by J. H. Croix
I dimly heard him standing, the rustle of clothes falling to the floor and the tear of foil nudging me out of my haze. I looked up at him.
“Dallas, come here.”
Chapter 7
Dallas
Audrey lay before me, the covers a mess and the pillows tossed asunder around her. Her skin was damp and flushed with passion. With her dark glossy hair spilling out across the pillows and her eyes locked to mine, my knees almost gave out. I'd forgotten every single reason why I told myself I could never have her. All I knew was this moment with her. Finally kissing her again for the first time in years was like coming home. She struck a chord I hadn't even known existed. It ran deep and true inside of me. No one else could satisfy it. I let myself soak in the sight of her. I’d only imagined how she looked bare naked for years. To see her now knocked the breath from me.
The length of her fit legs flared into lush hips. The dip at her waist only served to show off her generous breasts. Her nipples were taut and damp. One knee had fallen to the side, revealing her pussy, so pink and wet. I could still taste her on my mouth. Feeling her come against my lips had been close to divine. The insides of her thighs were wet from her juices. I swallowed, latching onto a thread of control.
“Dallas…”
Her husky voice set my heart to thudding against my ribs. I was coiled so tight with need, it wouldn't have surprised me if I came the moment I sank inside of her. I rolled the condom on in record time and stretched out over her again. Lacing my hands into hers and stretching them over her head, I glanced down. Her gaze was hazy and dark, an edge of wildness to it. She’d nearly torn my hair out when I’d had my face buried between her thighs. I didn’t give a damn, she could go as wild as she wanted. As long as it meant I could be with her like this. I could feel the wet heat of her against my cock. I shifted my hips slightly, letting my shaft slide through her folds. She let out a low moan.
God, I fucking loved the sounds she made. This was now only the second time in my life I’d seen Audrey let go. For a flicker, I wondered if she was like this with other men, with Matthew. Jealousy hit me so hard and fast, I was almost stunned. Jealousy was not a feeling I was familiar with. Work was my life. Women only occupied a sliver of my time. I shoved the thoughts away and shifted again.
I arched into her again, savoring her wetness sliding against me. “Now would be the time to let me know if we’re taking this too far,” I murmured, leaning up slightly.
She curled her fingers into mine, gripping tightly and shaking her head back and forth.
“Don't you dare stop now,” she ordered.
I laughed softly. “Wasn't planning on it.”
I adjusted the angle of my hips and sank inside of her, groaning at the feel of her creamy clench around me. She was so hot, so wet, and so tight, it felt incredible. Far more incredible than I could've imagined. I’d now crossed the barrier I’d refused to allow myself to cross before. I knew once I had, I'd never be able to walk away. I didn't think about that now, I simply allowed myself to get lost in the sensation of her. I held still for a moment, allowing her body to adjust to me. At the feel of her hips arching into me, I started to move, easing back and then sinking deeply. Long, slow steady strokes, burying myself to the hilt again and again and again. She curled her legs around my hips, rising to meet me with every thrust, crying my name out, demanding I go faster, gasping that it wasn't deep enough, begging me for more.
I meant to drag it out, determined for this to be everything and more so she'd never forget it. She was having none of that. She tore her hands loose from mine, her nails scraping down my back. Murmuring incoherently, she arched into me, her teeth sinking into the bottom of my neck. Lust lashed at me, and I lost control, my hips drumming into her. Her channel started to throb and pulse around me. I felt when she tumbled over the edge, crying out my name. Damn, it was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard.
My own release hit me so fast and hard, I lost my breath. It whipsawed through me, and I collapsed, spending myself inside of her. We lay tangled up in each other, skin to skin, sweaty, hot and out of breath. I could've stayed there forever. After a few moments, I felt her skin start to pebble. I started to draw back, and she tightened her legs around me.
“Don’t,” she murmured.
My heart clenched. “Not going anywhere, but it's cold. Let’s get under the covers.”
I looked down at her, her skin flushed and sweaty, her eyes still dark and her lips swollen. My stubble had roughened the skin on her neck.
I trailed the backs of my fingers over the reddened skin. “Did that hurt?”
Her mouth curled at one corner. “I don't know. I didn't notice,” she said softly.
She slowly loosened her legs, and I eased away, standing and stepping into the bathroom off the guestroom. I tossed the condom in the trash and quickly returned to the bed. Tucking us under the covers, I fell asleep with her twined against me. Breathing in the scent of her, I wondered if I’d just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Because there was one thing I knew with certainty: I’d never get enough of her.
Chapter 8
Audrey
Hands on my hips, I glanced around the kitchen. I had completely forgotten I’d been in the middle of prepping to make chicken dumpling soup last night. That’s how thoroughly Dallas had wiped my mind clean. Obviously, I never returned to the kitchen and finished. I sent up a silent thanks I hadn’t taken the chicken out yet because that would’ve been a smelly waste. As it was, I had left chopped carrots and celery out on the counter overnight and nothing more.
I smiled a little, my cheeks getting hot. I couldn't quite believe last night had happened. My pulse kicked up a notch just thinking about the feel of Dallas buried inside of me. I'd woken this morning, warm in his arms. He’d been curled up behind me, his palm resting on my belly. The air outside the covers had been cool as it always was during the winter here. I’d felt his arousal pressing against my bottom. Perhaps I should've felt uncertain about what might happen next, seeing as he’d made it quite clear sex was all we could have. Yet, he hadn't said just once.
So, I spun in his arms and rolled over, sitting astride him. When his eyes had opened, sleepy and hooded, that rich blue gaze locked on me. We tumbled back into another heated interlude. We’d showered together, and he was presently in the dining room working. His work phone had buzzed insistently on the nightstand this morning.
I told myself that perhaps he had put a limit on what we could have, but he hadn't put a limit on how long that could last. I intended to wring every last drop out of this that I could.
It was snowing and blowing outside, so I shifted gears, cleaning up what I started last night with plans to make the chicken dumpling soup for dinner tonight. For breakfast, I prepped omelets. Once the coffee was ready, I poured a cup and carried it out to Dallas.
He glanced up from whatever he was working on, flashing me a quick smile and taking the cup from me. His fingers brushed against mine, and electricity zinged through me. I spun away, my belly fluttering, and returned to the kitchen. I had one omelet in the pan when there was a loud knock at the front door. I heard the scrape of Dallas’ chair before he strolled into the archway leading to the kitchen.
“Expecting anyone here?” he asked.
“Aside from you and Sherry, nobody knows I'm here.”
He arched a brow and shrugged. “I’ll go see who it is.”
As he stepped away, it occurred to me he was quite right I needed to call my parents and let them know where I was. I didn’t need them to get confused and worried if they found out from someone else I wasn’t in Italy and I’d called off my wedding. I heard the sound of the door opening, Dallas’ low voice and then Matthew's voice.
Oh no. This could not be happening. I didn't hear the door close, so I waited. I wondered what Matthew was going to try to say to Dallas. They had never met, although Matthew would likely connect the dots if only because he knew Thea and knew Dallas was her
brother. I heard the murmur of Dallas’ voice and Matthew sounding slightly belligerent, but not raising his voice too much.
Cold air blew in from the front entrance. After a moment, I heard the door close and then one set of footsteps in the hallway. Dallas leaned into the archway between the dining room and kitchen, his eyes on me.
“That was Matthew,” he said, his voice clipped.
I could sense his anger and couldn’t help the flare of satisfaction it gave me. I was angry with Matthew for the most obvious of reasons, yet a part of me savored the protective quality of Dallas’ anger on my behalf.
“Does he know I'm here?”
Dallas shook his head sharply. “No. I'm glad we put your car in the garage. If he’d seen it, I think he’d have tried to make it ugly. I hope it's okay I told him to stay the hell away from you.”
I stared at him, my mind spinning, my gut churning, and my heart clenching. It infuriated me to have Matthew come up here. I didn’t know why he was chasing me. Yet, it was Dallas who made my heart clench. I didn’t quite know how to react to his protectiveness.
I took a breath, staring at him across the room, and nodded.
“Of course it's okay. I don't want to talk to him. There's nothing to say.”
Dallas was quiet, his eyes considering.
“My advice?” he asked, only a hint of question in his words.
I laughed a little. I’d heard him offer unsolicited advice to Thea many times over the years, and he always led with that question.
“Sure, Dallas. What's your advice?”
“I know I just told him to stay the hell away from you, but you might want to go ahead and talk to him. My guess is he’s going to keep after you unless you do. He strikes me as pushy and entitled. He doesn’t get it.”
Dallas couldn’t have known just how accurate he was in his assessment. But then again, he probably knew quite well. His job relied on him reading people very, very well.
“Now? Is he waiting on the porch?” I asked, my eyes widening.
My gut was tying itself in knots, anxiety blooming in my chest. I wasn’t up for this. Not now. This morning had been too good, and I didn’t want Matthew to ruin it. He had no right to think I would talk to him. About anything. He’d lost that right when he fucked one of my friends after sweet-talking me into giving him another chance.
Dallas shook his head, laughing a little at my expression.
“Nah, I sent him off and told him you weren’t here. He whined that he didn’t know where to stay, so I suggested a few places the next town over. He said he flew into Bangor. Seemed to think he’d find you here and said he had a ticket for you to return with him.”
I rolled my eyes and turned away to flip the omelet. Of course, Matthew would be that arrogant. My mind flashed to the sight of him in our bed with Alyssa on top of him. We hadn’t had sex in months. Our lack of intimacy was what led to me attempting to break things off with him. I was still annoyed I’d given in to his persuasion to give things another try before I called off the wedding. Although, I supposed I might never have discovered the truth about him cheating if I’d held firm. I’d chalked up our lack of sex and growing distance to both of us being busy with work. He’d been working long days and late into the night on a big case.
Just now, I realized his ‘big case’ might’ve been Alyssa the entire time. Nothing but regret twisted in my heart over that. I wished I’d had enough sense not to accept the personal compromise I’d made over Matthew. I’d known what we had was nothing like what I felt with Dallas, yet I’d figured it was the best I’d get. I shoved those thoughts away. Nothing to do about it now. I couldn’t change the past, no matter the folly of my choices.
I turned the burner off and slid the omelet onto a plate, spinning back to face Dallas. He was waiting patiently, his eyes on me. The moment was heavy and quiet, feelings crowding the room. I considered what to do. I couldn't quite believe I was in this situation. My ex-fiancé who'd been screwing one of my bridesmaids had chased after me. Meanwhile, the man I'd never quite forgotten stood before me. Years of unfulfilled longing had finally culminated in the most amazing night of my life. With him.
Dallas was here offering advice about what to do about my ex-fiancé. There were many things I wanted to ask, most of them nothing to do with Matthew. I knew Dallas was right though. Better to get my conversation with Matthew over with sooner rather than later.
“Where did he go if he's not standing outside?”
Dallas looked over his shoulder and spun around, walking through the dining room to the front windows facing the driveway.
“Still sitting in his car actually. I'm guessing he doesn't know where to go. Do you want to talk to him now or later?”
I considered my options. I'd rather call Matthew and meet him somewhere in town than let him sully this space with his arrogance. It felt as if Dallas and I were in our own little cocoon here, and I wanted to keep it that way.
“I'll call him later and maybe meet him somewhere in town for lunch or dinner.”
Dallas walked back toward me, glanced over his shoulder once more as he did.
“Looks like he's leaving.” His blue gaze landed on me again. “How about I go with you?”
“You mean when I go talk to Matthew?” I asked, puzzled as to why he’d want to do that.
He nodded as if it were a perfectly reasonable thing to do.
“Dallas, that's going to be weird.”
“Why?” he countered.
“Um, because he’s my ex-fiancé and last night, well, we…”
My words ran out. I felt my face get hot and wished I didn’t blush so easily.
His mouth curled at one corner, sending my belly into somersaults.
“We did a lot last night. And this morning,” he said, his low voice sending a shiver over my skin. “What does that have to do with Matthew?”
“I was engaged to him until a few days ago.”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, and he was fucking one of your friends on the side. What does he have to do with us?” he asked.
I stared at him across the room, uncertain how to respond. “I guess nothing. It's just going to be weird to have you there. You guys don't even know each other.”
“So? I don't want him to be an asshole to you,” he said bluntly, his eyes narrowing.
My chest suddenly felt tight. I didn’t quite know how to handle his protectiveness of me. It felt so good, but I didn’t want to read too much into it. After a few beats, I shrugged. What the hell? It was going to be an awkward conversation no matter what type of spin I put on it. It was no less worse to have Dallas there than it was to try to do it alone. Dallas was quiet. His gaze was too perceptive, so I turned away, quickly pouring the eggs for the next omelet into the pan. I was restless and needed to keep myself busy and away from the disconcerting feeling of his eyes seeing right through to the core of me.
“I don't have to go,” he said, his voice coming from over my shoulder.
I felt his presence as he stepped closer. My heartbeat stuttered and then leapt when his hand slid down the center of my back, resting at the dip of my waist. That simple touch was both a turn on and a comfort. If only I’d known how much I would crave his touch, I might've had more sense than I did last night. I didn't quite know how to be with him in this space this morning. It was easier when we were tangled up in each other. I could lose myself in sensation, in the intimacy that ran so deep it shocked me.
I sprinkled shredded cheese in the omelet, flipped it quickly and then lined vegetables in the center and more cheese before folding it. I loved to cook and right now it gave me something to do other than think about how close Dallas was to me.
“How about you let me know what you want me to do?” he said softly.
I finally glanced to my side. His eyes were right there waiting, the heat in them sending a jolt of need through me. My sex clenched. Sweet hell. All we were doing was standing there while I made an omelet. For God’s sake, we were talkin
g about my ex fiancé who'd been screwing one of my friends. There were so many reasons I should be anything other than turned on. That was how powerful my response to him was. For a flash, it occurred to me this was crazy. I shouldn't have let anything happen last night. Because walking away from this would be hard, incredibly hard.
I was still staring at him when he arched a brow, nudging me to recall he’d asked a question.
“You can come,” I finally said.
“You sure?”
I swallowed, willing my pulse to slow.
“Yeah. You pegged Matthew right. He's an entitled jerk. Honestly, I knew that and I just ignored it. He’ll want to badger me, but if you're there, he probably won’t.”
I glanced down at the omelet and flipped it again before turning the burner off.
“Are you ready for breakfast?”
He stared at me before his mouth curled at one corner. “Of course.”
My belly did a slow flip, and I wondered again if I was crazy.
Chapter 9
Dallas
I walked at Audrey's side into the restaurant, wondering if I was stone cold crazy to be here. Thinking back to this morning, I reminded myself yet again Audrey had a crazy effect on me. She held the unique ability to keep me from thinking clearly. I knew why I wanted to be here. I’d taken one look at Matthew and sized him up for the idiot he was. I could admit I was biased against him from the start. Before I knew he'd been fucking one of Audrey’s friends behind her back, he'd represented the man who had the one woman I truly wanted.
No matter how hard I’d tried to keep from wanting her, I still wanted her fiercely. The compromise I'd come to in my mind was if she was in love with another man, and he took good care of her, I would be able to let go of the hold she had on me. The potency of the memory of her that long ago afternoon—hell, it couldn’t have been more than ten minutes with her—would fade. Or that’s what I’d told myself for the last five years. She would get married and work would be my life. Now I knew what Matthew had done, and I hated him for his sheer stupidity. The shallow arrogance it took for him to show up, chasing after her as if though she was suddenly important to him infuriated me. I wasn't particularly looking forward to this evening, but I didn't want to let him hurt her again.
