by Anthology
Eat. Drink. Fuck. Eat. Drink. Fuck.
I chanted to words over and over again. One night with a guy who was sexy as fuck, and maybe I wouldn’t be so miserable all the time. Allie was wrong. I didn’t need a man for a relationship. I needed one to get laid.
“How about we agree, for tonight, to not talk about the past and what happened between us?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why the change of heart? You said so yourself a few minutes ago, your goal was to rub your apparent super successful life in my face.”
He shrugged. “It’s not as much fun as I thought it would be.”
“So you’re not having fun and I should agree to your request. My feelings don’t matter.” In reality, I was more than happy to let the past sail away on its own little boat never to be seen again.
“Let’s just say it benefits both of us.”
He had a point.
“Actually, it sounds pretty good to me. Since you knew who you were meeting tonight, I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you knew I was divorced.”
He nodded. “I did. Jack didn’t tell me why, only that you and your ex had split over a year ago.”
I laughed humorlessly. “Split makes it sound so much nicer than the reality.”
“What actually happened?”
I took another sip of wine. There was nothing about the story I enjoyed reliving. Even less since I was telling it to another ex from my past.
“When I finished veterinary school, I decided I wanted to open my own practice. It sounded better than trying to get a job in someone else’s. I’d have control over the way things were done. Plus, I’d make a hell of a lot more money.”
“Makes sense.”
“Yeah, well, opening an office isn’t as easy as it sounds. Hours and hours of my day were spent on paperwork. Licenses and insurance. Applications for jobs, ordering supplies. It took so much out of me. I’d go home at night completely exhausted. Jared encouraged me to keep going, that I could do it. He already had a job in a dentist’s office, so I did. I kept pushing myself. What I didn’t know was that he was using all the time I spent out of the house sleeping with other women. Had I not gone home earlier one night to surprise him, I might have never found out.”
“What a prick,” he snapped.
CHAPTER 4
Scott
To think that the asshole she’d married had used her for money and no strings sex made blood pound through my ears. Paige might have screwed me over, but for the sleazy bastard she married, it sounded like she was busting her ass to help build their lives together and he threw it all away for a piece of cheap pussy.
Her gaze never left mine, surprise clear on her features. “I thought you would have laughed at that. Told me I got what I deserved.”
She was right. It should have made me happy to see her suffer, but cheating was one step too far. “No one deserves to be cheated on. I’m an asshole and I know it. But I draw the line at sticking my dick in another woman while I’m still in a relationship.”
It was hard not to notice how quickly her second glass of wine went down. I reached for the bottle and refilled her glass once again. I knew in the end one of us would need the drink.
“Blunt, but also very true. He begged me to come back to him.” She picked up the glass and swirled the liquid around, watching it. “Promised he’d never cheat again. But once a cheater, always a cheater. What would stop him from sleeping with someone else if I got called in all night for an emergency? Nothing.” She looked up from the glass. “I packed his bags that night and kicked his ass out.”
“That was probably your best move. I’ve seen plenty of divorce cases come through my dad’s firm. The idiots who go back are always the ones who lose the most in the divorce settlement.” I paused, giving her time to absorb that. “He probably only wanted you to take him back so he would have more time to hide assets for when he went back and filed for divorce.”
She sneered. “They really do that?”
“All the time.”
“Men are bastards.” She once again lifted her glass to her lips. The bottle was going to be gone before we finished dinner. “No offense,” she added as an afterthought.
“None taken. We are. Just like we think most women are absolute bitches, but there are exceptions to every rule.”
I flashed her the smile that got me between more than one woman’s legs. I’d lied when I said all I wanted was to show off. Paige was right. I was a bastard and more than ready to admit it. My goal still was to get her into bed, fuck her, and walk away. This time she’d have to watch my back as I was leaving.
“Does that mean you’re the exception?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Guess you’ll have to stick around to find out.”
We continued to eat in silence, until she spoke up again. “I take it you ended up working in your father’s law office.”
“I did.”
She smiled. “How do you like working for your dad? I remember you worried about that when you decided to go to law school.”
“Actually, I don’t really work for him.”
Her brows drew down. “I thought you said at your father’s office. Aren’t you a lawyer there?”
“I am. I just don’t work for him. I made partner almost a year ago.”
Her eyes widened. “You made partner already? I thought you said it would take at least seven years.”
“Not when you’re good at what you do. It’s nice to see you remember some parts about our time together.”
“This again? Scott, we were in high school. Neither of us knew what was in store for us. I think I might have liked you more when you weren’t all macho, overbearing asshole.”
“I’m not always an ass. But the sweet guy you knew back then disappeared a long time ago.”
“I don’t think he did. I think he’s pissed and sulking in the corner somewhere. But we both agreed to drop the past. Which I’m doing. Why don’t you tell me about yourself? You say you’re completely different. Tell me about the new you.”
She wanted to know about me? If it got her where I wanted, then I would tell her anything she asked.
“You know I went to law school after college. When I finished, I came back here to work for my dad. I used part of my savings to buy a condo in the Skyview Tower building.”
“Really? I always dreamed of living there as a kid.”
“When dinner’s over I can give you a tour.”
Her cheeks flashed a gorgeous shade of pink, accentuating her already plump, red lips. In the years we were together, I never had the opportunity to have those lips wrapped around my dick. Call it a bucket list item, I was determined to have it happen.
“Well, what kind of law do you practice?”
A quick subject change. My Paige was still in there somewhere.
Why the hell am I calling her my Paige?
I shook off the random thought and answered her question. “Business law mostly, although the office deals with everything. What about you? From what I understand, you opened your own practice.”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Checking up on me?”
Since the second glass of wine, her whole demeanor had relaxed.
“Of course. Would you expect any less?”
“No. Doesn’t mean I don’t find it interesting. Tell me about what you do when you’re not working.”
From there our conversation continued. Nothing forced. Nothing fake. Dinner was long over and three bottles of wine were gone. The check was paid, and I escorted Paige out of the restaurant. She was in no condition to drive. That was obvious on the way to her car.
“You’re not driving,” I said, pulling the keys from her hand. “I’ll take you to my place and after you’ve sobered up, I’ll bring you back to get your car.”
“I really should tell you to shove it. That I won’t let a man tell me what to do, but this time I can’t even argue with you. At least I’ll get that tour of your place.”
/> And if I had my way, we’d start the tour down the hall and never finish it.
CHAPTER 5
Paige
I knew the moment the waiter had brought the second bottle of wine that I’d gone too far, but there was no stopping at that point. By the third bottle, I knew I couldn’t get myself home. For a moment, I thought about calling Allie, then I realized I wasn’t ready to give up time with Scott yet. It still amazed me how easily we still fell into conversation.
Maybe I never really let Scott go. I left for the date hoping to leave with a night of sex, but seeing him again, I wanted more than that. He’d picked up an edge, a bossiness about him that wasn’t there before. It’s true that college changes people. Some more than others. But if one night was all I could get, I’d take it as my final goodbye.
I allowed Scott to lead me to his car. He was right. I wouldn’t be able to drive myself home after drinking that much. It wouldn’t take too long to sober up. Throughout the ride, I noticed him peeking at me out of the corner of his eye. It might have been because I couldn’t keep my eyes off him.
The tension in the car continued to climb with each mile under the tires. With very few inhibitions left, I pulled my gaze from Scott and focused on the road ahead. My heart pounded hard in my chest, each breath coming quicker. Being in a tight, enclosed space with him was almost too much. Then his hand landed on my bare knee.
And it was too much.
His fingers didn’t stop there. Slowly, they inched their way up my thigh, pushing my skirt up higher on my hips. Every part of me felt like it was on fire. Each nerve ending like their own electric current, jolting my body with sensations. It was inevitable. I didn’t have enough willpower left, and I knew he felt it too.
All roads led to Scott’s bed. There was no stopping it.
He pulled into the underground garage and parked in a space close to the elevator. The engine of the car turned off, but he made no move to step from the vehicle. I watched and waited to see what he would do. When he turned to face me, I braced myself.
“I want to be clear before we get in the elevator to go upstairs.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“We’re going to fuck.”
My mouth dropped open at his bluntness, but that didn’t stop him from continuing.
“I want it and I know you do too. You need to understand this and then we can get out of the car and go up to my condo.”
“I know,” I said, my voice a raspy whisper.
“One night. All about sex.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
He stepped out of the car and waited for me to do the same. I rounded the back. When I reached his side, he escorted me to the elevator. My knees shook so badly, I thought they might give out on me the moment the doors slid shut. Scott didn’t move from his side of the elevator. His hands were wrapped around the bar behind him, watching the numbers change as we rose.
The moment the doors slid open, I knew this was my last chance to walk away. Not that Scott would force me to do anything, but locked behind closed doors, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself. With a sense of calm I surely didn’t feel, I stepped from the elevator and followed him down the hall.
He opened the last door on the right and gestured inside. No sooner had the door closed, he spun me around, pinning me against the door.
“I told you we were going to fuck.”
His mouth came on mine, his tongue immediately finding its way into my mouth. The heady mixture of wine and something uniquely Scott made me press tighter to him. Memories of our other kisses flashed before me. None of them as forceful or erotic. In seconds the man had turned me into a needy, lustful woman.
His fingers slid down over my side and back up, pushing my skirt up, over my hip. The small lace panties were torn from my body as his lips moved from mine down my jaw and neck, taking little nips of my skin along the way. A warm finger brushed against my clit. I couldn’t stop my hips from undulating against his hand.
“Fuck, Paige, your skin is as sweet as I remember it.”
Being celibate for almost two years did a number on my libido. Then again, it might have been Scott who made me want to rip all of my clothes off and come. My brain was too far drowned in desire to keep thinking about any kind of rationalities.
He moved against me furiously, until my body couldn’t take it anymore, and I threw my head back and came harder than I had in years. Before my body had a chance to settle, Scott’s hands slid around my ass, hoisting me from the ground until my back was pressed firmly to the door. I felt the tip of him sliding against my core. I hadn’t even realized he’d unzipped his pants.
“Scott, please,” I begged, needing to feel him inside of me.
He thrust all the way home.
“God damn, you’re so tight,” he moaned against my chest.
My nails dug into his shoulder blades, trying to hold off on coming again so soon. I wanted it to last. His movements sped. He bent his head, sucking hard on my nipple. I knew he was close. Switching to the other breast, his body tensed, pulling even harder than on the first one. His last thrust sent me over the edge with him. The moment I squeezed tight around him, a groan tore from his lips.
“Paige.”
Panting, he pressed his forehead against the wall, his body still pressed tightly against mine. Moments passed as we caught our breaths. When he seemed to be in control again, his body slipped from mine, but he kept my feet off the ground. His eyes bore into mine.
“I’m taking you to my room where I plan to savor every inch of your skin and fuck you until we both pass out.”
Not one to put up an argument, I covered his mouth with mine, sucking on his tongue as we headed for a night of pleasure I hadn’t seen in a long time. Even if it was for only one night, it would be well worth it.
CHAPTER 6
Scott
I sat in the chair next to my bed, staring at Paige.
Paige fucking Daniels was in my bed. The events of the night before played through my head. Neither of us was too drunk to not know what we were doing. She might have been too drunk to drive, but she knew exactly what she was doing when she climbed into bed with me.
We’d fucked around all night. Some slow and delectable, while others were fast and explosive. Being near Paige again had me turned inside out. When I brought her home the night before, I thought for sure I’d be able to screw her and kick her out of bed.
At least until I woke up this morning with her wrapped around my side.
I’d carefully extracted myself from the bed. To think things through, I needed to be away from her and her delectable body. She was even more responsive and expressive than I remembered. She wasn’t afraid to tell me what she wanted, what she liked. My thoughts moved quickly from sex to our conversation at the restaurant.
Good sex could be found if you really looked for it. Maybe not at the same intensity or with the same feelings, but it would be good nonetheless. Conversation was different. You could either have a real one or one full of fake formalities and overachievers. It amazed me how quickly we fell into the same pattern we’d been in during high school. Talking to Paige was easy. And who was I kidding, the sex was phenomenal.
The time had come to wake her up and explain how things had changed overnight. Carefully, I slid back into the covers. She was lying on her side facing me. Lifting my hand, I caressed her cheek with the back of my fingers.
“Wake up, Paige. We need to talk.”
Her eyes slowly fluttered open, darting around the room, taking in her surroundings. She pulled the sheet to her chest, swallowing hard as she watched me.
When I felt like she’d had enough to settle, I went right for it. “Last night changed a lot of things.”
She looked up at me, opening her mouth to speak. I didn’t give her the opportunity, not yet. She needed to hear what I had to say first.
“You and I have always been more than high school sweethearts, or exes. As much as
I love fucking women no strings attached, that isn’t an option for us anymore. We’re going to try this as a real relationship, pick up where we left off. I’m going to keep my hands to myself and so are you.”
She sat up, watching me. “And you decided all of it this morning?”
“Yes.”
“And you think I’m just going to nod my head and go along with it because you said it was going to be that way?”
I shrugged. “Partly. But more so because I know that deep down I never gave up on you and I have a feeling, no matter how much you want to deny it, you didn’t give up on me either. So we’re going to give this a shot and see where it leads us.”
She looked down at where she tangled her fingers in the sheets. “You’re right.”
“About what?”
“That I didn’t give up on you.” She looked up and her glorious eyes were filled with tears. “I want it. A chance to prove we belong together. And if you’re willing to give it to me after all I’ve done, I’m going to grab onto it like a lifeline and never let go.”
I climbed over, covering her body with mine. “Good. Now let’s spend the morning reminding you about why we belong together.”
I took her lips in soft sweet kiss that spiraled out of control in seconds. We had a long road ahead of us, but no way was I giving her up without a fight.
REBECCA BROOKE
Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and watch episodes of Shameless and True Blood.
Website: www.rebeccabrooke.com
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TIGHT ~ SKYE CALLAHAN
FIRST QUARTER
Londyn
Bristol fumbles with the keys to the cabin while I stretch my legs next to the red Mercedes Bristol picked me up from the airport in.
