Love to Hate You

by Jennifer Sucevic

  This is one of those times.

  Grabbing the remote, I turn off the television. I glance at Daisy, ready to put this night behind me. The TV screen is blank, but she continues staring at it. Her brows are drawn together like she’s trying to work through a problem in her head.

  I’m not going to lie, it’s a little disconcerting.

  “So…” I jerk my thumb toward my room. “I’m off to bed.”

  I can’t get away from her fast enough.

  “Feeling super-duper tired,” I add in case she didn’t hear me the first time.

  Her gaze slides to mine. “I know we agreed to forget about the past and move on, but I can’t. I want to know what your problem was with me.” She pauses for a beat. “I need to know.”

  “What?” I laugh, but it comes out sounding choked and high-pitched. “I told you that it had nothing to do with you. It was all me. Okay?” I don’t wait for a response. “Great. Glad that’s settled. Now we can go to bed.”

  Daisy shakes her head as her frown intensifies. Her gaze pins me in place. I’m powerless to move. To breathe.

  “Come on, Carter. Just be straight with me.” She angles her body toward mine. “Whatever it is, I won’t be mad.”

  I close my eyes and suck in a breath, but it doesn’t do a damn bit of good to calm me. “There’s nothing to tell.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” she insists. “I don’t understand why we can’t talk about this like adults.”

  Christ, she’s like one of those yappy little dogs with a bone.

  Let it go, woman!

  Move on!

  “Just drop it!” I snap.

  “I can’t.” She straightens her shoulders and glares. “There has to be a reason why you treated me like crap. I want to know what it was.”

  I press my lips into a tight line.

  “You’ve always been such a prick. Why?” She shakes her head, her hair bouncing around her shoulders.

  I’m tempted to reach out and—

  Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips and the movement all but kills me.

  “Please, just tell me.” Her eyes cloud. “Your behavior…it’s always bothered me.”

  “I…” There’s nothing I can say to make her understand without revealing too much of myself, and I can’t do that. I need the walls between us to stay firmly in place. Because without them…

  I don’t even want to think about what could happen. The damage that would be inflicted.

  “I’m a prick to everyone,” I mutter.

  “That’s not true.” Her voice rises. “You’re nice enough to the girls you sleep with.”

  This isn’t a conversation I can have with her. She has no idea what kind of Pandora’s box she’s trying to open.

  I shoot to my feet. “This conversation is pointless. I’m going to bed.”

  Her mouth drops open as I stalk to my room. I need some distance, so I can wrangle my emotions back under control again. I’ll be damned if I’m forced into admitting something that won’t do either of us any good.

  “I never took you for chickenshit,” she yells.

  I spin around to face her. Anger and desire rush through my system. “Excuse me?”

  She jumps from the couch. Our gazes lock as she closes the distance between us.

  “You heard me.” The closer she gets, the further she tips her head back to meet my eyes. “You’re a chickenshit, Carter Prescott. I don’t understand why you can’t just be honest with me. What’s the big deal?”

  I clench my hands into fists to stymy the need to reach out and grab hold of her, to haul her body against mine.

  But I can’t do that.

  She’s not mine.

  Daisy will never be mine.

  Those thoughts slice through me like a razor. Pain radiates throughout my entire being.

  Why can’t she just let this go?

  Doesn’t she realize that I’m holding on by a thread?

  When I remain silent, she comes at me again with, “You’ve spent all these years pressing my buttons and pissing me off. There has to be a reason for it.”

  I don’t know why I expected anything different. This is quintessential Daisy Thompson. It’s one of the qualities I admire most about her. When that girl wants something, she won’t rest until she has it.

  It’s called tenacity, and it’s hot as hell. Except in this instance, when she’s doing her best to wear me down.

  She takes another step toward me, and I stand my ground. When she reaches out to touch me, I grab her hand before she can make contact. My fingers wrap around her wrist to hold her in place. I don’t think I could stand to feel her fingers brushing across my skin.

  “Just tell me the truth,” she implores. “Don’t I deserve that much?”

  My heart stutters.

  As much as I want to give her what she’s asking for, I can’t. “There’s nothing to tell. There never was.” I shrug. “You’ve had too much to drink.”

  Daisy laughs and shakes her head. “Come on, Carter. You know that I’m not drunk. Maybe I was buzzed earlier at the party, but I’m not anymore.” She steps closer, but I don’t release her wrist.

  “Go to bed,” I plead. “And we can forget this conversation ever happened. Okay?”

  Once I crumble, there won’t be any turning back.

  She takes another step until her breasts press against my chest. “Is that what you want?” Her other hand rises and cups my cheek. “To forget?”

  God, no.

  I shake my head as my gaze drops to her mouth. She nips her bottom lip with her teeth. How many times have I dreamed about doing that?

  Too many times to count.

  “Fuck,” I mutter.

  The walls I’ve built around myself tumble down more easily than I could have predicted. Whether this is a good idea or not no longer matters because it’s going to happen. There’s no stopping it.

  My arm snakes around her, yanking her close enough to feel my erection against her belly. “Is this what you want?” I rasp in a last-ditch attempt to scare her off.

  Part of me prays she’ll shake her head and tell me no. If she does, then I can walk away, and we can pretend this was just drunken stupidity. Maybe I need to call her bluff. Daisy jerks her wrist free from my grip, and I wonder if I’ve finally pushed too far, if this will be the moment she comes to her senses.

  It should be a relief. A narrowly averted disaster. But it’s not. Disappointment rushes through me, nearly swallowing me whole.

  Instead of untangling herself from me, she places her other hand against the side of my face, reaches up on her toes, and presses her lips against mine. She doesn’t close her eyes but watches me the entire time.

  And just like that, I’m lost.

  My hands drop to her backside and lift her off the ground. Her legs wrap around my waist. Her pussy is flush against my cock. She whimpers at the contact, fusing her mouth to mine. Our tongues mingle, retreating and thrusting.

  I don’t realize that we’re in my room or that I’ve closed the door until I lower her onto my bed. The unthinkable has happened. My iron-clad control has snapped. I search her lust-filled eyes knowing there’s no turning back.

  Not anymore.

  “You better be damn sure you want this,” I bite out.

  Those harshly spoken words hang in the air between us as I wait to see what she’ll do next.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Daisy

  I want to laugh, but don’t think I can muster the sound. Here’s a little-known truth that I’ve only recently admitted to myself. I want Carter Prescott. I’ve wanted him since I first laid eyes on him, even though I’ve pretended otherwise.

  “I want this, Carter,” I whisper.

  Lust flares to life in his eyes before he snuffs it out.

  “This is your last chance to back out,” he says gruffly. “We can forget this ever happened.”

  I prop myself up on my elbows.

  Forget this ever happened?r />
  I raise my fingers and trace a path over my lips. They tingle from the pressure of his mouth pressed against them.

  Forget about that kiss?

  “I’m not going anywhere.” It’s scary to admit, but I don’t want to hold back. “I want you.”

  Doubt and desire flicker across his face. He’s struggling with what we both want. It won’t take much for him to walk away.

  I need to up the ante.

  Not giving myself time to consider the ramifications of my actions, I sit up, grab the hem of my tank top and whip it over my head before tossing it to the floor. Goose bumps break out along my skin as his gaze licks over me. His jaw locks and his hands tighten into fists. He doesn’t move from the end of the bed as I recline against the mattress.

  A groan rumbles from his chest as I cup my breasts and massage them. I brush the tips of my fingers against the sides and circle the nipples until they pucker into hard points.

  “Fuck!” he hisses and yanks off his t-shirt.

  He crawls up my body so that all of his hard lines brush against my softer curves. He settles between my thighs, his weight pressing me into the mattress. I wrap my legs around his waist, cradling his body close to mine. His cock juts against my center. My breasts are flattened against the etched muscles of his chest.

  Anticipation floods through me as his mouth crashes on to mine. There is nothing gentle about this caress. I want him to devour me, and that’s exactly what he does. As soon as my lips part, his tongue delves inside and tangles with my own. He steals all my air until it feels as if we’re drifting to the bottom of the ocean. I’m not aware of anything but the feel of his mouth against mine.

  God…this kiss. It goes on forever.

  I gasp when he rolls us over and I’m draped across him. With my palms flattened against his chest, I push away so that I can sit astride him. I moan as his calloused thumbs strum my nipples. His hands are big and strong, yet gentle. The way he touches me is unlike the kiss we just shared. There’s a reverence in his eyes that makes me feel cherished.

  My eyes nearly cross as he flexes his hips and his hard length grinds against me. Lust pools in my core. I can’t remember the last time I felt this turned on. He palms the heavy weight of my breasts, as if learning their contours.

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmurs. “More than I dreamed possible.”

  My eyes feather closed.

  When I can’t stand another moment of this sweet torture, his hands glide over my ribcage. Shockwaves reverberate through my body as he takes hold of my hips, locking me in place while he thrusts against me. His movements are leisure, as if we have all the time in the world. My sleep shorts are already slick with arousal.

  “Do you like that?” he rasps.

  “So much.” I never want it to end.

  His hand trails to the V between my thighs and grazes my center. Another round of fireworks explode in my core. I moan as his thumb settles against the damp material covering my clit and rubs slow circles. I arch and lift myself so that he can caress more of me.

  “I need to feel your pussy,” he growls.

  My eyelids pop open as the pressure against my clit disappears and I whimper in protest. Carter grabs a fistful of material and drags it down until I’m exposed. Lightning bolts through my body as he caresses me again.

  “I want these off,” he mutters, yanking the material down my hips until the elastic band is stretched taut and won’t move over my thighs.

  Taking matters into my own hands, I rise to my feet. As I do, he tugs the material down my legs. I lift one foot, then the other. He pulls the pajama bottoms off and tosses them aside. As I lower myself down, his hands wrap around my hips and halt my movement. I glance at him, but his eyes are locked on the V between my legs.

  “Fucking bare,” he hisses.

  My pulse hitches at the way he stares at my exposed center. Desire curls like a wisp of smoke in my belly.

  “I need a taste.” He maneuvers me until my pussy hovers over his mouth.

  I shiver as his breath feathers over me. My thighs widen to give him access to my sensitive flesh. I want to close my eyes and bask in the pleasure of his touch. But I can’t. I’m captivated by the way he focuses on me. With sure strokes that make me fight for breath, he rings my lower lips with his tongue.

  I widen my knees, spreading myself more as I hover over him. My body is coiled tight with anticipation, every muscle rigid. My pussy pulses with need. I want to feel him buried deep inside my body.

  “Carter, please,” I whimper. “I need more.”

  “More what?” he growls against me.

  He lifts his head and covers my clit with his lips. A scream builds in my throat as he slides his hands from my hips to my inner thighs and spreads my pussy wide. It takes everything I have inside not to grind against him. When he nibbles at my clit, giving it a light tug, I lose it. The scream wedged inside me is unleashed. His lips curve as he does it again.

  “Please,” I plead. “I want you inside me.” I’ve never wanted anyone more than I want Carter. It’s as though everything else has fallen away and there is only the here and now.

  Nothing else matters.

  He releases my clit and spears his tongue deep inside me. He repeats the action until I’m sobbing with need. I’m only a few breaths away from finding my release.

  “Is that what you wanted?” he growls against my soaked flesh.

  Unable to piece together a coherent sentence, I whimper with the chaos he’s created inside me.

  “Fuck, you taste like honey.” He swipes his tongue from the bottom of my slit to the top.

  When he reaches my clit, he sucks the tiny bundle of nerves into his mouth and gives it another light tug. I can’t stop my hips from moving against him.

  “I could eat you up all damn night,” he murmurs.

  The thought is dizzying.

  Carter spreads my lower lips with his thumbs and rims them again, dragging the flat of his tongue over me.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Three times.

  Just as I’m about to splinter apart, he thrusts deep inside my pussy. His fingers massage my inner thighs and he goes back to nibbling at my clit. My body tightens as the orgasm curling in the pit of my belly explodes and I shatter into a million pieces. As I come, his hands tighten around my hips, holding me in place. His name falls from my lips in a reverent chant. I don’t think I’ve ever orgasmed so hard in my life. It’s like an out of body experience.

  By the time I regain consciousness, Carter’s hands have gentled. He gives me tender touches that overwhelm my senses. My pussy feels exquisitely sensitive, but I’m reluctant to pull away. My mind is still hazy with pleasure. I force my eyes open and gaze down at Carter who is still buried between my thighs.

  Arousal burns brightly in his gaze.

  I may have come, but he hasn’t.

  His fingers flex around my hips and disappear. Just as I’m about to slide down his body, he smacks my ass with the flat of his palm. The unexpected contact makes me yelp. There’s a flash of pain before pleasure blooms inside me.

  I’ve just orgasmed and should be sated. But already desire is pooling at my core.

  He grins. “Have I mentioned just how much I love your ass?”

  Laughter explodes from my lips. “I’m pretty sure I’d remember a statement that alluded to my ass.”

  We’ve spent so much time hating on each other. I didn’t think there was anything he liked about me.

  Before he can swat me again, I crawl down his body until my slick heat is flush against his chest. He arches and groans. I press my mouth to his. Desire swirls through me as he opens, and I taste myself on his lips. Our tongues mingle before I pull away.

  God, he’s beautifully built. His muscles stand out in sharp relief.

  How can someone be so rock solid?

  I want to explore every inch of him.

  Lowering myself, I pause at the khaki shorts and the huge bulge they’re
covering. Then I stroke my hand over his erection. Is it my imagination or does he feel bigger than I thought? I nip my lower lip as I flick open the button, intent on finding out. I tug at the thick material and reveal black boxer briefs that hug his hips and thighs.

  His cock swells under my perusal.

  I flick a glance upward. “Weren’t feeling cocky today?”

  The reference isn’t lost on him.

  His lips curve into a sexy grin. “Don’t need to advertise the merchandise when there’s a giant cock inside.”

  “Giant cock,” I snort. “I always thought you were a conceited bastard, now I know for sure.”

  “I don’t want to toot my own horn but…” He waggles his brows. “I haven’t heard anything but praise for my package.”

  “Oh really?” I laugh and widen my eyes.

  So freaking arrogant.

  “I’ll be the judge of how impressive you are. Did you ever consider that those girls have only seen small dicks, so yours looked well-endowed in comparison?”

  His chuckle turns into a groan as I free his boner. I bite back the gasp, not wanting to inflate his already massive ego. Apparently, all the whispered rumors I’ve heard around campus about Carter are true. He really is massive.

  “Impressed?” he asks smugly.

  “Meh.” I shrug. “I’ve seen bigger.”

  Total lie.

  I haven’t seen anything nearly the size of this. And just to be clear, I’ve seen my fair share of dick over the years. I could definitely pick this one out of a lineup.

  Carter Prescott has a thick, beautiful cock.

  Who can resist its allure when it stands proudly at attention the way it is right now?

  Ummm…not this girl.

  Did I also happen to mention that I’ve just confirmed yet another hushed rumor?

  His balls and the base of his cock are devoid of hair. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Well, I have (thanks to the naughty gifs on Tumblr), but never in person. I stroke my fingers from the tip of his cock to his smooth balls.

  “You like the manscaping?” he asks in a tight voice.

  “I love it.”

  It’s like receiving a new toy for Christmas. I want to play with it for hours. Getting up close and personal, I swipe my tongue across the slit and come away with salty goodness.