

  “Turn around,” I croak out, need in my tone.

  Her eyebrows bunch together but she does, bending over the back of the couch, her knees pressing into the plush cushions.

  “Fuck,” I groan, my hands squeezing the globes of her arse cheeks. I lightly tap her arse, my entire body humming as I watch her skin ripple.

  Snatching the condom up, I tear open the packet before rolling it over my cock. I ache, and I won’t be sated until my cum is spurting inside her.

  I put one knee to the couch, coming up behind her and unclipping her bra. She groans, rubbing the round globes of her arse over my dick.

  Fuck!

  Pre-cum leaks over the head of my cock. “This is going to be quick, baby.”

  “I don’t care. I want you. I always want you,” she tells me, undoing me with her words.

  I line myself up at her entrance bef
ore gripping her hip and plunging my cock inside her in one long, hard thrust, hitting the back of her core.

  She cries out, her head tilting back as I pummel in and out of her. I shove her knees further apart, fucking her deeper. Her head hangs over the back of the sofa as she grips the back, her knuckles white.

  The smell of our arousal fills the air, turning me on more. I slam to the hilt, reaching around to palm her chest before lifting her up so I can cup her tits. Her arse slaps against my thighs as her moans fill the air.

  I ram into her, groaning as her tits bounce with each thrust. “God, you drive me wild. Look at your tits.”

  “Wyatt,” she groans, tilting her head to the side, reaching for my lips. I kiss her back as best as I can at this angle, our breaths mingling together.

  I’m already close, and I can feel her tightening further each time I penetrate her.

  “Fuck!” I groan, pushing her forward again, one hand on her shoulder and one on her hip as I look down between us, watching my cock slide in and out, coated in her juices.

  I ram my cock inside her wet pussy, feeling my balls tighten.

  “Wyatt,” she screams, her movements frenzied. Her pussy tightens around my cock, squeezing me as she rides through her orgasm. I groan, leaning back a little to get a better angle as my grip tightens on her.

  I suck in a breath, my orgasm tearing through me as I fill the condom, fucking her without rhythm.

  Sweat trickles down my back as I slow down, my balls tight as her pussy continues to spasm around me.

  Evie collapses against the sofa, my cock slipping free as she pants, pushing hair out of her face.

  I lean forward, kissing her bare shoulder. “You are amazing,” I whisper, pressing another kiss to her neck.

  She turns, lying back on the couch, staring up at me with adoration. I manoeuvre myself so I’m situated between her legs, running my fingers through her hair.

  “I like you, Wyatt. A whole lot,” she tells me, her tone serious and filled with emotion. “Remember that, and how real this is.”

  I soften against her before pressing a kiss to her swollen lips. It’s the great sex talking. However, I know she likes me and it isn’t just about the sex. “That’s the sex talking, but just so you know, I like you a lot too.”

  She gives me a small smile, her fingers playing with the hair on the nape of my neck. “This is more than great sex, though, right?”

  My eyebrows pinch together. I thought she knew that. I explained it from the start that I thought this was more. But seeing the vulnerability in her gaze, I answer, keeping my voice soft and low, yet steady.

  “It’s always been more than sex. Always.”

  She reaches up, kissing me, her tongue sweeping against mine, and I moan into her mouth, pressing my dick against her.

  When she pulls back, her lids lower and a blush rises in her cheeks. “If we are going to go again, we should have food first.”

  “Definitely,” I answer, smirking. “My girl wears me out, so I’ll definitely need sustenance to keep up with her.”

  She lightly slaps my shoulder, a giggle escaping. “It’s you who pounces on me.”

  My lips twist into a pout as I tilt my head side to side. “But it’s your fault I want you so bad.”

  Her expression softens into a smile. “Thank you for being there today. For bringing me home. For being you,” she whispers.

  “Always,” I promise.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  EVIE

  He brought us to the beach.

  The beach.

  Big, burly, yet kind and gentle Wyatt brought me to a beach so I could forget the night before and relax. I never would have pictured this or that he could be romantic. It’s sweet.

  When Wyatt said he had asked Jaxon to give us the day off, I was a little annoyed with him for doing it behind my back. I don’t want them to think I’m incapable of doing my job because I let my personal life get in the way. I want them to know I’m all in. Not only that, but I need the money to pay rent now that the government no longer pays for the help I received when I was caring for Mum. It all stopped the minute she went into care.

  We even argued—if you could call bickering back and forth arguing—when I said I was going into work and that he had no right making that kind of decision for me. Wyatt won in the end, explaining that he was due for some time off since Jaxon had spent a lot of time off with Lily over the past few months. I tried to argue, pointing out that I’m not Lily, that I work there. It didn’t matter. He still won the argument. And as we pull up onto the seafront, I’m glad.

  I love the beach. We never got many chances to go when I was growing up, but the few times we did, it was the best. I have so many good memories with my mum there.

  The weather isn’t the best, but it’s dry at least. I wouldn’t care if it was raining though. I’m at the beach with Wyatt and we are spending the day here, heading back later to get back in time so I can still get enough sleep, ready for work tomorrow.

  It’s the kindest, most thoughtful thing any guy has ever done for me. Sure, many have booked holidays or trips, but they weren’t done for me. Wyatt has done this to cheer me up, to spend time with me, to get to know me. How can I even argue with that when all I’ve wanted to do since we slept together is be with him.

  “Wyatt, I—I don’t know what to say,” I whisper, staring at the waves slapping over the sand.

  He grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. “Just tell me you like the beach.”

  I laugh, my chest warming at the nerves in his tone. “I love the beach, Wyatt. Do they have arcades here? Candy? Oh, we need to get some fish and chips. You can’t come to the beach and not get fish and chips.”

  “Or sand on the rim of your can of pop,” he agrees, causing another laugh to escape.

  I can’t believe this. He did this for me, to cheer me up. The backs of my eyes begin to burn. I’m not going to cry God dammit.

  Instead, I paste on a bright smile, leaning into him a bit. “Want to build a sandcastle?”

  “Let’s get you fed first. You didn’t eat this morning.”

  I didn’t. I was too nervous after he said we were going somewhere. I kept picturing us running into Andrew, but that isn’t even an issue. No way would a man like that be caught dead here. He’d be above it. He’s missing out because aside from a fair, the beach is the best place to be.

  Wyatt gets out of the car, and by the time I’ve shoved everything back into my bag that fell onto the floor, he is around the car and opening my door.

  I lean up, kissing him on the cheek when I exit the car. I breathe in the salt air, soaking in the smell of the water, the sand, and the shops selling food along the beachfront. I can smell donuts, fish and chips, burgers and hot dogs.

  It’s heaven.

  He locks up the car before linking our fingers together, and tugs lightly on my arm in the direction of the beachfront.

  He inhales, taking in his surroundings. “I miss that smell.”

  “Me too,” I agree. “The last time I came to the beach, me and Mum had to find somewhere to stay the night. We got burnt so bad and my mum couldn’t drive back. I was fourteen, I think. But it was such a good day, enough so we forgot to put more sunscreen on.”

  He stares down at me, his eyes flashing with surprise and interest. “What did you do together?”

  “We built sandcastles, got sand in our pop,” I tease, winking at him. “We spent time on the pier playing games in the arcade. We had fish and chips and then ate candy floss before going down to the rock pools. We tried to find some crabs, but we never did. We found a lot of seaweed but never a crab. It was how we got burnt. We were having so much fun looking it just slipped our minds.”

  I glance away, feeling tears burn the back of my eyes.

  “Why do you seem sad? It sounds like a happy memory.”

  I curl my hand around his bicep, resting my head against his shoulder. “It was. One of the best. But I just realised it was the last t
ime we spent time together like that. I got busy with school, she with work, and then I guess time passed and she became ill. We never got to do anything like that again.”

  He leans down, his warm lips pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m glad to be here.”

  “Good.”

  We stop at the chip shop and I watch as his powerful frame stands in line behind a group of people, waiting to be served. He stands out. All the Hayes brothers do. I mean, they are hot in a way that makes even happily married women turn to stare. His tattoos only add to his sex appeal, and I can’t help but feel the warmth swirl in my stomach, knowing he is mine.

  I never want to let him go. And I don’t want to dwell on the future, only focus on the now.

  *** *** ***

  The wind has died down but there is still a slight chill in the air as we stroll along the beach near the water lapping up onto shore.

  It’s beautiful here. Peaceful.

  Wyatt has not only managed to distract me from the disaster of my life but filled my heart with such love and joy. It has been one of the best days of my life. And as the evening draws on, sadness slowly sweeps in. I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here with Wyatt and enjoy what the seaside has given us.

  We have done everything. We have eaten, stuffed our faces with candy floss, and enjoyed the arcades and the small fair they had at the end of the pier.

  “You are deep in your thoughts again,” he murmurs, bumping his shoulder against mine.

  I chuckle, shaking the thoughts from my mind. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want this to end and I know we have to get back soon.”

  “It’s not over yet,” he informs me, giving me a wink.

  “It’s not?”

  He shakes his head. “No. See those?” he asks, pointing over the waves slapping up and over some rocks.

  “Yes.”

  “We are going to find you a crab.”

  I grin, kicking sand up with my feet as I bounce to a stop in front of him. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  I grab his hand, laughing as I pull him over to the rocks. He doesn’t argue, letting me drag him over. I stop before the water, dropping my bag and shoes into the sand before bending down and rolling up my jeans.