His Wasted Heart

  I burst out laughing. “Wasn’t that crazy? And where did my dad get those particular details anyway? I bet he has a file on his desk right now with all of Veronica’s personal information in it.”

  “I don’t know. When you think about it, that’s kind of scary. He could check up on anybody.” Her smile is tremulous. “Even me.”

  “He would never do that,” I say immediately, trying to make her feel better. But I wouldn’t put it past him. Not that I can tell Jensen that. She’s nervous enough, trying to make a good impression on everyone, even if they don’t deserve her kindness. Like Diane. “You like my father?”

  She nods. “He likes me, so that’s a good thing.”

  “And what about Diane?”

  Jensen rests her hands on my shoulders. “What about her?”

  “Do you like her?”

  “I don’t think she likes me.”

  “I don’t even think she’s looked at you.” I shake my head. “It’s like you don’t exist to her.”

  “Guess she’s too good for me,” she says with a sigh, her eyes flashing with…

  Hurt?

  I don’t know. But her reaction to Diane is surprising.

  “Don’t let her bother you. I’m serious.” I grip her waist, then drop my hands so I’m toying with the extremely short hem of her dress. I decide to change the subject. There are much better things for us to focus on right now. “I think I’m going to check to see if you’re wearing panties or not.”

  “Rhett, we probably shouldn’t do this here,” she says, trying to slap my hand away, but I’m too persistent.

  “No one’s looking for us. And besides, the door is locked. It’s my room.” I lift her skirt from behind, my hands touching her bare thighs, then shifting up, lightly cupping her ass checks. “So far, my guess is no panties.”

  “Keep searching,” she teases, and so I do. She spreads her legs a little, giving me easier access, and when I try to touch her between her thighs, I discover she’s…covered. With the thinnest fabric I think I’ve ever felt.

  “Damn, you’re wearing panties.”

  She laughs, shaking her head. “You sound so disappointed.”

  “That’s because I am.” I’m really not, though. Anytime I have my hands up Jensen’s dress, I’m happy as hell.

  “Maybe you should take them off of me so you won’t be disappointed anymore,” she whispers.

  Okay. I can get on board with that.

  I smooth my hands up, over her outer thighs, her hips, my fingers tripping over the string-thin waistband of her panties. I tug them down her thighs, past her knees, her calves, until they’re a lacy tangled mess around her stiletto heels.

  Just looking at her crumpled panties wound around her ankles gets me hard. What the hell? I must have some kind of weird fetish.

  She kicks them off as I slowly lift up the dress to reveal her to me. Seeing her naked flesh makes me even harder, and I lean in. “Spread your legs,” I murmur, and she does as I ask, revealing herself even more.

  Reaching out, I touch her there, sliding between her lips, encountering creamy, hot flesh. A shuddery breath leaves her as I continue to stroke her folds, gently circling her clit with my fingertip.

  “Take your dress off,” I demand, and she glances down at me, her brows wrinkled.

  “Wh-what?” Her cheeks are flushed and her voice is shaky. I think she likes it when I get commanding.

  “It’s getting in the way. Take it off, Jens.”

  She whips her dress off over her head, and it lands on the floor just behind her. I grasp her ass and pull her to me, my mouth on her pussy as I begin to devour her. I lick her everywhere, slip my finger deep inside her, and she bucks against me, a tiny cry falling from her lips. Her hands fall to my head, her fingers sliding in my hair as I continue to lick and suck.

  She tastes amazing. I fuck her with two fingers, my tongue flicking her clit, teasing her. She twists against my face, seeming at war within herself.

  Get closer because it feels so damn good? Or move away because it’s too intense?

  Closer wins. I can’t stop licking her, and she starts to tremble. She’s close. I’ve done this enough, made her come enough times, to know her tells. She’s moaning, her voice low, like she’s trying not to be too loud for fear we could get caught, and I’m reminded of the time in my car. How exciting that had been, knowing someone could come upon us at any moment. Or in the hall at City Lights. Anyone could’ve walked in on us, and we still went at it, like we had no control.

  That’s my problem. When I’m with Jensen like this, I have no control. None. She seems to feel the same way.

  I grip her ass tighter, increasing my speed, licking and sucking her clit, drawing it between my lips. She grinds against my mouth, her entire body going tense, inhaling sharply, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.

  “Oh God,” she says in anguish as she shudders and shakes, her orgasm completely taking over her body. I hold on to her, slowing my movements, watching as she completely falls apart. Her hips buck hard against my face, once. Twice. Until the orgasm finally seems to stop.

  Jensen pulls away from me and falls onto the bed, sagging into the mattress. I watch her, enthralled with her naked body, those long, long legs and her pretty breasts. Her body is gorgeous. Everything about her is gorgeous.

  And she’s mine. All mine.

  “You’re trying to kill me,” she murmurs, making me laugh.

  “No, you’re trying to kill me.” I rise to my feet, pointing at the tent in my pants.

  She sits up, her breasts gently swaying. “I can take care of that for you.”

  “I’m sure you can.” I wipe at my face with the back of my hand and realize I need to wash my face and hands, stat. I head for the adjoining bathroom. “But we don’t have time for that. We need to go back to the party.”

  I switch on the light and go to the sink, turning the water on. After I wash my hands, I splash water on my face, staring at my reflection. I look happy, despite the downright painful erection and the bullshit going on with my brother and Diane. I am happy. Life is good.

  Jensen makes my life better.

  Drying my face and hands, I reenter my old bedroom to find Jensen has slipped her dress back on, all traces of the woman who came all over my face gone. Only the flush in her cheeks is a tiny remnant of what just happened between us.

  “You had your own bathroom too?” she says when she sees me. “Talk about spoiled.”

  I laugh, pulling her into my arms and giving her a quick kiss. “Let’s go find Addie and wish her a happy birthday.”

  “And then we can go back to your place?” she asks hopefully.

  Nodding, I kiss her again. “Definitely.”

  We find Addie as she’s walking into the house, summoned by Diane, who wants her to come inside and get ready to cut the cake. Soon everyone crowds around the dining room table, where Addie’s triple-tier cake covered in bright pink frosting sits in the middle, and we all sing “Happy Birthday” to her. Jensen remains in my arms the entire time, seemingly content, singing loudly and cheering when Addie blows out all the candles in one breath.

  After the cake cutting and sharing a too-sweet piece of cake, we wander the house, chatting with the few people I recognize, but otherwise, everyone here is either a work associate of my father’s or a friend of Addie’s.

  As in, Jensen and I are bored out of our minds, and we want to leave.

  “I need to use the bathroom, and then we’ll go?” she suggests.

  Nodding, I rub her lower back before patting her butt. “Sounds perfect. I’m ready to get out of here.”

  She smiles. “Me too.”

  I watch her walk away, a view I never seem to grow tired of. I can’t wait to get her home and get her naked in my bed. That’s all I want to do for the rest of the night…

  “I figured it out.”

  Turning, I find Park standing there with a smirk on his face. “You figured what out?”

  ?
??Where I recognize her from.” His smirk transforms into a shit-eating grin. “You will never believe it, bro.”

  I’m literally starting to sweat. “I won’t believe what?”

  His smile falls, a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Maybe you already know. Yeah, I think you do know.”

  “You’re talking in fucking riddles,” I mutter just before I turn and walk away. I push my way through the clusters of people talking, ignoring my brother, who can’t stop calling my name.

  He knows. He knows Jensen works at City Lights. I need to get her out of here before she freaks out. Before Park blabs her secret to my dad and Diane and the shit really starts hitting the fan.

  I lose him when he gets stopped by one of Dad’s friends, and I rush to the guest bathroom on the other side of the kitchen, knocking repeatedly on the door. “Jensen, you in there?”

  “Hold on, I’ll be out in a sec!” I hear the toilet flush, and then the sound of water running.

  Glancing over my shoulder, I see Park is still chatting with Dad’s friend, and he’s annoyed, looking around the room. He spots me, his entire face lighting up, and he tells the older gentleman something before he nods and starts heading my way.

  “Hurry up, Jens,” I tell her, pounding on the door. “We gotta go. Now.”

  “Calm down, Rhett. I’m almost done.” I’m annoying her, but fuck it. We need to leave before Park corners me.

  “Lingering around bathrooms now, hmm?”

  I turn to find Diane standing before me, a glass of champagne clutched in one hand. Fucking great. The silver sequined dress she’s wearing is nearly blinding, it’s so flashy, and her too blonde hair is piled high on top of her head. The better to show off the very expensive, very large diamond earrings dangling from her ears.

  “Just waiting for Jensen,” I tell her, wishing she’d leave.

  Diane purses her lips. “What? Do you not trust her to be at a party alone? You have to follow her everywhere?”

  Irritation fills me. “No, but Dad shouldn’t trust you at a party alone, that’s for damn sure.”

  Park chooses this exact moment to show up, his gaze landing on Diane. “We shouldn’t be seen together.”

  “Why not? Rhett’s here with us. We’re not doing anything but having a simple conversation during your sister’s birthday party,” Diane says, her tone innocent, her expression anything but.

  Park appears extremely uncomfortable. I’m hoping he’ll forget all about our earlier conversation. “We can talk later,” he tells Diane.

  She mock-pouts. “I haven’t seen you all night. You’re too busy with your—girlfriend.”

  “Veronica is not my girlfriend,” Park says.

  “Where is Veronica?” I want him to get the hell out of here and go find her. I wonder if Jensen realizes we’re all on the other side of the door, and that’s why she hasn’t come out of the bathroom yet.

  “Outside dancing with the teenagers,” Park mumbles.

  “Figures,” Diane says with a little snort. “Maybe she likes them extra young.”

  “Same goes for you,” Park accuses.

  I say nothing. This is getting juicy, but I don’t want to be in the middle of it.

  “Let’s meet in, say, thirty minutes. In your old bedroom,” Diane suggests.

  This makes me taking Jensen up to my former bedroom feel sleazy. “Are you two really going to plan a tryst in front of me?”

  “What does it matter? You already saw us together,” Park says, sending Diane a quick too-intimate smile.

  “You two disgust me.” I wish Jensen would just come out of the bathroom already.

  “What’s your girlfriend doing in the bathroom, anyway?” Diane asks me. “She’s taking forever.”

  “Oh, that reminds me.” Park’s eyes light up as he turns to Diane. “Did I tell you what I found out?”

  “No, what is it?” She sends me a quick look, like she knows what Park is about to reveal will blow my mind.

  “Rhett’s new girlfriend isn’t what she seems.” Park literally rubs his hands together. I hate how much he’s enjoying revealing this surprise. “She has a secret career.”

  “Do tell,” Diane says encouragingly.

  “Shut up, Park,” I tell my brother menacingly, but he barely acknowledges me. “Want me to let Dad in on what I know about you two?”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” Diane says, her voice friendly, but her eyes are dark and full of hatred.

  “See, you do know about your precious Jensen,” Park says, pointing at me. “I knew it. I bet that’s how you two met.”

  “Where does she work?” Diane asks Park.

  “It kept bothering me, how her face was so familiar. I knew I’d seen her somewhere before, I just couldn’t figure out where.” Park chuckles. “Until it all came together, when I saw her walking in that sexy dress she’s wearing tonight.”

  “Park,” Diane says, her tone a warning.

  He waves a dismissive hand, dismissing her. “Anyway, I realized that I’ve seen her at a strip club. She actually works at that one place on the outskirts of town, City Lights.”

  Diane rests her hand on her chest, as if she’s scandalized. “Are you telling me Rhett’s new little girlfriend is a stripper?”

  I’m about to go off on these two when the bathroom door swings open and out walks Jensen. “I’m not a stripper,” she says, walking right up to Park so she can poke him in the chest with her index finger. “I’m a cocktail waitress.”

  “Yeah, a topless cocktail waitress,” Park adds, his gaze meeting Diane’s.

  “Is there any difference?” Diane drawls, sending Jensen a withering glare.

  Jensen sucks in a sharp breath, shaking her head and sniffing loudly. She glances over at me, her expression pained, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, before she turns to face Diane. “I hate you,” she spits out before she runs away.

  “Aw, I guess I hurt your girlfriend’s feelings,” Diane coos, making Park laugh.

  “You’re such a bitch, Diane,” I tell her as I start to follow after Jensen.

  “Hey, wait a minute.” Park grabs my arm, and I jerk out of his hold. “You can’t call her names.”

  “Fuck off, Park. Jesus.” I leave the two idiots and search the crowded house for Jensen, but I don’t spot her anywhere. Her reaction toward Diane was strong. She’s been worried about Diane since she first met my family, and I don’t quite get her fixation with my stepmother. Though Diane has been totally awful to her, so I get why Jensen is so hurt.

  Fucking Park and his big mouth. I’m tempted to tell Dad about Diane and Park’s affair, but what good will that do? And it’s like Park knows I’ll keep my mouth shut, while he can say whatever the hell he wants.

  It’s so goddamn unfair.

  I head for the front door, which suddenly swings open to reveal my uncle Craig making his grand late entrance, as usual. He’s my father’s younger half-brother, the life of every party, the rich womanizer, the guy Park and I looked up to when we were kids.

  Now everything he does just seems kind of sleazy.

  “Rhett! What’s up, buddy?” He approaches me with a wide smile, a pretty blonde trailing after him. He wraps me up in a bear hug and I disengage as fast as possible, unable to breathe after inhaling his strong cologne.

  “Just about to leave, Uncle Craig,” I tell him, sending him a regretful look, my gaze searching everywhere for Jensen.

  “No way. You should stay for a little while longer. We can catch up. It’s been a while.” He pats me on the shoulder. “You’re looking good. Heard you got a new girl.”

  “Yeah.” I say the word slowly, wondering if my father told him about Jensen. If so, that was fast. They only just met a few days ago. “Speaking of my new girl, I need to go find her. Maybe we can talk another time.”

  “Sounds good. And she’s right outside, I think,” Craig says easily, patting me on the shoulder before he starts to walk away. “I’ll see you at Thanksgiving.”

  “See ya,
” I say weakly, my mind turning over everything he just said.

  How does he know what Jensen looks like?

  I rush outside to find her standing by my car, her arms wrapped around her middle and she’s uncontrollably shivering. I go to her and grab her by the shoulders, giving her a gentle shake so she looks up at me. “Are you okay?”

  She shakes her head, her teeth chattering. “C-can w-we g-get in the c-car, pl-please?”

  I hit the keyless remote and then we’re both entering the car, me hitting the button to start the engine. I mess with the buttons and temperature knobs, cranking up the heat and turning on her seat warmer. “You should feel better in a few minutes.”

  “Th-thank you.” She leans back against the seat and closes her eyes, sighing loudly. “I’m sorry I ran off. It’s just, this entire evening has me on edge, and Diane and Park were so cruel just now. And then…” She shakes her head, sniffing again. A single tear slides down her face, then another.

  Then another one.

  She’s full-blown crying, her shoulders shaking from her sobs, and I pull her into my arms, holding her close. I touch her hair, my lips at her forehead, hating that she’s falling apart in my car. I want to hold her, but it’s awkward with the center console between us. “Diane isn’t worth your tears, babe. Trust me.”

  “I know, I know. This isn’t about Diane.” She hiccups. “I don’t know how to tell you this. It’s just so—freaking weird, and you’re probably not going to believe me.”

  “I will believe you, no matter what. Do you understand?” I slip my fingers beneath her chin to tilt her face up and her gaze meets mine. “You can tell me anything, I swear.”

  Her face is blotchy and her eyes are red. She rubs her tears away and then closes her eyes, like she can’t look at me. “It is the craziest thing ever.”

  Unease slips down my spine and my heart is racing. “Just spit it out, Jens. What’s going on?”

  “A man just walked into your father’s house, right when I was walking out. He looked right at me and winked, and I know he recognized me. He had to.” She opens her eyes, shuddering. “I know him, Rhett.”