Crazy Stupid Perfection (Crazy Love, #3)

by Melissa Toppen

  “You want me to walk down with you?” She offers, hovering next to her bed, a large t-shirt having already replaced the skimpy dress she was wearing just seconds earlier.

  All three of the girls were up at the butt crack of dawn this morning. She is probably exhausted. I get that their excited to be here but dear lord, I must value my sleep a lot more than they do. When I woke up just after ten, they were all showered, dressed and had already eaten breakfast.

  “No, you don’t have to do that. You can’t even get all the way to the casino without being twenty-one anyways.” I insist. “I’m just gonna run down for a few, check out the casino. It may be the only chance I get.”

  “Okay, well make sure you take a hotel key. And you have my number right?”

  “Yep.” I snap open my clutch purse and flash the key at her. “Anything else Mom?” I laugh.

  “Sorry.” She shakes her head. “I promise I’m not normally this lame. It’s just, well Gavin might kill me if something happens to you.”

  “Gavin needs to suck it up and accept that I’m an adult.” I huff, rolling my eyes.

  “I think it’s sweet.”

  “You wouldn’t if you were the one he was always trying to control.”

  “True. I could see where that would get super annoying, super fast.” She chuckles, pulling back the covers on her bed.

  “You have no idea.”

  “Well just be careful and call me if you need me to come down and rescue you or anything.”

  “Will do.” I smile, quickly backing out of the room and into the hallway.

  I pass Paxton’s room on my way to the elevator, stopping for a brief moment directly in front of his door. No one would know. I could slip inside and be in his arms in seconds and not one single person would suspect a thing.

  I take a deep breath, laying my palm flat against the door before letting it out slowly. It would be so easy but for whatever reason I can’t make myself do it.

  I need another drink—like now.

  Within minutes I’m in front of a slot machine, twenty dollars down, and half way through my second drink. I’ve never been much of a gambler, having done so only once before, but I find that I’m rather enjoying it. The buzz from the alcohol makes losing a whole hell of a lot easier to stomach.

  Of course that wasn’t the case when my aunt Pam took me down to Atlantic City for my twenty-first birthday. I spent the entire night drinking some weird green concoction but it certainly did not make losing my money fun.

  The thought of Pam causes a swell of emotion to settle over me. I miss her terribly. For over three years she stepped in as my second mom. She allowed me to live with her while I attended NYU and did all the things a mother would do for her college-aged daughter. She cooked for me, helped me study, and made sure I had everything I needed.

  I hate that I had to leave her the way I did, even though she was the one who encouraged me to go. She is the only person on this planet that knows what happened with Drew. She witnessed first-hand how quickly things spiraled out of control. Even with me keeping some of the worst details a secret from her, she was scared of what might happen if I stayed in New York.

  I jump slightly when a voice sounds next me. Looking to my right, I see an impatient looking waitress who has a drink extended in my direction. I can only guess, based on the way she’s looking at me, that she’s been standing here longer than she’d like.

  “Sorry.” I shake off the fog that seems to have settled over me and reach for the glass.

  It isn’t until the waitress spins on her heel and walks away that I catch sight of Paxton not five feet in front of me. He tilts his head slightly and gives me half smile before closing the distance between us.

  “So this is why you’re avoiding my calls.” He says, sliding down onto the stool to my left.

  “I’m not avoiding your calls.” I hand him my drink before grabbing the clutch purse in my lap. Pulling out my phone, I see that I have three missed calls, all from Paxton.

  “Uh huh.” He chuckles, taking a drink out of my glass before crinkling his nose in disgust. “What the hell is this?”

  “Dirty Martini.” I snag the drink out of his hand after dropping my phone back into the purse. “And I wasn’t avoiding your calls, my phone is on silent.” I add.

  “Likely story.” He smiles, leaning forward to grab his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans.

  Pulling out a hundred dollar bill, he slips it into the machine and spins the reels before looking back to where I’m still staring curiously at him.

  “What?” He laughs, shaking his head.

  “What are you doing?”

  The alcohol in my veins makes me brave. I like being brave.

  “I thought that was obvious.” He gestures to the slot machine in front of him.

  “No, I mean, what are you really doing?” I narrow my gaze at him.

  “Why don’t you tell me, since you seem to be the one who’s convinced I’m up to something?”

  I open my mouth to respond but then snap it closed when the same waitress reappears behind us, extending a beer to Paxton. I glance back to see that the sour face she wore when serving me has now been replaced by a wide smile and sultry voice.

  “Anything else I can get for you?” She purrs, her hand lingering on his as she hands him the bottle.

  “I’m good thanks.”

  He smiles and I can literally see her knees shake.

  Good to know I’m not the only one I guess. I shake my head as the now flustered waitress blushes and stumbles slightly as she turns and quickly walks away.

  “Wow.” I shake my head, turning back towards my machine.

  “Wow, what?” The cocky smile on his face tells me he knows exactly where my mind is.

  “Don’t play stupid with me. That waitress practically had drool dripping off her chin.”

  “She did not.” He lets out a full belly laugh, the sound so incredible it nearly makes me forget what we’re even talking about.

  “Are you kidding me?” I throw my hands up playfully.

  “Well shit, maybe I should find out what time she gets off.” He looks behind him before playfully meeting my gaze.

  “Ha. Ha.” I dead pan.

  “Is someone jealous?” He reaches over, squeezing just above my knee which causes me to jump slightly.

  “No.” I turn up my nose and hit the reel on my slot machine, acting completely unaffected.

  “Good.” I feel his breath hot on the side of my face as he leans into me, his grip tightening on my leg. “Because there is only one woman in this room I want in my bed, and she’s sitting right next to me.”

  Chapter Seven

  Paxton

  Charlie’s cheeks heat crimson as my words sink in. I watch as her eyes widen and her mouth parts slightly, a soft exhale escaping her lips.

  I lean closer, reaching out to turn her face toward mine.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  She doesn’t speak, only nods and follows my lead as I cash out my machine and stand, extending my hand to her. Taking it, she walks in silence next to me as we weave in and out of the crowded casino.

  We reach the elevators within minutes. I can feel the nervous energy radiating off of her when she steps past me and I can’t help but smile to myself. Squeezing her hand that is still wrapped in mine, the elevator car jerks and then starts to climb.

  “Are you sure about this?” Charlie finally speaks just seconds after we exit the elevator and come to a stop in front of the door to my hotel room.

  “Are you?” I question playfully, giving her a wink before pushing my way into the room, holding the door open for her.

  She hesitates for only a fraction of a second before stepping over the threshold and into the room. I let the door close directly behind her, the echo of it snapping shut filling the thick silence of the room.

  Charlie takes a few steps into the room, stopping about half way through, just feet from the bed. Her back is t
o me but I can tell she’s breathing rapidly. Her shoulders rise and fall with each quick breath she takes.

  I let my eyes travel down her bare back; her low cut black dress swooping to just above the top of her ass. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m moving toward her. Slowly. One step, then another, until I’m standing directly behind her.

  I gently rest my hands on her shoulders before slowly trailing them down her arms, feeling her skin prickle to life under my touch. I can already feel myself straining against the seam of my jeans. I want her so badly it’s fucking painful.

  “Paxton.” She whispers.

  “Don’t.” I press my lips to the back of her neck before reaching up and pulling the clip from her hair, watching the thick dark strands fall across her back seconds later.

  Trailing my hands back up to her shoulders, I gently tug, spinning her toward me. The moment her eyes meet mine, my control slips. I want to be slow, gentle, show her that I’m not just after one thing, but my hunger for her is too great.

  My mouth crashes down on top of hers and in an instant the whole room shifts. The two unsure, hesitant people from moments ago morph into a chaos of clattering teeth, twisted tongues, and hands that can’t get clothes off fast enough.

  I rip at her dress, not caring if I tear the thin material in my pursuit to strip her bare. I just need to see her, to feel her, to own her. She breaks away from my mouth just long enough to pull my shirt over my head before she is pulling me back to her, begging for me not to stop.

  I am so lost, hopeless, completely fucking twisted up in this beautiful fucking girl that nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to stop me from making her mine.

  She cries out in surprise when I lift her into the air and deposit her onto the mattress, her body landing with a light swoosh as nearly every inch of her is revealed to me. Her perky tits call out, begging for my mouth and I’m all too happy to oblige.

  I climb up her body, sucking one nipple into my mouth on a hard pull, sliding my tongue across the now hard bud before switching to the other, loving the way she wiggles beneath me. Her hands slide into my hair, her fingers twisting and pulling as I kiss my way down her torso, stopping just at the top of her skimpy thong.

  I slowly trail my tongue inside the band, loving the soft moans that sound in my ears as I do. Hitching my fingers into the thin straps at her hips, in one swift pull, the last of her body hidden from view is revealed. I suck in a quick breath when I see that she is completely bare. Not one ounce of hair is anywhere to be found, and fuck me it is a glorious sight.

  I run my palm down the front of her before spreading her lips wide with my fingers. It’s only seconds before my tongue is dipping inside, tasting her, teasing her. I roll upwards over her clit causing her to jerk forward slightly.

  Grabbing her legs, I pull her to the end of the bed and spread her legs wider, blowing a cool breath against her damp folds before my tongue finds her again. I’m a man possessed. Her taste, her smell, the way she bucks against me as my tongue works feverously against her swollen clit, it’s enough to drive me fucking insane.

  I know she’s getting close. I can tell by the way she greedily holds my head down, her hips pumping up and down as she rides my face, begging for release. When she finally explodes, her deep moans of pleasure bouncing around the room, I feel like I’m only seconds away from cuming straight into my boxers.

  I want to keep going, to taste every ounce of her as she pulses against my tongue but when she reaches for me, urging me to come to her, I can’t stop myself from doing just that. Sliding off my boxers as I climb up her body, I settle into between her thighs, my face hovering just inches above hers.

  “I want you inside of me. Now.” She wraps her legs around my ass, pushing me forward.

  Without even a second thought I slide past her wet folds, pushing my rock hard erection deep inside her.

  “Fuuuuuuck.” I groan, the feeling of her so tight around me almost more than I can bear.

  It takes everything in me to fight off the release that has been choking me for what feels like hours.

  Pulling my face down to hers, the moment her soft lips meet mine and she tastes herself, I slip away. No longer part of this reality, I pump in and out of her so frantically, I feel like a teenager having sex for the first time. The pleasure simply overtakes me and I just can’t seem to find my control.

  I fuck her. Hard. So hard that by the time another orgasm rips through her just minutes later, I have forced her body from the bottom of the mattress all the way to the top.

  I don’t stop. I thrust into her with everything I have until my own orgasm takes me over and I have spilled every ounce of my release inside of her.

  Collapsing down on top of her moments later, I’m breathless, spent, and the happiest mother fucker in the whole god damn world.

  Nuzzling my face into her hair, I drop my lips to her neck where her pulse is pounding violently against her soft skin.

  “Holy crap, that was even better than I remember.” She laughs.

  The action sends vibrations around my cock that’s still buried deep inside of her.

  “Well the last time you were a virgin and I had just started honing my craft.” I tease, pulling back to kiss the tip of her nose.

  “That was...” She starts but I silence her with a kiss.

  “Don’t say anything yet. I’m nowhere near done with you.” I promise, sliding my tongue back into her mouth.

  ****

  I wake with a start, the heavy pounding on my door pulling me from the best fucking sleep I’ve had in a long ass time. I turn my head to the side, smiling when the sight of Charlie sleeping peacefully next to me is the first thing I see when I open my eyes.

  Her hair is spread out behind her. Her soft pink lips parted slightly.

  My god, she’s so fucking beautiful.

  “Paxton. Answer the fucking door.” I’m quickly reminded of the knocking that stirred me awake.

  I shoot up, look down at Charlie who stirs slightly, and then to the door where Gavin’s voice once again sounds.

  “Pax. Fuck dude. Come on.” He beats harder, this time waking Charlie who immediately hits me with wide eyes when she realizes what’s going on.

  “Shit.” She starts to panic, flying out of the bed in search of her dress which she quickly locates at the foot of the bed. “Shit, shit, shit.” She chants. “I can’t find my underwear.” The flushed look on her face and thick mess of hair that falls around it is enough to pull a smile from me, even in the current situation we’re in.

  “Don’t fucking smile at me Paxton. Help me.” She whisper pleads, clearly freaking out.

  “Hey.” She jumps when I appear next to her, placing my hand gently on her shoulder. “Relax. Breathe.” I coach her, kissing her forehead when she gives me a defeated smile.

  “Paxton.” Gavin once again reminds me that a simple hotel door is all the separates him from me and Charlie.

  “Yeah, yeah.” I call back. “Give me a fucking second to put some clothes on.”

  I turn back to Charlie just as she slides her dress on.

  “What do I do?” She looks like she is seconds away from crying as she continues to search the bed for her thong.

  “It’s fine. He’s not going to come in and search the room. Go lock yourself in the bathroom and don’t come out until I give you the all clear.”

  “Okay.” She nods, quickly grabbing her purse off the nightstand as she follows my instructions.

  The moment she disappears inside the bathroom, I do a quick scan of the room before heading towards the door.

  “What the fuck dude?” I grumble as Gavin bursts inside the room the second I pull the door open, concern evident in his features.

  “Have you seen Charlie?” He immediately asks.

  Boom. Just like that I feel like someone has just punched me in the stomach.

  “No. Why?” I do my best to keep my shit together and not give anything away.

  “Angel sai
d she went down to the casino last night around one but when I stopped by their room this morning to see if she wanted me to bring her up some breakfast, she wasn’t there.”

  “Maybe she went down to get her own breakfast.” I suggest, trying to fight the overwhelming guilt I feel.

  Lying to Gavin right now is probably one of the hardest things I’ve done. It guts me to see how clearly concerned he is, knowing that Charlie is hiding behind a door just a few feet from where he’s standing.

  “I thought so too but Angel doesn’t think she came back at all.”

  “Yeah but you don’t know that for sure. Maybe she slipped in when Angel was sleeping and she was just too far gone to notice.”

  “But this is fucking Charlie we’re talking about.” He snaps. “Sleep til fucking noon every day Charlie. You really think she got up before everyone else and left without telling anyone?”

  “I’m just saying dude, don’t freak out until you know for sure. Give me a second to get dressed and I’ll go look with you.”

  “No.” He shakes his head, pulling open the door and stepping back into the hallway. “Angel, Harlee and Kimber are already downstairs with Deck. I will go look around. You stay here in case she shows up.”

  “Okay man, will do.” I agree, watching him take off down the hallway toward the elevator before letting the door close.

  Charlie steps out of the bathroom without waiting for me to signal the all clear, her hair now tied in a messy bun on top of her head.

  “The one fucking time I need him to not come to my room, he does.” She throws her hands up in defeat. “What do I do?”

  “They are all downstairs right now. I’ll check the hall and make sure you’re clear. Slip into your room, change so it doesn’t look like you slept in last night’s clothes and when everyone comes back up and sees you are alive and well, just tell them you went down to get something to eat early because you woke up fighting off a mild hangover.”

  “Okay. I can do that.” She gives me a nervous smile before pointing toward the door.