Bad Reputation

by Nicole Edwards

  “Chase?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Was it as good as I think it was?”

  It was the most mind-blowing kiss I’ve ever experienced.

  “Yeah,” I tell her honestly, because I can’t lie to her. “It was.”

  “Do you regret it?”

  She sounds much closer than before, but I still don’t turn around, my hands still white-knuckling the doorjamb. I need to keep moving. If I lock myself in my bedroom, Cassie will be safe from me.

  “No,” I manage to choke out, my voice raw with the emotion that I can’t suppress. “I want to,” I whisper. “But I can’t.”

  My breath lodges in my chest when I feel Cassie’s hands on my back. My entire body tenses as her fingers gently glide over my shirt, moving around until she’s hugging me from behind. What I wouldn’t give to feel her skin on mine.

  No. Scratch that.

  What I wouldn’t give to go to bed, to get far away from her.

  Liar.

  Her palms flatten on my stomach and move upward, her body once again molding to mine.

  Ah, fuck, she’s killing me.

  “Cassie, don’t,” I plead because I can’t think of anything else to do. “Please don’t.”

  I want her with a desperation that I’ve never felt in my life and she’s giving me the perfect opening. She came to me. She touched me.

  But taking advantage of the situation wouldn’t be fair to either of us. I want to say that I’ll be the one to hurt her, that I’ll end up breaking her heart, but as I stand here, her arms around me, her cheek pressed against my back, I’m not entirely sure that’s true. I’ve considered myself unbreakable all these years, but I’m starting to wonder.

  No other woman on the planet has managed to break me.

  But Cassie…

  Cassie has the ability to destroy me and I didn’t even realize it….

  Until right this minute.

  Cassie

  I blame the alcohol.

  I blame the kiss.

  I blame Chase.

  And I know it’s wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself from touching him. I don’t want him to leave me alone right now. I want to curl up in his arms like I’ve done a million times and I want him to hold me. Only this time, I want him to touch me, to kiss me, to sate this ever-growing ache that he’s stirred inside me.

  “Please, Cassie.” He sounds tormented as he repeats himself.

  If it weren’t for the alcohol, I would be retreating. It’s as though my brain knows the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong, but I don’t care.

  “Chase.” Taking one step back, I release him, then wait for him to turn and look at me.

  The seconds feel like hours, but he finally releases his death grip on the wall and turns around. I look up into his face. I see the pain there, but I ignore it. I know Chase. He doesn’t want to hurt me, but he won’t. It’s not like I’m going to fall in love with the Bad Boy of Hockey. I know better. I could tell him that, but it’s not like he’ll listen to me.

  “Cass, you’re drunk. You don’t want this.”

  “I do,” I assure him. “I definitely do.”

  Chase shakes his head. I can practically feel the waves of remorse coming off him.

  “I shouldn’t have kissed you,” he states, not meeting my eyes.

  “But you wanted to.” It’s not a question. I know he wanted to. At least in that moment.

  When his crystal-blue eyes lift to meet mine, my breath slams to a halt in my lungs. The heat burning there is intense. I know he wants me.

  “Just tonight,” I say, bargaining. A smile forms on my lips. Or I think it does. My lips are numb. In fact, most of my body is numb and I’m not even sure how I’m standing here. But I don’t feel sick, only deliciously, blessedly numb. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

  Chase isn’t smiling, but he doesn’t look away. I can practically see his brain working. He’s weighing the risks.

  “I can’t, Cass.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  “Yes,” I agree. “But not so much that I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  Knowing we’ll stand here and argue about this for the rest of the night, or morning, or whatever, I do the one thing guaranteed to convince Chase that I’m right.

  I kiss him.

  Well, I try to, but it isn’t as easy as I envisioned it would be. I stumble when I move closer, but Chase catches me. Then we’re face-to-face as I stare up at him. I once again note the tortured look in his eyes seconds before I press my mouth to his.

  He doesn’t move, his lips firmly closed. I don’t pull away, my lips brushing his when I speak. “Just one more kiss,” I finally tell him.

  I’ll be satisfied with that. I know I will.

  “I can’t kiss you only once, Cassie,” he replies softly, his hands sliding up my arms, then over my shoulders until he’s cupping my face, his thumbs lightly brushing my cheeks. His words are a rough whisper when he says, “When I kiss you again…really kiss you, I’m going to want to be inside you. To feel your pussy grip my cock, milking me.” He draws in a deep breath. “I want it more than I want air right now.”

  A shiver of need dances down my spine and I lean into him and close my eyes. I have to squeeze my thighs together to ease the ache, to stem the liquid heat that has my body temperature rising. I’ve always heard the man has a dirty mouth, but I never expected that. More so, I never expected I would be so turned on by it.

  “Cassie…”

  Forcing my eyes open, I stare up at him and I see the instant his resolve shatters. Suddenly his mouth is on mine and my feet are off the floor as he picks me up. My dress rides up as I wrap my legs around him and he turns me so that my back is against the wall. The kiss isn’t anything like earlier. This one is rough, demanding, and so fucking sexy, I can feel it in every nerve ending in my entire body.

  “Cass…Fuck…”

  Yes, please.

  Throwing my arms around his neck, I slip my fingers into his hair and hold his head so that he can’t get away. I feast on him, my tongue warring with his as we fight for air, neither of us willing to pull away.

  I barely register his hand tugging at the back of my neck, freeing the halter before his lips break free from mine. I drop my head back against the wall as his mouth trails a blaze of fire down my neck, my collarbone. Thanks to the way the dress is made, I’m not wearing a bra, which only makes it easier for Chase. When his tongue lashes at my nipple, I nearly lose it, my body jerking. And when his mouth consumes my breast, I feel the strong tingling sensation that starts in my core and then radiates outward like a shock wave. I cry out as my orgasm slams through me. It’s more than I’ve ever felt before, more than I expected.

  Sudden.

  Intense.

  All-consuming.

  “Fuck, Cassie.” Chase’s chest is rising and falling as he lifts his head, his eyes locking with mine. “I need you. I fucking have to have you. Right fucking now.”

  Despite the alcohol still swimming in my veins, I know in this instant that I’m a goner.

  Chase Barrett is going to ruin me forever.

  And the worst part…

  I don’t even care.

  Chapter 18

  Chase

  Cassie doesn’t get it.

  No way does she understand the magnitude of this situation.

  For me, this isn’t merely about sex.

  Oh, I mean, sure, it’s ultimately about sex, but it’s so much more than that. It’s my fantasies turned to reality, the cravings finally sated, my need ultimately met. I shouldn’t be doing this, but no way can I stop myself. I need her.

  Thank God there’s a condom in my wallet.

  Thank God I’ve got the sense to retrieve it before I bury myself deep inside Cassie.

  My best friend.

  The same best friend who is about to become my lover.

  God help me.

  I don’t
even bother moving to the bed, my need to have her is so great. Instead, I lower her to her feet while I free my cock from my jeans, roll the latex on, then bend my knees, lift her leg, tug her panties to the side, and push into the hot depths of her body.

  Wham. Bam. Thank you, Jesus.

  Oh, fuck. She feels as good as I expected. Maybe better. She’s wet and ready for me, her body coaxing me deeper.

  “Chase…” She inhales sharply.

  I pause. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No,” she whispers, her hands sliding behind my head and pulling my face closer to hers. “God, no.”

  “Cass…I’m scared I won’t be gentle. I fucking need—”

  “Fuck me,” she hisses, then crushes her mouth to mine while I thrust my hips forward, filling her completely.

  I hear her moan, feel the fucking perfection of her body as it grips my dick. It’s heaven and hell combined into one.

  My hips take on a rhythm all their own while my tongue melds with hers. There’s nothing sweet or romantic about this joining and there’s nothing I can do about it. When I said I needed her, I meant it. I feel like I’m going to shatter into a million pieces if I don’t get my fill of her right this second.

  Reaching around her, I grip her ass and lift her again, pressing her into the wall. Thankfully, she clings to me as I screw my hips forward, driving as deep as possible, impaling her. I can feel the sweat as it drips down my back, my body temperature soaring as the sheer ecstasy takes my breath away.

  I swallow her moans as her nails rake down my back. I’ve still got my shirt on, which I only realize now because I wish like fuck her nails were digging into my skin. I want more, I want everything. This won’t be enough. Not by a long shot, but my body doesn’t care. My brain is no longer in charge.

  Our mouths separate long enough for me to draw more air into my lungs, and when I catch a glimpse of Cassie’s face—so fucking beautiful—I find myself hanging on a razor-sharp edge, ready to soar over into eternal bliss.

  “Fuck, Cassie. Come for me. I can’t…” I pump my hips, driving into her over and over, faster, harder, deeper. I want her to come because I can’t hold on much longer.

  “Chase!”

  Cassie’s pussy clamps down on me, her body shuddering, and I lose it right then, my climax so powerful, my legs threaten to buckle. It’s all I can do to remain standing, to keep from taking us both to the floor. Somehow I manage to lower her to her feet, but not before I kiss her again.

  This time slowly, gently, as I try to regulate my heartbeat.

  Fear grips me when reality sinks in.

  I take a deep breath and pull back, staring down into her face. Her eyes meet mine, but I can’t decipher what she’s thinking. My brain’s fuzzy.

  I just fucked my best friend against a hotel wall in Vegas.

  And despite what she said earlier about wanting this, I know Cassie.

  She’s going to hate me.

  But probably not nearly as much as I hate myself.

  Fifteen minutes later, I’ve disposed of the condom and I’m staring down at Cassie as she lies on the bed, her eyes closed. I’m debating what I should do. Go to my room or crawl in bed with her. I can’t stand the thought of walking away from her right now, but I don’t know how she’s going to react either way.

  I’ve wanted her for so long. I can’t picture myself walking away, giving up the opportunity to spend a few more minutes with her. If it makes me weak, so fucking be it. I don’t give a damn.

  But, on the other hand, if I walk away now, I have a chance at salvaging our friendship. I know what Cassie thinks of me. She believes I’m a player, thinks I’m a one-night-stand kind of guy. In a sense, I am, but only because I can’t have the one woman I want.

  Until now.

  For a little while.

  “Fuck it,” I mutter as I strip off my clothes and ease into the bed with her.

  “Chase?” Cassie curls up to my side and a sigh of relief escapes me before I can stop it.

  “Yeah. I’m here.”

  She’s blessedly naked, her body so warm as I shift her so that I can spoon behind her, pulling her into my chest. I take a deep breath and inhale the sweet scent of her perfume. Or maybe it’s her hair. Whatever it is, I’m addicted to it.

  I was right, once wasn’t enough. My dick is already at half-mast and it won’t take much to get me fully hard.

  When Cassie sighs, I realize she’s awake. Why that makes me feel good, I don’t know. I’m not ready to close my eyes. Even though my head is swimming from the alcohol, I’m not ready for this night to be over yet. With morning come regrets. Not that I have any, but I know Cassie will.

  Easing back slightly, I urge her onto her back and then find her mouth with mine. Her soft sigh sends a tremor through my body, my blood thrumming through my veins, my dick growing harder by the second.

  “I’m not done with you yet,” I whisper. I’m not sure if I’m merely talking about tonight or for all time, but it’s not like I’m going to get into it right now.

  Cassie shifts so that she’s facing me, her silky-smooth leg sliding between mine. With one hand on her ass, I pull her closer, grinding my cock between us, loving the warmth of her body, the smoothness of her skin.

  Pulling my mouth from hers, I slide my lips down her cheek, her jaw. It doesn’t take much to roll her to her back as I continue to trail my mouth over her skin, licking, sucking, nipping every inch I can. When I pause at her breasts, her fingers twine in my hair.

  “Oh, yes…” A delicate moan follows as I suck her perfect tit into my mouth, pinching her nipple between my teeth.

  Her hand tightens in my hair, tugging roughly. It’s all I can do to take my time, to savor her. Earlier had been little more than a tease and I want to spend the rest of the night right here with her naked beneath me.

  After making her moan some more, I continue my trek lower, kissing and licking, sliding my tongue over the smooth contours of her stomach, dipping into her navel, then delving lower until I’m right where I want to be.

  Every inch of her is hairless and so damn soft. I take my time, sucking and teasing before separating her smooth, wet folds and sliding my tongue against her delicate flesh.

  Cassie’s back instantly arches off the bed. “Chase! Oh, God.”

  The woman is so sensitive, it pulls a growl from me. I fucking love how responsive she is, how vocal. I’m an attentive lover, always have been. I’ve had more than my fair share of lovers in the past, but there is something about Cassie that keeps me rooted in the moment. I can think of nothing else except bringing her pleasure.

  “Yes…Chase…” she hisses. “Lick me.”

  My cock jumps, the raspy sound of her voice going straight through me. I focus entirely on her clit, slowly flicking it with my tongue while I slide one finger inside her, pushing deep, retreating. The more she moans, the faster I work my finger, fucking her until she’s bucking on the bed, her fingers sending fire down my spine as she pulls my hair.

  “Oh…Chase!” Cassie screams as she comes, her body jerking beneath my mouth.

  I trail my lips to her thigh, allowing her to come down from her release before I work my way back up her body. Her eyes are open and she meets my gaze, a full-fledged smile on her face.

  “Hi.”

  I smile back. “Hey.”

  I’m slightly taken aback when Cassie pulls my head down, her mouth fusing to mine once more. And when she urges me onto my back, then proceeds to straddle my hips, I wrap my arms around her and hold her close. She giggles, then pulls her mouth from mine.

  “My turn,” she whispers.

  “No.” No fucking way can I handle her mouth on my dick. No way.

  “What?” She lifts her head, her eyes wide.

  The little minx slides her wet cunt along my cock, which causes me to inhale sharply.

  “No more condoms. We’re out,” I tell her, hating that I hadn’t had the forethought to have more than one. Then again, I hadn’t expec
ted to even need the one.

  “I’m on the pill,” she says, pressing her mouth to mine once more. “And I trust you.”

  Fucking A.

  This woman…

  She’s going to be the death of me. I can feel it now.

  Cassie

  I think I’m drunker now than I was before, though I’m not sure it’s only on alcohol. I think I could very well be intoxicated by Chase. My body burns for him. My thoughts are overwhelmed by him. So many things I want to do now that I have him naked. Touching, tasting, exploring. I want to learn every hard plane and angle of his body tonight because tomorrow, I fear, this will no longer be an option.

  Chase’s response to my offer is nothing more than an animalistic growl. The room tilts, but I realize that’s only because he’s flipping our positions. Our bodies are tangled together, his warm weight now hovering above me. I’ve never noticed how hard is body is, how perfect. The way his biceps shift and bunch when he moves…it’s hot as hell.

  “You sure about this?” His mouth brushes mine so gently.

  “Never been more sure of anything in my life.” It’s true. I trust this man implicitly.

  “Fuck, Cass…”

  I open my legs so Chase can shift into position between my thighs. Within seconds I feel him pushing inside me, filling me, stretching me. He’s definitely as big—if not bigger—than the rumors claim him to be, but we fit together perfectly. It takes a little effort, but my muscles relax enough to take him in deeper. When he reaches for the headboard mounted on the wall, I feel him as he lodges himself to the hilt.

  Our eyes lock as he begins rocking against me, his body shifting forward, then easing back. I’m completely consumed by him, overwhelmed. I think I could fall for him. Easily. Only, I know me. I’m not the casual-sex kind of girl, so I’m going to start looking for an excuse, a reason to be with him. But there isn’t a reason. We’re friends. This is a one-time thing. An opportunity I need to grasp fully because it will be out of reach come tomorrow.