My heart is pounding so hard everything around me is tunneled. Every breath is rough. I grow harder in her hand. Jesus. She knows how to turn on beast mode. Our jealousy over each other is our biggest downfall, yet to each other, it’s the biggest turn-on, and a fucking weapon. And the best part is we know when it’s too much and just enough. “You let them live.”
The villainous smile makes me want to fuck her seven ways to Sunday. “Someone else will get to her first and do my bidding for me. She had a ring line on her left ring finger from where she must leave it on to tan yet take it off to fuck around. Guess you were too drunk to notice or too distracted by the melons on her chest to see that someone wrapped her up but couldn’t keep her legs closed. As for me—I know how to keep my dick zipped up. Your conscience is far worse than my reminders about a cunt that never runs dry. How does it feel to know you fucked a married woman? The one covenant you believe is sacred.”
My jaw drops, letting the guilt in. It spreads through every vein like fire, and all I can see in front of me is the cross at a distance while I burn alive. She wraps her arms around my neck and presses her lips against mine. “But doesn’t it feel good to know that when you put a ring on mine, I’ll never be her. Yours. Always have been and always will be. And I’ll stand there and take a beating before I become someone else’s.”
Something snaps inside me and before I can focus, I’m walking forward with her ass in my hands and throwing her on the bed, already coming over her, uncontrollable grunts and growls coming out of my mouth like an animal. Those hypnotic eyes lock on mine. “You gonna marry me?”
“When you prove you’ll let nothing stand in our way. Learn from my dad. Don’t be a quitter.”
“Fuck, I hate I missed you grow up.”
She stretches her neck, instigating me. I run my lips down her neck. “I’m not letting you in again until I get what I want.”
I smile against her skin. Smartest girl I know. Everything is as literal as the words that come out of her mouth. I kiss her, already running my hands up her thighs, under the short dress, until I feel the tiny string that sits on her hips, jerking the scrap of fabric she calls panties down her legs. She doesn’t stop me. As soon as they’re off, I grip her thighs and flip us over, pulling her toward my face. “If I have to watch another dick grind on this, I’m going to sit there knowing it’s covered in a thin film of my spit. Licking it makes it mine.”
She smiles down at me. “That’s right, baby. Claim it. Show me that it’s yours.”
I pull her bare middle down toward my face and kiss her lips. “Remember how I like it?”
She combs her fingers through my hair and makes a fist, getting ready. “Don’t stop until I’m tingling?”
I smile. “Numb my tongue.”
And then I press my tongue between her lips and sweep it forward, searching for her clit. Time to take a stroll down memory lane with the girl I learned everything with, because I’m just as much hers as she is mine.
I place my wallet back in my pocket as we walk into the main space of the club, immediately scoping out the area. It’s packed from wall to wall, the music blaring all around us, while different colored lights bounce all around. We just got here and already I want to go home. I’m no more ready for this now than I was hours ago when it came up or when she was drinking at home talking with everyone in the house.
She starts to walk off without me. I grab her arm, pulling her back, people passing all around us. She looks up at me, making my heart ache. She’s beautiful. I can’t do this. I know what I have. I knew her value the second I was alone with her, getting to know her, and that was before she grew up. It’s why I go fucking ballistic when other guys threaten me with her and why I’m a damn lunatic when she’s gone. I don’t want other guys getting even a tease. “No hovering. Be a good boy and we’ll play later.”
My chest puffs out. “Gab, I’m not letting you loose in a nightclub without a phone; especially when you’ve been drinking for the past two hours. I’ll take you to get one tomorrow and put you on my plan. Just . . . Do we have to do this? I’ll kiss your ass for a year. God, I don’t even care. Name your price and it’s yours. I’m losing my mind and I haven’t even seen it yet.”
“Yes, we do, because then you’ll feel just a degree of what I feel. Maybe next time you’ll think before you act. Life gets hard sometimes, Maddox. I’m not going to be the only one to fight for us. Things aren’t always as they appear. There will be times we’re mad at each other. I need to know you’re a hundred percent committed to this even when you’re mad at me. We’re going to have to deal with my dad again at some point. You want to be with me? Grow a pair. That’s the only way you’re going to earn his respect.”
My eyes sting with unshed tears. I grab ahold of her neck and pull her against me, my lips brushing hers. “You’re my forever, Gabby. You always have been. I love you.”
“You can drink.”
“What? You think this is about me drinking?”
She rolls her eyes. “Boy, get on my level. You have stages. Maddox fucks best when he’s drunk and mad. Bring that Maddox to bed tonight.”
Then she kisses me and pulls away, not looking back, leaving me staring at her retreating form with not a damn thing to say. What the fuck? I just poured out my damn heart and she didn’t even say it back. Someone touches my arm. “We’ll stay with her. We have our phones,” Blondie says, and then her and Presley walk off after her.
Riggan and Konnor step up beside me. “Hey,” Riggan says, requesting blondie’s attention. “Any foul play and I’m one call away. My baby better not feel another man’s hands.”
She smiles at him and places her hand at the bottom of her small baby bump, making her flowy top that hides the fact that she’s pregnant in a club conform to it. “I’ll worry about Chloe. You worry about bringing your drunk game home to mama.”
“Keep talking like that, princess, and we’re taking a bathroom break.”
I shake my head. If I wasn’t so damn glad the fucker was happy, I’d smack the shit out of him. “I’m going to the fucking bar.”
She comes back into view from where she’s standing down the bar when a small group moves from getting their drinks. I don’t know how the fuck she got a drinking band. She came back from dancing with it. Her twenty-first birthday isn’t for a little while longer. She’s on her second mixed drink since then—both bought by the douchebag making her laugh right now. They can’t possibly have that much shit to talk about. And even if they did, what’s so damn funny?
My jaw locks when he places his arm around her waist, getting bolder. My muscles are so tense I probably feel like a statue. My heart starts pounding when he leans in and whispers something in her ear. She laughs again. Her smile is so bright. She’s getting animated when she talks, which means she’s way more comfortable than I was prepared for. “Here, drink this,” Riggan says, setting a shot in front of me as he places himself between me and her so that I can’t see her. “You need it.”
I look at him. “Why, not enjoying this?”
“Just because I don’t agree with how quick you jumped the gun after being with Gabby again doesn’t mean I don’t understand the logic behind it. I’m not a dick, Maddox. We deal with our heartbreak differently than they do. We’ve been best friends since first grade. I know how I’d feel in this situation and you’re worse than me, which says a lot. No guy wants to see that with the girl.”
I grab the shot glass and toss it back, thankful it’s strong enough to leave a burn. I’m wound so tight I feel like I’m seconds from snapping. “I knew she was the girl the second I was alone with her. It never occurred to me to ask her age. I didn’t care. Micah thought I was crazy for moving back home after everything that happened, but even if we weren’t together, I just wanted to be near her.”
He hands me his shot and takes my untouched beer. “How is your brother?”
“Still working on the pipeline. He’s been in North Dakota for over a year now wi
th no end in sight. If he didn’t love Baton Rouge so much he’d probably move there.”
“Still hasn’t settled down, huh?”
I laugh. “Hell no. He’s a rambler and likes it. You know we’re nothing alike aside from our DNA. He thinks a full-time girlfriend is too much work without the benefit when he can change girls with every job.”
I look back down the bar but don’t see her. Stress sets in as I look around. I finally spot her not far from where they were sitting, hugged up against each other and somewhat moving to the music. His hands are way too low, his fingers on her ass. Anger radiates through my body. I start shaking. I can’t fucking do this. I want to tear his limbs off. “Gabby isn’t that hard to figure out, you know. You’re just blinded by your love for her. I can see why Konnor was always so insightful now. I thought the little prick was just wise for his age.”
“What do you mean?”
“You really think she’d want to be with you if it was that easy for her to be with someone else? She feeds off your jealousy just like you feed off hers. The last fighter standing wins the match, Maddox. Why’d she run off at the multipurpose center?”
“I didn’t tell her I was back. Didn’t really think she wanted me to after that amount of time. I never heard from her. Then more time passed.”
“The girl had not seen you in six years and agrees to move with you the first time you ask. Then gets fucking beat because she was with the one person she wasn’t supposed to be with. Just because Konnor went back for her didn’t mean she had to come. She did anyway. Gets here and sees two sluts walk out the door right after you were asking her to move in with you. Finds out you fucked them both right after her. Instead of turning her ass around and going back to financial security, she plays hardball. Sounds to me like she’s doing all the work. Here we are. She made the pitch. Maybe she’s just waiting for you to step up to bat instead of talking about your batting average.” He stands and slaps me on the back. “Before you got caught with the age stipulation you would have never been the guy drinking at the bar. Try being the guy that thought she was worth taking the risk, regardless of the consequences, and see where that gets you. I’m going to dance with my girl.”
Boy, get on my level.
I smile. Fucking idiot. She wasn’t talking about alcohol. I stand and make my way through the maze of people, spotting her in the same area she was in, grinding on that same guy with her eyes closed. His hands are resting on her hips while he dances behind her. I clench my fists and pump them a few times to get a grip.
When I make it to her, I grab her behind the neck and jerk her forward, out of his grasp. “What the fuck is your problem?” the guy says.
“I’m done giving out freebies. This one belongs to me. Find your own.”
She looks at me hard. “What the hell are you doing?”
“You want to be pissed at me? Fine. Be pissed at me. I thought you were gone. I’d had you back for a few hours. I just assumed you backed out when you had time to think about it. I made a shitty choice when you weren’t there because that’s what I do when you’re not in the picture—make shitty choices. I live recklessly because you wreck my world. It happened. I was drunk. I paid for it before you ever showed up at the house. I slept in my own bed by myself. Get over it. I’m not going to sit here and watch someone else take something I found first. I’ve been in love with you, Gabby, since I was seventeen. That hasn’t changed just because I let fear drive me for years. I’m done. You let one more motherfucker touch you and I’m getting us kicked out of this club, because I’m going to beat his ass. I’m warning you now.”
In the dark her eyes look black. She’s boring a hole in my head. My heart is racing and I feel like I’m seconds from breaking a sweat. My world is spinning out of control. But finally, she fucking smiles, putting it back on its axis. “Welcome back. I didn’t fall in love with a pussy. You show your love better than you say it.”
I step into her space until our bodies are aligned, my hands instantly moving to her ass. I squeeze. “I’m not letting you go again. I’ll kill anyone that gets in my way.”
“I’ve missed the fuck out of you.” She turns around and grabs my hands, jerking my body against hers, then puts them on her hips and starts to roll them, rubbing her ass against my crotch. She turns her head and looks up at me. “Now dance with me. I’ve been waiting.”
“The second I get you home . . .”
“Oh yeah? Remind me.”
I lean in and kiss her, but this time I don’t pull back. I don’t intend to either.
Thirteen
Gabby
I sway as I make my way inside the door behind Sayler, who takes off for the downstairs guest bathroom, quickly grabbing on to the first thing I find to keep in an upright position long enough to get my heels off. At this point they’re a safety hazard. I like my ankles too much to break one. I’m trashed. I’ve been drinking all night since I flirted with a bouncer a little to get a band—early birthday present and all. Presley comes in and grabs my arm as she shuts the door, laughing at me.
Konnor mentioned smoking weed, so I guess the boys stayed outside to talk while he does that. That was one thing the two of us had in common when he lived with us—recreational weed use. It’s one of those things a person is either for or against. There is no in between. Me personally, I don’t see a problem with it. It’s safer under use than alcohol most times. I’m more aware of what’s going on when I’m high than I am right now. Why not make the tax money off it just like liquor and beer stores? “I used to hate being the sober one around a bunch of drunks, but this is quite entertaining.”
I grin, my eyes lazy and the room not being still in the least. “Bitch.”
She laughs again. “So, we should all get in the pool or jacuzzi. Mine and Sayler’s bellies have to stay out of the jacuzzi, but if that’s where you want to be, we can put our feet in. I glance at her flat stomach. “When are you due?”
Her face changes and she blinks at me. “May. We don’t have to talk about that. I’m sorry.”
My brows pull in. “Why? It’s the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. Enjoy every second, because it’s over too soon. Other people going through it doesn’t make me bitter. I’m not angry. You’re bringing a life into the world. Own your happiness, regardless of what hurdles others have experienced. I have peace knowing I did everything in my power to protect him while he was mine. The rest is outside of my control. If he’s taken care of and knows love, I can live with myself.”
She wraps her arms around me and hugs me. “I’m sorry I was ever angry at you. You’re one of the strongest girls I’ve ever met, Gabby. Knowing you reminds me that I married an amazing man, because he has a way of flocking to good people.”
I smile, content in ways I haven’t been in a long time. “I love this little girl-crush moment we’re having, but can I put in a request that we do it when I’m sober? You’re killing my buzz. You got a spare swimsuit?”
She laughs out loud. “I have an entire closet drawer devoted just to swimwear. It’s sort of my guilty pleasure like Sayler has with shoes,” she says as she grabs my hand and pulls me through the kitchen. Sayler walks out of the bathroom right as Presley turns into the master suite.
I grab her hand and pull her in behind me, shutting the door. “You can borrow too.”
“What are we doing?” she asks.
“Pool. Will you unzip me?”
I move my hair out of the way, letting Sayler unzip my dress, and with the slack it gives, the material falls to the floor, leaving me in only panties. Presley stares at me from the large walk-in closet entrance, already down to a bra and panties with her hands behind her back to unhook it. “You don’t have to wear a bra?”
Sayler walks past me after stepping out of her jean capris, already pulling off her flowy spaghetti strap as she walks into the closet. “Nope. I guess there are some perks to having smaller boobs. Tight clothes keep them under control.”
“You suck,”
she says, dropping her bra.
I look at her like she’s lost her mind and point at her large C-cups. “Uh, why? I’d rather have those. Always wondered what they feel like. I don’t know how you expect me to fit in your swimsuit tops.”
“Then touch them. I don’t care. I have several that aren’t cups. There are plenty to choose from.”
I walk toward the closet. Sayler drops her underwear and pulls up a pair of swimsuit bottoms. She’s got a rack too. “What the hell kind of chicken are y’all eating? I want to be a breasty Betty too.”
“I bet I could get my dad to do a boob job for you at cost of the implants.”
“No shit?”
“Yeah.”
“That may be worth using Daddy’s money over.”
“Sayler, come here,” Presley says. She walks over to stand beside Presley with the cutest baby bump I’ve ever seen. “Touch them. Tell me if they feel different to you. Research. I can’t tell when it’s my own.”
I take a boob in each hand—one of Presley’s and one of Sayler’s. “Presley’s are heavier.” I squeeze. “Sayler’s are firmer.” I shake them in my hands. “Presley’s take longer to stop moving but Sayler’s feel fuller round wise. Both perky and not much difference in size. If I buy them what do I want?”
“I’ll take you all to breakfast if you let me send a picture of this to the jealous jackasses that are about to figure out neither of you are upstairs. I swear to God I’ll delete it after.”
I jump at the sound of Konnor’s voice. I glance at him. He’s wearing a shit-eating grin as he looks between the three of us, surprisingly at our faces. “Uh . . .”
“I don’t care.”
I look at Presley. “You’re okay with him seeing other girls’ boobs?”
She shrugs. “We have a complicated relationship to understand. I trust him. I mean, if you two were going to hook up you already would have back when he stayed with you. We are a family here with no secrets. That’s how you build trust. Maddox has seen Sayler’s . . . and played with her and Riggan.”
Finding Fate Page 9
