My Favorite Mistake

by Wendi Zwaduk

  Fucking hell. She wasn’t fighting for them. She was giving him space and allowing him to walk away. Hell no. He refused to give up on them, not now that he finally knew what he wanted from his life. “I’m coming back to you. There’s too much unfinished business between us.”

  “Sure.” She didn’t sound like she believed anything she or he said. “Remember that later at the movie premiere and Iris showers you with gifts.”

  “You’re making me sound like a gigantic ass.” He swiped the tears from her cheeks. “I’ve been a dick, yeah, but come on. Give me a chance. I’ll only be away for two weeks. For Iris, that’s nothing. Besides, she means zilch to me. I’ve had my issues before but not since we started this. You’re the only one for me. Please? Don’t walk away from me now. I’ll beg. Whatever you want. I’m yours. What do I say to convince you this is for real?”

  “I’m trying to believe but I know you.”

  “You do.” He didn’t want Molly on that list. She deserved more. He met her gaze again. The redness in her eyes brought out the blue in her irises. Jesus. He’d hurt her and done so many times. He needed to stop the bleeding, so to speak.

  “What are you thinking, Molls? Let me in. I’m dying here and it’s my own fault.”

  She snorted. “Dying. You’re overdramatic.” She sighed and averted her gaze. “Something Remy said came to mind. He just told me tonight that I needed to give you something to miss.”

  “He’s a wise man.” He already missed her and knew exactly what Remy wanted to get through his thick head. Why screw around and mess up the good thing he had? All he needed to do was look at the photos on his phone. He’d never again have a connection like he shared with Molly. Once he got out of the contract, he belonged to her.

  She unfolded her arms and draped them around his neck. She toyed with the hairs at the base of his skull and sent shivers down his spine. “He also said, if whatever we’ve got between us is meant to be, then it’ll work out. I don’t know if he’s right, but I don’t disagree.”

  “Makes sense. No one knows what fate has in store.” But he didn’t care. He wanted her. As long as she loved him, he could face the shit storm he’d created and make it back to her. “Did you mean what you said when you told me you loved me?” Christ, he hoped she still cared about him that much. He loved her.

  Molly nodded. “It’s not the same as back in college. It’s more mature and stronger, but yeah, I’m still crazy about you.” She didn’t look him in the eye. “I’ve lost my mind. I want something with the one man I can’t have.”

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. “You’ve got me, babe. I’m right here with you. All night if you want because I’ve got a lot of making up to do and nowhere else I’d rather be. Let me stay and show you how I feel about you.” He brushed his lips over hers. The more he kissed her, the more he needed her.

  “You don’t love me,” she whispered. “You don’t love anyone.”

  “You don’t know that.” Austin scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He wasn’t going to waste any more time. “I belong to you. Heart and soul.” The confession not only freed his mind but lifted his spirits. He’d never been so brutally honest with anyone, not even himself. “I think about you when I’m not at work and I wonder what you’re doing. Once we slept together again, I remembered just how much I needed you. I’m happiest right here.”

  “But—”

  Austin kissed away her words. She didn’t trust him and shouldn’t—he’d screwed with her good nature and now he saw the error of his ways. Maybe he couldn’t say the word love out loud to her but he could show her.

  He carried her to the bed and arranged her on the mattress. He kissed her, imprinting her sweet taste on his brain. He wanted every nuance etched into his memory. He kissed along her neck to her earlobe then across her cheek to her mouth. Each touch and nip sent shivers along his spine and heat to his cock.

  Austin crawled on top of her and brushed her hair from her face. He gazed into her eyes. Damn. He’d seen her so many times but never really appreciated her in the way she deserved. Molly sucked in her stomach and held her breath. She pushed her knees together.

  “You don’t have to be something you think I want.” He settled beside her and parted her legs. “Be yourself.”

  “There’s a lot of me.” She blushed from her cheeks down to her chest. “I’m embarrassed.” The muscle in her jaw twitched. “You’re perfect and I’m…not.”

  “So?” He smoothed his hand across her belly. “I like you the way you are.”

  “You’re aiming low with me.” She averted her gaze. “God.”

  “Enough.” He popped the button on her jeans. “You cut on yourself too much.”

  “I’m being honest.”

  “I’d say you’re being too hard on yourself.” He dragged her jeans and panties down her legs. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You’re beautiful. I’m attracted to the woman on the outside, and especially the one on the inside.”

  “Austin.” She sat up and stilled his hands. “Stop.”

  “You’re making foreplay difficult.” He curled his fingers under her chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Sorry. My confidence—it’s…”

  “Babe.” Fuck. He’d been part of the problem. He’d have to work twice as hard to build her back up and damn it, he’d do it. She mattered that much. He eased her shirt over her head. Her breasts strained against the lace of her bra. She still wore the teardrop pendant and the platinum sparkled on her skin. She covered her breasts with both hands.

  “Don’t hide, babe.” He eased her back onto the bed and stretched out, fully clothed, beside her again. He cupped her pussy and speared his middle finger between her cunt lips. Her tiny gasp sent his senses reeling. He pressed her clit in order to get another whimper from her.

  “So wet,” he murmured in her ear. She might’ve been irritated with him, but her body wanted him. She responded so well and thank God. He craved her.

  Austin buried his face in the curve of her neck and kissed her. He tasted the bit of perspiration on her skin and memorized her. He massaged her pussy, rubbing her cream over his fingers before he slid his middle finger into her channel.

  Her heat and excitement turned him on. She moaned and spurred his desire. Every nerve ending in his body stood at attention. His cock throbbed behind his zipper and the blood coursed through his veins. Shit, he needed her.

  Molly planted her feet on the bed and writhed. “Austin.” She slapped his belly then caressed down to his denim-covered cock. She worked him into a frenzy. “Austin,” she murmured. “Oh.”

  “Love hearing you say my name.” He didn’t want to leave her but he needed to get naked. Now. He scooted off the mattress long enough to shuck his shirt and shove his jeans and boxers down his legs. The garments wadded up at his feet. “Fuck.” He wobbled and kicked out of his shoes and the tangled up clothes. He stumbled forward and landed on Molly. He managed to break his fall with his hands to keep from crushing her. “Sorry.”

  “It’s nice to see you’re not always smooth.” She draped her arms around his neck. “You’re human.”

  “I’m not a superhuman or anything like that.” He wondered what she meant. He’d made plenty of mistakes in his lifetime. “Happens to all of us.” He braced his knees on either side of her legs and toyed with her hair. “Why?”

  “You’re perfect.” She pressed her lips together then sighed. “Sorry.”

  “Sweetheart, you’re fine. I love you the way you are.” He kissed her lips, neck and down to her breasts. Power radiated through him as he eased the cups of her bra down and exposed her nipples. God, she had beautiful nipples. He sucked one tight bead in his teeth and pinched the other.

  “Damn.” She threaded her fingers into his hair and tugged. “Austin.”

  “Tell me what to do.” He scraped his teeth across her sensitive skin. He loved her moans and whimpers. The noises told him he’d pleased her. All he wanted was to make her
happy.

  “Don’t stop.” She held his head to her breast. “I forgot how everything feels when you’re playing with my tits. I feel it to my core.”

  “Beautiful.” He sucked on her nipple again as she pulled his hair. Pleasure-filled pain shot from his scalp to his dick. Fuck, yeah. He surfaced for air long enough to meet her hungry gaze. “I need you.”

  “I’m right here.” Molly let go of his head. “Love me?”

  “You bet I do.” He wasn’t sure if she’d asked a question about his devotion to her or if she wanted him to make love to her but he didn’t care. He wanted to lap at her cream and bring her to orgasm before they had sex but he’d do that later. Right now, he needed to be inside her. “Got rubbers?”

  “In my dresser.” She rolled him over and pinned him beneath her.

  Her nipples grazed his chest and his nerve endings tingled. He palmed her ass. She had such a perfect ass—more than enough to grab, and so soft.

  Molly crawled off him and strode across the small room to her dresser. Her bra straps slid down her shoulders. She glanced back at him before she unhooked the lingerie.

  “Yeah.” He crossed his ankles and propped himself up on his elbows to improve his view. “You have no idea how sexy you are.” She embodied every one of his fantasies. Austin stroked his dick to prep himself—not that he’d need much help. He wanted her on top of him.

  She grinned then retrieved a box of condoms from the drawer. Molly returned to the bed and ripped the cardboard. Condoms tumbled onto the bed and floor. The tips of her ears tinged red and she met his gaze. Her smile melted.

  “Gives us a reason to make love a hundred times tonight.” He picked up one of the wrappers and tore the corner. She had nothing to be embarrassed about—he loved her clumsiness and the way she blushed. He sheathed his dick and patted his thigh. “Come here.”

  She wrapped her fingers around his erection, stroking him.

  He arched his back. Desire filled his brain. “Love that.” He groaned and grasped her wrists. “Ride me.”

  Her smile returned as she crawled onto his lap. She straddled his thighs. Inch by inch, she sank onto his erection. When he filled her completely, she winced.

  Austin cupped her jaw in both hands and eased her flush against his chest. He kissed her. The way she overwhelmed him…he’d never be the same without her. “I can’t tell where you end and I begin,” he murmured. “Feels so good.”

  “Feels full.” Her hair slipped in front of her eyes again before she tipped her head back. She sat up and palmed her breasts, tweaking her nipples.

  Seeing her so comfortable with her body and pleasuring herself kicked his desire up another couple of notches. “Do that again. Rub your titties.”

  Molly met his gaze and her lips parted. She rolled her nipples between her thumbs and forefingers. Her sharp intake of breath echoed in the room. She rocked her hips. “Do you like that?”

  “I do.” He held onto her waist and braced his feet. The better grasp helped him increase his leverage. The deeper he surged into her pussy, the closer he came to climax. He pumped his hips. Damn.

  Molly closed her eyes and moaned. “Yes.” She stopped rubbing her breasts and tensed. She slowed his thrusts. “Fuck.” She slipped off his lap and propped herself up on her hands and knees. “Like this. Harder.”

  He didn’t need more instruction. Austin scooted off the bed and embraced her. He filled her cunt again and grasped her hips. The moment he sank balls deep into her, his restraint splintered. He swatted her ass.

  “Oh, fuck,” she blurted.

  “Like that?” he asked. He’d acted on instinct but hadn’t been sure if she’d go along.

  “Love it. Harder.” She backed into him, meeting him thrust for thrust.

  Fuck, yeah. There was her adventurous side. He built a steady rhythm and moved with abandon. Each time he slapped her ass, she moaned and writhed on his cock. The sound of her and skin on skin echoed.

  “Oh, my God. Yeah.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “More.”

  Austin wrapped his hand around her tresses and tugged. He swatted her ass once more with his free hand. Molly required his full attention and he refused to deny her anything. He loved every moment of being with her.

  Molly trembled beneath him. “Austin.” Her movements turned ragged and she panted.

  “Come for me, babe.” He teetered on the edge of orgasm, too. The heat spiraled through his body and desire overwhelmed him. His thoughts blurred. All he saw was her. Austin slammed into her body. “Come for me.”

  The orgasm was so close. Just a few more thrusts and he’d tumble over the edge.

  Molly tensed and clawed at the sheets. She clamped down on him from within. “Oh, fuck,” she said and drew out the words. She bowed her head and buried her face in the bedding. Her pussy spasmed as she climaxed.

  Austin gave in to his orgasm. He’d held himself in check for too long. He buried his dick to the hilt and groaned. “Fucking balls.” He added a couple more thrusts as he emptied his seed into the condom. “Jesus.”

  The room spun and when Molly collapsed on the bed, he settled on top of her. He kissed her shoulder. “Babe.” He’d have to move, but he didn’t want to—not yet.

  “Stay with me tonight.” She laced her fingers with his. “Stay with me.”

  “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” He eased out of her pussy and managed to stand. He needed to ditch the rubber before he fell asleep beside her. He scrubbed his face with the back of his hand until the room righted. Once he had his bearings, he removed the spent condom.

  Molly crawled between the sheets and patted the mattress. “Join me.”

  Austin tossed the rubber into the waste basket then stretched out beside her. He gathered Molly in his arms. He’d have to leave her in the morning, but for now, he’d bask in the perfection of the moment. Once he sorted out his life and finished his obligations to Iris, he’d spend the rest of his life with Molly. He belonged with her.

  * * * *

  In the morning, Austin dressed and checked his watch. Shit. If he wanted to make the flight, he needed to get moving.

  He found her in the kitchen and snagged her in his arms. “It’s almost time.”

  “I know.” She rested her hands on his. “I expected this.”

  Fuck. He knew he’d have to leave, but his heart refused to cooperate. “Walk me to the door?” To the airport? Convince me to stick around?

  “Sure.” She threaded her arm around him as he made his way across her apartment.

  “I have to go, Molls,” Austin said, more to convince himself than anything. He lingered at the doorway. When he left, she’d have his heart with her. Christ, he wasn’t going to be able to get through the next fourteen days. “I don’t want to go.”

  “You made a commitment.” She smoothed the lapels of his shirt and patted his chest. “Follow through and before you know it, it’ll be done.”

  “You’re taking this well. I’d be a wreck.” He sighed. He had no idea how he could let her go if the roles were reversed. Shit. He’d probably beg her to take him with her. But the roles weren’t opposite and Iris would never approve of him having Molly along for the ride. “I promise. I’ll call you.” He’d make time and get in touch with her. Screw Iris and her rules. He’d fallen for Molly and needed her. He’d do the photo shoots and the obligatory press if only to get back to the woman in his heart.

  “Just get through it and get back. How about that?” She kissed him. If her heart was breaking, he couldn’t tell. Damn, the woman had a strong will. He envied her.

  “Bye, Molls.” He held her close and kissed her once more. He swiped his tongue across the seam of her lips and pushed the connection deeper. He groaned. He’d have to go through withdrawal. She was his drug.

  Molly nudged him and broke the kiss. “Go, or you’ll never leave.”

  “Still might not.” He grinned then stood tall. “I’m out.”

  “Not yet. Bye, Austin.” S
he paused. “Love you.”

  “Always. Bye, babe.” He peeked back at her once then headed down the hallway. He could do this. He could leave her and be with the woman he didn’t like in order to get back to the one he loved.

  He ambled down the rest of the stairs and out to the street. He slipped behind the wheel of his car. Was she watching him? He hoped so. If Remy had told her to give him something to miss, well, she’d succeeded. He longed for her already.

  He drove across the city in the direction of the airport. He had to go. Had to. He swept his gaze across the skyline. The building housing CDL caught his attention. According to Iris, he was fired. He turned onto the exit and made his way down the main roads to CDL. He wasn’t just giving up on his career—the modeling gig was just that, a gig. Not permanent.

  He parked in the visitor lot and strode into the foyer. The receptionist smiled. She allowed him into the main portion of the building. He navigated his way down the corridors to Mr. Lee’s office. He’d grovel if he had to in order to get his job back once he returned.

  He knocked on his former boss’s door. “Mr. Lee? Do you have a moment?”

  Roscoe Lee looked up at him. “Austin.” He narrowed his eyes. “What brings you in to CDL?”

  “Well, I’m not sure I want to leave.”

  Roscoe jumped up from behind his desk. Instead of the warm welcome and handshake, he shook his head. “You and Molly were my best team. I could count on you no matter what, but now? I can’t trust you. Yes, I agreed to loan you out. I loaned her out, too, and you both did great work, but she never really left. I’ve already got her proposal for W whiskey. I have no idea what you’re going to do. It’s all very wrong.”

  He stared at Roscoe. Shit. He’d thought he could waltz in on his way out of town and return to life at CDL with no questions. Now, he wasn’t so sure. He sighed. “Which wrong are you talking about? The wrong in considering Iris might have my best interest at heart or allowing Molly to push me away?” He wasn’t sure why he mentioned the falling out. They’d patched things up—at least he hoped so. She’d told him she loved him. That had to mean something, right?