by E. L. Todd
“Because I love you.” He moved beside me and watched my face. “And it’s my job to take care of you. You’re pulling away from me and cutting me off. I know things are hard right now but it’s not the time to sabotage the stable relationships you do have.”
I was surprised he caught on to what I was doing.
“You think if you cut your heart off from me it’ll make everything better? It’ll stop everything from hurting you? No, it’s not going to work. I’m here and I’m never going anywhere. So, you’re going to talk and I’m going to listen.” He left the bed and walked into the bathroom. A moment later I heard the water running. When he came back into the bedroom he was fully naked. “Get your ass in here—now.”
The shower had become a holy place in our relationship. I wasn’t sure how it happened but it did. After I undressed and grabbed a towel, I joined him under the water. His hands were immediately on me once the door was closed. He lathered soap into my skin and looked into my face with a nurturing expression in his eyes.
I leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Like always, my heart fluttered. When I pulled away, I saw the touched look on his face.
“I miss that.” He brushed his lips past mine before he cupped my face and kissed me slowly on the lips. “And this.”
My hands went to his tight waist, feeling the mound of muscle underneath.
“I know things aren’t good right now. If my dad did that to my mom, I would be devastated. I admit it. My whole world would be turned upside down. I do sympathize with you. But you need to be strong and not let it consume you. And you definitely can’t push me away. I’m not going to let you. I refuse to let this relationship slide back into something meaningless just because you’re scared you’re going to get hurt. We both know I would never cause you any pain. When I look into your eyes I can tell you believe that.”
I did.
Conrad watched my face closely. “Can we move past this now?”
I nodded.
“Tell me you love me.”
“I love you, Conrad.”
“And I love you, Lexie.” His hand moved into my hair. “Don’t push me away. Don’t cut me off. Don’t fuck me like I’m some stranger you picked up at a bar.”
“Okay…”
His hold on my waist tightened and he pulled me closer to him. “Bad things happen everyday. People hurt each other when they don’t mean to. But that doesn’t affect us, Lexie. And it never will.”
***
A knock on my door sounded, and I wondered who would be stopping by. Conrad just barged in like he owned the place and everything in it, including me. Obviously, it wasn’t him.
When I saw Jared through the peephole, I was surprised to see him. I had no idea what he could possibly want. We hadn’t spoken in a long time. I wasn’t even sure what was going on in his life.
I opened the door and gave him a suspicious look. “Long time, no see.”
He immediately walked inside without being invited. “Are you okay?” Concern stretched across his face, and it was a look I’d seen more since our divorce than when we were actually married.
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I heard your parents got a divorce.”
“Oh…” How did he know that? “It’s been really hard but I’ll make it through.” Actually, I was still devastated but I didn’t want him to know that.
“I’m so sorry, Lexie. I know you must feel like shit right now.”
“It’s okay.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “How did you know?” Maybe he ran into Conrad somewhere.
“Macy told me.”
“Oh.” Irritation and betrayal immediately crept into my veins. “I’m sure she did.” I didn’t mean to snap at him. Even if he was screwing Macy, it was none of my business and shouldn’t matter. But it would be pretty wrong for Macy to apologize to me than sleep with my ex.
“I’m not sleeping with her.” Her eyes filled with offense.
“Oh really?” The smartass inside me came out.
“Of course not,” he snapped. “Besides, I’m seeing someone—” Alarm came into his eyes and he abruptly shut his mouth. “Nevermind.”
That was weird.
“Anyway…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wanted you to know I’m here if you need anything. I’ve never been through something like this but…I’m always here to listen.”
“That’s very nice of you, Jared. But I’m okay.”
He examined my face like he didn’t believe me. “You don’t look okay.”
“It’s only been a few weeks. I need more time than that.” I sat on the couch and rested my hands in my lap.
Jared sat beside me. “Macy told me your dad left your mom for another woman…I’m sorry.”
“He’s a piece of shit like every other guy on the planet. I guess I shouldn’t hate him so much when his actions are pretty common.”
Guilt moved into his eyes. “Sometimes people lose their way…”
“Marriage is stupid. Relationships are stupid. People aren’t meant to be monogamous for a long period of time. We can only do it for a short period before we need to leave and explore new landscapes.”
Jared watched me with an unreadable expression. “That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is true. You already proved it once.”
The same look of shame came over his face. “Some people can change. And some people don’t make those mistakes at all. Don’t condemn all of mankind because of your father and I.”
“But you have to admit those odds aren’t good.”
“What you said doesn’t apply to you and Conrad.”
“Yes, it does,” I said immediately. “We’re no different than everybody else. One day he’ll grow tired of me and so will his dick. He’ll leave me for someone else, and that’s just how it is.”
“Conrad would never do that,” Jared argued. “That guy really loves you. Or do you not believe him?”
I couldn’t spend nearly two years with him and think otherwise. “No, I know he loves me. And I love him.”
“Then how can you say something like that?”
“Because I know things will change. That love will die.” My parents went through the same thing. They were high schools sweethearts and madly in love. Their photographs showed the love between them. “My dad grew tired of my mom after twenty something years of marriage and found a younger and more attractive woman. You know the drill.”
“I can’t speak for your father, but for me it wasn’t because I was tired of you. I just…I was an idiot. Sometimes I think I’m an addict.”
“Whatever the reason may be, it doesn’t work out.”
Jared shook his head. “Don’t let this affect your relationship with Conrad. What you guys have is true.”
“I’m not.”
“It sounds like it.”
“I’ll let our relationship run its course. When it ends, it ends.”
“And what happens when it doesn’t end?” He continued to stare me down.
“What do you mean?”
“What happens when years go by and you’re still madly in love? What happens when he wants to get married?”
I shook my head quickly. “Marriage is off the table.”
“You’re just going to stay boyfriend and girlfriend forever?” he asked incredulously.
My darkest fear came to the surface. “I’m not going to stand on the curb and watch Conrad pack his things and leave. I’m not going to sign divorce papers again. I’m not going to invest everything I have into one man just so I can be replaced by a younger and prettier version of myself.”
Jared released a sigh. “Lexie, that’s never going to happen…”
“Yes, it is. Conrad and I are happy with the way things are. One day it will end, and I accept that. But I can’t marry him knowing that. I can’t be anything more than what we are now. He understands that.”
“Does he?” he asked. “Did you actually say this to him?”
/> “He’s not stupid,” I snapped. “He knows how I am.”
He gave me a disappointed look. “I sincerely hope you change your mind. Conrad doesn’t deserve to suffer for the mistakes of your father and I.”
“He’s not suffering. I know he wants the same thing as I do.”
“He does?” Surprise was in his eyes.
“After what Beatrice put him through, I know he only has so much to give me. And that’s perfectly fine because I only have so much to give him. That’s why our relationship works so well. We understand each other, and we don’t try to change each other.”
He rubbed his temple. “I’ll never forgive myself for what I did to you. If it weren’t for me…things might be different.”
“No, Jared. You showed me the light. Somehow…I think I love Conrad more than I ever loved you. If I went through that with him…I’d never recover.” I left the chair so he couldn’t stare at me anymore. I didn’t want to see the disheartened look on his face. “Thanks for stopping by, Jared. I was just on my way out when you came by.”
He stayed on the couch, staring at the ground. Then he released the air from his lungs and stood up. The sad look was on his face like I expected it to be. He slowly approached me, self-loathing in his eyes. “Give Conrad a chance. You deserve a happy ending. And I know he can give it to you.”
The sincerity in his eyes caught me off guard. A year ago, he was trying so hard to get back together with me. But now it was the opposite. He was pushing me to be with Conrad and it was the last thing I expected. “I don’t believe in happy endings. But I have a very happy present. I will hold onto it as long as possible until the end arrives.”
His eyes only grew more solemn. He opened his mouth like he might say something, but instead he closed it in defeat. Then he walked out without saying goodbye.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Conrad
I walked into my dad’s office without knocking. “Can I borrow your timeshare in Myrtle Beach?”
He was texting on his phone. “What?”
“Your timeshare. Can I use it?”
“Hold on.” He held up his hand to silence me then finished his message. He smiled before he sent it, like he was sending a funny joke. “Now what are you going on about?”
I couldn’t believe I had to repeat myself three times. “The timeshare in South Carolina. Can I use it?”
“Just for you?”
“For Lexie and I.” I unbuttoned my jacket before I sat in the chair facing his desk. “I want to get her out of town. You know, distract her.”
“She’s really taking this divorce hard, huh?”
I nodded. “If the divorce was mutual she would have been fine. But the fact her father cheated then took off with another woman is what really gets under her skin. She hasn’t been the same since. I just want to make sure she doesn’t go off the deep end.”
“Poor girl.”
“Her ex-husband cheated on her, and I Just want to be as romantic and devoted as possible so she’ll understand we’re nothing like those other relationships.”
“Makes sense.”
“So, can I have it?”
He grabbed a key from a drawer then tossed it at me. “Sure. Wash the sheets when you’re done.”
“Thanks.” I stuffed it into my pocket.
“When are you going?”
“This weekend. I’m going to be the most romantic guy there ever was.”
“Maybe you should have been doing that to begin with,” he teased.
“Some time away will do her some good.”
“The proposal is off the table, then?” Disappointment was in his eyes.
“I can’t ask her right now. It’s the worst time.”
He nodded in agreement. “I’d say so.”
I rose to my feet and buttoned my jacket again. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll see you around.”
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Lexie’s office. I’m dropping off flowers.” I winked before I walked out.
***
After we dropped off our luggage in the bedroom, we immediately headed to the balcony of the beach house. White sand stretched until the ocean, and it was secluded and quiet.
“Wow,” Lexie said. “It’s beautiful.”
I put my arm around her. “It is.”
“I didn’t know your parents had a place like this.”
“They have a few. This one is the closest getaway.” My face moved into her neck and I sprinkled kisses everywhere. “Come on. Let’s get into the hot tub on the desk and stare at the ocean.”
“Are we really going to stare at the ocean?” She gave me a look that told me she already knew the answer.
“You’ll see.”
After we changed into our swimsuits, we got into the hot tub together. The water was warm but not scalding. The breeze moved up from the ocean and toward the house, keeping it cool.
“It’s funny,” Lexie said. “Your parents already have a beautiful place on the beach but they have another one just like it.”
“The beaches are nicer here—warmer.”
She moved to the opposite side of the tub, wearing a pink bikini that made her tits look great.
I drank from my beer while I watched her. “You look lonely over there.”
“Nope. Just fine.” A playful look was in her eyes. She’d improved substantially over the past week, and now that we were in a foreign place she was in an even better mood. Perhaps I exaggerated her behavior. I feared she would take a turn for the worst, but after I spoke to her about it she returned to being herself.
“Well, I’m pretty lonely over here.”
“So sad.” She shrugged then sipped her beer.
An involuntary smile stretched my lips. “Why are we wearing swimsuits anyway? It’s just us.”
“Someone might see us.”
“And who cares if they do?”
“Really?” she challenged. “You wouldn’t care if someone saw me?”
“They wouldn’t see much of you. Just my bare back and ass.” I loosened my swim trunks then pulled them off. I tossed them on the deck then walked toward her, my waist covered by the jet bubbles.
She eyed the water like she might see something.
I sat beside her and put my arm on the deck right behind her. My fingers were near her bikini tie, and I slowly inched closer then untied it. It came loose.
“Sly…” The playful look was still in her eyes.
“I wasn’t trying to be.” I wrapped my arm around her waist then pulled her onto my lap. My fingers automatically found the tie along her back and loosened it. The top fell down then drifted in the hot tub.
Lexie had a nice rack. She had perfect tits that weren’t too big for her small size. They were perky and round, and her nipples were always hard. I palmed one and felt my cock twitch. “I love your tits.”
“You don’t say.” Her hands moved up my chest and to my shoulders.
One hand snaked into the water and found her bottoms. I pulled them down her long legs then let the piece float on the water. I adjusted her until my cock was pressed against her folds. Then I moved her against it, my cock massaging her clit. Since she was buoyant in the water she was easy to move.
Lexie immediately moaned at the touch.
My lips started at her shoulder then moved up her neck. I trailed kisses along her jaw until I found her lips. Then I kissed her softly, feeling her full lips. I kept grinding against her under the water, making her wet and ready.
Lexie wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me harder, her arousal increasing every time I touched her. Her tits rubbed against my chest and I loved feeling them there. It was such a turn-on.
She grew more aggressive as the minutes passed, and when she practically bit me I knew she was growing impatient.
I pointed my cock at her entrance then slid inside. I’d had sex in a hot tub and a pool before, and it was a little difficult because the chlorinate water dissipated al
l the moisture from the opening that my dick tried to slide through. But Lexie was wet enough that it wasn’t an issue.
Once I completely inserted myself I moaned against her mouth. “I love you so much, Lexie.” My eyes were connected to hers as I said it.
“I love you too.” She moved her hips and grinded against me.
I bounced her up and down on my dick, sliding in and out of her easily. Lexie couldn’t get enough of me, and she gripped me tighter and practically screamed. Our closest neighbors were further down the beach so we probably wouldn’t be spotted.
Feeling the connection between us calmed the paranoia in my heart. I feared Lexie would take a turn for the worst after her parents separated under such extreme circumstances. She did try to push me away at one point. But now everything felt right. Lexie looked at me like she loved me, and she made love to me in a sensual way. She didn’t fuck me like she was trying to forget about everything going on in her life.
I knew we would be okay.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Skye
Slade kept pacing in the doctor’s office and wouldn’t stop. The examination room was small, so he kept walking back and forth. His arms were across his chest and he had a concentrated expression on his face.
I lay on the table and watched him. “Would you just sit down?”
“I’m nervous.” He kept walking.
“Well, you’re making me anxious so just sit down.”
“I just need to know everything is okay.” He rubbed his chin. “I hate doctor offices.”
“Everything is fine, Slade. It’s just a check-up. Calm down.”
“Stop talking,” he said. “You aren’t making me feel better.”
“You’re supposed to make me feel better, idiot.”
He finally stopped walking and stood in place. “If something happens to your baby…” He shook his head. “Cayson will kill me.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with the baby. You’re supposed to see the doctor routinely during pregnancy. Everyone knows that.”
“Still makes me anxious.” He shifted his weight a few times.
The doctor finally came inside with the sonogram results.
