Full Moon: Second Chances, Book 2

by Mari Carr

  Of course, Georgie and Laura couldn’t stand letting the birthday pass with so little fanfare, so they’d thrown today’s festivities together, declaring it a joint celebration. In addition to Kristen’s birthday, they were rejoicing over the fact Zoey had been given a clean bill of health—the cancer was in remission.

  Josie spotted Kristen sitting in a beach chair near the water’s edge talking to Zoey and Laura, while Rob, Georgie, Shelly and a few other friends stood waist-deep in the water batting a beach ball around. As far as parties went, Josie could think of much worse ways to celebrate an unwanted birthday.

  The sky was clear with only a few fluffy white clouds breaking up the vivid blue. The sun was shining brightly, but it wasn’t too humid, as a pleasant breeze kept most of the real heat away.

  In another hour or so, they’d move the party from the lake to one of the big covered pavilions for a picnic supper, wine and cake.

  “I realize it’s broad daylight and the full moon is still a week or so away, but I can’t help but think we should make hay while the sun shines.”

  Josie looked at Jake, confused. “What are you talking about?”

  Jake shook his head. “I think I know your Howl List better than you do. July’s fantasy was sex on the beach.”

  Since she and Jake had embarked on a full-fledged relationship, she’d thought less and less about her list. She supposed it was because she’d written those fantasies down at a time when she was horny, single and sick of her vibrator. Now that she was having fantastic sex on a semi-regular basis, she didn’t feel the same drive toward accomplishing every goal.

  Jake, however, was nothing if not committed to seeing a task through to the end.

  Josie glanced around. The place was packed. “I didn’t write anything on that list about outright exhibitionism. And my son is here. I’m not sure this is exactly the right time.”

  “Have you ever been to this lake before?”

  Josie frowned. There was nothing he could say that would convince her to take such a chance with so many people around. “I used to come here years ago with my mom. I sort of forgot about it for a while.” She’d been too busy keeping her head above water after the divorce to remember how to have fun. It was just one of the amazing things Jake had brought back into her life, along with sex and laughter and relaxation.

  “I come here a lot. There are a few trails through these surrounding woods that I’ve explored some. You think you could convince your friends to watch Tommy for a little while? I want to show you something.”

  She stood up and slipped on her flip-flops. So much for there being nothing he could say. “Give me two minutes.”

  Josie walked across the beach to where her friends were sitting. Tommy was building the sandcastle with his new friend nearby. “Would you girls mind watching Tommy for a few minutes? Jake and I are going to take a walk.”

  Zoey smirked. “We’re going to have to start turning the hose on you two.”

  Josie laughed. “Oh wow, Zoey. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. I think I had a mini-orgasm watching Rob lather up your back with sunscreen earlier.”

  Georgie raised her hand. “Gah. Enough. I’m tired of listening to the two of you brag about your incredible sex lives. I’ll watch Tommy, Josie. Go get laid.”

  “It’s just a walk,” she said, fooling no one with her weak lie.

  “We’re planning to head over to the pavilion around five.” Laura—ever the organizer—glanced at the time on her cell phone. “It’s four now.”

  “We’ll be back before then. Promise.”

  Josie walked back to Jake. “I’m ready.”

  Jake had picked up their towels and tucked them under his arm. Grasping her hand, he led her to the edge of the sand and they began trekking through the woods along the edge of the lake. It was a privately owned campground and a popular spot in the summer. They walked in silence for about ten minutes. Josie was amazed how quickly the woods absorbed the blaring music and loud talking from the beach. Suddenly it seemed as if she and Jake were the only two people for miles around.

  A loud roaring sounded up ahead. “What’s that noise?”

  “That’s where we’re going. I found this a few summers back. Be careful here. It’s sort of a steep incline.”

  Jake tightened his grip on her hand. Walking down the sharp drop in flip-flops was tricky. When they reached the bottom, Jake left the trail, taking them through some short scrub brush. She started to tell him she hadn’t really dressed for serious hiking when they reached a clearing.

  Josie gasped when she spotted the waterfall. It was set back a bit between the plush green of the surrounding trees and the fiery red of flowering bushes. If not for the sound of the crystal-clear water pounding down, she might have overlooked it completely. Near the base, there was a high rock cliff that created a curtain effect. It was absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking.

  Jake pointed to the hill they’d just climbed down. “The lake ends up there and this is where the waterfall turns your swimming hole into a river.”

  “Wow. I had no idea this was here.”

  “Yeah. I used to wonder why the campground owners haven’t forged a proper trail down here. Then I figured maybe they didn’t want a bunch of people trudging along, spoiling the beauty of the place.”

  “I’m glad they haven’t exploited it. It’s perfect.”

  “Keep your flip-flops on and come with me into the water. There’s something else I want to show you.”

  She kept a firm grip on Jake’s hand as he led her over stepping stones in the river. As they walked closer to the falls, the water got deeper, reaching Josie’s mid-thigh. Soon they were standing just a few feet in front of the waterfall, the sound of the water beating down so loudly, they had to raise their voices to be heard.

  “Almost there.” Jake let go of her hand and disappeared under the waterfall. She expected him to come right back out, but when he didn’t emerge, she sucked in a deep breath and walked through as well.

  She found Jake, standing knee deep in water in a small overhang beneath the falls. The roar of the water was almost deafening as it echoed off the rocks. It was colder too, but Josie didn’t care. She was inside the waterfall. She and Jake were completely hidden from the world, the ultimate escape.

  Jake pulled her closer and kissed her. Neither of them needed words as they fell into the embrace that hadn’t grown less passionate despite its familiarity. She loved the way Jake held her, the possessive way he claimed her lips, cupping her face in a way that told her she was the most precious thing in his world.

  She ran her hands along his chest, toying briefly with the firm buds of his nipples. She wasn’t the only one feeling the effects of the chilly water. Then she let her fingers drift lower. She pushed her hand inside his swim trunks and found true heat.

  Jake released her lips when she tightened her grip, stroking his hard cock. He joined the party, seeking his own warmth when he slipped his fingers inside her bikini bottoms, driving two inside her pussy. She gasped at the contrast of his cold fingers against the fire raging inside.

  They played with each other, letting their hands, their fingers drive their arousal to fever pitch. When it became too much, Jake withdrew, pulled her hand away from his dick and turned Josie away from him. Pushing on her shoulders, he applied pressure until she was bent at the waist. She reached out, her hands using the smooth, icy rocks as support when Jake pulled her bikini bottoms to one side and shoved inside.

  Josie’s nails dug into the stones as Jake thrust deep and hard. She closed her eyes, letting every sense envelop her. The cool water and air caressed her overheated skin, the roar of the waterfall drowned out her cries, encouraging her to call out louder than she normally would. She felt free, uninhibited and wild.

  Reaching lower, she started to press her clit, seeking more stimulation. She was close. So close.

  Jake was there to meet her. He grasped her hand, directing her finger along the swol
len nub, using their combined motions to spur her on. Josie started pushing back against Jake each time he reentered her body, their fucking growing more wanton and unrestrained. Neither of them held back. Instead, they gave everything they had.

  Josie stiffened, her pussy clenching mere seconds before Jake joined her. Pulse after pulse of his hot come filled her, warming her even more. Jake pulled Josie upright, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pressing her back to his chest so tightly, she could almost pretend they were one person.

  For several moments, neither of them moved. Then Jake took her hand and led her back through the waterfall, away from Eden. They were returning to reality.

  They were silent until they reached the water’s edge. Jake turned to look at her. “I didn’t use a condom.”

  He knew she was on the pill. He’d watched her take them.

  “I’m glad you didn’t.”

  He smiled, then pressed his forehead to hers. “We’re coming back here again.”

  She laughed. “Oh hell yeah. Maybe even today if we can escape the party.”

  Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they started toward the beach, their walk back much slower than their trek here. “While I love your full moons, Josie, I have to admit there’s something to be said for sex and sunshine too.”

  “Amen. I may have to revise my list when we get home.”

  The party was a huge success. Even Kristen began to get into the spirit of things despite her depression over turning the big four-oh. Zoey thanked them all for their support during her chemo treatments and Josie had to swipe away a few tears. Zoey had been an absolute inspiration to all of them this year, tackling her disease, the pain associated with chemotherapy and the loss of her hair with grace and bravery.

  On the ride home, Josie quietly reflected on how blessed she had been these past two years. She’d been so blinded by fear of failing her son and devastation over Tony’s desertion that she failed to realize how incredible her friends were. So many times she’d felt like she was flying blind and alone. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Her wine girls’ support system had been there all along. Somehow she’d have to find a way to thank them for all they’d done for her.

  Jake broke the silence as he parked his car in front of her townhouse. “Who’s that?”

  Josie looked up just as Tommy said, “Daddy!” from the backseat. Her son bounded out of the car before Josie could stop him.

  Something about the way Tony was sitting, slouched over, on the top step of her porch, looked off. She called out her son’s name as she walked toward the house.

  Tony looked up at her with bloodshot eyes. He was drunk. Completely wasted.

  “Tony? What are you doing here?”

  “I came t’see my son.” His words were slurred. Tommy had stopped a few feet away from Tony when he realized his father wasn’t quite in his right mind.

  Jake came to stand behind Josie, his hand at her back, providing his silent support. It helped knowing he was here.

  “And I guess this is Saint Jake. The man who’s trying t’steal my family.”

  Tony stumbled as he started to stand. Jake stepped forward, under the guise of shaking her ex-husband’s hand, but Josie knew it was really an attempt to keep Tony from falling on his face in front of Tommy.

  “Are you sick, Daddy?”

  Josie’s temper flared. How dare Tony show up drunk and belligerent, looking for a fight. “Tommy. Why don’t you go inside? Jake and I will take care of your daddy.”

  Tommy didn’t move. Instead he studied his father’s face. Tony was too busy glaring at Jake to realize he was frightening his son.

  “Jus’ thought maybe I should remind you that my boy has a father. He doesn’t need you.”

  Jake nodded slowly. “Tony. Why don’t you and I take a little walk? Talk about it.”

  Tears sprang to Josie’s eyes. Jake was attempting to move Tony away from the house, out of Tommy’s sight. He was protecting her son. If she hadn’t already fallen head over heels for the man, this moment would have cemented the emotion in her.

  Unfortunately, Tommy didn’t only inherit stubbornness from her. He’d gotten more than his fair share of her temper too. “Why are you being mean to Jake?”

  Tony glanced at Tommy, seeming a bit surprised to find his son still there. “Don’t you see, Tommy? He’s trying to take you away from me.”

  Josie sucked in some much-needed air. She felt like she’d been punched in the stomach and she was struggling to recover as Tommy frowned.

  “No, he’s not. Jake’s my friend.”

  “That’s right,” Jake added. “Me and Tommy are friends. I’m not taking anything away from you, Tony. Josie, it’s been a long day. Maybe you and Tommy should head inside while I get Tony home.”

  “He’s my son.” Tony seemed oblivious to the scene he was creating. Tears started rolling down his face. “My son. All I have left.”

  Josie shivered. When had the night air had become so cold? Her mind whirled as she struggled for a way to turn this around. To make it all okay for Tommy. She knelt down in front of her son. “Please go inside,” she whispered.

  “Daddy’s drunk, isn’t he?”

  She nodded. “He wouldn’t be saying any of this if he weren’t. He loves you so much, Tommy. He’s just having a bad night.”

  Tommy seemed to understand that. “I can unlock the door.”

  Josie smiled and handed him the key. “Such a big boy.”

  Tommy walked up to his father, tapping him on the arm. Tony looked down, staggering, and for a moment, Josie feared he’d topple over. “I’m sorry you’re sick, Daddy. I love you.”

  For the first time since they’d arrived home, Tony finally heard something that was being said to him. “I love you too, T-man.”

  Tommy gave his dad a quick hug, then let himself in the house. Tony took two awkward steps backward and started to tumble. Jake caught him and sort of guided his fall, so that Tony was sitting on the porch once more.

  “I’m so stupid.” Tony’s face was utter misery, but Josie couldn’t produce an ounce of pity.

  “You can say that again.” She took a step closer, but Jake placed his hand on her arm, holding her back.

  “Take it easy, Josie.”

  She couldn’t believe Jake was protecting Tony. “He can’t show up here drunk and try to pick a fight whenever he wants.”

  Jake gave her a crooked grin. “Has he ever shown up drunk before?”

  His question took her aback. Tony hadn’t. Not once. She shook her head.

  Jake looked at her ex again. “Come on, Tony. I’ll give you a ride home.”

  Tony shook his head. “No, thanks. I think I better walk this off. My apartment is only about half a mile from here.”

  “You sure you’re okay?” Jake asked.

  “Yeah. I’m not feeling so hot. I don’t think you want me in your car.” He stumbled to his feet once more, but his eyes seemed a bit clearer. “Every time I take Tommy out now, I have to hear about how Jake played this video game with him or took him to this cool place or was teaching him how to throw a football. It should be me doing that.”

  Josie started to understand some of her ex’s depression. She’d felt the same way when Tommy came home after a Saturday night with Tony talking about how Janice had made his favorite cookies or bought him some toy. It had killed her to think there was another woman playing mother to her son. “Tony. You spend time with him every week. You do those things too.”

  Tony rubbed his eyes wearily. He was clearly beginning to sober up. “Shit. I shouldn’t have come over here like this. Tell the little rascal I’m sorry, will you?”

  Josie nodded. “Sure.”

  Tony started to walk away, then he stopped, his gaze narrowing in on Jake. “You’ll take care of them?”

  Jake nodded, but he didn’t say more. Josie wanted to scream. They’d had an amazing day, only to come home to more drama. She wouldn’t blame Jake if he climbed in
to his car and drove away from the non-stop train wreck that was her life.

  Tony left as Josie and Jake stood in silence.

  When she couldn’t stand it any longer, she said, “God. I’m so sorry about that.”

  Jake stepped over to her, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to plant a gentle kiss on her head. “Did you think this would be easy?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t know what the hell it would be. I haven’t dated anyone seriously since the divorce.”

  “It’s going to take everybody some time to get used to the new normal. Tony included.”

  She smiled, his words giving her hope that this latest disaster hadn’t pushed him away. “Is this the new normal?”

  He tugged on her hair playfully. “I hope so. I have no intention of walking away just because your ex got drunk and obnoxious one night.”

  “I haven’t seen Tony drunk in years. I mean he’s no stranger to the bar scene, but he usually has a beer or two and that’s it.”

  “I think it’s finally sinking in that he’s lost you for good. That might have been easier for him to take if the girlfriend had kept him around. From what you’ve said about the two of you getting married out of high school, then Tony moving in with that other woman, this is the first time your ex has ever been alone.”

  Josie hadn’t considered that. She remembered something her mother had said shortly after Tony left her. Mom said, “A monkey doesn’t let go of one branch until he’s got a firm grip on another one.” It was the only time she’d ever heard bitterness in her mother’s voice and she realized how much her mom had shielded from her after her dad left. Tony was a monkey in free-fall. He’d lost Josie and Janice and now he was terrified of losing his son. “Yeah. No wonder he’s such a mess.”

  For that reason, and that one only, she decided to cut him some slack for making such an ass of himself tonight.

  “Should I leave?” Jake asked. “Tommy seemed pretty upset.”

  Josie considered his request, then shook her head. “No. I was hoping you’d come inside. Maybe help me calm the waters.” She needed Jake’s support and strength. She was tired of doing everything on her own.