“No worries, dude. I’ll take care of it.” He replies. Opening the fridge he grabs a beer, which is all we ever really have in there. Luke twists the cap off, empties half of it in one swallow, and throws his baseball cap on the table.
“Listen, I’m gonna run at the track, shower, and then we can head out around nine.” I say before heading to my bedroom to change out of my work clothes.
“Sounds good. I hope you don’t mind but I invited a couple of female friends.” He grins widely like a cat that just swallowed a mouse. Luke’s good in that department. He’s got friends in college, so he meets copious amounts of sexy co-eds. It helps that he played on the baseball team, so he gets everything at the top of the food chain when it comes to women. He’s muscular like me but with shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes that get him plenty of loving. Of course, he doesn’t discriminate either. We both like to give most females the opportunity just as long as they meet certain stipulations. Right now, I think we’re running neck and neck in the ladies department. But who’s keeping track?
“You know I’m always down for some female company,” I reply, trying to put my personal shit on the back burner.
“My friend, I think you’ll be happy with what I picked up for tonight.” He walks over and slaps me on the back. “I’ll see you in a few. Don’t run too hard. You may want to save some of your energy for tonight, if you know what I mean.” He laughs, downing the rest of the beer and going to the fridge for another.
I laugh. “No doubt.” Maybe that will help to get Elle out of my head. This shit can’t be happening to me.
The track is behind my apartment. I run every morning before I go to work, but tonight I really needed to run off all this pent up energy and emotions going through my head. It’s warm out so I forgo the shirt and change into my shorts and running shoes. Normally there are people on the track and kids at the playground, but it’s darker than usual and the streetlights barely light the track. I have the whole place to myself.
I stretch and then start at a slow trot. My legs feel strong and I speed up to a sprint feeling the wind against me as images flash in front of me of my mom and my life back home. I haven’t thought about it too much in the past few days, but I have a feeling something’s wrong. I try to shake it off. Tommy would’ve told me when he called me; surely, he wouldn’t keep anything from me.
I run eight laps and decide to run to the park. I don’t know if it was a good idea to bring Elle here. Will I think of her every time I come here? Before, this was my own space to be alone; now, her image lingers in my mind. Fuck. A girl has never knocked me for a loop like this. I’m gonna need to find a distraction to get her out of my mind tonight. I’ve always been able to separate my feelings from my needs, but this girl has a hold on me somehow.
I look over my shoulder toward the park before it disappears from my view and wonder what just happened, what provoked me to touch him. It was spontaneous, unexpected, and something you just don’t do when you’re in a relationship with someone you love. It was a lapse in judgment, nothing more. I was just trying to be a friend, and make him feel welcome. Those were my intentions.
Something about Reed is different. Is it the way he looks at me? His Texas drawl? His whole aura screams trouble. Is that what attracts me? I’ve never been into bad boys. I’ve always played it safe, because I’m not interested in all the drama that comes with dealing with them. But, I can’t deny something is there. We shared a moment in the park and it felt good. I know for a fact that I’ll need to keep a safe distance from him, but that’s going to be difficult since we work together.
When I get home, Cane’s in the living room watching a baseball game on TV with Jace. “Hey guys.” I smile, forgetting everything that just happened at the park when I see Cane’s tired sexy eyes meet mine. I feel my heart beat a little quicker just seeing him. Yes, I’m a lucky girl. “What happened to you today? You left me dozing in the lounge and didn’t tell me you were leaving. Everything okay?” I reach over the couch from behind him and wrap my arms around his neck. I smile at Jace, who nods in my direction, and then returns his hazel eyes to the TV.
“Ugh... let’s not go there.” Cane grimaces and waves his hand to dismiss the question, leaning his head back to look at me. “I want to forget work today and relax with you,” he replies, patting the seat next to him.
“All right, all right, twist my arm.” I giggle, kissing him on the lips. “Did you guys eat?” I round the couch and sit next to him, swinging my legs over his lap, and resting my head against his chest.
“Yeah, there are some leftovers in the fridge,” my brother replies, his eyes not leaving the TV. He’s shoves his hand angrily through his thick brown hair, cursing under his breath. The Red Sox must be losing.
“You want anything, babe?” I raise my head and gaze at Cane affectionately as he kisses my nose.
“No, I’m good, babe,” he whispers. “For now.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he slowly slides his hand up my thigh. My breath catches; my senses rise dangerously. If we were alone right now, we’d definitely be breaking in this plush, comfortable sofa.
“You can’t do that,” I murmur softly, slowly rising from the couch. He smirks and smacks my ass. “You’re gonna pay for that.” I wave a finger at him, shaking my head playfully before I head over to the kitchen.
“Can’t wait.” He grins wickedly. If my stomach wasn’t growling, we’d be upstairs in thirty seconds flat, but I really need something to eat. I grab the leftovers from the refrigerator, pop them in the microwave, and open the cabinet to grab a plate. I find a random bottle of whiskey on the shelf, and can’t help wondering what it’s doing there when the liquor cabinet is in the other room.
“Hey, Jace.” I turn to him and raise the bottle of whiskey. “Do you know anything about this?” He stops talking to Cane long enough to look at me like I’m crazy.
“I don’t know.” He frowns and shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe Corey had a rough day and forgot where the liquor cabinet was.” He returns his attention to the game.
“For someone who’s always complaining about little things that other people do, he’s got a lot of nerve,” I mutter under my breath, shoving the bottle right back in the cabinet. “Where are Mom and Corey anyway?” I ask, opening the door to the patio to let some of the summer air into the house.
“She was leaving when I was getting in,” he replies, waving his hands impatiently, “and Corey was working late or something. That’s what I overheard when Mom was on the phone with him.” He finishes with disinterest and focuses back on the TV.
“Oh.” I cross my arms and turn back to the microwave, watching the time slowly tick away. There’s trouble in paradise, so I’m not surprised they might need some time apart. My heart aches for my mom. I wish I could do something to make it easier for her. The smell of the zucchini parmesan fills the house. I take the food from microwave and shove a forkful into my mouth. This is the best I’ve had; my mom outdid herself. She probably feels guilty for exposing me to another of her confrontations with Corey and responsible for me running out earlier in the day.
“Elle, babe?”
“Yeah?” I reply, craning my neck to see from the kitchen table into the living room.
“Where did you end up going with Reed?” Cane asks, cocking his eyebrows in my direction.
I almost choke on my food. It’s not as if I did anything wrong, but between my thoughts, and my having been alone with Reed, it makes me feel like I did something deceitful. I tell myself that I have nothing to worry about and that Cane knew I was with his friend. I wasn’t sneaking around behind his back or out with a stranger. I was just being polite. “Do you remember Linden Park?” I reply after swallowing my food.
“Yeah.”
“That’s where we were,” I answer, scraping the last bit of food off my plate.
“It’s still there?” he asks.
“Well, they fixed it up.” I wait for him to say something. “We should go som
etime.” I feel like I am sharing a secret that I am supposed to keep. I really don’t want to continue the conversation; there’s not much more that I want to say about it. Talking about it will make me think about Reed, and about how he draws feelings out of me that I can’t quite grasp.
“Sure, whenever you want,” Cane replies, clearly not interested in talking about or going to a park.
I get up, put the plate in the sink, and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. Fatigue hits me as I lean up against the countertop, or is it Reed that has me flustered? I need to get a grip. I gaze over at Cane who’s pinned his eyes on me. My body instantly aches for him. “Do you want to head upstairs? I’m feeling kinda tired.” I ask coyly as I make my way towards the darkened hallway.
My brother looks up and smirks. I know that look of his all too well. My mom’s okay with Jace and I having our boyfriend or girlfriend over, but nothing more than that. Since she’s not here, she doesn’t have much to say. Neither of us cares what the other does as long as we cover for each other if Mom or Corey comes home. Regardless, I need my own place soon.
“I don’t think your brother needs my company anymore.” Cane nods to Jace. Rising from the couch, he takes three long strides and is in front of me. Those chocolate brown eyes and wicked smile make the ache for him spread like wildfire. I eagerly pull him down to me, kissing him softly, and then slowly running my tongue over his bottom lip. My mind glazes over from the contact with him, and I realize how badly I need him.
“Hey there,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his waist. He responds by tugging me gently to his hard, tempting body. His lips are soft on mine, and I feel his hardness through his shorts. I smile, grabbing his hand as we take the stairs two at a time. He catches me at the top, clutching me to his body. His breath is choppy and soft on my neck as we stumble into my room. Quietly closing the door, he playfully backs me up into it. In one smooth move, he grabs my hands, pinning them on either side of my head. He leans in until our lips are inches apart, his breath playing lightly on my skin. He eyes me up and down, and then presses his body firmly to mine. I gasp as his hands run down my shoulders, my waist, coming to rest on my hips.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you today,” he whispers.
“Ditto for me,” I murmur, tangling my hands in his hair, and forgetting all my wayward thoughts from today. He bends his head slightly to kiss my top lip, slipping his tongue into my mouth. I sigh raggedly and close my eyes. We stand in the dark kissing, desperate to quench the hunger raging inside, our bodies demanding to be satisfied. Reaching for the hem of his shirt, I pull it over his head. His muscles are hard, yet his skin is soft under my fingers as I trace the creases in his abdomen down to his waist. I slowly tug at the waistbands of his shorts.
“Is this what you were thinking about today?” I reply breathlessly.
“Yeah, baby.” He groans while grinding his hips into me urgently. “God, I want inside you.” He breathes heavily. His hands slip under my tank top, caressing my back, pulling it over my head, and dropping it to the floor. Without hesitating, he fills his hot palm with the sensitive flesh of my breast, plumping and kneading it. With a moan, he leans in, placing a warm kiss on my neck that sends chills over every inch of my body and a shot of desire to my core.
“Come here.” I impatiently pull him to the bed, overcome by all kinds of emotions jumbled together and I can’t separate them. Standing at the edge of the bed, he watches me as I teasingly release my ponytail, letting my hair cascade across my shoulders. His eyes ravenously rake over my body, watching me seductively unbutton my skirt.
“Can I help you with that?” He draws in a deep breath and kneels down in front of me, not waiting for my answer. He places his strong hands on the flesh of my hips, keeping his eyes on mine as he slides my zipper down, and then pushes the skirt down around my feet. Slowly, he lifts my legs one by one so I can step out of it as he slides his strong hands up my thighs.
“Holy shit baby, are those for me?” He notices my pink lace panties. A seductive smile plays across my lips. His hands caress my hips then travel down. Grabbing my ass, and pulling me closer, he presses his warm lips to my stomach.
“For your eyes only.” I respond breathlessly, raking my hands through his hair.
“I love them.” He smiles wickedly. “I’ll love them more on the floor.” He hooks his index fingers into the string of my panties, tugging them slowly down then sliding his hands up around my waist. I know he can tell that I’m more than ready for him
He gazes up at me with hooded eyes. His fingers trace their way up my body with his lips following. I whimper with every heated touch he places on my body. He curls his fingers in my hair, pulling my neck back, and ghosting his lips down my throat. I grab his face, tracing his jaw line with my thumb before I coax his lips back to mine. I tug on his bottom lip with my teeth as I push his shorts down, letting them fall to the floor. My body aches for him. I need him inside me more than I need my next breath.
He pulls my wrists behind my back, holding them together in one of his large hands. Then he cups my chin in his other hand, and stares into my eyes while pressing his rock hard body against mine. I mewl when I feel his cock rubbing against me. Crushing his lips against mine, his kisses are greedy and we’re both breathless by the time he guides me onto the bed.
I admire every detail of his body as he slowly crawls between my legs, bumping them apart with his knees. He slowly teases every inch of my body with his lips and tongue, setting me on fire, and then pinning my wrists above my head as he presses his body into mine.
“Do you want me as much as I want you?” The heat of his breathe envelopes my skin, his hand boldly sliding down my body to rest at my hip.
“Yes. Now. I need you.” My voice fills with carnal desire as the heat pools instantly between my legs.
“Say it again, baby,” he demands, his eyes trained on my lips as his teeth sink into his bottom lip. I’m close to begging and he knows it; my resolve to play this deliciously tortuous game is slipping away.
“All of you. Now.”
“Baby.” He groans. He ghosts his lips down my neck, to my breasts, and back up to my lips, setting off tremors throughout my body; his eyes never leave mine as he pushes his hard cock deep inside my core. I gasp, shuddering as he fills me completely, raising my back so that my breasts meet his hungry mouth, my thighs trembling against his body.
“Cane,” I whimper between hitched breaths, sliding my hands down his body, and tracing the muscles in his back. I thrust my hips toward him, eager for more, but his movements are slow and steady. I moan softly as the tension builds, wrapping my legs tighter around him as I tug at his hair in encouragement.
“Eyes on me baby.” He moans, staring at me with hooded eyes. He grips my thighs, thrusting harder and deeper. I whimper at the sensation as he finally starts to lose control, my body quivering with ecstasy. He groans, his body vibrating against mine. I yearn to make him feel everything as intensely as he makes me feel. I crush my mouth against, forcing him to swallow the passionate moans of my release, my hips meeting him thrust for thrust. A deep shuddering moan of ecstasy moves through his chest as he stiffens; my internal muscles grip him tight, encouraging him to follow me into bliss. I cry out again as his release splashes inside me, setting off more tremors as we ride out our mutual satisfaction. I tighten my legs around him, unwilling to part with him yet.
He gently rolls us to our sides, keeping me close. His lips press gentle kisses to my neck slowly bringing us back down from our blissful high. “You taste delicious, babe.” He says, flicking his tongue across the delicate skin where neck and shoulder meet.
Gazing over at him, I smile and slide my leg across his waist. He hugs me close wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I love you.”
“I love you,” he murmurs, falling back on the pillow, his mouth turned up confidently.
“What’s with that look?” I ask, sliding my arm across his warm, incredibly hard chest.
“We should really think about getting our own place,” he says, arching his brow innocently when I look up at him with surprise.
“That’s a big step, don’t cha think?” I reply, feeling scared and unsure. “And you would just abandon your roommates?” I love that Cane has his own place, and I’ve thought about what it would be like to live together but it’s such a big decision.
“I’m sure they won’t mind.” His eyes brighten a little. “It gives them more room to play. It’s hard being the only guy in the house with a girlfriend, watching different girls come and go all the time.” He pauses, eyeing me pensively. “Think about it.”
“Elle!” Jace yells from downstairs. That’s our cue that my mom is pulling into the driveway.
“Shit.” Cane moans scrubbing his face. “And so we don’t have to deal with this crap.” I kiss him then jump off the bed, grab my clothes, and get dressed. I look out my bedroom window and see my mom in the car yelling on the phone, giving us a few more precious seconds to make our escape. No doubt, it’s Corey. Pulling on his pants and grabbing his shirt, Cane trips to the door, turns back, and smiles. I gesture for him to wipe the lipstick off his face and to fix his hair. “I’ll be downstairs.” He winks, slipping out of the room.
My room has been my safe haven for the most part since I was a little girl. The pale turquoise walls that I painted a few summers ago to remind me of the ocean are the only things that have changed. That little girl is gone, but my memories remain. I painted the walls hoping that the change would help me forget the bad memories of the countless nights that I’d close my door and bury my head under the pillow so I wouldn’t hear my parents arguing or the slamming doors. Now, years later, I’m reliving the same situations, but with Corey this time.
When I’m with Cane, I’m more than satisfied and content, but the girl staring back at me in the mirror right now is conflicted about her life. I have time; no one is pushing me out of the house. I know I need to move forward, so why haven’t I? I have to leave the unhappiness and fear behind me at some point. Maybe moving in with Cane is not such a bad idea. Having our own place could be the first step, I think, as I close the bedroom door behind me, and head downstairs. I need to rid myself of the dead weight that seems to be dragging me down, and this may be the answer.
Breaking Elle Page 6
