by J. H. Croix
What the fuck?
I didn't realize I actually spoke aloud. His eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean what the fuck?” he asked.
I kicked off my boots and spun back to him. “What is it with you and being all high-handed? I grew up here. I can deal with driving on icy roads. You took the phone from me when I was talking to Matthew this morning too. What was that about anyway? You're not in charge of my life.”
I was pissed. My emotions were riding high. Between the emotional upheaval in my life and tumbling into this madness with him, I didn't know how to deal with Dallas acting like this.
“Why are you worrying about any of this? It's just coincidence that you're here. If you weren’t, I'd be doing exactly what I would be doing and I'd be fine. Like I am,” I said, my tone mulish. I didn’t give a damn how I sounded. I was just annoyed.
His eyes narrowed. “Fine,” he said spinning around and stalking back towards the kitchen.
Once I was angry, I didn’t back down. Whether my anger was logical or not at the moment didn’t matter. It drove my actions. I followed him into the kitchen, reaching for his arm.
“Fine? That’s it? Fine,” I nearly spit out.
He spun around, his blue gaze darkening. In a flash, the air around us heated. I felt hot all over, need coiling tight in my belly, and my sex clenching. We stared at each other, the moment taut.
“Yeah, that’s it. Fine. It’s nothing,” he replied, his voice low and controlled.
Oh, that did it. I was pissed he wasn’t pushing back.
“It’s not nothing. You can’t just be all bossy with me. Maybe it's better if I just leave. If you're going to insist on staying here when it's entirely unnecessary, no sense in me getting in the way.”
I started to turn away. He caught my arm as I spun around, reeling me against him. We collided right against the counter. He threaded his hand in my hair and his mouth slammed to mine. In an instant, our kiss went wild. It was hot and angry. His hand slid down my spine, pulling me roughly against him. The hard, hot ridge of his arousal pressed against me, right at the apex of my thighs. I needed to expel my frustration and anger, to burn up in the flames between us.
I tore my lips free, reaching between us and tearing his jeans open. Curling my palm around his cock, I sighed at the hot, velvety feel of the skin.
“Fuck, Audrey,” he muttered.
I shoved his jeans down around his hips and knelt in front of him, dragging my tongue along the underside of his cock. I closed my lips over him, drawing him deeply into my mouth and savoring the salty tang of pre-cum. He yanked me up inside of a second. Our clothes were torn off, thrown in a tangle on the floor and then he was spinning me around, lifting me onto the kitchen counter, and dragging his fingers roughly through my folds. I was soaked with need for him.
“I need to taste you,” he murmured, his voice husky.
He buried his face between my legs, his mouth on me. I gripped his hair. I could hardly take it. He licked every inch of my pussy, his tongue passing over my clit, sending sharp bursts of pleasure through me. He fucked me slowly with his fingers, bringing me to the edge again and again until I ordered him to let me go. He laughed against me, the vibration itself sending me over the brink when he drew my clit into his mouth. I was still reverberating from the shockwaves of my climax when he stood, bringing his lips to mine, his kiss passing the taste of me onto my lips.
Dragging my hips to the edge of the counter, he positioned his cock at my entrance and sank in to the hilt. He held still, his eyes locked to mine. I felt caught in his gaze, caught in this web of intimacy that wove us tighter and tighter together. He lifted a hand and brushed my hair back away from my face. Goose bumps chased along my skin where his fingers brushed as his hand slid down my neck.
“You had me worried,” he muttered gruffly.
My heart thudded hard against my ribs. “About what?” I whispered, swallowing against the emotion cresting inside.
He was quiet, his gaze intense and searching. “You make me crazy. I know you can take care of yourself, but I don’t like you being out when the roads are like this.”
I didn’t even know how to respond. My heart clenched. I sensed it took a lot for him to say what he’d just said.
“I’m fine,” I finally murmured.
He nodded tightly. After a beat, he drew back slowly and sank inside again. I curled my legs around his hips, arching into him, a soft moan escaping at the delicious stretch of him filling me.
I needed it rough, fast, and hard. He gave it to me. There was no holding back. He drove into me, his hips pounding, my shoulders banging against the cabinet behind me, and I didn't care. My next release was upon me swiftly, crashing over me in an intense wave. I felt him go taut and the heat of his release filled me. His head fell into the dip of my shoulder. We stood there in the kitchen, our breath heaving. After a few moments, he lifted his head, his eyes catching mine. The moment felt too intimate, so intense I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.
Chapter 21
Dallas
Several days later, I was scrolling through emails on my computer when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen to see it was my little sister.
“Hey Thea, what's up?” I asked.
“Dallas! Noah and Ian are coming up for Christmas. Isn’t that awesome?”
I grinned because when Thea was excited, it was infectious. “It’s great. Can’t believe you pinned ‘em both down.”
“Oh, I had to do some sweet talking, but they’re on board. I’m also calling because I was thinking maybe I could come up tomorrow. Audrey and I could drive down to New York together and deal with getting everything out of her apartment.”
I’d mentioned to Thea that Audrey seemed open to help with this. “Sounds like a plan. How about I drive with Audrey? That'll save you a trip. Have you talked to her about it?”
“Not this specifically, but she said she was hoping to get it done before Christmas. I suppose it makes more sense for you to drive down,” she replied.
“You can fly up later,” I explained.
Thea chattered on for a few more minutes about how excited she was that Noah and Ian would be in Haven’s Bay for Christmas.
“Have you been to the house yet?” she finally asked.
“No, I haven't. It looks the same from the outside. It's not like I don't know what's there,” I added, biting back my annoyance.
I had mixed feelings about our childhood home. I hated the way it had come to me—through our father’s backhanded efforts to protect his money. He’d put most of his investments in my name before the investigation caught up to him. I’d sold off everything and managed to pay off everyone he’d hoodwinked. The house was all we had left, and I didn’t even know if I wanted to keep it. Thus far, I’d been ignoring it. The only reason I held onto it was because the home reminded me of our mother. It was more her home than anyone’s, her presence permeating every memory I held of it.
“Geez, Dallas. Why are you so weird about the house? It's yours,” Thea said.
I shifted my shoulders uncomfortably. “It's not mine, it's ours. In fact, I'm going to deal with processing the deed and signing it over to all of us.”
I could practically feel Thea rolling her eyes.
“Whatever. I think you should keep it. You're the only one of us who visits Haven’s Bay. It's obvious you miss it,” she explained.
I didn't want to dwell on this line of conversation, much less point out I’d visited quite a bit less in recent years. “Mind texting me the address? I don't even know where Audrey lived in New York. You think we should give Matthew a heads up?” I asked.
Thea sighed heavily. “I don't give a damn. It's their place. She can go in and out when she wants, but I suppose we might as well check. I'll call. I'd rather her not accidentally walk in on him with Alyssa again. God, that whole thing pisses me off! How is she anyway? She hasn't called much, which worries me.”
My mind spun back to last n
ight. Every single day I woke up now and told myself I wasn't going to fuck Audrey senseless again. Every single day, I completely failed. Last night, I had my face buried between her legs and then my cock buried deep inside of her, watching her fly apart twice. She was like a drug I'd never known I could get addicted to. I was stumbling inside emotionally when it came to her, and I didn’t know what the hell to do about it. She was coming to mean far too much, far too quickly. The sensible side of me knew I needed to step back, but I couldn’t. For the first time in my life, my intellect wasn’t running the show.
I forced my attention back to Thea.
“I think she's okay. Honestly, I do,” I offered.
“Yeah, she actually sounded okay when I talked to her. I gave Alyssa hell for what she did. She’s lost most of her friends over this. Fine with me, she can hang with Matthew and his asshole friends,” Thea said angrily.
I heard Audrey's footsteps on the stairs. “Audrey’s coming down. You wanna talk with her?”
Audrey came into the dining room with Molly trotting behind her. Molly was either asleep on the bed upstairs, or following one of us around the house. She was turning out to be an incredibly sweet dog.
“It's Thea. You got a sec?” I called out as Audrey stepped into the dining room.
Audrey glanced my way, her eyes brightening. I handed her the phone, beating back the urge to slide my palm over the curve of her bottom. Her comfort clothes consisted of a fitted V-neck t-shirt, which only made me want to lick into the valley between her breasts, and these swingy cotton pants that perfectly outlined her lush bottom. In short, she tempted me constantly. She talked with Thea as she walked into the kitchen to get coffee. A few minutes later she returned, handing me my phone.
“I hear you've decided we're going down to New York to move my stuff tomorrow,” she said, catching my eyes.
“Thea suggested it, but I figured it made more sense for us to meet her there. You said it was okay, right?” I asked.
“It is. I just find it amusing how easily you make plans for others,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
I stared at her for a moment, considering that I didn't usually make plans for anybody unless it was my family. Yet, I wanted her to be able to fully close the book on Matthew. That meant getting her stuff out of his orbit.
The question is why do you care so much?
Shut up.
I’d been telling my skeptical mind to shut up a lot. That question was quite pertinent and one I didn’t care to consider. I didn’t make a habit—ever—of pushing myself into anyone’s life like this. Yet, I couldn’t shake the hold Audrey had on me.
I didn't say any of these thoughts aloud and shrugged. “It was Thea’s idea.”
True, insomuch as Thea had brought it up. It was my idea to be involved, and I didn’t care to discuss why.
Chapter 22
Audrey
Dallas maneuvered through traffic easily. I looked out the window, watching the mad cluster of traffic outside of New York City. We were crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge and would be exiting off to head into downtown Manhattan soon. The energy of the city pulsed, even from simply being in traffic on the outskirts. Dallas seemed unfazed by the madness and drove with calm assertiveness. I didn't know what to think that he was coming with me to help me move out of the apartment I’d shared with Matthew. To be honest, I didn't know what to think of anything related to Dallas anymore. Things just kept happening. Well, to be specific, sex just kept happening. We didn't talk about it, but every night, we tumbled into bed together.
During the days, he was often on his phone, working on his computer, and even participating in online conference calls. I wasn’t sure how he could call this time a vacation. I kept myself busy visiting a few old friends in Haven’s Bay and going through things in the house. I’d made arrangements for Sherry to take care of Molly while we were gone. The drive to New York was fairly uneventful. Thea had called ahead and said she’d let Matthew know we were coming by. I couldn’t seem to banish the anxiety over encountering him again. I didn’t know if he’d be there, or not, but I figured he’d be spoiling for an argument if he was.
It was strange to be spending this much time with Dallas. I’d stuffed my old fantasies about him so far into the distant reaches of my mind, I'd forgotten how alluring he was. With his dark hair, those deep blue eyes, and a body to die for, I was falling deeper and deeper into my fantasies about him. They weren't quite like the fantasies I had when I was younger. Back then, my fantasies were silly and vague. Now I had something real to hang them on. Sex with him was incredible, so crazy good just thinking about it made me wet. I kept thinking it would get less amazing. No such luck. Just now, I shifted in my seat, a little sore from last night.
Not much later, I directed Dallas into the parking garage. I rarely drove when I lived in New York, but the apartment building had a garage. I hoped against hope that Matthew's car wouldn't be in his assigned parking spot, and he would've had enough sense to stay away. Of course not. I should've known better. I didn't know if Thea had mentioned Dallas would be with me. Anxiety coiled in my belly, followed by a flash of anger. I didn't want to deal with Matthew. Ever since Dallas had blocked the other number he'd called from, I'd had enough sense not to answer calls from any unknown numbers.
When we stood outside the doorway, I hesitated, considering whether I should knock. I looked to Dallas, and he shook his head. He was so perceptive sometimes it was disconcerting.
“Don't knock. It's your apartment until you move out. After today, you’d have to knock,” he said with a roll of his eyes.
I slid the key into the lock and let myself in. By New York City standards, we had a large apartment. By most standards, we had a tiny apartment. Just a living room and a kitchen with a short hallway that led to a bedroom and bathroom.
Matthew came walking down the hall. His eyes widened slightly and then narrowed when he saw Dallas. Matthew’s dark blonde hair was rumpled and his eyes were tired, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well. I wondered if he was still keeping himself busy with Alyssa. For his sake, I hoped so. Not because I gave a damn about her, but he might as well get something out of screwing me over. The thought made me recoil slightly inside. I wasn't upset at losing Matthew, but I was bitter about the way things played out. Being betrayed by two people at once definitely sucked.
Matthew started to say something when there was a sharp knock on the door. “It's me, Thea!”
I turned to answer the door.
“What are you doing?” Matthew asked.
“I'm answering the door. What does it look like I’m doing?”
“This isn't your place anymore,” Matthew countered, his tone sullen.
Dallas arched a brow, his eyes narrowing. “It's her place until her stuff is out of here,” he said sharply.
Part of me savored Dallas’ protectiveness.
Matthew’s eyes narrowed and his cheeks reddened slightly. With a roll of his eyes, he said, “Whatever.”
I opened the door, letting Thea in. She squealed when she saw Dallas. “Dallas! I'm so glad you're here.”
She flung her arms around him, and Dallas pulled her close with a wry smile. Thea had the same almost black hair and blue eyes a shade lighter than his. I’d forgotten how alike they were. Her personality was such a contrast. She was bubbly to his somber strength. My heart squeezed, a wave of emotion rocking me. It was always good to see my best friend, yet this emotion stemmed from seeing Dallas with her. It was as if every facet of him sharpened for me—those qualities that could seem hidden because of his tendency to be reserved. His warmth, his humor, how much family mattered to him—Thea brought all of those things to the surface, making my heart nearly ache for how much I wanted him.
***
Hours later, I returned to Matthew’s apartment one last time to do a last walk through. Dallas was getting boxes organized in the back of his SUV. Thea had just left with a small load she was dropping off at her storage space. Since I
didn’t have any furniture, it hadn’t been too challenging today. I had no plan for where I would go, but I would have the next few weeks to figure that out. When I stepped back into the apartment, Matthew was on his phone. I did a quick check, confirming there was nothing left.
I paused for a moment in the bedroom, recalling the last time I’d been here. Shock had rocked me when I’d opened the door to see Alyssa straddling Matthew. I swallowed the bitter aftertaste that rose in my throat. No matter that their shared betrayal of me had ended what I never should have started, it hurt. It was so embarrassing and just awful. Yet, his betrayal had served as the flashpoint I needed to act on what I’d already known.
Matthew hadn't lifted a finger today. Not that I’d expected his help. He’d sat sullenly on the couch, flipping through channels on the television for the few hours I was packing with Dallas and Thea’s help. No matter my mixed feelings about Dallas, I was relieved to have him here. I sensed Matthew might have tried to push the envelope more if it had been just Thea with me. I walked down the hallway, pausing by the door.
Matthew looked up. When he noticed no one was with me, he stood, walking straight up to me. “What the fuck is going on with you and Dallas?”
Anger flashed inside. I didn't want to talk with Matthew, much less discuss anything to do with Dallas. Maybe it was a rebound, maybe it was a lot of things, but it was none of Matthew’s business. He’d forfeited that when he screwed around on me.
“You don't have any right to ask! Matthew, you’ve been fucking Alyssa for how long now? Why don’t you just go ahead and come clean about it?” I asked, annoyed and irritated.
“Fuck you, Audrey. It didn’t have to be a big deal. I fucked up. You're the one who’s turning it into a big deal.”
“Oh my God, Matthew. I can't believe you. You were fucking my friend! She was supposed to be one of my bridesmaids. No matter what you think, what you did was shitty. Honestly, I'm relieved. We should've broken up sooner. You know it, and I know it. That's why you were fucking her. I wish you’d just had the nerve to tell me you were ready to move on.”
