by Natalie Ann
“Drew,” she shouted out. “Right there. Don’t stop.”
He didn’t. He kept going until her legs were limp over his arms. Her breathing was coming out hot and heavy and she looked like she was barely moving.
“I guess that slowed you down,” he said.
He got off the bed, found a condom, slipped it on and climbed back on the bed. Rather than slide into her, he flipped her over and pulled her up on her knees.
“Oh,” she said. “Are you going to hold me up?”
“I’ve got you, don’t you worry about that.”
He moved behind her, gliding in and felt like he was going to heaven in that move alone.
So tight. So wet. So much...
She was on her hands and knees and he started to move in and out slowly but realized that wasn’t going to work. He couldn’t go slow even if he wanted to.
His hand slipped down between her legs, found her most sensitive nub, and started to rub at it.
Her breathing that had slowed down moments ago started to pick up with the pace of his hips.
“I hope you’re close,” he said, “because I can’t slow down as much as I had hoped.”
“I shouldn’t be close, but I am. Just keep it up.”
It was all he needed to hear. One hand went to her hip to hold her in place, the other continued to work her over. The bed was creaking and hitting the wall. Amanda was slowly inching up on the comforter, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.
He wasn’t stopping until he hit the end. Until he hit the wall.
Until he made her his and she knew beyond a doubt he had no intention of stopping the feelings in him. Not just physically, but maybe emotionally.
It wasn’t long till she was shouting out his name, him following, then falling down on top of her.
He didn’t expect to hear the laughter that followed though.
“What’s so funny?”
“I can’t move and I shouldn’t be laughing but I am. I can’t seem to stop. Maybe we don’t need Hallmark movies because we might have made our own.”
“I thought there was no sex in those movies.” She started to laugh even harder. He rolled over and pulled her on him. “Now what’s funny?”
“The fact you know that. How do you know that?”
He tried not to be embarrassed over it. “My mother watches a lot of those movies. She’s a romantic.”
“And you watched them with her?”
He got off the bed to walk into her bathroom, but stopped in the doorway to turn and look at her. “I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
Amanda didn’t know what to make of what just happened.
She’d fully planned on attacking Drew when he came into the house but didn’t think it’d turn into that.
She didn’t like having guys in the house or at least having sex there. She kind of had rules about that, but no one else was around so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Then to hear how sweet he was again. Yeah, he was one of a kind.
She had to remind herself to hold back. To not fall for him.
There was so much he didn’t know and she wasn’t sure she wanted to share it.
He talked about romance with his mother. He talked about families and wanting one.
It was what she’d wanted her whole life and she wasn’t sure she could have them now.
What if she fell for him and couldn’t have or give him the things they both wanted? Would he not want her then?
And how would she tell him she had no clue without jumping the gun? Without him asking how she knew she might not be able to have kids.
He came back out grinning and reaching for his clothes on the floor, so she grabbed her own and put them back on.
“I hope you are ready for some more romance then. We just did the dirty kind of romance, but now we can get some sweet kind.”
“I can be sweet,” he said.
“You are all the time. But I have to say I like the side you showed just now. This was fun. I think I’ve missed a lot of fun from my life.”
“Well, we need to put it back there.”
But several hours later they must have fallen asleep on the couch. The TV was still playing, she was wrapped up in Drew’s arms, he was breathing on her neck.
She was trying to figure out what woke her up and realized it was Sidney coming in the back door. It had to be past midnight.
She looked up and Sidney was there grinning at her in the doorway. “Isn’t that so cute.”
Drew jumped at the voice and almost knocked her to the floor, then apologized. “Geez, what time is it?”
“Twelve thirty,” Sidney said. “And I’ll just go upstairs and leave you two alone.”
“I should get going,” he said.
“Yeah. It’s late. I’m glad you stopped by and we got to spend some of the day together.”
“Me too. So I’ll call you tomorrow and we can figure out our plans?” he asked.
“That sounds good.” They walked to the front door. She put her arms around his neck and gave him one more kiss. “Drive safe.”
“Dream about me tonight,” he said.
“I will,” she whispered when the door was shut behind him.
“That was pretty cozy,” Sidney said, walking down the stairs. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think I would or that I could with anyone, but it’s happening and I can’t seem to stop it.”
“Why would you want to stop it?”
She wasn’t sure what to say to Sidney, but if she could share with anyone it was her. “There are things about my past no one knows. I’m probably not good enough for him.”
“Hey,” Sidney said, “we’ve all made mistakes in our life. You’re a great person right now and that is all that should matter. If he can’t see it, then he’s not good enough for you.”
“I don’t know about that but it’s a nice thought. Thanks for being a good friend, Sidney.”
“Anytime. I’m off to bed. You’ll probably be gone before I get up. Are you staying at Drew’s tomorrow night so I know to lock up after work?”
“Yeah, I probably will. Talk to you later.”
She and Drew might be getting too comfortable and cozy like Sidney said, but she couldn’t seem to stop either. Guess she’d have to let it play out and hope she didn’t crash like last time.
She wasn’t sure she could survive it again.
21
Doing His Job
Drew hated to go away for a few days for work but knew it had to be done. This was a slow time in real estate so the perfect time for him to do spot checks, talk with staff, hear their thoughts and see if the buildings needed anything.
Just because it wasn’t a slow time in his personal life didn’t mean he had to neglect his job.
He didn’t need Bode giving him shit again about doing anything to get out of work.
That was a crock of shit. He put in as much time as anyone else in the family. Well, maybe not Bode. His oldest brother had no life and filled it with projects, if not for work with the family business.
He wanted Amanda to come with him today since she was off on Mondays, but she said she had plans to go shopping with Kayla. Hunter had to go into Boston for the day and the girls were tagging along and doing their own things, getting stuff for the baby and the nursery.
Was he seeing some kind of a future with Amanda when he hadn’t with another woman since Cassandra? Maybe. And that was pretty sad in a way that it’d taken this long to find someone else. But then was he nuts to even think of a future this soon with someone after being alone so long?
For so long he’d tried to find someone but never could let himself go completely.
The fear that engulfed him about being used or taken advantage of was almost more than the broken heart when he found out what his only true love was really like. Who she really was. He’d been played a fool more than most would know.
Since then it’d been a
series of setups by his mother that he was trying to avoid like a trip to the morgue after a zombie apocalypse.
Meeting women at bars or at work wasn’t doing it for him.
But wasn’t that how he met Amanda? Doing his job?
Before her no one really caught his eye. No one he wanted to spend more than a night or two of pleasure with.
Maybe that was part of the problem. He hadn’t been thinking of anything more than temporary for the longest time.
Then there was Amanda.
He’d have waited six months to get in her bed if she wanted him to.
Though the sex was fantastic, there was more with them.
He enjoyed her company. He enjoyed their conversations.
He just loved being around her.
And he was wondering if she didn’t want to as much as him. If she didn’t want him enough.
Then he wondered if he was being a pussy thinking those things and knew he couldn’t even talk to his brothers about it or they’d never let him live it down.
So he took the ferry to Provincetown, got a hotel run by his cousins for two nights on the Cape and planned on driving around and meeting with all the offices while he was here before heading back home.
Back to Amanda.
He finished packing and brought his bag to his car, then drove to the ferry to board. The office opened at eight, but he knew a lot of the agents didn’t come in until later since most worked nights and weekends. His goal was to spend the mornings at two different offices, the afternoons at two others. He’d like to meet with all agents at some point if it was possible and since he was here for a few days he was flexible enough.
His phone dinged and he picked it up to see it was Amanda. Actually a picture of her and Kayla waving on the ferry. They were already on their way at the other end of the island.
He pulled his camera back and took a picture of himself smiling on the other ferry and sent it before he could stop himself. He wasn’t one for selfies and couldn’t believe he’d just done that.
By the time the ferry docked, he was in his car and ready to drive off to the first office over an hour away. Best to go to the furthermost offices the first day.
Though it was early December and chilly, the sun was shining and there wasn’t any snow in the forecast. He’d take it.
He pulled into the first office in Falmouth around ten thirty. “Wow, it looks festive in here,” he said to the secretary.
“Thank you,” she said. “Can I help you?”
He started to laugh. He’d never met her before and suspected she had to be new. “Drew,” Laura Campbell, the office manager said, walking forward. “Misty, this is Drew Bond.”
To give the young secretary credit, she flushed. “I’m so sorry. I’ve only been here a few weeks. I should have recognized you from your pictures and the billboards.”
He hated those billboards that his father wanted up. Thankfully Bode was in them too with plenty of other agents. Since Drew wasn’t out selling like he used to, he didn’t feel his picture had to be plastered up there. Let the agents be seen.
“Not a problem. It’s nice to meet you and welcome to the Bond family.”
“I love it here so far. Everyone has been wonderful,” Misty said.
“Good to know. Will you be attending the party this weekend on the island?” It is open to everyone regardless of their position or length of employment.
“No. I wish I could but we had plans with my family out of town. Next year for sure.”
“Absolutely,” he said and followed Laura back to her office, nodding to several of the agents on the way. “Looks like everyone is here.”
“Shocking, I know. But you know they like to meet the big man when you come in since it’s not that often. Most won’t get a chance to talk to you at the party this weekend either.”
He felt a little bad about that and wondered if he should come out more. Things he’d have to think about another time.
“I’m glad they are here. I have lunch ordered to be delivered in a few hours,” he said.
“I didn’t think you’d be here that long,” Laura said. “Aren’t you visiting all the locations today?”
“No, I’m spreading it out. I’ll be here several hours, then I’ll go to Hyannis and have dinner delivered there. I wanted to have enough time for everyone to stop in and chat if I could. Tomorrow I’ll hit South Dennis and Provincetown last on my way back home.”
“Do you mind if we meet in my office first?” Laura asked.
“That was the plan.”
And that was how his two days went. Talking, eating, listening to complaints and suggestions.
By Tuesday night he decided dinner with the Provincetown office could be at the hotel, and he was reminded why he hated doing this so much.
Half the shit he’d heard was petty, the other half decent ideas but things that cost a lot of money and might not be worth it.
Once dinner was done, several agents stayed to have a drink at the bar. This was one of the biggest of the family offices. He saw some of these agents more as they’d come to the main office on the island now and again.
He got up to stretch his long legs and get another beer at the bar. He was in for the night and figured he might as well have a few and relax.
While he was waiting for his drink, he felt a presence at his side. “It was great that you made the time to come talk with us,” Jill said. She was a newer agent. He’d met her once before. He remembered now. How could he forget?
Her black shirt was clingy and dipping low, showing more cleavage than might be professional, but she wasn’t with clients.
No, she was leaning into him, her perfume stronger than he cared for. Her dark hair curly and falling about her shoulders. More makeup on than she needed, but he had the feeling she liked people to take notice of her.
“We want everyone to feel like they can come to us if they need anything.”
She moved in closer. “I’m here if you need anything from me.”
Her eyes were looking him over and making him feel like he was the meal spread out on the table earlier. He’d gotten looks like this most of his life. Offers too.
He was over them now just as much as he’d been for years.
“I’m good,” he said, glad when his beer was brought over. He threw the money on the bar.
“I could make you even better.” Her nail was running down his arm.
She obviously wasn’t getting the hint and he was trying to be polite about it. “I’m in a relationship,” he said.
“Oh,” she said, her smile dropping. “I’m sorry. I’d just always heard that you and your brothers were out for fun. That is all this was about. I’m too young to settle down. I don’t plan on it anytime soon. I feel horrible. Kind of embarrassed too.”
He wanted to tell her she should feel that way but could see the blush spreading across her face. Maybe if he weren’t with Amanda he might have taken her up on the offer because she’d spoken the truth. For the past year or so when he was with someone it was just for fun.
He’d kind of given up trying to find anyone on the island.
As much as he didn’t want to admit that, it might have been fate he’d run into Amanda. Maybe there was something to the lore of the island.
And he’d be keeping that information to himself. The last person who needed to know he was thinking like that was his mother!
“I’ll forget that the past ten minutes happened if you do,” he said.
“What ten minutes?” Jill asked. She looked at her watch. “You know, it’s getting late and I should leave. It was nice seeing you again.”
“You too,” he said and watched her walk away, thankful he dodged that bullet.
“Drew! What are you doing here?”
“I need a haircut,” he said, moving in and giving her a kiss in front of the girls at the salon. He’d been gone for two days and she knew he was due back today but hadn’t planned on seeing him while she was at work.
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“I don’t have any openings,” she said but wished she did. “I’ve got someone new coming in in a few minutes.”
“John Clarke?” he asked.
She narrowed her eyes. “Is that you? Why schedule under a different name?”
“Because I wanted to surprise you,” he said. “Last night in the hotel room I was missing you. After we got done talking I pulled your schedule up on the app and saw you had an hour opening.”
“I’m glad you did.” And it just went to show how much of a romantic he was at times. Something so simple and yet her heart was racing.
“Well, sit down and I’ll trim your hair. Unless that was just an excuse to take up an hour of my time.”
“I need a haircut,” he said, sitting in her chair.
She leaned down close to his ear. “And we know how much I love getting my hands on your head.”
“You’re evil,” he said. “I never expected that of you and I like it.”
“Amanda,” she heard. “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your boyfriend?”
Figures Celeste would come out of her office. She’d bet Stacy or one of the other girls went running back there to tell the owner.
“Drew Bond, this is the owner of Hair We Are, Celeste Burns.” She went one by one introducing all the girls that stopped and came over. “You’d think I didn’t have a life with the way everyone stopped what they were doing to come over here and meet you.”
“Nice to meet you all,” he said. “I’m sure your clients are waiting for you to get back to them.”
They all took it as a hint to move. “Sorry about that.”
“No worries. I’ve spent two long days around staff and know how it is.”
“Are you glad to be back on the island? Some people say they can’t wait to get to the mainland, but every time I get on the ferry, I can’t wait to come back.”
“I don’t get the urge to leave often either. I know a lot of people do. A lot of my family does. Not me. I like it here. I like the pace, but I also know I can leave if I want. I don’t feel trapped like so many others.”
