Lessons of the Past

by Chloe Maxx

  “Holy shit,” she whispered, her eyes wide.

  “My sister, Mandy, works there, too. And…well, she’s the one person I trusted to tell about us. I was severely depressed and needed someone to talk to… Anyway, my sister may have dropped a hint that someone I cared about from my past was getting a divorce.” I sighed and met her wide, hazel eyes. “I missed my chance getting you back last time. This time, I wasn’t going to take that chance.”

  Chapter 27

  Javier’s family owned the law firm handling my divorce. I didn’t know how to feel about that. I knew it wasn’t his fault and he hadn’t set me up or anything, but…it just felt odd. Weird? I didn’t know. What I wanted to focus on was the part where his sister had basically told him about my divorce.

  “So, you knew I was getting a divorce from the moment you said hi to me?” I questioned, irritated.

  “…Yes...”

  I narrowed my gaze at him. “So, you knew I was in a low point in my life and still sought me out? Bringing up all the shit I had put behind me?” My irritation was rising by the second.

  “Fuck,” Javier muttered. “I didn’t think of it that way. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to waste any time with you.”

  “You are such an inconsiderate jackass. I guess some things never change.” I was overreacting and I knew it, but I still couldn’t stop myself. This man had the ability to make me see red and dampen my panties all in the same second.

  “I’m…I’m sorry,” he stammered. “I’ll admit I’m selfish, but when it comes to you, I always have been. Since the moment I saw you.” He smirked. “Why change now?”

  Even though I didn’t want to, I busted out laughing. “Damn you, Javier. I’m supposed to be mad at you.”

  “I can’t help that I’m so loveable.” He shrugged.

  Yes, you are. Damn it. I smiled and shook my head. “You are such a nerd. A math nerd.”

  “That, I am. But hell, it got me a shot with you.”

  The waiter placed our food on the table, then scrambled away to check on another table full of drunk women. They were laughing loudly, reminding me of Courtney, Rebecca, and myself. I smiled before turning my attention back to Javier.

  “Are you still friends with that loud girl? She had the colorful hair.”

  Forking a piece of flounder, I said, “Courtney. Yes, I am. In fact, she is married to Lane and five months pregnant.”

  “Oh, yes, Lane. So, I take it you are still friends with him as well.”

  “Yep. I had lunch with him today. I would say he says hello, but it would be more like fuck off.”

  His eyes rounded and he remained silent for a moment. “I guess I can’t expect any different. Good thing I only care what you think.” His eyes were smoldering as he stared at me.

  I glanced at his plate, deciding to change the subject. Because fuck, he was getting to me. “Is that coconut shrimp?”

  “Yes.” Javier popped a piece in his mouth. “Would you like a bite?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Hmm,” he said, then rose from his seat and sat down next to me. He grabbed another shrimp from his plate. “Do you want a bite?”

  “Not now that you’ve touched it,” I teased.

  “Oh, is that how you’re going to play this?” He tossed the piece of shrimp on my plate, then, in one swift move, rubbed his hand over my mouth. I tried to move away, but he was stronger and I was laughing too much to fight him.

  I stopped struggling and he moved his hand to cup my face as our gazes locked. His bright eyes were shining with lust, which I was sure was reflected in mine. Smoothing his thumb over my cheek, I moved into his touch and my lips parted.

  Before I could process what was happening, his lips were on mine, pressing gently. A feeling of pure desire and pleasure shot through me for the first time in five years and a moan escaped my throat. His other hand lifted to tangle in my hair, but my hands remained still—immobile.

  He pulled away, then placed a chaste kiss against my lips. “God, I’ve missed those lips.”

  Without any thought, I reached up and grabbed his hair, bringing his lips back to mine. The kiss wasn’t sweet this time, it was desperate. His tongue ran across my bottom lip, then swept inside my mouth. It was an all-consuming kiss, feeling his soft tongue stroking mine. Javier let one hand travel down to the hem of my sweater dress, inching it up my thigh ever so slowly.

  Finally gaining some sense, I remembered we were in a public restaurant. I placed a hand over his, stopping it from pulling my dress any higher, and pulled my lips away.

  “Alexandria…” he groaned.

  “We’re in a restaurant.”

  “I don’t give a shit.”

  I shook my head, trying to clear the lust fueled fog. “I do. Let’s just finish eating, then we’ll take a walk.” I picked up the shrimp and stuffed it in my mouth.

  Javier eyed me for a moment, then turned and picked his plate up, placing it next to mine. “I can’t get up right now.” I tried really hard not to laugh, but I couldn’t stop the snort that came out, leading to a fit of giggles. “You think my pain is funny?”

  “Yes,” I said, trying to stop laughing.

  “Just wait. You won’t be laughing later.” The look in his eyes as he said it went straight to my core. And at that moment, I didn’t care. I didn’t care that Javier’s hand was still on my thigh, stroking back and forth. I just wanted to eat my food, then let whatever was going to happen, happen.

  I want to feel the way only Javier can make me feel. And I don’t want to think.

  I grabbed my fork and began shoveling flounder into my mouth as fast as I could without looking like a pig. He threw a shrimp on my plate then took a bite out of my flounder, and I couldn’t help but remember how things used to be between us. How normal it used to feel to share a meal with this man.

  “I’ve missed the sound of your laugh.” I turned my head to look at him, so he went on, smiling, “But I’ve really missed you snorting.”

  “What?” I exclaimed.

  “Yeah. Your snorting. It’s cute.”

  I put my fork down and wiped my face with a napkin. “Javier,” I waited until he looked at me, “never say that to a woman. Ever.”

  His facial expression was nothing short of puzzled. “What? I think you’re cute.”

  “I don’t want to be cute,” I pouted.

  He grabbed his wallet out of his pocket, threw some cash on the table, and then pulled me to stand. In an instant, we were walking down the steps leading to the beach. Once we were on the sand, he drew me close and his mouth connected with mine. The kiss was hard and demanding, and I couldn’t get enough. I wanted him so bad it hurt. I didn’t care about the consequences of later or the pain of the past, I just needed him.

  He pulled away and placed my hand over his bulge. “See how sexy I think you are? Fuck, Alexandria, you are the complete fucking package. When I’m around you, I turn into a horny teenager.”

  I didn’t say anything, just let my fingers flex over his package. His eyes rounded. “You fucking asked for it.” Then, I was wrapped around him like a vine as he kissed me fiercely, his tongue fucking my mouth.

  One hand cupped my breast, kneading me into a frenzy.

  “Mmm,” I moaned. “Fuck me. I want you to fuck me.”

  “Don’t play with me, Alexandria,” he warned, pulling back to stare into my eyes. His blue eyes were shining with lust and…hope.

  “I’m not.” I was breathing heavily, wishing he’d just fuck me right there. “I don’t care where. Your car. A cheap motel. Just do it.”

  His mouth descended on mine again and I could feel him walking through the sand. I pulled back and cupped his scruffy face. “Where are we going?”

  “Hotel,” was all he said, kissing me again.

  A few minutes later, he placed me on my feet and led me into a hotel lobby. We walked to the desk, where Javier asked for a room. “We only have the honeymoon suite available.”

  “That�
�s fine.” Javier pulled me closer, letting his hand travel down my back. I stared at him, trying to tell myself to run out the door and away from everything, but I couldn’t. I wanted him too much.

  He took the key from the front desk employee and we walked to the elevator. Another older couple got on with us and I couldn’t help but feel bummed. Javier noticed my reaction to the couple and leaned down, whispering in my ear, “It’s okay. Once I get you in that room, you won’t even remember this elevator.”

  A shiver ran down my spine and I could feel my panties dampen further. He had always had this effect on me. Some things never changed.

  The elevator opened on our floor and Javier all but picked me up, taking me toward our room. Once we were out of view, he slammed me against the wall, his lips on my neck.

  I tilted my head to give him better access. He moved his leg, parting mine, and I couldn’t help but grind against his impressive package bulging from his jeans. He was driving my body into an insane frenzy in the middle of the hallway, but hell if I cared.

  “Javier…” I had no idea what to say, but I knew I needed more. He pulled back and nodded before hoisting me over his shoulder. Javier practically ran down the hall to our door, then unlocked it.

  Pushing the door open, he swatted my ass, making me giggle. “I fucking love that sound. Every fucking thing about you.”

  Javier walked through the living area and made his way into the bedroom before tossing me onto the bed. He stared at me intently and unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his tan, defined chest. I felt like my lungs were going to explode as I got my first glimpse of his toned body in five years.

  He popped open the last button, exposing his V and my heart stopped as my body ricocheted with need. Slowly, he unbuttoned his pants and let them drop. Then, his underwear was on the floor. Holy shit! I forgot how hung he is! Javier leaned forward and shoved my dress up. “I don’t think you need these anymore,” he rasped, pulling my tights down my legs, his touch sending an electrical current through me.

  He tossed my ankle boots to the floor and finished taking my tights off. Slowly climbing up my body, he kissed a trail up my legs until he met my covered flesh.

  “I need you,” I whispered, barely finding my voice.

  He kissed me, then abruptly pulled back. “I need you, too. God, I love you.” His mouth was on mine again, one hand in my hair, the other trailing down my dress. My hands roamed over his naked back, letting the feel of him soak through my fingertips.

  Javier pulled my dress off, exposing my black lacy bra and panties. “Shit. If I had known you were wearing these, we wouldn’t have made it out of your driveway.” His hand traced over my panties, finding my swollen clit through the flimsy fabric. “You’re fucking soaked, baby.”

  Baby.

  “That’s what you do to me.”

  “And I always will.”

  Chapter 28

  Pushing his comment to the back of my mind, I focused on the here and now, not the future. The future sucked and I didn’t want to think about it. Didn’t want to think about what would happen when Javier dropped me off at home.

  In one swift move, Javier ripped my thin panties off, tearing them to shreds. He slid one finger inside me as the other stroked my clit. “Damn, baby, you feel so good,” he panted, stroking the sensitive part inside me.

  I squirmed at the sensation, the feeling exquisite. “Please. I need you inside me, Javier,” I said before a loud moan erupted from my throat.

  He leaned forward and captured my lips. “I will, baby. But first, I need to taste that sweet pussy. It’s been years, and if memory serves me right, it’s my favorite flavor.” His lips caught mine again, caressing me in a way that radiated love.

  Don’t think about that , I chastised myself. Now was not the time for thinking, only feeling. And not the feeling of love. This was nothing more than hot, sweaty, mind-blowing sex.

  Javier’s lips trailed to my neck then up to my ear, lightly nipping. “I’m going to roll over and you are going to fuck my mouth.”

  “Wha—” I began, but he had flipped us over, me on top of him, my pussy on his mouth. And I understood. I could feel his scruff against my swollen flesh, sending tremors through me. Sweeping his tongue out, he flicked my clit, and I was thankful for the headboard to hang on to.

  His hands came up to cup my ass, kneading in a way that matched his tongue’s assault, driving me toward the edge. I wanted to savor the moment—knowing this would probably be my last time with him, something I didn’t know during our last sexual experience—but it was hard. Javier knew exactly what to do to me.

  I felt the pressure rising and he could feel it, too. His lips kissed me once, then circled around my clit and sucked. I gripped the headboard in a tight hold as the orgasm rocked my body, sending my heated blood coursing through me. I hadn’t had an orgasm that good since…the last time Javier and I had been together.

  “Fuck, you taste good.” Before I could gather my thoughts, he grasped my hips, and pulled me down on him. With his eyes locked with mine, he entered me in one hard thrust. I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, letting the feeling wash over me.

  “Mmm,” I moaned. “You feel so good.”

  “Fuck, Alexandria, you have no idea.” He grabbed my face and pulled me in for a hard kiss. “No. Fucking. Idea,” he growled.

  He unhooked my bra and rolled a nipple between his fingers, while the other hand moved around to cup my butt—as if he couldn’t feel me enough. I felt the same way as I let my hands roam over his defined chest. I had missed touching him so much.

  My orgasm was beginning to build, gathering in my core, and I tipped my body back, readying myself for the sensation as I rode him hard, grinding down on him. “Come for me, baby.” And I did. I let go and soared on the feeling of Javier being inside me. Before I could crash down to earth, he spilled himself inside me and my orgasm started all over again.

  “That’s right, milk my dick.” Hell. He always knew how to talk dirty. The orgasm continued to rip through me, exhausting me until I fell onto Javier’s chest.

  “Babe…” he trailed off, kissing my head. I could feel his heart beating against my cheek and I never wanted to move. Never wanted to let go of this moment. “I love you so fucking much.”

  I stilled, not knowing what to say. I wanted to tell him I still loved him too, but I couldn’t. I was already probably giving him false hope just by being here. But could he really think a night of sex would fix everything and wash away his betrayal?

  I tried to lighten the mood and change the subject. “You still have the biggest cock I’ve ever seen.”

  Javier laughed. “Maybe I should use it on you again.”

  “Right now?” I asked as he shifted himself on top of me, never pulling out.

  “Mmm,” was his reply before taking my lips with his own. I moaned, letting the feel of his tongue sweeping through my mouth and his cock stroking my insides pull me under.

  Javier definitely still knew how to fuck a girl into oblivion.

  “I couldn’t hold back earlier, but now, I just want to take my time and savor you. Absorb the fact that you’re here.”

  My fingers brushed through his silky black hair as I stared into his blue eyes. Javier was the absolute definition of sexy.

  Every girl’s fantasy.

  I had no idea why, but that thought brought tears to my eyes. I could feel the moisture pooling, getting ready to slide down my face.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” he whispered, thrusting inside me and stilling.

  “Nothing.” I swallowed, trying to force the emotions down. “I’m good.”

  I knew he wasn’t convinced by the pull of his brows, but he nodded and kissed me. Closing my eyes, the tears trailed down my cheeks, wetting the pillow below me—a mixture of sadness, regret, and happiness. Happiness that we were allowed this one last chance with each other.

  Javier twisted his hips, hitting a spot inside me I didn’t know existed, and I came with the
force of a wrecking ball. “Javier!” I shouted into the darkened room and he followed me over, calling out my name.

  We lay there in silence for several minutes, my fingers trailing through his hair with a leg wrapped around him, and his face buried in my neck. I didn’t want to move, just lay there until the hotel kicked us out the next morning.

  “I’ve dreamed of this moment for the last five years,” he whispered into my neck.

  “Me, too.”

  Javier lifted his head to look at me. “You, too? But what about…?”

  I stared into his eyes. “I don’t think I was ever in love with Caleb. Don’t get me wrong, I loved him—still do, actually—but he was a Band-Aid to soothe the hurt inside me. He was a great friend and genuinely cared about me. I think we just got married because it seemed…logical. Or maybe he thought if we were married I’d be different. Less aloof.” I lifted a hand to cup his face, letting my thumb run over his cheek. “I never stopped thinking about you. What I thought we had—”

  “We did have. Doesn’t tonight prove that to you?”

  I went on, not acknowledging his question. “Anyway, as time went by, we were basically roommates. We had sex because we felt like we had to—or, at least, that’s how I felt. Then he fell in love with his secretary somewhere along the way and you know the rest.”

  “I really hate the thought of you and him…being together.”

  “He’s a great guy. He didn’t deserve the marriage I gave him.”

  Javier was silent for a moment. “I need a shower. Come with me?”

  He pulled out of me and helped me stand. In one easy move, he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. Javier walked us into the bathroom and turned the shower on. I took his lips with mine as we waited for the water to heat. I tried to tell him I loved him with the kiss, I just couldn’t let go of the wounds he’d inflicted.

  He stepped into the oversized shower, still holding me, and let the spray rush over our naked bodies. “So beautiful,” he murmured, letting his hand trail down my back but never breaking eye contact.

  “You’re not so bad yourself. Especially that ass of yours.”