by J. A. Bailey
Glancing at Justice, her stomach twisted again.
She did know what she wanted.
She wanted to stay.
But how could she, when Jake would be here? She’d made it clear she had no intention of staying. And surely he would lose interest in her once she was huge and waddling around with another man’s baby in her belly?
Justice couldn’t make much use of her either and she couldn’t very well raise a baby in a tiny room in a bar. It wasn’t fair to any of them.
It didn’t stop her wanting to make North Carolina her home, though. It was the first time she’d ever had real friends, not just ones who wanted to use her connection to her father. The first time she’d ever been independent and earning her own money.
“Right, I need to sort out the tills,” Justice declared. “You nearly done here?”
“Pretty much.”
“Take it easy,” Justice advised. “You look a little tired today. It will probably be busy, but there’s enough of us working tonight if you need a break.”
Waverly nodded then on instinct, snatched Justice’s arm and embraced her.
Justice laughed. “What was that for?”
“Thank you for being such a great friend. I’ve never really had one before. I know you’ve done a lot for me.”
“Don’t sweat it. You’re a hard worker and an asset. I’m sure going to miss you when you leave.”
Swallowing hard, Waverly waited until Justice went into the office before propping her hands on the bar and drawing in a deep breath to try to rid herself of the uncomfortable knot in her throat.
How was she ever going to bring herself to leave here? To leave Jake? She just didn’t know.
Walker had spent most of the night with a rock hard erection.
It was busy as usual for a Friday night which meant he’d hardly been able to talk to Waverly. And that had meant he’d spent most of the evening watching her instead. He could hardly believe that after over two weeks of taking her to bed, he wanted more.
Or perhaps he could.
Any other women, he would have tired of by now. But not Waverly. She was different.
She glanced his way while she served a customer and gave him that sweet, secretive smile. To everyone else, she’d look totally innocent, but he recognized that smile. It was one that meant she was thinking of all the things he’d do to her later.
His cock lengthened a little. He couldn’t deny he was thinking the same.
“You want to quit staring and pay attention to your beer?”
Walker snapped his attention around to Rocco. “I wasn’t staring.”
A rumble of laughter rippled around them.
“Face it, Walker,” Gunner said. “You’ve got it bad.”
“I’ve got nothing,” he grumbled.
Knox shook his head, “I’ve known you forever and I’ve never known you to look at a woman like that.”
“Like what?”
Rocco grinned. “Like you’re in love, buddy.”
Walker’s chest tightened. “Nu-uh.”
“I knew you had a thick head, but I didn’t know you were this stupid.” Locke leaned in. “You’re head over heels for that girl.”
“You’re wrong.”
The words sounded nuts even to him. He could deny all he wanted but he was falling hard and fast for daddy’s little girl. The problem was, she was still insisting she’d be moving on before long. Why the fuck did he have to break his own rule and get involved with her? He should have run hard and fast the moment he set eyes on her.
It was too fucking late now, though.
He tried to turn his attention to Rocco and his latest escapade. Some high-powered lawyer he’d met in the city last weekend apparently. Things were over again with Justice. Frankly, he thought Rocco was an ass for messing her around, but Justice was tough and could handle herself.
Inevitably, Waverly snared his attention again. He watched her work efficiently, smiling broadly at the customers and looking as though she had worked at the bar for years. She fit in perfectly. All the other employees at the Fox Hole adored her, Justice doted on her and the customers were more than happy to have a beautiful woman waiting on them.
Too happy, he thought, clenching his teeth. Almost everyone knew Waverly was his and kept it polite, but a group of young soldiers were in tonight and clearly hadn’t gotten the memo. They tried to get her to stay at their table, pulling on her arm.
Walker left it just a moment—just enough time for them to think twice about their actions. When one tried to grab her ass, he stormed over, snatched him up by the scruff of his neck and slammed him down on the bar.
The rest of the guys were by his side in moments, and the sleazeball’s friends backed off.
“I didn’t mean any harm,” the kid protested.
“What makes you think you have any right to touch a woman without their permission, let alone my woman?”
“I didn’t…” He squirmed. “I wasn’t…I didn’t think.”
“What’s your name?”
“L-Luke.”
He pressed harder. “Your rank.”
“Private…Private Bradley. 23-642-023, sir,” the kid said, clearly realizing he’d just had a run-in with a superior.
“I’ll be having a word with your CO. I suggest you keep away from the women here if you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
“I won’t do it again, I swear.”
Walker released him and glared at the rest of the boys. “Same goes for all of you. If I hear of anyone disrespecting a woman, I’ll have you all written up.”
They all nodded and skulked away, leaving through the rear door. Walker heaved in a breath and Waverly put a hand to his arm.
“Thank you.”
He’d half expected her to be annoyed at him for taking control of the situation. “All I want to do is protect you, Waverly.”
“I’m sure Justice would have kicked them out had I asked, but hopefully what you just did will stick in their minds a bit more and they’ll think twice next time.”
“Fucking assholes,” he hissed, still trying to control the anger coursing through him.
“It’s okay, Walker. It’s done now. Go enjoy a beer. It’s only half an hour till closing.”
He grinned, feeling suddenly lighter. “And you’re in need of company?”
She flashed a smile. “Perhaps.”
“Tease,” he muttered and gave her ass a tap.
“It’s a good job I like you.”
“My ass,” he said, patting it again. “I can do what I want with it. And I will. Very soon.”
Her eyes flared. He’d been promising anal sex all week now, building it up and making her ready. Perhaps he’d do it tonight.
Fuck, he was instantly hard thinking about it.
“Get that sexy ass to work.”
She gave him a swift kiss and continued on. He tried to wait as patiently as he could while she finished up and even gave her and Justice a hand cleaning up, just so he could get Waverly to bed as a soon as fucking possible.
By the time she was done, he’d imagined just about every scenario possible. He could take her ass in the shower, so that her body was nice and wet and relaxed. Or he could put her legs over her head so her cunt was open to him. Or doggy. Or on her front. On her side perhaps…
“Walker?”
He blinked and dumped the cloth he’d been using to polish the same spot of the bar over and over.
“You coming to bed?” Waverly asked.
When he nodded, he must have looked like a fucking dog with his tongue hanging out. “Hell yeah.”
He followed her upstairs, grabbing her at the top and pressing her hard against the wall. He kissed her before she could make a sound, thrusting his hand down her pants and finding her panties wet. Pushing against her clit through the fabric, he nibbled her neck.
“You have no idea how hard tonight has been. It’s been fucking torture. All I wanted to do was flip you over a tab
le and take you then and there.”
Waverly gasped.
“I kept picturing your pussy, all wet and pink for me. And thinking about sliding my cock into your tight, tight ass.”
A moan escaped her. Walker moved back and pressed both hands to the side of her face. “Will you let me do it tonight, baby? Can I take your ass?”
Once they were in her room, Jake shut the door and stalked toward her. Her heart pounded in anticipation. She’d been needing him all night, especially after that soldier had touched her. She wanted Jake’s touch to erase the memory of his creepy hands ever on her.
And now he was promising to take her ass.
She’d been begging for it all week after he’d introduced her to ass play. Waverly had pictured how it would be over and over and she’d spent most of the night hoping it would finally happen.
He pushed his hands into her hair and tilted her face to his. His gaze roamed hers, and her breathing hitched. He made no move, just stared into her eyes for several moments before kissing her.
Her knees nearly buckled. How was it possible to need someone so much? It was breaking her heart to think of leaving him.
Guiding her over to the bed, Walker helped her off with her clothes before undressing himself. He began at her neck, kissing down the sensitive side and making her shudder. He used a hand to toy with her breasts before taking each nipple into his mouth. Then he kissed down her ribs and paused at her bellybutton. Walker placed a sound kiss there and continued on to her thighs.
He nipped the sensitive skin on her inner thigh, his mouth unbearably close to her pussy. His hot breath brushed it and she squirmed.
Jake continued his teasing, all the way down the length of one leg and back up, letting his fingers linger near her sex. She pressed up her hips in an attempt to end the torture.
“Touch me,” she begged.
“Soon,” he promised, kissing just under her belly button. “I want you as mad for me as I am for me. I want you so fucking ready for me. You have no idea how crazy you drive me.”
Waverly was sure she did. He drove her crazy too. Looking down at him with his lips brushing every bit of skin apart from where she needed it most and seeing those strong shoulders and the muscles straining in his arms, she thought she might go wild with desire. No man had ever made her feel so out of control yet protected.
He cupped her breasts and placed kisses there. She reached down to curl a hand around his cock but he backed away and she whimpered.
“Patience, baby,” he warned.
“I don’t have any,” she protested.
“You’ll have to. I intend to take my sweet, sweet time to enjoy every moment of this beautiful body.”
Waverly really did feel on the edge of insanity by the time he’d finished kissing and nipping at her body.
“Spread your legs wide for me, Waverly. Let me see that pussy.”
She had no willpower to do anything other than obey. Moving her legs apart, she felt cool air brush her heated parts. He dipped his head and gave her clit the lightest lick.
“Jake!” She nearly bolted off the bed.
Her body was on fire, so near the edge that she felt she’d explode at any moment. He gave her another lick. Then another. Then he dipped his tongue farther down and let his tongue linger near her ass. She gave up and let him do as he would, surrendering entirely to him. He toyed and kissed and nibbled all over her pussy and ass before finally shifting up her body and rolling her onto her side.
Jake parted her ass cheeks and rested the side of his face against hers. “I’m going to take it slow, okay? You need to move with me, Waverly. Tell me how hard you want it.”
She nodded. Tightness gathered in her chest. A little from apprehension and a little from nervousness. It was like giving up her virginity again except so much more important. Jake actually meant something to her unlike the spotty teenager she’d slept with as a moment of rebellion at seventeen.
He pressed a finger into her first and she moved back onto it, feeling the delicious sensation of it moving deep inside her. So many things sparked in her body and mind, she could hardly comprehend it. All she knew was the it would feel one hundred times more amazing with his cock in her.
Working a finger in and out for several moments, he added a second. He moved slowly. “Are you ready?”
“God, yes.” She thought she’d been ready all week.
The tip of his cock nudged her ass. She leaned back into him and relished the tight, close hold he had on her body. He pushed in. She gasped.
“Push back, baby. You tell me what you need.”
Sucking in a breath, she did, feeling his cock impale her farther. God, it was amazing. She’d never felt so stretched and full.
“Okay?”
“Okay,” she breathed.
She nudged her ass back again. The sensation was incredible. Her body was so sensitized to everything, she could probably come in an instant.
“That’s amazing,” Walker told her. “You’re amazing. Jesus, I could explode in your ass right now.”
Waverly moved until he was deep in her and let herself adjust for a moment. Her throat clogged as she tried to tell him the same. Walker was amazing, but she couldn’t seem to express it at that moment.
She began to move more boldly, and he gripped her hips. Each stroke of his cock had her nerve-endings electrified. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the feeling of him deep inside her, his breath brushing her cheek, his arm firm about her.
He began to move with her until they were fucking hard. She couldn’t keep her cries of pleasure away. When he moved a hand between her legs, she came instantly, her body convulsing around him. The orgasm was so powerful that she could hardly control herself. She cried out his name and dug her nails into his arm.
“Jesus…Christ…” Jake stiffened and groaned into her hair as the last pulses of her orgasm ebbed away.
She felt his cum flood her ass. He buried his head against her. “You’re amazing,” he told her again.
Waverly almost believed him. She held him tight and closed her eyes for fear of letting slip a few tears. How was she ever going to let this man go?
Letting the water slip down his back, Walker tilted his head into the shower and scrubbed his face. Damn, he was exhausted.
But it had been so worth it. Waverly was the most fucking extraordinary woman he’d ever met. Hell, he was getting hard just thinking about her and they’d spent most of the night enjoying each other.
He sucked in a breath to quell his erection and tried to distract himself from thoughts of slipping into that tight ass again. She needed a rest and she certainly didn’t need him fucking her ass again so soon.
Walker finished washing up and dried himself off on a towel. Slinging it around his waist, he peered out of the bathroom at Waverly. Sprawled on her front, she slept with her head burrowed against the pillow and her hair a wild mess about her. He smiled. She was exhausted.
Opting to dress quick and not disturb her, he quietly closed the door and tiptoed downstairs. His stomach grumbled and no doubt Waverly would be hungry too. He’d go grab them some coffee and something to eat and then talk about their plans for the day. Because he sure as hell wasn’t willing to lose out on any more time with her.
He grimaced to himself. The realization had hit him during the night. He was meant to let her go. That wasn’t new. But the idea that actually, no matter how damned hard he tried to tell himself that he would, there was no chance he could let her go had struck him like a hammer over the head. How could he have been so dense to think he could let her move on?
So he would have to do something to persuade her to stay.
But first he’d get breakfast.
He strolled down the road and greeted a few of the early risers. Walter Morgan, the owner of the local drugstore, was sticking up a notice in the window and stopped to say good morning.
“You’re up a little early, aren’t you?”
“Just getting
some breakfast.”
“No doubt you’ve been spending some time with that pretty little waitress over at the Fox Hole.” The old man winked.
Walker lifted a shoulder.
“I don’t blame you. I was the same in my day.”
Walker peered at the poster. “You’re renting out the flat?” He glanced up at the flat above the store.
“Yup. Old tenant is leaving soon. Didn’t give us much damned notice about it either. Gotta to fill it quick or it will cost me a pretty penny to keep it.”
Walker was an idiot if he thought it was a sign.
Yeah, he was an idiot.
“I might have someone who’s interested. I’ll let you know.”
“Great, have a good one, Walker. Enjoy your morning.” Walter gave him another wink. Apparently the whole town knew about him and Waverly.
He stopped by the bakery to grab some coffee and pastries and headed back to the bar. Justice was likely still asleep too, so all was quiet. He found Waverly bundled up in bed.
“Morning.”
She grumbled and lifted her head out of the duvet. “Where did you go?”
He placed the coffee and the pastries on the side. She shifted to sitting.
“Smells good.”
“Thought you could do with some sustenance.”
Her cheeks colored a little. “I am hungry.”
“Stomach feeling good?”
She nodded. “Much better. I’m only feeling a little queasy in the evenings now. Hopefully the worst of it is over. Well, at least sickness-wise.”
Walker cleared his throat and sat beside her. He handed over the coffee and let her cradle it for a moment. Fingering a strand of her tousled hair, he drew in a long breath. Why the fuck did he feel like he was on the frontline of a battle? He’d been in the thick of the action in Afghanistan, had travelled to warzones all over the world. Yet he didn’t think he’d ever felt as nervous as he did right now.
“You know the drugstore?”
She took a sip of coffee. “Yes.”
“The apartment above is up for rent.”
