by Dee Ellis
I hadn’t known love for a very long time. If ever at all, really. Sitting there with those two loving, giving women, I told them just that. I told them all of it. About my family, life back in Maine and what had brought me here.
My parents were wealthy and respected politicians. As well as icy cold to me and my younger sister, Poppy. Fairly certain we were parts of their pretty picture more than daughters they had to build a family.
We looked good on Christmas cards and press releases.
While we had the best of everything, we had nothing we needed. I craved attention and got it the wrong way. I smoked weed, skipped school, dyed my hair, pierced everything they could see, and a few things they couldn’t. It was a boy that did it, like always.
“Seth was in a band, and he was so hot and dangerous. More dangerous than I realized. I dropped out of college and followed him like an idiot. Turned a blind eye to the groupies. The drugs. The rages he flew into. Literally in one night, it all blurred into one. I caught him with a girl after a show; I was so done. Seth was high. Later, I blamed it on that,” I stared blindly at the sushi plate in front of me, seeing the past.
“I mean there were plenty of reasons he did what he did. A life of over indulgence. No rules. Drugs. Seth was bipolar, and so confused and frustrated about the band. I told him I was done, while he smiled at me and let her suck his cock right in front of me. I didn’t go, though. He told me to stay and watch what he did to those girls. Then he would show me how we were different.” By now, I was lost in the memory and they were just there listening.
Seth showed me the difference. After he finished with her, leaving his sticky seed all over her face and fake tits, he turned to me. We had rough sex a few times, but that night was different. Seth kicked her out, then fucked me anyway he wanted. Told me how much he loved me, and that this, what he was doing to me, was just for us.
The rough stuff, the dirty stuff, he said he saved for me.
Because I let him be free, he said. I thought it was so fucking romantic. For too long, I let him push my boundaries. Let him have me however and wherever he wanted. I thought it was exciting and sexy and liberating. It wasn’t.
If I had wanted it, it might have been. But, I didn’t.
I didn’t want most of the things he did to me. I certainly didn’t want the violence that laced the rest of our relationship. It spilled from the bedroom into everything else. I had money, a place to go, but I was too proud.
Seth controlled everything I did, made all my decisions for me. Which is how we ended up married in Vegas before he began sharing me. Talk about romance.
“Oh, Sweetie.” Charli huddled close and I stopped talking for a long time.
When I started again, I kept just one secret to myself. The one secret I doubted I’d ever tell another person. The girls cried with me, and the guy preparing our sushi got nervous and made us more. By the time lunch was over, I had decided something.
“Hunter is good for me. I feel like... I don’t have to be afraid. Seth is not in the shadows anymore. Even if he is, Hunter wouldn’t let someone hurt me. I believe that. I feel safe for the first time I can remember.” Gigi nodded and gave a squeeze at my waist.
“He is one of the good ones, Lola. You have us now. You don’t have to ever worry about shadows again. Now, you can have Hunter too.”
I felt those words switch something on inside of me.
I could. I could have Hunter. And damnit, I wanted him. More than I had wanted anything in a long time. Maybe ever. I wanted to know what it was like to be with someone who made me feel good and safe and wanted
We finished our lunch, and Charli and I headed back to the library. It hadn’t snowed in a few days, but it was gloomy and windy out, and I was glad winter was nearly over. Throughout my shift, I texted Hunter because he’s all I can think about.
“I’m bored. Tell me something good.” I smile as I scroll up to the dirty photo he sent me two nights before.
We had been so close to making it happen that night. Literally. Once again, I felt his heavy cock pressing to my aching pussy and heard voices. Like, my clit was screaming “Yes, girl! You’re about to get it in”. We did not, however, get it in.
Hunter would swear later the woman who showed up begging for dick was, in fact his therapist. Perhaps. I knew better than to think their relationship was strictly professional. Especially since I eavesdropped on him sending her packing. The woman might be a dick therapist, but that was the limit of her doctorate.
Later, as we texted and I let my imagination finish what we had started, I sent him a photo. One of me post orgasm. I figured he earned it, I guess. Hunter gifted me one back moments later; his thick cock lying on his stomach and sticky cum on his rippling abs, a sexy, snarky smile on his perfect mouth.
“Hmm, something good? The velvet that is your tight little pussy. That I intend to plunder the second you let me.”
“Pervert. You think of anything besides banging my bod?” I giggled, though, because I mean, I thought about climbing his perfectly muscled body all day.
“Of course. I think about eating your sweet pussy. And kissing your dirty mouth. Lying you on a table and eating my meal off of you. I think about spanking you and tying up your little wrists and fucking you from behind while I wrap my hand around your throat.” Well, then. Panties ruined.
“Think you just ruined my panties, Byrne. You ought to clean up the messes you make.” I giggled, and beside me Charli shoved me with her hip, shaking her head.
“Hey, I watched your entire love story unravel before my eyes. Let me have this.” We laughed together, but a ping from my phone drew my attention.
“I also think about lying in bed with you. Finding out what your favorite cartoon is. If you like rocky road ice cream. Then feeding you whatever shitty ice cream you do like and kissing you till you can taste just me.” Jesus, he was a fucking pro at this shit.
“Oh yeah? For the record, I love rocky road. And I love Scooby Doo.” I didn’t want to give too much away just yet, but I was ready to try.
“It’s fate, then. Shaggy is my dude, Darlin’. Come out tonight. Not a date because we’re kind of past that, don’t you think? Just come out with me. One of my guys is retiring, and we’re doing a last hurrah at O’Malley’s.” I went cold when he suggested that bar; I’d heard nothing but bad from my girls about the shenanigans that went on there.
It’s not as if I was obtuse. I knew exactly how freely Hunter gave out orgasms before me. Mostly, I didn’t care; we all had a past and it got us from where we were to where we are now. Part of me hated it, which was a new sensation for me.
“Why would you want me there, then?” Even in text it sounded snotty. Good.
“Lola. Baby, I want you anywhere I can get you. Just a going away party. The boys will be there and maybe even your girls. Please, Darlin’?” Well, shit. The Darlin’ did me in every time.
Especially when he smiled that fucking smile and drawled it with extra southern tones. Hunter was trouble. Underlined, capital T.
“What time? Do I just show up?” Anxious wings flapped in my belly, and I bounced on my Mary Janes.
“Seven. I can pick you up. Or meet you there. Whatever works. Fuck, now I’m excited as shit for this stupid fucking party. I want to see you, Lola Bear.” It had only been two days, but I had kept my distance in the halls; it was killing me. Seemed maybe it was killing him too.
“I can meet you there. I want to see you too, Pumpkin.” That stupid name I’d coined had come to mean something to me.
“Yes! Damn, I can’t wait. If I send you a photo of my dick, it’s because he took control somehow. The boy wants a piece of you, Lola Bear.” I laughed out loud, getting some angry glances and a few shushes from nearby readers.
“Not sure your boy can handle my mimsy, baby.” Before I could set the phone aside, the dots were dancing, and a new message came through.
“Oh, baby, I promise you, my cock is waiting to handle your pretty little mi
msy.” More laughs and a few more shushes, and Charli swatted at my backside.
“You are so fucking cute. I love you like this.” Her head tilted towards my phone as I typed out a smart response.
“Never been like this before.” I admitted softly, my head bowing.
“It’s nice, yeah?” We shared a look as my eyes fell on the ring on her finger.
It was nice. But once upon a time, I had thought what I had with Seth was nice, too. Now that I knew better, I wondered why I had stayed. Had I needed love so bad, I took it in whatever form it showed up in? Wasn’t I better than that?
When the last book was returned to its place and the lights dimmed, I headed out into the evening cold. It was darker than it seemed with Chicago alive in the background. The streets were busy with commuters and revelers, and I walked the city blocks with a smile at my face.
A quick trip on the L took me home, where I spent the next two hours getting ready for what might be a date. Was it a date? I thought Hunter was right; we were kind of past dating. Both divorced, with plenty of life experience since, we hardly needed to call this dating.
It felt like a date, though, so I dressed like it.
My jet-black hair had swipes of violet in it, and I pulled a braided chunk of bangs away from my face. It was cold out, but I still chose a skirt and knee-high suede boots that laced up the back. Very sexy.
The fluffy sweater I wore was more for looks than warmth, since it cut off at my midriff. Pretending I was a twenty-five-year-old adult, I slid on a warm pea coat jacket that cinched at my waist.
“Lola Bird looks pretty. Lola Bird looks pretty.” Gerdie chirped as she walked back and forth on the top of the mirror I was posing in front of.
“Why, thank you, Gerdie Girl.” When I lean forward, Gerdie clucks and touches her beak to my nose.
By now, we were both fairly settled into Gigi’s old place. I still had to make a visit back to my apartment to get what could be salvaged. Hunter would not let me go alone, and it wasn’t cleared from the fire just yet. Seems something about the fire caught Deacon Cooper’s eye, and he was investigating it further.
Thankfully, Gigi had left her place fully furnished. I was a little spoiled by the brand-new furniture and spacious layout of the place. Two days after the fire, Finn and Cage had showed up with a new bed and a wardrobe of new clothes. They spoiled me, and I was a lucky bitch to have found people like them.
I was so excited to be a part of their weddings and see them start their lives together. I expected to feel some loneliness or even jealousy, maybe. I didn’t. I loved Gigi and Charli like sisters. Those Cooper boys were pretty special too. They deserved happily ever after’s.
Besides, who knows; Hunter may be my own happily ever after.
Before I even stepped inside O’Malley’s, I could hear the boys of Ladder 71. Eighties music was blasting, they were laughing and shouting, and the place was packed. Squaring my shoulders, I took a deep breath and pulled on the cloverleaf handle to let myself join the fracas.
I had made it all of two steps before I saw him. I nearly turned around and walked back out. First, he was fucking stunning. Hunter looked good enough to eat; he wore dark washed jeans and a tight CFD shirt and a backwards baseball cap. Cubs, of course.
It was not how good he looked, or even how comfortable he seemed in the madness of the crowd. No, it was the redhead at his hip, her long stiletto nails tracing his face that had me ready to run. I bowed my head as heat flushed my face. I was jealous. Angry and wildly fucking jealous.
Just as I started to twist away to head out, he saw me. I wasn’t looking at him, but I felt him. I thought that was bullshit. You can’t feel someone’s presence, right? Well, apparently, you can. I lifted my head to let him see I wasn’t going to be that girl.
The girl I was for Seth. I didn’t know that girl anymore.
“Hey, Darlin’.” Hunter had crossed the room, leaving the redhead at the bar to watch him go.
It should have made me feel better. It didn’t. When he pressed close, his arm slinking around my waist and hand grabbing a chunk of my backside, I still felt rotten. Jealous and worthless and petty. Then he lowered his head and whispered at my lips.
“Mmm, my Lola Bear. I missed your face, baby.” Before I could ask how he missed me with Tits McGee in his face, he was kissing me.
I promise I tried not to kiss him back. Not to melt against his massive, firm chest or open my mouth to his whisky flavored tongue. I did try. But then, I didn’t. I pressed close and hooked my arm around his neck and lifted against him. Hunter rewarded me with a growl and a press of his cock to my belly.
“Fuck, you taste good.” Hunter lifted, but didn’t let me go.
“Do I? Tell me, does she taste good too,” I nodded towards the bar, but he didn’t look away, “Thought the parade was over?” Hunter growled something and moved us into a corner.
“It was. Is. It is, Lola. I’m not good at this shit, I clearly couldn’t keep my wife, but...” I grabbed his chin and forced his gaze back to mine.
“Shut up. Holly is a whore. Most the women you have wasted your time with are the same flavor in different packaging. Women like that, you can never be enough. I am not that flavor, baby. I’m not that flavor either, Hunter.” I was pressed to the wall, his hand fumbling with the buttons on my jacket.
“No, I don’t think you are, baby. I think I could be enough for you, Lola. I want you to be enough for me.” His large hands shoved beneath my sweater, and he was kissing me again.
Fingers burned a fiery path up my back and over my breasts. Finding me without a bra, Hunter growled a curse and cupped me roughly in his hands. I moaned into his mouth, biting at his lips when his touch got rougher. I liked his type of rough, though.
“I’m taking you home tonight. I am going to tie you to my bed, like I promised. I’m going to eat your pussy till you beg me to fuck the shit out of you. Then I’m fucking you till you don’t want me to untie you. Till you beg me to keep you. I will make you beg tonight, Darlin’. I promise you.” Pretty sure the shudder that tore through my body was the result of a word induced orgasm. Those exist. I’m sure of it.
“Hunter...let’s see who begs first, baby.” My hand palmed his cock through his jeans and he hissed out a growl.
“I need to stay for a few minutes. I’m the boss. You stick by my side, Lola. You’re mine tonight.” Just after I get hot for his words, he fucked them up.
Because I wanted more than tonight. I thought he had too. Maybe I was wrong. Did Hunter want just one night with me? Like he did with all the rest? As he tugged me back to the bar, whispering at my ear and nibbling at my neck, I thought maybe he didn’t know either.
Hunter kept me at his side, introducing me to his crew. Mickey, his former lead man who was retiring, was sweet with rosy cheeks and a shock of white hair. Hunter seemed fond of him, but Mickey seemed to respect Hunter in a way I’d never seen before.
I spotted Cage and Finn briefly, flushing when they angled knowing looks between Hunter and I. Hunter just tugged me closer and kissed my neck when he felt me tense. I tried not to go ooey gooey at what felt like him staking ownership. Tried. But, failed.
We laughed and drank, and Hunter charmed me right out of my panties. If I were wearing any. Towards the end of the night, I was seated at the bar with Mickey, watching the Cooper boys and Hunter play a round of darts.
“Never had Hunter bring a girl here. Leave with one, maybe. Never brought one into the fold like this. You’re a rare gem, my dear.” Again, I flushed. As I sipped at my beer, watching Hunter’s perfect ass as he waited his turn, I laughed.
“I don’t know about that, sweet Mickey. Guess time will tell.”
As I watched, I sketched the scenes on bar napkins. This could make a great addition to my story. Boys out rabble rousing but staying true to their women. Cage and Finn had turned down dozens of advances, and I’d watched Hunter do the same. Filled me with something soft and borderline girlish to consider he
was choosing me over them.
Until, that is, I glanced up and saw the redhead from earlier. Hunter was aiming a dart as she stood behind him. As I watched, her hand slid into his back pocket and her tongue licked at his ear. Icy anger washed over me, and I leapt to my feet.
I’d never fought for someone before. Never thought I could, really. With Seth, I never thought he’d let me win. But with Hunter, I thought he just might let me win if I put in the effort. So, I was going to fight for him. Just not with my fists.
“Pumpkin,” I called loudly as I approached, smiling at Finn and Cage as they watched in amusement, “Who’s winning?” I pressed against him and hooked both arms around his beefy bicep.
“Hey, baby. I’m winning, even though these fuckers are cheating.” Hunter smirked down at me even as the redhead at his other side pressed closer.
“Cheating? Not necessary. I am the king at basically all bar events. Lola Bear, watch a real man play, baby.” Finn winked at me, and I felt Hunter stiffen beside me.
I loved those Cooper boys. Without words, Finn was forcing Hunter to sack up. Just a look crossed between us and I knew it. He smirked, that big bold smile, his thick beard making him look impish. Finn gave the slightest tip of his head, his eyes swinging towards the redhead.
I beamed a smile at him and started to let go of Hunter. Before I could, he had twisted away from Tits McGee, hooking both arms around my hips and crushing me to his front. I almost laughed at how easy it was. Then he was whispering in my ear, and the noises I made were not of humor.
“You look so fucking hot tonight. Can’t wait to get you out of here. Mmm, you always smell so good; I just want to eat you up, Lola Bear. Ignore Finn; you’re mine Darlin’.” His teeth scraped against my shoulder as he said this, his hands full of my backside as he lifted me against him.
“I think someone else thinks you’re taking her home, baby.” I nodded my head, biting at my lip when he lifted his head.
“What? Who?” Hunter looked confused as he glanced over his shoulder; the busty redhead was watching him expectantly.
