The Best Kind of Trouble

by Jones, Courtney B.

  Instead, I pressed my lips to his jaw and kissed a trail down the hard muscles of his chest and abs. Just before I reached his hard perfection, he shifted and groaned.

  I smiled as I licked the length of him once before wrapping my lips around him. His eyes flew open and he tangled his fingers through the long messy strands of my blonde hair.

  “Christ, Ash,” he groaned again. His voice was deep and sexy with sleep and desire. An intoxicating mixture. He helped to guide my movements and then threw his head back as I scraped my teeth along his sensitive flesh. “Oh god, baby.”

  As quickly as I had started, he pulled me off and flipped me on my back, towering over me and pressing me hard into the mattress. He slammed his lips against mine, lifted my leg against his hip and pushed inside me, quick and easy.

  “Oh god, baby,” he groaned. “So good.”

  He kissed my neck and slowed his pace, until I was clawing and scratching at his back, bucking my hips and begging him for more.

  “Please,” I begged, half-crazed with desire.

  His warm breath caused goose bumps to dot my flesh. He kissed his way up my neck, resting his lips at my ear. In a voice full of gravel he rasped, “Tell me no one else has touched you since me, Ash.”

  “What?” I couldn’t think straight. I grabbed his hips and pushed mine up to meet his. I was so close, my vision started to blur and my heart felt like it would gallop right out of my chest at any moment.

  Nathan grabbed my wrists and held them above my head with one hand. The other he snuck between our bodies, touching me as he continued to rock against me, hard but slow. He pulled back enough for me to see his eyes, the tight expression on his face, and the sheen of sweat covering his brow.

  “Tell me no one else has touched you, Ash,” he repeated, punctuating his words with the rocking of his hips against mine. “Say it.”

  “Only you,” I whispered, desperate for release.

  He slammed his lips to mine and pushed inside me, hard and fast. Raw, carnal, and desperate, we came together in a dizzying rush, a haze of want and lust so thick between us, it erupted in a powerful explosion, blurring my vision. A euphoria so perfect, so beautiful, it obscured every ugly thought and feeling I’d had before.

  Nathan collapsed on top of me. When his breathing slowed, he rolled to the side, taking me with him.

  I clung to him, my face pressed into the crook of his neck, arms draped across his chest, my nails digging into the thick muscles of his biceps.

  Nathan wrapped one arm around my back holding me firmly against him, with the other he threaded his fingers through my hair, over and over again, until my eyes drooped closed.

  We didn’t speak. And when I woke up in the morning, he was gone.

  ~000~

  The next morning, I was sitting out on the balcony smoking, when Katie walked out and sat down next to me, giving me a disapproving look.

  “Is that your breakfast?”

  I rolled my eyes and shrugged. I knew I’d been smoking too much lately, but at least I wasn’t drinking or doing drugs. Or spending all day crying under the covers.

  “Nate was here again last night, huh?”

  I sighed, heavily. I didn’t really want to talk about it, but if I didn’t give her something, she’d never leave me alone about it. “Yeah, but I don’t understand why.”

  Katie gave me a confused look. “What do you mean? He obviously still cares about you.”

  “Katie,” I huffed. “I slept with him, and then he just up and leaves this morning before I wake up. Didn’t even say goodbye.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “I don’t get him,” I told her, as I let it all come pouring out. “I think he’s got a secret. I don’t know what. And I don’t think I even want to find out.”

  “What kind of secret?” Katie asked. Her brows were pinched together and I could tell she was trying to decide if I was going crazy or not.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. And I don’t want to know.”

  Okay, so that was a lie. But in all honesty, not knowing was better. I needed to keep my distance from Nathan Williams.

  ~000~

  Thursday was Halloween.

  Katie came in and plopped down on the couch next to me, where I was fingering the strings on my guitar and working out a new song.

  “Hey,” she said. “What are you doing tonight? Wanna go to a party?”

  “Okay, sure,” I said.

  “I’m not sure…I mean, Nate might be there. It’s at the frat house,” she said, eyeing me warily.

  I shrugged. And then I looked up and grinned. “Good. Maybe I’ll wear the shortest skirt I own and talk to every freakin’ guy in that place just to piss him off.”

  Katie shook her head. “Be careful, girl.”

  I smirked at her. “Why? He’s already broken my heart.”

  Her eyebrows drew together and she looked at me worriedly. “You are in a mood tonight.”

  I snorted. “No, I’m just feel like I need to teach that man a lesson.”

  Katie laughed. “I think you might be trouble, Ash.”

  I grinned, then I continued to strum my guitar for a few more minutes before Katie spoke again.

  “Hey, you know Mike’s? That bar on Fifth? It has open mic on Tuesdays. You should go!”

  I frowned and shook my head.

  “Why not?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not that good, and my lyrics are really personal, I’ve never really shared them before.”

  “Ash, you’re good. I promise. You should try,” she paused. “Just think about it. It could be fun.”

  “Maybe,” I agreed.

  ~000~

  An hour into the party, I finally spotted Nathan.

  I was leaning against the wall, and it was obvious my outfit was having the desired effect if the blonde guy leaning over me and leering at me was any indication.

  I had picked out the shortest black mini-skirt I could find, along with black knee high boots and a tight low cut black shirt. I completed my “costume” with cat ears and Katie drew a few whiskers on my face, along with thick black liner along my eyes.

  From the corner of my eye I watched him.

  Nathan was leaning against a wall, a red Solo cup in one hand poised at his full pouty lips and a cute brunette pawing at him. He was dressed in dark wash denim, a dark blue shirt with the Captain America symbol stretched across his impressive chest.

  I rolled my eyes as the girl batted her lashes at him and giggled. When she looked away, he rolled his eyes too. That shouldn’t have felt so good, but it did. That small little roll of his blue eyes made me feel light and giddy.

  And then his gaze caught mine.

  I sucked in a sharp breath and froze as his eyes traveled down my body and then back up. He narrowed his eyes and the muscle in his jaw jumped when another cute blonde guy came up and started flirting with me.

  I smiled big and leaned forward, placing my hand on the blonde guy’s chest and laughing at something he said. From the corner of my eye I watched as Nathan stalked across the room towards me.

  Blondie—I didn’t even catch his name, Chance? Lance?—offered to get me a drink and disappeared into the crowd just as Nathan stopped in front of me.

  A few tense seconds ticked by as we stood there and stared at each other. Then all the anger and tension drained from his face and his expression crumpled. His skin crinkled around his eyes and he looked down at his feet, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

  “What are you doing, Ash?” he whispered.

  “What am I doing?” I asked incredulously, pointing a finger at my chest. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  His head shot up in surprise at my language. “Ash, I’m so sorry, alright? I keep trying to push you away. I mean, this,” he motioned between us, “was not in my plan. You’re better off without me. Trust me.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What is your secret? What are you hiding?”

  For the briefest
moment I saw the fear flash in his eyes. I knew then, without a doubt, that I was right.

  Nathan had a secret, something he either couldn’t or wouldn’t let me know. But just as soon as I saw the fear, it was gone. A small smirk curved his lips. He leaned forward, placing a hand on the wall next to my head, and letting his lips almost brush against my ear.

  “There’s no secret, doll face. I just can’t think straight around you. I’m weak. You make me weak. I try to push you away, but the moment I see you moving on, I lose all rational thought. I feel like I’m going fucking crazy,” he paused and pulled away slightly, enough for me to see the vulnerable intensity shining in his eyes.

  “Why did you come over the other night?” I managed to ask.

  He sighed. “I was worried about you. We’re supposed to be friends, remember?”

  “But then why—” I choked on the words. Why did you make love to me? Why did you leave?

  He cringed, understanding my thoughts without me having to speak them aloud. “I’m so sorry Ash. That was a mistake. I told you, I’m so weak around you. I can’t think straight,” he expression softened further. “Please Ash, I’m so sorry. Don’t hate me.”

  I bit my lip and looked up at him through my lashes. “I don’t,” I swallowed hard. “I can’t.”

  And then his lips were on mine. Soft and sweet, but edged with hunger. He moved in front on me, pining me against the wall and cradling my face in his hands. His mouth moved over mine, slowly, reverently.

  Like a sharp knife, I couldn’t even feel the cut.

  I ripped my lips away and turned my head. He leaned his forehead against my temple, his breath was hot and harsh against my skin.

  “Go,” he commanded roughly. His voice was dark and hoarse, so sexy my insides quivered. “You better go, doll face. Before I refuse to let you.”

  I stood there a moment, unable to move, unable to walk away. Finally he stepped away from me, turned around and disappeared through the thick masses.

  Chapter 14

  All we do right is make love and we both know now that ain’t enough. Let’s lay down tonight and kiss tomorrow goodbye.

  ~Luke Bryan

  I wanted to collapse on the floor and cry. My knees actually wobbled, struggling to hold my weight. I took several deep breaths and then found Katie.

  She saw my face and immediately handed me the shot that was in her hand. I knocked it back. And then another. By the third my face felt decidedly numb.

  Two hours later, I was dancing in the middle of the living room with everyone else. The blond guy—Chance, I think—had wrapped his arms around my middle and pulled me against him, grinding his pelvis into my backside.

  I didn’t care. I just laughed, closed my eyes, and let the music move my body as the alcohol emptied my mind and numbed the pain in my heart.

  Chance spun me around and I felt the world tilt as the alcohol in my system sloshed and threatened to come up. He pulled me against him and ran a finger down the side of my cheek while looking at me with hooded eyes.

  My stomach rolled. This was not what I wanted. Not who I wanted.

  I spun around and practically sprinted for the door. I had barely made it outside when my stomach heaved. I doubled over and puked into the bushes.

  How freakin’ embarrassing.

  Mortified, sick, and heartbroken, I didn’t even fight Drew and Katie when they came outside and led me quietly to the car.

  I must have fallen asleep, because next thing I knew I was alone in my bed in the dark.

  I rolled over and buried my head in my pillow, groaning from both the headache pounding behind my eyes and the replay of images from the night. Deep voices from the other room had me perking up.

  I distinctly heard Nathan’s low rumble and crawled from my bed, tip toeing to my door and cracking it open in order to hear better.

  “Why don’t you just tell her the truth, Nate,” Drew asked.

  “Keep your fucking voice down, man. I don’t need your girlfriend knowing too,” Nate hissed back.

  My eyes widened. I knew there was a secret.

  “Relax, she’s passed out,” Drew snapped back. There was a long pause and then I heard Drew sigh. “I really think you should tell Ashley the truth, man. Let her decide.”

  I leaned my head against the door, desperate to hear more. “I can’t. She’ll hate me for sure.”

  “At this point, I don’t see what you have to lose.”

  This time, Nathan sighed. I could just imagine him running his hands over his face and through his shaggy dark hair. “It’s not that simple. It’s fucking complicated. And—”

  “Is it over?” Drew interjected. I held my breath. What are they talking about? Is what over? Us?

  Again, Nate sighed. “Yes,” then he paused and blew out a breath. “No. I don’t know. I thought—fuck I don’t know what I thought. I’m just trying to do the right fucking thing.”

  “I know man. But what’s the right thing? Being with you someone you don’t love?”

  My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. What are they talking about?

  I heard Drew clap Nathan on the back and then shuffle down the hallway. His blue eyes found mine peeking out from the crack in my door. His eyes widened then he smirked and shook his head before disappearing into Katie’s room.

  I stood there, listening, waiting for Nate to leave. But then his heavy footfalls had me scrambling back and diving beneath the covers of my bed. A moment later, my door creaked all the way open and then shut.

  I could barely breath as I waited with my eyes shut and my back turned. Eventually, my mattress dipped down and he wrapped both arms tightly around me. Beyond confused and hurt and broken, but also—weirdly—with my stomach filled with butterflies and my heart back flipping in my chest, I didn’t move.

  Nathan nuzzled the back of my head and then whispered into the darkness, “I’m sorry, baby. I wish—”

  I probably should have stayed quiet. Enjoyed his embrace. I knew he’d be gone in the morning. And I knew in the morning, I had to start moving on. Really moving on this time.

  Instead, I spun around, grabbed his face and kissed him hard on his full lips. His startled gasp, allowed me to plunge my tongue into his mouth and wrap around his. I pushed myself against him. Slowly his arms tightened around me and he kissed me back, long and deep and ravenous.

  I pulled away, panting. “Tell me goodbye,” I said. “Right now, tell me goodbye. And then walk away. You owe me that.”

  I couldn’t read the expression in his eyes. There was only a sliver of moonlight peeking through my curtains, highlighting the stubble on his jaw.

  “Is that what you want?” he asked hoarsely.

  “No,” I whispered honestly. “But I can’t keep doing this.”

  Nate brought his hand to my face and stroked his thumb across my bottom lip reverently. I closed my eyes and sighed. He slanted his lips across mine and for a moment, everything was suspended. Slowly, sweetly, his lips just barely brushed over mine.

  And then, the inevitable tidal wave hit us. A fresh combination of lust and love, heavy with heartbreak and angst burned in our frantic kisses, the glide of his hands on my skin, the slide of our tongues, the desperate burning frenzy and passion that suddenly took over erupted, holding us captive.

  We shed our clothes and came together. And for a moment, it was perfect. Just us. Just the warmth of his breath in my ear, and the seamless closeness of his body against mine.

  I let go, unafraid that he wouldn’t hold me together. Still in the throes of ecstasy, Nathan rolled over onto his back with me still clinging to his chest. His large hands cupped my ass and he pulled me up until I was positioned over his face.

  The first hot brush of his tongue on my still pulsing flesh had me bucking wildly against him. I couldn’t even hold myself up, the sensations pulsing through me were so deliciously intense, so out of this world amazing. But Nathan held me steady, devouring me, driving me near crazy until I arched my back and
screamed his name.

  He flipped me onto my back the instant his name fell from my lips and he pushed into me again. I wrapped my legs around his waist, arched my back, and dug my nails into the thick muscles of his shoulders.

  Sweaty and breathless, moments later he collapsed against me. I cradled his head between my breasts, softly stroking my fingers through his hair.