She shakes her head. “You’re nuts. You know that.”
“Just crazy about you, Brooke Rhodes. Just crazy about you.”
She flips back over and nestles up against me again. I wrap her in my arms and pull her even tighter. I hope she realizes I have no intention of ever letting her go.
“Have you even spooned before?” she asks.
“I have no idea what the fuck that is.”
She laughs. “What we’re going now. The way you’re holding me. It’s called spooning. You know—like spoons in a drawer.”
“Hell, no. Have you ever spooned before?”
“I’ve perfected the art of the fuck-and-run. Most guys have just enough time to get their dicks out of me before I’m putting my clothes back on. So, no. I’ve never spooned before.”
“Good,” I tell her as I pull her even closer.
“Do you like it?” Her voice is soft and unsure.
“It’s okay…” I’m afraid to admit how much I like it.
“We don’t have to…” she says as she tries to wriggle free.
“Stop,” I whisper in her ear. “There’s only one thing I’d rather do than spoon with you, okay.”
I can feel her entire body relax. “Okay.”
“Good, now let’s go to sleep.”
The room is so quiet and I feel so warm and relaxed with Brooke in my arms I don’t even realize I’m drifting off until I feel her slide her shorts off.
“Are you getting hot?” I ask.
“You could say that?” Her voice is seductive.
When she turns over to face me there’s desire in her eyes. I gulp. “I thought you were trying to turn over a new branch.”
“New leaf,” she corrects. “The Cliché Mangler strikes again.”
Before I can reply she moves her hand toward my already hardening cock. When she slides her hand over the length of my erection my boxer briefs seem like a nuisance in need of immediate elimination.
I begin to slide them down and when she doesn’t protest I kick them off the rest of the way.
“Now what?” This is her dance and she needs to take the lead.
She turns her back toward me again, but reaches for my dick. “Let’s spoon and fuck at the same time.”
“Do you want me to use a condom?” I offer.
She shakes her head. “I want to feel you inside of me, Leo.”
I don’t make her wait a moment longer. As I move in closer I ease inside of her. I’m rock hard, but she’s dripping wet. I slide in and she fits me like a glove. She always does. I swear the chick was made just for me.
As I gently move in and out of her I nibble on her neck and collar bone. She shudders in response. Fucking her like this makes spooning a lot more fun.
As I continue with long, easy strokes I play with her nipples which were standing up and waving for attention.
And when my hand moves to her clit and I give it the attention it deserves she practically purrs.
“I want you to come with me,” I whisper in her ear when I feel like I’m getting close.
“Oh, yeah,” she breathes.
I quicken my pace and make several deep thrusts before she lets out a loud moan and I unload.
“Where are you going?” I ask as she tries to twist free from my grasp. “This isn’t going to be a fuck-and-run.”
She laughs as she turns over to face me. Then to my surprise she places a quick kiss on my nose. “I’ll be right back. I promise. I just have to pee.”
Then she adds. “And no you can’t watch.”
Is it bad that I miss her when she goes into the bathroom to pee? What kind of pussy whipped shit is that?
But it only takes a few moments before she’s back in the bed.
When she snuggles up against me again I wrap her in my arms and make sure our legs are intertwined.
Right now, for this moment, she’s all mine.
Seven
Brooke
By three o’clock I’m beat. My eyes are bleary and if I have to type another word I have no doubt my fingers will fall off.
“I’m done,” I announce.
I’ve been working with Harper in her office non-stop since nine this morning.
She glances at her fancy ass watch. “It’s not even close to five o’clock.”
“You’re literally torturing me with all this work.” I point to the huge pile of papers I still need to deal with.
“You know that’s not the proper use of the word literally. I’m not literally torturing you. You’re exaggerating.”
“I don’t give a shit about proper word usage. You’re literally killing me.”
She shakes her head, but I can see she’s smiling. “You didn’t take a lunch break. Maybe another thirty minutes and we’ll wrap up for the day?”
“Deal.”
The thirty minutes flies by and I’m almost tempted to stay another thirty to get a few more items off my plate, but I don’t want to establish a habit of being too good of an employee. She’ll expect too much from my lazy ass. And I don’t want to ruin my reputation of being an utter disappointment and complete failure.
When I get up from the chair I notice Harper is not moving. “I thought we were going to wrap up…”
“Go ahead.” She gives me a wave of her hand. “I’m just going to finish up this article.”
“I need to get some fresh air. I’ll be out in the garden.”
“Do you want to go for a jog later?” she offers.
I laugh. “Do I have a choice?”
“The more you exercise the less you’ll want to drink.”
“So I’ve been told.”
What I don’t tell her is that I haven’t felt like I needed a drink for a while now. The only thing I crave is Leo. Not just his cock. I crave all of him. I’ve been trying not to overthink it even though it scares the shit out of me.
“Meet me near the orchard in ninety minutes?”
“Yes, Boss.” I roll my eyes at her even though she can’t see me. She’s already got her nose back on her computer monitor.
I wish I had her devotion. Not only is she dedicated to her work she is absolutely committed to Nic Rayne.
I can’t even commit to one outfit for the entire day.
I take in a deep breath as I make my way through the courtyard toward the garden. The lovely scent of orange blossoms is permeating the air. There’s someone sitting in the giant chair next to the large fountain which is exactly where I was going to plop my bony ass. I cringe when I get close enough to see it’s Raven.
Unfortunately it’s too late to scurry away before she sees me. Her evil eyes have already landed on me. I look around for an escape route, but it’s too late. She curls an index finger in my direction signaling me to join her.
As I approach she points her twisted witch finger at me. Okay, she really doesn’t have a twisted witch finger, but it does make for a sinister image.
“Sit down,” she demands.
I do as I’m told and take the wicker chair across from her. It’s not quite as comfortable as the big cushioned chair, but it will have to do.
“What’s up?” she probes.
I’m a little taken aback by the question. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond. So I just say, “Not much.”
“How’s Leo?” Her scary dark eyes narrow as she glares at me.
I gulp. I’m still not sure what I’m doing here and all I want is a way out. “Okay, I guess.”
“That’s really not good enough.”
“I’m not sure what this has to do with me.”
She laughs, but it’s not an amused laugh. It’s wicked one. “It has everything to do with you.”
As I start to rise she scowls. I quickly sit back down again.
“We’re not done,” she hisses.
“Okay,” the word feels like it’s stuck in my throat.
“I don’t care if you fuck Leo. Just don’t fuck with him. Understand?”
“Not really.”
>
“Do whatever you want with his dick. Just don’t mess with his heart. He’s got a really big one. And I don’t want someone like you breaking it.”
“Someone like me?” I fire back. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”
Her charcoal eyes narrow to angry slits. “I’m nothing like you.”
“On what planet,” I counter. “You sleep with a band. All of them.”
“Not anymore.” There’s a note of pain in her normally hard voice.
We both examine each other. Maybe there really is a big difference between us. She seems to actually care a lot about the guys she fucks. Most of the time I don’t even care enough to learn their names.
“I’m not going to break Leo’s heart,” I tell her. “He knows things aren’t serious.”
“Just because you say they aren’t doesn’t make it so.”
I’m not sure how to respond. I know she’s never going to like me. We’re not ever going to be besties and have lunch or go shopping together.
“Just watch yourself,” she warns. “I don’t think you have any idea how deep of an ocean you’re already in.”
She’s right. I just imagined splashing around in the kiddie pool for a while. An ocean seems too massive for me to navigate right now.
“Thanks for the advice. Can I go now?”
“I never said you couldn’t.”
I run as quickly as I can away from Raven. But I feel like I’m not just running from her. I’m running from myself as well. So many different thoughts are swirling through my head. Why did I think it was a good idea to fuck Leo? Raven’s right. I was being selfish and I wasn’t thinking about his feelings. I wanted to get laid and Leo is always eager and willing. I never imagined Leo could really get hurt. I didn’t think about the consequences—only about getting some action. And Leo certainly does know how to provide first-rate action.
Maybe I need to go to a meeting. I can feel the old familiar patterns setting in. I don’t want to deal with my shit so I find a way to escape. Instead of the bottle I’ve been escaping into Leo’s bed. The problem is that this time I won’t just hurt myself, I’ll hurt him too. Leo is the last person I want to hurt. When I spot Harper jogging toward the orchard I remember that I’m supposed to be meeting her for a run.
I hightail it back to my room and change into some semblance of athletic gear as quickly as I can. I throw my hair into a high ponytail and head back out the door. Completely preoccupied and obviously not paying much attention to where I’m going I slam right into Xander.
Of all Nic’s family he’s the person with whom I’ve interacted the least. We haven’t said more than a few polite words to each other. So I’m surprised when he grabs a hold of my arms.
“Whoa, where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“I’m supposed to be meeting Harper for a jog,” I tell him, but he still doesn’t release me from his grasp.
“Mind if I tag along for a few minutes?”
I gulp. After the grilling Raven gave me I’m not sure I want to hear what Leo’s older brother has to say to me. “I’m kind of in a hurry…”
When he replies, “So am I” I realize he’s not going to let me off the hook.
“Sure, whatever.”
“Good.” He gives me a plastered fake smile as he finally releases me from his grip.
I walk as fast as I possibly can without making it seem like I’m running away from Xander, but he manages to keep up with me without much effort.
“Is there something you want to talk about?” I ask, wanting to get whatever this is about out of the way as quickly as possible.
He nods. “Yup.”
I wait for him to say whatever it is he wants to say.
“Why?” he finally asks. I realize Xander isn’t a person of many words, but that’s all he says: Why?
“Why what?” I probe.
“Why do you like Leo? Why do you want to be with him?”
I laugh then cough because I’m walking too fast and I’m already getting winded. I decide to slow down the pace because I still have to run with Harper.
“Is that a trick question?” I fire back.
“I’m being serious,” he replies. Xander is the more serious of the three guys in Always Rayne, but today he seems particularly somber.
“He’s good in bed.” I state the obvious.
“So that’s it? You just want to fuck him?”
I stop walking and turn to face Xander. “I never made any promises. I’ve been straight with Leo since we met. We both like sex and we like having sex with each other. That’s it.”
“That’s cold.”
I frown. “That’s rich coming from a guy who regularly fucks whoever he wants whenever he wants and doesn’t even give it a second thought. So it’s okay for you to be a man-whore because you’re a rock star, but when I fuck who I want it’s a problem. I’m a cold bitch.”
His mouth is a thin line and I can see his eyes fill with anger. “It’s a problem when you fuck with Leo.”
I place my hands on my hips. “So I’ve heard.”
“He’s my little brother. I’ve always looked out for him since we were kids. I’ve never seen him—I don’t know—he’s never acted like this before.”
“Like what?” I search his eyes, but all I see is how much he despises me. Or at least what he thinks I am. He doesn’t even really know me. Maybe he just hates what’s going on with Leo and he’s blaming me for it.
“I think you already know the answer to that question.”
“Enlighten me.”
We both stare at each other for a long moment.
“You’re playing with fire.” He sticks an index finger in my face. “If you hurt Leo I swear...” He looks like he wants to say more, but bites his tongue.
The old me—before rehab—would have challenged him and made him finish his sentence. The new me decides to just let it go. “I have no control over Leo’s feelings…”
His finger pokes in my face again. He’s beginning to make it a habit. “You’ve got his fucking heart on a string and you know it.”
I feel like I’ve been slapped. Leo’s heart on a string? Before I can respond Xander turns and marches away.
I hurry my ass over to the orchard so I don’t piss off Harper along with apparently everyone else in the place.
She’s frowning when I rush over to her.
“Sorry,” I say proactively.
“For what?”
“Everything. Anything. Whatever it is you’re frowning about. And please don’t mention Leo.”
“Maybe we should just run,” Harper suggests.
“Good idea.”
After what feels like ten miles, but is really only two, I motion to Harper that I need to stop running.
She jogs in place while I struggle to catch my breath.
“I’m—done,” I manage to spit out.
“I’m going to run for another thirty minutes,” she tells me.
I nod. “See you later.”
When she takes off in the opposite direction I’m thankful that there’s still one person on Earth who doesn’t think I’m a heartless bitch.
***
I’m lying in bed allowing myself to wallow in self-pity for a few moments when I hear a knock on my bedroom door. I debate not answering it, but I know it’s futile when the knocking continues.
“Come in,” I say loud enough so I don’t actually have to get up from the bed.
When Leo enters he’s not his usual happy-go-lucky self. He looks more like loaded-down-with-baggage Brooke.
“Mind if I join you?” he asks.
I shrug. “Depends what you’re looking for.”
“You,” he says matter-of-factly.
“You found me,” I tease.
He lies down on the bed next to me. We’re both on top of the covers fully clothed and it feels a little weird. With guys I’m generally naked and getting busy. Leo is usually no exception.
“I’m heard Xan
der and Raven gave you a hard time.”
“They really care about you. I think they’re worried that you’re going to get hurt.”
“Am I?” When he turns to face me he looks so vulnerable. All of the usual cockiness is nowhere in sight.
“I don’t know,” I admit.
“I want you, Brooke Rhodes.”
“You’ve already had me,” I tell him. “Multiple times.”
“You know what I mean.” His dark eyes grow even darker and more serious.
“What do you want with a girl like me? Didn't you hear? I'm the girl who'll spread her legs for anyone.”
“And what would it take for you to spread your legs just for me?”
I gulp. I’m not sure I’m prepared to answer that question. “You can’t always get what you want,” I say instead.
“Yes I can,” he insists.
“This isn’t some cheesy romance novel,” I protest. “Just because you’re a rock star doesn’t mean you get the girl.”
His cocky smile sneaks across his face. “Wanna bet?”
Then he closes the distance between us and kisses me. His kiss is full of raw desire.
It’s not long before we’re tearing off each other’s clothes. But I stop dead in my tracks when I see he’s got a bandage on his chest.
“Did you get a new tattoo?”
His expression completely changes and he suddenly looks terrified.
“What is it?” I probe. I don’t want to tell him that I have the myriad of artwork all over his body completely memorized. Every shape, every color and every curve of each and every one of his many tattoos is etched in my mind.
“It’s nothing,” he says dismissively.
“I want to see it…”
He grabs my hand as I reach for the bandage. “No!”
I’m surprised by the harsh tone of his voice. Harsh is not a word one would use to describe Leo.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were getting a new ink?” I ask.
He bites his bottom lip, clearly uncomfortable.
“I want to see it,” I insist.
His eyes search mine. “You have to promise that you won’t freak out.”
“How can I promise something like that?” I’m the queen of freaking out.
As he slowly removes the bandage I gasp when I process what I’m seeing. And I’m already freaking out, so screw that promise.
Sometimes Brooke (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series Book 2) Page 9
