One Day After Never (The Second Time's the Charm STANDALONE Series Book 1)

by Whitney Walker

  “What? Really?” I sound as incredulous as I feel. Maybe I should consider becoming a teacher.

  “It’s pretty powerful. Watching everyone grow stronger, and the energy that builds during class. I thrive on it.”

  “Is that why you became a teacher?”

  She laughs quietly. “Oh, not at all. It’s just a bonus. I became a teacher because I needed a new profession so I could be available for my son. A lot was going on in my life, and a way to cope and find some peace in the chaos topped my list. Serendipitously, I sat by a studio owner on the plane ride moving to Michigan. She happened to be coming to do teacher training. I had done yoga sporadically at best but liked it. I didn’t have anything to do or anywhere to go once arriving in Michigan, so I showed up. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

  “Well, I guess that was being in the right place at the right time!”

  “You could say that, or you could say when you’re paying attention you never know what you might find right in front of you.”

  This makes me think of my mother. What had I missed that was right in front of me? “I haven’t been paying attention for a long time.”

  “Well, all you can do is start now by living in the present. How about now, like the present?” She laughs at herself, and I have to laugh back, the mood lightened.

  “You are young, Peyton. Give yourself a break. I’ve had a few decades to figure this out and I still have a lot to learn. I’m just the best student of life I can be. We figure out this life thing together, one day a time.”

  For once, I feel that with J.T., Jack, and Alexandra by my side, I might have a chance to do just that.

  DECEMBER 24th

  CHAPTER 28 | J.T.

  R e-entry. There is always a place where I feel the calm pace of Africa contort to first-world freneticism. I should be used to it by now, but it always hits me like running head-first into an unexpected wall.

  This morning, my own frantic pace is required, to get my ass to Detroit pronto. Considering my body’s mid-afternoon time zone, pulling onto the highway at 5:10 a.m. isn’t a stretch. Assuming I am still having dinner with Jack and his family, not falling asleep, head on my plate, might be, however. Coffee is always my companion in my commute around the world.

  Dinner is no guarantee, keeping in line with my shitty holiday track record. I was so hopeful that I’d be holding Peyton in my arms within hours of being back in the United States, but my hopes were dashed by what I’d learned. My plane was ninety minutes late and my call upon landing had gone unanswered. The miles and days didn’t deter my thinking about her, but there’s a chance I’m walking into a full-fledged disaster.

  I could blame an eighty-degree temperature swing in less than twenty-four hours, but it’s more likely I am shivering on Peyton’s front porch from nerves. Until that last hour of flight, I planned to kiss her then make love to her within minutes. Now, we need to talk. Outside of her bedroom.

  She pulls the door open and takes my breath away. I thought I had etched the details of how the corners of her eyes rise when she smiles, but my memory hasn’t done her face justice. Even with her blue eyes still coveting sleep, the way they smile at me hits me in the gut and groin at the same time. Damn this girl.

  “Hi, you! Get in here out of the cold.” She reaches for my hand to pull me in.

  Curiosity before consternation. I let her take it.

  I can feel her warmth to my core. I shrug out of my coat and hang it on the curved end of the wooden banister. She lunges forward and I wrap her in my embrace, breathing her in. Her cream-colored pajama top has the word love in black written in horizontal lines. Maybe the universe is telling me it will all be okay.

  My hands slide over the silk down to the small of her back. They want to find more of her, but I resist. I’m sure she is expecting a kiss, but I can’t go there yet. Too much unknown. I bury my face into her hair and smell the floral aroma of shampoo. She feels and smells so good.

  “I missed you so much. I couldn’t wait to hold you again, but I need to ask you something.” I can barely squeeze the words out, my throat constricting in fear of what she may tell me. She releases her arms from our embrace and looks at me, eyes wide.

  “Oh my God, what? I was expecting a different greeting than this, so please, ask me anything.”

  Her eyes close and she shakes her head. Her chin drops to her chest, before looking back into my eyes. “You know?”

  Not exactly what I am hoping to hear.

  “I’m so sorry, J.T.” She holds up her left hand so I can see the absence of a ring. “I’ll tell you everything. It’s been a rough couple of weeks.”

  She steps backward away from me, and I want to pull her in again, not wanting her to feel rejected. I desperately want to believe there is a rational explanation. I take her hand and lead her to the couch, where we sit side by side.

  “I was never in love with Kyle. I never even once told him that I loved him.”

  She seems adamant on this point.

  “I broke it off before Thanksgiving, just like I told you. He went to all lengths to get me back. There were flowers, and concert tickets. The more I said no, the more he pushed. He even got his mom involved. I made it abundantly clear we had no future. I swear.”

  I notice her hand move to the side of her head. She rubs a spot without thinking. Did that bastard hurt her? I will protect her always. “I did think it was ironic that People magazine just happened to be left in my seat pocket on the airplane. I had a lot of time to kill and was flipping through. It’s not something I would normally read, but it’s hard to think maybe I wasn’t meant to—”

  Her hands start to wave as she interrupts, intent on getting something off her chest, “No. It’s not at all what it seemed. When people started texting me Monday when the issue hit the stands, ugh! I would have told you if we talked. I should have texted you. The whole thing was infuriating. Thank God they barely showed my face! Sometimes it pays off to be no one. And, for the record, I deserve an Oscar for my performance.”

  “It sure looked like engagement photos. On bended knee, and after. I have to have a relationship based on trust, Peyton.”

  “I hated that kiss. It wasn’t real. Kyle cheated on me. I know what it feels like and have no intention of inflicting that hurt on another human. It was awful. I had to say yes in front of all those people. I told him just a few hours later I was never marrying him. I haven’t had contact with him since. I don’t have the ring. I never wanted the ring.”

  “Okay, thank you.”

  “That’s it? You didn’t yell or accuse me or—”

  “That’s not my M.O., Peyton. I kind of give people the benefit of the doubt and err on the side of love.” I run my finger from left to right along the words covering her nipples.

  She looks at me quizzically. “I’ve just heard that same thing somewhere recently.”

  “I’m pretty sure I learned it from my mom.”

  “So you aren’t mad?”

  “I’m not mad. I was really hoping there was an explanation. Really, really hoping. I just needed to look into your eyes when you answered my question. I’m going to trust you until I think I have a reason not to. Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me. I do real, regardless of whether it comes with a happy ending.”

  “I’m not used to someone who doesn’t go stark raving mad on me. It’s going to take some getting used to.”

  “Well, I think I can help with that.” I’m unable to let another second pass without kissing her. I pull her face to my lips and let her blond waves fall over my hands. She covers my hands with her own, connecting us together in a new way. This is a different kiss, tender, with mutual understanding. Our tongues unhurriedly and affectionately tangle, her breath my exhalation, nothing separating us from one another. I want this moment in my memory forever.

  “There are a few more inches I’d like to start exploring on your perfect body,” I say sliding my hand up the outside of her black sil
k pajama pants, stopping at her waist and pulling her toward me. She surprises me by pushing on my chest and I am forced to lie back onto the couch with her on top of me.

  My kiss shows her how much I missed her. I push my tongue deeper into her mouth and kiss her more forcefully. My hands find her ass and I pull her tightly against me, feeling an immediate arousal. Her covered breasts push into my chest and I anticipate feeling them with my hands and mouth before exploring the rest of her. I hope I am not thinking with my dick and overruling my brain, but I’ve thought of a million things I wanted to do to her over the last month and I can’t fight nature.

  Her legs on either side of my body, Peyton sits up, allowing me to unbutton her top. One. I see more of her chest and my dick flinches. Two. I can push the sides of her top around her breasts, remembering their shape and size peeking out from that beautiful dress. I know what is waiting for me below. My fingertips skim the sides and run along the u-shape curve of the underside. I watch her pink nipples swell. Her head falls backward.

  Three. Her sitting on top of me gives me unabated access to two perfect mounds of flesh. I cover both breasts with my palms. She grinds her hips against my hard-on. I squeeze her nipples between my thumbs and forefingers. She grinds again. Oh, this girl. She drives me mad.

  Four. Who needs to wait for the last button? My hands find the graceful curve of her shoulders as I slide the silk over them and down her arms, leaving her top half completely exposed. I’m looking up at her, and marvel at the view. Her long neck is feminine. Strands of blond flow gently over her shoulders, falling just short of her breasts. I run both thumbs from the base of her throat outward on each collarbone, then my hands down her arms again. She places her hands on my chest over my heart. I wonder if she can feel it pounding out of my chest with what she does to me.

  She leans back onto her heels over my thighs. Finding the button of my jeans, I feel it release. She leans back just a little further to unzip me. I am free of the fabric holding me back. Sweet relief.

  I lift my upper body just enough to put my arm behind my head and pull my sweater over it. I’m not wasting time, so I take off my gray t-shirt as well. I relax back into the leather, sliding my hands to her waist, thinking what it will be like to lift her up and down on me soon. Closing my eyes, her hands languish, flesh on flesh over my chest. Shoulders. Biceps. I enjoy her touch. Her thumbs sweep the sensitive skin of my elbow joint and I shudder as a jolt of energy runs the course of my spine.

  She leans forward, whole body warm against mine. “I can’t wait to have you in me, J.T. Walker.” The whisper sends another wave of shivers head to toe, then her tongue explores my earlobe. She kisses downward along the side of my neck then each pectoral muscle, exhaling against my nipples. Shudder take two. My balls are rocks.

  I reach to the hem of her top and pull it over her head, tossing it to the floor. I push the waistband of her pajama bottoms down and find nothing underneath. Just one more article of clothing separates me from her nakedness. I’ll wait just a little longer.

  My arms around her back pull her forward, flesh on flesh, together as one. She extends her legs slightly, my hard cock and her clit perfectly aligned. We move in unison, rhythmically rocking, her clit against me. Unexpectedly, her breath is becoming more hurried, mine matching its urgency.

  “I love making you cum,” I whisper into her exhale. She groans against my lips, then gasps. My hands on her hips, I guide her movements, feeling them quicken. A long, drawn-out, “Ooh,” reverberates as she forcefully pushes into me and I back into her, holding her tightly.

  “Oh God!” She trembles in my arms and I move to hold her, so she feels safe. I keep pushing my hips upward until she relaxes onto my body fully, hot breath coming in pants against my chest.

  “I missed you, Peyton.” I hope she doesn’t think I just missed this. I missed her smile and her laugh and holding her talking as well. But I won’t lie, the effortless turn-on is pretty remarkable too.

  She wastes no time scrambling to her feet, standing on the side of the couch, breath still jagged and audible. I sit up with her between my legs, reach for the silk drawstring, untie the bow, and slide the pants over her shapely hips and legs. She takes both my hands and pulls me to standing, wiggling my jeans over my hips to the floor. I lean down to get rid of the socks quickly. When I return to standing, she slides both hands over my erection while moving up to my waist. She carefully maneuvers my boxer briefs around the protrusion. Finally, we are naked face to face.

  I find her lips again and reach to lift her right leg to my hip. She locks it behind mine, and I find myself painfully close to her. My kiss says I can’t wait to have her, lips intensely pushing against hers, demanding. Fingers tangle in the hair on the back of her head, but I am careful to avoid the area I saw her rub earlier. I won’t hurt her.

  Her hand closes around my shaft, gracefully gliding over its hardness. My right arm holds her hip in place while my left fondles velvety smooth skin between my fingers. Her grip on my shoulders tightens. I push my third finger inside of her. So wet.

  I slowly move in and out until her palms pushing hard against my chest force me back to lying on the couch. She straddles me. I hold her hips, guiding her wetness to slide over me.

  I can’t wait any longer. Shit, I need a rubber. I reach my right arm down to the jeans on the floor and pull my wallet from the back pocket. She takes the package from my fingers and opens it, unrolling it over me, and returns to where we left off.

  She lifts her hips slightly to position herself right over me, tip feathering against her opening. Finally! Letting me enter only about an inch, I move forward to where just the tip remains inside of her. She pushes back. Just a little deeper. Each inch feels like it’s the first time. She pushes back again, just a little more, and releases me to the tip again. This build-up works. I’ve never wanted a woman this badly.

  No longer able to be denied, I bury myself in her with a hard thrust. All of me. Heart included. Damn her, she’d better not break it.

  Peyton’s hot, wet pussy surrounds me to the base. She pulls forward and pushes hard into me again. A groan with animalistic undertones is forced outward from my gut. My hands around her back hold me deeply inside of her, feeling the constriction of smooth muscles.

  I lift my hips, wanting to feel the friction again. With ease, I push in deeper yet and keep my hips raised. I feel her clench around me. Her breasts push into my chest and her hair tickles my shoulders and arms. I feel her everywhere.

  “You feel so good,” I groan into the base of her neck.

  She slides her hands underneath my back, reaching over my shoulders from behind. Hands on the small of her back, I feel it arch, tuck under, arch again. Pressure in front. Pressure just above my balls. Pressure in the front. Tight pressure over my whole shaft. Hips circling, grinding. Her hand gripping my balls, pushing them tighter into my body. Oh shit. Oh shit. Let go. I can’t speak to tell her to let go or I will cum. It feels so good. So tight. So wet.

  I find her hips again. I lift her hips up and slide myself out to the tip to hold off my impatient orgasm. She circles her hips and her labia move all around my head. Oh shit. I find her butt and pull her into me. We hold each other so tightly it’s hard to breathe. Our hips and chest rock together in one forward, then backward, motion.

  Peyton’s body is trembling against mine from head to toe. She breathes fast and hard into my ear and I feel her heart beating against my own. I can barely catch a breath against the pressure in my balls, her body over mine, and her knees squeezing into my sides. Her hips thrust upward as her back arches deeply and I feel her pussy twitching into my release. I am so hard and so deep in her. I groan with the pressure and pulsing, squeezing the flesh of her hips. She is still trembling in my arms. I keep pushing inside of her, harmonious sounds of male and female pleasure, together. We hang on tightly.

  Our moans retreat into silence. She is fully relaxing on my body. I feel goosebumps break out on her skin from the chill i
n the air. I move my arms around her back to cover as much as I can of her to keep her warm.

  I never want to let go.

  CHAPTER 29 | Peyton

  “ I’m all nerves on this porch,” I say to J.T., shivering at the door of Jack’s house.

  “You should have seen me this morning on yours.” He laughs. “I tried to blame the temperature swing from Malawi to Morganville but don’t tell anyone. It was all you.” He shoves his shoulder into me playfully with a wicked, crooked smirk. Oh, what that dimple does to me! His words and playfulness turn my crazy to calm in an instant.

  Like the month before, Danielle opens the front door. “Pretty sure you should just be walking in by now! New rule, no more knocking for you.” Now I am calm and happy. She leans back, still holding the door handle. “Incoming. And they have presents! Hopefully for me!” She laughs and holds back the wind by closing the door hurriedly behind us.

  “It smells great in here,” J.T. says with a wink, knowing I had helped the day prior. He follows me to the kitchen, where the informal receiving line is ready. J.T. goes down the line, shaking hands with Evan and Griffin. Jack pulls him in for a hug. By the time I have hugged to the end of the line, I stand in front of J.T., who has an armful of Tucker.

  I hadn’t thought about the possible parental preview but J.T.’s ease with the toddler in his arms causes the official line-crossing. My heart has gone where mere mortals dare to dwell. I am so screwed. J.T. lifts Tucker’s hand to high-five me. My heart may melt right out of my chest.

  Jack heads toward the refrigerator but says over his shoulder, “Great to see you again, J.T. I guess it’s official that you have stolen the hearts of both of the important ladies I have had in my life.”

  “Hey, what about me?” Danielle says with a laugh, scooping up Tuck’s dropped sippy cup.