This is crazy. I take a step back. “Gonna have a shower,” I tell her before I make my escape.
Chapter Nine
Zach
The following afternoon I stand in my bedroom and stare at Grace’s case against the wall. She’s packed up all her stuff, and the room feels strangely empty without her clothes draped everywhere.
Not that I told her to go. She just casually mentioned it at breakfast, when she asked if I’d take her luggage downstairs sometime today. It shouldn’t bug me, but it’s been on my mind all morning, and not just because I’m usually the one who walks away.
I don’t want her to go.
It’s crazy and doesn’t make any sense, but it’s the truth. I like having her around, and not just when we’re naked.
She comes out of the bathroom with her overnight case and gives me an awkward smile. “Well, I think I’ve got everything. Just give me a call if I’ve forgotten anything.”
“Sure.” This is too weird, and I have no idea how to handle it, so I haul her luggage down to the garage and toss it into the trunk. She places her small case onto the passenger seat, slams the door and then comes back to me. We avoid each other’s gaze, and it’s damn uncomfortable.
“It’s been fun,” she says, and I narrow my eyes at her, but of course she isn’t taking the piss. She means it, and hell, I’m going to miss that smile of hers.
Then I get the strangest thought. Just because she’s leaving doesn’t mean we’ll never see each other again. There’s nothing stopping us from hooking up whenever.
Fuck buddies. We could do that. It’s a blinding revelation.
“Hey.” I grab her hand and pull her close. “You doing anything this weekend?”
Her fingers grip mine, which is all the answer I need, but I still want to hear her say it.
“I could come over on Saturday and stay the night, if you like.”
I grin, and she sways into me, winding her free hand around my neck. “You do that.”
“Okay.” She sounds thrilled, which makes me laugh, for no other reason than the fact I’ll see her again in a few days’ time.
“So, where’s your sister live?” She told me that’s who she’s staying with, but that was the extent of that conversation.
“She has an apartment in Malibu, not that far from our parents, actually.”
Malibu. I guessed Grace came from somewhere like that, but it still hits me in the face hearing her say it out loud. Could our lives be any more different from each other?
It doesn’t matter. None of it affects what we have together, which is great sex without any messy strings. I kiss her, which isn’t the best idea I’ve had, since I don’t want to let her go, but finally we pull back, and I’m looking forward to the weekend already.
“See you Saturday,” she says, and I open up the front of the garage, and she drives off.
…
Grace
It’s late afternoon when I arrive at Charity’s apartment, which is a couple of blocks back from the beach, but she’s not home from her week’s vacation to Hawaii until tomorrow. The concierge knows me, so there’s no problem there, and I still have my own key from when I lived here, before I moved in with Russell a year ago.
The apartment isn’t huge, just a two-bed, three-bath unit on the fourth floor, but I loved the three years we lived here together. Looks like I’ll be moving back in again, now. Charity won’t mind. She always said she’d keep my room for me any time I changed my mind about Russell.
I can’t wait to tell her about Zach. Although we texted a few times while she was away so she knows I’ve ended the engagement, I haven’t told her all the details, or about my hookup. Every time I think about “my hookup,” I go all warm inside, and the weekend can’t come fast enough.
First I need to face my parents, though, and sort out my future.
…
On Friday night Charity and I go to a local beachside bar with a group of girlfriends. I really need the night out after the four-hour visit with Mom and Dad earlier.
It’s not that my parents don’t care about my reasons for ending things with Russell, but they just don’t appear to understand them. Just because I’ve decided I don’t want to relocate doesn’t mean I have plans to get back with him, but that was obviously the first conclusion they jumped to, even though they didn’t actually say it out loud.
I push the thought from my head. Tonight I’m not going to think about my future, I’m just going to enjoy myself. Our table is right by the window overlooking the ocean, and there’s a nightclub next door that we’re going to afterward. We’ve all known each other for years, which mean they all know Russell, and although they’re on my side, a couple of them think I’m crazy for ending our engagement.
Several times, Charity gives me sideways glances, and I know she’s waiting for me to tell everyone about Zach. It’s not often I’ve ever had such juicy gossip to share when it comes to my sex life, but something’s holding me back.
I don’t want them all leaping to the same conclusion my sister did—that he’s just a bad boy I hooked up with to celebrate leaving Russell. Sure, it looks that way, and if I’d left first thing the following morning, I guess that’s exactly how I’d view it, too.
But even though I joked with Charity that we were just fuck buddies, it doesn’t feel right talking about him like that with our friends. I guess one hot hookup and a tattoo hasn’t changed me that much, after all. Deep down I’m not a one-night stand girl, and I want more than a superficial fling with Zach.
My best friend Leah leans across the table. I’m going to have to tell her the truth later tonight, otherwise she’ll never forgive me. “See those guys at the bar? The blond can’t take his eyes off you.”
Before I can stop myself, I glance toward the bar. The blond is a total surfer dude and raises his glass in my direction.
Leah gives a conspiratorial smile. “Tonight you’re getting laid, and I’m not listening to any of your excuses. Some wild, meaningless sex’ll show you what you’ve been missing all these years.”
I shoot the guy another glance. He’s a prime candidate for a one-night stand, at least in the eyes of my friends. Tanned, toned, and good looking. If I hadn’t met Zach on Saturday, would I be tempted?
When the others agree and start devising ways of getting us together, I can’t put it off any longer. “I’ve met someone else.”
Charity gives an audible sigh of relief and sinks back in her chair. Obviously the ordeal of keeping my secret was killing her.
“What she means,” my sister says, as the others squeal and bombard me with questions, “is she hooked up with some guy over the weekend. It’s not serious.”
I know it’s not serious, but for some reason I’m irritated she feels the need to say that upfront. As the conversation turns to how to handle a friends-with-benefits relationship, I can’t stop thinking about Zach.
We’re not dating. We don’t owe each other anything.
Has he picked up any more women over the last few nights?
Probably.
I give surfer dude another once over, but the idea of getting naked with him doesn’t make my nipples ache or pussy wet the way one arrogant glance from Zach does. No way am I going through with this when I can’t get him out of my mind.
I pull my cell from my purse and text him.
…
Zach
It’s another busy Friday night in Odin’s, and I stretch my legs out under the table as I glance around. Gage is out of town so I’m keeping an eye on the place, but it’s mainly for show. Trouble tends to steer clear of Odin’s, due to its connection with the Bastards.
Cade saunters back from the bar and hands me a beer. “You coming to the club later?”
There’re always girls at the club on a Friday night, so his meaning’s clear. Usually, I’d agree without even thinking about it, but tonight I’m just not interested.
“Nah.” I tip the beer down my throat. It’s been thre
e days since I saw Grace, and by rights I shouldn’t be able to recall her face by now, but it’s like every feature is branded into my brain.
“Seeing Grace?”
Since Cade’s met Grace, it’s okay for him to ask about her. “Tomorrow.” I can’t wait to get her naked again and wrap her long red hair around my fist. My dick stirs and I swallow a groan. It’s gonna be a long night.
“Huh.”
I rock the bottle on the table and ignore his unspoken question because I don’t have an answer. I’m not doing anything tonight, so why don’t I go to the club and enjoy some pussy?
A couple of chicks breeze into the bar, catch sight of Cade, and totter over to us, clutching each other and giggling. “Hey, Cade,” the brunette says, while her blond friend checks me out.
Cade leans back in his chair, and the brunette wiggles onto his thigh and wraps an arm around his neck. Any other time I’d invite the blonde to do the same. She’s definitely my type, with long, messy hair and nice tits, and she’s obviously willing by the way she keeps smiling at me.
I’m tempted to take her into the side alley so she can take the edge off, but I still don’t make a move toward her. Cade’s already feeling up the brunette, who’s clawing at his chest like a rabid cat, and my dick’s getting harder by the second.
I can’t figure out why I’m still sitting here.
My cell buzzes, and it’s a welcome distraction, which is fucked up. What’s wrong with me? And then I see it’s a text from Grace, and I forget about the blonde.
Hey, it’s me, Grace. :)
I grin, because obviously it’s her, but her text sounds so much like the way she talks.
Just checking it’s still okay for me to stay tomorrow night.
Every word is spelled out in full. Who does that?
I shoot her a quick reply.
C u 2morro princess
Chapter Ten
Zach
Grace turns up the following evening with a bottle of wine and enough Chinese takeout to feed half the street. She’s parked on the forecourt, and I take the bags from her as she slides out of the car, looking even hotter than I remembered.
To hell with playing it cool. I curl my hand around the back of her neck and kiss her. I’m addicted to her kisses, and it’s not easy pulling back, but there’re plenty of people about, and I still have a rep to maintain.
“I missed you, too.” She smiles at me as I haul her case from the trunk. It’s smaller than the one she had last week, but still huge when she’s only staying for one night. Kat’s the same when she stays overnight with friends. What the hell do chicks pack?
“Good.” I want her to miss me, although I’ve no idea why. It doesn’t matter what she does when we’re not together. We go inside, and I dump her case in the hall before going into the kitchen. “You sure you got enough food here? I don’t want you going hungry.”
“I wasn’t sure what you or Kat liked, so I got a wide selection.”
“Kat’s not back tonight.”
“Oh.” Grace raises her eyebrows. “I hope I’m not the reason she’s staying away?”
“Of course you’re the reason.” I laugh and pull her into my arms. “She doesn’t want to hear you screaming every time you come.”
“What?” She sounds horrified, and her face goes a pretty shade of pink, the way it always does when she gets embarrassed. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
I swing her around so we’re in the hall and she’s backed up against the wall. “I’m not joking. You’re going to scream every time you come tonight.”
She digs her nails into my shoulders. “I mean about Kat. She didn’t really hear me last week, did she?”
I almost tell her the truth, but something in the panicked way Grace is gripping my shoulders stops me. “Nah, of course she didn’t. The walls are soundproofed.” They’re not, and I don’t think she believes me, but at least she lets out a relieved breath.
“Thank goodness. I’d never be able to look her in the eyes again.”
“It’s only sex. You’re not murdering anyone.”
“I’d still rather not have your family hear me, thank you very much.”
“I’ll gag you next time.” I’m joking. Kind of.
“I’m surprised your sister didn’t hear you.”
My smirk drops off my face. “No reason why she would.” No way do I want Kat to hear me getting off, even if she knows full well what I’m doing.
Grace smiles and trails her fingernails along my jaw. “Do you want me to prove it?”
“You can try.” I slide my hand beneath her short dress, along her naked thigh to cup her ass. “Bet I can make you scream first.”
“You’re on.” Before I realize her intention she cradles my junk, and even through my jeans her touch is electrifying. “What do I get when I win?”
I rip her thong down her legs and she wiggles out of it. “When you lose…” I tease her wet slit and she groans, tipping her head back against the wall. “You’ll spend the rest of the night naked.”
Her eyes drift open and her grip around my cock increases until I grit my teeth. “I’m not going to lose. I win, you go naked.”
I need to be naked right now. Within seconds I have a condom between my teeth and my jeans are around my ankles. I need her too damn much for any finesse.
She hooks her leg around my thigh as I roll on the rubber. “Up against the wall?” She sounds as though she’s never done it that way before.
“Get your other leg around me.” I brace her weight against the wall and support her thighs on my forearms as she wraps those gorgeous legs around my hips. She’s gripping my shoulders as though she’s afraid of falling, but that’s not going to happen. My kiss is savage, but she pushes back, all teeth and tongue, and her nails rake my neck like she wants to eat me alive.
I shift position and shove into her. Slick heat grasps me tight, sucking me deep inside, and it’s even better than I remember. She plunges her fingers through my hair, holding me right where she wants me, and her wild kisses drive me out of my mind.
I can’t reach her clit, so I stroke her swollen pussy lips, stretched wide by my dick. She writhes, and moans deep in her throat, and I pound into her, only one thought in my head.
To make her mine.
With a choked gasp, she shudders around me but doesn’t break our frenzied kiss. But I can’t hold on.
I rip my mouth from hers, and my roar of release echoes through the apartment, and when she gives me a sweet, exhausted smile of triumph, I’m happy to concede.
…
We spread the boxes across the coffee table and I pour the wine into a couple of short tumblers. I don’t drink wine, but I take a long mouthful and it’s okay. Grace takes a dainty sip and licks her lips. I guess she’s used to drinking everything from the right glass.
“Next time I’ll nick a couple of wineglasses from Odin’s.” Because there’s going to be a next time. Why not?
“I like this.” She clinks my glass. “It’s different.”
It is, and I’m not thinking about the wine. I’ve never sat in the living room eating takeout with a girl I’ve just had. It’s weird, but not in a bad way. What makes it even better is I’m naked, and she’s not wearing anything under her dress.
“Have you resigned from work yet?” That’s another thing—I don’t make small talk, but I want to know what she’s doing, and I don’t even feel the need to justify it.
“No.” She plays with a prawn cracker. “I’ve decided to stay where I am for now.”
I shovel a forkful of sweet and sour chicken in my mouth. Something’s bugging me about this, and it’s not just because she’s still in the same place as her jerk of an ex.
“Changed your mind about opening your own shop?”
She gives a little shrug and tucks a few strands of hair behind her ear. “I’m still thinking about it.”
I take another slug of wine. Last week she seemed so determined to leave her job, and no
w it’s like she doesn’t care. I might not know office politics first hand, but I get the feeling she’s being pressured. “Did your boss give you a hard time for ending it with the jerk?”
“Not really. I mean, it wasn’t the best afternoon I’ve ever had, but I knew my parents wouldn’t be happy I ended the engagement. That’s why I couldn’t tell them I wanted to resign as well. I think they would’ve totally freaked out.”
It’s like a giant lightbulb flashes inside my head. “You work for your family?”
“Yes. It was always expected that I would. That’s why I can’t help feeling guilty that I’m going to let them down.”
I can understand that. My dad expected me to follow him in the family business, but that was never a problem because I always enjoyed fixing bikes and the occasional car.
“What do they do? Your family?”
“Oh.” Inexplicably, she drops her gaze to my chest, and her cheeks go pink. “They own Mulholland Hotels.”
It takes a couple of seconds before it fully hits me. For fuck’s sake, the Mulholland Hotels are in every major city and only cater to the obscenely rich and famous.
I always knew Grace came from money. But this takes it to a whole new level. Hell, they could buy her a shop from their small change.
“They’ll manage without you.”
“I know. It’s just I’m a typical eldest child. Always trying to please everyone.”
That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. “I’m the eldest child, and that’s never bothered me.”
“You took over your dad’s business when you were a teen so you could keep your family together. That’s classic eldest child behavior.”
I give a snort of laughter because what the hell? “I’m not into this psychobabble shit. Don’t let them guilt trip you into staying.”
She stirs her fried rice. “It’s not like that. I didn’t even mention resigning when I saw them the other day. It was more of a prolonged dissection of why I wanted out of the engagement.”
“What about your ex? Was he there as well?” I don’t want her anywhere near him. I don’t need a reason.
Hooked (Viking Bastards MC) Page 8
