“What’s with the questions?” Caleb asked, finally locking stares with Mark.
Things were getting heated quickly. I wasn’t sure what their past was, but Mark looked at least a couple years younger than Caleb, so they didn’t seem like school buddies. Caleb was an easygoing guy; it was one of the reasons we got along so well. He was usually the one to defuse shit, but I could tell when he was past his limit.
If Caleb wanted to put this Mark prick in his place, I wouldn’t mind helping out. Hell, I’d enjoy it—and it had nothing to do with the sweet blonde. Mark was just a douchebag that talked too much, and as I sat there watching the aggravation roll off Caleb, I was prepared for anything.
“Does your dad know you’re in town?” Mark pressed, oblivious to the tension in the air.
“Do you mind? I’m here to play some poker, not chit chat,” Caleb bit out, his voice strained. Yeah, he was about to lose it.
“Well, you got my girl on your lap over there, so I’m a bit distracted,” Mark hissed. “I fold.” He threw his cards on the table.
Josh laughed, choking on his beer before spitting it out. “Dude, if you laid claim to every girl you fucked, no guy in the tri-state area would get any.”
Caleb placed his cards down and collected the pot. He then opened his arms, indicating Mackenzie could get up, which she did.
He looked over to Mark with an easy smile. “All you had to do was say so.” He leaned forward, grinning. “But for the record, your girl came to me. Might want to keep that in mind.”
I smirked and sat back in my chair, taking another swig of beer to finish off my second bottle. I held it out at my side, where some girl was there instantly to replace it with another.
Caleb made a show of scanning the room, his gaze landing on the girl wearing the flannel shirt and no pants. She was the only one half dressed. When he crooked his finger at her, she walked over with an extra bounce in her step. “Let’s deal, already,” Caleb said, kissing her ear.
The game continued as more people filtered in and out of the building. There were a few new faces, including one girl in particular I caught Josh exchanging glances with as the night progressed.
“Baby, can you go grab me a beer?” Mark asked Mackenzie, squeezing her knee. She’d been sitting on his lap since she’d left Caleb’s, Mark unaware of the fact that her bare toes had been working their way up and down my outer thigh. With him in the chair beside me and her sitting facing me, I’d also noticed quite a few suggestive glances she’d thrown my way.
Taking his girl outside and fucking her until she was on her knees, unable to walk back to him, was looking more and more like a great plan.
“Sure,” she said, looking to me before standing. I shot her a wink and watched her sway her hips as she crossed the room. I was about to follow her when Josh’s loud cackle broke out.
“Shit, I almost forgot, Mark. Guess who we saw today, looking fine as always?”
“Who?” Mark looked bored as he threw his cards down, folding first.
“Your old ball and chain.”
Mark rolled his eyes, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. “What was she up to?”
“Didn’t talk, just admired.”
“She was always good for that.” Mark snickered.
I threw down my cards to fold, irritation heavy in my veins.
“I’m sure it was more than that pretty face of hers that kept you entertained.”
“Obviously not, since he spent every weekend here,” the guy beside Josh interjected with a chuckle.
“What can I say? I needed more than a sweet girl looking to settle me down.”
“Can we stop talking about her already?” Mackenzie reappeared, shoving the beer into Mark’s hand but not moving to sit back down.
“Aw, you still jealous, Mackenzie? Don’t be. Unlike Cassie, we all know you’re a good lay.”
Cassie? The name didn’t suit her. I tilted my head to the side enough to gauge the expression Mark was fighting to hide. Something told me it wasn’t her who was bad in bed, but him who didn’t know how to please her. It was a shame I’d missed my chance to show her what a real man could do with her sweetness.
“You should have brought her up here a few times back then. I’m sure a few of the girls could have taught her some moves.” Josh looked up at Mackenzie. “Right, baby?”
Mackenzie scoffed, her hands planted on her hips as she marched away, kicking the back of Josh’s chair when she passed him.
“Cassie will never have any moves worth checking out, so might as well leave her alone,” Mark said.
“Come on, she couldn’t have been that bad. Tell the truth: Cassie Clarke is a little hellion in bed. You just didn’t want to share.”
Caleb looked up from his hand for the first time since they’d started yapping about her.
Mark shook his head, laughing. “I’ll say this: The girl gives decent head, but—”
Caleb’s fist slammed down on the table, startling everyone except me. They all shut up, staring at him for an explanation.
“We’re here to play cards, so shut. The. Hell. Up.” His head moved slowly from Mark to Josh, pinning them in place. “Another fucking word about Cassandra, and I’ll rip your God damn tongue out! Understand?”
“Yeah…sorry,” Josh stuttered, visibly shaking. “I didn’t mean any harm. She’s a good girl.”
“Damn right she is, so not another word about her!”
Caleb knew her—knew Cassandra. That was a name better fit for the sweet blonde. I smiled down at my cards, enjoying the fact that maybe our paths would cross again. And if they ever did, I’d be sure to take my time showing her all the reasons she needed a man in her bed. After Mark, she’d appreciate an all-nighter from me.
After Caleb’s threats, the table remained relatively quiet for a while. As the night wore on, I knew Caleb had a plan in motion—what it was, I wasn’t sure, but I knew it had to do with Josh.
The girl Josh had been exchanging glances with all night walked past me to the kitchen area, and I watched his eyes follow her. He had a thing for her, and I had my in. She was about his age, shorter, and blonde with dark roots. No angel, by far. When she walked past again, I grabbed her hand and pulled her into my lap.
“I need a good-luck charm,” I murmured, nuzzling her neck. “You look just the part.”
The moment I twisted my arm around the girl’s waist, my thumb caressing under her bra, Josh’s attention shifted from the game to her. I caught the slight upturn of Caleb’s expression.
“What’s your name?” the girl asked, situating herself further on my lap, running one hand around my neck while a finger on the other raked over my stomach.
“Does it matter?” I asked. My eyes were on my cards. Another shit hand.
“I guess not.” She leaned back into my chest, and I caught the hard stare Josh set on her. I had his attention.
“Josh, let’s go,” Caleb complained. “You’re up.”
Reluctantly, Josh pulled his gaze back to his cards. “Get me a beer, Liv,” he ordered.
Liv was apparently the girl’s name, because his words caused her to stiffen for only the slightest second before she replied, “No. Get your own damn beer.”
The corner of my mouth turned up. Josh didn’t say another word. Liv had some attitude. It was a turn-on.
Mark stood the moment the hand ended.
“I’m out,” he said, paying the pot. “See you around, Caleb.” His words were rich with sarcasm as he walked to the couch where Mackenzie sat moping. He took her hand to help her up, and she wrapped herself around him.
Once they were out the front door, Caleb looked to Josh. “Since when did he become such an annoying ass?” he asked.
Josh was too focused on Liv to answer. Her hands worked under my black T-shirt, her legs positioned over my lap to hide the fact that she was stroking my dick through the thickness of my jeans. I pressed my lips to her shoulder, my eyes moving to Josh’s.
“Another hand, Josh?” Caleb asked, still unable to pull Josh’s angry gaze away from Liv.
His jaw worked under his skin as he watched us. I held a straight face and took Liv’s head in my hands, dipped her back, and slowly placed my mouth on hers. Her lips parted and her tongue sneaked out to meet mine.
She tasted like beer and honey. I wasn’t one to waste time kissing—it was too intimate for my usual purposes—but the show it presented was worth it. She wasn’t bad. I slid my finger through her hair, deepening the kiss until she pulled back, her lips bright red and swollen.
She squirmed in my lap, which told me she wanted to take things to a more private setting. I kissed her hand and smirked when she stood up, adjusting her short flower-print dress.
Josh was in the game for a lot, so he didn’t have any choice but to continue. There was no way he had that kind of money.
“You out, or we going another hand?” Caleb asked again.
“I’m still in.” Josh’s head dropped finally, the cards he shuffled in his hands taking the brunt of his fury.
“Well, I’m out for the night,” I said just as he was about to deal to me.
The moment of relief that crossed his features was short lived.
“Why don’t you show me around, beautiful?” I readjusted myself, not yet fully hard, and collected the few winnings I’d made. When I finally stood, taking Liv’s hand in mine, I looked to Josh with a smug grin. “Good luck.”
Josh flew up, knocking his chair backward. The loud crash stirred everyone’s attention. “You’re not going with him, Liv!”
“Seriously? Mind your business, Josh,” Liv replied, blowing him off.
She started walking away, her hand tightening around mine when Josh made a move to run around the table. Caleb already had No-Pants Girl off his lap and shot up, pushing Josh back.
“You’re gonna want to calm down,” Caleb suggested.
“I’m not going to let her get fucked by that pretty boy,” Josh roared.
I smirked, pulling Liv against me, my hand slipping from hers and encircling her waist.
“I believe your girl there has made other plans for the night, so unless you plan on folding, we have a game to continue.” Caleb took his seat, still holding his cards.
“What?” Josh’s hands flew to his wobbling head, stilling it. He released a breath, failing to regain his composure. “Yeah, I fold. I’m out, all right!?” He slapped the chips in the center of the table and pushed them toward Caleb. “Come on, Liv. Let me take you home.”
He moved toward her and she sighed, her shoulders falling. “How many times have I told you? I’m not interested. Go back to your game. I came by to have some fun, and that’s what I plan on doing.”
“And I’m not fun? You seemed to enjoy yourself just fine the other day.”
I released a heavy breath, not interested in watching a lovers’ quarrel. I looked over to Caleb, who was focused on calculating Josh’s loss.
Liv groaned. “I told you already: It’s not happening again.”
Completely over their little back and forth, I moved my arms from her waist and took her hand again. “There you have it, Josh. Now excuse us—I believe you have some debt to settle with Caleb, and I’d hate to leave this pretty little thing waiting any longer.”
Josh’s pitiful expression turned to worry when he looked to Caleb, who said, “It’s one hell of a number you’re owing here.”
“Come on, Caleb, we’re not in high school anymore. I’ll get you the money.”
I’d already started walking out the back door with Liv when I heard Caleb tell him, “I might have a compromise we could discuss.”
Chapter 7
Isolation
Darkness surrounded us the moment Liv and I stepped outside, the half-moon providing barely enough light to help my vision adjust. The moment the door slammed shut behind us, she was on me, fervent and rough—exactly how I liked it when I was out in nature.
I maneuvered my head to the side when her soft lips slid over my stubble, anxious to meet mine. She didn’t seem to mind the snub, moving her attention back down my jaw, her hands clawing under my shirt and up my back.
She clung to me as I skimmed my tongue over her neck, tasting the saltiness of her skin. No perfume. That was a change, and a welcomed one.
The door opened and another couple stumbled out, kissing wildly around their laughter, completely oblivious of their audience.
“Here,” I said, walking us farther away to the side where the quads were housed. A spotlight flickered on above, better illuminating the area.
The neighboring houses were all shielded by massive rows of dead trees and overgrown weeds. I gave little thought to someone walking up, though it wouldn’t be the first time.
Liv tugged my shirt up, her tongue flicking over my nipple as I inhaled the crisp, cool air. Caleb was right: Few things were as sweet. I found myself intrigued more with the atmosphere than the girl raking her nails up and down my stomach.
“You must work out…a lot.” She panted, her lips descending over my abs.
“Do you want to talk…” I slid my hands up the back of her thighs and over her prickled gooseflesh, caressing her ass. “…or do you want this?” My hand dipped inside her panties.
“That! I want that!” Her fingers curled into my shirt, her mouth sucking at my neck.
“Of course you do.” I tore myself from her grasp and moved behind her. “Bend over.”
She jolted up when I smacked her ass and, without further instruction, placed her hands on the seat of the nearest quad. She lifted her ass high, wiggling it.
I traced my thumb over my bottom lip, admiring her uninhibited arousal and fearlessness.
“Please,” she begged, peering back over her shoulder at me. Anticipation was the best part. I had no reason to rush, since I had the night free.
“Shhh,” I whispered.
My hand caressed up her spine until my fingers were curving around her neck. The other hand slithered under her dress, caressing her smooth stomach, then slid down the front of her damp panties.
My thumb brushed over her nub. The heat of her center warmed me, casting off the chill in the air. She inhaled a sharp, ragged breath when my fingers parted her lower lips and slid into her sweltering, moist channel. Her ass ground against my cock.
I slipped in a second finger, angling both digits just right to hit her sweet spot. I knew when I’d succeeded—not from the lurid scream that rushed from her lungs, but from memories of all the other women those fingers had pleasured.
“Like that,” I stated firmly, driving my fingers deep then pulling back to thrust in again.
Like a machine, I found myself getting her off while staring up at the clear night sky, savoring the moment and silence instead of another woman falling apart in my arms. There was no unnecessary commotion filtering in through my crowded head—only the hissing of the wind, the distant chirping of nature, and the heavy panting of the girl grinding against my hand.
A calmness settled over me, satisfying something deep inside. Aside from my time at the lake house, which I hadn’t visited since I’d taken Oliver when he turned one, I didn’t find myself out in nature much. My life was scheduled and strategic in every way, and vacations rarely fit in.
The longer I was out there, the more I missed the lake house and the peace I’d felt there. To my disappointment, that tranquility was interrupted by the creak of the back door, but I was too relaxed to care—so relaxed I wasn’t even hard.
The door closed, and immediate footsteps followed. But Liv was lost in her moment, and I wasn’t about to disappoint. I slid in a third finger, her tight ripples of flesh expanding around my fingers, and watched the dark figure approach. It wasn’t until he stepped into the lit area that I recognized Caleb.
I hadn’t expected him so soon. Josh had either ponied up or was making some desperate calls. Caleb’s eyes were on Liv, feasting on the view.
She continued fucking my hand
until he stepped closer, the crack of a stick breaking through her fog, alerting her of his presence. Startled, she jerked forward on the seat, ripping my hand away as she struggled to readjust her dress.
I held back my chuckle, running my damp fingers over my lips for a taste. When she wedged out from between the quad and me, she flew forward, and Caleb was there to catch her in his arms.
“You seemed to be enjoying yourself. Sorry for interrupting. It looks like I now owe you a favor,” Caleb told her with a wicked gleam in his eye I’d seen often. He’d be keeping her busy the rest of the night, but I didn’t mind.
She looked back at me, unsure of herself until my brows lifted. “Don’t refuse pleasure on account of me, gorgeous.”
Caleb spun her around, her back colliding with his chest. “Well, Josh cleared his debt,” he began explaining to me while holding two fingers to her lips. “Suck.”
Her blazing eyes locked with mine as she drew them into her mouth. A grin sharpened her features when he popped them back out. I leaned back against the quad, watching her eyelids flutter shut and her head rest back against his shoulder as he slipped his fingers under her dress.
“How’d he come up with the cash so fast?” I asked.
Caleb focused on Liv, my question left hanging around us. “Is that how you like it?” he asked, smoothing her hair to the side to better see her face. She’d already been worked up, and now, after only a second of his touch, she was trembling. Her breath hitched, becoming nothing more than rapid gasps spilling out as she struggled to answer.
“These fingers can pleasure you as good as his,” he told her, nibbling her ear.
“Josh is broke,” Caleb continued, his eyes moving to me. “The diner’s draining everything he has.”
“Not surprised. Looks like he never bothered to invest a dime in maintaining it.” I huffed out a bored sigh, waiting to hear where he came up with the money, and shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
“Yes…yes. Good!” Liv spit out. “Don’t stop.”
I pulled my phone from inside my coat and turned the volume I’d silenced back to the ringer. No missed calls. “So then how did Josh manage that kind of money?” I asked, tucking the phone away.