More than anything I want to. I want to tell her I’m sorry for thinking I could have her—that I’m worthy of her. But as I stare into her eyes, all I feel is shame for the hurt I know I’m going to cause her soon.
She frowns and closes the distance between us so she can touch my face. “What’s wrong?”
I glance over at the bed and lick the corner of my mouth, fighting the sting in my eyes. I can’t let her see me break. “Nothing. Just tired.”
“Did something happen while I was gone?” There’s a slight inflection in her voice. “The Judge trying to scare you off? Because if he is, don’t let him. No matter what it is—I won’t care. I love you.”
I open my mouth to tell her exactly what her father is trying to pull, but quickly close it. I don’t want to be the reason she never speaks to her family. God knows I wish I still had a family to be close to.
I close my eyes and lean my forehead against hers. Can I really give this up?
“Zach, you’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
Shit, this isn’t going well. I need a distraction. If I keep on thinking about this I’m going to drive myself insane.
Without warning I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest and kiss her like it’s the last time I’ll ever get to taste these lips. Her eyebrows rise for a second, but she quickly relaxes into me and grabs my neck. I hate keeping shit from her. I want to be honest, but I can’t. I have to keep this shit to myself and figure out how in the hell I can make all this go away and still keep her. I’m not ready to let this go, not by a long shot.
Chapter 5
AUBREY
This kiss feels different. It’s almost desperate, like he’s clinging to me for some reason. I wish he would tell me what’s wrong. If I had to guess I would say my father has gotten to him—pushed his buttons in some way and that scares me. We’ve struggled so much to get to this good place, and I don’t need someone interfering and putting crazy ideas in his head.
Zach’s nose skims my cheek before he nips on my earlobe. “I need to be inside you. I need to feel you.”
The dress I’m wearing falls to the floor before I have time to ask him any more questions. All I feel is his warm mouth on my neck, licking and teasing the sensitive skin below my ear. If he wants a distraction, I’ll give him the best damn one he’s ever had.
My hands slip under the hem of his shirt and I push it up, ready to feel his skin against me. He grabs the back of shirt and drags it over his head in the sexy way that men do. The defined muscles in his chest clench under my touch. His sister’s name, Hailey, etched into the flesh above his heart makes my heart squeeze thinking about what he’s been through in his life. I lean in and kiss the tattoo before going down further and swirling my tongue around his taut nipple. I take my time grazing my teeth against it, teasing him before dropping to my knees.
After I make quick work of getting his jeans down around his hips, I tease the tip of his length with my mouth before going straight for the kill. My gag reflex kicks in when his head touches the back of my throat.
Zach tangles his fingers in my hair. “Jesus, fucking, Christ. You keep that up and I’ll come down that pretty throat of yours.”
Knowing I make him feel so good pushes me to keep this up. I pick up the rhythm and I cup his balls. He emits a low growl and I know he won’t be able to hold back much long if I don’t stop.
I stare up at his hooded eyes. “I want you to fuck me now.”
The tip of his tongue flicks across his bottom lip. “Bend your sexy ass over the bed.” A thrill shoots through me as I comply with his demand. Zach unhooks my bra, slides it over my shoulders and it falls in front of me on the bed. The distinct rustling behind me of Zach throwing his jeans and underwear to the floor causes me to start to turn around. “Don’t move. Your ass looks delicious like that.”
Before I can argue any further, Zach drops to his knees behind me and sinks his teeth into my panty-covered ass. I cry out from the wicked combination of pleasure and pain. This is what makes sex with him amazing—he’s always doing shit I don’t expect.
One hand grips my thigh while the other presses against my soaked panties and my entire body shakes. “Always begging for it, aren’t ya?”
“Only from you,” I manage to say with a straggled voice.
A quick slap on my ass makes me jump. I wasn’t quite ready for it, and it startles me a bit, but at the same time I want more. “Mmmm.”
He chuckles darkly. “My little naughty girl.” He raises and leans himself over my back, pressing his rock-hard cock against my ass, so he can whisper in my ear. “You want me inside that pussy?”
I suck in a quick breath as he slides my panties aside and runs his finger down my wet folds. “Yesssss.”
“Then tell me, Kitten. Does this pussy belong to me?” Of course. What would even make him question that at this stage of our relationship? “Tell me, baby. Tell me this is my fucking pussy. I want to hear you say it. I want to know you’re mine. All mine. That this will always be mine.”
I try to process what exactly he wants from me and why he suddenly needs to stake his claim on me. This extreme possessiveness is new. Before I have a chance to answer his finger slips inside me. “Oh, God.”
“You want more of that?” he whispers roughly. “Say it and I’ll fuck the hell out of that sweet little pussy for you.”
Every inch of me quivers with need for him. I’ll say anything he wants as long as he takes me now. “It’s yours. It’s always been yours.”
“Damn straight,” he growls and rips my panties completely off. “Don’t forget it, either. No matter where I am or what happens between us, your body belongs to me.”
He spreads my legs further apart and smacks my wet folds with his fingers—not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to make me moan like I’m in heat. I’m pretty sure if we have any neighbors they know I’m about to get my brains fucked out.
All of his fingertips rub in a circular motion around my clit, but never touches it directly, robbing me of the pleasure I need. I arch my back, trying to push him into touching my sweet spot, and I’m met with another little slap. “Always so greedy. I want to take you to the edge and keep you there in sweet agony. The moment I do finally allow you to come, I want you to remember it’s only me who makes you feel this good.”
I growl a little in frustration, loving yet hating this game as his cock slides against my pussy. I close my eyes and bite my lip when the tip of him hits my clit. It’s a deliciously slow pace. A small bead of sweat forms on my upper lip. The salty taste falls to my tongue when I lick my dry lips. All this panting is revving me up even more.
If he keeps this up I might be forced to throw him down on this bed and take matters into my own hands.
“I feel how much you want this. Your need is covering my cock. You’re so ready for me, aren’t you?” His hot breath covers my cheek and I shiver. “I’m dying to be inside you. Balls deep in you, babe, is my favorite fucking place on earth. It’s just as hard for me to hold back.”
“Please, Zach,” I plead. I’m so fucking turned on by him I can’t see straight. Typically we get right to it—we’re both very much instant gratification people.
His mouth covers my shoulder as he continues to tease me. “Please what, baby?”
“Please fuck me,” I answer honestly.
He moves to the other shoulder, tasting my skin along the way. “Please fuck what?”
I throw my head back and shudder when his tip touches my swollen clit. This is still about making sure I remember I’m his. He still wants to hear me say every part of me belongs to him. “Please fuck your pussy.”
He growls and lightly bites my shoulder, sliding his cock into me. “That’s what I fucking want to hear.”
I cry out, screaming his name followed by a yes, as he finally starts giving me what I so desperately need. “You feel so good.”
“That’s because we’re meant to be. This body was made
for me.” His thrusts pick up speed.
My sex clenches around him greedily, trying to hold him deep inside. I can’t take much more. “Zach, I—”
“I know what you need, baby. We’re going to do this together. Hang on.” He grips my hips tighter and begins to pound into me. “Fuck.”
Zach grabs my hair and then twists, wrapping it around his wrist. My head pulls back just as he reaches between my legs and flicks my clit. “Oh, God. Zach.” The words no sooner leave my lips as every inch of me fills with warmth. A euphoric orgasm washes over me, at the same time Zach growls my name as he finds his own release.
He lays his chest against my back. “I fucking love you. I’m not going anywhere,” he mumbles with his lips pressed to my skin.
I turn towards him and touch his face, completely confused on why he feels like there’s a problem between us. “Who said anything about either of us going anywhere?”
His green eyes meet mine and he shakes his head. “No one. Forget I even said that. It was the post-sex haze talking. You make me lose my mind.”
I smile at him because I know exactly what he means.
The ringtone on my cell phone pulls me out of a deep sleep. I roll over and look at the clock on the bedside table. Who the hell is calling me at seven thirty in the morning?
I grab my phone to check out the screen. I sigh and swipe the answer button. This could be important. “Hello, Judge.”
“Good morning, honey. Sorry to call you so early, but this just couldn’t wait. I spoke with Brady this morning and he’s willing to take on your case.” My father’s voice is just too damn chipper for this early in the morning.
“That’s great. When can we go see him?” I sit up in bed and rub my eyes.
“We? Wouldn’t you rather handle this matter alone?”
I furrow my brow. What a ridiculous thing to say. Zach came with me down here. Of course I want to involve him. “No. Zach and I have no secrets.”
The Judge clears his throat. “Well you see, darlin’, I told Brady that you’d be meeting him for lunch. He said he’d make reservations for the two of you at that little French place the two of you used to go to when you dated. Wouldn’t be fair to him to bring along another man to that place, would it?”
“Daddy,” I scold him. “Brady would be my attorney, handling a legal matter for me. This wouldn’t be a date. Where would he even get the idea that it might be?”
He’s quiet for a few moments. “I might’ve encouraged the idea a little, but that was only to get him to take your case.”
Unbelievable! I shake my head and stare up at the ceiling. “He would’ve taken the case anyway and you know it.”
“You’re right. I just figured maybe you could use a little...space, is all.”
He just doesn’t get it. I know Zach isn’t the kind of man he’d choose for me, but he needs to know I’m serious about him—that we’re solid. “Where I go, Zach goes. I don’t need any space.”
He sighs. “Maybe you don’t, but I’ve got to say the boy seemed like he wanted a little space from you yesterday when we chatted.”
My heart squeezes in my chest as I stare down at my beautiful boyfriend sleeping beside me. He wanted space? “He said that?”
“Not directly, no. He didn’t have to. A man like that doesn’t settle down long. They’re wild and the call to roam and stray always tugs at them. Maybe it’s best to create some space between you the two of you now to avoid the heartache later. I just don’t want to see you hurt anymore. Your momma can’t take it—tears her up every time you call crying.”
I rub my forehead. What the hell is going on? Is that why Zach didn’t wait on me yesterday? Does he seriously want me to give him a break? Have I been too blind to see any signs that my man’s unhappy?
Maybe I shouldn’t force him to go see Brady with me. Maybe Daddy’s right.
“What time does he want to meet?” I ask.
“He’ll be at the hotel to pick you up around eleven thirty.”
I nod and readjust my back against the pillow. “I’ll be ready.”
“Good girl. He’ll have some great advice for you. Brady’s smart and I trust him like he’s my own son. He’ll point you in the right direction. I have no doubt.” I roll my eyes, catching the subtleties of how much my father likes my old boyfriend.
“Okay, thanks. I’ll call you later and let you know how it goes,” I say just before we say our goodbyes and make plans to meet for dinner later that evening.
I stay in bed running through what my father said. Now that I’ve had time to process everything, I think my father’s full of shit. There’s no way Zach’s tired of me already. He wouldn’t have come here with me. He’s too straightforward for that.
Zach stirs next to me and rolls over to towards me. He opens one eye and peeks up at me. “You’re awake already?”
I study his handsome face and nod. “I’ve been up for over an hour now.”
He wraps his arm around my waist and closes his eye. “What for? Can’t sleep? I get that way in some hotel beds too, but this one is pretty comfortable.”
I shake my head. “Been up thinking.”
“’Bout what?” He snuggles into my side.
“About you leaving me.” His body goes rigid next to me.
“What makes you think that would happen? Didn’t I make that pretty clear last night that you’re mine?” His tone sounds a little annoyed.
Things still don’t make sense. Something else is missing. Something both Zach and my father are keeping from me. “You did, but my father’s under the impression that you might not be sticking around. Care to tell me what went on between the two of you while I was gone?”
He lets out a heavy breath against his pillow. “Nothing went on, babe. Your father just doesn’t like me very much.”
I rest my hands on the arm that’s around my waist. “So the impression I just got from my father that you’re ready to leave me to run off and fuck a slew of groupies. Is that the truth or just his wishful thinking talking?”
“Babe, I’m too selfish a man to leave you, even if it’s the right thing to do. I’m fucking addicted to you and there’s nothing anybody can do that would make me give this up. I’ve decided.”
I slide back down under the covers and snuggle into my man’s arms. Instantly, I feel silly for even considering the idea that he’s unhappy. We’re obviously still solid. Guess I’m going to have to have a chat with the Judge about trying to interfere with that.
Chapter 6
Zach
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I’ve decided Aubrey Jenson is my fucking kryptonite. The smart thing would be to take The Judge’s warning seriously and leave the girl the fuck alone, but I can’t do that. Last night only reminded me how much I fucking love this woman. She’s mine and no one is taking her away from me. I don’t give a fuck what the cost is to keep her. Trip’s just going to have to deal if his shit blows up—just like I will.
I lay on the bed and watch Aubrey pull a brush through her thick, red hair as she gets ready to go and meet with Brady. I want to hate the guy since I know he’s the first man to ever have tasted of her sweetness, but I can’t—not if he’s going to help her get back the job she wants so desperately.
I am curious about him though. “So what’s this dude that we’re meeting like?”
Aubrey stares into the mirror. “He’s a nice guy. Cocky, but generally a nice guy.”
A nice, cocky guy? That’s the equivalent of the high school quarterback type with a lot of money—a douchebag in my book. I’ll probably want to kick his ass in the first five minutes.
I clear my throat. “If he was so nice, why’d you break up?”
She sighs as she opens her lip gloss. “He’s older than me. I was still in high school when he was in his junior year of college. There was just too much of an age difference to stay together back then. We were at different points in our lives.”
I raise my eyebrows. If this fucker ha
d better things to do than to keep a beautiful woman like Aubrey on the back burner back then, I don’t want him trying to take care of her now. I’m worried he’s not worthy to be the one to get her what she wants. This woman is my world and I’ll do anything to make sure she’s happy. “Maybe we should reconsider hiring him.”
She glances over at me with a smirk, expecting I have a smart-ass remark to follow that. She knows me so well. “Why’s that?”
I shove myself off the bed and move into the bathroom to stand behind her. I grip her slender upper arms with my hands. “Because the asshole must be crazy if he let you go.” I lean in and kiss her cheek. “How smart can he really be?”
Kitten smiles. “Smart enough to know he was never going to be man enough for me.”
I smirk. “That’s right. You have a thing for the bad boys.”
She turns in my arms and places her hand over my heart. “Only bad boys with hearts made of gold.”
There it is again—her believing the best of me. I wish I could believe her—that deep down I’m a noble man, but only hours ago I was willing to walk out on her for my own selfish reasons. Granted, I’m still not happy about The Judge dragging Trip into this fucking mess, but I figure the only reason he did that was because he knew I would tell him I didn’t give a fuck if the world knew about my history. I don’t give a shit what people think of me. I only care about her. Aubrey is my world now, and damn it, I’m keeping her—no matter what.
Aubrey taps my forehead with her index finger. “Whatever you’ve got going on in that crazy brain of yours, don’t doubt you’re a good man.”
I sigh and stare into her green eyes before I cup her face in my hands. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
She drums her fingers against my chest. “You gave me this.”
I press my lips to hers and get lost in how much she means to me. Like always, I’m turned on by her slightest touch. “I’d like to give you a whole lot more if we had the time. It’s a good thing our ride will be here any minute, or otherwise you’d already be naked and beneath me begging for me to be inside you.”