Crazy Beautiful: a Redemption novel

by Prince, Jessica

  “Baby, talk to me,” I insisted when the stifling silence filling the back of the town car we were in became too much for me to handle. The twenty-minute drive back to the apartment started to feel like an eternity when she spent the better part of it staring out the window with her head leaning against the headrest.

  She peeled her gaze from the window and turned her head to look at me. “Nothing’s wrong, Jase. I’m just really tired.”

  “You’re lying,” I threw back, the frustration becoming evident in my tone. “I know this has something to do with Tricia. I saw her coming out of the bathroom right after you. What did she say?”

  Her neck twisted, taking her focus back to that goddamn window as she mumbled, “Nothing that matters.”

  I couldn’t stand the distance she was attempting to put between us any longer. Reaching across the bench seat, I placed my fingers beneath her chin and gently forced her face back to mine. “Bullshit,” I clipped as soon as I had her eyes. “Whatever it was, it obviously upset you, and if you’re upset, then it fucking matters.”

  Her lips parted to let out a slow exhale. She tried looking off to the side, but I firmed my grip on her chin, refusing to let her eyes go.

  “Jase, please. Tonight was a long night, and I’m exhausted. Can we please not do this right now?”

  I opened my mouth to answer her question with a resounding no when the car came to a stop and the driver spoke up, interrupting the conversation I’d been trying desperately to have. “We’re here, sir.”

  Poppy pulled her face from my hand and had her door open less than a second later, climbing out on those pencil-thin heels before I had a chance to get out on my side to help her.

  I trailed after her, pain gripping my chest like a goddamn vice as we made our way through the lobby and into the elevator.

  It finally became too much when I opened the door and she moved into the apartment, going straight for the hallway. “You’re pulling away.”

  That made her stop. “I’m not,” she argued, turning around to face me, but maintaining the distance between us.

  “Yes, you are. You’re a million miles away.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” she snapped. “I’m right here, Jase. I’m not pulling away.”

  “Then prove it,” I pushed, taking a step forward.

  Her chin jerked back in surprise. “What?”

  “If nothing’s wrong and you aren’t pulling away, prove it.”

  A look of trepidation came over her face as she asked, “How?”

  Another step. “Kiss me.”

  Her cheeks pinkened, and the sight of that familiar blush made me hard. “Wh-what?”

  “I want you to kiss me, Flower. If nothing’s wrong and you’re still here with me, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

  “Of course not,” she threw back.

  “All right.” I lifted my arms out at my sides, and taunted, “Then what are you waiting for?”

  That little bit of goading was all it took to do the trick. That fire I’d come to desire flashed in her eyes as she stomped over to me and raised up on her toes.

  As soon as her lips touched mine, one little touch, a fire sparked to life in my blood, and I lost control.

  I fisted her hair, pulling her head to the side and driving my tongue deep. She tasted like bourbon and chocolate. Sinful and sweet.

  Mine, my mind screamed as I stroked deep into her mouth. But it wasn’t enough. Nothing I had from her was ever enough. I needed more.

  Reaching down, I gripped the sides of her dress and yanked it up, forcing her arms up so I could pull it off all the way. I tossed it to the side before grabbing her by the back of the neck and jerking her against me, palming her ass as I slammed my mouth on hers once again.

  I lost all thought as I backed her up, moving toward the kitchen. I was functioning only on my baser instincts. Want, need, now, more, mine.

  Mine.

  Mine.

  Mine.

  I pulled at the clasp on her bra as she tore at my jacket. I removed the clip from her hair as she jerked my shirt open, the ripped buttons pinging off the tile floor. “Are you wet for me, Poppy?” I asked, bending down to suck one of her hard nipples into my mouth.

  “Oh God, Jase,” she moaned, digging her nails into my scalp.

  “Answer me,” I growled, biting the stiff peak before shifting to the next. “Do I make you wet, baby?”

  She let out a throaty, “Yes,” as I moved back to the other nipple.

  Needing to feel for myself, I flattened my hand on her stomach and slid it down. Her belly quivered as I slipped past the waistband of her panties and between her thighs, feeling the wet.

  I let out a growl at the evidence of her arousal coating my hand. “Do you want me?”

  “Yes, Jase.”

  “Say it,” I commanded, driving one finger in deep. “Say it, and I’ll give you more.”

  “I want you, Jase.”

  I added a second finger, demanding, “Again.”

  “I want you,” she whimpered, throwing her head back. “God, I want you so bad.”

  Not as much as I wanted her. I continued fucking her with fingers, feeling that slick grow slicker. “Christ, I want you,” I groaned. “I always fucking want you.” I grabbed hold of her wrist and brought her palm to the front of my pants, placing mine over hers and pressing hard against my cock. “You feel that? That’s what you do to me. Always, baby. Day and night, I want you.”

  “Please,” she whimpered, rocking her hips as she gripped my erection. “Please, honey. I need you.”

  She let out an unhappy mewl when I pulled my hand away. I tore her panties down her legs and lifted her onto the counter. “Take me out, Flower. I need to fuck you.”

  Her hands went to my fly, frantically undoing the button and tugging the zipper down. The second my straining erection sprang free, she fisted it, squeezing with the perfect amount of pressure and jacking me.

  She only got one stroke in before I moved, pulling out of her grasp, spreading her legs as far apart as they’d go, and driving in balls deep.

  “Yes,” she cried, throwing her head back. “So good. God, you always feel so good.”

  My hips snapped, the movement as frantic and desperate as the beat of my heart. I needed her, needed this. The connection.

  “You’re perfect,” I grunted, powering in and out of her tight, wet heat. “So goddamn beautiful. You undo me, baby.”

  Cupping one of those full, heavy breasts, I brought it to my lips and pulled hard. Her whole body trembled as she leaned back, bracing her hands on the counter to give me better access.

  I sucked and licked and bit as I fucked her, marking her as mine while drawing out every tiny whimper and greedy moan, making her pussy clamp down and ripple. I gave and took, following where her body guided in the hopes it would be so good I’d ruin her for any other men in the future. I needed to be the only one who could give her this, who could make her feel this wild and needy.

  I kissed my way up her chest and neck, pulling her bottom lip between my teeth and biting down before soothing the sting with my tongue. Then I dove into that sweet mouth, kissing her brutally, every ounce of the hunger I felt for her showing in the form of clashing lips and teeth.

  Her desire flooded my cock, dripping down onto my balls as they drew up, but I wasn’t ready for it to be over. Not yet.

  “Tell me you’ve never had it this good,” I demanded.

  “Never,” she answered on a gasp, her lips brushing against mine just before she moaned and squeezed her eyes closed. I could feel her tightening around me. I knew she was close.

  “Open your eyes.” Her eyelids lifted halfway, the clear blue dark with desire. “Best I’ve ever had,” I grunted, the rhythm of my thrusts becoming harsh and uncoordinated as that tingle started at the base of my spine. “Never had anything like you, Flower. Not in my whole goddamn life.”

  “Jase. Jase. Shit. Honey, I’m gonna—” Her words broke off on a sharp c
ry. Her body locked tight, and she began rolling her hips, pulling me in deeper , moaning my name as I fucked her harder and faster, prolonging her release until I finally exploded, falling over that edge with her.

  We were both breathing erratically by the time the fog of an outrageous orgasm faded. I brushed the fiery hair from her damp forehead, seeing the questions swimming in those ocean eyes.

  “Hey,” she whispered, lifting her hand to trace those delicate fingers along my jaw. “Are you okay?”

  I forced a smile I wasn’t feeling, even after coming as hard as I just had. “I’m great, baby,” I answered, tucking her hair behind her ear.

  She didn’t look convinced. “You sure?”

  I wrapped my arms around her and held tight, pressing her against me from chest to stomach to groin. “I’m inside you and I’ve got you in my arms. Can’t get much better than that, sweetheart.”

  That seemed to do it. Her body loosened up and molded to mine just as her mouth opened on a long, jaw-cracking yawn.

  I pulled out and lifted her off the counter, carrying her back to the bedroom. I held her tight, her ankles locked at the small of my back, as I flicked the covers back and put my knee to the mattress.

  “I need to clean up,” she said softly on another yawn.

  I brought us down to our sides on the bed and pulled the covers over both of us. “Not tonight,” I said gently, shifting her around so her back was pressed to my front. “Tonight I want you to sleep with me still inside you, yeah?”

  She waited a beat before answering gently, “Yeah. Okay, honey.”

  Thank fucking Christ.

  She dozed not long after, the cute, soft chuffing sounds of her light snores filling the otherwise quiet room. I held Poppy close, breathing in the scent of flowers and honey for what felt like hours before that storm inside me finally began to pass, and I was able to follow after her.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Poppy

  Things had been off since we got back from Connecticut a week ago. For all the good that had happened in that short span of time—like the fact that I’d finally hired a housekeeper to help with the inn, and we were currently booked to capacity—there was still this niggling voice in the back of my head telling me something was wrong.

  It wasn’t that Jase had grown distant. No, in fact it was the complete opposite.

  He’d always been affectionate with me, but now it was so much more. When we were together, there was an underlying desperation to how he touched me, the same desperation I felt in our lovemaking that night at his apartment in Connecticut. The touches were bordering on constant, as if he was afraid I’d turn into air and slip right through his fingers, disappearing without a trace.

  “Yo, earth to Poppy. You still with us?”

  At the sound of Shane’s voice, I was pulled from my thoughts and sent crashing back into reality. My vision cleared, and the lavender dress I’d been studying came back into focus.

  Giving my head a shake, I looked across the rack at my friends. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

  Farah lifted the hanger in her hand higher, giving me a better view of the pink dress she was holding. “I asked what you thought of this one.”

  I managed to hold in my cringe and replied diplomatically. “If you like it, then sure.”

  At my answer, their expressions turned scrutinizing.

  “All right, babe. What’s up with you?”

  My chin jerked back at Shane’s demanding tone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m fine.”

  “Fine my ass,” she sniped, planting her hands on her hips.

  “You hate pink,” Farah insisted. “The only reason I held this monstrosity up in the first place was to see if you’d react, and I got nothing. It has ruffles for crying out loud. Ruffles!”

  “Well how was I supposed to know?” I cried, lifting my arms out at my sides. “I was trying to be nice. It’s your wedding after all, not mine.”

  “Yeah, but these are the bridesmaid dresses you’re going to wear. I’d never pick something you wouldn’t like.”

  “Spill it, sister,” Shane butted in. “Your head’s been somewhere else all damn day. It’s time to start talking.”

  I let out a huff as I looked back to the rack in front of me, slapping the hangers back and forth without really seeing any of the dresses hanging from them.

  I had two choices just then. I could tell them the truth and lean on my two best friends when I needed it the most, but that meant finally revealing just how far things had gone between me and Jase. Or I could continue to lie, meaning I was stuck carrying around this weight on my shoulders with no way to unburden myself, which would eventually lead to a stress-induced blowup.

  I chose the former for the sake of my sanity.

  “Something’s off with Jase,” I finally admitted. “He hasn’t been the same since we got back from Connecticut, and I don’t know what to do.”

  Farah’s forehead pinched in a concerned frown. “How do you mean? Like more closed off?”

  An uncomfortable heat bloomed over my face as I turned my attention back to the rack and began slapping hangers in earnest. “Well. No. Not exactly.”

  “Then what do you mean?” Shane prodded.

  “I mean . . . he’s actually gotten more affectionate since the gala. In a way that’s not normal for us.”

  Farah’s voice held way too much curiosity as she asked, “And just so we have all the information here, what is normal for you guys?”

  “We, uh . . .” Oh hell. Might as well just get it over with. “We’ve been having sex. For a while.”

  Farah squealed.

  Shane smacked a hand down on the rack. “I knew it! I knew you two were bumping uglies! Didn’t I know it?” she asked Farah, giving her shoulder an enthusiastic smack. “I totally said they were hooking up, didn’t I?”

  Farah nodded excitedly. “You totally did,” she replied before looking to me once more. “So when did this start? Are you two like a real thing now? Oh my God! This is so great!”

  I looked around the shop frantically, hoping no one else had overheard my insanely loud friends. “Will you guys please keep it down?” I hissed, leaning into the rack to get closer to them as I lowered my voice. “It’s been going on since the wedding, but it doesn’t change anything. We’re still just . . . I don’t know . . . us.”

  Farah’s brows pulled together in confusion. “I don’t even know what that means.”

  “It means we’re, um, friends,” I replied. “Really good friends. Maybe best friends. Who have sex. And are married.”

  “So . . . like a real couple.”

  My head swung around to Shane. “No.”

  “Cannon’s my best friend,” Farah said, drawing my attention back to her. “And we have sex. And we’re getting married. So how is what you have with my brother any different than Cannon and me?”

  “It just is,” I asserted with exasperation. “I don’t know how to explain it, okay? It’s just different. I don’t want to talk about that anymore, okay? That’s not the point. The point is, he’s been weird ever since we got back.”

  Shane thankfully let the topic of our relationship slide. “Weird how?”

  “Weird like, he went from being affectionate in a fun, easy way, to holding on to me like he’s afraid I’m going to disappear. And he’s tense all the time. I know the run-in with his parents freaked him out a little, hell, it freaked me out too.” I’d already told them about Margo and Geoffrey being at the event, but I hadn’t gone into specifics other than to say it hadn’t been pretty. “Then there was Titus, who’s just a world class asshole—”

  “God, I can’t stand that guy,” Farah said with an adorable growl.

  “You and me both. Honestly, honey, I don’t know how either of you share genetics with those people. They’re horrible.”

  “You know how every family has one or two bad eggs?” I nodded for her to continue. “Well, the Hyland family is nothing but bad eggs
with only two good ones out of the whole bunch. Jase and I, we’re the anomalies.”

  “So you think the deal with his parents is messing with him?” Shane asked. “Did they say something specific that would have him tweaked?”

  I thought back to that whole uncomfortable exchange. “Well, they knew about me.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Like, they knew my last name. They knew about the inn . . . and they knew Jase had given me money to get out of debt.”

  Farah’s eyes bugged out while her complexion went strangely white. “How the hell did they know that?”

  “I’m not positive, but I think they hired someone to look into me.”

  The energy in the shop changed, the air around us filling with static as the concern rolled off my girls and crashed into me with the force of a bowling ball striking pins.

  “That can’t be good, can it?” Shane asked, all the humor and fierceness she usually spoke with gone from her voice.

  “It’s not,” Farah answered on my behalf. “Poppy, honey, you don’t want to be on their radar, trust me.” The uneasiness in her voice had me rounding the clothes display and pulling her into my arms.

  “It’s okay,” I said in a soothing whisper, hugging her tight. “It’s fine, I promise. They’re assholes, I’ll give you that, but nothing’s gonna happen. Jase would never allow it. You know that.”

  My assurances seemed to calm her down, and she blew out a big, relieved breath. “Yeah. You’re right.”

  “Of course I am,” I said teasingly. “I’m always right. When are you people gonna realize that?”

  That worked to ease the rest of the tension that had enveloped us, making it difficult to breathe.

  “I’m sure everything with Jase will be fine,” she said shortly after. “He just gets like this sometimes. They’ve always had that kind of hold on him. He’s always off for a few days after a run-in with those people. Just give him a little time, he always manages to sort himself out.”

  I wasn’t so sure about that, but I told myself she knew him better than I did, and if she said all he needed was time, she was probably right.