by Abby Brooks
I put my fork down and touched his hand. “What’s wrong?”
“Me?” Blinking, he sat back. “Wrong? Nothing at all.” He smiled, but it was too big, too bright. It made me uncomfortable.
“Is it because I was talking about leaving? Because I really don’t want to end up there…”
“You gotta take care of yourself, babe.” He patted my hand, then cut another piece. “My goodness, this steak is something,” he said, smiling around the bite.
I didn’t want to talk about the steak, but he seemed to want to change the subject, so I left it at that.
Chapter Twelve
Reuben
What a difference a few hours made. Earlier today I was angry with David for thinking Morgan and I wouldn’t make it a month. I’d told myself things felt different with her. That she was different. That I could relax because I wouldn’t have to worry about her breaking my heart.
And now she was talking like she didn’t even want to stay in Cherry Falls. Damn my monogamous, loyalty-streaked self. This was why I didn’t do the relationship thing. It was too easy to get attached, and then left feeling let down when it turned out one-sided.
Although Morgan had also said she wasn’t giving up on her dream yet. She wasn’t set on moving back to Syn City. She was just blowing off steam by venting, something I kept trying to remind myself as I finished our meal.
Don’t jump to conclusions, asshole.
In fact, instead of worrying about the worst possible outcome, I could have been focused on ways to make staying more successful. Maybe all she needed was a little help to get that garden started, just like she did with the coop. Though she’d probably need a nudge first. Morgan Montgomery wasn’t big on letting other people assist her.
We finished dinner—which had turned to sawdust in my mouth the moment she mentioned leaving town—and I stood to help clear the table.
“My brother’s fiancé lives on a farm,” I said as I carried our plates to the sink. “I bet she could give you some gardening tips if you were interested.”
Morgan’s eyes lit up. “You know, that sounds amazing. I’d really appreciate it if she’d help.”
I paused with one hand on the faucet. “You’re kidding. She who must do everything on her own is willing to accept help?” Shaking my head, I gave my attention back to the dishes, the rush of water covering a low chuckle.
“Look how good it turned out when I let you help with the coop. I never would have gotten that thing done on my own. Plus I got to meet…” She cleared her throat. “A new friend.”
Excuse me?
A new friend?
I’m thinking I might be falling in love and she’s calling me a friend? As much as I hated to admit it, David might have been right. Morgan and I might not last the month. I knew better than to let my heart get involved because damn it, I knew I’d see forever while she only saw for now.
I’d thought I was wrong. I’d hoped I was wrong.
I should have known better.
Morgan
That was close. I’d almost told Reuben how I really felt.
I got to meet someone I might be falling in love with.
I’d managed to catch the words before they came tumbling out of my mouth and replace them with the word “friend.”
Thank goodness! I mean, my feelings were ridiculous, something I’d been trying—and failing—to tell myself for a few days now. We’d only known each other a little while and men freaked out at the mention of love. Everyone knew the second a woman tried to define a relationship, a man got ready to bolt.
The whole reason I brought up moving back to the city was to hide the fire building in my heart. I’d keep my feelings to myself until I got clearer signs about how he felt. Or better yet, I wouldn’t say a thing until he said something first.
As Reuben rinsed off the dinner plates, I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my cheek against his back. He tensed, though that might have been my imagination.
Maybe I didn’t make as smooth a recovery on the near miss as I thought I did…
But then he softened, drying his hands on a towel and turning to face me. “I do like seeing you wearing my shirt.” He gripped the fabric and pulled me close. “But I like seeing you wear nothing at all even more.”
His hands slipped under the shirt, grazing my lower back, slipping under the waistband of my underwear to grip my ass.
“You are insatiable.” As I squeezed my inner thighs together to ease the ache between them, I realized I was insatiable, too.
“I’m…” Reuben pressed his lips together, his eyes roaming my face like he had something to say, until he finally shook his head. “Are you gonna kiss me or what?”
Reuben
This was so fucked up. I was nit-picking everything that came out of my mouth. Morgan called me insatiable, and I wanted to reply by telling her I was committed.
But that sounded too serious.
So I tried on “addicted,” but that didn’t sound much better.
Instead I kissed her, drinking her in as if I could rediscover the comfort she brought me just a few short hours ago. My fingers threaded through her hair like the certainty she was different was hiding in her mahogany locks. Her body pressed to mine, urging me to forget my worries. And I did. I lost myself in the physicality of sex and lust.
After all, Morgan was different.
I could feel it in the way she responded to me. The way she moaned at my touch. The way her hands explored my body.
She was mine and I was hers and that was the way it was supposed to be.
No worry.
No doubt.
Just the two of us coming together. Our bodies urging us forward.
She raked her nails down my back and I shuddered, gripping her ass in both hands. My dick throbbed with want and she smiled against my mouth. “I love the way you want me.”
Her hand snaked between us to rub my swollen cock and I yanked my shirt off her body. Need spiraled between us and I forgot about things like commitment and love. I forgot about her leaving or staying because fuck.
Her tits.
Her ass.
The sounds she made as she dropped to her knees in front of me, lowering my zipper and wrapping her hands around my shaft.
It was fucking sublime.
She was fucking sublime.
Her tongue swirled around my crown while she cupped my balls. I looked down to see those eyes locked on mine and shit, I could get used to her looking like that.
One hand fisted in her hair and my hips thrust on their own, rocking, rolling, chasing the pleasure as I tapped the back of her throat.
Morgan grinned around my dick and I was two pumps from blowing when I pulled back, helped her to her feet, and bent her over the kitchen counter. She looked like a fucking treat, just waiting for me to unwrap her.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
With little preamble, I jerked down her underwear and sheathed myself in wet, waiting warmth.
She grunted, pushing back against me, begging for more. “Shit, Ru!”
I thrusted forward. Once. Twice. A third time, the gasping hitch of her breath egging me on.
“I want you to want me.” I slammed into her and she cried out.
“I do. I want you so fucking bad.”
Except I didn’t just mean physically. I wanted her to want all of me. Because this? This was just plain fucking…if we were only friends.
The thought felt like poison and I sped my pace, pushing into her again, over and over like I could pound the venom away.
“Fuck! Reuben!” Morgan’s words disintegrated as she came, her tight body pulsing around my cock.
But still, I didn’t stop.
“Say you’re mine.”
“I’m…” She sighed.
I grabbed her hair, pulling back so her face craned to the ceiling. “Say it.”
“I’m…” I thrust forward and she cried out, sharper, harder. “I’m…!”
“Fucking s
ay it!”
“I’m yours,” she screamed and I came, grunting as my hips met hers with one final slap.
It should have been everything, but it was hollow and I knew it.
Morgan wasn’t mine.
I was her friend with fucking amazing benefits.
I needed to either get good with that or move on before I got hurt.
Chapter Thirteen
Morgan
My body quivered and shook. My legs trembled and I sagged against the counter, unsure if I could trust them to hold me up.
I was his.
My God, I was his.
There was no mistaking the feeling surging through me. My heart belonged to Reuben Cantal and it was glorious.
It was everything.
My life changed the moment I stepped into that hardware shop. I didn’t know it then, but I knew it now, and it would forever be the sweetest memory. The day I met the man of my dreams.
Pushing myself up, I turned, gripping the edge of my counter for support. My smile died when I found him yanking up his pants, and then tugging on the shirt I’d been so happy to wear for the evening, leaving me naked in my kitchen with my underwear around my ankles.
I pulled them up and covered my breasts with my arms. It was the first time I’d felt exposed around him.
“Is everything okay?”
“What? Oh, yeah. It’s fine.” Reuben gave me a smile that immediately disappeared. “I just thought I’d get out of your hair.”
“I thought we covered this.” I smiled coyly, trying to rekindle the flirty, passionate desire from minutes before. “I like it when you’re in my hair.”
“I’ve got a busy day tomorrow.” He kissed my forehead on his way to the living room.
I followed behind, swooping up my clothes as he lowered himself to the couch to pull on his socks and shoes. He hadn’t mentioned anything about a busy day. In fact, usually he was finding excuses to stay just a little longer despite his busy days.
Something wasn’t right, but I had no clue what.
If this was because I’d almost let my feelings for him loose…
I shook my head as a glimmer of light shimmered in my vision. The hint of pain. A touch of nausea while my head started to throb.
Well, shit. The last thing I needed was another migraine. Especially not when things felt like they were skidding off the rails and I had no idea why.
“Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Reuben stood, his eyes distant, darting around like he couldn’t quite stand to look at me. “Yeah. Maybe.”
Slowly, carefully, he drew me into his arms, and the heat we’d felt in the kitchen juxtaposed with a frigid kiss. I clutched at his shirt, pulling him close. Just five minutes ago he was ordering me to scream that I was his and I was happily obliging. Now he couldn’t get out of here fast enough.
But then he softened, his kiss warm and demanding, and there was no denying the connection that surged through us. He gripped my back, holding me tight, tight, tighter, but when he pulled away, the distance in his eyes had me shivering.
“I’ll text you,” he said, and then the door closed and that was that.
I stood in my living room, half-dressed and wondering what the hell happened as the shimmer in my vision grew.
Sleep took forever to come and the pain in my head chased it away long before I was ready to be awake. The faintest hints of morning warmed my windows and I flinched, covering my eyes with a groan that made me feel like I was going to throw up. It was too early to text Reuben, but knowing he’d be here to take care of me as soon as he knew eased the fear that always came with a headache.
I wouldn’t have to go through this alone. He’d promised to take care of me. As soon as I let him know what was happening, he’d be here to keep me fed, to sit at the end of my bed and rub my feet.
He was my safety. My protection—at least I thought he was before he bailed on me.
I shoved the worry out of the way and found another few hours of sleep, waking just after ten. I staggered to the bathroom, then right back to bed, swiping my phone off the nightstand to find a text from an hour ago.
Reuben: morning beautiful
Heaving a sigh of relief, I squinted at the bright light on the screen as I tapped in my response.
Me: Sorry it took me so long to reply. A migraine hit last night and I was up for hours. Finally managed to get some sleep this morning and just woke up.
I stared at the screen, waiting for the bubbles to appear, indicating he was typing a response. He always responded immediately, but this time minutes passed with nothing. My screen went dark and I unlocked it again, then put it on my nightstand the next time it closed. A jolt of fear pushed through my throbbing head. First, he bolted last night. Now? He was ignoring me.
I sighed, closing my eyes.
Reuben had said he’d be busy today. Maybe he was occupied and couldn’t get to his phone.
I buried myself in my pillows, trying not to worry. The last thing I needed was to add anxiety to the pain in my head. It certainly wouldn’t help and would keep me from healing as quickly as I needed.
I tried, and I failed. Anxiety wrapped its electric fingers around my heart and I couldn’t sleep. Almost couldn’t breathe. My head pounded and my heart broke until an hour later, my phone buzzed and hope sprang to life, when I saw Reuben’s name on the screen. I smiled, then grimaced because all the moving made my stomach spin.
But when I read his text, my stomach stopped spinning and dropped to my feet.
Reuben: I’m sooo sorry. I won’t bother you then, so you can have space to recover.
I frowned. On the surface, nothing was wrong with his text, but this wasn’t how he operated. The last time I had a headache, he camped on my couch for three days to nurse me through—and that was when we barely knew each other. Now, after making me swear I was his while he made love to me in my kitchen, he was gonna bail?
His response felt so wrong I didn’t know what to do with it, and I certainly didn’t have the energy to give it more thought. Without responding, I put my phone back on the nightstand and closed my eyes.
I stayed in bed for four days. I might have emerged sooner, but I never heard from Reuben again. His silence blended with the headache, swirling with the anxiety and nausea, and combined to create the worst migraine I’d had in years.
When I finally crept out of my bedroom, the bottle of wine he’d brought for dinner still sat uncorked on the counter.
The very counter he’d had me clutching as I screamed his name…
Yes, Reuben! I’m yours!
Tears pricked my eyes and I swiped them away, then made a beeline for the coffee pot. What in the world happened? How did we go from wine and orgasms to a frigid goodbye and four days of silence?
Sure, I’d said I was his, and yes, I’d meant it, but damn. He’d asked me to. If his disappearance had anything to do with the fact that I’d almost spilled my feelings…
That I’d pushed the relationship faster than he wanted…
I shook my head.
I had too much going on in my life for this.
Chapter Fourteen
Reuben
“What the hell, man?” David leaned in the doorway to my office. “What’s been up with you? It’s like you’re not even here.”
“I’m here.” I glanced up from the marketing info I hadn’t actually been reading. “As evidenced by the fact that my ass is in my chair and you’re…you know…talking to me.”
“You know what I mean. Your body’s here.” He waved a hand in my general direction. “But you’re, like, gone. I sent you the link to that marketing stuff two days ago. As far as I can tell, you haven’t so much as looked at it. I’d like to move forward with some discussions if we can.”
I spun my laptop around so he could see the screen. “I’m looking at it now. Happy?”
David shook his head and pushed off the wall. “That’s what I’m talking about, though. It’s like you’ve been re
placed with a grumpier, less Reuben-like version of yourself.”
“I’m fine.” I spun the laptop back around and glared at the marketing acronyms dancing in front of my eyes. I didn’t give two shits about CTRs, ROIs, CPCs, or CPMs.
Not now.
David’s lips parted as understanding quirked his head. “It happened, didn’t it. You broke it off with Morgan.”
“I didn’t break it off.” I just hadn’t spoken to her in a week—though I’d thought of her every hour of every day.
“But you’re about to.” My brother gripped the edges of the chair across from my desk and I wanted to slap that knowing smile off his face.
Instead, I scrubbed my mouth and took a deep breath in through my nose. “Jesus Christ, David. Just leave it alone, okay? And while you’re at it, shut the door on your way out.”
My brother leveled me with a glare. “I’m sorry you fucked it up with your girl. But that doesn’t give you a right to be a dick, especially when we both knew this was coming.” He shook his head as he left my office and I sat back in my chair with a sigh.
Despite my better judgement, I swiped my phone off my desk and opened my messages. My last text to Morgan sat there like a snake in the grass, and her silence since I sent the thing said everything I needed to know.
David was right. I’d fucked up. I should have gone to take care of her when she was sick like every fucking instinct in my head screamed at me to do. But after she made it clear I was more invested in us than she was, I got scared. I ran away from her house like an asshole with his tail between his legs, brushed her off…and then ghosted.
That hadn’t been my plan.
At first I thought I’d give myself some time to get my shit straight.
But then days went by…
Part of me had been waiting for her to reach out. To tell me she was better. To call me a jerk for the way I’d been acting. The other part understood why she stayed silent. I wouldn’t exactly want to talk to me either. Not after I’d disappeared when she needed me most.
