“Nice to see you still like a nice swat. I know you want more. The first tap is always one of the best, but it makes you crave more. Ride my cock hard, and I’ll give you just what you want.”
He remembered. She’d never told anyone else about her love of a few firm taps on her ass or how much it got her going. It wasn’t that she was embarrassed about it, but she’d never gotten to the place where that type of show and tell was needed or expected.
She loved looking at him as she moved up and down his cock. His eyes were at half-mast, and his mouth was slightly ajar. He was enjoying this as much as she was, and damn it if it didn’t make her want to draw this out. She just wasn’t sure how long she was going to be able to keep doing it, but what she did know is she loved that she could make him look lost like that. She loved that she could make his breath hitch and pull those deep moans from his throat.
He locked his hands around her waist and then brought both of them down to cradle her ass. This is just what she wanted, and her breath caught just thinking about what was going to come next. Holding her still, he bucked up into her with fast, even strokes. She’d doubt even the best fucking machine would do better than Beau when he was all sexed up.
She loved every moment of it. The sexy moans and mutters that slipped out of his mouth. The wet sound of sex their bodies made together. The feel of him squeezing and gripping her ass as he now moved her to meet his frantic movements. It was all too much, and with one sharp slap on her ass she lost the fight and she came. The waves of pleasure rolled through her body, and she was happy that by the sounds of his grunts and the pulsing of his cock he’d come a close second.
Lying there on his chest, she was almost sorry for what she was planning on doing, but she wouldn’t think about that now. This was the time to make memories for later when she no longer had this kind of decadence at her disposal.
She could feel herself slipping into sleep as she listened to the beat of his heart. It was a funny thing about hearts—a boy with a beautiful smile a demeanor that was as sweet as it was commanding, and a mind that was as fascinating as his body had taken her a long time ago. For her sanity, she had to do something. Her life was full and fabulous, but she couldn’t enjoy it because a part of her was trapped in this small town, merged with this one man, and she had to get over him and claim what was rightfully hers, a life free of Beau Haught.
Chapter 3
Beau
Here he was again, just like old times, watching her sleep. He’d woken up before her, and it was a pleasure to listen to her breathe as she cuddled up to his side like she was the attracting magnet to the force he was putting out. Beau was always in awe of how trusting Karessa was. It was that, or she was just so tired from jet lag that she’d fallen into a deep sleep before he’d pulled his cock out of her snug heat. It was funny—the sex had been pretty tame in terms of what had happened—but his mind and body were buzzing like it was the best and most interesting encounter he’d ever had and honestly he would agree with that assessment. The fact he’d come so hard his abs were still tight didn’t stop him from being ready for an encore.
After she had fallen asleep, he had rolled her to her back and tucked the covers around her before looking for something to clean them off. He hadn’t wanted her to wake up with more regrets than she probably would already have. Maybe he shouldn’t have let it go as far as it had gone, but he’d always had an odd connection with her. Maybe he just was able to read her well. She’d changed a bit while they were apart, and he liked this fierier version of the woman he’d known. There was enough of her that he still remembered, like how she covered her nervousness with giggling and then prattling on about a certain topic with speed and intensity, for him to believe the woman he fell for was still in there. He was shocked at how long he slept after he wiped her off a bit. He had dropped down beside her and didn’t move until his internal clock woke him up. He didn’t know how long he’d been staring at Karessa before his phone chimed in notification of a text message.
True – I’ve got eclairs and coffee – ETA 30 minutes
He didn’t know what he was going to do about either of these women. True, he wanted to shake like wayward child, and Karessa… well, that woman he just wanted to keep, but she was at a point in her career that would keep her busy for a good long while. There were promotions and interviews she had scheduled from now until who knew when. She was the phenom of lingerie, and he wasn’t just blowing smoke up her spectacular, upside down, heart-shaped ass when he told her he was proud of her. He followed her career like an obsessed stalker, saving clippings and articles like a delighted grandmother. Not that anyone knew that. His brothers would be on his back forever if they ever found out, and True would try to do what she did best…make a happily-ever-after out of them. That wasn’t in Karessa’s best interests. It hadn’t been the first time he let her go, and it wasn’t good now, but maybe someday they’d be at a place to see what could happen between them. Or maybe he could look into…
This is what he’d worried about if they ever met up again. Their chemistry was a perfect storm of sex, attraction, and past history. He’d worried that she’d be pissed at how he’d treated her after she got the news of her internship and when she’d come back to visit. He wasn’t big on explaining himself, especially when he didn’t really know what the hell could have been done to fix it. It was going to be hard to let her go. It always was. But he made a silent promise to her when they were both young, dumb, and full of come, as his grandfather liked to say, and that was he would do whatever he had to do to make sure she made it. Regardless of what he physically had to sacrifice to make sure that got done, he was going to see her succeed.
The young woman he’d met always had meat on her bones, but that was because everyone in their neighborhood knew her mother was into things other than feeding and creating a home for her daughter. Knowing her story from the community fodder had made him want to keep his eye on her. It had made all of his family want to do that, and they made sure she had a job, a place to feel comfortable and as loved as much as a group of rowdy boys could. As the years went on, she seemed to be a fixture in his life as she followed him around more than his brothers. Camden, the man who was always trying to help women and couldn’t resist one in distress, had brought her to their family’s sports bar and introduced her to his grandfather and brothers. When he first met her, all he saw was long, black hair, a curvy body, and deep brown eyes that stared hungrily at him under her too-long bangs. She’d been sixteen to his eighteen, so no matter how often he found her in his space with lustful hunger in her eyes, he’d stayed away. That’s not to say that he didn’t want her because he did, he’d wanted her with every molecule of his being but he’d denied them both. Beau had fed her hunger in the only way he could… with food. He made sure she ate, and he watched her do it. It was then that they started talking. Beau learned later that she rarely had anything to say to most people, and he decided that if he could be her listening board and assist her in whatever way she needed him, then maybe he’d be able to control his base urges and growing desire for her. He’d learned what she thought she wanted for her life and as she doled out the nuggets of information he collected them so he could see what she wanted in her big picture.
It worked. He’d had girlfriend after girlfriend, if you could call them that, but the emotional connection he got with Karessa grew stronger and stronger. The change from friends to more-than-friends was a slower process because with all her talking, he realized what a shitty childhood she’d come from, but listening to her talk about her future with so much excitement and resolve, he knew he’d do anything to make that a reality for her. If he couldn’t have her then he’d have to be all right with that, but each time he let her go was harder than the last. Before she found out she was accepted to a four-year internship in France with her favorite lingerie icon, they had been together as a couple for a few years. Honestly, he had been thinking of making it permanent, even going so far as to buy
the ring and take her to her favorite spot with a picnic lunch. It was on the way to their destination that she found out the person who had been chosen ahead of her wasn’t able to meet the obligation, and she was asked to come instead.
That meal was the hardest to eat, and Karessa thought that he somehow had a premonition about the offer and had brought her out to a celebratory meal. He asked her questions about the new job, and her cheery eyes and excited spirit made him mad at himself for the overwhelming sadness he was experiencing. Beau had a way with words, that’s what he’d always been told, but he didn’t use them unless he had to. Right then everything felt tight, including his throat, but that pain in his heart didn’t diminish the joy he had in her dream coming true.
He made the decision to break it off with her at that sunset picnic spot and cursed himself for ruining this very special spot for her. She didn’t understand why it had to be that way and used all her skills to come up with reasons and rationales for why they could make it work, but he knew he’d just be holding her back, and she deserved the full experience of being single and free in the land of love. She’d been taking care of her mother for most of her life, and there were times when she hadn’t thought she’d ever escape, but this was her chance, and he’d be damned if she didn’t take it by the horns and get everything she wanted from it.
Having her here in his arms was a pleasant interlude, and she slept like she lived…with wild abandon. She was all over him from the moment he returned to bed, wrapped around him like a living blanket, just like she used to do, and the nostalgia squeezed his heart painfully. Half of him wanted her to wake up, but the other half was enjoying just laying with her in his arms and stroking her soft, fragrant hair. His phone buzzed again, and his sleeping beauty moved around a bit but didn’t wake.
True - Time’s up lover boy. Come meet me in my office.
He didn’t want to get up, but he wanted to give one his best friend a piece of his mind. Trying to entangle himself from Karessa’s arms and legs was proving to be a workout that was making his dick hard, but he finally did it. His phone buzzed again. Damn. Now True had the nerve to be impatient?
True - Don’t wake Karessa. She’s probably exhausted…from the trip ☺
It was a short walk to True’s office, but he’d had to put on his clothes and stop at the bathroom. He was hoping that he’d be able to say what he wanted to say without blowing his top because the way he felt right now that was a prime possibility.
He opened the door, preparing to give True a piece of his mind, but the look on her face stopped him. She usually had a smile on her face, and it was in place, but there was something different in it… a bit of pain, maybe, but definitely something she wasn’t going to share. They were similar people in that they kept things to themselves when the situation warranted it, and he knew when he would be able to pull something out of her and when he wouldn’t. This was a time when he absolutely would not. There was a time when he thought there was nothing they didn’t share with each other—or rather she didn’t share with him—but it was clear she was hiding something.
“You’re welcome,” she said, and he noted she was attempting to be bright-eyed and bubbly this morning. He flopped down on the couch she had in her office that she said was for power naps, but no way in hell he believed that. The woman rarely slept, and he had doubts she napped.
“I don’t believe I said thank you,” he countered.
“I know, but you seldom are thankful for the gifts you wouldn’t admit you wanted anyway.” The cheery smile was still in place, but it was so weary. There was definitely something going on.
“I can’t deal with you and this conversation without any coffee.” He put his hand out and waved her over and was astounded when he watched her get up and bring it to him. It was then he knew there was a problem, and it had to be a doozy for her to do what he requested with no smart retort or sass.
“What?” she asked him as she handed over the black gold in a cup.
“When do I get to wave you over and you just jump up to hand me something? I was waiting for a ‘It’s right here on the desk if you want it’ or ‘Maid service is over. If you want it in your hand, you need to get your ass up and take it.’ What in the world is going on with you?”
She looked startled a little, but she covered it up well. “Oh, shut up, Beau. There’s nothing wrong, but I have so much to do before the wedding that is in two days. We have to do the pictures for Karessa’s line, the bachelor and bachelorette party, and don’t get me started on the rehearsal dinner.”
She sat back in her seat, and he almost believed the line of horseshit she was trying to feed him, but she’d forgotten one thing. He knew her, so that meant he knew that she lived for the hustle and bustle of getting things done. Parties and get-togethers of any kind were her drug of choice, and that included photo shoots, so her excuse was covering up something else. It didn’t matter. It would come out someday. Not when he wanted it, but he’d get it when he needed it.
“I thought the bachelor party was last night, and you made me leave early,” he accused.
“Nah, I wouldn’t do that to you. Alec wanted to have a bit of time with a smaller group before the party tonight. We’re doing the bachelor and bachelorette party after the photo shoot since we don’t have a lot of time. Did you like the drink Alec served? I was thinking of getting a batch of that made up.”
“It was good—hey, don’t try to change the subject.” He took a sip of the coffee she had handed him and knew she wanted something.
“Is this the exclusive coffee from Coffee Smoffee?”
“Yes.” True had a beautiful complexion. He’d looked at her foundation once when he was thinking of a gift for her and read that she was “warm walnut.” He didn’t know where the hell they came up with those names, but if he had to describe her, he’d say she was the color of deep, dark coffee with two creams, and her beautifully big, kinky, curly hair was as soft as the cloud it resembled. Regal is how she carried herself, and she did it well. She cleared her throat twice after her answer, and he knew she had something else she wanted to get out, but she didn’t know how it would be received.
“The coffee that costs so much you complain every time you buy it until the last drop is gone?”
“Yes, Beau. So what? Is it so hard to believe that I would go out of my way to get you something you like so much?” She cocked her head to the side after saying that so he didn’t know if she was talking about the coffee or Karessa.
“No,” he said, taking a sip of the hot goodness that was making him feel more alert with every sip, “but it’s making me think that you have something you want to tell me.”
She sat taller in her chair, and he could see Presentation True coming to life. “As you know—”
“Wait,” he said, stopping her before she got started. “I don’t want the whole song and dance. Just hit me with the punchline.”
True took a deep breath and started chuckling to herself. “This is why I love you. You know that? We are so much alike.”
He nodded, but didn’t say another word, just waiting for the hit.
“There is no place for Karessa to stay. The hotels are booked, and because she is somewhat of a celebrity, no one wants to help with her security detail.”
“Why can’t she stay with you?”
“I’m hosting the bride, and I’m keeping her assistant with me—the one and only Maryse Fresnel.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to stay with me. You need to make other arrangements.” Beau knew his voice was rising, but was it not enough he was going to want her for the rest of his days? To have her in his home, sleeping in his bed and showering in his shower…her mark would be all over his home and he’d see her everywhere he looked. He’d have to move out of his house to keep his sanity.
“That’s okay. I’ll find somewhere to stay. Let’s not torment Beau more than we have to,” Karessa said, leaning on the doorframe.
Damn it.
She would have to come in and hear him talking about how she couldn’t stay with him. Now he looked like the asshole womanizer she already believed he was. In the long run it would be better for her to think that, but it made his stomach roll knowing that he wouldn’t be able to fix it.
True got up and met Karessa in the middle of the room and walked her to the far end of the couch.
“You know bachelors,” True said to Karessa. “He’s probably afraid that his house isn’t ready for you. Isn’t that right, Beau?”
This wasn’t going to be something he could fight, so he’d go along with it, but inside he felt like howling. There was a little piece of him that wanted to handcuff her to him all weekend, until the very last second before she had to leave, but that piece was a dickwad that wasn’t thinking about the end game.
“Sure.”
“How about we give you a couple hours to get ready, and then I’ll bring her over? Don’t forget the bachelor/bachelorette party slash photo shoot is this afternoon, so when I get her there, don’t dawdle.”
The glare of death was the best he was going to be able to do since Karessa wouldn’t look at him, and he wanted True to know that she would be hearing from him as soon as he could.
“All right now, get started. We’ll be there soon.” True was in rare form today, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. His house was clean, but it could use a few toiletries and provisions. He’d stop to pick some up and have a conversation with himself about what this was and what this wasn’t. Beau took one look over at Karessa who was taking an interest in what awards and articles were on True’s wall. He just wanted to go back to when she was lying comfortably in his arms and he hadn’t fucked up once again. There wasn’t anything he could say or do right now so he took a deep breath and walked toward the door. Taking one last look at Karessa she quickly looked at him before she turned to True, but it wasn’t so fast he couldn’t see the pain in her eyes. Pain he caused. His heart actually hurt with that thought and he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss that pain away, but that wasn’t to be that way. The growl he was trying to suppress must have slipped out because both women watched him as he walked out of the room.
Too Haught Page 4
