“Yeah, I needed some ass. No beer, no condom. Freewheeling that night and here I am giving up my genetic material.”
“That’s your MO, right?” I ask, momentarily taking my eyes off the road to catch Luke’s reaction.
“Fuck...man,” he spits. “She was asking for it. She said we were good. It would’ve taken me a minute to sheath my shit, and I wouldn’t be here. Damn, when a chick wants to go raw like that? Fuck, I can’t back down.”
“Yeah, there isn’t much we can do about it now. We just have to go in, give them what they need and hope that we’re not the father.”
“What about that other dude?” Luke looks over with a hopeful smile peaking at the corners of his mouth.
“Who? Cane? I don’t know, man. We’re all in the running,” I reply as I merge onto Storrow Drive on my way into Boston. We don’t speak for a couple of minutes. We’re both thinking, kicking ourselves for being here. I feel the pressure of the situation at hand; it’s strangling me, so I open the window and let the cold air chill my bones. Luke grabs his phone from the dashboard and finally decides to respond to his last text.
“I fucking hope it’s that dude. I can’t handle being a dad. I love kids, but there is no way in hell I’m ready for shitty diapers,” he says, staring out the window.
“I hear ya, man. I’ve had that conversation with myself a million times,” I say, watching him text frantically on the phone. “Is everything okay with you, man? Whoever’s calling you is really pissing you off.”
“It’s nothing,” he replies, waving his phone dismissively. “People can’t take no for an answer.” He chuckles. “Shit, it’s kinda like me sometimes. I don’t like to be a douche to anyone, but if you shove me just enough, I’m not sure what I might do. This shithead may be the first one to find out.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
“Nah, man, I can handle it,” he informs me, shoving the phone into his pocket. “What about you? How is Elle taking this baby daddy shit?”
I thread my fingers through my hair, trying to focus on the traffic in front of me. Elle is being strong for me, but I know what’s going on in her head when she reaches for her hair or when she hears a baby crying in public. Fuck. I can’t seem to get my shit right. I’m never in the clear. I’m testing her, and I’m not sure how much longer she’s going to hang on.
“She’s okay with it,” I say. There is no right or wrong answer. She hasn’t told me, and I haven’t really asked her. She has so much on her plate right now. I just want to get this over with and move on with my life with her.
“That’s cool that she’s putting up with your sorry ass.” He laughs. “She must really love you. God fucking knows you love her. Shit, I say her name, and you’re all teeth.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, not in the mood to talk anymore. I fucking hate myself for putting her though another round of my bullshit. She deserves better. Better with me. And I’m going to give it to her.
Luke immediately turns on the radio and starts flipping through the stations. He stops on a station playing “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails. How fitting, considering where we’re going. He turns it up, leans his head back and closes his eyes.
“YEAH! Great! I hope it’s not a sign, ‘cuz one of us is gonna be fucked!”
I have nothing more to say because the song just said it all.
My mind is somewhat clearer after completing the paternity test. It’s not by much, but it’s enough that I can talk to Luke about Jerry. I need more details. What was he doing up here? He never got in touch with me, and it’s driving me insane trying to figure it out and how he was able to find me. I try to rehash the topic so that Luke doesn’t suspect anything. I’d hate for him to get stuck in the middle of my shit, but it may already be too late for that.
“So, this Jerry dude you met at the club…what was he up to besides the obvious?” I ask, driving out of Boston’s Financial District.
“I don’t know. You tell me,” Luke counters, pulling his cell from his pocket to check his messages. “His pudgy ass with the fucked-up Texas accent was asking for you. Did you get into a little bit of shit back home?” He chuckles as he scrolls through his phone. I throw him a quick glance. Fuck. The brief silence and my hesitation make it obvious to Luke. We’ve been roommates for a whole summer, and he knows nothing about me. Now that he’s met the constant thorn in my side, he needs to know.
“I’m right then,” he says, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “Tell me. I’ve seen enough crazy shit to last me a lifetime. Your shit can’t be that bad, country boy. How much trouble did you get into back in Texas? Cow tipping? Stealing a horse? Crashing someone’s pickup? What the fuck?” He laughs exuberantly, slapping his hand against the dashboard. “Plus, when your boy Tommy came up for that cash and you didn’t show for over a month, I knew shit was going down. So, you need to fess up.” He snorts, glancing over at my sorry ass as I try to get the words in the right order. “All right, motherfucker, you need to help me out here. It’s too quiet in this ride. Spill the whole thing, shithead, ‘cuz right about now I need a distraction from all this baby daddy shit.”
“Damn…Yeah… All right,” I groan, scratching my head. “I owe him a few dollars. I had a little too much fun gambling in college, and I needed someone to bail me out for a minute.”
“What the shit? That little shit in the bad-fitting suit that smells like a fucking chimney is your puppet master? It’s been more than minute, right. Over a year?”
“Pretty much.”
“Whaddya need?”
“What do you mean?”
“The cash, asshole. How much do you owe that slimy fucker?”
“A few grand,” I reluctantly reply, frowning at my roommate. “Why?”
“Dude, stop with the fucking riddles and fill in the blanks for me. I need definite figures.”
“Why the hell does it matter? You can’t help me.” I draw my gaze over at him and see amusement in his eyes as he shakes his head and raises an eyebrow. The way he’s acting is making me nervous. I’m afraid he wants to throw together a fundraiser at Centerfolds to help me raise the money to get out of this.
“Ever hear of Turner Construction, douche?”
“I don’t think...”
“No, right?” he interrupts. “I didn’t think so. Let me tell you something about me you don’t know since we’re getting really close today and baring our souls.” Luke’s lips quirks up in a grin. “I’ve got money coming out of my ass that I don’t want or need. Why not just give me a number and take it, so you can stop worrying about it and concentrate on Elle and the Cowboys?”
I never saw this piece of news coming. Luke has more layers than I thought, but now is not the time to swap stories.
“I can’t take your money, man.” I try to argue with him, but he shakes his head and chuckles under his breath.
“Oh yeah, did I say I don’t take no for a fucking answer? You can pay me back whenever you can. No pressure because I know you’re good for it. I’ve got your back man. Remember that,” he says, looking out the window. “Shit, man, you disappoint me. I took you for a smart guy.”
“I am,” I breathe, cupping the back of my neck.
“Good. Then you’re taking the cash.”
I stare at his profile for a quick minute as my jaw falls to the fucking floor. It takes a shitload to shock me, and this right here is the motherload. Turner Construction. I thought I saw a couple of signs on some major buildings around Boston. Who would have thought that my roomie Luke, the guy who lives in sweats and sleeps all day, is a millionaire? Every fucking thing makes sense now.
“Dude, pull up right over there.” He points randomly toward the sidewalk.
“Up where?”
“See that big ol’ building there? I’ve got to go in and make a withdrawal. Do you take cash or check?”
He looks so delicious and unaware of my eyes ogling him as he wraps the towel around his slim waist. I ease my eyes up his hard body that st
ill holds a hint of a summer tan. He ruffles his damp hair, causing his new tattoos on his bicep and forearm to flex. Seeing my name permanently inked on his arm does something incredible to my heart. My entire body hurts in every single place for him.
My eyes continue to greedily take him in, finally meeting his dark and teasing blue devilish gems. His lips curl into a boyish, playful smirk that dominates his magnificent face. He raises an eyebrow, noticing my slow inspection of him. I blush automatically and quiver inside when he looks at me this way. Need and desire submerge me, and an electrifying current flows between us, magnetic and intoxicating. If anything happens this morning, we’re both going to miss our flight.
“Penny for those dirty thoughts, doll?” he asks in a deep, toe curling voice as he leans down to kiss me gently, forcing my lips apart to taste me. I don’t resist the moan that escapes my lips when I taste his sweetness and hunger for me. He runs his hands up and down my arms, and my body reacts to his touch instantly as his fingertips leave a trail of heat on my skin. I move sinuously against him and kiss away the glistening water droplets on his chest. He smells like soap and his earthy cologne and he feels incredible, making my stomach blaze. I feel the need to rip off his towel, but common sense tells me I need to pack and get ready for this trip.
“Hmm...” I pull away, drunk from him. “No words, just action.” I sigh over his mouth.
The intensity in his eyes makes me want him more than I already do. Before I can mouth another word, he grabs me and gently pushes me toward the bed where I fall backwards. Laughing, he slides next to me. I glance into his simmering eyes and take in his full, sculpted lips as he studies me, defenseless and completely his to do what he wants and he knows it. When I see his lips break into a roguish grin, I know I’m in trouble.
“Doll, I love when you make demands of me,” he rasps. “Fuck, I only have so much restraint.”
“I like pushing your buttons.” Noticing how I’m following his lips, he scrapes his teeth across his bottom lip and inhales.
“You want these?” He brushes his lips over mine, gently nipping my bottom lip as his hands move down to knead my thigh. His wild eyes hold steady with mine. I press into him, softly mewling as I crave him. I instinctively move my hands to the back of his neck, gripping the hair at the nape of his neck.
“I want all of you,” I whimper, crushing my lips to his.
A low moan comes from the back of his throat as he presses his erection against my thigh, making me wet with lust. As I part my lips, his tongue touches mine with urgency. His passion overwhelms me, and I completely submerge myself in him. We are both breathing heavily, and our soft touches and caresses have turned to grabbing and groping. I know that if anything more than kissing happens, we will definitely miss our flight.
Catching my breath, I bite my lip and painstakingly slide my hand down my stomach to the small lace triangle covering what I want him to satisfy. I try to contain the carnal urges welling up between my legs, but I can’t. He sees it in my eyes, and I notice in the way he watches me that he’s about to lose control. It’s unnerving and dangerous. The thrill sets off tiny explosions that tickle my stomach. He grits his teeth and a lascivious smile curls at the corners of his mouth before he tightens his hand around my waist, tugging me closer to his warm, solid body.
“Fuck, I want you so bad right now.” He pants between kisses, intensifying my own ache for him. He skims his hand and cups my breast, releasing a soft moan as his fingers run over my hardened peak through the lace of my bra.
“I want you more,” I speak over his lips.
“Fuck,” he moans, kissing me hard. “Damn flight,” he murmurs against my mouth as he runs his hand over my thigh to the thin lace of my panties, tracing my bikini line.
“Yep,” I whisper, wrapping my leg around his waist as I try to catch my breath. “Couple of hours and we’ll be on a plane.”
“Yeah.” He frowns, throwing one arm behind his head. “I’m not looking forward to it.”
“Babe, you’ve got me this time. You just have to not think about it so much. I’ll make sure to help you with that.”
“How are you gonna do that? I’ve tried everything, doll. Nothing can help. Alcohol. Sleep. Nothing.”
“You need to trust me on this, okay,” I reply innocently, but nothing about what I have planned is innocent. Just a couple of wardrobe changes and I’ll be all set.
“I trust you, doll. I just don’t trust the pilot.”
“I’ll take care of you.” I smile coyly.
Saying goodbye to my parents and Jace was difficult. I will be returning in a week, but the same time next year I’m going to be taking a flight somewhere to stay. It was hard for Jace since he always hides his emotions. He’s probably thinking ahead like I am and wondering what life is going to be like and what’s going to happen to our family. I hugged him longer and tighter because I needed it and so did he. My parents were excited for me and said they would reschedule Thanksgiving when I return, which looks to mean that Dad will be joining us again.
I lean my head back onto the seat, trying to get comfortable for the remaining four hours of our five- hour flight to Texas. I’m excited to meet Reed’s mom, the woman whom he adores with all his heart. This will be the final and biggest piece of his life that I will get to see. My interview is scheduled for the Friday before Thanksgiving and all day Saturday I will be touring the campus, so I have plenty of things to occupy my time during those two days, but the rest of the time I plan to enjoy my time with Reed and his family.
I glance over at Reed, who appears to be quite tense and fiddling with his drink. The flight has been a bit turbulent to say the least, but the pilot has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign now, so we are able to move around a bit. Little does Reed know, I chose our seats at the back of the plane for one reason and one reason only. I’ve got plans and part of it will allow him to relax his nerves about flying.
I lean over and place my hand on top of his leg and immediately his eyes shoot up to mine. “You okay?” I ask.
“I’ll be fine. You know how I get flying. Typically, I’d be passed out drunk by now, but I wanted to stay awake with you, so I’m a little more tense than usual.”
I laugh a little to myself because he seriously has no idea what I’m about to pull out of my ass. I’m not even sure this is going to work, but Reed brings out a wild side of me that I never knew existed.
I continue my plan as I move my hand a little farther up, and before I know it, my fingers are encircling his balls. Reed picks up on my teasing act, and his eyes shoot daggers at me. I feel his stare, but even more, I now feel his dick pulsing in my hand, slowly starting to get harder with each touch and rub. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, doll,” Reed whispers into my ear. I giggle because I don’t think he thinks I’m going to finish this.
I lean over into him and say, “Perhaps I’m not bluffing, but the only way you’ll find out is to meet me in the bathroom to see if you’re going to be a member of a new club.”
Reed’s eyes damn near come out of his head, and he instantly pounds his shot of Jack Daniels. “Doll, I’m about to come in my pants, so you better make good on that challenge.”
”We’ll find out soon enough. Won’t we?” I say.
No sooner than I turn around, I walk into the small bathroom right next to our seats. This is not the ideal place to have sex, but I guess it could be worse. Oh, who am I kidding? These plane bathrooms are the most disgusting places, even after they’ve been scrubbed clean. But, this is Reed, and I’ll overlook just about anything when it comes to having sex with him.
A few seconds later, Reed walks into the bathroom. I’m not going to lie, but having two people in here, especially when one of them is the size of an NFL football player, doesn’t leave a lot of room to work with. That’s fine though; I’ll improvise. It’s a good thing I’m wearing a skirt, because there isn’t enough room to even strip pants off right now.
I look up into R
eed’s eyes. There’s fire in them as he stares back at me and says, “Doll, are you sure about this? You know you have a hard time keeping quiet with my cock inside you.”
“Babe, if I wasn’t up for the challenge, I wouldn’t have come in here.” I kiss him, brushing my hand over his cheek. “Since you begged for me to take you back, haven’t I started and finished everything?”
“Yes,” he moans, resting his hand on my thigh, he starts caressing it ever so lightly causing shivers to race through me.
“Has it been everything you expected?” I tilt my head flirtatiously, grabbing the front of his shirt and tugging him against me.
“Out of this fucking world, doll,” he replies, lowering his penetrating blue eyes to mine. His grip on my thigh tightens, and the ache pulses down from my stomach to between my legs.
“Do you still doubt me, baby?”
“I don’t doubt you, doll...”
“Maybe when we finish this time, you won’t question me and my intentions?”
“Never,” he groans.
“Then, do me,” I whisper, leaning up to bite his lower lip.
“Okay, you asked for it,” he rasps through clenched teeth. He grabs behind my ass and lifts me onto the small counter area. Tenderly moving his hands up my legs, he immediately gets to my ass under my skirt and growls. “What the hell are you wearing under here?” I giggle a little as he raises my skirt to reveal my sneaky secret.
Before we left this morning, I pulled out the red lace lingerie. After everything we’ve been through, he’s earned it. It seemed fitting for the flight.
“Well, I thought that wearing these would make the flight easier for you. I don’t like to see you like this,” I breathe, running my hands through his hair. “You know I would do anything for you. I figured this was a perfect time.” His eyes meet mine as he tilts his head to the side to get a better look, and that’s when his dick goes rock hard against my stomach.
“Elle, are you seriously wearing red lace underwear?!” he responds aggressively, sending a chill down my spine.
Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 Page 36