Chapter 5
Chapter Five
RHETT
I’ve waited two years for this moment. Two years of wishing that she’d want me as much as I want her.
And even though she’s only talking about sex, it’s still a start.
I see the way she looks at me.
It’s the same way I look at her. Our longing looks are hopeful and full of love. We want the other to accept all of us. The good. The bad. And the ugly.
We want our pasts to be forgiven, and our flaws accepted.
I love Francesca no matter what she’s said and done in the past. I just hope one day she will be able to forgive me for the past two years.
I throw her on my bed, watching as her eyelids flutter for a moment and a giggle escapes past her lips.
Gripping the hem of my shirt, I pull it up over my head before throwing it down on the carpet.
Her gaze lowers over my exposed torso, lingering on my abs for a few extra moments. I’ve bulked up a bit more since she’s been gone. My abs are more defined and the V that disappears below the waistband of my pants is more pronounced.
She used to love that part the most. She’d spend hours trailing her fingers along the groove, driving me wild with her teasing.
My abs tense and my erection bobs in my pants as she stares at me.
“I’ve never wanted you more than I do right now.” I mumble.
She whispers into the dark. “Then take me. I’m yours.”
Those words egg me on, propelling my feet forward until I am climbing on the bed to be with her.
I undo the button on her tiny jean shorts before pulling them off and throwing them on top of my shirt. I don’t hesitate to push up her shirt and bra, exposing her perfect breasts.
Having her nearly naked in front of me seems like a dream come true and the only thing I can think about is burying my cock inside of her.
But that’s too fast. I have all night to be inside her. If I only get tonight, then I’m going to savor the moment and savor her.
Pushing her legs open wider, I thrust one finger inside her warmth.
Damn, she’s already soaked.
I add another finger, slowly pushing them deeper inside her channel. Her juices drip out of her pussy, coating my hand.
Her hips lift off the bed.
“Please, Rhett. Do something.” She moans as my fingers thrust into her.
In and out, I finger fuck her until she’s a writhing mess. I curl my fingers to massage the slightly rough patch of tissue.
Her hips buck and grind on my hand as she lets out a long moan.
“Oh fuck, Rhett.”
Leaning down over her, I wrap my lips around a nipple and bite down.
A scream rips through the air as she clamps her eyes shut and throws her head back deeper into my cover.
Good, let her feel the pain that I felt two years ago when she left without an explanation.
Her pussy clamps down on my fingers. I lay down on the mattress between her legs and snake my tongue out to taste her.
She tightens her legs around my head, trapping me, but to be honest, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.
Eating her out is my favorite way of pleasing her.
Her nails dig into my scalp, pulling me deeper into her cunt as her hips grind on my face.
My fingers continue to fuck her as my tongue circles her clit. I suck the tiny bud into my mouth and chuckle as she swears out loud.
“Son of a bitch. You’re just fucking teasing me right now.”
I suck the tiny bud harder as my fingers stroke her g spot.
“Shit. I’m not going to last much longer.” Her legs shake as she lifts her hips, guiding my tongue lower.
I thrust my tongue inside her pussy, joining my two fingers. Using my other hand, I rub my thumb over her clit.
I need her to come.
I want her arousal to cover my face.
My fingers pump into her at a relentless pace, needing to push her over the edge. She shakes her head and cries out as her orgasm slams through her.
“Fuck, Rhett. I’m coming.”
Her legs hold my head in a death grip, not letting go until she comes down from her high.
God, I’ve missed her.
I’ve missed her laugh. I’ve missed her smile. And I’ve missed her coming undone by my hands.
My dick throbs in my pants.
I need to feel her walls wrap around my cock.
I need to fuck her bare.
I need to make her mine in every possible way.
Pushing her legs open a little wider, I stand and remove the rest of my clothing before joining her back on the bed.
Her arms wrap around my shoulders, her nails dig into my flesh as her legs wrap around my waist.
I rub my cock up and down her dripping slit before slowly easing inside her.
Fuck, she feels better than I remember. She feels like home.
My thrusts become erratic, needing to reach the same end that she did just moments ago.
Lifting her legs up over my shoulders, I pump into her to the hilt before pulling all the way out .
Soft and sexy mews escape past her lips as I thrust into her again and again.
Our gazes lock and I know we are feeling the same emotions. Lust, sorrow, and love.
Lust for the need coursing through our veins.
Sorrow for the lost years where we could have been each other’s comfort and home.
Love for the same reason as sorrow.
But love isn’t always enough. I’ve loved her more than I’ve loved anyone in my entire life.
Anger builds inside as I continue to fuck her.
Why did she leave so suddenly? Why did she run away instead of giving me, and us, a real chance? Why didn’t she keep in touch?
My hand moves to her throat, tightening just enough that I should see the fear in her eyes.
Except it’s not fear. It’s arousal.
Deep, carnal arousal.
Her eyes slowly close, and her moans get louder. She’s enjoying this as much as I am.
Damn her for leaving two years ago.
Damn her for keeping secrets.
Damn her for coming back into my life like a tornado destined to fuck shit up.
My pace is bruising, but she doesn’t complain. She takes all of me, letting out the sexiest sounds I’ve ever heard.
“Fuck, Chessie. You’re taking my dick like a good girl.” I grunt out as my balls tighten.
She reaches between our bodies and rubs her clit. My gaze locks onto the juncture of our bodies, transfixed by her movement.
It’s driving me wild to watch her pleasure herself. To see her take what she wants.
Just the sight alone sends me over the edge. Luckily, she tumbles over with me. Her walls clamp down around my cock as I spill myself inside her.
When I’m completely spent, I lower her legs and lean down, bracing myself on the mattress.
Her hands wrap around the back of my neck, pulling me closer until her lips crash into mine.
Our lips move slowly, deliberately, trying to drag out this moment before reality comes crashing back down.
Her back arches, pushing her breasts into my chest as she moans into my mouth.
“God, I’ve missed this.” She mumbles as I suck her bottom lip into my mouth.
Fuck, I can’t do this to her.
I can’t be the biggest hypocrite in the world, but telling her will change everything between us and, as much as I want to let her know, I can’t.
Not yet.
Her stomach growls, giving me the out I need.
Chuckling, I say, “Come on. Let’s get you fed.”
I don’t wait for her to get out of my bed. I slip on my pants and head to the kitchen without a backward glance.
The shrimp is already thawed under the steady stream of cold water, so I start the pasta water and get the rest of the ingredients out of the refrigerator .
I start by cooking the garlic in the frying pan.
Francesca wraps her arms around my waist from behind. “Did you know my mom would make this for Joey and I the night before our birthdays and when we got an award at school?”
I drop the tongs that I’m holding and spin around.
My gaze locks onto the sight of Francesca in my Savannah Sharks shirt. Sure, she used to wear my clothes all the time, but that was years ago.
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t know that, but it makes sense because Joey told me years ago that it was your favorite.”
Even though we dated for a long time, we still have a lot to learn about each other, like what I’ve been doing behind her back for the past two years.
Francesca sits on the counter and watches me cook.
The gesture is so familiar, yet so different. We’ve cooked together many times, but this time feels different.
She takes a sip of her beer before asking, “So, is James Reilly still the captain of the team?”
“You don’t know who’s on the team and yet you took the public relations job?” I don’t intend on my question coming out snarky, it just does.
She rolls her eyes. “I was practically guilted into taking this job. Plus, I figured I’d get to know the team this week when I learn exactly where my talents are needed first.”
She gives me a questioning glare.
I hold my hands up. “Hey, not me. My reputation is fine. I haven’t done anything to stir the pot and make the team look bad.”
At least nothing that the press knows about.
“So, is James Reilly still captain of the team?”
“No. He retired, but most of the guys are still around. Spencer Reed spent a couple of weeks in the AHL after breaking his ribs, but came back healthier than ever.”
I turn back to the stove and continue cooking dinner. I finish the shrimp and add the heavy whipping cream and white wine to make the creamy sauce.
“So-” she whispers.
“So what?”
“Are we going to talk about what just happened?” Her voice is soft, like she’s unsure of what I will say.
“What’s there to say? We had sex, and now I’m cooking us dinner.”
She scoffs. “Yeah, but are things going to be weird between us?”
I turn around and our gazes meet. She looks worried. “No, why would they be? We are two consenting adults.”
Two consenting adults that have history together.
“Because-” Her voice cracks. “Because of how I left two years ago.”
My heart constricts with pain as if I’m reliving the worst day of my life all over again. I refuse to let my mind go back there again right now.
We will need to have a conversation about our breakup and the past two years, but not right now .
“That’s the past.” I say, before turning away from her.
We are silent for several minutes as I finish cooking and plate our food. I carry the plates over to the couch and turn on the television.
The nightly local news is on, so I leave it on as we eat.
We watch the weather forecast before they change topics to the viewer asked questions on social media.
The news anchor, Betty, reads the first question. “Why hasn’t the sale of the local hockey team, the Savannah Sharks, been covered?”
She glances toward her co-anchor before saying, “We don’t talk about sales of businesses. If we did, we would be here all day and night.”
The next question pops up on the screen, and she reads it aloud. “Is it true that the city is covering up illegal activity from the Marino family? I heard the daughter is going to be working for the team.”
Betty’s gaze drops to the stack of papers on the desk in front of her before the channel cuts to a commercial.
“What the fuck?” Francesca yells and stands.
I skip over the illegal activity and focus on her.
“I’m assuming they cut to commercial because those weren’t the questions they expected. I wouldn’t worry if I were you. You are more than qualified for this job. I mean, you went and got your degree.”
“Yeah, but my brother plays for the team and my father owns it. Me getting the job was completely biased. ”
“The community will see that your family is changing the team and arena for the better. I know your dad has plans to upgrade and renovate the arena to make it a better experience for the fans.”
She plops back down on the couch.
“How am I supposed to make things better when the community already thinks this negatively?”
“Fuck them and their opinions. You can’t live life worrying about what other people think. You will go to the arena tomorrow and start your new job, and you will be great at it.”
“Do you think so?”
Is she really this unsure of the job?
“Yes, I do. You have this weird, but useful, ability to make everything look better. Do you remember when Joey and I got into the fist fight after our first game together and he busted my lip open?”
She laughs. “Yeah, and I told the press the next morning that I accidentally smacked you in my sleep.”
“Yeah, see? You protected your family and the team.”
She didn’t want to kiss me because she was afraid that it would hurt. I didn’t mind, though. Kissing her was worth the tiny bit of pain it caused.
She laughs louder at the memory. “And outed us as a couple at the same time.”
I shrug. “I didn’t mind that part. Your brother, father, and uncle already knew. Hell, the entire team even knew. ”
She sighs and stares at her pasta. “Yeah. Times were simpler back then.”
They can be that simple again. If we are both open and honest.
I want to shake her and tell her it’s possible, but I don’t. I leave her statement hanging in the air between us, like a brewing storm.
When she finds out that I’ve been lying to her and working for her father and brother on the side, she will be crushed and leave again.
I can’t risk another heartbreak like that a second time because this time, I might not recover.