"It’s a free country. I just came for a couple drinks and thought I’d share my good news."
The bitch sought me out. How long has she been waiting in the shadows just so she could come here and try to break me down?
She and Tim do belong together.
"Whatever. Claire is with Leo now. She doesn’t care about your news," Christiana hisses. “Actually, nobody cares about your news, so just go.”
“Oh, yes, we heard that so-called rumor,” Monica scoffs. "So you’re jumping from one brother to the next. Talk about trashy.”
“No, trashy is sleeping with your friend’s boyfriend in their bed,” I spit, and my fists clench together trying to avoid ripping her hair out.
“You even thinking we were ever friends is pathetic. Not everyone likes your ass, Claire. You’re nothing but a charity case, and that’s the only thing Leo sees in you. Someone he feels sorry for, a challenge, and in the end, not someone he would ever commit to forever with. That’s why when I saw Leo earlier, he didn't mention being with you at all. Instead, he was awfully cozy and happy with Izzy. They were actually talking about getting back together."
Her words shouldn't slice through me like a Jedi lightsaber, but they do.
"Don't listen to her." Jo shakes my shoulder, and I'm not even aware when she appeared at my side.
"Jo, you know as well as I do, Izzy is here to get him back. Leo, no doubt only brought Claire here to make her jealous.”
“I think you got the wrong message,” I grit out through my teeth.
“Whatever. Why would Leo want someone who is boring and deformed?” Her black eyes dart to my stomach and my blood boils, but at the same time, it stings my heart. “When he can have Izzy?”
“Oh no, she fucking didn’t,” Christiana snarls about to go for her when I put my hand on my chest. Monica isn’t worth it.
“Bet you didn’t know Izzy is with him and the guys tonight?” Monica says, throwing her hair back.
“Then shouldn’t you be there with them?”
“It was a guys’ night, but Leo invited her.” I stare her down, but I'm having a hard time seeing the truth and lies in her face, especially in this light.
But this is Monica!
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not. Tim told me.”
And that’s supposed to make me believe her?
“Which means nothing from someone that spent years lying to me,” I hiss. "I'd be more worried about him and Izzy together."
“Do you want me to take this skank down?” Christiana growls. The look in her green eyes in terrifying, and I have no doubt Chris would beat Monica to the mat. It's the Virgo in her. Even Monica flinches and takes a step back.
“No, because we can’t ruin Jo’s night." I grab Christiana’s shoulder and as much as I want to see Monica go flying across the room, the bitch isn’t worth any of our energy.
"I don't mind," Jo cocks her head, a wicked gleam in her eyes.
"Let’s take tequila shots instead.” I’m not going to let her ruin this night. Monica has already spent too much time ruining other things in my life.
“Believe what you want, Claire. Like Tim, Leo doesn’t want you. You’re too fucking damaged,” Monica shouts as I push away from her into the busy club where the hot bodies are pressed up against one another. Fucking bitch.
We make it to the large bar, and I manage to quickly get the bartender’s attention before asking for shots for the soon to be bride. The request gets the attention of the group of guys beside us who are eager to help celebrate Jo’s final days as a free woman. They buy us shots after shots of tequila and vodka, and we have the house DJ play Lizzo so we can shake our asses.
We drink till we are dizzy and dance till our feet are sore.
I drink till I’ve forgotten about the skank trying to rain on my parade by letting the liquor help me forget that I’m damaged by a past that haunts my memories. I drink till I remember what it feels like to be alive again.
Leo is sitting on the edge of the bed, in only a pair of tight black boxers when I get back to the room. He looks fucking edible. He places the remote down and turns to me, a loopy smile curving his lips as I stumble towards him.
"You look like you had fun." He eyes me up and down, and I throw my clutch to the dresser.
"I did, but I'm about to have some more fun."
"Oh yeah?"
I nod and kick my shoes from my feet. Then I grab the zipper on the back of my dress, lowering it and let it slowly slip down my body and pool at my feet. Reaching behind me, I lose my bra next and fling it to him. The liquor warming my veins is making me brave and I feel like a vixen. I want to seduce the man in front of me, so he never thinks of Izzy again or what he could be missing. Even if I'm not some perfect, model Barbie type, he’ll know I'm worth having.
"Fuck, baby," he murmurs, rubbing his hand over his growing cock, “but I think I said I wanted to take that dress off you.”
“You moved too slow.” I move to straddle his lap and grab his face to kiss him. He tastes of whiskey; I taste of tequila; together we make the perfect elixir, and I never want to stop kissing him.
My hand slips into the elastic of his boxers, freeing his throbbing cock and rub it over my covered slit, teasing myself, dying to have him inside of me again.
“You make me so fucking hard, baby,” he groans, parting his lips from mine and lets them trail down the side of my neck. “I want you to look behind you. Look in the mirror. See how fucking sexy you look riding me.”
I turn my head to glance behind me at the long mirror that hangs on the wall across from the bed. Leo has one hand possessively on my ass, while the other traces up my side, to the curve of my neck.
“Do you see how beautiful you are?” He growls, thrusting himself against me. My clit aches, and I rock myself harder against him, desperate for friction and most of all him.
“Uh-huh.”
His hand slips around the front of my neck and his lips graze my chin. “Is this okay, baby?”
"God, yes…" I've never felt more comfortable and so relaxed and treasured then I do now. I can trust him to do that.
It’s as if he had to come to me for a reason because no one else makes me feel this confident.
He pulls me back to him and our tongues tangle again. I don't know how long we sit there in our tight embrace kissing and enjoying the closeness. When we finally break apart, he lifts me up and tosses me down to the bed. His fingers slip into the strings of my thong and slowly pulls it down. He throws the thin fabric to the ground and then strips out of his boxers. My lips wet hungrily eyeing his heavy erection.
The bed dips as he kneels beside me. His fingers trace up my leg, teasing along the inside of my thigh, his touch igniting mini sparks inside me before he pulls away. "Do you see how desirable you are? Your body begging to be loved." He points to my reflection where my whole body is exposed to the glass.
My eyes dart to the mirror and my hand automatically moves to cover my scar, but before I can, he grabs my hand. "No. Don't you dare. I want to see all of you. I want you to see how beautiful you truly are." He throws my hand to the mattress. “Look.” My eyes shoot back to the mirror. My legs spread open, exposed, and ready for him. From the corner of my eye, I see Leo with his rock-hard cock gripped in his hand as his eyes roam over me. "This is what you do to me." A drip of pre-cum coats his tip and my tongue darts from my lips, wishing I could lick the salty dew off. “You've been making me hard for a long time, Claire. You drive me insane," he groans as his hand strokes his cock. My mouth dries watching him, my toes curl, and I press my heels into the sheets, aching to have him inside of me. "Don't look at me," he growls and goosebumps prickle my skin at his sudden dominance. I love it so much. It's what I need. "I want you to look at yourself while you play with that pretty pussy yours. Love yourself.”
Without hesitating, my fingers dip into my soaked needy center, and I move them in and out, all while I feel Leo’s eyes burn into me. I never
knew till now how erotic it could be to have someone watch me pleasure myself and it spurs me to pump faster, desperate to get to my peek for the man beside me.
“Fuck, Claire, do you see how fucking hot you are?” I break away from staring at myself to see Leo working his hand up and down his swollen cock. My breathing intensifies, and my moans are tangled deep in my throat as my orgasm builds in my belly. “Seeing you like this… It’s just one of the things I think about when I'm alone without you. You're fucking tight body and your pink pussy. I think about it wrapped around my cock or eating it out," Leo says with a husky growl as he plops down next to me. His hands glide across my stomach and it’s not till he’s pushing my hand away from my core that I realize I didn't even flinch as his hand moved over my scar.
"Watch me now," he whispers into my ear, and I watch as his fingers sink into my pussy. Though it’s hard to keep my eyes open as I succumb to the pleasure and his lips kiss and suck the side of my neck. "You're so fucking hot," he mutters, his erection stabbing into my hip." I want you to come all over my hand. Soak my hand in your sweet juices, baby."
My head rolls to his as his pace increases, my eyes flutter open to stare into the depths of his blues, burning with nothing but pure desire.
My lips part and he takes the opportunity to kiss me, but it's so intense and my orgasm starts to unravel in my belly.
"Leo," I pant as I clamp down on his intruding fingers, coming so hard, I swear I see stars.
"That's my girl." His. Yes. "You're a fucking goddess.”
Once I've come down from my high, his fingers slide out of me. Grasping my hips, he rolls me on top of him. His hand on my chest forces me upright and my hands fall to his chest to keep there.
"Take my cock, baby, own it. It's all yours." His words set me on fire as if he knew I needed to claim him tonight.
"It’s all mine." I sink down onto him, expanding around him. My nails dig into his chest as he fills me, my teeth biting into my lower lip as I barely contain my deep moan because I feel so full.
"Take me how you want baby," he whispers as his one hand massages my breast and the other presses against my clit.
My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I rock my hips on his length. I love that he’s giving me total control, and I plan to use it to show him how good I am.
I ride him—hard. Slamming, rocking, swiveling my hips, feeling every inch of his cock to where my eyes water, and I’m sure I’m leaving permanent marks with my nails on his chest. His primal grunts only spur me on more and the thought of how I am claiming this man as my own starts to drive me over the edge.
“Fuck, Claire,” Leo grunts, gripping my hips as I spasm around him and my head lolls forward. He pulls me down to his chest, my pussy still milking his cock, and thrusts into me as he chases his own orgasm, which sends me into another.
Spent, I fall to the bed next to Leo and he curls me into his arms. I throw my leg over his and kiss the line of his jaw.
"You were such a little seductress tonight…coming in…stripping for me…" He grabs my breast and squeezes.
"Did you like it?”
“You’re fucking kidding, right? That was only the beginning of our night because I’m dying to take you again and again." He nips at my earlobe.
It must be the alcohol because I really want him to be rougher with me this time...pull my hair...throw me on this bed...and fuck me till I can't walk anymore.
“You think next you could pound me from behind. I’d like to watch you fuck me this time.”
“Whatever my girl wants she gets.”
Chapter Twelve
My arm falls to the soft mattress as my eyes peel open to the dark room. There’s a pounding in my head, and I’m tempted to bury myself back under my pillow till it goes away. I peer next to me to see if Leo is awake yet, and he’s gone. My hand goes to where his body was lying, and the sheets are cold. The room is eerily silent.
Not that long ago, we were cuddling in each other’s arms and now he’s left.
Where did he go?
He’s not back by the time I get myself together, and I’m in desperate need of coffee. The stuff in the room isn’t going to cut it, so I make my way down to the lobby to their Starbucks.
When I round the corner, I’m stopped dead in my tracks to see Leo and Izzy sitting at a small two-person table just outside the café.
They're having coffee alone. Her hand is possessive on top of his as he smiles at her.
A smile I'm not on the receiving end of.
I back up with my heart thumping in my throat. Did he leave me in bed to go talk to her?
I don't understand. How could he build me back up and say he doesn't want her and now be here alone with her after already talking with her yesterday?
It has to be wrong.
I spin around, needing to get away, and end up running straight into a hard mass, causing me to stumble backward and my phone slips from my hand.
“Whoa, there killer. You okay?” Rough hands grab my shoulders, and my eyes meet the chocolate ones of my ex. I shake out of his hold and bend down to pick up my phone.
“I’m fine,” I say gruffly.
“You don’t look fine.” A smile curves his lips, the one that used to make me melt, but now only makes me murderous. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
His eyes peek over my shoulder and then back to me. “Okay. Well, I’m glad to run into you. I’ve been wondering when it was going to happen.”
"I had been hoping to avoid it, honestly."
"Come on, Care Bear."
"Don't call me that," I seethe. He doesn't get to call me that anymore. It’s no longer cute and sweet, and I actually hate the nickname now.
He puts his hands up, his sweet grin slipping into his cocky one. "So, I heard a little rumor that you're going out with my brother."
"It’s not a rumor,” I hiss. “And it’s not really any of your business, but I am."
"I think it is because it’s my brother. Family is off limits, Claire. Especially Leo," he grits through his teeth, and I roll my eyes. I don’t get why he’s butthurt about his brother. And when did he ever start considering Leo family?
"There are no limits after you cheated on me."
"Is this your way of getting even with me?"
"Don't think yourself so high and mighty, Tim. I like Leo. I always have," I throw at him and his eye twitches.
Yeah, chew on that, dirtbag.
"Whatever." He shakes away the dark look and replaces it with his smug one. "You know he’s still hung up on Izabelle."
"No, he’s not." I cross my arms over my chest and stick my chin out, looking away from him defiantly.
“Right, that's why he’s off with her alone. Again. You should’ve seen them together last night.”
“Stop. They’re just friends, and unlike you, I trust him.”
He licks his lips, his eye twitching again. “A friend he wanted to marry."
“Tim, why are you starting shit? Aren’t you happy with Monica? Why can’t you let me be?"
I knew he would try to make me feel like shit one way or another if I ran into him here. With or without Leo.
"How can I let you go? You put yourself back into my life with my brother. God, Claire, didn’t I give you a good life?" He stabs his finger into his chest, and I roll my eyes. Oh, for god’s sake, here we go. "I did everything for you. I made you happy. All I wanted was for you to be a little more adventurous and not so fucking scared to spend money. I just wanted you not to fucking flinch every time I tried to do something rough with you in the bedroom."
Yep, there it is. The revolting words to try and make me feel the lowest of lows and to try to break me so he can blame everything that went wrong on me, so he can win.
"It doesn't matter the good or bad anymore, Tim, because I'm no longer your problem. I'm with Leo now."
He pinches his lips together and blows a puff of air out of his nose. "You shouldn't be with my brother."
<
br /> "Stepbrother. Not the same. Something you made clear to me over the years. And so what if I am with him? I shouldn't matter to you anymore."
“You'll always matter," he grits out baring his teeth.
"Why? Aren't you engaged now?" Tim brushes his chin and straightens his shoulders.
"Doesn't mean I don't care, Claire. There's a lot you don't know about Leo. He has a way of roping people along to get what he wants. It’s about you being happy. He's going to hurt you."
“Are you sure you’re not confusing him with yourself?” I tilt my head and look him over. He makes me sick. This man I used to love once is nothing but a vile snake. Forget his cheating, but this possessiveness he has towards me makes me sick. I’m nothing but an asset to him as if he lost a toy to his brother.
“I get it, Claire, I fucked up when it came to us." I snort. That's an understatement. "But this is about you getting your heart hurt again. I bet he doesn’t tell you about his little breakfast meeting.”
"Just leave me alone, Tim."
"I'm only trying to help."
"The best way to do that is to fuck off." I shove past him and make my way back to the elevators. I stab the button multiple times, praying the metal box will come quicker. When the doors slide open, I hop in and press myself into the corner.
Once I'm safely in the hotel room, I fall back to the bed and pull the pillow to me. Leo's scent lingers on the case, and as I inhale the musky aroma, the dirty memories of last night rush through my mind. His soft touch on my bare skin, him watching me touch myself in the mirror.
His words, though hazy from the alcohol, barrel through from the second time we made love.
"You were always meant for me," he moans as he thrusts harder into me. “I’ve already fallen so hard for you. Claire.”
Always meant for him.
He has fallen for me?
Fallen?
I let the words float around my head, as I try to block out Monica and Tim’s words about Izzy. I try to hold onto what Leo does to me and how he makes me feel inside. Those aren’t things you say to a person if you are still hung up on someone else. There’s a chance I could have made it all up in my alcohol-induced mind, but all I have to do is think back to the mirror, and how he cherished me to know that I didn’t.
Price Of Love (Written In the Stars Book 4) Page 11
