Surviving Amber Springs: A Stand-Alone Contemporary Romance

by Siobhan Davis

  Snatching the photo out of his hand, I place it facedown on my bedside table. “He just has one of those faces, and I’d rather not talk about him or the fact Heath’s been kissing Cassie behind my back.”

  Axel’s response is to draw me closer to him, wrapping his other arm around my body. The steady beat of his heart under my ear is soothing, and I’m almost lulled back to sleep. After a short while, he checks the time on his watch and clears his throat. “As much as I’d love to stay here with you, I’m sure your parents wouldn’t be pleased to find me here.” He tilts my face up to look at him. “How about a quick run, and then you can come back to my house, and I’ll make you breakfast.”

  “Are you sure your brother won’t mind?”

  He shakes his head. “Griff won’t surface till lunchtime. Saturday nights are always his busiest, and he rarely gets in before five. And even if he was up, he wouldn’t mind.” He pauses for a beat, biting sexily on his lip. “He knows about you, and he’d love to meet you.”

  “Yeah?”

  He kisses my forehead. “Yeah.”

  I snuggle into Ax, holding him tighter for a couple minutes before I release him. “Okay. Let me get changed, and then we’ll go.”

  Ten minutes later, we set off, running our usual route. We don’t speak, and I love how in tune he is with me. An hour and a half later, we arrive at his house, both sweating profusely and in bad need of a shower.

  “You go first,” Axel says in a whisper on the landing, thrusting a fluffy white towel into my arms.

  I channel my inner seductress, narrowing my eyes and licking my lips. “We could always shower together.”

  He pushes me into the wall, caging me between his arms while leveling a dark gaze on me. “Showering won’t be all we’re doing if I go in there with you,” he warns, his voice rough and husky.

  “Why do you think I suggested it?”

  His lips descend on mine, and he kisses me deeply. I pant into his mouth, clutching at his waist, pulling him flush against me. The evidence of his arousal, prodding my stomach, coils my insides into delicious knots, and I’m already so wet for him. I whimper when he suddenly pulls back. “Are you sure, Blaire?” His eyes examine mine carefully. “I thought you needed space.”

  I was right. He was purposely ignoring my wishes, yet I can’t find it in me to criticize him for it. Not when he seems to know what I need better than I know myself. “I do.” I sigh. “I don’t. I … I don’t know.”

  “And that’s exactly why we shouldn’t.” He kisses my cheek, moving to step away.

  “No.” I fist my hand in his shirt, pulling him back into me. “I need to feel … something real.” My eyes convey every emotion racing through me. “Please, Ax. I just … I just need you.”

  He nods slowly, understanding washing over his features. Grabbing another towel from the cabinet, he leads me into the bathroom. Locking the door, he stalks toward me with fierce determination. He makes quick work of my sweaty clothing, peeling the layers off until I’m stark naked in front of him. I watch as he strips off his own clothes, adding them to the sodden pile on the floor. Then he turns on the shower, tests the water, and gets in, holding out his hand for me.

  We take turns washing each other, still not speaking, but we don’t need words. His hands linger on my breasts, and my breath hitches in my throat when he lowers the sponge, washing between my legs. Heat pools in my core, throbbing and pulsing as expectation rises. I close my eyes, moaning, as he washes and conditions my hair. Then I turn the tables, relishing the feel of his body under my hands as I wash every delectable inch of him.

  His cock stands proud and erect, and I drop to my knees, without invitation, taking him deep into my mouth. He steadies himself with one hand against the tile wall, doing his best to stifle his moans as I work him over, licking him from tip to root before drawing his full length into my mouth and sucking him hard. After a couple minutes, he pulls me off, lifting me up and positioning me with my hands spread on the wall and my butt jutting up in the air. I suffer a bout of momentary panic, squeezing my eyes shut to ward off the images. His hands move to my hips, digging in hard as his length nudges my entrance. “You sure you want this?”

  This is the most vulnerable I’ve been with him, but I still can’t say no. “Please, and I’m on the pill,” I add, considering we’ve no condom with us. My raspy plea is all he needs, and there’s no further hesitation.

  He ruts into me from behind, bucking in fast, furious thrusts while his mouth trails up my spine and over my neck. He plants hungry kisses along my neck and jawline, tugging on my earlobe, making me moan louder. “Shush, baby. I’d rather we didn’t wake Griff.”

  His hand snakes around my front, and he plays with my clit, rubbing it softly, then firmly, matching the thrusts of his cock. Every time I’m close, he pulls back, leaving me whimpering and writhing underneath him. “Together, babe,” he whispers before sucking on my neck, almost painfully. He picks up the pace, squeezing my hips as he rotates his pelvis, sliding deep.

  “Axel,” I moan, needing release as much as oxygen.

  “Let go, baby.” He pounds into me, harder and harder, flexing his hips the same time he pinches my clit. I explode, and he plants a hand over my mouth, containing my screams of pleasure. He comes deep inside me, gritting his teeth and restraining his own blissful roars.

  He stills inside me, and we both try to get a grip on our breathing. I don’t realize I’m crying until he turns me around, his face turning ashen. “Shit. Did I hurt you?”

  “No! Not at all.” I cup his horrified face, smoothing out the furrowed lines on his brow. “You make me feel alive, Axel. Sex with you makes me feel alive, and sex has never been like that for me. I’m just a little overwhelmed but not in bad way.”

  “Are you sure?” He doesn’t look convinced.

  I cup his face more firmly. “I’m sure. I love having sex with you. The fact I’m crying is all me, not you. I told you I was a hot mess, and I meant it.”

  “If it helps, sex with you is different for me too. I’ve never felt connected to anyone the way I feel connected to you.” He kisses me softly on the lips. “And it’s not just sex. I’ve told you things I don’t tell anyone. Usually, it’s hard for me to open up, but not with you.” He caresses my cheek. “Never with you.”

  “And you don’t mind that I’m a little cray-cray?”

  He smirks, arching a brow. “You really want to play that game? Because I’m sure my cray-cray beats your cray-cray hands down.”

  A genuine smile graces my lips, and I’m opening my mouth to respond when someone knocks unexpectedly on the door, startling me. I shriek, grabbing Axel and using his body to shelter me from unwelcome visitors. “Relax,” he whispers, extracting my hands from his waist. “The door is locked, and he can’t come in.” Axel switches off the shower and steps out, securing a towel around his waist. Grabbing the other towel, he hands it to me, and I wrap it gratefully around my body, hanging back while he goes to open the door. The towel hugs his body like a glove, showcasing his muscled back, slim hips, and shapely ass. Beads of water cling to his skin, and with his wet, slicked-back hair and muscular physique, he looks like he just stepped off the pages of GQ.

  He eases the door open a bit, ensuring I’m protected from view. A hushed conversation ensues which I’m not privy to. Ax shakes his head before closing the door a couple minutes later. “C’mon. The coast is clear.”

  I take his outstretched hand, glancing nervously around me as we move from the bathroom to his bedroom. Axel rummages in his closet while I curse my lack of foresight. I should’ve brought a change of clothes, but clearly, my brain had disengaged. “Will these do?” He hands me a long-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of his boxers. “I’ll put our stuff in the laundry while you get changed.” Dropping his towel, he pulls on sweatpants and a tank while I try my best not to ogle him.

  He looks o
ver at me, still standing with the pile of clothes in my arms, and his gaze turns heated. He stalks toward me, and I suck in a breath. “Keep looking at me like that, and we won’t make it down to breakfast,” he growls, pulling me against him and crashing his mouth down against mine. I sway against him, drowning in his heavenly kisses. My lips are swollen when he finally pulls back. “Fuck, you make me so horny.”

  I beam at him, wondering what alternate universe I’ve wandered into. I still can’t believe three of the hottest guys in town are into me as much as I’m into them.

  Screw my dark thoughts from yesterday.

  There’s no way I can keep my distance from the guys. They’re mine. And, as the saying goes, there’s no pain without gain. It may be messy, it may get messier, but the best things in life usually are. And I believe our relationship is worth fighting for.

  So, I’ll just have to find a way to make it work.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The hum of quiet conversation filters out of the kitchen to greet me as I walk down the stairs and along the small hallway. Axel’s brother must have people over. Glancing down at myself, I self-consciously smooth a hand over the front of Axel’s clothes. Stepping into the kitchen dressed in his clothes will be a dead giveaway, but it’s not like I’ve any choice. I can’t cower in the bathroom until they leave, no matter how appealing that sounds.

  My heart thrashes around my ribcage as I hold my head up high and step into the kitchen, instantly gasping when I see who it is. “What the hell’s going on?” Suspicion combines with hurt in my tone.

  “Don’t get mad,” Skeet says, moving quickly to my side. “We needed to stage an intervention, and we were afraid you wouldn’t come if you knew we were all here.”

  Heath’s gaze roams over my clothes, and a strange expression appears on his face. I whip my head around to the stove, staring at Axel with hurt in my eyes. He’s in front of me in an instant, pulling me to him. “Don’t even think it for a second,” he whispers into my ear. “What happened upstairs was real and unplanned. All I agreed to do was get you here for breakfast so we could speak to you.”

  His words and the genuine expression on his face reassure me, and my shoulders relax. “Okay.”

  He closes his eyes briefly before kissing me softly on the lips. With a cheeky wink, he returns to the stove.

  “I know you said you needed space,” Skeet continues, linking his fingers in mine, “but we also agreed to openly communicate and not let things fester. Let’s talk it through, and if you still need some time, then you have it.”

  I bob my head. “Okay, and I’m not mad.” My head jerks involuntarily in Heath’s direction, and my eyes narrow before I refocus on Skeet. “At you or Ax.” I’m not letting Heath off that easily. I’m still hurt over his betrayal, even if I can understand he felt trapped into it.

  Heath rounds the island unit, stopping in front of me. “I’m so sorry, Blaire. I fucked up, but I promise it won’t happen again.”

  “We’ve only just gotten together, only just gone public with our relationship, and you’re kissing her behind my back?”

  “Blaire, please. It wasn’t like that.” He rubs a hand along the back of his neck.

  “How would you feel if I was having cozy family dinners with my ex and my mom thrust a photo of me kissing him in your face?”

  His eyes drop, and shame washes over his face. “I’d be hurt and disappointed in you, and I’d want to kick the shit out of your asshole ex.”

  “And that’s exactly how I feel. She hates me, Heath, but I could be any girl. She’d hate any girl who has the potential to take you away from her, in her eyes. She’s not going to stop, and if I can’t trust you to be on my side, then why are we even dating?”

  “You can trust me. I swear. I don’t want her to ruin things between us, and you’re the only one I care about. I don’t care what my parents want anymore. I’m going to prove to you that I’m genuine.” Determination glints in his eye as he moves toward me, gingerly taking my hand and planting a soft kiss on it. Before I have a chance to respond, he rushes on. “I’m going to come clean with my parents. Fess up about the fake relationship with Cassie and tell them you’re my real girlfriend.”

  “You’d really do that for me?”

  “Yes. And I’ll do whatever else you want me to do to prove I’m serious about us. Just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”

  “How do you think they’ll react?” I inquire, peering up at him. He shrugs casually as if it’s no biggie. “Don’t do that,” I protest, shaking my head. “Honesty. Remember?” I plant my hands on my hips and slant a pointed look at him.

  He sighs, clawing a hand through his dirty blond hair, sending waves tumbling in every direction. “They’ll be pissed that I’ve been lying.”

  “And,” Skeet prompts, spearing him with a cautionary look.

  “And they’ll probably threaten to pull my college fund, and insist I join Dad’s firm instead, but they won’t mean it.”

  “No.” My tone brokers no argument. “You can’t tell them the truth if it risks your dreams. No way.” I cannot have that on my conscience.

  Axel sends a smug look over his shoulder. “Told you.” Heath flips him the bird, and Skeet chuckles.

  “What did I miss?” My gaze dances between them, waiting for someone to fill me in.

  “Ax and I both predicted you’d respond like this, but Heath was insistent you’d want him to fess up.”

  “You think I’m that selfish?”

  “What? No!” Heath gulps. “That not it. I saw how hurt you were Friday night, and I know how important the truth is to you. Even before you said it just now, I could see it in your eyes.”

  His words penetrate bone deep, and it’s like someone just stuck a dagger in my back. I work hard to contain my true emotions. “The truth is everything, but sometimes the truth has to be sacrificed for the greater good.” I almost choke on the words, but if they notice, they don’t comment. “I don’t think you should tell your parents the truth. Not if it risks your future. I don’t want that.”

  “Are you sure? I hate that I’m putting you in this position.” Heath wears a strained look.

  “I’m sure. I couldn’t live with myself if you lost out on your football dreams because of me. I’m hurt and upset, but I’ll get over it once you promise I have your loyalty.”

  Skeet lets go of my hand, kissing my cheek before walking to Axel’s side, helping him plate up our food.

  “I won’t touch her again,” Heath rushes to reassure me. “I promise. No matter what, I won’t let you down again.”

  I exhale loudly. “Okay, I believe you.”

  His arms go around me instantaneously, and a shuddering breath of relief leaves his body. “Thank you, and I’m so sorry. I never want to hurt you. Ever.”

  All the tension has left the room, and we enjoy our breakfast, chatting and making plans for the coming week. It’s like a bucket-load of stress has been lifted from my shoulders, and I know, without a shadow of doubt, that these guys are the glue holding me together right now. I’m not sure why they need me, but I know I need them. They are the first people I’ve truly connected with in years, and I was a fool to even consider walking away. I feel almost normal, almost human, when I’m with them, and I want to drown in those feelings until I believe it’s real.

  Heath is the first to leave. To go to another family engagement. A lunch gathering this time. Sans Cassie and the McFarlands—thank God. I walk him to his car, swathed in Ax’s leather jacket. “So, we’re good?” Heath asks, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Shit, I seem to always be saying that to you.”

  “Let’s try not to make it a habit,” I suggest, stretching up to kiss him. He takes my chaste kiss and multiplies it a thousand-fold, worshiping my lips and exploring my mouth with his tongue. When we break apart, I’m panting and in ne
ed of an oxygen fix.

  “Maybe we should fight more often,” he teases, palming my face. “If it means we get to make up like that.”

  “Eh, no thanks. I’ve had enough arguing to last a lifetime.” He frowns, but before he can quiz me, I push him toward his car. “You need to go, and I need to get back inside before the neighbors spot me dressed like this.” I gesture to myself, and Heath opens and closes his mouth in quick succession, obviously thinking better of whatever he was about to say.

  He calls out to me as I’m just about to return inside. I spin around. He’s sitting in his SUV with the window lowered. “I’ll pick you up at the usual time tomorrow morning, and I’ll call you later tonight.” Then he blows me a kiss and drives off. I’m smiling like a goober as I step back into the comforting warmth of the house.

  “Where’s Ax?” I inquire, plopping down on the couch beside Skeet.

  “He went to check if your clothes are dry.”

  My cheeks turn pink, and he chuckles, sliding me over onto his lap. “It’s okay, you know.”

  “It’s all still a little weird,” I admit.

  “It’s not as weird as I thought it’d be.” He sneaks his hand under the back of my shirt. “And you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. If Ax can give you what you need right now, then that’s all that matters.”

  “It’s not that, it’s—”

  “Babe.” He shuts me up with a kiss. “You don’t have to explain.” He traces my face with his fingers. “You and Ax have an intense bond. It’s different from what you and I share and what you have with Heath, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” He rubs his thumb along my lips. “You’re good for him, you know. He’s way more relaxed since you arrived. And”—his eyes widen and his lips kick up—“shock, horror, I’ve even spotted him”— he leans in, glancing furtively over his shoulder before pressing his mouth to my ear—”smiling and laughing.” He whispers the words like it’s some big secret, and I giggle. I’m rewarded with another quick kiss. “We’ve both noticed the changes in him, so whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.” He grins, smothering another chuckle as the stain on my cheeks darkens.