Love Conquers All (Forever and Always #16)

by E. L. Todd

  Cassandra was just as mad as I was. “They are unbelievable.”

  “So…is everything okay?” Zander asked. “Is he not taking care of you?”

  “I am,” I said with a growl.

  “We’re very excited about this baby and we’re madly in love. Zander, I want you to leave me alone and never bother me again. I don’t care how many times my parents call you. I don’t want to see you ever again. And if you don’t do as I ask, I’ll let Mike kill you.”

  I rubbed my knuckles, showing him I meant business.

  He gave her a pleading look. “Baby, I—”

  I pushed my foot against his chest then shoved it into the wall. “No one calls her that but me.”

  Zander gripped his head as he recovered from the collision. After a moment of regaining his composure, he looked back at her. “Cassandra, I’m sorry about everything. I really want another chance. I’ll even help you with the baby. It doesn’t matter if it isn’t mine.”

  She spat on him again. “If you really care about me, you’ll leave me alone. Don’t call my bluff. Mike will kill you. I’m the only thing standing in his way.”

  I gripped him by the shirt then pulled him to his feet. “Now get the fuck out of here. You have three seconds.”

  Zander stumbled for a second before he raised his hands. “I’m sorry. I’ll go…”

  “3…”

  He walked down the hallway.

  I turned and watched him. “I can still see you. 2…”

  He turned to the right and hit the stairwell.

  I sighed then turned back to Cassandra. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said with a disgusted voice. She got the door open and stepped inside. “I can’t believe I was ever married to that creep.”

  “I promise I’ll be a better husband than that shithead.”

  “I already know that.” She grabbed the front of my shirt then pulled my lips to hers. Somehow, she excited me without even trying. “But I think I’d be stalking you like that if you ever left me.”

  “Oooh…would you spy on me through a peephole?”

  “Maybe…” She gave me a playful look.

  “And what would you be watching?” I didn’t know where this was going to go, but I was curious to find out.

  She rose to my challenge. “I’d like to see how you make yourself come.”

  Her words hit me like a sheet of rain. I’d never heard anything hotter in my life. She surprised me again and again. “Really?”

  “Yeah.” Her hands moved across my chest, telling me she wanted me. “That’d be so hot to see.”

  “You’d like to watch me beat my dick?”

  She bit her lip then moaned.

  I growled. “You’re driving me crazy…”

  “Show me how much.” The darkness was in her eyes. I could tell she was being serious.

  “I will if you will.”

  She smirked. “You’re dirty.”

  “Show me how you touch yourself when you think about me.” Now I really wanted to do this. I had no interest in touching myself when I could be touching her, but that sounded hot as hell.

  “Okay.”

  I knew I was going to like this.

  She moved into her bedroom then pulled her clothes off. I was so excited that I just watched her, forgetting to get my own clothes off. She eyed my body then snapped her fingers, telling me to strip.

  “Yes, boss.” I pulled them off then got on the bed.

  Cassandra immediately shoved my hard dick into her mouth, getting me wet.

  I took a deep breath when her lips tightened around me, not expecting that to happen or for it to feel so good. She moved her head up and down a few times until I was soaked. Then she opened her drawer and pulled out a purple vibrator.

  I knew my future wife wouldn’t be against sex toys.

  She lay on the bed, her feet next to my head. Then she opened her legs and worked her magic. “I want to watch you…”

  I was so distracted by her that I forgot to touch myself. I wrapped my fingers around my shaft then moved up and down. I hadn’t masturbated in a long time so it felt odd for a moment. I was used to being inside Cassandra’s warm and wet pussy.

  She was really getting into it. She writhed on the bed and moaned. Her other hand rubbed her clitoris.

  “You thinking about me?” I jerked myself harder.

  “Yeah…” She closed her eyes and another moan escaped her lips.

  I was enjoying the sight. I’d jerked off to the girls masturbating on porn sites, but this was different. I was actually getting jealous of the purple vibrator. I wanted it to be me making her writhe like that. My hand moved up and down my dick but I wanted to be inside her.

  I couldn’t control myself anymore. I moved on top of her then tossed the vibrator on the ground. Her eyes widened in surprise, but when I was inside her, she dug her nails into my skin and moaned again.

  I rammed her hard and fast, wanting to put that vibrator to shame.

  “Mike.” She hooked her arms around my neck and breathed into my mouth. “God, that feels so fucking good…”

  That’s what I’m talking about.

  I rubbed her clitoris and pushed her over the edge, listening to her say my name over and over. My ears loved the sound. Sometimes she screamed when I made her come hard enough. The tip of my cock exploded and I came inside her, moaning as the unbelievable pleasure rocked through me. Cassandra was the hottest damn thing in the world. And that stomach…don’t even get me started.

  I pulled out then lay beside her, catching my breath. My back clung to the sheets because I was so sweaty.

  “Got jealous?” That playful look was back.

  “A little…”

  Her hand rested on my chest. “Believe me, every night I used it I wished it were really you.”

  That stoked my ego. “Good.”

  “I guess I’ll throw it away.”

  “You better.” I pulled her to my chest and lay in the darkness with her. We were supposed to go back to my apartment but it didn’t matter where we were. As long as we were together, I was happy.

  3

  Sean

  I invited the guys to my place so we could plan the bachelor party. Scarlet picked up the hot wings, pizza, and fries so we’d have something to eat. When they came over, they immediately downed the beer and demolished the food. I liked eating out once in a while, but I preferred Scarlet’s cooking more than anything else.

  “So, what do we do?” Mike asked. “Vegas?”

  “We already went there for Sean’s bachelor party—or him and Scarlet’s.” Cortland sipped his beer and his eyes suddenly turned dark, probably thinking about Monnique being on that trip.

  “It’s not like Vegas is exclusive to people,” Mike said. “It’s just a party city.”

  “Staying here might be easier,” I said. “I mean, it’s still New York.”

  Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Or you could just go fishing like he asked.”

  “But…isn’t that lame?” Cortland asked.

  “My brother used to be a party animal but he’s not like that anymore,” Scarlet said. “I think it’d mean a lot to him if you guys went fishing.”

  We all looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

  Mike spoke up. “I really don’t want to go to a strip club. Honestly, if we go, I’m not stepping inside one.”

  “Why?” Sean asked.

  “I’m gonna be a dad. I can’t do shit like that anymore.” Mike drank his beer then leaned back in his chair. “Plus, I’m practically married…it’s just creepy.”

  I didn’t want to go to one either, but I’d play along so Ryan could have a good time. But I already had a whore that did nasty things to me every night. There wasn’t much to see at a place like that. “Yeah, I don’t really want to go either.”

  “Me either,” Cortland said.

  Scarlet smiled. “It sounds like you guys are fishing.”

  I shrugged. “I guess that�
��s cool. Where should we go?”

  “Maybe we should rent a cabin somewhere, like in Colorado, and stay there for like a week,” Cortland said. “We could do some serious fishing.”

  “No,” Mike and I said at the same time. We both looked at each other and raised an eyebrow.

  “My girl is pregnant,” Mike said. “I can’t leave her that long and be that far away. Sorry.”

  “I’m not going to leave Scarlet,” I said.

  Cortland didn’t have anything to say. He had no one to leave behind.

  Scarlet rolled her eyes. “You guys are so lame. Go have a good time. Cassandra and I can look after ourselves.”

  “Nope,” Mike said. “I won’t change my mind.”

  “Even if she stayed here with me?” Scarlet asked.

  “What the hell are you going to do to protect her?” Mike asked.

  “Janice will be here,” she said. “And she can protect the both of us. Seriously, go have a good time. It’ll be nice to have a break from you guys.”

  “Thanks,” I said sarcastically.

  “Well, you’re constantly trying to do me like a damn rabbit,” she snapped. “I can barely walk most of the time.”

  I glared at her. “You’re the one who fucks me harder than I fuck you.”

  “This pizza just got gross,” Cortland said.

  “Are you the best man?” Mike asked.

  “Me?” Cortland asked. “I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything to me.”

  “Then it’s going to be me,” I said.

  “No, it’s not,” Mike said firmly.

  “Why would he pick you?” Scarlet asked.

  “Because we’re close,” I said.

  “Closer than him and Cortland?” Scarlet asked incredulously. “I don’t think so.”

  “Whatever,” I said. “You’ll see.”

  “You’re going to feel like an idiot,” Mike said.

  “And you look like an idiot,” I jabbed.

  “Good one.” Mike rolled his eyes.

  Scarlet sat down with us and sipped her water. “How’s the dating going?” Her question was directed at Cortland.

  “Umm…I haven’t actually had one yet,” he said awkwardly.

  “Did you tell Monnique?” I asked.

  He nodded. “She took it pretty well, actually.”

  “That’s good,” Scarlet said. “She’s not being selfish. Maybe she has grown a little.”

  Cortland became quiet.

  “Do you have anyone in mind?” I asked.

  “Hazel introduced me to one of the girls Flynn knows.” He scratched the label off his bottle. “I don’t even know what she looks like but Flynn said she’s hot.”

  “I’m sure you’ll have a great time,” Scarlet said.

  “Yeah.” He didn’t look at her.

  I eyed him, seeing the despair on his face. I could tell he didn’t want to do this. Not because he was scared to date or be with another woman, but because there was one woman on his mind. I could tell he still loved Monnique even though he wished he didn’t. “It’ll be fine.” My words referred to more than just the date. They referred to everything.

  4

  Hazel

  “So, what do you think?” Flynn jumped on the bed, wearing his socks, and hopped around.

  “It’s nice.”

  “Brand new frame, mattress, and sheets.” He plopped down on his butt then rubbed the bed next to him. “You’ll be the first.”

  “And the only.” I gave him a firm look.

  “Yes. And the only.” He grabbed my arm and yanked me to the bed. “Comfy, right?”

  I lay down and felt the soft mattress. “I’d sleep here.”

  “Would you sleep with me here?” He nibbled my ear playfully.

  “I’d sleep with you just about anywhere.”

  “Prove it.” His hand moved under my shirt, feeling the skin over my ribs.

  “I think I’ve proven it on several occasions.”

  “What about when I wanted to do it in the bathroom at the bar?” he asked.

  “Well, I’m not a whore. Only whores fuck in bathrooms.”

  “I don’t know…you seem pretty slutty to me,” he teased.

  I hit his shoulder playfully. “Am not.”

  “When you rode me last night, you seemed to like it.”

  My cheeks tinted at his words.

  He cuddled beside me, his arm around my waist. “Seriously, do you like it?”

  “It’s great,” I said.

  He gave me a firm look. “I hope you realize I wouldn’t make a change like this for just anybody.”

  “I do know.” I cupped his face and gave him a slow kiss.

  “Because, I kinda like you.”

  I smirked. “You kinda like me?”

  “Yeah. Whatever,” he said.

  I grinned then hit his arm again. “You don’t just like me.”

  “Sometimes, I do.” He rubbed his nose against mine, still being playful.

  “I kinda love you more than anything in the world.”

  He stilled at my words. “And I you.”

  I’d thought a lot about what Cortland said. The real reason I was afraid to move in with him was because I was scared I’d lose him. If he walked away from me and I lived with him, the pain would be unbearable. I barely recovered from Kyle, and I knew I wouldn’t recover from Flynn. He was the greatest guy in the whole world. Without him, there would be no stars in my sky, no sun on my spring morning. “Flynn?”

  “Hmm?” His fingers reached the bottom of my bra and he fidgeted with it

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said…”

  “About what?” he asked. “I say a lot of things.”

  “True. You don’t know when to shut your mouth.”

  “I’m an important person. I have a lot of important things to say.”

  “Sometimes I can’t tell if you’re being cocky on purpose,” I said.

  He smirked. “I’ll never tell. Now what were you saying?”

  “If your offer still stands…I’d like to live with you.”

  His eyes widened for a second and a grin stretched on his face. “Really?”

  “If you don’t mind having me here.”

  “Of course I don’t. I would love it.” He seemed genuinely excited. He bounced on the bed again, acting like a happy child about to go to Disneyland. “This is awesome.”

  His happiness was infectious. Now I was smiling.

  “What changed your mind?”

  “Well, Cortland talked me into it.”

  “He did?” He seemed surprised.

  “Yeah.”

  He nodded. “Cool dude.”

  “He’s a very cool dude. He offered me a job too.”

  “A job?” Now he looked confused.

  “I needed a part time job to pay the bills so he got me one at Linguistics. I’ll be his assistant or something.”

  “But you already have a job…”

  “You know I don’t make enough to live on.”

  “Well, you’re moving with me so now you don’t have to worry about rent.”

  “I’m still paying half,” I argued. “We split everything.”

  He gave me a sympathetic look. “Hazel, no offense, but the month’s rent for this place is four times what yours is. You couldn’t afford half.”

  “Oh…”

  “So, don’t worry about that. I got it covered.”

  Now I felt like I was taking advantage of him.

  “Don’t do that,” he said firmly. “I mean it.”

  He could read my mind sometimes.

  He leaned over and spread my legs with his knees. “You can pay me in other ways…” The meaning was clear.

  “So, I am a whore?”

  “A big slutty whore.” The playfulness was back. “I’m so glad you changed your mind.” The happiness shined in his eyes. “I didn’t want to tell you this because I didn’t want to make you feel bad, but I was really hurt when you said no.”r />
  “I’m sorry, Flynn…”

  “It’s okay. Because now you said yes.” He stood up and jumped on the bed. “You said yes!”

  “Are you five?” I said as I moved out of the way so he couldn’t step on me.

  He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. “Yes. And you are too.” He held my hands while we jumped up and down. I felt so silly so I started giggling. Flynn laughed with me, and I loved the childish expression on his face. He had so much life in him, so much fire. I wished I could be like him more. He was just fun and cool. “When can you get your stuff here?”

  “I don’t know.” I let go of his hands then lay down again. “I have a lot of stuff.”

  “Well, you can toss all your furniture. That’s solves that problem.”

  “My furniture?” I asked. “But what if I need it…?”

  The hurt moved into his eyes. “Why would you ever need it?”

  I couldn’t think of a response.

  “Please don’t move in with me unless your entire heart is in this. I can’t settle for half.” His words were blunt. They cut me.

  “You have my whole heart, Flynn. I guess I get scared you’ll leave me for someone better.”

  “But there is no one better,” he said firmly. “I’ve done everything I can to show you how ridiculously in love I am, but you continue not to see it. I could put a ring on your finger and you’d still doubt me. This needs to stop, Hazel.”

  “I know.” I covered my face, feeling worthless. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” he said gently. He gripped my wrists and pulled them away from my face. “Hopefully, you’ll feel differently after you move in.”

  “I’m sure I will, Flynn.”

  He moved on top of me. “Now, how about the rent for this month…?” His lips brushed against my chin.

  He made me come alive instantly. “How would I pay you?”

  “I think you know.” He pressed his face to mine then looked down at my lips, not kissing them. He always teased me like this, drawing me to him like a moth to a flame.

  My fingers glided into his hair and I pulled his lips to mine. Once they were sealed together, he gripped my hip and massaged the skin. My legs wrapped around his waist and we kissed for a long time, our tongues dancing around each other. Kyle never engaged in foreplay. He always went right to the ending. But Flynn always took his time. He excited me with just his mouth and his hands, bringing me to the edge quickly.