Then Came Abby (Southern Love #4)

by E. L. Todd

  Abby grabbed his hips and pulled him toward her, but he wouldn’t budge. He stared down at her. She dug her nails into his skin. “Please…”

  He shifted his weight to his arms then directed his tip to her entrance. Abby was anxious to feel him inside her, to feel the wide stretching of her body. He slowly made the plunge, stretching her to the limit.

  “Yeah…”

  He rocked into her gently, pushing her further into the rug.

  She widened her legs and enjoyed the feel of him moving in and out. The orgasm returned as soon as it started. When her head rolled back, she gripped his forearms. The explosion shattered her, and she moved into him hard and fast. “Oh…”

  Fernan plunged deep and far, making it as good as possible.

  “Fernan…”

  “I love it when you say my name.”

  She held onto him tightly as the feeling faded. It receded slowly, giving her a little extra pleasure. Fernan pulled out then leaned back on the balls of his feet. She eyed him then sat up.

  “Come here,” he said gently. He grabbed her hips then turned her over. Then he pulled her back to his chest. When she looked at the opposite wall, she saw the mirror. It was full length, and showed their entire bodies. The sight immediately made her hot again.

  Fernan directed himself inside her then wrapped his arm around her waist, holding onto her as he moved. His mouth was pressed to her ear, breathing deeply. She could hear the sex sounds coming from their joined bodies. The combination of everything sent her to the brink.

  She gripped his thigh as the explosion hit her. “God…”

  He moved into her quicker and stared at their reflection in the mirror.

  When the shattering feeling had ebbed away, she still felt wet as he moved into her. She leaned forward on her arms then rode his cock, sliding onto him, back and forth.

  Fernan moaned as she slid up and down. His hips stopped moving and he watched her face as she took him in and out. Her moans were loud and soon became screams. His breathing increased as he watched her.

  “I’m there.” He grabbed her hips and moved into her hard and fast. When he started to fill the tip of the condom, she stared at his face, watching him come. His face contorted as his body gave in to his pleasure. He bit his lip as he finished.

  When he pulled out, he grabbed a magazine and ripped a page out. He wrapped the used condom then tossed it on the ground. Then he lay on the rug beside her. She lay on her stomach, too tired to turn over. His hand moved to her back and rested there.

  “How was it for you?” he whispered.

  “Hmm.”

  He smiled. “I enjoyed it. The sex is always amazing with you.”

  “That’s just because I’m horny as hell.”

  “I think there’s more to it than that.” He rubbed her back then closed his eyes.

  “Do you mind if I sleep here?” she whispered.

  “You don’t have to ask,” he said. “You’re always welcome here.”

  “Good.” She felt her mind start to shut down. “Because I don’t want to be alone right now.”

  “Why not?”

  Abby fell asleep, his question unanswered.

  Chapter Ten

  When she woke up the next morning, it was already ten. “I’m going to be late for work,” she said as she sat up. A strong arm pulled her back.

  “You’re already late,” he said with a chuckle. “So what’s a little extra time?”

  She cuddled next to him and closed her eyes. “Don’t say that. I’ll never leave.” She sighed deeply.

  “I wouldn’t mind that,” he whispered.

  She pulled the covers further over her shoulder then lied still.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “A little.”

  “Let’s eat something before we head off to work.”

  “I think I’m going to call in sick,” she said.

  “I think he’d let you off the hook.”

  “My boss is awesome,” she said with a smile.

  He kissed her forehead then dressed himself. “Well, I have to work—secretary or not.”

  “I’m coming, I’m coming.” She found her clothes then pulled them on. “I’ll see you at the office.”

  “You aren’t going to stay for breakfast?”

  “No, I have to shower and all that boring hygienic stuff.”

  He walked her to the door. “I’ll see you soon.”

  She grabbed his face and kissed him before she left. After she changed and got ready, she went to work. Fernan was already upstairs in his office, so she stayed at her desk and took care of the bookkeeping. Someone came in and bought one of his paintings. She thought Fernan was a great artist, but she wouldn’t pay 30k for his work, unlike his customers. She saved the check and put it in his folder.

  When the day was over, she knew she needed to go home and do her laundry. It was piling up, making a pigsty in the apartment.

  Fernan came downstairs. “What are your plans for the evening?”

  She sighed. “I have more laundry than I know what to do with.”

  He chuckled. “That sounds lovely.”

  “I know, I’m so classy.”

  “Would you like to see a move tomorrow night?”

  “That depends,” she said. “What movie?”

  “Whatever you decide.”

  “That’s too much power,” she said with a sigh.

  “Don’t let it go to your head.” He grabbed his bag and his coat. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.”

  He leaned over her desk and kissed her. She immediately pulled away.

  “What are you doing?” she blurted.

  He stepped back. “My apologies.”

  “Our work relationship is separate than our personal relationship.”

  He raised his hands in surrender. “It was an honest mistake.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  “Bye, darling.” He left and walked down the street.

  After Abby locked the shop, she walked back to her apartment. When she reached her floor and looked down the hallway, she saw a man standing near her doorway. From the distance and shadows, she couldn’t distinguish his features. She just knew he was large, twice her size, and a formidable adversary. She stopped in the hallway then turned around.

  “Abby?”

  She stopped then looked over her shoulder.

  Toby stood in the middle of the hallway. “Hey, I was hoping I would catch you.”

  “How did you know where I lived?” she snapped. Her voice held her anxiety.

  He eyed her. “Paul told me. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

  “Please go away and don’t ever come back to my apartment again.”

  “Damn, I just came to apologize.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Calm the hell down. Do you think I’m trying to rob you or something?”

  “No…”

  “So, can I have a moment of your time?”

  Abby stayed in the hallway, unsure what to do.

  Toby leaned against the wall. “I don’t bite. Honestly.”

  She felt uneasy letting him into her apartment. When the door was closed, they would be alone. Even if she could defend herself, she still didn’t want a stranger in her apartment. Living in the city taught her to be cautious at all times.

  “Let’s go down to the lobby.”

  ‘What?” He stepped toward her. “Do you think I’m going to hurt you?”

  “Just go away,” she said.

  Toby marched to her, and she felt her heart accelerate as he approached. She tightened the strap on her purse and prepared for whatever happened next.

  He stopped in front of her. “Look, I only came by to apologize for my behavior for the past week. I—I didn’t mean to make you cry. I feel really bad.”

  “It’s okay…”

  “I can tell it isn’t.”

  She stood there, awkwardly. “Well, you can go.”

  “Can we talk
about this?”

  “What? You apologized and I accepted it. We’re done. You can leave now.”

  “Who the hell messed you up this bad?”

  The words ripped a whole in her heart. She hated being around Toby. He always made her feel like shit. And when she wasn’t around him, she still felt terrible. But it was nothing compared to the next time she saw him. He somehow made the hole deeper and deeper. “Just leave me alone.” She walked around him.

  Toby grabbed her arm. “Wait.”

  Abby automatically dropped her purse then twisted his arm down, kicking his in the side. He bent over, and then she kicked him to the floor. It all happened quicker than she could process.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He rose to a stand and gave her a look of anger.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “Why are you making it so impossible for me to set things right?”

  She breathed through her frustration. “You’ll never make it right.” She felt the tears bubble under her eyes. “Because you’re right about everything. Every word and comment you made about me is dead on. I am damaged goods. I am a failure. I am a weak and pathetic person. Not get the fuck away from me.” She grabbed her purse then walked into her apartment, making sure she locked it behind her.

  A moment later, Toby knocked on the door. “Abby, please talk to me.”

  “Go away.”

  “Please.”

  She wiped her tears away then cracked the door. “What?”

  “I take back what I said, okay? I was just angry and I was lashing out at you. I didn’t mean anything I said.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “Can I come in?”

  “No.”

  “Fine,” he said. “I’ll stay out here.”

  She leaned against the door.

  “Can I take you out to dinner or something? I’d like to prove how sorry I am.”

  “You already did, Toby. Now the best thing you can do is leave me alone.”

  “I can’t do that…”

  “You don’t even know me, and you don’t owe me anything. Bye.” She shut the door.

  Toby stuck his foot inside so she couldn’t close it. “Please talk to me.”

  “You’re so fucking annoying.”

  “I won’t ask you again,” he said firmly.

  “Fine. When?”

  “Are you doing anything now?” he asked. “You must be hungry.”

  She weighed the options in her mind.

  “We can invite Paul if that will make you feel better.”

  “No, it’s okay,” she said gently.

  “Is that a yes?”

  She nodded.

  “Thank you.” He pulled his foot out.

  She closed the door and grabbed her purse before she walked outside. Together, they walked down the hallway. Toby had his hands in his pockets.

  “How was work?” he said awkwardly.

  “Fine.”

  “What artist do you work for?”

  “Fernan Chesapeake.”

  He nodded. “I think we have one of his paintings at work.”

  “He’s pretty popular.”

  Toby kept trying to make small talk. “Do you have to travel with him?”

  “No. I haven’t been working with him long enough.”

  “How long have you been there?”

  “A year,” she said.

  Toby opened the door to the restaurant and let her walk inside first. The waiter took them to their seats. Toby pulled out the chair for her, but sat in the opposite seat. He eyed her then sat down.

  Abby felt awkward so she picked her nails.

  “That’s disgusting.”

  “What?” she asked.

  “We’re about to eat.”

  She folded her hands in her lap. “I knew the gentleman façade wouldn’t last long.”

  “I am being a gentleman. I politely asked you to stop.”

  “No, you just said it was disgusting.”

  He held his hand. “I honestly don’t want to argue with you.”

  “That wasn’t very clear.”

  He rested his elbows on the table.

  “Just because Paul asked you to apologize doesn’t mean we need to be friends. I don’t like you and you don’t like me. That’s fine.”

  “He didn’t ask me to apologize.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  Toby nodded. “I know you think I’m a dick, but I’m actually a decent guy.”

  “That cares more about superficial things than people.”

  He sighed. “You’re just asking me to fight with you.”

  “Sorry,” she said quickly.

  “When you left the apartment, I felt like shit. I—I didn’t mean to take it so far. I’m really sorry. I said a lot of things I wish I could take back.”

  “It’s okay…”

  “I just get protective of my family, not that it excuses my behavior.”

  “I’m the same way.”

  He rubbed his jaw. “I noticed.”

  She chuckled.

  “That’s the first time I’ve seen you laugh.”

  She blushed.

  “I liked it. It was cute.”

  “Cute?”

  “Yeah.”

  She sipped her water and averted her gaze.

  “Do you think we could start over?” he asked.

  “It’s a lot of stuff to sweep under the rug.”

  “I’ll let it go if you will.”

  She picked her nails again. “We could try…”

  Toby adjusted his tie then stared at her. “What happened to you?” he asked gently.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Why are you paranoid all the time?”

  She felt her anger rise. “I know you apologized, but that doesn’t give you the right to ask me whatever you want. We aren’t friends.”

  “Are you always this defensive?”

  “I’m not defensive,” she argued.

  “Everything I say bounces off the steel wall you’ve projected. Maybe you should let down your guard a little bit. You may be keeping out the bad stuff, but you’re also keeping out all the good.”

  Abby touched a strand of hair and played with it in her fingers.

  “You don’t need to be scared around me.”

  “I’m not scared,” she said quickly.

  “So, you’re that paranoid when anyone comes to your apartment?”

  She grabbed her purse. “Thank you for apologizing. I have to go.”

  He grabbed her arm. “Stay.”

  She looked at his hand then glared at him.

  “Sorry.” He quickly pulled it away. “Please don’t go.”

  She returned to her seat.

  “So, what can I talk about with you? It seems like everything is off limits.”

  “You.”

  “Me?” he asked. “That would be a very boring conversation.”

  “Are you saying you’re a boring person?”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “No wonder why you don’t have friends.”

  The insult wounded her.

  Toby covered her face. “Fuck. I’m sorry. My mouth just runs when you’re around.”

  “Can we just order and get this over with?”

  Toby’s eyes darkened at her comment. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Sure. Whatever.”

  Abby looked at the menu then put it down. She eyed everyone around them, seeing the people engage in pleasant conversations. Every minute that dragged on was purely awkward.

  The waitress finally took their order and left. Abby was tempted to slip her some money so the dinner would be over sooner.

  “I had a friend that killed themself.” He stared at her without blinking. His face was stoic, not showing any emotion or feeling. But his eyes were darker than they ever were.

  “I’m sorry…”

  “She had a boyfriend that was abusive to her. Even after they
broke up, she was never the same. She was always scared of every person, of every shadow. She was paranoid about everyone and everything. As a result, she closed off everything. She tried to act like she was okay, but she never really was. Her death shocked everyone but me. I knew she was upset but I did nothing to help her. I’ll always regret that.”

  She was speechless. She processed his words for a moment. Her heart raced in her chest, making her palms sweat. “I don’t know what to say…”

  “You remind me of her.”

  “Oh…”

  “And that worries me. You can hide from most of the world, but you can’t hide from someone who has already seen the signs.”

  “Toby, I have no intention of ever killing myself.”

  “For now.”

  “For ever,” she said firmly. “I’m just going through a hard time. It will pass. It always passes.”

  “Then why are you so afraid?”

  “I’m not…you just caught me off guard. I’m normally not this confrontational or rude. You bring out the worst in me.”

  “No,” he said with a laugh. “I bring out the truth in you. You can hide from your sister and everyone else, but you can’t hide from me. So I know your attempt to help Paul is actually your attempt to help yourself.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s only partially true…”

  “Which part?”

  “About Paul.”

  “So you genuinely care about him?”

  “I’m offended you even asked me that,” she said. “I love Paul, and I’m really sad that he and my sister didn’t end up together.”

  “You don’t like her new boyfriend?”

  “I didn’t say that. He’s wonderful. But I do love Paul. He’s been in my life for years. I can’t just cut him out, especially when he’s going through a hard time. And I know supporting Paul would make Alexandra very happy. She loves him too.”

  He sighed. “I miss Alex. She was great.”

  “Yeah…”

  “My brother had to be stupid…”

  “Don’t say that to him. He already feels horrible,” she said.

  “I know. My parents were so upset when they found out they broke up. My mom took it the hardest.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. “Everyone loves Alex. She’s the smart one, she’s the pretty one. I get it.”