After the Dust Settles (California Dreaming Book 3)

by Stacey Johnston

  “You would like to travel alone, I assume?”

  Shit yeah, I want to travel alone, I don't want anyone knowing what I’m up to.

  “Yes.”

  “Make the arrangements then.” And then he is dismissing me.

  There is never any of the gentleness that oozes from my mother when it comes to him, because he is just a harsh, cold shell of a man.

  And a man I despise.

  Without responding, I rise and leave the room. There is nothing more to say, it’s time to contact Soph.

  Me: I’m heading your way

  My message to my sister, moments after returning to my room. Logging onto my laptop, I search for flights. Hawke will have to transport me back to the mainland, but the rest will be on me. I will only need an overnight stop in Brooklyn before continuing to the west coast.

  Sophie: About time!

  No phone call? I’m disappointed in that sister of mine. I was sure she would try to call. Maybe she's busy? Ah fuck, that's put shit in my head I didn't need. Now I’m thinking of her and Ben, and that's definitely not what I want in my head right now.

  Me: See you in seventy-two hours max. Something I need to do first.

  She will get it, she knows me better than anyone, always has.

  Sophie: No longer or I tell dad.

  Bitch! She fucking would too. Told you she knows me too well. Although she won't know what I am up to, she will know it's not something I want my parents getting wind of. I've never mentioned Hadley to anyone, she's been my secret to keep, and not someone I have wanted to share.

  Me: See you then Soph, I’ve missed your ugly face. :)

  That will amuse her.

  Soph: You too goose boy, got to run, have a date with a hot body ;)

  Yep, now I’m fucked, I really didn’t need to know that shit.

  Pinching the bridge of my nose, I throw my phone beside me to run my hand through my hair before continuing my search for flights. If I can get Hawke to take me, I can be on a flight by tomorrow night. I don’t know whether to contact Hadley, or just show up. She did, after all, give me her number, but for all I know, she could have moved on by now. Anything can happen in ten months. I should have tried to contact her sooner, but I didn't see the point.

  When I walked out of her apartment that day, I swore to myself that I would never go back. I lied when my father drilled me, telling him that I spent the night wandering the city. I doubt he believed me, neither him nor Hawke, but they said no more, allowing me that privacy. My sister, on the other hand, was harsh, very fucking harsh. All her pent-up frustration, grief, and hurt was directed straight at me and rightly so. I deserved everything she spewed, for nothing more than I didn’t tell them I was okay. I didn’t think, that much is true, about what my disappearance would do to my family.

  It didn’t matter to me at the time, my demons were being silenced, and just for a short period, I was happy.

  Booking my flights, now that will be the easy part, finding Hadley, unfortunately not so. I've thought of using the agency’s assistance but I won't, it will get me caught. I am going to show up on her door and hope she doesn’t slam it in my face.

  Now to speak with Hawke…

  *****

  My senses have been on high alert since we landed in Brooklyn ten minutes ago. The flight itself, well, that was nothing memorable. It wasn’t till we hit the terminal that everything started flooding back. It’s way too fucking hot in here, it’s making me dizzy. As if sensing that I’m going to pass out, I grab for something to steady me.

  “Are you all right, son?” the old man behind me asks.

  Shaking my head, more so to dismiss my dizziness, I smile and continue walking out of the airport terminal.

  My first stop will be the Brooklyn Bridge.

  Why?

  Well because that’s where my parents, Sophie, Stephen and the others decided to scatter Sherlyn’s ashes. I chose to stay out of any decision making, believing at the time that it wasn’t my right to have a say. Obviously, my sister objected, but I’m more stubborn than she will ever be, so I won that fight. Ironically, the place that was chosen to release Sherlyn’s ashes was near where I met Hadley. I remember thinking at the time, that just maybe it was a sign. I wondered if that had been Sherlyn’s way of trying to make me see what I had found and what I was walking away from.

  I even considered making contact before we flew out that night, but I couldn’t. What would I say? Hi it’s Sean, bye I’m leaving tonight.

  Yeah that’s real classy.

  At the time, it was easier to walk away, but over the past ten months, it has gotten harder. She has been a constant in my thoughts, whether I have wanted her there or not.

  Time to sort that shit out.

  I won’t make the same mistake twice.

  *****

  Arriving at Hadley’s apartment after saying my goodbyes to Sherlyn, I’m actually nervous.

  Scrap that, I’m fucking petrified of how this is going to go down.

  Knocking, I stand back a little, part of my escape plan if it all goes to shit or she no longer lives here. When the door opens, I’m hesitant and she blinks twice before acknowledging me.

  “Sean?” she questions, her eyes now wide and her voice full of surprise.

  I guess after not hearing from someone for ten months, showing up can cause that kind of reaction in a person. Without words, she gestures for me to enter and turns away from me. Following, I close the door behind me. I'm actually surprised she didn’t close the door on me after the way I left, but here she is, standing in front of me in her kitchen. She is once again waiting on me to say or do something.

  “What is it you want from me, Sean?” she demands finally, breaking the uneasy silence between us. “What is it that you need from me?”

  “I want you to take away my pain.” My voice is broken and distraught, even I can hear that.

  “I can't remove your ghosts Sean, only you can exorcise them. You are the only one who has the ability to lay them to rest.”

  How is it that this girl sees straight through me?

  What is it about her that has brought me back here?

  “I’m nothing more than a drug to numb your pain, but even you must realize the effects of what I can give you is going to be short lived.”

  Lying seems pointless, especially when my reasons for being in Brooklyn were to say goodbye to Sherlyn, and find the girl that has been haunting my dreams.

  "You have been in my head for months, Hadley,” I confide.

  My head is already lowered, my eyes firmly fixed on her tiled floor. I can feel her gaze burning into me, but I can't bring myself to look up.

  “When I am at my lowest, it's your face I see, not hers. Tell me why that is.”

  “I can't answer that for you, only you know why you are truly here.”

  Maybe it’s the free spirit surrounding Hadley that makes her so damned adorable, or her honesty. My mother would like this one. She is very philosophical like my mother, and Sophie. It's what makes them stand out, what makes them unique.

  “I thought I knew what I wanted and then Sherlyn died, and I met you. It hurts my head wondering if I would be this drawn to you if she were still alive.”

  If Sherlyn were still alive, the chances of us meeting would have been non-existent, even I know that, but I have thought about what my life would have been like if Hadley had been a part of my life prior. It’s funny how you notice the little things. While I should be gazing into those beautiful eyes that suck me in, my vision is still fixated on her tiles, or should I say one in particular. Her kitchen floor isn't what I would call dirty, but there’s a coffee stain I'm concentrating on at the moment.

  Feet approaching me snaps my attention back to the now, to her.

  Stopping in front of me, she makes no attempt to touch me, simply holding her ground. Not much scares me, but the tense moment I find myself in right now scares the absolute crap out of me. Slowly raising my head, I keep lifting u
ntil we are eye to eye. Her stance is casual, even with her arms firmly crossed over her chest, and those beautiful eyes of hers only reflect gentleness and concern.

  Neither of which I deserve.

  Somehow, the perfect ring from the splattered coffee on the floor beneath me is more settling than the position I find myself in.

  “We would never had met, you already know this. Our paths would never have crossed, this I am certain of.”

  Yeah, there's that wordy shit I expect from my mom. She is right, though. I would not have been in this province had it not been for Sherlyn dying.

  “Everything happens for a reason, Sean. Of this, I am a firm believer and I was placed in your path for a reason. Nothing happens by chance, everything is part of a plan.” She tells me, placing her palm to my cheek.

  Her touch is soft and warm, and makes me melt into her. “You have also plagued my dreams, lover boy, come sit down.”

  Dropping her hand, she breaks the connection, destroying the moment. I flinch when she grabs my palm and slowly leads me to her sofa. Am I that vulnerable, that even the slightest touch makes me jumpy, or is it just this girl? Her mere touch sends lightning bolt tingles through my every nerve ending. The beat of my heart increases as her fingers touch mine, my cock screaming to be set free. The effect she has on me is instant and unexplainable, but exactly what I need. When I am in Hadley’s presence, it's as though no one and nothing else exists. She was right when she said she was my drug. I know the fix is only temporary, but I crave her and the relief she brings that floods through my veins.

  I can only be here for the night, and I plan to spend it drowning in her body.

  If she will allow me.

  Without removing her hand from mine, she uses her other one to touch my cheek again, pulling me closer until our faces are inches apart. Her breathing picks up, matching my own as we rest our foreheads together. With my eyes closed, I drink in her essence, the wonderful smell of roses drifting from her body.

  “I want you so much Hadley, I need to lose myself in you,” I admit. “Your hold on me is frightening, you know that right?”

  She giggles at my admission, and I can feel as her body shudders. “I’ve missed you so much Sean, explain to me why I would be feeling like that after one night.”

  Whoa…… now I wasn’t expecting her admission to match my own. I’ve missed every little thing about this beautiful girl in front of me, but I thought my feelings were a rebound thing. I never imagined she would feel the same.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t contact you,” I blurt. More admissions….

  “I could have called you as well, this isn’t all on you. I kind of stole your number when I gave you mine.”

  Opening my eyes, she is already looking at me, a smirk planted firmly on her delicious lips.

  Cheeky bitch!

  Sitting up straighter, I return her smirk with one of my own before demanding, “Bedroom Hadley, now.”

  With wide eyes, her face registers the shock that my brashness has caused, my smile widening instantly. Saying nothing, but regaining her composure, she stands, moving quietly toward her bedroom. Just briefly, she glances back over her shoulder at me before continuing. I don’t know whether it was to see if I was following, and don’t worry, I will be soon, or if it’s because she couldn’t believe I just said that.

  Removing my shoes, I leave them beside her sofa before making my way toward her bedroom. I want to build anticipation, but in reality, I could get in there to find my forwardness has amounted to nothing. Taking the risk, I throw my shirt and crap near my shoes, and make my way down her hallway, leaving me in just my unbuttoned jeans. I’m hard as fucking stone and have been since she touched me in the kitchen.

  I need to get my cock out of these confines, and soon.

  Approaching her door, I’m hesitant, although I shouldn’t have been, because the sight before me has me drooling. Laying on her bed, Hadley has stripped completely and is laying back on her pillows, legs spread with her fingers rubbing circles around her clit.

  Fuck me, this girl is hot.

  “You are good at standing and staring lover boy, but how about you come over here and finish the job I’ve started.”

  How the fuck could I refuse an offer like that?

  “Are you as wet as you look?” I drawl, attempting to cover my own shock.

  “Extremely confident for a boy who let me have his virginity, aren’t you?”

  I shouldn’t be surprised she picked up on that, because I probably started out like a bumbling school boy last time we were together. I certainly didn’t finish like that.

  “Maybe my teacher was good at her job and I now want to show her how quickly I learnt those new tricks.”

  My response makes her giggle, the response I was hoping for. “Well then, come show me how much you remember.”

  Another offer I can’t refuse.

  The whole time we were talking, her fingers never left her clit, and my eyes never left her fingers.

  “I don’t know darlin’, watching you touch yourself is fucking hot, maybe I am happy just doing that,” I tease from beside the bed.

  Her eyes are closed, and a beautiful flush covers her face. “Keep up with that dirty fucking mouth of yours, and maybe that’s all I’ll want you to do.”

  Like I said, fucking hot… Although, I desperately need to remove these jeans of mine, the confining space is fucking killing me and my aching cock.

  “What do you want, Hadley? I know what I want and that’s for you to come all over those fingers of yours.”

  My words are obviously working. “Pants off now, Sean,” she demands. “I want your hand on your cock. I’m not coming unless you are.”

  Well, fuck me, if that wasn’t a reason to strip, I don’t know what would be. I can’t get the remainder of my clothing off quick enough, slightly regretting wearing jeans at all.

  “Unless it’s on you, it’s not happening,” I taunt in return.

  She’s close, like real close, her thighs spread as far as they can go, as I move onto the bed. Coming to a stop between her legs, my hand ferociously pumps the fuck out of my cock, in time with her fingers.

  “I don’t give a fuck where you put it, just do it. I can’t… oh fuck,” she screams.

  Her scream triggering my own orgasm, my release spraying endlessly over her body.

  “Fuck Hadley, what the hell are you doing to me?” I breathlessly call out.

  My whole is body shuddering in pleasure. Opening my eyes, I look at the mess I’ve made on her body.

  “I could ask you the same question Sean,” she finally rasps, our breathing almost in sync.

  “Shower with me,” she suddenly demands, moving away from me, off of her bed toward the door. Turning her head slightly, she adds, “You can join me, or would you prefer to watch instead?”

  I love watching her, I won’t deny it. Everything about her is perfect. I need to save as many images of her sweet delectable body as I can to my memory.

  “I’m making sure I have enough images of you implanted in my memory to feed my need.”

  “So, when are you leaving again?” she asks, giggling at me as she enters the shower.

  I so should have seen that coming.

  “In the morning, so give me something to really remember you by.”

  Moving the curtain aside, her grin widens, drawing me to her, coercing me to get in. My cock already likes what it sees, hardening quicker than I expected. Giving in, I push off the frame and move toward her.

  The hot water on my face is refreshing, washing away the last few months of worry. Hadley’s wandering hands caressing my body doesn’t feel too bad either.

  “I love how you feel, Sean,” her silky voice sooths from behind. Her body is squished against mine, her tits pressed firmly against my back.

  My cock has been hard since I entered the stall. The sparks shooting throughout my body every time her fingers brush over my hardened length, coaxing deep moans out of my mout
h. She has me begging,

  “Fuck babe, grip my cock, your hands feel fucking amazing.”

  I’m already resting my palms against the tiles to steady myself, but her grip has my knees buckling. It’s fucking blissful.

  “I have a better idea,” she says, turning me around.

  As she falls to her knees, I think Fuck yeah! I remember how hot her mouth was, I won’t be turning that shit down. Gripping her hair, I yank her head backward so she can see my eyes.

  “I want you looking at me. I want to see you sucking my cock.” Grinning, she accepts my demands, allowing me to keep my fingers entwined in her soft curls, as she takes my cock into her mouth.

  Oh my god, she feels so fucking good, that mouth of hers is so fucking wet, and hot. There’s no subtlety to her movements, she is sucking my cock like a woman possessed. I’m not going to last if she keeps up this pace. Throwing my head back, I release my grip on her hair, placing my hand instead on the tiles beside me to keep from falling. When I thought she couldn’t possibly get any better, she starts sucking slower, more determined and even harder. I hadn’t realized that she wasn’t using her hands until her fingers encase my balls, massaging them.

  God damn she is fucking good at this.

  Her fingers ever so slowly slide past them, moving upward until they are working their magic on my ass. With my senses already alerted, they go into hyper drive when she manipulates one or two of her digits up and down the crack. Involuntarily, my hips thrust forward each time she gently runs them over the one place no one else has ever touched. I’m losing myself to her touch, all thoughts gone, just the pleasure of what she is doing remains. My fucking god she is good, my balls tighten as the pressure of my orgasm starts to build.

  As if sensing I’m close, Hadley picks up the pace once more and I can feel myself slipping. Her hand is happily caressing my ass and as I reach that point of no return, she slips her finger inside me. I’ve never imagined ever letting anyone touch me like that. Before I can think, my orgasm starts spiraling uncontrollably throughout my body.

  “What the fuck,” I scream as it takes control, flooding every inch of me with the most powerful sensation I’ve ever experienced.